Mountain Almanac for the Week of January 14

Tuesday, Jan. 14

The Green Mountain Falls Planning Commission will meet on Jan. 14. The meeting is available in-person and on Zoom.

Wednesday, Jan. 15

Military Appreciation Days at the Wolf and Wildlife Center. We Salute You! Beat the Winter Blues and Do Something Fun. The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide (4729 Twin Rocks Road, Divide, Co 80814) is welcoming all branches of the military and their families to visit their center from January 15th – February 13th for steep discounts  tours and gift shop purchases. This offer is available for active members of the military and their family from Tuesday through Friday. Reservations are required and a valid military ID. For more information, call 719-687-9742.

Wellness Walk. Scheduled for Jan. 15  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.

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.  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. Check out Locals Night specials on Wednesdays.  For information and details about parking, visit the city of Cripple Creek’s tourism website.

The Cripple Creek City Council will meet on Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the CC Council Chambers.

Thursday, Jan. 16

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

Tiki Time Bingo. We are moving Ute Pass Kiwanis Bingo to Shining Mountain Golf Course while the UPCC gets some upgrades.  The Please join us on Jan. 16 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for some island fun!  $20 allows you to play 10 bingo games and there will be a 50/50 opportunity too. Food and drinks will be available for purchase during the game. Proceeds go to youth programs and scholarships. Let’s Tiki!  For more information, call Pat Hyslop at 719-642-8679.

The Woodland Park City Council will meet on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the WP Council Chambers next to city hall. The meeting is available in-person and on Zoom.

Upcoming

Best of Cripple Creek, Woodland Park and the Teller High Country.  This annual contest, sponsored by TMJ, the oldest and most competitive “Best Of” showdown in the region, (a competition that had its genesis in 1990) when true bragging rights are declared throughout the land, has officially kicked off and extends until early March. More details will be announced in upcoming editions and voting will occur online at mountainjackpot.com.  See related story in this week’s TMJ issue. The competition will feature more than 70 categories, giving voters a chance to pick their favorites for best casinos, restaurants, bars, live entertainment hubs, top businesses, retail treasures and much more, including championship fights for top burgers, steaks, seafood, pizza, Mexican enticing dishes and margaritas, and picks for top dining and the most festive atmosphere. And let’s not forget the always intense individual competitions for best personalities, bartenders, wait staff, politicians, trouble-makers and rumor mongers. (What people in Teller County tell rumors?) For more information, email us at editor@mountainjackpot.com and stay tuned.  Get those voting fingers in gear.

Community Season at the Butte. The Butte Theater will kick off its 20225 Community Season with a RiP Improv on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. Enjoy this talented improv troupe from Denver as they create one of a kind hilarity on the Butte  Stage. Other upcoming performances include Love Stories: 2 One Act Romantic Comedies, scheduled between Feb. 14 and Feb. 23, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday showings. Featuring “The Proposal” by Anton Chekhov and “Welsh Honeymoon” by Jeannette Marks.  And don’t miss The Butler Did It, Again and Cripple Creek’s Got Talent in early spring. For more information, visit the Butte Theater’s 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.