*Many of the following events and gatherings must comply with the COVID-19 restrictions, which currently limit attendees. For more details, contact the event sponsors and suggested web sites.
Tuesday, May 25
The Green Mountain Falls Planning Commission will meet on May 25 at 6:30 p.m. To participate or view the meeting, visit the town government’s website. GMF meetings still do not feature in-person attendance.
Wednesday, May 26
Wellness Walk. Scheduled for Nov. 26 at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center at 9 a.m. Meet at the lower level and choose a one, two or three-mile hike. Maps are available. Healthy living tips and mindfulness exercises to enhance your walk. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. Free admission.
New Gift Shop Hours. The Ute Pass Historical Society has new hours! The gift shop will be open Wednesdays 10-noon; and Thursdays through Saturdays 11-4. Stop by and check out our great selection of historical books, cards, art and jewelry. While here, ask about taking a free guided tour of the five historic buildings in History Park. The gift shop is located at 231 E. Henrietta Avenue, next to the Woodland Park Library. Call 719-686-7512 Watch the trailer for the Teller County dude ranch Video coming out later this year.
Thursday, May 27
The Teller County Commissioners will meet on May 27 at 9:15 a.m. at the Centennial Building in Cripple Creek. Limited in-person attendance is permitted. The meetings are also available for viewing on Zoom by visiting the county government’s website.
Gallop in the Garden, Scheduled for May 27 at 3:30 p.m. This is a 5K Fun Run/Jog/Walk in Garden of the Gods. Meet at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. There is free admission, but facial coverings required. .
The Woodland Park Planning Commission will meet in the Woodland Park Council Chambers on May 27 starting at 7 p.m. Limited attendance is permitted, and the meetings are available online. For more information, call 719-687-9246. The commission is scheduled to discuss proposed rules, dealing with limits for RV stays at designated campground areas and other regulations pertaining to temporary housing.
Friday, May 28
Tee-off Time. The Shining Mountain Golf Course is open for daily play for the 2021 season, weather permitting. In addition, the clubhouse bar is open, along with the driving range and chipping area. In addition, the restaurant is now open on a limited basis from Thursday through Sunday. Driving carts are now available. Call 719-687-7587 for more information.
Furbaby Friday. Scheduled for May 28 at 9 a.m. at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. Bring your furry friend, check in at the visitor center and get a free map of pet friendly areas in the park and register for the giveaway.
Parent’s Night Out Enjoy a night out while your kids have a blast at the pool at the Woodland Aquatic Center. Your kids will swim, play games and eat pizza. Suitable for ages 6-17. Scheduled for May 28 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. For more information, call 719-687-5225.
Saturday, May 29
Fossil Beds Activities. The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant is open year-round. The Monument is now open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers 15 miles of beautiful, yet lesser known, hiking trails to explore, a free Junior Ranger Program, three short self-guided trails, a park video and museum exhibits, and bookstore. Coronavirus restrictions, though, apply, and the indoor museum exhibits and the theater will remain closed throughout the summer. The park video, though, is available at the Fossil Bed’s website. Visitors also can enjoy massive petrified redwood trees in an outdoor exhibit. The visitor center is open Wednesdays through Sundays. For additional information, please call (719) 748-3253 or visit our website: www.nps.gov/flfo or on Facebook or Twitter at /FlorissantNPS.
Mueller Hikes and Activities. Kick off spring at Mueller State Park, one of the secret gems of the state’s park system. While most state parks are overloaded with visitors due to the pandemic. Mueller provides ideal trails without massive crowds. Typical weather this spring at Mueller can provide some great outings. A full schedule of naturalist programs can help you to look, learn and enjoy the surroundings. Enjoy guided hikes and special programs. For more information, call 719-687-2366.
Spring International Astronomy Day. Scheduled for May 29 at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, beginning at 9 a.m. Free and open to the public. Start with a non-touch solar telescope viewing followed by a self-guided solar system tour and hike.
Monday, May 31
Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony. There will be a Memorial Day Remembrance Celebration on Memorial Day, May 31 at 11 a.m. in the Woodland Park Cemetery. The ceremony will include representatives from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars local posts and is attended by area veterans and community leaders. The public is invited. See related guest editorial by Dan Williams in this week’s TMJ for more information.
Mindful Monday. Scheduled for May 31 at 9 a.m. at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. Bring a journal and something to write with as we take a socially distanced walk together at the park, beginning Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. This is a slower paced reflective walk. We will observe the morning sounds, creatures, sensations, and movements that surround us. We will find spots to slow down and reflect on the experience this has on our internal world in our present experience. Explore how deepening awareness of our senses brings us to greater presence with the natural environment. Ages 14 and up. Must wear a mask and respect social distancing protocols to participate. Meet in front of the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center near the flagpole. Dress for the weather, bring water, and journal for reflection.
Upcoming
Lunch and Learn. The Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce will host a Lunch and Learn Series on June 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The topic is “Best Practices for Networking and Security for small businesses,” and features a presentation by Zachary Babiarz of the PC Touchup, LLC. The meeting is being done through Zoom. For more information, call Debbie Miller at 719-687-9885.
TCSO Open House. Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell and staff will be on hand to meet and greet with folks from throughout the community during the annual Open House. It is scheduled for Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Miss Priss in downtown Woodland Park at 110 West Midland. Be sure to stop by, SWAT will be there with the bearcat and make sure you meet the volunteer Posse, our Reserve officers, Teller County Search and Rescue and our new CERT team will be on hand too with information on how to volunteer and get involved. There will be free food and drinks available, so bring the kids. For more information, call Renee Bunting at 719-661-5913.
Val Carr Memorial. A public memorial service in memory of Woodland Park Mayor Val Carr will be hosted by the city on Sunday, June 6 from noon to 2 p.m. This event will be held at the Memorial Park Pavilion.
Call For Local Artists
The 36th annual Mountain Arts Festival is accepting applications for artists from the Pikes Peak Region.
The festival is August 7 and 8 on the green between the Ute Pass Cultural Center and the Woodland Park Public Library. Eligibility: Any artist or craftsperson exhibiting his or her own handmade works of art is eligible. A committee comprised of members of the Mountain Artists will judge all applications. Criteria for judging include quality, salability, and uniqueness of item(s). The Mountain Arts Festival draws art lovers from all over the state, and is highly regarded among artists who have exhibited there. With up to 80 exhibitors, there is a surprising variety of art at the show, including but not limited to paintings, sculpture, woodwork, textile artists, mural artists, metalworks, and jewelry. Interested artists can download the application from the Mountain Artists website: www.themountainartists.org.
For more information, contact Rita Randolph at 719-502-5085.
Bronc Day. The 83rd annual Bronc Day is scheduled for Saturday July 31 from 9am to 3pm
Enjoy a one day, one of a kind family fun western themed event with entertainment, a parade, food, kids’ games, gold panning, vendors, horses, bright blue skies, a beautiful lake and so much more! Bronc Day is one of the longest historical events running in Southern Colorado. It began in 1939 to welcome cowhands, tourists and families who were coming to the Ute Pass area to rodeo, vacation or work the summer trades. It led to some fun times and Bronc Day became an annual day that people set aside to attend as part of their summer experience and family memories! Over the years, it has expanded with kids’ games, gold panning. lots of vendors selling their wares and fabulous food from our local merchants. All this along with live entertainment: singing, Victorian dance lessons, western costumes, rubber ducky races on the creek and much more. It truly is the friendliest day and the most fun event for your family to enjoy! There is no admission fee. So put July 31st on your calendar for a drive to the beautiful town of Green Mountain Falls and the 83rd Annual Bronc Day Festivities.
