Raptors have some of the most dangerous attributes in the animal kingdom.

Falcons can see a mouse’s whiskers across a football field.

Owls can fly without making a sound.

Golden eagles only weigh about 15 pounds, but they can hunt animals as large as deer, thanks to their immensely powerful and sharp talons.

On July 15, four types of raptors and their human caretakers revealed these attributes during the Golden Library’s Talon Talk.

Nature’s Educators hosted Talon Talk at multiple library branches throughout the week, as part of the Jeffco Public Library’s summer reading challenge.

Because a large crowd was expected, Golden Library staff moved the event to the courtyard behind City Hall. About 65 people attended, including some passersby who saw the raptors from the Clear Creek Trail and wanted to learn more about them.

Nature’s Educators, a nonprofit based in Florence, Colorado, is an educational wildlife program licensed by county, state, and federal agencies to care for non-releasable birds of prey, mammals, and herptiles for educational programs.

For instance, the four raptors at the July 15 Talon Talk had sustained major injuries or had been raised in captivity, Nature’s Educators program specialist Alex Olow explained.

Olow recommended that people do what they can to protect and promote raptors and other birds in their neighborhoods. He suggested building birdboxes that songbirds and even small raptors like kestrels can make a home in.

He also advised against letting housecats outside unsupervised, as they kill millions of birds every year, and against throwing food on the side of the road, as it attracts critters and subsequently attracts birds of prey.

Four feathery friends

Raptors are birds of prey characterized by their powerful eyesight and strong talons, he continued. Each species of raptor has its own unique characteristics, which Olow shared as volunteer Kade Rodenbeck presented a different raptor to the crowd.

The first one was a barn owl named Comet.

Barn owls can be found on every continent except Antarctica, Olow said. They have asymmetrical ears, giving them the best hearing of any animal. They can turn their heads 270 degrees, and their aerodynamic feathers allow for completely silent flight.

Barn owls are excellent pest control, as they can eat four mice a day. However, because of that, they’re at risk of consuming rodenticide, Olow said.

Barn owls are among the 13 owl species native to Colorado, but they’re typically not seen much in urban areas.

The second raptor to make its Golden debut was Salvador the crested caracara.

The crested caracara is sometimes called the Mexican eagle, Olow said, despite not being an eagle. It shares some attributes with hawks and vultures, but the crested caracara is actually a type of falcon.

Salvador was hit by a car and had to have his wing amputated, Olow explained. Because of that, he has balance issues.

Crested caracaras are opportunistic hunters and often hunt on foot. They will eat carcasses and food in other birds’ nests, as well as live prey like insects, fish, small birds, rodents and more.

Next up was Sashimi, the turkey vulture.

Sashimi was found abandoned in a box. Olow said Nature’s Educators believe someone tried to keep Sashimi as a pet, found out that was illegal, and so abandoned him.

Turkey vultures are so called because of their turkey-like feet and red faces, but unlike actual turkeys. They are migratory, Olow said, and frequent Colorado between April and October.

Finally, Nature’s Educators saved the biggest raptor for last, as Gaia the golden eagle made her Golden debut.

Golden eagles are actually bigger than bald eagles, Olow explained. Gaia weighs 10 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan.

Like Salvador, Gaia was hit by a car, detaching a retina in her left eye. While she might be able to survive in the wild with such an injury, her caretakers tested her by releasing prey for her to catch. Gaia saw the prey well enough to attack it, but not well enough to kill it. So, she remains under human care.

Olow was unsure of Gaia’s age, saying she’s was an adult when she was found and has been in human care for eight years. Thus, she could be as old as 12. In the wild, golden eagles can live up to 30 years, but they can live longer in captivity.

Golden eagles are apex predators. They’ve been known to attack wolves, bighorn sheep and other large animals, with Olow saying of eagles like Gaia, “She will eat anything she can catch.”

