Photo credit: Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Today’s Epic Outdoor Picture of the Day captures a striking daytime moment in Erie, Colorado, one of Boulder’s most scenic neighbors and a quiet favorite for open-sky adventures. Photographed by award-winning Colorado photographer Lenny Lensworth Frieling , this image freezes the raw energy behind hot air ballooning—the powerful flames firing upward as the balloon is brought to life.

There’s something captivating about seeing a balloon mid-prep during the day. The bright Colorado sky provides a clean backdrop, allowing the flames, colors, and scale of the balloon to take center stage. You can almost hear the roar of the burners and feel the anticipation as the balloon fills, steadies, and prepares for lift-off. It’s a reminder that magic doesn’t only happen at the edges of the day—sometimes it’s right there in full daylight.

Erie’s wide-open spaces make it an ideal location for balloon launches. With fewer obstructions, expansive fields, and steady daytime conditions, it’s a popular area for balloonists operating along the Front Range. Its location near Boulder also makes it a natural extension of Boulder County’s outdoor culture, blending small-town calm with big-sky experiences.

Colorado consistently ranks as one of the best states in the country for hot air ballooning. The combination of predictable air patterns, high-altitude views, and dramatic landscapes makes ballooning here both scenic and reliable. Beyond Erie, popular ballooning areas include Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, and open corridors stretching east of Boulder, where pilots have room to maneuver and land safely.

Fun fact: despite their size, hot air balloons are surprisingly precise aircraft. Pilots control altitude by adjusting heat, catching different air currents to guide direction. Every flight is unique, shaped by conditions, terrain, and timing—no two are ever exactly the same.

This photograph isn’t just about flight; it’s about energy, preparation, and scale. The flames firing upward capture the moment just before gravity is challenged, and Erie provides the perfect stage for that quiet drama. On a regular Thursday, under an open Colorado sky, this image reminds us how extraordinary everyday moments can be.

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