Meet Tyler DeVries | Owner Operator & Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler DeVries and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Adventure Colorado Tours(ACT) was founded in the summer of 2019. ACT’s journey began on AirBnb Experiences and quickly gained hundreds of 5 star reviews, earning a verified reputation in the travel community in June of 2019. Its mission is to elevate well-being and sustainability one adventure at a time.

The backbone of ACT is mental health and well-being. It encompasses a love for humanity, cultures, and commitment to create a community of inclusivity.. ACT aims to nourish the imagination, talents, skills, and aspirations of individuals by inspiring them to learn about nature, themselves, others, and humanity as a whole. Adventure Colorado Tours is partnered with non-profits, small-businesses and schools. By 2022 ACT will be the first eco-friendly tour guide company in Colorado, provide tours in Teslas, develop the first zero waste tour in Colorado, create a camping retreat for people with disabilities, begin mental health focused retreats, and so much more. ACT is a company that strives for immense global impact through once in a lifetime adventures. To learn more about ACT visit https://www.adventurecoloradotours.com

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Tyler DeVries was born and raised in Aurora, Colorado. He graduated with a bachelors in Psychology and minors in Communication and Business. He studied abroad through a program called Semester at Sea in the Fall of 2017 where he circumnavigated the world by ship. This experience was invaluable and made him develop a love for humanity, cultures, and commitment to share the global perspective and create a community of inclusivity. Learn more

Tyler has worked with at-risk youth as a Mental Health Counselor for the past 4 years. He hopes to continue nourishing the imagination, talents, skills, and aspirations of individuals including himself, by inspiring them to learn about themselves, others, and humanity as a whole so we can all reach our full potential. Tyler has been exploring the Colorado Rockies ever since he learned how to walk. He has an immense passion for traveling, the outdoors, and the health benefits that nature provides. Through Adventure Colorado Tours, he aims to merge wellbeing and nature.

Many small businesses are suffocating under the sweeping government response to the novel coronavirus as well as changes in people’s habits. For Adventure Colorado Tours (ACT) however, the coronavirus is not the largest obstacle in the path to staying afloat. It is antiquated government regulation and private companies abusing it.

As Colorado natives, we at ACT are infatuated with the outdoors and promoting eco-friendly attitudes that foster a symbiotic relationship between humans and the environment. Acknowledging that we could not stop tourism, we decided to revolutionize it. We’ve started a tour company that is focused on the well-being of people and our planet. Everyone within our company has traveled the world and volunteered for a non-profit organization at one point in time, demonstrating a commitment to the planet and people. We pick up trash through the forest and leave no trace where we have traveled. We provide a personal experience by limiting our guest-to-guide ratio to five and by the end of the day we strive to build personal connections. No one is left feeling like some variable in an optimization equation. Furthermore, we don’t use gas-guzzling vans or buses, we use personal vehicles and intend to expand to fully electric transportation as soon as possible.

All our estimations indicate that ACT has the potential to be wildly successful. ACT began as an AirBnB experience; transporting guests from Denver to the mountains and back in our personal vehicles. We were one of the first AirBnB experiences to offer such a service, and a number of others have started doing so afterwards. Business demand for our tours near Denver was growing fast and our idea was taking off, garnering a majority of 5 star reviews! We were starting to make an impact – we actually ended up receiving a cease and desist letter from a lawyer representing a local established tour company. While AirBnB offers a million dollar insurance policy for its experiences, the state of Colorado requires a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to transport patrons in a vehicle.

We were unknowingly operating without this certification. Note that hundreds of other experiences were (and still are) operating without it. The letter also stated our services “infringe on [Tour Company]’s property rights and are causing [Tour Company] to suffer economic harm by improperly and illegally diverting business away from [Tour Company]”. Yes, competitors take revenue from the market, but this competition is what makes products and services improve over time. The action ACT’s competitors initiated was a clear ‘stay off my turf’ tactic, this is common for drug dealers but should be considered corruption when wielded through the government.