Golden eagles are sometimes called serpentine eagles because they frequently hunt snakes. In fact, the Mexican flag depicts a golden eagle eating a snake, and the golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico and four other countries.

Color your world

Nature’s Educators has done other programs for the Jeffco Public Library branches before, as well as other library systems, cities and other entities along the Front Range.

For more information about natureseducators.org.

The Jeffco Public Library branches will be hosting other events as part of its Color Your World summer reading challenge, which runs through July 31.

For more information, visit jeffcolibrary.org.

Click through additional photos from the July 15 Talon Talk:

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The proposed development of Salisbury Regional Park has been contemplated for more than a decade. 

But now, the site plan has been approved by the Parker Town Council to move forward with new development adjacent and north to the Salisbury Equestrian Park and Sports Complex. 

An original Salisbury Park Master Plan was approved by city council in May of 2000, and the first phase of the park was constructed in 2001. After acquiring land next to the park, an additional master plan was established in 2014. 

Located on the east side of Motsenbocker Road and the newly-opened Dransfeldt Road, the 91-acre land is zoned for public facilities. This allows for a wide range of uses, including parks, recreation and open space. 

The full development of the property, known as Salisbury Park North, will be constructed in phases and is anticipated to take about five years to complete due to funding. 

“Everything depends on how much the individual phase costs,” said Bret Collins, project administrator. “If (cost comes) in higher, then we’ll have to phase the phases at that point … if they come in lower, we may be able to do more in each phase and get it done quicker.”

Although town staff did not state when the project is anticipated to begin, it does have the phases mapped out. 

The first phase of the development of the park looks to add an additional 44.8 acres of developed park land, which would include the construction of two lighted, synthetic turf multi-use fields. 

Currently, there are no lighted turf fields in the town.

The phase will also include the addition of four lighted natural grass baseball and softball fields. 

“(We) will have the only eight-field complex in the south metro area – once those four new fields are built – with our four existing fields,” said Collins. “Which is something pretty unique to this area.”

He added that some of the fields may be able to be used by the end of 2026. 

The first phase will also include a pedestrian promenade, restrooms and parking for food trucks, along with other landscaping, visitor parking and site amenities.

According to the Parker Parks and Recreation website, the second phase is slated for 2026 and will involve the construction of a 17-court lighted pickleball complex, two tennis courts with striping for four more pickleball courts. 

“Which will allow the town to hold tournaments,” Collins said. 

The third phase – which will include a community hub pavilion, an outdoor fitness area and a playground – is anticipated to be constructed in 2028. 

The fourth phase, to be expected in 2029, will include a bike park and overlook pavilions. 

The finished park will also include two basketball courts, a decorative garden, public art displays and a connection to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail.

Stacey Nerger, senior planner for the town said that in addition to the already-established access to the park, another vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access will be provided along Motsenbocker Road. 

Because there are several buildings part of the project – including restrooms, storage and concessions in the park – there will need to be a water and sanitary sewer line constructed. According to town documents, the town will construct the line and Parker Water & Sanitation District will provide the ongoing maintenance. 

While all councilmembers expressed excitement for the project, Councilmember Anne Barrington said that this “is the type of investment the town wants and needs.”

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In the past 15 years, residents in and around Parker have come to know the Parker Arts and Cultural Event Center – the PACE Center – as a hub for entertainment. 

Before the PACE center was built, residents were accustomed to having to go to downtown Denver for exciting entertainment, but today, those same quality shows are available right in people’s backyard – and they don’t have to pay for parking, said Carrie Glassburn, cultural director at Parker Arts which oversees the PACE Center..  

“People can come here and bring their family, still go out to eat and not break the bank like they might have for other entertainment,” Glassburn said. 

With a 534-seat theater, Glassburn said that the intimate setting allows for performers and artists to really connect with the audience. 

She added that the PACE Center continues to bring new people into the theater, averaging about 30-40% new attendees each show. 

“When they get here and they see that we’re affordable and we’ve got quality shows that are really convenient, it’s everything that they love,” Glassburn said. 

