January 1
Golden Gate Canyon State Park First Day Hike
Start the New Year with a 2.5 mile hike, Jan. 1 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., along Golden Gate Canyon State Park’s Beaver Trail. After a steep climb to start, the trail levels off a bit and winds its way through Lodgepole Pine forest with occasional Aspen stands and openings. The destination is the Beaver shelter where, on a clear day, there are views of the Continental Divide. The hike is expected to take 2-3 hours, depending upon the weather. Wrap up the hike with hot drinks and cookies at the Visitor Center, 92 Crawford Gulch Road. Registration is required. Call the Visitor Center at 303-582-3707 to sign up. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a six-foot leash, as always. This hike may prove strenuous with fresh snowfall, so come prepared with warm layers, waterproof hiking boots, and ice cleats/snowshoes. Visit cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon to learn more.

January 2-4
Santa’s North Pole Adventure Train
Santa returns to the Georgetown Loop Railroad, completed in 1884 and one of Colorado’s first visitor attractions, to pass out more presents and treats on Santa’s North Pole Adventure trains through Jan. 4. Santa and his helpers ride this daytime train and visit with everyone during the ride aboard decorated, enclosed, heated coaches. It’s an exceptional way to see the Clear Creek Valley. Visit georgetownlooprr.com or call 888-456-6777 for additional information.

January 2-15
Christmas tree drop-off
The Town of Estes Park’s free Christmas tree drop-off site is open to local residents 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Jan. 15. The drop-off is at the east entrance of the Fairgrounds off Community Drive; follow the signs to the fenced drop-off location. Trees must be stripped of ornaments, tinsel and other decorations. No wreaths, garland, artificial trees or tree stands will be accepted. Trees must be dropped during the specified hours in the identified area. Dropping trees after hours or in other locations at the Fairgrounds will be considered illegal dumping and may be subject to a fine. For more information, contact the Town of Estes Park Public Works Department at 970-577-3587.

January 4
Meet Me @ The Museum: Visitor Booklets
Join Estes Park Museum Director Derek Fortini, Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m., for a look at historical brochures. Fortini will present four booklets that range from publication dates 1902 to 1911 that lend insight to what the accommodations and activities consisted of during the first decade of the 20th century. A number of photographs will be shown and excerpts will be read aloud that enticed early visitors to Estes Park. Meet Me @ The Museum encourages everyone to be curious about the history of sites, events, and those who came before us in Estes Park. Museum staff includes the community in their local history findings and current projects on the first Monday of every month. Located at 200 Fourth Street, the Estes Park Museum galleries are open Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. For more information, call 970-586-6256 or visit http://www.estes.org/museum.

January 11-February 10
Citizen’s Police Academy
Anyone who’s wondered what it’s like behind the scenes at the Estes Park Police Department can find out by attending the 2016 Citizen’s Police Academy. The classes familiarize participants with everything from constitutional law to crime scene investigation. Classes include topics common among law enforcement agencies, as well as issues unique to Estes Park. This informative series of classes, sponsored by the Town’s Police Department and offered free of charge, take place Jan. 11-Feb. 10, Monday and Wednesday nights from 6-9 p.m. at Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave. Class size is limited to 30. Applications are available at the front desk of the Police Department at Town Hall, and at http://www.estes.org/citizenspoliceacademy. Applications must be received by Jan. 4. For more information, contact Commander Corey Pass at 970-577-3828 or cpass@estes.org.

January 16
Peak to Peak Concert Series: Local Vocals
The next Peak to Peak Concert Series event features “Local Vocals,” Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan in Estes Park. The chamber concert—sponsored by the Allenspark Community Cultures Council and Oratorio Society of Estes Park—features three Petrarch Sonnets by Liszt and Brahms; Intermezzo, featuring Tenor Scott Anderson; pianists Margie Patterson and Diane Roehl; and soloists Christy Florence, Bob Gunn, Nancy Bell, Melissa Westover and Valerie Dascoli. There is a $10 suggested donation, which goes directly to the musicians, and a reception immediately following the performance.

January 19-February 9
Watercolor Madness painting class
Estes Outreach presents Watercolor Madness, Jan. 19-Feb. 9 from 6-8 p.m. at The Studio Fine Art & Framing, 541 G Big Thompson Ave. Instructor Greg Miles covers the basics: water, gravity, pigment, light, shadow and value. Participants are encouraged to play, have an open mind, be willing to accept a challenge, and have fun. The class is great for beginners and advanced students. Miles will demonstrate various principles of watercolor work—such as lifting color and adding deep values—and then allow participants to practice. The principles taught in this class apply to many other mediums. The class is $120 and supplies are included. Registration deadline is Jan. 12. To register or find additional information, visit http://www.estesoutreach.org/watercolor.html or contact Estes Park Outreach Coordinator Karen McPherson at karen_mcpherson@estesschools.org or 970-586-1119 x3021.

