Mountain Almanac for the Week of December 16

Tuesday, Dec. 16

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 Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.  These popular classes are led by Beth Knox and Lainie Thomas.

Business After Hours.  Hosted by the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, the next After Hours is scheduled at the Rainbow Valley Ranch & Fishing Club (7534 County Rd 61 Divide, CO 80814) on Dec. 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  The December event is one of the more popular held during the year, and showcases one of the more unique settings. After Hours is Teller County’s largest networking event.  All Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce members are encouraged to attend.  Take advantage of this opportunity to network and catch up with your friends, clients and customers plus meet new members in an informal setting.  Business After Hours is a great way to share information about your business and learn about other members. Fun, food, drinks and door prizes.  Don’t forget your business cards. For more information, visit the chamber’s website or call 719-687-9885.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Wellness Walk. Scheduled for Dec. 10 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.

Meeting Cancellation. The Cripple Creek City Council meeting, originally scheduled for Dec. 17 has been cancelled due to the city’s Christmas schedule.  No more regular meetings will be held for the remainder of 2025.

Thursday, Dec. 18

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 Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. This will mark the final meeting of the year.

Friday, Dec. 19

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Show.  This will mark the Butte Theater’s acclaimed Christmas performance, which kicked off on Nov. 28 and continues through the holiday season. Based on the beloved movie of the same name! Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters in route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages. The Christmas shows are typically the most popular performances the Butte hosts annually. For ticket information, visit the Butte Theater’s website, or call 719-6402.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Live Music concerts. The remaining live music concerts at the Chamonix Casino Hotel in Cripple Creek for December will conclude with include with a performance  Collective Groove on December 20. Collective Groove is regarded as one of the top dance bands in the area. You can find ticket information and more details on the Chamonix Casino Hotel entertainment page.

Sunday, Dec. 21

NFL Football Action. The Denver Broncos face another pivotal game this Sunday in their bid to gain the top AFC seed in the forthcoming playoffs. On Dec. 21, they host the Jacksonville Jaguars at 2:05 p.m. A prime opportunity to see this game in your favorite sports bar or eatery, as the Broncos conclude their season with several tough matches.  In fact, among all top contending teams, the Broncos have one of the more difficult series of final games. See more details in related stories in this week’s TMJ.

Upcoming

Holiday Headframe Lighting. The giant headframes that are the remains of 1890’s gold mining days will continue to light up the night sky around Victor and Cripple Creek during this holiday season. These unique mining structures are one-of-a-kind remnants of the gold rush era and will sport holiday ornaments, some as large as 20 feet tall. The headframe lights will be lit against the starry night skies of the Victor and Cripple Creek. This process, which started on Saturday, Nov. 29, continues through Jan. 1, weather permitting. Everything from a Christmas wreath to a snowman and a toy soldier will be on display this year. A self-guided driving tour map is be available online at STCFG.com.  The lights will be best viewed after dark and will be in place Friday through Sunday nights through New Year’s Day, weather/safety and volunteers permitting. Between Christmas Eve and New Year’s, weather allowing, the lights will be on nightly. Please respect private property and stay on public roads to view the ornaments. This holiday lighting tradition is sponsored by SSR Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining, on whose property most of the headframes are located and the Southern Teller County Focus Group who coordinates generator crews. Volunteers from the 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.

Explore Ice Castles in Cripple Creek.  Sculpted World of Ice and Light. Since 2011, Ice Castles has dedicated itself to creating an experience that lasts long after the ice melts. Step through icicle-adorned archways and into a wonderland of towering castles, twinkling tunnels, and magical ice sculptures. Visitors leave with lasting memories of joy and inspiration. Slated to open in late December and continue through early March. This will be the third season this attraction has been held in Cripple Creek.  Tickets are now available. Visit the city’s tourism website for more details.

Radical Rewind 80s New Year’s Eve Party. Scheduled at the Ute Pass Cultural Center on Dec. 31, starting at 7 p.m. 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 Band, delicious food, and an energetic ambiance that will keep you dancing all night long. The 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. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to kick off the new year in style. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable night of celebration at UPCC! For more information, visit the city’s government website.