Profile

I have lived in Colorado for over 46 years and I am a trained and IGA certified tour guide and tour manager.  I am an enthusiastic and energized multi-subject commentator about all facets of our earth.  In particular, I love the subjects of history, geography, geology and flora and fauna.  My college and pre-tourism background is in geography and geology.  I use a multi-subject and, when appropriate, humorous approach to tour guiding and escorting.  My philosophy for tours is that they be educational and entertaining.

I have extensive experience in  multiple facets of the hospitality and tourism industry:  customer service, on-site guide, walking tours, over-the-road escort, Convention and Visitors Bureau, travel sales, speaker, entertainer, meet and greet, driver guide, presenter, hiking leader, transportation dispatching and entertainer.  

I consider my favorite areas to be Denver, Colorado and the American West including National and State Parks and scenic byways. 

Specialties

Availability:  Hourly, half-day, full day

Denver Metro/Front Range:  Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder

Geographic Areas:  Foothill above Denver; Northern Colorado (north of Boulder along Front Range); Southern Colorado (south of Colorado Springs, east of Rockies); Plains (east of I-25); Western Colorado (Colorado Plateau; west of Rockies); Northwestern Colorado (Craig, Dinosaur, Steamboat); Southwestern Colorado / Four Corners; Colorado Rocky Mountains; Rocky Mountain region; WY, NM, UT; Black Hills; National (Western U.S.); Special Subjects of these areas:  history, geology, geography (physical, cultural and human) exploration and settlement, railroads, mining, flora and fauna, ecosystems, weather, transportation, mapping, architecture, culture, scenic byways, demographics,  culture, archaeology and anthropology outdoor recreation and development trends. 

Special Sites:  Rocky Mountain National Park; Denver area (e.g., LoDo, Civic Center, Red Rocks; Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, museums; zoo; Capitol Hill, Dinosaur Ridge); Colorado Springs area (e.g., Garden of the Gods, Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak Cog Railway); natural features (geology, flora/fauna, fall colors - all facets on interpretive  study); scenic byways in Colorado (multiple subjects along all these routes); historic areas and sites, famous trails, early explorers, gold rush sites; lecturer; costumed performance (voice, sound effects, characters); theme tours (architecture, geology, flora/fauna, mining, wildflowers); Special sites (Molly Brown House Museum, Byers-
Evans House Museum, Capitol, DCPA, convention center, art district; sports venues; Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge; Black American West museum); Other (Red Rocks, Dinosaur Ridge, Lariat Loop Byway) 

Special Groups:  Seniors, students, military, church, family, bank, reunions,; private party

Special Interests:  Camping, hiking, photography, wildflowers, geology, mapping, geography, entertaining, speaker, history, travel, museums and tourist attractions, mountain, open space parks and reading and research

Tour and Travel Services:  Destination management (organize tour for client; handle the details - various DMCs in area); airport meet & greet; convention hospitality desk with various DMCs in area; step-on guide formerly with Best Mountain Tours, step-on for various American companies; over-the-road tour director (Globus/Cosmos and other companies)

JAMES WATSON