This season, there is even more to love. From magic to fashion to dinosaurs, the entertainment lineup for the 2025-2026 season has something for everybody. 

“We’ve got even more variety this year,” Glassburn said. “We try to find some things for people who have never been to the theater before, especially young children, all the way up to our aging adults.”

In addition to returning musical performances by the Parker Symphony Orchestra and the Parker Chorale, several Friday nights will feature the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra which offers a mix of salsa, swing, jazz manouche and more. 

The PACE Center will host numerous noteworthy live concerts – Devon Allman’s Blues Summit country artist Chris Cagle; Grammy nominated pianist Jim Brickman; and Celtic music with Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and the Celtic All-Stars. 

The music doesn’t end there, as there are musical theater performances that will bring fairytale fun and take audiences through the decades. 

Shows include “Shrek the Musical,” “BritBeat: The Immersive Beatles Tribute Experience,” “Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Electric Avenue: The 80s Movie Soundtrack Night.”

There are shows for the younger generation as well, including “Dinosaur World Live,” a theatrical adaptation of “Goodnight Moon” and the Family Discovery Series. 

If you’re looking for a good laugh, there are comedy performances by national stand-up comedians like Adam Ferrara, Ryan Hamilton and the 2015 winner of “America’s Got Talent,” ventriloquist Paul Zerdin. 

The season also includes performances by psychic medium Matt Fraser, comedic clairvoyant Peter Antoniou, the Magic of Rob Lake and and thrillers like the 360 ALLSTARS, which is a high-octane urban circus that blends breakdancing, basketball, BMX and beatboxing. 

The holiday classics will return, along with new events such as Reel Stories: AANHPI Voices in Film – a one-day film festival celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander narratives.  

Tickets for the season are on sale to Parker Arts members now. They go on sale to the public on July 22. 

Find more information at ParkerArts.org or call 303-805-6800. 

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Castle Rock’s annual Summer Concert Series is back in full swing, drawing crowds to Philip S. Miller Park with a lineup that covers everything from chart-toppers to local favorites.

This year’s series features national acts like Sugar Ray and Gavin DeGraw, alongside local openers and themed tribute nights — including a collaboration between the Denver Pops Orchestra and yacht-rock cover band Yachty Got Back on Labor Day weekend. The first concert of the season, headlined by Sugar Ray, kicked off the series in June.

“We started curating this lineup last fall,” said Erika Alsobrook, special events supervisor for the Town of Castle Rock. “Each of the five concerts has its own heartbeat and rhythm. That’s one of my favorite things about this series — each show stands alone, but they all come together to make something really special.”

Alsobrook said community input plays a big role in shaping the series. At the end of each season, the town sends out surveys asking residents what genres and artists they’d like to see next year.

“That feedback helps us learn what the community wants,” she said. “Sometimes someone mentions a local band they saw at a bar, and even if we don’t book that exact artist, it sparks ideas and conversations. It really is a community-driven lineup.”

The concerts typically draw between 1,500 and 1,800 people each, with a venue capacity of 2,200.

“We always see a spike in ticket sales when the lineup drops,” Alsobrook said. “And then it builds again the week of the show as people start making plans.”

Tickets are sold in tiers — general admission on the elevated lawn, mid-level orchestra seats and front-row patio box seating with tables and bar service.

“No matter where you’re sitting, you’re close to the stage,” Alsobrook said. “The lawn’s one of my favorite GA setups in the state — great sound, a full view of the lights and backdrop, and that signature Castle Rock skyline behind it.”

The event is designed to be family-friendly, and has ADA seating available and golf cart transport from parking to the venue. 

“We absolutely love when families come out together,” Alsobrook said. “One of my favorite moments was seeing a little boy yell ‘I know that guy!’ when Sugar Ray’s opener, Dylan Cotrone, walked by.”

Organizers also prioritize a wide mix of genres each year.

