The beautiful mountain country of Colorado offers ideal settings for writers to breathe in the crisp mountain air, relax, excercise, meditate and contemplate; whatever it takes to get those creative juices flowing.  Below you will find a list of four writing retreats, with great mountain settings and programs that very from highly structured to set your own pace.  Here can be found a retreat to fit any budget, and luxuries of varying degrees:

• Bloomsbury West - This retreat offers peace, quiet and solitude. Found in Silvercliffe, at 7,980 feet, with breath taking views of the 14,000 foot Sangre de Cristo peaks. No television or Internet to distract from the creative process, but within walking distance of all amenities, a one room mountain cabin offers the chance to truly get away from it all. A fenced yard is available for canine companions. Rates are $60.00 per night, $300.00 weekly, and $1000.00 monthly, one half deposit required in advance. Operated by Westcliffe author, Annie Dawid. For more information call (719)371-1647 or e-mail annie@anniedawid.com
• Spring Time Writers at Rocky Mountain Retreats - Enjoy the Colorado Rocky Mountain air and open spaces at any one of the four day weekend workshops: Holistic Wellness (with Journaling); Creative Writing; Journaling for Self-Discovery, Memoirs, Biographies; "Express Yourself" Visual Journaling; "Blooming Poets" Poetry for Beginners; Try out Being a Journalist for a Day; Book Consultation. Regular workshops are limited to three persons each, but group workshops are available for groups that would like to attend together. Create and write the old fashioned way, with pad and pen (no computers allowed). Four day packages $555.00 single room or $485.00 each for double occupancy. All meals are included with workshops and retreats include full breakfast and four spa treatments. Located near Lyons, Colorado and beautiful Estes Park. A $50.00 deposit is required for four day retreats ($100.00 for eight day retreats). Stay may be extended to seven days for an additional $65.00 per person. Airport shuttle is available for an additional $75.00 (recommended).  E-mail questions or reservations to: Writers@SpringTimeWriters.com
  
  
• Writing Away Retreats - Held twice a year, this 5 day, 5 night retreat in a gorgeous mountain chalet, in Breckenridge, Colorado includes gourmet meals, snacks, lodging, hot tub, toiletries, leather journal, long sleeve t-shirt, pampering and a manuscript consultation (40K) with professional authors, agents and/or editors. The itenerary for the October 2009 sessions include: award winning author, A.S. King; author, Signe Pike; editor, Michael Signorelli and editor/poet/author, Kate Gale; and literary agents, Sorche Fairbank, Scott Hoffman, Robert Guinsler and Eddie Schneider.  (For more information on retreat staff: http://writingawayretreats.com/aboutus.html.) Cost varies depending on time of registration, number of persons and number of days, ranging from $1,200.00 to $3,050.00. Both five day and eleven day retreats are available. $150.00 deposit required to hold reservation. Airport shuttle and additional consults available for additional charges. Writing contests for full or partial scholarships are also available, as well as payment plans upon request. Founder and host of Writing Away Retreats is Colorado Springs author, Cicily Janus
  
  
• Rocky Mountain Contemplative Writing Retreats - This retreat is a group experience, with food for one meal for the group provided by each group member. 1 day, 3 day and 4-5 day retreats are offered and hot tubs are provided at some lodges, for a cost of $75.00 per day plus food and lodging expenses. Locations vary, but all are held in locations throughout the Rocky Mountains. The retreats include writing instruction, discussions, music and film prompts for inspirational settings, free times to contemplate and write in the open spaces of the Colorado Rockies, and manuscript critique with an award winning writer, teacher and editor, identified only as David. These retreats are no longer available for 2009, but should be offered again in 2010.