January 2018 Mountain Mix – The Best of All the Rest

January 1-19
Estes Park Christmas Tree Drop
The Town of Estes Park’s free Christmas tree drop-off site at the Fairgrounds is open to local residents 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday through Jan. 19. The drop-off is located at the east entrance of the Fairgrounds off Community Drive; follow the 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. Dropping trees after hours or in other locations at the fairgrounds will be considered illegal dumping and may be subject to a fine. For more information, contact the Town of Estes Park Public Works Department at 970-577-3587 or visit http://www.estes.org.

January 4
Westbound & Down First Bottled Beer
Westbound & Down Brewery, 1617 Miner St. in Idaho Springs, releases its first bottled beer, “The Golden Sour,” Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. The first six customers will have the ability to purchase a magnum. The beer was aged eight months in 100 percent American oak California red wine barrels with Powder Keg Brewing Company’s house culture. It’s then aged an additional two months with more than five pounds per gallon of Colorado Palisade peaches—that’s a little more than 3 peaches per bottle. This is a very limited production and only 120 bottles will be for sale for $25 each. There is a limit of two per person. Visit westboundanddown.com or call 720-502-3121 for more information.

January 10
Recreation and Park District Job Fair
The Estes Valley Recreation and Park District holds a job fair and public meeting, Jan. 10 from 4-7 p.m., at Estes Park High School Commons. Anyone looking for a part-time position, wanting to work at the new community center or has any questions about the community center should attend. All attendees will be entered into an hourly drawing for a chance to win two, four-punch passes after each presentation. For more information, visit http://www.evrpd.com

January 13
3rd Annual Trout Haven Fishing Derby
Estes Park’s only Ice Fishing Derby takes place at Trout Haven Fishing Pond, 810 Moraine Ave., Jan. 13 from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Registration is free and prizes will be awarded. There is no catch and release and participants pay for what they catch. Ice fishing is available through the winter with all the supplies and bait needed on site. No license is required. Call 970-577-0202 to sign up or visit trouthavenresorts.com to learn more.

January 20
‘Know Before You Go’ Avalanche Awareness
The Estes Park Mountain Shop, 2050 Big Thompson Ave., presents the “Know Before You Go” Avalanche Awareness Presentation, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. The program is free. In about an hour, participants will see the destructive power of avalanches, understand when and why they happen and how to have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches. Visit http://www.estesparkmountainshop.com or call 970-586-6548 to learn more.

High Country Winter Hike
Join volunteer Boulder County naturalists on a hike to explore the many properties of snow and to learn how plants and animals have adapted to life in the cold, Jan. 20 from 1-3 p.m. at Mud Lake Open Space near Nederland. Ski or hiking poles are recommended due to possible icy trail conditions. Meet at the parking lot kiosk. Learn more at bouldercounty.org, call organizer Larry Colbenson at 303-678-6214 or e-mail lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org.

Stagecoach Classic Race & Tour
The fifth annual Stagecoach Classic, Jan. 20 from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., is a 30km/15km classic-only cross country ski race and tour beginning at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa, 3530 County Road 83 in Tabernash. Participants traverse through the former Idlewild Ski Area and finish with a beer garden, DJ and food vendors at Hideaway Park in downtown Winter Park. Register early for the Stagecoach Classic on active.com. Visit devilsthumbranch.com for more information and schedule of events.

January 25
Mountain Gardening Workshop
CSU Extension Clear Creek presents a Mountain Gardening Workshop, Jan. 25 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Heritage Center & Cultural Arts, 809 Taos St. Join Clear Creek Master Gardeners for research-based information and tips on dealing with the challenges of high-altitude flower and vegetable gardening. Presentations, information booths, handouts, giveaways and light refreshments will be provided. The class, limited to 30 people, is $5. To participate, register by Jan. 22. Call 303-569-0289 with questions or visit georgetowntrust.org and clearcreek.extension.colostate.edu to learn more.

January 28
“Adam’s Rib” staring Katherine Hepburn
The Georgetown Heritage Center and John Tomay Library present “Adam’s Rib” staring Katherine Hepburn as part of its Sunday Movie Classics “Women in Film” series, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. The film is free, but donations are appreciated. In the 1949 classic, a husband and wife work as opposing lawyers in a case involving a woman who shot her husband. Hailed as a feminist film before it’s time. Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and Judy Holliday star. Call 303-569-0289 or visit georgetowntrust.org to learn more.

February 3
Far Out First Aid Class
The Estes Park Mountain Shop, 2050 Big Thompson Ave., hosts Far Out First Aid, an eight-hour, wilderness and remote first aid class with CPR instruction presented by Wayne Smart, EMT, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The class teaches how to respond to a medical emergency in a remote or wilderness location. Participants receive a two-year certification good for OSHA, Fish and Wildlife Division and others. The class is $69 per person and limited to 12 people. Register at the Estes Park Mountain Shop or call 970-586-6548. For questions, e-mail Smart at faroutfa@gmail.com or visit faroutfirstaid.com and
estesparkmountainshop.com.

Originally published in the January 2018 issue of the MMAC Monthly