Mountain Almanac for the Week of June 18

Tuesday, June 18

Shining Mountain Open For Play.  The Shining Mountain (SM) Golf Course in Woodland Park has officially opened for its 2024 season, with tee times and daily play contingent on weather conditions.  In addition, the driving range and chipping area/putting green is open, along with the spacious SM bar and outdoor patio. For more information, call 719-687-7587. A slew of charity tournaments is in the works, along with other links-related activities and special deals throughout the season. Check regular updates in TMJ and on the Shining Mountain Facebook page.

Magic: The Gathering. Come play with us! Bring your decks, bring your cards and your mats, and come battle at the Rampart Library District, 218 East Midland Avenue from 4 to 6 p.m. on select nights. It is open to teens and young adults, who visit the teen room at the library. The next gathering is scheduled for June 4. Interested in learning.  Someone will be available to teach you the basics.

The Green Mountain Falls Board of Trustees will meet on June 18 at 7 p.m. in the GMF Town Hall. The meeting is available in-person and on Zoom.

Wednesday, June 19

Wellness Walk. Scheduled for June 19 at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center at 9 a.m. Meet at the upper 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.

Meeting Cancellation.  The regular meeting of the Cripple Creek City Council, originally scheduled for June 19 has been cancelled due to a conflicting conference, sponsored by the Colorado Municipal League Association. The next meeting will occur on July 3.

Thursday, June 20

TOPS. Takes Off Pounds Sensibly.  Meets every Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in the basement of Church in the Wildwood (10585 Ute Pass Ave.) Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819. Affordable, effective weight-loss.

Meeting Cancellations. The regular meeting of the Woodland Park City Council, originally scheduled for June 20 has been cancelled due to the annual state conference of the Colorado Municipal League Association.  And due to the Independence Day celebration, the council’s regularly scheduled meeting for July 4 has also been cancelled. The WP Council, which normally meets the first and third Thursdays of the month, will not hold another regularly scheduled meeting until July 18.

 

Friday, June 21

. Art Show. The Once Upon A Time in The West Invitational Art Show is celebrating its 27th Anniversary show in 2024.  The event will take place at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center (located right off Hwy. 67, across from the Mollie Kathleen mine attraction) June 21st through July 4th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call 719-689-3315.

 

New Casino and Hotel. Chamonix Casino and Hotel, Cripple Creek’s new mega addition, which features about 300 rooms, and a spree resort-like amenities, such as a rooftop pool and spa, is now open for business in the initial stage. The Chamonix, part of Bronco Billy’s, features about 250 slots and table games. Check out the games and amazing lobby and the Chamonix Bistro.  This is the first stage of a $300 million development, the largest project ever undertaken in Cripple Creek. It will encompass a 500,000-plus square-foot area, when fully completed. The project’s new highly acclaimed steakhouse, 980 Prime, is now open for business Thursdays through Sundays. For more details, visit the Chamonix website and check for updates in TMJ.

 

Saturday, June 22

FREE HISTORIC TOURS! “Ambiance on the Red Trolley” is a FREE 30-minute historical tour of Cripple Creek.  Join the Gold Camp Victorian Society on Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, from 1 to  3 p.m. to hear the fascinating history of the World’s Greatest Gold Camp. Tours begin at the District Museum Train Car. For further information, visit the GCVS website…goldcampvictoriansociety.org FREE!

 

Upcoming

Coffee Chats. Come have coffee, donuts, and chat with other people in the area. (This is your excuse to go make more local friends). This event, held in the Colorado room of the Woodland Park Public Library, is held the first Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The next Colorado Chats is scheduled for June 7. For more information, visit the city of Woodland Park’s website, or call the Woodland Park Public Library and ask for Nick.

Art Show. The Once Upon A Time in The West Invitational Art Show is celebrating its 27th Anniversary show in 2024.  The event will take place at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center (located right off Hwy. 67, across from the Mollie Kathleen mine attraction) June 21st through July 4th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call 719-689-3315.

History of Fur Trade in Pikes Peak Region. Learn about this ‘first industry’ of the Pikes Peak region that led to the future development of the west. The event is scheduled at Mueller State Park on June 27 from 8 to 9 p.m. Dress warm and join us for this interesting period in the history of the Pikes Peak region. Meet at the Amphitheater. For more information, contact Anna Miller at 719-687-2366. The event is free, but a park pass is required to access the park.  $10 day passes can be purchased at the visitor center or self-service station, located at the sign on your right when you first enter the park.  

 

Donkey Derby Days. This is the 93rd year for Donkey Derby Days!  It is the largest summer event and tops the list of favorite Cripple Creek attractions.  This year the event will be held June 28-30.  This is a change from holding the event in August, the past few years. People from all over the world descend on downtown to be inspired by the town’s resident donkey herd, who roam Cripple Creek in honor of the original Cripple Creek donkeys from the town’s Gold Rush days. Enjoy our beer gardens, food vendors, retail vendors, kids’ activities, donkeys, and live music. Events are capped by a wide range of activities, including donkey races, a parade, live music performances, a pancake breakfast, historic performances, melodrama shows and much more. Visit the city’s tourism website for specific events.

Music at the Depot.  The Cripple Creek District Museum is kicking off its annual concert series with a slew of entertainment, starting on July 4. The festivities occur in the Museum area, with a special indoor tent for concert-goers.  Plenty of food vendors and beverages are available.  The initial Independence holiday lineup includes Exit West from 3 to 7 p.m. on July 4; Slope Side on July 5 from 2 to  6 p.m. and the Jason Lee Band on July 6 from 2 to  6 p.m. For more details, contact the Cripple Creek District Museum at 719-689-9540.

Fireworks Show in Cripple Creek! Come and see the most spectacular fireworks display in the Pikes Peak region!!  The City of Cripple Creek will be hosting the 2024 4th of July Fireworks on July 4th starting about 20 minutes after dusk (approx. 9:30 p.m.).  The fireworks will be set off from the south side of town, south of Myers Ave.  Help us celebrate our nation’s birthday with a bang! For more information, visit the city’s tourism website.