“Country plays really well here,” said Castle Rock program specialist Lisa Sorbo. “But we try to always include a top-40 artist … that really helps make the whole series a really fun experience for people, because you’ve just got this broad array of music.”

This year, the town partnered with iHeartMedia and uses social media, local promotions and even a massive LED screen at the outlet mall to get the word out. The event draws people from Denver and all over the Front Range, including Fort Collins, Boulder and Colorado Springs.

“It’s a more intimate venue, and I think that draws folks in,” Alsobrook said. 

The concert series is part of Castle Rock’s broader strategy to invest in community-driven events that support local businesses and showcase what the town has to offer.

“It’s about more than just a show,” Alsobrook said. “People grab dinner downtown, they explore the area — and for some, it’s their first visit to Castle Rock.”

This year marks the ninth season of the series and the 10th year since Philip S. Miller Park opened.

“There’s a lot of optimism about where the series can grow from here,” Alsobrook said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go online to crgov.com/Summer-Concert-Series.

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To cap an extravagant Fourth of July weekend on the diamond, the Colorado Rockies went all out to celebrate local veterans and military members with a parade on July 6.

It was the finale of a packed weekend of promotions, including back-to-back fireworks shows following the first two games against the Chicago White Sox on July 4 and 5.

Despite losing the first two series games by a combined score of 13-5, the Rockies rallied on Sunday to win 6-4 in front of the home crowd. In the face of a brutal season, Colorado fans arrived in droves to root on their local team and enjoy some holiday festivities.

Plus, the weather cooperated to make for a beautiful long weekend.

The Military Appreciation game on Sunday was opened by a parade around the outfield honoring past and present military members. Players shook hands with veterans in gratitude and reverence as everyone took a momentary step back from sports.

There was also a pregame salute from multiple military branches, a national anthem performance by a veteran in uniform and an on-field presentation of an enormous American flag.

Master Sergeant Christopher Nemeir was honored as the Hero of the Game.

In a back-and-forth game full of explosive innings, home runs from Michael Toglia and Mickey Moniak helped push Colorado over the edge to end the homestand with a win. Moniak also had a triple and an RBI double in the game, carrying the Rockies to a victory.

Catcher Hunter Goodman was also announced as a 2025 MLB All-Star, as fans celebrated the news on the jumbotron during the game.

Though the Rockies are a lowly 21-70 (as of July 8), Colorado fans knew there was no place they’d rather be on the Fourth of July than Coors Field.

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Charles Lamb wanted to expand a natural spring on his land to create a stock pond for his animals. In 1960, when he started digging in northwestern Douglas County, his efforts were stalled by a discovery 13,000 years in the making: mammoth bones.

Lamb knew the discovery was out of his league, so he quickly contacted the United States Geological Survey, who confirmed his discovery. Lamb had found the tusk of a Columbian mammoth. 

Shortly after, archaeologists from the Smithsonian traveled to Lamb Spring to excavate the site, finding the remains of at least five mammoths that came to the spring at the end of the last Ice Age. 

Now, after excavations in the 1960s, 1980s and 2000s, Lamb Spring has quieted down. The site is empty most days, except for their monthly tours, or when Cameron Randolph — co-chairperson of the Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve Board of Directors — goes out to mow in preparation of visitors. 

Each month, typically on the first Saturday of the month, LSAP offers tours. At 9 a.m., Randolph and some volunteers lead visitors on a quarter-mile walk through the area, past a big depression in the land where the spring once was, to the site where the archeological excavations occurred. 

At Lamb Spring, now in the Sterling Ranch area, excavations have occurred on a somewhat timely schedule. About each 20 years the land is dug up, unearthing new discoveries each time. 

In the 1960s, along with the mammoth bones, archeologists found worked flint chips — a sign of human activity in the late Ice Age. During this excavation, they also discovered that the site had two layers. One from the Ice Age, roughly 15,000 years ago, which is referred to as Unit 1, and one from roughly 10,000 years ago, filled with evidence of human hunting, which is referred to as Unit 2. 