To make it worse, when ACT applied for the required certification, the aforementioned tour company had banded with three other established companies and invoked an intervention process. They realized the threat that ACT posed as a strong competitor and successfully blocked our application. Because we are a small and penniless start-up we were almost done for. Surely this was our competitor’s objective, but they underestimated our grit. This ongoing endeavor was quite costly for ACT, but we bit the bullet, scrounged up personal funds, hired a lawyer, and persevered. Our lawyer worked out that because we use dirt roads, we can qualify as an off-road charter with the PUC. We have a good idea and we are not going to let them stop us.

We want to utilize our company and our ideas to make as much positive change as possible. We’re calling on lawmakers to reconfigure our transportation laws to help the small businessman and to make them less privy to abuse. Lastly, we’re calling on you to support small business! Feel free to check us out at adventurecoloradotours.com

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a very unique experience because we are going to take you places throughout Colorado with a native guide that have lived in the areas we will be visiting and has expertise when it comes to driving in the mountains. You will get to experience the destinations below as a local would. You will ascend through the stunning Colorado Rocky Mountains and end with breathtaking panoramic views. This is a very fulfilling experience in Colorado. This experience includes it all!! (Sightseeing, hot springs, adventure park, cave tour, hiking, and much more). Please review your custom detailed itinerary below. Let us know if you have any questions or if you would like to modify the itinerary below in any way!

Private Tour
This tour is customized based on the conversation you had with us at ACT. This is a very unique experience because we are going to take you places throughout Colorado with a native guide that have lived in the areas we will be visiting and has expertise when it comes to driving in the mountains. You will get to experience the destinations below as a local would. You will ascend through the stunning Colorado Rocky Mountains and end with breathtaking panoramic views. This is a very fulfilling experience in Colorado. We will pick you up from your hotel in Denver, CO, and explore parts of Colorado that normal tourists don’t get to experience. This experience includes it all!! (Sightseeing, hot springs, adventure park, cave tour, hiking, and much more). Please review your custom detailed itinerary below. Let us know if you have any questions or if you would like to modify the itinerary below in any way!

-ACT Team

Private Tour: 3 Days/2 Nights

DAY 1
GENERAL ITINERARY DAY #1

1:00 PM-4:00 PM: Pick-up from Airport
8:00 PM: Arrive near Glenwood Springs to Hotel or Campsite
Accommodation Options(will influence final price):
Camping(Dinner and Breakfast Included)
RV Camper + $250/night
Tents, Air Mattresses, Sleeping Bags, Pillows, All other Camping Gear + $150/night
Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale
Holiday in Express Glenwood Springs
Hotel Colorado Glenwood Springs

Highlights/ What’s Included:
Private Fishing Tour
Colorado Native Guide and Driver + Photographer
Gondola Ride
Adventure Cavern Entry
Cavern Tour + Pictures
Hot Springs Entry(2 people)
Digital Copies of Photos w/ DSLR Camera
Free Transportation
Snacks
Water
Parking Fees

WHAT IS EXCLUDED
All Dining Fees

DAY 2:
Glenwood Springs, CO
Private Fishing Tour: Learn how to lake fish. You will be going for 50lb lake trout and rainbow trout. We will cook what we catch.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado: Visiting this town has been a family tradition for over a century. My great-grandma used to live here and it is by far my favorite town in Colorado. There is so much to do in this small mountain town. From relaxing in the hot springs to snowmobiling through the forest, experiencing Glenwood Springs will never have a dull moment. It is home to a number of small businesses, shops, and art galleries. It is a perfect little stop for families, foodies, art seekers, shoppers, history buffs, and coffee lovers.

Gondola Ride and Cavern Tour: We will take a breathtaking gondola ride to the top of a mountain to see all of Glenwood Springs, CO. Here we will visit the Cloud Room and a trip through the Darrow Tunnel, which took three years to build, starting in 1897. This tour has been going on before the light bulb was invented and it is astonishing to explore these natural caves. We will then eat lunch at the top of the mountain with breathtaking views.

Glenwood Hot Springs: Relax in the world’s largest outdoor hot spring pool. This is one of my favorite hot springs in Colorado.

