JANUARY 1
First Day Hike
Start the new year with a hike, Jan. 1 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., on Golden Gate Canyon State Park’s Mountain Lion Trail off the Nott Creek Parking lot. Refreshments will be served at the Red Barn following the hike. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a six-foot leash. Come prepared with warm layers, waterproof hiking boots and ice cleats or snowshoes. Registration is required. Call 303-582-3707 to sign up. Visit cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon to learn more.

JANUARY 1-20
Estes Park Christmas tree drop-off
Estes Park’s free Christmas tree drop-off site is open to local residents 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday from now until Jan. 20, except Jan. 2. Drop-off trees at the east entrance of the fairgrounds off Community Drive. Follow 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 or it will be considered illegal dumping. For more information, contact the Estes Park Public Works Department at 970-577-3587.

JANUARY 3
Soup Night Community Potluck
The Old Gallery in Allenspark continues its tradition of monthly community potlucks in 2017. The new year begins with a Soup Night, Jan. 3 from 6-8 p.m. This is a free event open to the community.  Organizers are expecting a crowd, and encourage everyone to bring their favorite foods. You do not need to bring a dish in order to attend and there is no charge. The next Soup Night is Feb. 7. Visit http://www.theoldgallery.org or call 303-747-2906 to learn more.

JANUARY 11 & 28
Ski with a Forest Service Ranger
The U.S. Forest Service and Loveland Ski Area team up to host “Ski with a Ranger Day” all season, including Jan. 11 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 28 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join a Forest Service Snow Ranger for a fun, free, and easy run centered around the relationships between Loveland and National Forest. Topics include glacial geology, winter ecology, local history, and partnerships and are suited for all ages.  Meet at Ptarmigan Roost Cabin at the top of the Ptarmigan Lift at 1:30 p.m. Other dates include Feb. 8, 25, March 8, 25, April 12 and 29. To learn more, call 303-571-5580 or visit http://www.skiloveland.com.

JANUARY 20
Central City Opera Dream Event
“Buns, Bikinis and Blasters: A Central City Opera Dream Event” takes place, Jan. 20 from 5-9 p.m. at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. Join a museum curator for a private introduction to, and tour of, the “Star Wars and the Power of Costume” exhibit, a dramatic presentation of more than 70 original costumes. Examine the process from conception to design for iconic outfits featured in all seven Star Wars films including Princess Leia’s bikini and Darth Vader’s black armor. Cocktails and hors d’oeurvres will also be served. Tickets are $125. Call 303-292-6500 or visit centralcityopera.org for more information.

JANUARY 20 & FEBRUARY 17
Sound Healing Series
Sound Healers Elaine Marie and Jeff Grissom present a different musical instrument to promote healing during the Sound Healing Series, Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 from 6:30-8 p.m., at Estes Park Yoga, 145 E. Elkhorn Ave. Hear Tibetan bowls, drumming, crystal bowls and voice. These special events are part healing, part concert, part meditation, part community togetherness and part personal journey all wrapped into one evening. Tickets are $15. Call 970-586-3254 or visit http://www.estesparkyoga.com to learn more.

JANUARY 21
Peak to Peak Concert Series: Local Vocals
The Peak to Peak Concert Series features its 3rd Annual “Local Vocals” concert, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan in Estes Park. The concert features many soloists from the Oratorio Society, as well as duets, trios and quartets singing their favorite songs. There is a $10 suggested donation, which goes directly to the musicians, and a reception immediately follows the performance. Visit osep.info to learn more.

Gypsy Cattle Drive concert
Gypsy Cattle Drive, a “high-octane” gypsy swing band with rhythms that borrow from bluegrass, Latin, Western swing and Celtic music, perform at the Georgetown Heritage Center, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. The trio was born in Silver Plume in 2013 and consists of Texas Fiddle Champion Coleman Smith, Texas A&M bass virtuoso Carl Meinecke, and free-skiing guitarist Mark Morris, all of which are also members of Rapidgrass. The group thrives off natural dynamics and energy while keeping a keen sense of musicianship in every song. Visit http://www.georgetowntrust.org or call 303-569-0289 for tickets and more information.

‘Monumental: Skiing Our National Parks’
“Monumental: Skiing Our National Parks,” which screens at the Estes Park Mountain Shop, 2050 Big Thompson Ave., Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service by paying homage to these monuments of nature and solitude. Follow skiers Andy Mahre, Lynsey Dyer, Griffin Post, Colter Hinchliffe, Kalen Thorien, Greg Hill, Max Hammer, and Connery Lundin at Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Glacier National Park and Olympic National Park. A Q&A with Rocky Mountain National Park backcountry rangers follows the film. Beer will be provided. Tickets are $10. Kids 12 and under are free. All proceeds benefit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Learn more at http://www.estesparkmountainshop.com or call 970-586-6548.

JANUARY 28
Mary Jane’s Birthday
Join Winter Park Resort, Jan. 28, for a day dedicated to Mary Jane on its 41st birthday. Enjoy activities for the whole family. Ski and ride the beautiful trees and bumps at the Jane and then come down to the base for the party. Grab your friend or family member and compete in the 2nd annual Smith Optics Mogul Duel on the bottom of Rainbow Cut to see who is the best and for a chance to win Smith swag. Do not miss great live music, swag giveaways, and birthday cookies. It is the birthday party you will not want to miss. For more information, call 970-726-5514 or visit http://www.winterparkresort.com/

JANUARY 29
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. 29 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.

Gilpin County broadband study includes surveys

GILPIN COUNTY
Gilpin County announces the kickoff of a new Broadband Planning Grant in collaboration with Clear Creek County and funded by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Gilpin County held  meetings in December with stakeholders throughout the county including emergency responders, Gilpin County School, IT professionals from the casinos and county, United Power, Black Hawk and Central City managers and IT staff as well as an meeting with residents.

NEO Connect has been contracted to perform the study, which will be county-wide and include inventorying its current assets and working with local businesses and residents.

One of the critical components to this broadband study is completion of two surveys. One is geared for residents and the other for businesses. For those people who are involved in both, please complete both surveys. Each survey takes about 10 minutes and the information will be invaluable to NEO Connect and the counties as they work on achieving strong broadband for all.

Hard copies of these surveys are at the front desks of the Gilpin County Library, Gilpin County Community Center, Gilpin County Human Services and the Old Courthouse in the Clerk and Recorder’s office.

DETAILS
Gilpin County Business Survey:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/GilpinCountyBusinessBroadband

Gilpin County Residential Survey:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/GilpinCountyResidentialBroadband

Originally published in the January 2017 issue of the MMAC Monthly