Go Out and Play
Despite its reputation for world-class skiing, Colorado is actually a bright, sunny place most of the year. In fact, Denver averages 300 sunny days per year, and sometimes it's warm enough for shorts in the middle of January.
Students revel in Colorado's beautiful weather during the annual, week-long May Days celebration. This year, a giant inflatable slide was a hit.
DU students take full advantage of the beautiful weather, especially during May, when spring is at its balmiest.
Every year, the DU Programs Board, a student-run organization, puts on May Days, a week of events designed "to get people together before finals, to enjoy the beautiful weather, and to rev up the school spirit," says Andrea Raile, a junior psychology major from Edina, Minn., and the head of May Days 2007.
This year's May Days events included:
Barbecue—About 500 students came out to soak up the sun and enjoy free burgers, funnel cakes, cotton candy and more. Once they were full, they played volleyball and Frisbee and tumbled down the 22-foot-high inflatable slide.
Golf comes to campus—Students pulled out their golf clubs for the Daniels Campus Classic. Contestants hit tennis balls through a makeshift course that was built around campus.
Music Fest—Braddigan, Meese, Kenny Leung and The Undone headlined at the Music Fest, where students danced into the night.
Hundreds of students came out for the free barbecue, which offered everything from burgers and brats to funnel cakes and cotton candy.
Seesaw-a-thon—Every year, DU's sororities and fraternities build seesaws and set them up on Campus Green. Each house keeps its seesaw moving for 24 hours straight and pays an entrance fee that benefits the nonprofit Camp Fire USA.
Students gather on the Green to cheer the seesawers along, and for music, food and games.
"It's a University tradition and the most fun thing that happens on campus all year," says Jamie Alexander, a senior from Highlands Ranch, Colo., majoring in music and business.
The outside life
DU students' love for the outdoors goes beyond organized events. Some students shift their whole lives outdoors, going outside to exercise, talk, read, study and just hang out.
We asked students, what's your favorite thing to do in the beautiful spring weather?
Lie in my hammock or play Ultimate Frisbee.
Dan Packman, junior, film/digital media studies, Weston, Conn.Hang outside with friends and go to Wash Park. [And] I've taken up kayaking because it's gorgeous out and [Colorado has] great rivers.
Margaret Duke, junior, English and Spanish, Bronxville, N.Y.I definitely like to get outside when the weather is nice and do anything—like play some Frisbee, Wiffle ball or soccer or take a bike ride.
Paul Philips, senior; hotel, restaurant and tourism management; Corvallis, Ore.Frolic in the grass with friends.
Jamie Alexander, senior, music and business, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
The May Days Music Fest featured four bands that played into the night.
For more ways to revel in Colorado's spring weather, see Denver Outdoors.
Published on May 28, 2007