What’s urgent (deadlines) no longer has to interfere with what’s important (vacation). The rise of the gig economy means many of us can do our jobs remotely while spending our weekdays exploring the high country. To really nail that work-play balance, though, you need to find an interim office. We’ve got three options for you.

Steamboat Springs

Photograph by Mark Schenk

Work: If a comfy office setting motivates you, try a $25 day pass to Steamboat co-working space the Ski Locker. If it’s the scenery that inspires, though, a stay at the Steamboat Grand might be in order. Knock out your expense report at the poolside bistro, in the shadow of Mt. Werner, cold mojito in hand.
Play: Work busier than you expected? Don’t fret. It won’t take much more than an hour to rent a tube from Bucking Rainbow Outfitters, near the Ski Locker, and take a two-mile float on the Yampa River through the heart of historical downtown Steamboat.

5280 August 2018
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Carbondale

Photo courtesy of Bonfire Coffee

Work: Bonfire Coffee opens at 6:30 every morning, giving you the head start you need to clock out early. The popular Main Street spot offers ample seating (and outlets)—not to mention a buzz from locally roasted beans. You’ll probably get more done in a few hours here than an entire day at your office.
Play: Complete that to-do list quickly so you can start the 40-minute drive to Snowmass’ Lost Forest. The activity park boasts a slew of new pursuits this year, like a canopy-level ropes course along fivetracks of varying difficulty, a guided zip line tour complete with sky bridges, and an 18-hole disc golf course.

Fruita

Photo courtesy of F-Works

Work: A $5 day pass to two-month-old F-Works gives you access to office gear (copier, printer, etc.), a conference room, and a lounge. During break time, cross the street to Bestslope Coffee Co. or, if it’s been that kind of day, Copper Club Brewing Co.
Play: Just outside Fruita, Kessel Run and Rustler’s Loop are some of the prettiest high-mountain-desert biking trails around (their vistas are reminiscent of Westworld…with fewer killer robots). Plus, both Kessel and Rustler’s are fairly short—2.1 and 3.9 miles, respectively—and easy, so you can bring the kids along for one last summer vacation.