Spencer McKee

Spencer McKee

Spencer is our Director of Audience Development. After obtaining his Master’s degree in New Media, Technology, and Society at Purdue University, Spencer moved to Colorado in search of something more than cornfields. When he’s not engaging with the OutThere audience, you can find him somewhere on a trail or in the climbing gym.

Confluence Park, on the South Platte River in Denver, Photo Credit: Kent Kanouse (Flickr).

Survey of 44,000-plus Coloradans on COVID-19 reveals behavior changes, employment pains, and more

There’s no escaping the impact of COVID-19 in Colorado, with a ‘stay-at-home’ order issued for the state’s 5.5+ million residents. In attempt to see how Coloradans are doing and what they’re feeling amid the outbreak, more than 44,000 Coloradans were surveyed by the Colorado Department of […]

Denver, Photo Credit: Joshua Hicks (iStock). — Photo Credit: Joshua Hicks (iStock).

44 deaths as COVID-19 cases pass 2,000 in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Vail, Colorado. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Mountain hospitals “in good shape” with absence of tourists

BY The Associated Press

Jared Polis. Photo Credit: The Associated Press.

“This is not a vacation,” Governor Polis warns residents to take ‘stay-at-home’ order seriously

BY Liz Henderson

Photo Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department

Car crashes 450 feet off mountain road in Colorado

BY The Gazette

Woody Creek Distillers, based in Basalt, is oneof several Colorado distilleries helping with the cause. Courtesy photo

Colorado distilleries shift to making essential product during nationwide shortage

BY Amanda Hancock

Colorado National Guard medical personnel perform coronavirus test on a motorist at a drive-thru testing site outside the Denver Coliseum Saturday, March 14, 2020, in Denver. Officials planned to administer 150 tests but the line of vehicles wrapped around three city blocks. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

31 dead as confirmed COVID-19 cases grow by hundreds in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Heavy Snow in the Pike National Forest. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). — Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock).

‘Winter weather advisories’ set with up to 10 inches of snow on the way to parts of Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Colorado National Guard medical personnel suit up to perform coronavirus tests on motorists at a drive-through testing site outside the Denver Coliseum. Photo Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski.

Residents aged 50-59 have highest COVID-19 hospitalization numbers in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock).

COVID-19 cases near 1,500 in Colorado, with more than 300 cases confirmed today

BY Spencer McKee

Sylvan State Park Colorado Parks and Wildlife OutThere Colorado — A tent and camper setup in front of fall colored mountains. Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Many campgrounds, some trailheads close in Colorado amid COVID-19 outbreak

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto (iStock).

A look at the mixed public response to Polis’ ‘stay-at-home’ order

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: CSFDPIO via Twitter

Grass fire sparks near state park in Colorado Springs

BY Olivia Prentzel

Mountain bikers ride Mary’s Loop above the Colorado River in this 2013. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette

12 FAQs about Colorado’s ‘stay-at-home’ order

BY The Gazette

Photo Credit: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto (iStock).

What stays open under Colorado’s stay-at-home order?

BY Tom Roeder; The Gazette

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette.

‘Stay-at-home’ order issued in Colorado, as number of COVID-19 hospitalizations doubles in a day

BY Spencer McKee

Denver, Photo Credit: Joshua Hicks (iStock). — Photo Credit: Joshua Hicks (iStock).

Death toll nearly doubles as COVID-19 cases pass 1,000 in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Snow in Steamboat - OutThere Colorado — Trees coated by a fresh layer of powder in Steamboat Springs. Photo Credit: GeorgeFargo (iStock).

Up to 8 inches of snow to hit a quiet Colorado amid discouraged backcountry use

BY Spencer McKee

Denver, Colorado. Photo Credit: PorqueNoStudios (iStock).

