Mountain Almanac for the Week of May 5

Tuesday, May 5

Yoga. Community yoga classes are scheduled at the Church in the Wildwood on Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m., and another class is slated for Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m.  For more information, call 719-213-0848.

The Green Mountain Falls Board of Trustees will meet on May 5 at 7 p.m. in the GMF Town Hall. The meeting is available in-person or via the city’s website.

Wednesday, May 6

Wellness Walk. Scheduled for May 6 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 are available to enhance your walk. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. Free admission

The Cripple Creek City Council will meet on May 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the CC Council Chambers.  The meeting is available in-person or on Zoom.

Thursday, May 7

TOPS. Takes Off Pound Sensibly. Meets every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in the Church in the Wildwood (10585 Ute Pass Ave.) Green Mountain Falls, Co 80819. Affordable, effective weight loss.

The Woodland Park City Council will meet on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the WP Council Chambers, next to city hall. The meeting is available in-person or on Zoom.

Friday, May 8

Shining Mountain Opening. The Shining Mountain golf course is now officially open for the 2026 season.  Contrary to past years, this season will mark the first time the links property is under the ownership and management of the city of Woodland Park.  Check with the city’s park and recreation website for programs available at Shining Mountain this summer.

Upcoming

Take a Hike.  The New Year is a prime opportunity to participate in a kick-off of scheduled New Year hikes at Mueller State Park. Typically, improving your health is one of the most coveted New Year resolutions. Nothing can allow folks to reach this goal in the Teller high country then hitting nearby trails. Mueller State Park offers regular weekend treks, which also offer a little information on the park’s wildlife attributes. Visit the park’s website or call them at 719-687-2366 for more details.

Best of 2026, Summary. Just in case you missed one of our Best Of 2026 issues.  Make sure to check out a forthcoming edition of TMJ News for the overall summary of this year’s competition. The Best Of 2026 Summary will feature the winners and finalists of this year’s amazing showdown. This is the most competitive and longest-running Best Of competition in the region, a contest that started over 35 years ago. Nearly 50,000 voters cast tallies on nearly 100 categories, including top casinos, restaurants, entertainment, recreation options, burger and steak dishes, seafood delights, margaritas, premiere personalities, politicians, public servants, and much more.  This contest serves as the real Bragging Rights showdown in the area. Visit www.facebook.com/mountainjackpotnews for brief overviews of the finalists, and our overall summary.  We appreciate everybody who participated.

STR Meetings.  The Teller County Commissioners are holding a variety of open meetings on the area’s short-term rental (STR) situation, and what type of rules and permits should be permitted. Check with the county’s government website for details.

Chamonix Casino & Resort Concerts. Upcoming music concerts at Chamonix Casino & Resort in Cripple Creek continue for early 2026. The lineup includes major tribute acts and dinner shows. A key forthcoming event on the schedule will feature the “Wannabe” (Spice Girls Tribute band) for May 23).  These events feature dinner and show packages. For more information, visit the Chamonix website.

DDA Micro-Grant Program. The Woodland Park Downtown Development Authority is pleased to relaunch its Micro-Grant program for 2026. Grants are open to businesses and homeowners within the DDA boundaries of Woodland Park. The Micro-Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance for eligible projects that meet the Program’s eligibility requirements.  objectives and purposes of the DDA within the District, such as stimulating economic vitality. For comprehensive information about the Downtown Development Authority’s 2026 Micro-Grant Program, including the eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit the city’s website.

Community Concerts at Ute Pass Cultural Center.  FREE thanks to our sponsor, Park State Bank & Trust. Bar and Food Truck open at 5:30 pm and show starts at 6 pm on the second Wednesday of every month. Come enjoy local artists with your community members. Visit the city of Woodland Park’s website for details.

Memorial Day Art Show and Sale. Join the Cripple Creek Art Alliance for their annual Memorial Day Art Show & Sale, taking place May 22–25 from 10 AM to 5 PM at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. This four-day event showcases a variety of original artwork from talented local and regional artists, offering visitors the chance to browse, connect, and purchase unique, handcrafted pieces. Celebrate the holiday weekend with creativity and community in the heart of Cripple Creek. For more information, call 719-689-3315.

Donkey Release. Donkey Release. Each Memorial Day, Cripple Creek proudly celebrates one of its most beloved traditions, the annual Donkey Release. Hosted by the Two Mile High Club, this event marks the return of the town’s iconic donkey herd from their winter pasture to roam freely throughout the community for the summer season. This long-standing tradition honors the donkeys’ historic role in Cripple Creek’s gold mining era, when they worked alongside miners hauling ore through the hills and tunnels. Today, they are cherished as living symbols of the city’s heritage and are cared for year-round by dedicated volunteers. This free celebration starts at 1pm at the crossroads of C Street and Thurlow Ave in Cripple Creek. “President Teddy Roosevelt” will speak, and the Elk’s club will be selling hamburgers and hot dogs. Festivities will occur throughout the day.  Visit the city’s tourism website for more information.

Pearl DeVere Day Races. It is time to start planning if you want to participate in the 7th annual Pearl DeVere Day Bed Races, regarded as one of Cripple Creek’s most unique events. You don’t really want to miss out on the fun.  The event will be held on Myers Avenue (the heart of the Old Red Light District) on June 6 and will include some exciting changes.  Racers can pick a category to compete in: General Public, Casinos, News Media or 1st Responders/Military.  Join us in the fun and win bragging rights with your peers. The event is sponsored by the Old Homestead House Museum Board and continues to draw big crowds. Besides the races, the event is packed with many festivities.