MAY 1-13
• ‘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.

MAY 1-JUNE 30
• ‘Stopping Time’ Photography Show
The Glass Tipi Gallery, 55 Utica St. in Ward continues “Stopping Time”, its photography show and sale featuring the work of Kathy Banich, Karen Dombrowski Sobel, Peter Ciszewski, Craig and Gerry Bristow and Stepen Roddock through June. The gallery also features fine art and local crafts including painting, sculpture, jewelry, unique treasures, gifts and more. Call 303-459-0376 or visit
theglasstipigallery.com for more details.

MAY 4, 11, 18 & 25
• Overcoming Tobacco Addiction
Break free from tobacco addiction and gain ongoing support from Quit Coaches and peers on the road to a healthier, tobacco-free life, May 4, 11, 18 and 25, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at Gilpin County Public Health, 101 Norton Drive. In this class, participants will explore reasons for quitting and create a personal plan to kick the addiction. Registration is not required, but requested. For questions, or to register, call 303-432-5564. Check out the Gilpin County Public Health Facebook page, or visit http://www.co.gilpin.co.us to learn more.

MAY 6
• Fugli IPA Release Party
Oskar Blues Brewery celebrates the release of its new summer seasonal, Fugli IPA, May 6, noon-5 p.m., at The Tasty Weasel, 1800 Pike Road in Longmont. Yuz• and Ugli fruit infusions mix with blueberry, tangerine notes of Mosaic hops to make a tangy, juicy and zesty array of aroma and flavor. Wylie performs from 2:30-4:30 p.m. and food will be available from CHUBurger. A trolly leaves for the Lyons 20th Anniversary party at 5 p.m. Visit oskarblues.com for more information.

• Technology of Your Ancestors: Primitive Survival Skills Class
Join the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute, May 6, to learn skills our ancestors used to survive and thrive in Rocky Mountain National Park during the Stone Age. Led by Gone Feral School of Primitive and Traditional Skills founder and director Doug Hill, participants will explore how building a fire, a sharp edge and cordage changed the face of the world. Participants will also make their own fire, stone tools and cordage while learning how they can be used for other survival needs. To register, visit http://www.rmconservancy.org or call 970-586-3262.

• Lyons Community-Wide Garage Sale
The Lyons “Spring Clean Weekend” kicks off with the 3rd annual Lyons’ Community Garage Sale, May 6, 9 a.m-1 p.m. The main hub of the sale is at Sandstone Park where multiple residents will host sales. Maps of other sales in town will be available. If interested in hosting a sale at the park or a home, contact Sustainability Coordinator Toby Russell at trussell@townoflyons.com or 303-823-6622, ext. 46.

• Estes Park Public Safety Fair
The Estes Park Police Department invites children and adults to the annual Estes Park Public Safety Fair, May 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Estes Park Events Complex, at 1125 Rooftop Way. More than 20 regional public safety agencies will converge on Estes Park, bringing equipment and apparatus ranging from a bomb robot to medical evacuation helicopters and more. Estes Park Police Officers will serve free hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks and beverages, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Local businesses have donated door prizes, including movie tickets and bowling games. Children can register to win one of four bikes to be given away at 1 p.m. For more information, or make a donation, call Officer Curtis Plassmeyer, event coordinator, at 970-577-3822. Visit estes.org/safety-fair to learn more.

MAY 7
• Lyons Cleanup Day
The annual Lyons Town Cleanup Day, May 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., begins at the Wastewater Treatment Plant on 2nd Avenue. Lyons utility bills are not necessary to participate; all area residents are welcome to bring items for recycling, donation, and disposal. Most materials are accepted, including electronics, yard-waste, branches, mattresses, tires, donations and more. No hazardous materials. Some fees may apply. Visit http://www.lyonscolorado.com/events/community-wide-garage-sale for an updated list of acceptable items and a price list. E-mail trussell@townoflyons.com or call 303-823-6622, ext. 46 with questions.

MAY 12
• Heart of Expression Art Show & Benefit
The next Heart of Expression Art Show and Benefit Sale to benefit the Estes Park Pet Association takes place, May 12, 5-9 p.m. at The Old Church Shops, 157 W. Elkhorn Ave. in Estes Park. Raven’s Roast Coffee and The Wild Rose Restaurant will offer coffee, tea, wine and beer for sale, while The Wild Rose will provide free appetizers. Just in time for Mothers Day, join in the fun evening of beautiful and diverse art. The Estes Park Pet Association receives 20 percent of art sales. Visit enlighteningthelivingheart.com or contact Patti Glasgow at patti@enlighteningthelivingheart.com or 970-396-5440 to learn more.

MAY 13
• 2nd Rocky Mountain Tree Festival
The CAN’d Aid Foundation and Vivax Pros – Improve Your Home have teamed up to host the 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Tree Festival, May 13. Participants will plant 9,000 trees in the Lyons foothills during the day, then party down at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, 303 Main St. in Lyons, at 4 p.m. for the 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Tree Fest with live music from Greener Grounds, Jaden Carlson Band, Foxfeather and The Chasing. Cover is $5 and all proceeds will help plant trees. To help plant, come to a breakfast orientation at 7:30 a.m. in Bohn Park. Reserve a limited spot by e-mailing sarah@oskarblues.com. Visit http://www.rockymountaintreefest.org for more information.

June 2
• 9th Annual Summer Kick-Off
Idaho Springs presents its 9th Annual Summer Kick-Off Parade and Barbecue, June 2. Enjoy watching or participating in a parade down Miner Street at 11 a.m. followed by a free barbecue in Citizens Park at noon. Sandwiches and all the fixin’s will be available. This year’s beneficiary is KGOAT Radio, the town’s local community radio station. KYGT is community-owned and funded wholly through business sponsors, fundraising activities and an Intergovernmental Agreement with the towns and districts within Clear Creek County. Everyone is welcome to come, relax, and enjoy a little bit of what Idaho Springs has to offer. It’s a great way to kick-start the summer. Visit clearcreekcounty.org to learn more.

Moraine Park Campground closed in May

ESTES PARK
Moraine Park Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed at noon, May 2, and will reopen by May 25, for a major water line system improvement project. Aspenglen Campground, which normally opens in late May, will open early, beginning May 1, to provide camping opportunities on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

The water line project is part of a larger phased project to improve and rehabilitate park potable water supply and distribution systems that were installed more than 50 years ago. The improvements will cover the water system from the Moraine Park Campground to the intersection of Bear Lake and Moraine Park Roads, where last year’s water line project ended. This overall project will include replacing thousands of feet of pipe, rehabilitating valves, improving its condition to greatly enhance its service life, insure greater reliability, reduce water loss, enhance fire protection and reduce operational maintenance costs.

Park visitors may experience minor traffic delays from May through October on the Moraine Park Road between the intersection with Bear Lake Road and Moraine Park Campground entrance area, as well as the intersection with Fern Lake Road. Work will take place Monday-Friday, from 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Traffic delays should be less than 15 minutes.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at 970-586-1206.

Originally published in the May 2017 issue of the MMAC Monthly