July 1-5
16th Annual Piles of Pawn
Eagle Plume’s Trading on Hwy. 7 near Allenspark will be “positively dripping” in old estate and pawn jewelry during its annual Piles of Pawn event, July 1-5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.  The seasonal store is in full swing with artists coming and going, old friends and customers dropping in. Plan ahead to attend the annual Toast to the Ghost, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. sharp. Join in a remembrance of Charles Eagle Plume with a champagne toast and telling of tall tales about his life. Eagle Plume’s Trading is located at 9853 Hwy. 7. Visit http://www.eagleplume.com, call 303-747-2861 or e-mail info@eagleplume.com for information.

July 4, 6-11
Free Shuttle Extended Hours
The Estes Park Free Shuttles will offer extended service hours following the Fourth of July fireworks display and Rooftop Rodeo events. The fireworks take place at approximately 9:30 p.m. over Lake Estes. Passengers may board the shuttles at the Estes Park Visitor Center, 500 Big Thompson Ave., immediately following the conclusion of the show. Additionally, each night from July 6-11, immediately following the evening Rooftop Rodeo performance, board free shuttles at the Events Complex Park-n-Ride bus shelter, 1209 Manford Ave. The shuttles depart 15 minutes after the conclusion of the rodeo. Shuttles will stop only at normal stops along the routes for both events and may experience delays due to traffic congestion, weather and wildlife so allow extra time when traveling to activities For more information on the shuttles, visit http://www.estes.org/shuttles or contact the Town of Estes Park Visitor Center at 970-577-9900.

July 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 & 26-27
Family Discovery Programs
Discover the amazing world of Rocky Mountain National Park with your family through Family Discovery Programs offered at the Moraine Park Discovery Center, July 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27.  Drop in Tuesdays from 12:30-4:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to a weekly themed program to explore the park in a new way through hands-on activities, crafts, games, and stories.  These free programs allow families to learn and have fun together.  For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park visit http://www.nps.gov/romo, stop at a park visitor center or contact the park’s Information Office at 970-586-1206.

July 6, August 10
F.O. Stanley: A Life Well-Lived Reenactment
The Historic Fall River Hydroplant,1754 Fish Hatchery Road in Estes Park, hosts the “F.O. Stanley: A Life Well-Lived Reenactment” July 6 at 10:30 a.m. Performer Kurtis Kelly steps into the role of the legendary Stanley, who, along with his twin brother, gained national fame as developers of the Stanley Brothers steam-powered automobile, which held the land-speed record in 1906. Kelly’s performance will explore these and many other achievements of Stanley’s long and varied life. The event is $7 or $5 for Estes Park Museum members. The Hydroplant will be open for free guided tours following the performance and is normally open to the public Tuesday-Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The same program will also be offered on Aug. 10 at the same time and place. Visit http://www.colorado.gov/townofestespark or call 970-586-6256 for more information.

July 7, August 4
Rocky Mountain 101 talks
The Old Gallery, 14863 Hwy. 7 in Allenspark, hosts a series of free talks in Allenspark through Aug. 18. Don’t miss Rocky Mountain National Park East District Naturalist Kathy Brazelton, July 7 from 7-8 p.m., as she presents “RMNP Black Bears.” Learn about these fascinating animals and discover how to be a good bear neighbor. On Aug. 4, meet author Suzanne Silverthorne as she talks about her book, Around Rocky Mountain National Park, which features more than 200 postcards providing a chronology of the early hotels, ranches and lodges that shaped the park’s history. For more information, visit http://www.theoldgallery.org or call 303-747-2906.

July 9
Mayor’s Chat
Estes Park Mayor Todd Jirsa invites community members to join him for a Mayor’s Chat, July 9 in the lower level of the Wheel Bar, 132 E. Elkhorn Ave. at 10 a.m. Coffee will be provided. Residents are encouraged to join Jirsa for this informal discussion of local issues. He will hold regular Mayor’s Chats, generally during the first week of each month, with varied dates, times and locations throughout Estes Park. Visit http://www.estes.org or http://www.facebook.com/townofestesparkco to learn more.

Ancient Vessels Gourd Art Class
Vicki Dyas teaches a series of once-a-month gourd decorating classes at The Old Gallery in Allenspark through September. In her next class, Ancient Vessels, July 9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., students will learn how to use a variety of materials using two different twining techniques. Most students will finish in class. The class will include tips, hand outs about the process as well as a list of online gourd suppliers and gourd art. The class costs $60. All supplies will be provided with a $15 materials fee to be paid in class. For more information, visit http://www.theoldgallery.org or call 303-747-2906.

