Mountain Almanac for the Week of December 24

Tuesday, Dec 24

Christmas Eve in the Teller High Country.  A number of local churches in Woodland Park, Cripple Creek and Green Mountain Falls are planning special New Year’s Eve services.  Check with individual churches and their respective websites for more information.  In addition, the Aspen Mine Center is hosting a special candlelight service for the whole family on Dec. 24 at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 25

Merry Christmas from TMJ.  All local offices and most businesses, restaurants and retail stores will be closed.  Much round-the-clock activity, though, will occur at local casinos in Cripple Creek.

Thursday, Dec. 26

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.

Friday, Dec. 27

Final weekend shows for Miracle on Mistletoe Mountain. This Christmas show is hosted by the Butte Theater in Cripple Creek and it runs from now until Dec. 29 with a variety of performances scheduled throughout the week.  It’s Christmas in Cripple Creek, and Clara, an angel treading on thin ice with her heavenly bosses, receives a last chance at redemption. Tasked with aiding Joe and Molly Kelly, proprietors of a boarding house for the downtrodden, Clara must thwart the nefarious plans of Mr. Parker, a conniving tycoon bent on seizing their beloved home. Echoing the timeless charm of It’s a Wonderful Life, this captivating tale is a tribute to love and sacrifice set against the backdrop of the exhilarating Cripple Creek gold rush era. Join us for a heartwarming journey that celebrates the true spirit of Christmas!
Miracle on Mistletoe is a Thin Air Theatre production, which has done a number of award-winning shows in Cripple Creek and throughout the country. For more information, call 719-689-6402, or visit the website of the Butte Theater or the city of Cripple Creek’s tourism/events page.

Last Weekend for Annual Holiday Headframe Lighting. The giant headframes that are the remains of 1890’s gold mining days are still lighting up the night sky around Victor and Cripple Creek on weekend nights through Jan. 1. Everything from a Christmas wreath to a snowman and a toy soldier is on display this year. A self-guided driving tour map is  available online at STCFG.com.  The lights are best viewed after dark and are in place Friday through Sunday nights through New Year’s Day, weather/safety and volunteers permitting. This holiday lighting tradition is sponsored by Newmont Cripple Creek & Victor gold mine, on whose property most of the headframes are located and the Southern Teller County Focus Group who coordinates generator crews. Volunteers from the local communities’ staff the generators and line power connections each weekend. Other sponsors include the City of Victor, Cripple Creek Parks & Recreation, Cripple Creek Fire Department, and the Cripple Creek District Museum. Support also comes from Black Hills Energy crews who help refurbish the lamps on the ornaments. More information and maps are at STCFG.com.

Saturday, Dec. 28

Elk Meadow Guided Hike. Get outside and move with this post-holiday hike at Mueller State Park on Dec. 28 from  9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This is about a two mile, moderate hike past meadows, forests, and Peak View Pond. Some adult snowshoes will be available at the trailhead if needed. Meet at Elk Meadow trailhead. A park pass is required to access the park. Passes can be purchased for $10 at the Visitor Center from 9am-4pm. Or with cash at the self-serve station by the big info sign on your right when you enter the park. For more information, call 719-687-2366.

Upcoming

New Year’s Eve in the Gold Camp.  Welcome 2025 with a bang in the World’s Greatest Gold Camp, with a slew of activities from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Stay tuned for more information. Visit the city’s tourism website for more information. In addition, check out the New  Year’s Eve celebrations occurring in local casinos

New Year’s Eve at UPCC (Ute Pass Cultural Center): Last Disco of 2024. Indulge in an evening filled with excitement, laughter, and joy as we bid farewell to the current year and welcome the new one. Our celebration promises to be a night to remember, with a live DJ, delicious food, and an energetic ambiance that will keep you dancing all night long. The $55 ticket includes delicious food served all night long as well as dessert, a prize or activity every hour, two drink tickets, a champagne toast and an amazing experience. This is an adults only event so please no one under the age of 21. Bring your friends, family, or loved ones to share this special moment with you. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening or a fun-filled party, our New Year’s Eve Celebration at UPCC has something for everyone.  For more information, visit the city of Woodland Park’s website under events.

New Year’s Eve and Pre-New Year Festivities.  See related story in this week’s TMJ for New Year’s Eve and Holiday happenings, including activities in local eateries, restaurants, bars and in the community.

Ice Castles. The infamous winter attraction has officially opened for the second consecutive year. Tickets are now on sale. The castles have opened for the 2024/2025 season, which will extend until early March. Please go to https://icecastles.com/cripple-creek-colorado to purchase your tickets for this event.  Click on the “Buy Tickets” button to reveal the dates that tickets are available. Click on your desired date to reveal the times that are available for that day.  It is strongly recommended that you purchase tickets online to assure availability. Dates currently posted for booking are the PEAK DATES to make sure you can get your reservations in early. The Ice Castles build team is working hard to get open around the end of December. Ticket availability will be expanded by the Ice Castle staff as they know better when they will be opening.   Cripple Creek is proud to be the Colorado host for Ice Castles again this year.  This is a timed ticketed event, which means only a set number of tickets are sold for each session.  This allows you to know when to arrive and keeps the number of visitors at a manageable level.  Ticket sales are done online and walk-up tickets are typically not available. Ice Castle Hours include Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m.; Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 3 to 11 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  The attraction is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  For information and details about parking, visit the city of Cripple Creek’s tourism website.

Kids Ministry Fund-raising Opportunity. Adventures with God, a non-profit kids ministry, is looking to take a group of kids on a missions trip to the Dream Center LA on March 21st-31st of 2025. This kids ministry is devoted to discipling kids and making followers of God by teaching godly character, morals, and leading by example through daily activities. As part of our goal, we’re hoping to take a handful of kids on a missions trip to Los Angeles for the Dream Center. We need to raise $10,000 to have everyone be able to go! We already have a donor prepared to match whatever we raise for this trip. At the Dream Center, the kids will have the opportunity to serve the people of LA, help minister to those struggling in a big city, feed people and show love towards everyone they encounter! Our website has donation information, https://awithg.com/signup/donate-spring-trip

Cripple Creek Ice Festival. The organizers of the Cripple Creek Ice Festival are excited to announce that planning is underway for the 2025 Cripple Creek Ice Festival,  which will be held in the winter of 2025 between February 15-23.  The head-to-head carving challenges will also be returning to the event on Saturdays at 12:00, 1:30 and 3:00.  Carvers will compete in a stadium setting for a $1,000 cash prize each weekend.  Carving teams will also be doing their best to win the People’s Choice Award for a huge cash prize.  Plan your visit and cast your vote for the most impressive carving. As always this event is free and open to the general public.  Carvers will be working throughout the event on their sculptures.  Activities, vendors, and head-to-head carving competitions will only take place on the weekends (Feb 15-17 and Feb 22-23) including President’s Day.  The vendor and activities will happen between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting. Dress warm and enjoy this incredible event.   Please note that Bennett Avenue will be closed to vehicle AND PEDESTRIAN traffic on Feb 11th and 18th for ice delivery.