In the 1980s, excavation focused mainly on the older, Unit 1 layer. A full, juvenile mammoth skull was excavated, then reburied. In the newer, Unit 2 layer, more evidence of human hunting and bison bones were uncovered.

In the 2000s, the mammoth skull that had been reburied was once again uncovered. The skull was taken to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where it was exhibited, stabilized and cast. The cast of the skull was brought back to Lamb Spring, while the skull itself is in storage with DMNS.

Bones from Lamb Spring are fragile — while they may seem old, compared to some archeological discoveries, they’re young. 

“If you dig up a dinosaur bone, it’s going to be fossilized,” said Randolph, “These are not fossilized entirely. They’re kind of in a state of fossilization. But they’re closer to bone.”

The mammoth remains’ fragility is where the cast comes in. Much sturdier, the cast is able to live at the spring year-round, offering visitors a glimpse into what lies beneath their feet. 

The layers at Lamb Spring have etched two histories into the site. One of the late Ice Age, with mammoths — and possibly humans — walking the land. Another 5,000 years later of humans surviving by hunting bison.

During LSAP’s tours, docents try to bring visitors back to those times, imagining what life would have been like in Colorado for the humans and animals found in the spring. Visitors even get hands-on experience by throwing an atlatl, an early throwing spear that would have been used for hunting. 

Looking out from Lamb Spring, in the distance, Randolph can see Lockheed Martin. He says that on tour days, the building reminds him why the site still matters.

“Lockheed Martin is trying to define what the future looks like, and we’re actively trying to describe what the past looks like,” Randolph says. “I think it’s kind of important to talk about where we’ve been, while they’re talking about where we’re going.”

Randolph thinks that learning from the past can also help people prepare for the future. 

“We try to stress the idea that you can learn from the past,” he says, “that there’s things we can be doing, and there’s things that we should be doing to protect nature. It shows how valuable some of those natural resources that we have are.”

More information on tours can be found at https://www.lambspring.org/free-tours/. Upcoming tour dates are July 5, Aug. 2, Sept. 6, Oct. 11. Tours start at 9 a.m. and typically conclude by noon.

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Commerce City’s 4^th Fest with the Colorado Rapids lays claim to be “one of Colorado’s largest professional fireworks shows,” say local officials.

One of the region’s “largest fireworks displays” will be in Brighton’s Carmichael Park, boasts Brighton leaders.  

And in Thornton, people will also enjoy “one of the best fireworks shows in the metro area,” says the city.

A community’s claim to having the best Fourth of July fireworks displays is always dubious and can be debated until the last rocket has fizzled and dropped to the ground. Still, hometown pride about Westminster’s fireworks show can be backed by the audiences it always draws and undisputable facts, said Aric Otzelberger, the city’s parks, recreation and libraries director.

All the proof you need is displayed on the city’s website. “The City is known for having the best fireworks display in the north metro area, with a full 20 minutes of professionally choreographed fireworks that dazzle guests each year at City Park.”

Fire works display in Westminster

Otzelberger brushes aside the notion that Westminster is seriously flaunting the prowess of its fireworks shows and comparing them to other local municipalities.

“It’s all friendly competition, it’s all in good fun,” Otzelberger said. “But we are Bestminster for a reason.”

Much of the credit goes to city staff who help put on events prior to the 9:15 p.m. fireworks show at City Park. “We have the full package here, we have events for just about anybody to enjoy, leading up to the fireworks,” Otzelberger said.  

That includes the annual Uncle Sam Splash Bash at Countryside Pool earlier in the day followed by food and drink vendors, activities for kids and plenty of live bands at City Park, Otzelberger said.

Last year, Westminster’s Fourth of July party drew over 12,000 people, according to the city.

The Westminster Fire Department monitors the $15,000 fireworks eruption, which will once again be handled by Zambelli Fireworks, which started over 130 years ago in Italy and is now based in Pennsylvania.

