DCMIP-2025 Logistics 

Denver International Airport (DIA) is 45 miles from NCAR and there are several ways to arrive.

Public transportation: (recommended)

We recommend taking the RTD bus 'AB1' (westbound to NCAR) which is the least expensive option. The RTD Airport Day Pass (which includes the local buses in Boulder) is $10. The bus leaves the airport every 60 minutes with occasional 30-minute frequencies at peak times (see schedule) The station is beneath the attached airport Westin Hotel, you simply walk out on the baggage claim level south to the WESTIN and take the elevator down and you are at the bus pick up. Gate 8 to Boulder.
The bus stops a multiple bus stops in Boulder. If you want to get to the Embassy Suites Hotel, leave the bus at the last station (Downtown Boulder Station). From there either walk to the hotel (about 22 minutes) or take the local HOP bus (clockwise direction) and get off at the bus stop between 28th and 26th St. (see the HOP map). The RTD Airport Day Pass is valid on the HOP, no new ticket is needed for the HOP. GoogleMaps, on your phone or computer, also has up-to-the-minute bus scheduling information.

On weekdays (Mo-Fr) and Saturdays: RTD also offers the direct bus AB2 connection between the Denver airport and a bus stop close to the Embassy Suites hotel. In particular, there are two AB2 morning and three evening departures from the nearby bus stop 'Canyon - McGuckin Way' to the Denver Airport on Saturday June/7 (at 7:03am, 8:03am, 4:33pm, 5:33pm, 6:30pm). Check the AB2 schedule here.

RTD’s website will also help you plan your travel by bus to destinations throughout the Boulder region (including Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Superior, etc.) and to Denver International Airport. RTD Trip Planner.

Alternative options:

Eight Black is a shuttle service from Denver airport. Major credit cards are accepted and it is highly recommended that you make a reservation. There is a $56 one-way rate agreement with NCAR/UCAR.

Super Shuttle is another shuttle service provider.

People also use Lyft and Uber from the airport to Boulder. This can be expensive.

Transportation between the DCMIP hotel and the NCAR Mesa Lab: We chartered a University of Colorado bus (CU Buff bus) that will leave the Embassy Suites Hotel (2601 Canyon Blvd, Boulder, CO 80302) every morning at 8am (sharp) and ride up to the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab (1850 Table Mesa Dr, Boulder, CO 80305). In the evenings (Mo-Th), the bus leaves the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab at 5:30pm. On Friday the bus leaves at 8pm after the BBQ dinner at NCAR. Be on the bus 10 minutes early. If you miss the bus, you will need to arrange and pay for your own transportation. For participants that do not stay at the Embassy Suites Hotel, feel free to share the bus ride.

Transportation in Boulder:

Walking: Boulder is a very pedestrian-friendly city. Walking from the hotel to the downtown area (approx. 25 minutes) or going for a walk along the Boulder Creek Path (multi-use path) is highly recommended. 

B-Cycle is a non-profit bike-sharing app that you can use to rent bikes from the 41 stations around town.

Lime has e-scooters for rent in East Boulder and must be ridden on multi-use paths and bike lanes.

The HOP bus is useful for getting around to the city's most popular attractions and arrives every 15-20 minutes (tickets are $2.75).

The SKIP bus connects the northern and southern parts of Boulder (check the schedule).

Uber and Lyft are alternative transportation options.

Information about Boulder:

• check out the City of Boulder website.

• Things to do and see in Boulder

• Boulder Farmers Market (23-minute walk from hotel)

  • Wednesday 3:30-7:30pm

  • Saturday 8am-2pm

• Hiking options in Boulder: there are lots of hiking trails in the Chautauqua Park area (check out the descriptions of the trails and the trail map). In addition, check out the Mount Sanitas trail, or the hiking trails behind NCAR's Mesa Lab.

Complimentary Wi-Fi and plug-in points for charging will be available in the meeting spaces (eduroam and the UCAR guest network). The hotel has free Wi-Fi. Bring your laptops with preinstalled X-11 and X-terminal applications. We also recommend bringing an external mouse for your laptop (optional).
IT or WIFI related assistance can be requested by emailing help@ucar.edu or calling 303-497-2400.

We've set up a Discord server for participants and mentors to talk to each other. The link to join is https://discord.gg/5ECvbDkU 

Coloradans like to say, “If you’re tired of the weather, wait 20 minutes.”

The weather can change without notice and it is good to be prepared. Dress in layers and have rain gear in your backpack when hiking. Summer can bring very hot and dry weather with afternoon or evening showers. It is usually cool at night and sweaters can be necessary when hiking, especially at a higher elevation. In addition, thunderstorms are common in the summer as well, especially in the afternoons.

