Mountain Almanac for the Week of October 22

Tuesday, Oct. 22

Election, 2024.   Ballots have been mailed out to registered voters for the Nov. 5 elections, capped by a number of key national, state and local races and ballot propositions. The deadline for returning your ballots is 7 p.m. on Nov. 5.  Voters have a variety of options, including using three mail ballot drop off boxes, located in Woodland Park, Divide and Cripple Creek; using the designated voter service and polling center, located at the WP Library, or mailing them back shortly after receiving the ballots. For more information, visit the Teller County government website and click on the “2024 General Election Information” link, or call 719-689-2951.  For most Green Mountain Falls and lower Ute Pass residents, contact the clerk and recorder’s office in El Paso County for questions.  One of the prime ballot drop-off points for GMF residents is at the Manitou Springs city hall.

The Green Mountain Falls Planning Commission will meet on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in the GMF Town Hall.  The meeting is available in-person or on Zoom.

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Wellness Walk. Scheduled for Oct. 23 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.

Community Forum. Provided by the Woodland Park Schools Community Coalition (WPSCC) and scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at  the Ute Pass Cultural Center in Woodland Park. The event is Free. RSVP at no2aforkids@gmail.com. “It’s important to ensure funding is needed for our children’s education,” said Michael Perini, registered agent for WPSCC, in describing the group’s campaign and the upcoming event. “We want to educate and inform Woodland Park resident voters about this necessary school funding through a public forum with subject matter experts and a written question and answer session. A ‘No’ vote on 2a supports local students, teachers, and the community by continuing the city sales tax as-is, which Woodland Park residents voted for in 2016,” Perini said. “A ‘No’ vote on 2a is a vote not to repeal current critical funds from the district.”

Shining Mountain Still Open For Play.  The Shining Mountain (SM) Golf Course in Woodland Park is still open for their 2024 season, with daily tee times and  play contingent on weather conditions.  The course is in great shape for this time of year.  In addition, the driving range and chipping area/putting green is open, along with the spacious SM bar and outdoor patio. Check out their special fall rates. For more information, call 719-687-7587.  Check regular updates in TMJ and on the Shining Mountain Facebook page.

Thursday, Oct. 24

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.

Chamber Business Expo. Scheduled for Oct. 24 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center from 5 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend Woodland Park’s largest business expo with a wide range of exhibitors. Meet face to face with local business people ready to talk about a variety of products and services offered including banking, financial, business services, construction, home maintenance and repair, healthcare, senior housing and more. Great fun with door prizes given away at the close of the event.   The event is sponsored by Newmont Mine. For more information, visit the website of the city of Woodland Park or the WP Chamber of Commerce, or call 719-687-9885.

The Woodland Park Planning Commission will meet on Oct. 24 at  6:30 p.m. in the council chambers, next to city hall. The meeting is available in-person and on Zoom.

Friday, Oct. 25

Boos and Books with Bonnie. Join us for a spooky and fun event on Friday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Books Above the Clouds in Woodland Park, at 111 East Midland Avenue. Come dressed in your favorite costume and bring your love for books. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet Bonnie, mingle with families, and celebrate the Halloween season at Books Above The Clouds! Bonnie is a reading dog, who creates a judgment-free space for everyone! Whether you’re a reading enthusiast or just want to enjoy some Halloween crafts and great company, we’d love to see you there! For more information, call 724-858-6107.

Live Theater at the Butte. Don’t miss another Thin Air Theatre classic fall production: Monty Python’s SPAMALOT. This tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical also diverts a bit from more traditional versions of the legend.  The show runs from now until Nov. 2. Call 719-689-6409 for reservations and show times, or visit the Butte Theater or the Thin Air Theatre websites.

Trick or Treat in Memorial Park (200 N. Park Street, Woodland Park). Scheduled for Oct. 25 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Walk about your favorite park in Woodland Park and collect candy along the way! This event features numerous businesses in our community with fun activities! Wear your best costume and be prepared for some sugar-filled fun. For more information, visit the city of Woodland Park’s website.

Halloween Festivities.  A number of local eateries, bars and restaurants in Woodland Park, Cripple Creek and throughout Teller County are planning Halloween festivities on Friday and Saturday evenings, and are doing costume parties.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Upcoming

Master Plan Open House. The city of Cripple Creek will be holding an open house at the Chamonix Casino on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to outline details about the forthcoming efforts for the development of an economic development and tourism strategy plan and a comprehensive plan update, informally known as a master plan.  Visit the city of Cripple Creek’s events and tourism website, accessible via the city’s main government website, for more information.  A link is available for interested citizens to RSVP for the upcoming forum. In addition, a questionnaire is now available for citizens to convey their views on topics related to the development of these plans.

Truck or Treat. Bring all the goblins and ghouls to a frightfully fun time in Cripple Creek on Halloween night. Appropriate costumes are suggested because everything will be outdoors. Munchkins, ghosts, dragons, and witches and warlocks will be crawling, skipping, and slithering their way through the maze of decorated vehicles.  Don’t miss the excitement from 5 to 7 p.m. on Halloween night.  Trunks will be set up on 1st Street south of Bennett Ave, and along Masonic Ave, next to the Parks & Rec Building. Families, businesses, and clubs are invited to decorate your trunk and enter to win a prizes in specific categories.  Cash donations are also being collected to help with the candy purchase.  For more information or to register your space, contact the Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation Department – 719-689-3514, or fill out the print out the form below and sent it to sowen@cripple-creek.co.us.  Contact Cripple Creek Parks & Recreation Department for more details about the event or to reserve a car/booth space – 719-689-3514.