The Women of Colorado

Let’s take a moment to recognize the great-at-any-age ladies of our state who get out, have fun, make it happen, and keep it real.  

Illustrations by Karl Nicholason

Billies

These young ladies are easily identified by their ponytails under ski and bike helmets. A good day for them starts before the sun is up and usually ends with pizza. Electronics are something used mostly at school. Billies think weekends are for following (or leading) their parents around ski slopes and dirt trails, and the highlight of every summer is an unbeatable camping trip. Just when a Billie gets her new bike figured out, she has a growth spurt and needs a new one. Exciting fact about Billies: They can grow up to win Olympic medals. (Looking at you, Arielle Gold.)

Brandies

Brandies are of “that age.” They don’t want to tell you what they’re doing, but they certainly want the freedom to do it. Stickers cover their car bumpers and if the engine hits a snag, Brandies have a pretty good idea how to get it running again. Calling “off” to work may cost them a summer job, but can we really put a price on adventure? Money goes towards travel and outdoor gear. If a cousin visits, Brandies will waste no time getting them in a packraft down the river or on a SUP at Connected Lakes. Show me a good Chaco tan, and I’ll show you a Brandy. 

Beckies

These Colorado women are mothers, wives, sisters, and bosses. They check the weather apps more than their Facebook feeds, and they wear yoga pants to actually do yoga. Their years have taught them the value of a quality helmet, but they’re not afraid to take a risk — like trading out the family’s annual camping trip for a bike-packing adventure through Arches. These ladies don’t whine — they often gather around wine. If a walk turns into a hike, then turns into a 36-mile bike ride across the Grand Valley, you’ve found yourself a Becky.

Betties

Betties don’t mess around. They have been through a storm or two and aren’t easily rattled anymore. If the sun is out, they’re out there under it. They may ski a little slower (with perfect form) and ride a little lower in their (e-bike) seats, but they know all the best routes and hidden gems. Lift lines and wait times aren’t going to ruin their day, and neither are reading glasses or gray hairs. Two words they simply do not care about are snap and chat. (Well, that’s not exactly true. Ask them how it used to be “before all the people moved here,” and you just might find yourself in the middle of a good old-fashioned chat after all.)