Lakes of Landlocked Colorado Attract Scuba Diving Enthusiasts

Scuba diving enthusiasts in the United States are flocking to the lakes of Western Slope in Colorado to enjoy the underwater sport below the peaks of the famous Rocky Mountains.

The lakes along Western Slope have seen an increase in the number of tourists taking scuba diving holidays as water sport enthusiasts become interested in learning how to scuba dive before heading off to more exotic scuba diving destinations.

The sport has become so popular in the landlocked state that it can even be studied at Colorado Mesa University (CMU).

Image by : melissa.fiene, on Flickr.

Michelle Peterson, a senior student at CMU explained: "This is just a new experience being able to be in the water."

Diving schools are benefitting from the increased interest in the sport and Darren Cook, a Dive Instructor at CMU, said: "It's a very popular sport. We are a very sport active state so scuba diving, everybody wants to get out of the cold and head down to the Caribbean."

Joe Adams, the manager of Joe's Scuba Shack, added: "Scuba is one of the bucket list things that people always wanted to try.

"Once you're certified you can dive just about anywhere, even up on the Grand Mesa."

Colorado is famous for its skiing, biking, and fishing but it seems that it could become a new destination for scuba diving holidays as thrill-seekers look to dive beneath the surface of the lake waters.

Image by: Duiken Redactie, on Flickr.

The lake waters might not be warm and turquoise like those that can be found in the Caribbean or Maldives but this does not appear to be deterring people from enjoying scuba diving adventures in Colorado.

Caliay Pratt, a student at the university commented: "It's different down underneath the water. Its quieter, sounds are different, noises are different, and the colours are different. It's kind of cool to be down there and see everything from that point of view."

There are not many places in the world where tourists can ski down a mountain and go scuba diving in a lake all in the space of one day, but Colorado could become the newest hotspot for fearless adrenalin-seeking travellers.