Crested Butte Co

For a wildflower enthusiast, few places match Colorado's high-mountain meadows. Colorado claims more than 3,000 species of wildflowers, including more than 300 above the 11,500-foot timberline. It's not just the variety of wildflowers that is unusual, it's the range and vividness of their colors, which are heightened by the intensity of light in the higher altitudes.

For a wildflower enthusiast, few places match Colorado's high-mountain meadows. Colorado claims more than 3,000 species of wildflowers, including more than 300 above the 11,500-foot timberline. It's not just the variety of wildflowers that is unusual, it's the range and vividness of their colors, which are heightened by the intensity of light in the higher altitudes.

A mysterious explosion leveled a two-story brick bank building in a central Colorado ski resort Tuesday, killing three people and injuring 14 others, authorities said. More than 600 volunteers from throughout the area converged on the tiny community of Crested Butte, 120 miles southwest of Denver, to help rescue survivors at the Crested Butte State Bank. Many used their hands to dig through the rubble of the bank that exploded shortly after it opened at 9 a.m.

The explosion that destroyed the Crested Butte State Bank and killed three people was caused by a buildup of a gas in the historic coal mining town, federal investigators said Friday. Ron Wolters, head of a national response team with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said the investigation had ruled out the possibility that a bomb demolished the two-story brick building. The explosion occurred moments after the bank opened Tuesday, leaving nothing but the bank vault standing.

The explosion that destroyed the Crested Butte State Bank and killed three people was caused by a buildup of a gas in the historic coal mining town, federal investigators said Friday. Ron Wolters, head of a national response team with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said the investigation had ruled out the possibility that a bomb demolished the two-story brick building. The explosion occurred moments after the bank opened Tuesday, leaving nothing but the bank vault standing.

Finding economical, clean, safe accommodations is the first hurdle young independent travelers face in new destinations. Fortunately the number of budget hotels and independent and internationally affiliated hostels is increasing. Here are some new locations in New York City, Toronto, Hawaii and Colorado. After a multimillion-dollar refurbishment in 1997, the Malibu Hotel in New York City has reopened and is catering to travelers on limited budgets with rooms without baths from $48 per night.

A mysterious explosion leveled a two-story brick bank building in a central Colorado ski resort Tuesday, killing three people and injuring 14 others, authorities said. More than 600 volunteers from throughout the area converged on the tiny community of Crested Butte, 120 miles southwest of Denver, to help rescue survivors at the Crested Butte State Bank. Many used their hands to dig through the rubble of the bank that exploded shortly after it opened at 9 a.m.