Hi, I'm Jim. My guide experience has evolved over a lifetime of living and exploring in and around Boulder County and Colorado since I was kid.
I’ve had the good fortune to intersect my passions to ride, hike, climb and ski with my past professional life in geography & cartography.
Over those years it’s been a pleasure to share some of the obscure and remote parts of the Boulder County area with family, friends and clients from across the globe. I strive to create a journey and experience that is fun and allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the landscapes, history and stories from the destinations we visit.
Most importantly, we have a GREAT TIME doing it. Come tour with me!
BACKGROUND:
I moved to Boulder at the age of five. I explored and roamed the fields and pastures of east Boulder. It was the time of concrete trash incinerators in every back yard and the 4th of July Boulder POW WOW Parade and Rodeo. There were even free movie Saturdays at the Boulder Theater. So much has changed in the city of Boulder. But the mountain scenery remains relatively unchanged.
​
My love of the mountains and outdoor adventure began as a scout and a guide for the American Youth Hostel. My interest in the outdoors influenced my profession in both the academic and private sectors. With added expertise in the geography of the Boulder County Mountains and the Rocky Mountain West, my outdoor passion inspired me to guide small groups of individuals to share obscure and interesting facets of the area.
​
After a brief stint in musical theater, I returned to college and graduated with a degree in Geography. That lead to a career in Cartography/GIS-IT and Geo-science. My professional work dove-tailed nicely with my life-long involvement with outdoor sports, biking and exploration.
During that time I discovered a new passion — mountain biking. In the early 1980’s, while living on Sugarloaf Mountain west of boulder, I learned to rebuild cruisers bikes with my talented college friends transforming them into mountain bikes. With these redesigned bikes, I explored and created the first Boulder County Mountain Bike Map.
Later, as Director of the University of Colorado Cartography and GIS lab, and in private sector, I oversaw teams that contributed to numerous regional and international projects that included published maps, books and graphics for various publications and geo-web sites.
I was involved in emergency training for back country and urban settings starting at a young age in the mid 1970's. I was certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and WFR (Wilderness First Responder) with re-newed certifications.
Parallel to my professional life I've been an outdoor adventure guide, along with other various related occupations, for the past forty-five years. During that time, I have safely guided clients, friends and family throughout the American West.
Zia Adventures, a subsidiary of Zia Design Group - LLC, is registered and insured.