“To maintain our consistency, we have worked with the same vendor since 2021,” Otzelberger said. “Zambelli does a wonderful job with its production, and we have been able to draw some great sponsors. And with Zambelli, our special events team has always come up with something new each year.”

“Our grand finale is always at a different level,” he added.

A Zambelli Fireworks production “is a complete sensory experience unlike anything else,” the company says on its website. Its displays include a variety of shells and high-intensity multi-shot devices that awe and inspire, the company states.

Besides Westminster, Zambelli puts on several shows across the country, including Thunder Over Louisville, which kicks off the Kentucky Derby, and the Ford Fireworks show in Detroit, according to the company.

Zambelli Fireworks’ “Cosmic Connections” production led to it being crowned Festival Grand Champion at the 2024 GlobalFest International Fireworks Competition in Calgary, Alberta.

“They are known for their creativity, and we happy we have them for our show in Westminster,” Otzelberger said.

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With temperatures hitting 90 degrees and with the creek open to tubing and swimming, it’s no wonder that everyone and their dog flocked to Golden’s section of Clear Creek for the June 28-29 weekend.

After a two-week closure, city and county officials reopened Clear Creek to tubing and swimming on June 24, as water levels and speeds dropped. This effectively kicked off Golden’s tubing season, as the corridor sees thousands of tubers throughout the summer.

Many took advantage of it on June 28, as tubers, kayakers, riverboarders, rafters, swimmers and others enjoyed a hot afternoon on the creek.

City of Golden ambassadors remarked how, while June 28 was certainly busy, the corridor sees much bigger crowds later in the summer. They attributed the smaller crowds to the yellow-flag conditions, which cautions against children recreating in the water.

Yellow-flag conditions also can be hazardous, and adults are recommended to wear helmets and life jackets, and to proceed with caution, they said. There have been a few rescues and other dangerous situations since the creek reopened to tubing on June 24, they explained.

Along the Clear Creek Trail between U.S. Highway 6 and Vanover Park, there were dozens of people floating along the creek. Many were wearing protective equipment; others were not. Some flipped out of their tubes as they were going down a rapid but managed to regroup. Most of them seemed to be enjoying themselves.

At Vanover Park, though, there were still plenty of smiles and laughs, but others were processing and recovering from their experiences.

One rafter said he got tossed out and smacked into a rock, and describing how his adrenaline kicked in during the experience and was just starting to wear off.

Among the tubers, Brad Meyer said he’d lost feeling in his toes because the water was so cold, and couple Brandi Scarboro and Scott Kerner were also recovering from the extra-cold water by basking in the sun. Then, Geneva Espinoza and Shannon Lawrence had scrapes on their shins and cuts on their toes from where they ran into rocks.

Overall, the tubers said they had fun but recommended caution.

Espinoza and Lawrence specifically encouraged people to rent life jackets, as they did, even though they brought their own innertube. They also wished they could’ve rented a paddle to better steer themselves away from the rocks and other hazards.

Espinoza said she probably wouldn’t go tubing on Clear Creek again, but Lawrence was more open to it. They both described how “if it wasn’t for the rocks, it would’ve been fine.”

‘A fun, free thing to do’

Meyer, who was visiting from Texas, and Jay Sheridan from Virginia were first-time tubers on Clear Creek. The two said they were in town for the Metallica concert and were looking for things to do. Sheridan’s cousin who lives in Longmont said they could go tubing, and recommended Golden over Boulder.

Sheridan and Meyer rented tubes at Adventure West and took the shuttle up to Clear Creek Canyon Park, and then rode their tubes down to Vanover one time. Sheridan said he’d be willing to do a second trip, but Meyer said he wanted to get feeling back in his toes first.

Despite the cold water, they felt the experience was “smooth” and “well-organized.” They said they felt safe and well-informed before their tubing adventure.

