Mountain Almanac for the Week of May 19

Tuesday, May 19

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

Chamber Business After Hours. The May Business After Hours event is hosted by Park State Bank & Trust and will be held at the new Tava House, 120 South Center Street. It is scheduled for May 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Celebrate America’s 250th birthday by wearing red, white and blue. Join us for the next Business After Hours — the premier networking event in Teller County! Whether you are a longtime member or new to the Chamber, this is your chance to reconnect with friends, clients, and fellow business owners — and meet new contacts in a relaxed, informal setting. Expect good food, drinks, door prizes, and plenty of opportunity to share what you’re working on and learn what others have going on. Bring your business cards, your conversation, and your spirit of community — you never know where the next connection might lead. See you there. For more information, call Debbie Miller at 719-687-9885.

Wednesday, May 20

Wellness Walk. Scheduled for May 20 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 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the CC Council Chambers. The meeting is available in-person or on Zoom.

Thursday, May 21

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 21 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 22

Shining Mountain Opening. The Shining Mountain golf course and bar area 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 or call 719-687-7587. A number of key tournaments and events are scheduled in early summer.   Also, check TMJ’s weekly Mountain Almanac section for updates.

Saturday, May 23

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.

Upcoming

Summer Gaming and Tourism Edition. TMJ news will soon publish its 2026 Gaming and Summer of Fun edition, featuring updates on the local gaming scene, casino updates and information on special events and festivals, along with tourism and area recreation happenings. Stay tuned for details.

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 the fun.  The event will be held on Myers Avenue (the heart of the Old Red Light District) on June 6 and will include 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. Visit the city’s tourism site for details and see related story in this week’s TMJ edition.

Victor Gem & Mineral Show. The annual Victor Gem & Mineral Show presented by the Southern Teller County Focus Group (STCFG) in Victor will be held June 19-21. The event offers a unique way to spend Father’s Day weekend in the cool and sunny mountain air. Bring Dad to Victor, find a pet rock, learn to pan for gold, and take in some free live music. The show will be held in downtown historic Victor and is open and free to the public. The show will include vendors selling polished gems, hand-crafted jewelry, rough slabs, specimens, cabochons, geodes, turquoise, and more. There will also be gold and gem panning at the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum. Show hours are from 9 to 5 Friday and Saturday and 9-4 on Sunday. Live music will occur Saturday night at the Pinnacle Park Plaza Stage. For more information on this event, visit STCFG.com, email info@stcfg.com, or call 719-689-5509.