March 2
Practicing Medicine in a Mountain Village
Estes Park Museum’s “Meet Me @ The Museum” event, March 2, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., explores the life of Dr. Jacob O. Mall facilitated by Director and Curator Derek Fortini. It features a 1981 interview with Mall when, at age 79, he reminisced about the changes he’d seen in Estes Park over 50 years. The Estes Park Museum galleries, 200 Fourth St., are open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information call 970-586-6256 or visit http://www.estes.org/museum.

March 6
Skatin’ to the 80s Free Family Skate Party
Join the Families for Estes team, March 6, from 6-8 p.m., in the Longhouse Building at the YMCA of the Rockies for a fun-filled night of roller skating, 80s-themed snacks, music and fun. If inspired, dress in 80s fashion. There will also be pickleball and an open gym, so there is something for everyone. This event is free for all ages. The event takes place in the Longhouse Building at YMCA of the Rockies, 2515 Tunnel Road. Visit http://www.familiesforestes.org to learn more.

March 7
Beginning Watercolor for Nature Enthusiasts
Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute offers a class, March 7, entitled “Beginning Watercolor for the Nature Enthusiast,” taught by Karen Ramsey. Participants will learn the fundamentals of watercolors and how to apply paint in a fresh and vibrant way and be introduced to techniques including how to set up a palette of colors and the importance of shapes and values. For more information and to register, visit rmconservancy.org or call 970-586-3262.

Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Casino Night
Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary’s annual free Casino Night takes place, March 7, from 7-11 p.m. in the Stanley Hotel MacGregor Ballroom. Enjoy Texas Hold ‘em, craps, black jack, horse racing, music, dancing, photo booth and auction for gift baskets. Dress is black tie optional for a fun Vegas feel (but you can wear jeans as well). Proceeds go to Bobcat Boosters. For information or to pre-register, call Harriette Woodard at 970-586-1040.

March 8
Stella Blu Bohemian Boutique Trunk Show
Discover eclectic, one of a kind, up-cycled clothing and handbags, made from “rescued” materials, March 8, from 2-4 p.m. at The Stone Cup Café, 442 High Street in Lyons. The mid-winter trunk show features creations from Stella Blu Re-Design. Find out more information at http://www.thestonecup.comor call 303-823-2345.

March 11
Well & Septic System Maintenance Class
Colorado State University Extension Office and Gilpin County Public Health present a free Well and Septic System Maintenance Class, March 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Gilpin Public Health, 101 Norton Dr. Learn how to care for a well and septic, county regulations and processes, water testing and basic well water rights. For more information, contact Bonnie Albrecht, Public Health Coordinator at 303-582-5803 x13 or visit http://www.co.gilpin.co.us.

March 14-15
Open House and Turkey Vultures
Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center hosts an Open House with the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program during Frozen Dead Guy weekend, March 14-15. Turkey Vultures and other raptors will be on-site with formal presentations at 3:30 on Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. Participate in a Treasure Hunt Discovery throughout the nature center for special prizes. Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center is open 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Visit wildbear.org for more information.

March 21
Painting the Colorful Attitudes of Animals
Learn to tap into the child within and use intuition when choosing colors, during the “Painting the Colorful Attitudes of Animals” class, March 21, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Rocky Mountain Conservancy with instructor Pat Saunders-White. Immortalize animals in paint with bold, beautiful colors reflecting their personalities and characteristics. Materials, instruction and demonstrations are provided by the instructor. No drawing skills are required. For more information and to register, visit rmconservancy.org or call 970-586-3262.

Spring Has Sprung!
Join volunteer Boulder County naturalists, March 21 from 10 a.m.-noon at Heil Valley Ranch Open Space south trailhead for a leisurely two-mile hike and celebrate the beginning of spring by looking and listening for signs of new life along the trail. Learn the importance of the sun at equinox in linking and timing these vibrant displays of new beginnings. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org to learn more.

March 22
Winter Park Wipe Out
Elevate your adventure this spring at the Winter Park Wipe Out on March 22. Participants of this Mountain Town Adventure will experience a series of incredible challenges on a mystery course that goes all around the town of Winter Park. Solve clues leading to over 20 mystery challenges including the Wipe Out Zone, where things will get messy, snowmobile-tubing, food challenges,
hammerschlagen and many other wild winter activities are included. Winter Park Wipe Out is an event like no other. Visit WinterParkWipeOut.com or call 303-777-6887 for more information.

March 28
Coyotes: The Song Dogs of the West
Coyotes are among our country’s most successful and resourceful predators. Often misunderstood and maligned, the coyote’s impact on our everyday life is profound. Explore the country’s second largest canine’s natural history, Native American stories, coyote discovery by Lewis and Clark, and expansion to the east with instructor Jared Gricoskie, March 28, at the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute class, “Coyotes: The Song Dogs of the West.” The class will also head into Rocky Mountain National Park to explore coyote habitat, social structure, and interactions as well as explore how the coyote interacts with the ecosystem, its prey and mankind, and how wolves could impact our coyotes in the future. For more information and to register, visit rmconservancy.org or call 970-586-3262.

Bears in our Backyard
Black bears are part of our landscape. In spring, as daylight hours grow and temperatures warm, bears and their cubs emerge from winter dens. Join volunteer Boulder County naturalists, March 28, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Betasso Preserve in Boulder Canyon to explore how bears survive the winter and become active again in the spring. Participants will also learn how to live safely in bear country. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org to learn more.

March 30
Qigong with Nori Bieberach
Join Nori Bierbach on Mondays at the Nederland Community Library, March 30-April 27, from 8:30-9:30 a.m., as she leads participants on a journey exploring and practicing Qigong during this five week class. Qigong is a powerful system of healing and energy medicine from China. It is the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy (qi). The class is free (donations are accepted) but space is limited. Call 303-258-1101 or email genevam.ncl@gmail.com to reserve a spot. Visit nederland.colibraries.org for more information.

Pioneers of the Peaks: Local Climbers Who Made History
For several decades, a small group of men and women made history exploring and ascending the summits surrounding the Estes Valley. This hardy group paved the way for others to pursue the challenges of our alluring landscapes. In 2013 and 2014, the Estes Park Museum and the Estes Valley Library gathered their inspiring stories. Through June, a monthly series features special guests from the 18 local climbers and mountaineers interviewed for the Climbers’ Oral History Project. The monthly talks are held at the Estes Park Museum in conjunction with its “Climb On!” exhibition celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Rocky Mountain National Park. On March 30, from 7 – 8 p.m. join Harry Kent to hear about “Training in Rocky Mountain National Park.” Kent has climbed all over the world as a professional outdoor adventure guide for close to 40 years. He and partner Keith Lober were the first Americans to make a winter ascent of the North Face of the Eiger in 1982, one of the most challenging climbs in all of Europe at the time. This will be the subject of his program when he describes in a slideshow the local training and preparations they made for the daunting objective. He also founded Kent Mountain Adventure Center in Estes Park in 1987. For more information call 970-586-6256 or visit http://www.estes.org/museum.

March 31
Overnight Hut Trip to Broome Hut
Clear Creak Metropolitan Recreation District is taking over the Broome Hut for an overnight trip, March 31, beginning at noon. The Broome Hut, the first hut in the Grand Huts Association is a steep, one mile backpack in from Berthoud Pass. The hut sits at 11,300 feet with breathtaking views. This is an overnight trip and participants will carry in all supplies and food. It is a short hike in, but physically demanding in the snow and carrying a pack. Minors are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Limited spots are available. Transportation, accommodations and breakfast is included in the trip cost. Call 303-567-4822 or visit clearcreekrecreation.com to learn more.