August 2
Gambler’s Edge Hill Climb Auto Race
Head to the Central City Parkway, Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., for the first running of the Gamblers Edge Hill Climb. This free spectator event is a speed contest for production cars that runs one car at a time against the clock and will be filled with automotive vendors, entertainment, delicious food, and tons of cars. It begins at an altitude of 6,500 feet, ascending about 2,500 feet to 9,000 feet at the finish line. The course is asphalt, four lanes wide, seven miles long with 23 curves. The starting line is the Central City Parkway sign on the Central City Parkway hill just off of I-70 in Idaho Springs. Visit http://www.pitrally.com to learn about the best viewing locations, parking and more.

August 3
Big Wide Grin benefit for Calwood Camp
Nederland’s Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center wants to help fellow environmental educator, Cal-Wood Education Center, rebuild after last fall’s devastating Jamestown flood. Enjoy an evening with Big Wide Grin at Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center’s Eco-Arts Lounge, 20 Lakeview Dr., and help Cal-Wood at the same time. The duo of Elaine Dempsey & Karl Werne, known as Big Wide Grin, are from California and Virginia and bring diverse backgrounds of experience, music and theater together to form a rich, soulful blend of character and deep harmony. Music is from 7-9 p.m. with an optional potluck at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, if available. This show’s location may be moved. For more information visit http://www.bigwidegrin.com and http://www.wildbear.org.

Coal Creek Canyon Mountain Folk Festival
Third annual Coal Creek Canyon Mountain Folk Festival, Aug. 3 from 2-5 p.m., includes live music from Jerry Raisch & Friends, the “RoadKill Cookoff,” local venders and the famous Mountain Man/Woman Obstacle Course to determine who is the “burliest” man and woman in the canyon. “RoadKill Cookoff” entries may include foods in the following categories: “The Real McCoy” (meat dish), “The One that Got Away” (veggie dish) and “Down Home Dessert.” Entry into the obstacle course contest is $20 and includes an “awesome” event T-shirt and a shot at the grand prize. A second chance will be offered for $10. All events take place at the Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association Hall, 31528 Hwy. 72. Visit http://www.coalcreek.com or call 303-642-0273 with questions.

August 5
Under the Stars at Riverbend
Spend the evening under the stars, Aug. 5, on the edge of the St. Vrain River in Lyons. Enjoy delicious small plates by renowned local chef and restaurant owner, Katie Baum, and unique craft cocktails by a master mixologist from Garnish featuring Colorado spirits. National recording artist, Rebecca Folsom will perform some of her new songs from her latest CD “Water On Stone.” Tickets are $150 per person or $275 for a couple. Proceeds from Under the Stars at Riverbend go to the Lyons Community Foundation, which has raised more than $1.3 million since September 2013 to help the town and residents of Lyons following the devastating floods. This benefit will help the continued recovery of one of the most beautiful and creative towns in Colorado. Lyons Community Foundation was founded in 2007 to serve as a bridge between two growing groups essential to the quality of life in the Lyons community.

National Night Out in Estes Park
The Estes Park Police Department participates in the 31st National Night Out, a unique crime/drug prevention event co-sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, on Aug. 5. The event involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states and beyond. The event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized for fighting back. For more information, visit http://www.estes.org.

Big game and turkey licenses for sale
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers big game licenses for elk, pronghorn, bear, deer and turkey, to residents and nonresidents, beginning at 9 a.m. on Aug. 5. The number of licenses available depends upon how many licenses remain after the draws for a particular hunt code. A list of available hunt codes is at cpw.state.co.us. Over-the-counter with caps licenses are licenses that initially go on sale Aug. 5, but are limited in quantity. Unlimited over-the-counter licenses are not limited in number. Individuals may choose to purchase in person at more than 700 licensing agents, including CPW offices, online or by phone 800-244-5613. A list of license agents can be found at http://www.cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/LicenseAgentsList.aspx. For more information about hunting big game in Colorado or the Aug. 5 sale, visit http://www.cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf, contact your local CPW office or call 303-297-1192.

August 9
Wolves of the West: Live Animal Demo
Educators from the W.O. L. F. Sanctuary will discuss wolves of the West and introduce lives wolves safely to the audience at the Estes Park Museum, 200 4th St., Aug. 9 from 2-4 p.m. The event costs $5 for children or museum members and $8 for adults and non-members. No advance registration is required. Visit http://www.estes.org to learn more.