Accommodation Options (will influence final price):

Camping(Dinner and Breakfast Included)
RV Camper + $250/night
Tents, Air Mattresses, Sleeping Bags, Pillows, All other Camping Gear + $150/night
Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale
Holiday in Express Glenwood Springs
Hotel Colorado Glenwood Springs

GENERAL ITINERARY DAY #2

7:00 AM: Breakfast
8:00 AM: Private Fishing Tour
1:30 PM: Gondola Ride
2:00 PM: Lunch at Adventure Caverns
3:00 PM: Adventure Caverns + Pictures
6:00 PM: Dinner in Glenwood Springs
7:30 PM: Your Choice
-Go back to Adventure Caverns
-Spa Evening at Yampha: (list of services below: https://yampahspa.com/menu/) -Glenwood Hot Springs
-Iron Mountain Hot Springs
-Penny Hot Springs in Carbondale
-Glenwood Hot Springs
Highlights/ What’s Included:
Private Fishing Tour
Colorado Native Guide and Driver + Photographer
Gondola Ride
Adventure Cavern Entry
Cavern Tour + Pictures
Hot Springs Entry(2 people)
Digital Copies of Photos w/ DSLR Camera
Free Transportation
Snacks
Water
Parking Fees

DAY 3:

Idaho Springs, CO

Idaho Springs, CO: Pass by Miner St. which is filled with historic buildings that dates back to the 1800’s. A street that was filled with everything involving mining is now home to a number of small businesses, shops, and art galleries.
Option 1: Gold Mine Tour: Travel back in time on this family-friendly adventure to the Phoenix Gold Mine. This mine has been passed down for 4 generations and is family owned and ran. You will be guided by an expert in the field that may even be a miner their selves. You’ll get an expert lesson in panning for gold and have the chance to test your skills (and keep what you find!) on this tour.

Option 2: St. Mary’s Glacier: Join me on a hike up to St. Mary’s Glacier all year round. We will ascend through the stunning Colorado forest and end with a breathtaking panoramic view. This is one of my favorite hikes in Colorado and an easier trail(1.5 miles round-trip).

Option 3: Indian Hot Springs: Next we soak in the natural geothermal cave pools, which will be perfect for our muscles after the hike. If you want an experience with little risk and a whole lot of reward, this tour is for you. I provide all the equipment, just come properly dressed and get ready to explore all of what colorful Colorado has to offer in one single day. (gender separated clothing optional geothermal cave pools, private jacuzzi, or geothermal pool)

Option 4: ATV Tour OR Snowmobiling: We navigate our way on historic mining trails through the scenic Rocky Mountains enjoying breathtaking vistas of the Continental Divide and Mount Evans. You will experience the serenity of the untamed mountains coupled with the exhilaration of an ATV. There are many trails to choose from offering something for every ability and thrill level. Visit historic mining sites and the remnants of Silver Creek, a mining town of 1857 We will stop along the way to capture the awesome views

GENERAL ITINERARY DAY #3

6:30 AM: Breakfast
7:00 AM: Depart Glenwood or Campsite
11:00 AM: St. Mary’s Glacier or Goldmine + Pictures
1:30 PM: Lunch in Idaho Springs @ Beau Jo’s(Mountain Style Pizza)
3:00 PM: ATV Tour, St. Mary’s Glacier, Goldmine, or Hot Springs
6:30 PM: Arrive to Denver

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Colorado Native Guides and Driver
Gold Mine or Glacier Hike + Pictures
Professional Photography with DSLR Camera + Digital Copies
ATV Tour
Water/Snacks
Fuel Surcharge
Luxury Transportation
Parking Fees

WHAT IS EXLUDED
All Dining Fees

GENERAL ITINERARY #1
8:00 AM: Pick-up
11:00 AM: Arrive to Glenwood Springs
11:30 AM: Gondola Ride
Lunch @ Adventure Caverns
1:00 PM: Adventure Caverns
2:30 PM: Glenwood Hot Springs or Fishing
6:00 PM: Glenwood Hot Springs or Depart to Denver
9:00 PM-11:00 PM: Arrive Back to Denver