Meanwhile, Scarboro and Kerner were veteran tubers, who’ve been visiting Clear Creek for four and two seasons, respectively. They typically go tubing four or five times a season, taking roughly three trips down the creek for each visit. They said they recently bought their own tube to use in Golden and other tubing destinations.

They’d been checking the flag restrictions on Clear Creek and, when they saw tubing was allowed, they were excited to kick off their tubing season.

“It’s a fun, free thing to do,” Scarboro said, “and there aren’t many of those around.”

Scarboro and Kerner remarked how, while Clear Creek is usually quite cold because it’s snowmelt, the water seemed “super-cold” on June 28. The two normally like getting flipped out of their tube while going down the rapids, but the water temperature dampened the experience this time.

They also recommended life jackets, especially if people aren’t experienced with colder water, and said the ambassador information stands are also a good resource for newcomers.

For Lakewood’s Ben Cohen, considering it was the first summer weekend when tubing and swimming was allowed, he said, “It’s nice to see such a big turnout.” While he and his friends floated down Clear Creek in inflatable rafts, he noted how there were dozens of people along the creek cheering on and supporting the tubers.

Overall, he felt like Golden was very friendly to tubers and water sports in general.

Cohen anticipated he and his friends would return to Golden in the coming weeks, saying they’d be monitoring the water speeds and conditions to identify the best time to go rafting.

“Any time it’s over 400 (cubic feet per second), that’s a good time to come out,” he said.

Click through additional photos of Clear Creek on June 28:

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Even before engaged couple Annie Wilcox and Christian Parker moved to Golden, they heard about the annual Summer Jam fundraiser from their friends’ parents.

Golden Civic Foundation hosts bands and food trucks at the Colorado Railroad Museum for a summertime celebration. Wilcox and Parker said they like trains and live music, so they thought they’d check it out.

They had so much fun that they’ve now been to four or five Summer Jams in a row, they said at this year’s event.

Wilcox and Parker said attending and supporting Summer Jam also means more now that they live in Golden, describing how they love supporting the community and visiting with their neighbors.

And that’s exactly what organizers from the Golden Civic Foundation were hoping for.

“It’s everything we love about Golden,” GCF Board President Joel Christman said of the annual Summer Jam. “Local, music and friends.”

Trains and rain

On June 25, more than 600 people spent their partly rainy evening on the Colorado Railroad Museum campus, drinking beer, listening to local bands jam out and taking rides on the train. As an added thrill, many of those rides were interrupted by a gang of train robbers – performers from the Miners Alley Performing Arts.

Christman and other organizers confirmed the eighth annual Summer Jam had record ticket sales, which on its own raised $12,000 for its community grant program.

Last month, GCF awarded almost $125,000 to 47 local nonprofits and causes for its 2025 grant cycle.

It is now fundraising for the 2026 grant cycle, which Summer Jam helped with.

Christman and new Executive Director Catherine Withers explained how GCF has received more and bigger grant requests in recent years, with Christman saying, “There’s more need for our grants than we’re able to fund.”

GCF tries to fund at least a portion of every grant application, which is why Summer Jam and the fall gala — GCF’s two big fundraisers — are so important, he continued.

“The more we get people involved (at these fundraisers), the more it helps go back into the Golden community,” Christman said.

‘Local, music and friends’

One way of doing that is by bringing in new attendees, like Golden’s Annelise Loevlie and her family.

Loevlie said she and her family members hadn’t been to Summer Jam before, but heard about it through their friends in the Rapidgrass band, who played at the June 25 event.

However, Loevlie said they’d be willing to come back, either to Summer Jam or the Colorado Railroad Museum in general. Her family loves the trains, so the Colorado Railroad Museum was the perfect venue, she added.

Loevlie said she knew the event was a fundraiser but didn’t know much about what it supported. Even still, Summer Jam was a lot of fun, she continued, as it’s at a good time of the evening for families, and the beer and music were excellent.

