An avid scuba diver in Colorado probably seems as likely as a downhill skiing connoisseur in Hawaii or a mountain climbing aficionado in Nebraska, but they are out there.

In reality, in-state scuba divers are not an altogether rare breed. Colorado is No. 6 in the nation in scuba divers per capita.

"People are floored by that number," said Drew Vasko, president of Denver Divers, Colorado's longest-standing scuba diving establishment. "One of the misconceptions is that scuba diving is directly related to marine life."

A number of stores and clubs in the Denver area - 21 statewide - are dedicated to the practice, allowing members either to learn how, remain sharp before the next big trip or even try scuba diving on mainland lakes and reservoirs.

Vasko believes that, despite being landlocked, Colorado is a natural fit for scuba divers.

"I think if you take a look at a lot of people who are here, they are outdoors-oriented and they like to travel," he said. "Scuba diving fits right in to that."

Denver Divers (557 Milwaukee St.), which Vasko overtook about six months ago, generally is considered one of the top diving resources in the state. Included in the building is a 90-degree pool for existing divers to practice and aspiring divers to become certified. It also offers diving equipment sales and advice on anything scuba-related.

Denver Divers also works as a travel agency, setting up scuba diving expeditions abroad.

Recently, it has sent its clientele on trips to various locations, including Tahiti and Cozumel. The next trip will be from the port of Kavieng in Papua New Guinea to Kimbe Bay from Sept. 7-22.

While it is common for many Coloradans to take scuba-diving vacations to tropical regions, many others engage in the practice locally. Granted, no sea horses and multi-colored exotic fish float by on a regular basis, but it still can be done.

In-state hotspots include Chatfield Reservoir and Fort Collins-based Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake. Before its water level plummeted, Aurora Reservoir was huge for divers, who could scout the remains of a plane crash. Dillon Lake, known as an extremely cold dive, in Summit County is said to have such remains beneath it as well.

Nearby locations include the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, N.M., an 84-foot entirely visible sinkhole. In addition, Homestead Lake in Utah offers divers a chance to look at a crater beneath the water.

Many divers, such as Jim Reims, of Littleton, are ardent scuba divers but never have thought to check into learning facilities while at home. Reims was certified in Hawaii in the mid-1990s and has gone back each summer to visit relatives and, of course, dive.

"I always take someone with me," Reims said. "They can get certified in about two days down there, and then they're allowed to dive right after that. It's a pretty quick process, but if I would have known I could get it done here before we went, that would have given my friends a couple of extra diving days."

Denver Divers offers a 16- to 20-hour, part academic, part pool-time course. It is a comprehensive class that leaves its divers in complete command of the process and prepared for any situation they should encounter.

The sport is on the rise to such an extent in Colorado that there are now a large number of people who have scuba dived here but not in the tropics. Most, like Reims, are the other way around.

"I'll have to try some around here," Reims said. "I don't know if it'll be as cool as in Hawaii, but I'll give it a shot."

Scuba in Colorado

21 Stores and clubs in Colorado dedicated to scuba diving, allowing members either to learn how or keep skills sharp.

WHERE TO DIVE

• Denver area: Chatfield Reservoir

• Fort Collins: Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake

• Summit County: Dillon Lake (known as an extremely cold dive)

• New Mexico: Blue Hole and Perch Lake in Santa Rosa, about 120 miles east of Albuquerque.

• Utah: Homestead Lake, about 50 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.

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