Boulder is 5,430 feet (1,655 meters) above sea level. At this elevation, it is important to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen and sunglasses. If you are coming from a lower elevation, it is likely that you will notice the effect of the altitude. Some people experience headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and general fatigue. It is advised to drink plenty of water, especially in the week leading up to arrival.

Do not forget to pack the following items:

• sunglasses

• sunscreen

• in case you would like to go hiking (highly recommended):

  • light backpack for water or snacks

  • hiking boots (lightweight are fine) with a solid tread, regular running shoes will only be okay for some easy trails

  • hat / baseball cap

  • bring a rain jacket or outer shell, bring a long sleeve shirt or sweater (weather can quickly change)

• swim suit (the Embassy Hotel has a nice outdoor pool)

• sports wear (in case you would like to use the hotel's fitness center)

• light jacket

• laptop with preinstalled X-11 and X-terminal applications

• power adapters (for international participants)

• mobile phone with the DUO App (needed to access the NCAR computer)

For participants that stay at the Embassy Suites Hotel:

• Two-story fitness center 

• Rooftop pool with mountain views

• Free WiFi

• Complementary made-to-order & buffet breakfast

• Free evening reception each night which includes a complementary drink and light appetizers, likely from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

• Check-in 3 pm, Check-out 11 am

Grocery shops near the Embassy Suites Hotel:

• Sprouts Farmers Market (2525 Arapahoe Ave Unit E65, Boulder, CO 80302, 4-minute walk)

• Trader Joe’s (1906 28th St, Boulder, CO 80301, 9-minute walk)

• Safeway (2798 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302, 11-minute walk)

• King Soopers (1650 30th St, Boulder, CO 80301, 15-minute walk)

Ice cream shops near the hotel: 

• Heaven Creamery Boulder (2525 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302, 6-minute walk)

• Cold Stone Creamery (2412 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302, 9-minute walk)

Breweries near the hotel:

• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (1690 28th St, Boulder, CO 80301, 7-minute walk)

• Twisted Pine Brewery with outdoor seating (3201 Walnut Street Boulder, CO 80301, 17-minute walk)

• Sanitas Brewing Company (3550 Frontier Ave - Suite A, Boulder, CO 80301), food truck with Tacos (22-minute walk)
  
  

Nearby restaurants (within 5-20 minute walking distance from the hotel):

• Aloy Thai Cuisine

• Efrain's of Boulder Mexican Restaurant

• Golden Sun Chinese Restaurant 

• Tibet Kitchen (Tibetan restaurant)

• Folsom Thai, 8-minute walk

• Backcountry Pizza & Tap House, 10 minute walk

• Osaka's (Japanese)

• Rakkan Ramen (Ramen restaurant)

• Crisp and Green (Health food)

• Cava (Mediterranean restaurant)

• Birdcall (chicken restaurant)

• Vina Pho & Grill (Vietnamese), 15-minute walk

• II Pastaio Ristorante (Italian), 15-minute walk

• Brooklyn Pizza (pizza take-out, 1647 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302), 20-minute walk
  
  

Nearby counter-serve (fast and less expensive) restaurants (within 10-minute walking distance from the hotel):

• Modern Market Eatery - Boulder (with vegan options, health food)

• Noodles and Company (Italian style)

• Motomaki - Sushi Burritos & Bowls (Japanese)
  
  

Locations with rooftop/outdoor seating and various food choices (25-30-minute walk): see also this link

• Rosetta Hall (https://rosettahall.com/), downtown rooftop restaurant and main dining hall with 8 different cuisines and 2 bars (1109 Walnut Street Boulder, CO 80302), live music on Tuesdays starting at 6pm

• Avanti (https://www.avantifandb.com/), downtown dining hall with various food options and bar (1401 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302)

• Rio Grande: downtown Mexican restaurant with a rooftop (1101 Walnut St Boulder, CO 80302)

• Places along Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder (Pedestrian Mall, with street performers)

• Sanitas Brewing Company (3550 Frontier Ave - Suite A, Boulder, CO 80301), food truck with Tacos (22-minute walk)

Remember to take your driver's license or passport with you when heading out to a restaurant or bar.

Funding (handled by the University of Michigan):

DCMIP-2025 provides the selected participants with transportation funding (up to the limit of $450 USD, amounts over $450 USD will need to be covered by the participant), full coverage of the hotel expenses in a shared 2-person hotel room (including breakfast in the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2601 Canyon Blvd, Boulder, CO 80302), bus transportation in Boulder between the hotel in downtown Boulder and NCAR, and a total of $200 USD for lunch (NCAR cafeteria), dinner (Boulder restaurant) and local transportation expenses (e.g. airport transfers). 

The DCMIP event is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), NOAA, and NSF NCAR.