Colorado Jumping Scene?

[klafollette 0]

I'm looking for some info on the Colorado jumping scene. To give you a frame of reference, I'm currently at a Super-Twotter DZ, doing mostly RW where we jump at 13.5K AGL (14K MSL). The loads turn constantly on the weekend, with a rare shut-down the whole day. RW organizing is great, regularly doing 4, 8, 10+, and occasional 20 ways.

So how do Colorado DZs compare? I've read a bunch of posts, but couldn't really get a feel for the type of jumping favored at each, how busy they are, or how easy to come in from out of town and get in on some jumps.

Looks like there are now 2 DZs; Longmont and Canon City. Brush and Calhan appear to be closed?

What altitudes (AGL/MSL) are typical? Do you have O2 available on the planes for us low-landers?

August 18-22, I will be vacationing in Estes Park, and planning 1 day of jumping; tentavely either Saturday or Sunday, unless something is going on at one of the DZs that would make a difference.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

There are currently two airports operating parachute activities in Colorado. Longmont and Canon City, with Canon City currently having more than one DZ. Plus rumors exists that Brush is trying to open again. Mile-Hi Skydiving in Longmont is currently the largest DZ and they own their own King Air, Cessna 206 and they also own an Otter, but it's still being rebuilt. But Longmont has an Otter on lease for most weeks this summer from Eloy. I can't speak about the traffic in Canon City as I haven't been there in a couple of years, but Longmont is running 7 days a week right now and it has plenty of RW people, Freefliers, Swoopers, CReW and a few of us also fly wingsuits and unless Mother Nature decides to blow on our parade, we do turn lots of loads on a given weekday and for sure tons of loads on weekends. Longmont is not that far of a drive from Denver and exists in an urban environment (so no skyball) and Canon City is not that far away from Colorado Springs and Pueblo. If Brush does reopen, it's off in the eastern plains but because it is a remote location, you can do skyball there. Longmont is 5000 feet MSL and jump run is from 12.5k and I believe Canon City is ever so slightly higher but is pretty much the same. Brush is 4000 feet MSL so their jump run is from 13.5k

As far as oxygen is concerned, yes our airplanes are equiped with it, but it rarely gets used. The King Air climbs so fast that we're really not up there for very long.

I hope I've been some help here ...

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[Buried 0]

just got back from CO and was at canon city and longmont. Tho I didn't jump at canon city since it's generally only open on the weekends. I did stop by and checked out the hanger/airport and its a very open obstacle free dz.. but gets really windy in the afternoon since it's in the canon. If you are planning on hitting up that dz get there early in the day.

was at longmont 2 weekends ago. great planes and people and only 40 min from denver. Canon city is ~1:30-2h. It was easy to get on a loads, but have to watch out for the weather in the mid/late afternoon. ~12.5k is normal.

Where is my fizzy-lifting drink?

[headoutdaplane 0]

I just moved here from Chicago, have had rig problems but finally got up this last Friday, and Saturday at Mile High after a month on the ground. The folks here are really nice. Be aware, the canopy comes out of the sky fast! Someone told me it is like down sizing a canopy size or even two. They have a otter now but they didn't fly it either day I was there, the king air is fast to the 12k agl that we made each jump. The views are unbelievable. $22 for the ride to altitude. I don't know about belly flying, but for freeflying there is no jump organizer so you just have to introduce yourself, and off you go. I haven't gone down to Canon City yet, but a couple of guys at Mile high said it is a nice dz as well.