‘Stay at home’ orders issued for more than 2M in Denver area

BY The Associated Press

Meadow - Cherry Creek State Park - Colorado Parks and Wildlife - OutThere Colorado — Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora. Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (Flickr)

New lockdown order anticipated to impact 1.5 million Coloradans

BY Michael Karlick; Colorado Politics

Pastor Rose Banks in 2010 (file photo) Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett; The Colorado Springs Gazette

“If it ain’t in this book, I’m not doin’ it,” Colorado church stays open amid COVID-19 pandemic

BY Spencer McKee

Downtown Denver Skyline, Photo Credit: erick4x4 (iStock)

Multiple COVID-19 deaths announced over 24-hour period as cases near 1,000 in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo Credit: Sean Pavone (iStock).

Don’t expect ‘stay-at-home’ order in Colorado Springs, says mayor

BY Erin Prater and Mary Shinn; The Gazette

Here's a look at the Korkers "Ice Runner" traction device attached to my Oboz hiking boots. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee.

Ice traction for hiking or trail running that fits any shoe

BY Spencer McKee

A file photo of Crested Butte, which is located in Gunnison County. Photo Credit: stockphoto52 (iStock).

Two more COVID-19 deaths reported in Colorado, one occurring 10 days ago

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: RoschetzkyI (iStock).

Denver’s ‘stay-at-home’ order modified to allow liquor stores, dispensaries to remain open

BY Alayna Alvarez; ColoradoPolitics.com

Denver, Colorado. Photo Credit: PorqueNoStudios (iStock).

Death toll rises again as COVID-19 cases pass 700 in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

A fiery sunrise over the skyline of Denver. Photo Credit: nick1803 (iStock).

Denver mayor issues ‘stay-at-home’ order amid COVID-19 outbreak

BY Alayna Alvarez; ColoradoPolitics.com

Tristan Maerz of Detroit rides Buckhorn or Upper Cap'n Jack's trail, depending on which map you own or the company you keep, Friday, July 18, 2016. Hikers, motorcyclists, and mountain bikers have debated for years over the proper name of the section west of High Drive in North Cheyenne Canyon. Photo Credit: The Gazette, Christian Murdock.

9 ways to practice social distancing in the outdoor space

BY Spencer McKee

Interstate I-70 Heading to the Mountains of Colorado. Photo Credit: Michael Ryno (iStock). — I-70, Interstate 70 Heading to the Mountains of Colorado. Photo Credit: Michael Ryno (iStock).

Polis encourages Coloradans to stay at home, with some exceptions

BY Spencer McKee

Silverton, Colorado. Photo Credit: Kara Grubis (iStock).

Backcountry recreation banned in Colorado mountain county amid COVID-19 outbreak

BY Spencer McKee

Colorado National Guard performs tests in Denver. Photo Credit: David Zalubowski (AP photo).

Coronavirus shows no sign of slowing in Colorado; Polis orders new workplace rules

BY Wayne Heilman; The Gazette

Drew Miller shows off the Fortitude Ranch gun supply, including an AR-15. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette

From 100-person mountain shelter, Colorado ‘prepper’ sees pandemic as “wake-up call”

BY Seth Boster

The downtown Denver, Colorado. Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock).

Death toll climbs, as COVID-19 cases near 600 in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Vail Valley at Night - Vail Colorado view of entire valley at dusk with blue hour light and town lit up with lights and mountain views. Photo Credit: Adventure_Photo (iStock). — Photo Credit: Adventure_Photo (iStock).

At least 6 virus deaths in Colorado, including well-known Vail musician

BY The Associated Press

Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock).

COVID-19 cases pass 450 in Colorado; Cases now in 29 counties

BY Spencer McKee

Christopher Columbus (left) an St. Francis Xavier Cabrini (right). Courtesy photos.

Columbus Day has officially been replaced in Colorado

BY Marianne Goodland; ColoradoPolitics.com

Trail Ridge Road, the highest (12,183 feet) continuous highway in the USA in high alpine tundra with rocks and mountains at autumn. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA. Photo Credit: haveseen (iStock).

Rocky Mountain National Park closes to visitors “until further notice”

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock).

4th COVID-19 death occurs in Colorado as cases pass 300

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: El Paso County Search and Rescue.

