Lost Horizons

But money isn't the only thing left behind. "We've found crutches, wheelchairs, inline skates, bikes, keys and even dentures," Reed says.

Normal items, such as books and clothing, are kept for ten days; more expensive items are kept thirty days. After that, everything is donated to charity -- except bikes, which go to the Denver Police Department for official use or the DPD auction.

Skis are the main mode of transportation for Ski Train travelers, but they forget those, too, as well as the usual books, sweaters, scarves, sunglasses and shoes. "I always wonder how the passengers are able to get off the train without their shoes," says reservations manager Stacy Arnold. People have until the end of the season -- the train runs through April 2 -- to claim their missing items; after that, clothing is donated to nearby shelters. The staff keeps ski paraphernalia as a traveler's aid for future passengers, and will loan last season's leftovers when someone reaches Winter Park and realizes he forgot gloves or goggles.

Beats calling your mother.