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Colorado Native Guide and Driver
Professional Photography with DSLR Camera + Digital Copies
Gondola Ride
Adventure Cavern Entry
Hot Springs, ATVing, or White Water Rafting
Water/Snacks
Fuel Surcharge
Transportation
Parking Fees
WHAT IS EXcLUDED
All Dining Fees

IDAHO SPRINGS RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS

Beau Jo’s Pizza

Specializing in Colorado-style, thick-crust pizza with many sauces, plus calzones. The crust is baked with honey and you drizzle some more on it for dessert.

https://www.beaujos.com/our-menu-idaho-springs
Smokin’ Yards BBQ

Southern BBQ classics & sides dished up in casual digs with a bar & outdoor seating on a creek.

https://www.smokinyards.com

Glenwood Spring Info

Food/Shopping Recommendations

Sit-down

The Pullman (330 7th St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)
Innovative twists on New American comfort food & cocktails in an industrial yet warm space.

4.5/5 Yelp | 4.5/5 on Google
Slope & Hatch (208 7th St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)

Cool counter-serve spot dishing up global takes on tacos, locally sourced frankfurters & cocktails.

4.5/5 Yelp | 4.7/5 on Google

CO Ranch House (704 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)

Stylish spot with Western-inspired decor presenting modern takes on traditional American fare.

4.5/5 Yelp | 4.6/5 on Google

Modern Brava Trattoria (809 Grand Ave #4, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)
Contemporary Italian dishes prepared in a cozy, intimate dining room with a convivial vibe.

4.5/5 Yelp | 4.7/5 on Google

Native Son Restaurant and Bar (813 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)
Global bar fare in a cozy, rustic setting with bar & booth seating, billiards, & colorful wall art.

4/5 Yelp | 4.5/5 on Google

Rocky Mountain Pizza Co. (205 8th St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)

Cozy, exposed-brick parlor serving creative pizza by the pie or slice, plus sandwiches & salads.

4.5/5 Yelp | 4.6/5 on Google

Daily Bread -Breakfast (729 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)

Easygoing American cafe serving breakfast & lunch in a cozy brick-walled space.
4/5 Yelp | 4.5/5 on Google

Places to nibble or grab a drink

Sweet Coloradough (2430 S Glen Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)

Donuts and Sandwiches, Craft Beer
4.8/5 on Google

Deja Brew Coffee & Tea (1101 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)
Coffee, Tea, Pastries
4.7/5 on Google

Bluebird Café (730 Grand Ave #3402, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)
Drinks and Pastries
4.1/ 5 on Google

Vicco’s Charcoalburger Drive-In (51659 Hwy 6, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)
Burgers, Fries, Shakes and Drive-Thru
4.1/ 5 on Google

Chocolate Moose & Ice Cream Parlor (710 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601)

Chocolate, Ice Cream, and Wine
4.3/ 5 on Google
Shopping

Sioux Villa Curio (Cute Gift and Specialty Shop, 114 W 6th St, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Crystal Tuning (Rock/Gem Shop, 819 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Dancing Bear Trading Post (Gift Shop and Souvenirs, 727 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Art on 8th (Art, Knitting, Sewing, 209 8th St, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Elizabeth Dean Boutique (Clothes, Trinkets, 717 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Mona Lisa Unique Boutique (Women’s clothes, 710 Cooper Ave Suite 101, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Breweries/Distilleries

Casey Brewing Taproom (711 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Ball Brewing (7025 CO-82, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Glenwood Canyon Brewpub (402 7th St, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Dispensaries

Green Dragon (1420 Devereux Rd, Glenwood Springs, CO)

The Green Joint (1030 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Doctor’s Garden Double Black Dispensary (716 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO)

Grub out at these 5280 foodie favorites!

Gyu-Kaku: (Next to meeting location) 1998 18th Street Denver, Co 80202
Gyu-Kaku, meaning “Horn of the Bull” in Japanese, provides the authentic Japanese yakiniku (grilled barbecue) dining experience where customers share premium cooked meats over a flaming charcoal grill, while sipping on Japanese sake, shochu, and frosty cold beers.

Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs: 2148 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205 (Sean’s Choice)

Distinctive dogs (rattlesnake, reindeer) & toppings, microbrews, a biker vibe & late weekend hours

Bluefish Sake Grill: 1616 16th St Mall, Denver, CO 80202 (Tyler’s choice)

Member of a small hip chain crafting an extensive menu of Japanese dishes & top-shelf cocktails.

ChoLon: 1555 Blake St #101, Denver, CO 80202

Chef Lon Symensma puts together an elegant Southeast Asian menu at this sleek dining destination.

Guard and Grace: 1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202 (Jacob’s choice)
Modern steakhouse serving chops, small plates & fine wines in an airy space with a raw bar & patio.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar: 1539 17th St, Denver, CO 80202

Upscale chain serving gourmet seafood dishes & creative cocktails in a relaxed, stylish setting.

Little India Downtown Denver: 1533 Champa St, Denver, CO 80202 (Braden’s choice)

Tandoori specials, assorted Indian favorites & an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet in sleek surroundings.

Osteria Marco: 1453 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202

Handcrafted pizzas, cured meats & cheeses, plus other Italian plates in a cozy basement setting.

Rioja: 1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202 (Elliot’s choice)

Locally sourced, imaginative Mediterranean dishes & wines in a high-energy dining room.

SuperMegaBien: 1260 25th St, Denver, CO 80205

Cool hotel restaurant serving Latin American plates on dim-sum-style carts in cozy, trendy digs.

TAG Restaurant: 1441 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202 (Tristin’s choice)

Chef Troy Guard’s eclectic fare & offbeat cocktails in a brick-lined interior with orange lights.

Mercury Cafe for drinks and comedy works. Fridays open mic starting at 9pm

Bourbon coffee/Habit donut shop for alcohol infused donuts and cbd infused coffee

Get your drink on at these watering holes:

Honey Elixir Bar: 2636 Walnut St #104, Denver, CO 80205 (Braden’s choice)

HEB has a carefully crafted collection of unique and obscure beverages that are intended to elevate and enhance the human experience.

Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery: 1139 20th St, Denver, CO 80202

Hopping, no-nonsense brewpub offering an array of housemade craft beers in an industrial space.

Punchbowl Social Denver: 65 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203

Southern American (not South America) gastropub fare & punch bowls in a bar & amusement complex with lots of games.

Sunday Vinyl: 1803 16th St Mall, Denver, CO 80202 (Sean’s choice)
a record-spinning wine bar and dinner spot

The 1UP Arcade Bar – LoDo: 1925 Blake St, Denver, CO 80202 (Parker’s choice)

Retro arcade & pinball games in a bustling, no-frills basement bar with pub food & a jukebox.

Union Lodge No.1: 1543 Champa St, Denver, CO 80202 (Jacob’s choice)

Slinky speakeasy serving 19th-century-inspired cocktails in glam, Prohibition-era environs.

Upstairs Circus: 1500 Wynkoop St #100 Denver, CO 80202 (Tristin’s choice)
Craft workshop & bar offering a menu of projects, like jewelry & decor, to complete while imbibing.

Urban Putt: 1201 18th St, Denver, CO 80202 (Elliot’s choice)

Indoor mini-golf complete with amazing food and cocktails!

ViewHouse Ballpark: 2015 Market St, Denver, CO 80205

Popular bar & grill with a scenic outdoor patio serving locavore comfort grub, craft beers & wines.

Wynkoop Brewing Company: 1634 18th St, Denver, CO 80202 (Tyler’s choice)
Colorado’s first brewpub offers craft beers and New American pub grub in a pool hall/bar setting

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a special thanks to Elliot Z. for sparking my entrepreneurship side and passion to help others grow. He is the founder of Alternative Roadmap(https://alternativeroadmap.org). AR uses age relatable instructors to teach a social-emotional learning program for credit deficient and at-risk high school students. Elliot is a mentor/friend that continues to encourage me to change this world one day at a time.

Website: https://www.adventurecoloradotours.com

Instagram: @adventurecoloradotours

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adventure-colorado-tours

Twitter: ACTours

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventurecoloradotours/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/adventure-colorado-tours-denver

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrr_JbOMX2FWgOX5BMtMWzQ/videos