Search and rescue remains hard at work amid outbreak

BY Spencer McKee

Telluride, Colorado - October 14, 2018 : Colorado Avenue in Telluride facing the San Joan Mountains. Telluride is a historic mining town and popular ski resort. Photo Credit: miroslav_1 (iStock). — Telluride, Colorado. Photo Credit: miroslav_1 (iStock).

Colorado county ordered to ‘shelter in place’ or face possible fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: ArtistGNDphotography (iStock)

“To-go” restaurant booze now allowed in Colorado amid COVID-19 outbreak

BY Spencer McKee

Landen Hiott, (center) is comforted by her aunt, Veronica Birkenstock, and Albert Stauch, after the announcement that Gannon Stauch's stepmother, Letecia Stauch, was arrested and charged with 1st-degree murder of Gannon. Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette.

Remains found in Florida tentatively ID’d as Gannon Stauch

BY Olivia Prentzel; The Colorado Springs Gazette

Lory State Park Colorado Parks and Wildlife OutThere Colorado — Trail Runner. Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

9 Podcasts to listen to while you’re ‘social distancing’

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto (iStock).

Restaurant, bar shutdown extended in Colorado, more businesses added to list

BY Spencer McKee

Denver, Colorado. Photo Credit: PorqueNoStudios (iStock).

Executive orders shut down hair salons, elective surgeries, and more in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock).

Dozens of new COVID-19 cases reported; 38 now hospitalized

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: CDOT webcam.

[UPDATE: This road has reopened] I-25 closed amid blizzard conditions on Colorado’s Front Range

BY Spencer McKee

View on Everest Base Camp in Himalayas mountains. Photo Credit: RafalBelzowski (iStock).

10 outdoorsy movies to watch during COVID-19 isolation

BY Spencer McKee

Pikes Peak Hill Climb Christian Murdock Gazette — Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock; The Gazette.

Pikes Peak Hill Climb no longer set for June amid outbreak

BY Spencer McKee

Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo Credit: Sean Pavone (iStock).

3rd COVID-19 death occurs in Colorado, linked to previous death

BY Spencer McKee

Photo Credit: trendobjects (iStock).

Multiple “Blizzard warnings” active in Colorado; “Winter storm warning” in Denver

BY Spencer McKee

Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo Credit: Nick Prytyskach (iStock).

National parks waiving fees during COVID-19 outbreak

BY Nathan Van Dyne

Photo Credit: Phil Roeder (Flickr)

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis orders all schools closed for extended period

BY Marianne Goodland; ColoradoPolitics.com

A sign near the gondola in Breckenridge, Colorado. Photo Credit: Liz Copan.

Mexican businessman who contracted COVID-19 in Colorado now fighting for his life

BY DAVID O. WILLIAMS Special to The Gazette

Photo Credit: oneillbro (iStock).

Coronavirus need could exceed Colorado hospital capacity; Colorado Springs, Pueblo areas possibly hit hardest

BY Evan Wyloge; The Colorado Springs Gazette

With the snow covered Longs Peak part of the Rocky Mountains and the iconic flatirons of Boulder in the background, Downtown Denver skyscrapers including the iconic — Snowy Longs Peak and Downtown Denver, Colorado. Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock).

COVID-19 cases in Colorado pass 200; 20+ hospitalized

BY Spencer McKee

Colorado National Guard medical personnel suit up to perform coronavirus tests on motorists at a drive-through testing site outside the Denver Coliseum. Photo Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski.

Incoming snowstorm shuts down drive-up COVID-19 testing site in Colorado

BY Spencer McKee

Spencer McKee of OutThere Colorado runs up the incline on a foggy day during the monthly UpaDowna incline hike. Photo Credit: Delina Auciello

Manitou Incline to close indefinitely amid COVID-19 outbreak

BY Spencer McKee

Scene in telluride ski area. Photo Credit: mtnSnail (iStock). — Scene in Telluride ski area. Photo Credit: mtnSnail (iStock).

20 inches of snow, 50 MPH winds predicted to hit Colorado

BY Spencer McKee