January 23
Winter Ecology Hike
Join Boulder County Open Space volunteer naturalists at Mud Lake Open Space north of Nederland, Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon, for a free winter hike to explore the many properties of snow, and to learn how plants and animals have adapted to life in the cold. Ski or hiking poles are recommended due to possible icy trail conditions. For more information, visit http://www.bouldercounty.org or contact Larry Colbenson at 303-678-6214 or lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org.
January 23
Potluck & Game Night
Enjoy food, friendship and games, Jan. 23 from 6-9 p.m. at the monthly Pot Luck and game night at The Old Gallery, 14863 Hwy. 7 in Allenspark. Bring a favorite board game, a dish you can share, or just bring yourself and a $10 donation. Parking is available on Hwy. 7 or in the lot next to the transfer station. Carpooling is encouraged. Parking in front of the fire hall is prohibited. For more information, visit http://www.theoldgallery.org, e-mail allensparkoldgallery@gmail.com or call 303-747-2906 to learn more.

January 24
Winter Heritage Day at Walker Ranch
Pioneer settlers had a lot to do preparing for and surviving Colorado’s long winters. Learn about typical winter chores when exploring the Walker Ranch Homestead off Flagstaff Road during the free Winter Heritage Day, Jan. 24 from 1-3 p.m. See a working demonstration in the blacksmith shop and smell food being prepared on the wood stove. Be prepared for cold, windy weather, and to walk in snow. Additional information is at http://www.bouldercounty.org or contact Sheryl Kippen at 303-776-8848 or skippen@bouldercounty.org.

January 25
Court Appointed Special Advocates training
With over 200 Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers, CASA Jeffco/Gilpin is only able to provide support to less than 35 percent of the cases in court for abused or neglected children. CASA Jeffco/Gilpin needs help and support to ensure every child in the community has a safe, permanent home. CASA volunteers are caring adults who are appointed by a judge; they provide the courts with objective information and recommendations to help ensure that a child abuse victim’s best interests are served. Previous experience is not necessary. Volunteer training begins on Jan. 25 and includes approximately 40 hours training. All in-person sessions are at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. For information, contact Tiffany Schlag at 303-271-6537 or tiffanyschlag@casajeffcogilpin.com.

January 27
Adult Broomball Tournament
The Pabst Blue Ribbon Adult Broomball Tournament, held on the Georgetown Ice Sheet at Werlin Park, is planned for Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. Co-ed teams of six will compete for “ultimate bragging rights” and PBR swag. Participants must be 21 to play and helmets are required. Games are self-officiated. Goalies must wear full-faced helmets. The fee to participate is $65 per team.

January 30
Bigfoot snowshoe treks
Join Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center staff, Jan. 30 from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for an all-ages excursion in the forest on snowshoes in honor of local guide “Bigfoot.” Participants meet at Wild Bear and head out to a local trail. Learn about the winter ecology of the area while traveling on snow shoes. A donation of $5 per person is suggested. Snowshoes are available for rental for an additional $10. Preregistration is required. E-mail info@wildbear.org or call 303-258-0495 to sign up. Learn more at wildbear.org.

Forest Service releases refined Forsythe II plans
NEDERLAND, Colo. – The official comment period is now underway for the U.S. Forest Service Boulder Ranger District’s proposed forest health and restoration project called Forsythe II. The comment period ends on Jan. 29, 2016.

Instructions on how to comment, as well as the full proposed action, maps, photos and other project information are located on the project website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/Forsythe2.

An information session will be held from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 11, at the Nederland Community Center to answer questions.

The Forsythe II project proposes a variety of vegetation management activities in the vicinity of Gross Reservoir and Nederland with the primary goals of restoring a more resilient forest; reducing the potential impacts of wildfire on watersheds; providing opportunities for neighboring landowners to create defensible space on the National Forest boundary near their homes; and improving wildlife habitat to benefit species within the project area.

Proposed forest management activities include clear cutting and patch cutting in lodgepole pine; thinning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer; and selective cutting to maintain and expand aspen groves and meadows. Most of the cut material will be removed or piled to burn during winter months. Broadcast burning and road decommissioning also are being proposed in some areas to help meet the project’s objectives.

In the coming months, scientific specialists will analyze and disclose potential impacts and benefits of these activities on a range of resource values, including wildlife, watersheds, soils, plants, cultural sites, recreation and residential communities. The total area being analyzed includes 3,900 acres, although management activities would occur on only a portion of those acres.

In addition, 1,970 acres will be analyzed to provide landowners the flexibility to create defensible space on National Forest lands adjacent to their property. The amount of defensible space actually implemented will be determined by landowner requests.

Earlier this fall, the public had an opportunity to provide input on the draft project proposal. The project team considered that input, which included more than 80 written responses, as well as feedback provided during a field day with the public, before developing a formal proposed action.

The public now has 30 days to comment on the proposed action. Comments made during this period will help the team develop alternatives. Typically one or two alternatives are developed and considered. Anyone who wishes to object during the decision making process must submit relevant comments during this official comment period, even if they participated during the initial scoping period.

The environmental analysis will be written over the winter months and a decision is expected by summer 2016. If a decision is made to implement any portion of the project, work could begin as soon as next fall.

To receive updates about this project and other Boulder Ranger District news, please email brdvis@fs.fed.us.

Originally published in the January 2016 issue of the MMAC Monthly