April 1
Estes Cares About Bears Month
Estes Park Mayor Bill Pinkham has proclaimed April 2016 as “Estes Cares About Bears Month.” In March, the mayor recognized the  Estes Valley Bear Education Task Force, now in its fourth year, for efforts promoting bear-responsible practices for businesses, residents and guests. A significant achievement for the Task Force was the passing of a Wildlife Protection Ordinance as a result of their recommendations. It goes into effect April 1. The ordinance places wildlife-friendly requirements on residential and commercial trash management within town limits. Police Chief Wes Kufeld recommended the new regulations, citing his concerns for both public and wildlife safety given the number of incidents police officers must respond to involving bears and residential or commercial trash—more than 120 in 2015—and the lack of trash containment regulations within the Municipal Code aside from litter regulations. For more information, visit http://www.estes.org/wildlifeprotectionordinance.

April 2
Estes Park in Bloom’s Tree Talk
The Estes Park in Bloom steering committee invites the community to a Tree Talk presented by Estes Park’s Certified Arborist Brian Berg and Parks Maintenance Worker Michael Donnachie. This free program takes place April 2 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Estes Park Museum, 200 Fourth Street. No advance registration is required. Berg and Donnachie will explore a wide variety of topics on trees including the most common trees in our native forest, common pests and diseases affecting trees in the Estes Valley, proper planting and maintenance of trees, and ornamental trees appropriate for the Estes Valley area. For more information or to become involved in the Estes Park in Bloom project, contact Keri Kelly at 970-577-3782 or e-mail kkelly@estes.org.

April 4
Lyons’ 125th Year of Incorporation
This April marks Lyons’ 125th year of incorporation. To celebrate, town officials are hosting a commemorative event, April 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Lyons Town Hall. Events include opening live music, tours of the Lyons Depot, speeches from Mayor O’Brien and Mayor Pro Tem Sullivan, history and poem readings, presentations of commemorative gifts and more.  On April 19, 1880, E. S. Lyon founded the Town of Lyons, and on April 6, 1891, the Town became incorporated. Visit http://www.townoflyons.com or call 303-823-6622 to learn more.

April 9
Spring Fling Indie Ski Demo
Loveland Ski Area’s Spring Fling Indie Ski Demo is the perfect opportunity to get a sneak peek at next year’s gear from some of the best boutique ski brands around. Loveland has invited several independent ski manufacturers to join them with their fleet of 2016/17 skis to join in the Spring Demo Day. Participation is free with a valid lift ticket or pass. Simply check-in the morning of at the Loveland Tent which will be set up on snow at Loveland Basin. A signed waiver along with a driver’s license and credit card for deposit will be required.  Demos will begin at 9 a.m. with the last pairs of skis going out at 2:30 p.m. Skiing Magazine will be on site with swag and Après Ski features live music on the Basin Patio, great drink specials, and a raffle for all participants. For more information, visit http://www.skiloveland.com.

April 9-10
Chainsaw Safety Class
Whether you’ve been cutting for years or just started using a chainsaw, everyone can benefit from this chainsaw safety class, April 9-10, at Camp Granite Lake, 11902 Camp Eden Road. The first day includes an education class and saw maintenance while day two features field training. This class is required if interested in becoming a sawyer at an upcoming Saws & Slaws event. The class is $90 and space is limited. To register, e-mail jody@dickson.org or call 303-642-3568. Visit sawsandslaws.com for more information.

April 11
Court Appointed Special Advocates Training
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties is growing, but there continues to be a strong need for community members to become a voice for abused or neglected children in court. With over 200 volunteers, support to less than 35 percent of the cases for abused or neglected children is provided. The next CASA of Jeffco/Gilpin volunteer training begins April 11 and consists of 15 hours in-person and 15 hours of independent study. In-person sessions are at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 Jefferson County Pkwy. in Golden. Previous experience is not necessary. For more information, contact Tiffany Schlag at 303-271-6537 or e-mail tiffanyschlag@casajeffcogilpin.com.

U.S. 34 Construction Public Meeting
Permanent repairs to U.S. 34 between Loveland and Estes Park following the 2013 floods begin after July 4, but impacts to traffic will be relatively minor until after Labor Day. A public meeting, April 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the Estes Park Town Hall will provide information and get public input on the process. A second meeting takes place April 12 from 6-8 p.m. at Big Thompson Elementary School in Loveland. After Labor Day, rock-blasting begins that will have substantial traffic impacts including full closures. For updates, call 720-263-1589 or visit http://www.codot.gov/projects/. To sign up for “CDOT Alerts,” visit http://www.codot.gov. Major CDOT project updates are also available via CoTrip.org, Twitter @coloradodot or Facebook.

