"Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge"

   My first visit to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge was on September 4th, 2017, and I was pleasantly surprised by how wild and clean it felt, especially since it's located between Denver and the airport. Despite its past as a military arsenal and a chemical plant, the refuge has been transformed.

   Covering about 15,000 acres and surrounded by a high fence, the refuge features a visitor center and a paved game drive. The road is easy to find, and I suspect it's plowed in winter because I saw a sign at a cattle crossing that said “raise plow blade.” I look forward to driving there when it’s snowy. While the drive is advertised to take an hour, I found it takes closer to three hours if you’re interested in photography or detailed wildlife observation.

   The scenery reflects the Great Plains, with low grasses and patches of cottonwood trees. You’ll see plenty of prairie dog holes and mounds dotting the ground like a golf course. Game trails wind through gentle hills, marked with droppings from various native animals—a clear sign of the refuge’s vibrant wildlife.