Christman and Withers thanked all the community sponsors who helped make the June 25 event happen and all the companies and organizations that provided food, beer, bike parking, “train robbers” and more.

In addition to fundraising for local causes, Christman and Withers also emphasized how Summer Jam was about strengthening community connections and celebrating together, which Withers said GCF does year-round through other endeavors.

She encouraged people to stop by GCF’s new headquarters inside the Golden Welcome Center, to visit the website and to support the Oct. 18 fall gala.

For more information, visit goldencivicfoundation.org.

Click through additional photos from the June 25 event here:

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Along Colorado’s Front Range in the summer, anglers of all levels gear up to fish in creeks and streams. The area around Littleton offers a variety of lakes and reservoirs teeming with fish. With a few tips from local experts, anyone can fish in the city this summer.

Local fly shop Anglers All has been serving the Littleton fishing community for 71 years and has become a staple for anglers of all skills. Blake Katchur has been working as an e-commerce manager at the shop since 2015 but has been a customer of Anglers All since childhood.

Katchur has traveled across the world to fly fish. One of his favorite spots is in southern Chile. 

“A lot of people that might start fly fishing here in Colorado and learn how to trout-fish and become more passionate and advance their skills often dream of fishing for trout in South America or transitioning to saltwater fishing,” Katchur said. “It’s a lot like if you’re a dedicated skier, you dream of skiing in Japan or skiing in the Alps of Europe. The progression is similar.”

While fly fishing and general fishing, also known as spin and bait fishing, are not the same — fly fishing uses lightweight artificial flies and specialized casting techniques to mimic insects for fish, while spin fishing relies on heavier lures or bait and simpler casting, according to Katchur — both can fish in the same areas.

“Another big difference between traditional fishing and fly fishing is that the fly, or the lure, is so lightweight that you’re casting the fly line and the fly follows. Whereas with a traditional spin fishing or fishing with even with a bobber and a worm, the weight is in the worm or the bobber and you cast that and the line follows. So, the casting stroke is a lot different,” Katchur said.

Popular fishing spots near Littleton

• Chatfield Reservoir: One of the largest and most popular fishing locations near Littleton, Chatfield Reservoir spans 1,389 acres and is renowned for its healthy populations of largemouth bass, walleye, and rainbow trout. The reservoir also supports smallmouth bass and common carp. The South Platte River below Chatfield Reservoir is a notable spot for fly fishing, especially in the spring and summer.
• South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center: Equipped with a fishing pier and five fishable lakes, the South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center is populated with small-mouth bass and trout.
• Grasmere Lake: Known for largemouth bass, this private lake attracts anglers looking for a peaceful fishing experience close to town.
• Clear Creek Reservoir, McLellan Reservoir, Johnson Reservoir, Marston Lake, Harriman Lake, Ward Reservoir, and Hine Lake: These lakes, all within a short drive of Littleton, offer a range of fishing experiences and species, including trout, bass, and panfish.

The most common fish around Littleton are warm-water fish like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, common carp and walleye. Rainbow trout is also popular but tends to populate cooler-temperature waters.

Fishing tips

For those who are new to fishing this summer, Katchur advises the following:

• Timing: Depending on the species, fishing is often best during a warm and bright day, as some fish tend to feed more actively during daylight hours. However, for trout, Katchur said, fishing might be best to do in the mornings or evenings when temperatures have cooled down.
• Resources: Littleton is home to several fly shops, including Anglers All, which can provide local insight and basic beginner gear and even hosts courses throughout the summer. 
• Keep it simple: “Let your nearest fly shop help you focus on some select flies and fish one fly at a time and work on your basics of casting and knots,” Katchur said.

In addition to nailing the basics, Katchur also said ensuring that fishers have the appropriate fishing license and abide by local regulations is most important, as fishing rules can vary by lake and species.

“Don’t be afraid to come in and ask a lot of questions, we’re here to help and we’re excited to get people out fishing,” Katchur said.

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