June 5, 12, 19 & 26
Oh My Gawd Rodeo
The annual Oh My Gawd Rodeo, held on Friday nights in June at Clear Creek County’s Keifer Arena on the I-70 Frontage Road west of Idaho Springs in Dumont, features bulls, broncs, ropers, racers and mutton busters. The rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. each week. Entries remain open until the Monday prior to each rodeo. For entry information, call Miller Rodeo Co. at 303-622-9745.

June 6
Community BBQ & Dance Party
Estes Park Medical Center marks its 40th year of operation with a “huge community BBQ and dance party,” June 6 from 6-10 p.m. The event will honor the big-hearted friends who built and sustain this community institution at the Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park. Tickets are available online or at Macdonald Book Shop in Estes Park for $40. Contact Jill Anderson at 970-577-4370 or giving@epmedcenter.com with questions or to sponsor tickets for EPMC care givers. Visit http://www.epmedcenter.com or call 970-586-2317 to learn more.

Spring Thaw Cleanup
Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center in Nederland is organizing a “Spring Thaw Cleanup” of the headwaters of Boulder County’s watershed and Nederland, June 6 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The group meets at Wild Bear, 20 Lakeview Drive Unit 107 in Nederland, to pick up a vest and orange bags and organize into groups. Participants should bring work gloves, a long sleeve shirt and pants, sunscreen, hat and plenty of water. Wild Bear will provide water and snacks and will kick off the day with fresh-brewed coffee and a light breakfast. There will also be an hourly drawing for prizes and other surprises. Visit wildbear.org or call 303-258-0495 to sign up and find more information.

June 6, 13, 20, 27
Help restore Jamestown vegetation
Jamestown seeks green-thumbed volunteers to participate in its “Bringing Beauty Back to Jamestown” project, an effort to restore the vegetation on private property along its flood-torn riparian way. Volunteers will assist homeowners with landscaping and gardening tasks Saturdays in June from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. In addition, the town is working with RETREET, a nonprofit group based in Texas that focuses on restoring trees in disaster areas, to host a volunteer tree planting weekend, June 20-21. Individuals and groups interested in lending a hand in any of the projects mentioned should contact Jamestown Volunteers and Donations Coordinator Nina Andaloro at nina.andaloro@jamestownco.org or 303-449-1806. To find out more about upcoming restoration projects, visit jamestownco.org or http://www.retreet.org.

June 7
Antiques Appraisal Show
Join the Idaho Springs Lions Club and the Historical Society of Idaho Springs, June 7 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Idaho Springs’ Carlson Elementary, 1300 Miner St. in Idaho Springs, for an Antique Appraisal Show. Bring antiques and have them professionally appraised by Nostalgia Plus, Inc. for just $5 per item. For more information, call 303-567-4382.

June 10
Colorado-Big Thompson Project: Part I of III
Kick-off the three-part Colorado-Big Thompson Project Series, June 10 from 2 p.m.-3 p.m., at the Estes Park Museum with Greg Silkensen, of the Northern Colorado Water Conservation District. He will give an overview of water development and irrigation history in Northern Colorado, including the conditions that led to the project’s construction. It was one of the most ambitious water diversion projects undertaken by the federal government, and it occurred in Estes Park from 1938 and 1959. Visit estes.org to learn more.

June 13
Charlie’s Place 8th Anniversary Party
Help celebrate the success of Clear Creek and Gilpin County’s community animal shelter, June 13 from noon-4:30 p.m. Live music, food, demonstrations, and more will be offered.The Clear Creek/Gilpin Co. Animal Shelter, 500 W Dumont Road in Dumont, is a county-owned and managed animal shelter serving the residents of Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties. Call 303-679-2477 or visit charliesplaceshelter.org for more information.

Mount Evans Ascent Race
The Mount Evans Ascent Race, June 13 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the country’s highest road race up the highest paved road in North America. A portion of entry fees will be donated to Alpine Rescue, which is providing on-course support and volunteer year-round support to the community. The race starts promptly at 7:30 a.m., and all summit bags must be loaded 7 a.m. Packet pick-up will be available at the start line on race morning. Post race festivities will be held at the Echo Lake Lodge who will also be catering a post-race meal. For more information on the race or to register, visit http://www.racingunderground.com/mtevans/

June 14
Guanella Pass Hill Climb
The Guanella Pass Hill Climb is a bicycle race from Georgetown to the top of Guanella Pass, June 14 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. The 11-mile course rises 3,150 ft. from Georgetown Lake with grades of 8-12 percent. All riders will line up in respective categories at Georgetown Lake and will roll out together at 8:55 a.m. to the starting area at City Park, where a post-race celebration will also be held after the race. The first category start from the park at 9 a.m. with subsequent categories leaving every minute after. The finish line is at 11,700 ft. in the west parking lot on top of the pass. To find out more, visit guanellapasshillclimb.com, or to register, visit http://www.withoutlimits.co.

