APRIL 1-MAY 13
‘Creative Youth of Gilpin’ Exhibit
Gilpin Arts’ current Visitors Center Showcase Gallery exhibit, “Creative Youth of Gilpin,” is a new annual event featuring oil and watercolor paintings, pencil drawings and other art from 18 Gilpin County School students. The exhibit hangs at the gallery in the Central City Visitors Center, 103 Eureka St., through May 13. The Visitors Center is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit gilpinarts.org, e-mail gilpinarts@gmail.com or call 720-514- 9464.

APRIL 3
Stillwater Healing Arts Grand Re-Opening
Stillwater Healing Arts Clinic, 418 High St. in Lyons, shares its new space with the public, April 3 from 2-6 p.m., and introduces new practitioners, gifts and tools for health. Enjoy delicious treats, explore new classes, connect with team members and share in a ceremonial offering. To learn more, visit stillwaterhealingarts.com or call 303-823-9355.

APRIL 5
Word Wednesdays
Join local writers at Lyons Regional Library, 405 Main St., April 5 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.—and every first Wednesday—for an informal, free gathering to discuss projects, share tips and offer a listening ear. Facilitated by Dr. Kayann Short, award-winning teacher and author, the group is for anyone with an interest in writing. Visit lyons.colibraries.org, or call 303-823-5165 to learn more.

APRIL 8-9
Spring Gardening Intensive
The Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Hwy. in Lyons, hosts a two-day Gardening Intensive, April 8-9, offering in-depth information and hands-on skill-building. Participants will build a compost pile, start seeds, build raised beds, put in drip irrigation while learning to plan a season and how to extend and preserve a harvest. Visit http://www.lyonsfarmette.com, e-mail betsy@lyonsfarmette.com or call 303-746-6266 for information and registration.

APRIL 9 & 21
Congressman Polis Community Meetings
U.S. Representative Jared Polis hosts Community Meetings in Nederland, April 9 from noon-1:30 p.m., at the Nederland High School, 597 County Road 130; and in Estes Park, April 21 from 8-9 a.m., at Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave. Registration is highly encouraged to ensure seating. Airport-like security should be expected and large bags are discouraged. Additional meetings are scheduled in Loveland, April 8 from 3:30-5 p.m., at Mountain View High School, 3500 Mountain Lion Dr.; and in Boulder, April 7 from 5:30-7 p.m., at CU Boulder’s UMC Glen Miller Ballroom, 1669 Euclid Ave. Visit polis.house.gov to learn more.

APRIL 15-16 & 22-23
National Park Fee Free Days
The National Park Service offers fee free days at national parks, including Rocky Mountain National Park, April 15-16 and 22-23, to celebrate National Park Week. Additional free entry days include Aug. 25 for National Park Service Founders Day, Sept. 30 for National Public Lands Day and Nov. 11-12 to celebrate Veteran’s Day Weekend. Visit http://www.nps.gov/romo to learn more.

APRIL 16
Chase The Music Bonfils Blood Drive
Chase the Music is sponsoring a blood drive on Easter Sunday, April 16 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Planet Bluegrass during Easter festivities. This year, forty-two donors are needed to maximize the bus. Make an appointment for all blood donations at donors.bonfils.org, or call 303-362-2300. Visit bonfils.org for information or contact Clark Hodge at 303-859-3321 or clark@chasethemusic.org with questions.

APRIL 19
Summer Camp Family Resource Night
Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center, 20 Lakeview Dr. in Nederland, hosts a Summer Camp Family Resource Night, April 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. Meet with Boulder County childcare assistance eligibility, Medicaid and food assistance technicians. A 15-percent discount period on summer camp, valid April 19-23, also kicks off. Wild Bear staff will watch children while parents speak with technicians. For details, visit wildbear.org or call 303-258-0495.

APRIL 20
4/20 at Rocky Mountain Oyster Bar
Celebrate the one-year anniversary of Rocky Mountain Oyster Bar, April 20. Space Face plays classic rock from 7-9 p.m. and a special menu features smoked items and craft beers with a smoky flavor. The outdoor patio will also be open. Learn more at “Rocky Mountain Oyster Bar” on Facebook, rockymountainoysterbar.com or call 303-258-1100.

APRIL 22
State Park Volunteer Open House
Golden Gate Canyon State Park hosts a volunteer open house, April 22 from 10 a.m.-noon in the Visitor Center, 92 Crawford Gulch Road. There will be a presentation on volunteering and an educational presentation to get volunteers excited about the upcoming season. All current and prospective volunteers are welcome. Visit cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/goldengatecanyon or call 303-582-3707 to learn more.

Spring Cleaning Gear Swap
The Estes Park Mountain Shop, 2050 Big Thompson Ave., holds its first Spring Cleaning Gear Swap, April 22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to support the Stanley Bike Park. All usable, good-condition sports equipment, outdoor gear and apparel is welcome. Sellers set the purchase price for your items. No firearms. Gear can be dropped off Friday, 4-7 p.m., or Saturday, 7-8:30 a.m. Sales are cash only. For information, visit http://www.estesparkmountainshop.com e-mail info@estesparkmountainshop.com or call 970-586-6548.

Earth Day Tree Planting
Pangea and One Tree Planted will re-forest 100 acres in the Fourmile Canyon burn area, April 22 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with 20,000 native trees. The group is looking for individuals and businesses to form teams to raise funds and help plant. The day will end with a camp fire picnic by the creek and an after-party at Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place at 8 p.m. For more information, visit fundraise.onetreeplanted.org/campaign/boulder-colorado-reforestation/c99466

APRIL 28
Leif Whittaker Presentation
Join the Estes Park Mountain Shop, 2050 Big Thompson Ave., April 28 from 7-9 p.m., for a night of adventure when Leif Whittaker—son of Jim Whittaker and Dianne Roberts—presents his memoir My Old Man and the Mountain. It is an engaging and humorous story of what it was like to “grow up Whittaker” in an extended family of accomplished climbers. Legendary local mountaineer Tom Hornbein will also make an appearance. Refreshments will be provided. A question and answer period and book signing with Whittaker follows the presentation. Admission is a $10 suggested donation with all proceeds benefiting The Juniper Fund. For more information, visit http://www.estesparkmountainshop.com e-mail info@estesparkmountainshop.com or call 970-586-6548.

Annual, one-day fishing licenses available
COLORADO
Coloradans can purchase their 2017 fishing license through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. An annual license is good April 1-March 31, 2018. CPW provides a range of options for anglers from the annual fishing license to the one-day license as well as educational opportunities for those new to angling.

“Colorado provides outstanding fishing across the state for an amazing diversity of species ranging from cutthroat trout and kokanee to walleye and bluegill,” said Doug Krieger, CPW’s aquatic section manager. “I encourage experienced anglers to introduce a friend or family member to fishing this season. Fishing is a great activity to share with someone else and a great chance to get outside and enjoy Colorado’s natural resources.”

CPW stocks 90 million fish annually into waters throughout Colorado in order to ensure good angling opportunities. CPW does not receive general tax dollars and fishing license fees support all statewide hatchery and stocking operations.

Buy a license online at CPW’s secure license application portal or by phone at 800-244-5613.

For individuals aged 18-64, a $10 Habitat Stamp is required with the first license purchase of the year. Youth under age 16 can fish for free.

Get tips and stay up to date on Colorado fishing regulations by reading the 2017 Colorado Fishing Brochure.

State Parks passes are also on sale. Colorado state parks offer 37 places to fish, 365 days of the year.

Learn more at cpw.state.co.us.

Originally published in the April 2017 issue of the MMAC Monthly