July 10
All That Glistens Is Not Gold
See the various “tools of the trade,” get a close-up look at the lives of the miners and try your hand at gold panning and find out if you’ve struck it rich at the “All That Glistens Is Not Gold” event, July 10 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Nederland Mining Museum, 200 N. Bridge St. Many people came to this area in the 1860s to find fortune through mining. Do you have what it takes to travel back in time? The program is free and is geared towards children four years old and up, but all are welcome.  For more information, visit http://www.bouldercounty.org or call 303-258-7332.

July 11
Sanborn Souvenir Photographs
Join Estes Park Museum Director Derek Fortini at the next Meet Me @ the Museum event, July 11 at 1:30 p.m., when he presents a group of photographs taken by Harold Sanborn in 1915. The 15 miniature photographs, originally a souvenir housed in a matchbox size container, consisted of images of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. The photographs highlight scenery and lodges popular for the time. Fortini will talk about Sanborn, the quality of his photographs, and what can be learned from a souvenir item that would have cost pennies 100 years ago. For more information, call 970-586-6256 or visit http://www.estes.org/museum.

July 16
Summer Heritage Evening
Enjoy a free Summer Heritage Evening at the Walker Ranch Homestead, 8999 Flagstaff Road, July 16 from 5-7:30 p.m. Visit with costumed volunteers as they demonstrate late 1800s rural games and chores such as doing laundry the old-fashioned way, woodworking, meal preparation, and blacksmithing. Meet animals up close with the help of a petting zoo. All visitors can participate in chores and games. Call 303-776-8848, e-mail skippen@bouldercounty.org or visit http://www.bouldercounty.org to learn more.

July 29-31
Buffalo Bill Days
Golden will again host its annual Buffalo Bill Days celebration, July 29-31. This event dates back to the 1940s as a trail ride up Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill’s grave. The Buffalo Bill Days Committee has expanded the activities through the years and it is now the largest community festival held in Golden. The event draws many people from surrounding communities who enjoy bringing their families to a wholesome, small-town community event. This year’s activities include Cody’s Wild West, the “Best of the West” Parade, Muttin’ Bustin’, live music, an orphan car and a classic car show, a golf tournament, food and merchandise vendors and much more. Learn more at http://www.buffalobilldays.com.

August 2
National Night Out
The Estes Park Police Department takes great pride in its strong relationship with Estes Park citizens and guests. This year, the department will participate in National Night Out, Aug. 2. The 33rd Annual National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and the Estes Park Police Department. Neighborhoods are encouraged to celebrate with block parties, cookouts, exhibits, flashlight walks, contests, youth programs or any other imaginative event. These types of events have proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable way to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. Any neighborhood or community group that would like to organize an event for the National Night Out is encouraged to contact the Estes Park Police Department at 970-586-4000.

August 6
Trail building day at Hermit Park
The Estes Park Cycling Coalition is working with Larimer County to build a mountain bike trail at Hermit Park Open Space near Estes Park. Volunteers are needed for trail building day, Aug. 6 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Training and a free lunch is provided for all volunteers. The project, to be completed in two years, will need as many volunteers as possible. Arrange to carpool to Hermit Park, as space is limited, and meet at the gate house. The mission of EPCC is to promote and increase cycling of all kinds in the Estes Valley, through advocacy, education, partnerships and community building. The entrance to Hermit Park is 2.1 miles east of Estes Park on U.S. 36.  Sign up to help at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044fa8ab29a0f49-mountain. A rain date is set for Aug. 27. Visit http://www.larimer.org/openspaces20th and http://www.bikeestes.org or e-mail mayhewpj@co.larimer.co.us for additional information.

Sidles named superintendent of National Park

ESTES PARK
Darla Sidles has been named superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, according to Sue E. Masica, Intermountain Region director for the National Park Service. Sidles, superintendent of Saguaro National Park in Arizona since 2009, will begin her new assignment, Aug. 7.

“We are fortunate that Darla brings her skill in community outreach to the third-most-visited national park in America, just as the Park Service marks its centennial this summer,” Masica said. “Darla’s proven ability to work closely with park staff, partner groups, a diverse community and a new generation of park advocates is a critical attribute as Rocky Mountain National  Park enters its own second century.” The Colorado park marked its 100th anniversary in 2015.

“I am very excited and honored. As a child, Rocky Mountain National Park was the only national park I ever visited with my family,” said Sidles, a 26-year NPS employee. “It had a profound impact on me then, and I am certain that park visitors today share the sense of awe. I look forward to working with the park staff and our partners to engage new stewards who will help care for Rocky for generations to come.”

Sidles will take over leadership at Rocky Mountain from Acting Superintendent Ben Bobowski, the park’s Chief of Resource Stewardship. Bobowski has overseen park operations since October 2015, when longtime Superintendent Vaughn Baker retired after 42 years with the NPS. Both Rocky Mountain and Saguaro are in the NPS’s Intermountain Region, with 84 national parks and monuments across eight states.