Now-Sept. 6
Visit the Historic Fall River Hydroplant
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic Fall River Hydroplant in Estes Park was completed in 1909 by F. O. Stanley to provide electric power to the Stanley Hotel. It was also the exclusive source of electricity for the town until the 1940s. A film of Jay Leno starting a Stanley Steamer automobile and other artifacts illustrate Stanley’s time and legacy in Estes Park. Visitors also learn about the 1982 Lawn Lake Flood disaster, which permanently ceased the plant’s operations. Located at 1754 Fish Hatchery Road, hours are 1 – 4 p.m. daily except Mondays through Sept. 6. General admission is free.  Visit http://www.estes.org to learn more.

Now-Sept. 13
Free shuttles operating
Estes Park’s free shuttles launched a 10th season of service in June, offering visitors and residents convenient, environmentally responsible transportation. Shuttles transport riders to 63 stops throughout Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Operating daily from June 27 through Sept. 13, shuttles make it convenient for residents and guests to leave their vehicles at a lodging facility, park-n-ride lot or at home, and travel around town during the busy summer season. For more information about shuttle routes, contact Estes Park Visitor Services at 970-577-9900 or visit http://www.estes.org.

July 4
RMNP Celebration: Local Art Commemoration
The Allenspark Community Cultures Council celebrates the 100th anniversary of Rocky Mountain National Park, July 4 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. by featuring local art and local artists at The Old Gallery, 14863 Hwy. 7. The event features art demos, a meet-and-greet the artists, refreshments and free children’s art projects. There will also be historical displays, a scavenger hunt and tours of the newly remodeled Old Gallery. The Wilderness, Wildlife, and Wonder art show will be on display for the entire celebration. For more information, visit http://www.theoldgallery.org.

Nederland Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Festival & Fireworks
Nederland’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Festival & Fireworks incudes a full day of events, games, live music and “good old fashioned fun.” The annual parade takes place on First Street at noon followed by events including Nederland Fire Protection District’s “Barrel Wars;” Teen Center’s Human Foosball, games and BBQ; and human Jenga, live chain saw wood carving, remote control car races, pie-eating contests, games, and live music up to the fireworks — planned for the first time in several years — at dusk. Visit nederlandco.org for additional details.

July 9-11
Right Brain Photography
On July 9-11, mesh the technical with the creative with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute in Right Brain Photography: Beyond F/Stops. In this program, aspiring photographers learn to create aesthetic photos from the instructor’s self-designed models. Eli Vega, an award-winning photo artist, instructs this highly-interactive and fun program. Vega has more than 20 years of experience in photography, and is an instructor for Boulder Digital Arts, Arvada Arts & Humanities Center, and Arapahoe Community College in Littleton. To register or to get more information, contact the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute at 970-586-3262 or online at http://www.rmconservancy.org.

July 10
Author Appearance: Marcia Hensley
Author Marcia Hensley signs her book, “Staking Her Claim: Women Homesteading the West,” July 10 from 2:30-5 p.m., at Macdonald Bookshop, 152 E. Elkhorn Ave. in Estes Park. The book tells the stories of remarkable pioneer women who seized the opportunity to own land at a time when it was nearly unheard of for women to do so. Instead of talking about women’s rights, these frontier feminists asserted theirs by becoming landowners in the West. These are intimate portraits of women’s adventures and hardships as they fight to win social and financial independence in a world where most women still led lives restricted by Victorian attitudes. Visit macdonaldbookshop.com or call 970-586-3450 for more information.

July 11
History of Trail Ridge Road
In celebration of Rocky Mountain National Park’s 100th anniversary, on July 11 from 3-4:30 p.m., Estes Park Museum, 200 Fourth St. in Estes Park, hosts the History of Trail Ridge Road: Highway to the Sky. Constructed from 1929 to 1932 and opened to tourists and drivers the following year, Trail Ridge Road earned immediate inclusion among the scenic wonders of the world. The program includes a presentation by Allan Northcutt whose father, Curtis, was employed by the Lawler construction company on the western half of the project. His father’s stories and photographs detail how the road crews felt lucky to have a job on such an historic project during the Great Depression. The program is free and no reservations are required to attend. Find out more at http://www.estes.org.

July 18
James F. Bailey Assay Office Museum open
Explore Boulder County’s mining history at the James F. Bailey Assay Office Museum, July 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. At the turn of the twentieth century, hard rock mining in Boulder County was in full swing, and the area known as Wall Street played a prominent role in this chapter of our community’s history. The assay office was the place where prospectors would take their ore samples to find out whether or not they had potentially “struck it rich.” So important was the determination of the assayer that the results of their work could, and often did, make or break a prospector. Admission is free. The Assay Office is located west of Boulder in Fourmile Canyon at 6352 Fourmile Canyon Dr. Find more information at http://www.bouldercounty.org.