June 17
Hometown Hoedown
Lyons Community Foundation presents a Hometown Hoedown fundrasier, June 17 from 5-9 p.m. at River Bend, 501 West Main St., Lyons. The new, family-friendly event features a BBQ dinner from Smokin’ Daves, beer, wine, laser tag, gold panning, games, tournaments, live music from Joe Kuckla, square and line dancing with live music, a pickin’ circle and more.  The Lyons Community Foundation exists to improve the quality of life, build a culture of giving, and encourage positive change in the Greater Lyons Area. To learn more, visit http://www.lyonscf.org or http://www.lyonsbenefit.org
June 18-21

Rocky Mountain Irish Gathering
The Rocky Mountain Irish Gathering, June 18-21, is a celebration of Irish culture and history uniquely presented through both educational and fun exhibits, film, lecturers, storytellers, vendors and music. The event, held at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park, 1209 Manford Ave. in Estes Park, is geared for the entire family in a festival atmosphere and features pipes and drums, Irish dance troupes, Gaelic music, exhibits, Irish road bowling contest, fiddle contest, whiskey tasting, Irish brews, special concerts and more. The event is an official event of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Rocky Mountain National Park. Learn more at rockymountain
irishfestival.com, on Facebook or call 970-305-3138.

June 20
Bird Walks
On June 20, and every third Saturday of the month, Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center in Nederland hosts a bird walk with Peak to Peak Birders.  Meet at Wild Bear, 20 Lakeview Drive, Unit 107 in Nederland at 7 a.m. to determine the best birding site for the morning. The group takes a 1-2 hour leisurely walk to spot and identify local birds, so bring binoculars. Take home one of our checklists and keep track of all of the birds spotted this year.  Visit wildbear.org or call 303-258-0495 to sign up and find more information.

June 27
Lyons Good Old Days & Car Show
The 39th Annual Lyons Good Old Days, now in its 39th year, is a longstanding, highly-anticipated outdoor event focusing on bringing people from Lyons and the surrounding region together in a celebration of community in Bohn Park. Good Old Days features a full schedule of live music and entertainment, beer garden and food vendors, carnival games, rides and other activities for all ages. In addition, attendees can enjoy the Lyons River Run 5K, KidSpace!, softball tournament, community picnic, car show, pony rides, petting zoo and a weekend full of new events and surprises. Visit http://www.townoflyons.com for more information.

Slacker Half Marathon, Relay & 4 Mile Races
The Slacker Half Marathon, Relay and 4-Mile races include the highest downhill half marathon in the country. The half marathon begins at Loveland Ski Area at 10,630 feet and descends to 8,400 feet. The first five miles go through a Forest Service area of wetlands and natural waterfalls on a non-motorized paved bike path built to sustain the weight of an ambulance. For more information or to register visit http://www.slackerhalfmarathon.com

June 29
Welcome to the Mountains: Resources & Info for New Residents & Seasonal Visitors
CSU Extension in Gilpin County presents a special, free “Welcome to the Mountains” workshop, June 29 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 113 Main St. in Central City.  The workshop covers evacuation, high altitude issues, pet safety, living with wildlife, resources, and other information to keep you safe and well-adjusted to life in the hills. Visit http://www.extension.colostate.edu/gilpin/ for more information and to register.

Professional Bull Riding returns to mountain venue
ESTES PARK
The fastest growing sport in the world is coming back to Estes Park, for two events on June 29-30 and July 3-4. Estes Park Western Heritage is proud to host the Professional Bull Riding Pro Touring Division, bringing the toughest bull riders in the world and the best bulls anywhere to Estes Park.

The Fairgrounds at Stanley Park is the scenic, high-altitude setting for an event that promises to be action-packed and exciting, eight seconds at a time. Each night of Professional Bull Riding includes four separate rounds of ten bucking bulls, with top PBR cowboys hoping to hang on for the toughest ride in all of sports.

The PBR venue offers a ring-side view of the action, with an “arena-within-the-arena” constructed directly in front of the grand stands.  For those who desire an eye-ball to eye-ball experience, “VIP in the Dirt” seating on the arena’s west side is available. A beverage tent on the arena floor will accommodate all guests.

On June 29, 30 and July 3, live music in the arena begins at 5:30 p.m.  and bull riding begins at 7 p.m. Winning cowboys from each evening will compete in the event finale, going head to head in the finals, hoping to capture the winning honors, points and big money.

On July 4, live music begins at 5:30 p.m. and bull riding gets underway at 7 p.m. At the conclusion of the Saturday night event, the arena goes dark for the annual “Fireworks over Lake Estes” display.

Estes Park Western Heritage, Inc. is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers from the local Estes Park community. To purchase tickets for the VIP “In the Dirt” experience, box seating or general admission, visit http://www.rooftoprodeo.com for a link or call 970-586-6104 with questions.

Originally published in the June 2015 issue of the MMAC Monthly