Hudson Car Club visits Georgetown
Come experience a day in Georgetown along with the Hudson Car Club, Aug. 9. The cars will be on display along Sixth Street in front of the Hotel de Paris Museum. Also on display will be Georgetown’s Busy Bee Cab, a 1937 Hudson, which is now a member of the Colorado Club. The Busy Bee Cab was featured in the 1986 film, “The Christmas Gift” starring John Denver, Jane Kaczmarek, Edward Winter. Visit http://www.georgetown-colorado.org for more information.

August 11
Night Hike at Mud Lake
Join volunteer naturalists from Boulder County Parks and Open Space for an evening exploring Mud Lake, 2034 C.R. 126, Nederland, Aug. 11 from 8-10 p.m. Participants, who are asked to bring a flashlight, will hike about one mile round-trip on an easy trail, enjoying the starlight, listening for night sounds and learning about nocturnal habits of the critters that live here. For more information, visit http://www.bouldercounty.org or call 303-678-6200.

August 16
All That Glistens Is Not Gold
There is gold in these hills. Try your hand at an activity that led to the settlement of Boulder County: gold panning. Programs for ages 5 and older take place on Aug. 16 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Meeting location will be provided to registered participants. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org or call 303-776-8848 to register.
High Peaks/Silver Dreams: The History of Caribou Ranch
Join Boulder County Parks and Open Space volunteer naturalists for a hike of Caribou Ranch Open Space to explore ancient mountain-building, alpine glaciation and the history of hard rock mining, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will also identify plants and animals and look for signs of wildlife on a moderate, 4.2 mile round-trip hike. Attendees should wear hiking shoes and bring lunch, drinking water, rain gear and clothing for changeable weather above 8,500 feet. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org to learn more.

August 24
Brunch at Black Mountain Lodge
There’s nothing like Sunday brunch above 11,500 feet. Enjoy an expansive brunch buffet, Aug. 24, featuring an “elevated” breakfast and lunch favorites from Chef Chris Rybak in Arapaho Basin’s spectacular mid-mountain setting, Black Mountain Lodge. Take a brisk hike through wildflower fields and over streams on the Argentine-North Fork Trail, which takes approximately 30-45 minutes with a starting elevation of 10,800 feet and climbs to 11,500 feet, or take the Black Mountain Express lift. Seatings occur every 30 minutes and reservations are required. Reservations are required. Adults are $38 plus tax and gratuity. Children ages 6-14 are $15 plus tax and gratuity. Lift access is free and open to the public beginning at 10:30 a.m. Visit http://www.arapahoebasin.com or call Guest Services at 888-272-7246 to learn more and make reservations.

August 30-31
Colorado Senior Pro Charity Rodeo
The Colorado Senior Pro Charity Rodeo Association has hosted an annual charity rodeo for the last 28 years. Check out this year’s event, Aug. 30-31, at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park 1209 Manford Ave. in Estes Park Performances will be at 3:00 p.m. each day and include all the rodeo events like steer wrestling, roping, bronc riding, and bull riding. There will be stick horse races for the kids and mutton busting, too. Cost of admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids. Visit http://www.coloradoseniorprocharityrodeo.org or call 303-330-0216 for more information.

September 1
St. Mary’s Glacier pancake breakfast
Come enjoy a pancake breakfast in a beautiful alpine setting, Sept. 1, from 8-11 a.m., at the Alice Schoolhouse, 271 Silver Creek Road. The special breakfast benefits the Alice Historical Society, reestablished in August 2011. The Alice School was used continuously from 1896-1925, not only as a school, but also for elections and social events. Adults are $4 and kids cost $2. A special family rate of $10 is also offered. Visit http://www.alicehistorical
society.org for more information.

Labor Day Cajun Cookout & Concert
The annual Gold Hill Inn Labor Day Cajun Cookout & Concert, Sept. 1 from noon-5 p.m., features music from Felix Y Los Gatos, Zydecoasters and Katie Glassman & Snapshot along with food options that include panfried catfish and jambalaya. Felix Y Los Gatos is known as one of the best party bands in New Mexico and performs a variety of music from the south and southwest including zydeco, Americana, blues, funk and Rancheras Cumbias. Locals Zydecoasters play high-energy Louisiana dance music while Denver’s Katie Glassman & Snapshot do Western swing “to sooth your soul.” Visit http://www.goldhillinn.com to find out more.