July 24-26
RockyGrass Festival
The world’s finest bluegrass musicians return to the Planet Bluegrass Ranch, 500 W. Main St. in Lyons for the 43rd Annual RockyGrass Festival, July 24-26. For three “magical days under the cliffs and cottonwoods of the St. Vrain River,” share in world-renowned campground jams, band and instrument contests, workshops, family activities, camping and a carefully curated main stage lineup of bluegrass all-stars. Highlights include Sam Bush Bluegrass Band, Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers, Del McCoury Band, The David Grisman Sextet, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and Del & Dawg. Many more acts are included in the line-up as well. Visit http://www.bluegrass.com for more information.

July 25
RMNP Centennial Celebration Concert
Cowboy Brad Fitch presents his Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial Concert, July 25 at Performance Park in downtown Estes Park.  This celebratory event is free and open to the public.
The concert features music about the national park, Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Fitch will be joined by cellist/bassist Eamonn Morris and guitarist/vocalist Mark Rashid. Included in the program will be a variety of original and cover songs with selections from Brad’s latest album, “Rocky”, which celebrates RMNP’s Centennial. The trio will also be playing the park’s official centennial song, which Fitch was commissioned to write for this 100th year.  The concert begins at 7 pm and all are invited to join in the fun. Learn more at http://www.cowboybrad.com.

Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb
The Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb, July 25, is an iconic bicycle race that takes place on the highest paved road in the U.S. Celebrating its 50th year, it was run for the first time in 1962 and has run consecutively with the exception of three times. It was renamed in 1981 in honor of five-time race winner Bob Cook, who died of cancer at the age of 23. The starting point is in Idaho Springs with a route that climbs a 6,630 feet to 14,130 feet. For more information visit teamevergreen.org/events/mt-evans-hill-climb/

Cobbles of Time: Geology of Caribou Ranch
The story of Glacial Lake Devlin and evidence of its catastrophic demise is a fascinating and little-known chapter in the geologic history of Caribou Ranch. Join Boulder County volunteer naturalist Roger Myers and others, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on a free, 4.5-mile moderate hike to examine the evidence first hand. Participants will also learn about the oldest rocks in the area, as well as valuable minerals that formed and were mined nearby. Contact Larry Colbenson, 303-678-6214 or lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org for additional information. Caribou Ranch Open Space is 2 miles north of Nederland on County Road 126. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org for more information.

July 27
Senior trip to Black Hawk & Central City
The Town of Estes Park’s Senior Services Division is offering a day trip to the historic communities of Black Hawk and Central City on July 27. Register by Monday, July 13. The trip costs $26 for EPSCC, Inc. members or $28 for non-members and includes round-trip transportation. This is an all-day trip, departing at 9 a.m. and returning at approximately 6 p.m. This is a relaxed trip, with ample opportunity to wander the historic communities, visit your favorite casinos or enjoy a good buffet meal with friends. For more information, contact the Estes Park Senior Center at 970-586-2996 or visit the Center at 220 Fourth St., Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or online at http://www.estes.org/seniorcenter.

Hilltop Guild hosts annual festival, bazaar fundrasier
ALLENSPARK
Allenspark’s Hilltop Guild is not a club, not a society, not a commercial venture. It’s a productive and creative association of residents returning the fruits of their labors to areas of need in the greater Allenspark community.

All their efforts and hours of creating throughout the year culminate into one grand event, their Annual Hilltop Guild Festival and Bazaar, Aug. 1 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Kelley House in Allenspark. This one-day event, now in its 68th year, affords the public the chance to purchase the works of Guild members including their famous homemade jam and the ever-popular peanut brittle.

Browse through books, white elephants, collectibles, arts, crafts, weaving and needlework pieces while checking out the live music and enjoying food and baked goods.

A raffle drawing for a handmade quilt, afghan, rug, jewelry, sculpture and photography,  takes place at  2 p.m. Tickets  are three for $5 and you need not be present to win. Proceeds benefit: Scholarships/Loans, AFPD, Kayenta School Crossroads, Aging Services, Disaster Relief.

Started in the early 1930s, the group began as an informal gathering of women from the area. This group continued to meet and grow, and in 1948 was officially organized by Grace Day, Mamie McAllister, Leona Trevarton, Vera Rubendall and Ethel White as the “Hilltop Guild.” In July 1954, Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Kelley of St. Marys, Ohio, deeded their large log building to the Hilltop Guild, to be used as their meeting place.  It was decided to name the building in their honor.

Kelley House is located at 18720 Hwy. 7 in Allenspark. Learn more at http://www.hilltopguild.com.