Dave Lively...the Tour Guide
Dave Lively is a passionate local tour guide
who specializes in shining light on hidden narratives.
Dave is the Chief Experience Officer of Lively Tours and Talks.
Dave creates and conducts unique tours combining spectacular scenery and local history for groups large and small. His knowledge and passion for Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and the mountains of Northern Colorado enliven the stories he shares of remarkable characters from the past and brings deeper understanding and appreciation for where we are today.
Dave lives less than 1/2 mile from RMNP, and his 1895 family homestead was on the land which is now the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, providing Dave with a personal twist no one else can offer.
Dave is a Certified Tour Guide and Certified Interpretive guide with unsurpassed knowledge and passion for the region and he is committed to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. He appears in The Living Dream: 100 Years of Rocky Mountain National Park, a documentary on PBS stations nationwide. He is quoted in many recent books and articles written on the history of RMNP, including:
- The Lively Side of Rocky Mountain National Park, AAA Colorado online, Gigi Ragland
- Rocky Mountain National Park: The First 100 Years, Mary Taylor Young
- A Natural History of Trail Ridge Road, Amy Law
- C Lazy U Celebrates 100 Years on the Ranch, Thomas “Dr. Colorado” Noel and David Craig
- Colorado at the sources of a river in danger, Guillaume de Dieuleveult, Le’Figaro Newspaper
He volunteered in Rocky Mountain National Park for over fifteen years, presenting his history program, “Sisters of Courage”. He trained new seasonal Park Rangers and volunteers about the history of RMNP.
Dave conducts tours for more than 300 people per year into Rocky Mountain National Park.
CERTIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Certified Interpretive Guide, National Association for Interpretation
- Certified Tour Guide, International Guide Academy
- Certified Interpretive Guide, National Association for Interpretation
- Maintains current First Aid, CPR and AED certifications.
MEMBERSHIPS
Dave is a proud member of and supports the following organizations:
- Grand Lake Area Historic Society (Life Member)
- Colorado Parks and Recreation Association – Active Adults Programming and Services
- Colorado Association of Libraries – Active Adults Interest Group
- Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce
- Granby Chamber of Commerce
- Grand County Historical Association
- Colorado Preservation Inc.
- American Association of State and Local History
- Rocky Mountain Guide Association
- Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums
- Rollins Pass Restoration Association
- Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byways
- Mountain and Plains Museum Association