April 13
27th Annual A-Basin Enduro
Arapahoe Basin’s Enduro, April 13, is a full day of fun both on and off the hill to benefit a member of the local community. Spectators can cheer on 35 teams of two as they lap the Pallavicini Lift and terrain for 10 hours for bragging rights over who can complete the most laps. Additionally, teams of two can enter the Enduro Light, an all-mountain ski tour in the spirit of the Enduro—all to benefit Dave Repsher, the Flight for Life nurse and paramedic critically injured in last summer’s Flight for Life helicopter crash. All are welcome at the ski area’s après party, with live music from High 5, a huge silent auction and an Italian dinner. To donate or learn more about this event, visit bit.ly/Enduro2016.

April 15
Coal Creek Canyon K-8 Silent Auction
The Coal Creek Canyon K-8 Silent Auction, April 15, is open to the school and Coal Creek Canyon communities. The event is the school’s biggest fundraiser and will help fund new technology for students, special assemblies and after school programs and support field trip costs. Donated items are collected at the school office, 11719 Ranch Elsie Road, and must be made by April 8. Contact organizers if you have a product, artist creation or service you would like to donate while promoting your business. No donation is too big or small. To learn more or make a donation, contact Beth Deming at 303-642-0841 or beammeupdeming@yahoo.com.

April 20
‘Dancing on the Edge of an Endangered Planet’ – Adventures with John Mattson
Join John Mattson as he reflects on a lifetime of adventures and exploration, April 20 at 7 p.m. at  Red Fox North America, 424 Main St. in Lyons. His journeys span six continents and include kayaking many of the world’s deepest canyons including a first descent of the Mekong River in Tibet. They also include climbing classic desert spires and ski descents of big mountains. Mattson’s adventures have been driven by his love for the environment and deep desire to follow his dreams of exploration.  His stories are highly entertaining and inspiring. He will also sign his award-winning memoir, Dancing on the Edge of an Endangered Planet, which includes 26 thrilling adventures, and lots of action photos. Visit http://www.danceonedge.com or redfoxna.com to learn more.

April 24
15th Annual Wild Earth Day
Held at the University of Colorado Museum,1030 Broadway, Boulder, the 15th annual Wild Earth Day, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be Boulder County’s largest Earth Day event, running strong for the past 15 years. This Wild Earth Day celebration promises to be action-packed with leaders in the field of environmental education, climate science, and creative entertainment. The event, produced by Nederland’s Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center, is free and open to the public. Visit wildbear.org/wild-earth or call 303-258-0495 for more information.

April 30
Watercolor with Vickey Swenson
Learn the basics of watercolor with Vickey Swenson, April 30 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Western Stars Gallery & Studio, 160 E. Main St. in Lyons. Vickey is a signature member of the Colorado Watercolor Society, teaches regularly in Louisville and Broomfield. In this class, participants will learn to create the illusion of texture in a colorful first wash. While background paintings are drying, the class will paint a flower scene, while discovering how to first mask the image and then use a colorful, textured background. All materials included in the $35 fee. To hold a spot, e-mail info@westernstarsgallerystudio.com or call 303-747-3818. Visit http://www.westernstarsgallerystudio.com to learn more.

Corn Harvest Benefit Ski Party
Loveland Ski Area hosts the 14th annual Corn Harvest benefit ski party for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, April 30.  Meet at the Basin Lodge in the morning to register. Meet up with Loveland locals as they show off secret stashes and the best parts of the mountain. A BBQ lunch kicks off at 11:30 a.m. so participants can refuel for the afternoon. Live music begins on the Basin Patio at 2:30 p.m. as the New Belgium Beer begins to flow.  The raffle, which starts at 3:30 p.m., is not to be missed as sponsors throw down big. Registration is $60 for lift ticket, lunch, raffle ticket, donation to CAIC and a great day of skiing. It’s just$30 if you already have a pass or ticket. Visit http://www.cornharvest.org to learn more.

Community, arts center hires first executive director
ALLENSPARK
The Old Gallery in Allenspark has named its first executive director.  “We’re thrilled that Micha K. Ben David has agreed to take the helm of our center for community and the arts,” Board President Gregg Rogers said. “After eight years of being a volunteer-run organization, we look forward to having Micha take us to the next level.”

Prior to joining The Old Gallery, David founded Breaking the Silence, an organization of Israeli veterans speaking out about the occupation of Palestinian territories. He also founded Grassroots Jerusalem, a platform for Palestinian community organizing. “He received the largest grant ever made to a non-profit organization by the European Union,” Rogers continued. Micha has helped many grassroots community organizations with strategic development planning, and helped establish three Israeli Scouts centers in his youth. He is also a writer and an artist, and worked at an art studio in New Mexico, bringing other artists together to create studio tour activities.

“We had a terrific field of candidates, but David’s commitment to collaboration and his participatory approach to meeting the needs of our community made him perfect for the job,” Rogers said.

“I’m looking forward to getting to experience the magic of the mountains, and helping The Old Gallery thrive and grow,” David said.

The Old Gallery is located at 14863 Colorado Highway 7, next to the Allenspark Fire Station. In 2015, The Old Gallery completed a renovation project, which is being funded by a $1.2 million Capital Campaign. Additional donations are needed and can be made at http://www.theoldgallery.org.