A side canyon to the Colorado River's DeBeque Canyon along I-70 between Palisade and DeBeque, Coal Canyon is an off-the –beaten path destination that's very close to the beaten path. You'll pass next to a coal-burning power plant and a coal mine to get to this canyon characterized by open pinyon-juniper woodland and the lower end of mountain shrublands such as mountain mahogany, sagebrush, and serviceberry on more northerly slopes in the canyon. Expect to find Chukar, Lazuli Bunting, Black-Throated Sparrow, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Rock Wren, and perhaps some wild horses and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. The nearest gas, convenience store, and restaurant is one mile east on I-70 at exit 47, the Island Acres State Park exit, where camping is also available. Food, lodging, and wineries are available in the Palisade area, exits 42 and 44.

Habitat: Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Foothill Shrub

Directions: Take I-70 to DeBeque Canyon between Palisade and DeBeque; get off at Cameo, Exit 46, drive toward the XCEL Energy Co. power plant and cross the Colorado River, the railroad, and pass beyond the power plant complex for about a mile to a parking area at a gate which limits vehicle access from Dec. 1 to June 1. Hike from here up Coal Canyon, or go north on another road, gated year-round, through a saddle into Main Canyon.

Acknowledgments: Hotspot information was originally compiled on Birding Colorado, a service of Colorado Field Ornithologists. CFO thanks all the original contributors.