Colorado Press Women is hosting a Summer Getaway on July 30-31 in Cañon City and Alamosa, historical cities with deep roots in newspapering, and will honor two newspapers whose female staff helped found CPW 80 years ago. Members of Wichita Professional Communicators have been invited to attend.
Registration for the Summer Getaway is $30 per person. Restaurant meals, museum, hotel room and park entry are on your own, although a special hotel rate is available for those who book a room by June 30. See the registration form and go to Colorado Press Women’s website for details.
The first stop is 10 a.m. Friday, July 30, in Cañon City at the Colorado Prison Museum, 201 N. 1st St., in the historical cell house that was the original Women’s Correctional Facility. Admission is $10/adults, $9/seniors. Lunch is noon at Happy Endings Caboose Café, 403 Water Street Blvd., steps from historic downtown, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad and the Arkansas River Walk. The cafe offers outdoor seating and a complete menu.
Friday afternoon, CPW visits the Cañon City Daily Record, in the Sunflower Bank Building, 831 Royal Gorge Blvd., Suite 325, to recognize the late Lucille Norton, Record news editor, and the late Mrs. J. Leo Sterling, who were among 58 charter members of CPW. From Cañon City, CPW moves to Alamosa, two and half hours southwest, for overnight stays July 30-31 at the Comfort Inn and Suites, 6301 W. U.S. Highway 160, or other lodging of your choice. CPW has a block of Comfort Inn rooms reserved until June 30, after which the price goes up. Friday evening supper is at 6:30 p.m. at the San Luis Valley Brewing Company, 631 Main St., Alamosa, known for local beer and hearty comfort food, offering indoor and outdoor seating.
Saturday morning at 10 a.m., CPW visits the Alamosa Valley Courier, 2205 State Ave., to honor three charter members: Ellen Kate Dier, co-publisher and editor; Margery Dier, co-publisher; and Genevieve E. McDermith, society editor and reporter. Between the Courier visit and lunch, attendees can visit the vibrant weekly Farmer’s Market on Main Street. The focus of the market is local produce, animal products, foods and goods. 
The Narrow Gauge Book Cooperative bookstore on Main Street is another option for a quick visit; the store features books about the history of the San Luis Valley and local authors. At noon Saturday, lunch will be at Juanito’s Mexican Restaurant, 2069 1st St., with a greeting by Alamosa mayor Ty Colman and talk by Dr. Cheryl Lovell, president of Adams State University, followed by a tour of the campus. Dr. Lovell will give an overview of the university and explain the programs available to students in communications.
After the tour, CPW travels to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, about 30 miles north. Box meals will be provided for attendees for a picnic dinner. After the repast, attendees can remain to attend the Sand Dunes at Night program. Great Sand Dunes was certified as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association in 2019. The distance from urban areas, dry air and a high elevation makes for excellent night viewing.