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:

The post Prey Tell: Families learn about raptors at Jeffco Public Library’s Talon Talk appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

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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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.

The post Lamb Spring site is portal to last Ice Age appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

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:

The post It’s Tubin’ Time: Creek users navigate rocky conditions, icy waters as Golden’s tubing season begins appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

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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When it comes to Fourth of July celebrations, there’s a cathartic feeling one gets when they take part in local barbeque, games and activities. However, others may want to explore what other towns or cities have to offer. 

To help plan out an exciting and memorable day, there are numerous ways for families, teens and adults to celebrate Independence Day all day long across Douglas County. 

Castle Rock

One of Castle Rock’s most exciting free summer events, First Fridays, just so happens to fall on the Fourth of July this year. 

Starting at 3 p.m. at Festival Park, there will be a 5K for the entire family. 

Once the workout is complete, reward yourself with some tasty food and beverages from various food trucks, then have some fun exploring activities and games. 

And if you’re a fan of old-school country and rock n’ roll, then stick around, because at 6 p.m., Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts will be taking the stage. 

Fireworks are set to start when night falls,  between 9-9:30 p.m. Starting with a three-shot salute, the 15-minute show will shoot off from the former Acme Brick facility on Prairie Hawk Drive. 

Other viewing areas include Metzler Ranch Community Park, Miller Activity Complex, areas of the Red Hawk neighborhood and Rock Park. 

For weather updates, check facebook.com/crgov. 

Highlands Ranch

One of the earliest celebrations in the county kicks off at 7:30 a.m. in Highlands Ranch with the annual Independence Day 5K. 

It doesn’t matter if you are an elite runner or just like to take a casual jog, the 5K is for everyone – including children and furry friends. 

Starting on Dorchester Street, the course takes participants north to Plaza Drive and back to Town Center South via Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway before coming back to Dorchester Street. 

Along the way, if you spot a hidden red, white and blue kettlebell and bring it to the finish line, you are eligible to win $100. The lucky kettlebell locator won’t be the only winner – medals will be awarded for the top three participants in various age categories. 

For those returning to the race or giving it a try for the first time, register at runsignup.com/Race/CO/Littleton/HRCAIndependenceDay5KCO. 

Also happening in Town Center is the annual Fourth of July Parade along Highlands Ranch Parkway. Take your place between Hepburn Street and Ridgeline Boulevard early because starting at 8:45 a.m., the parade will begin with a pet and bike precession before the official parade begins.

Throughout the day, all four recreation facilities will remain open until 5 p.m. because starting at 6 p.m., Highland Heritage Park becomes a celebration hub. 

Parking is limited, therefore, the Highlands Ranch Community Association and Metro District recommend people walk, bike or carpool to the park. Carpool lots will be located at Eastridge and Southridge recreation centers. 

In addition to music, games and activities across the fields, residents can pack a picnic or purchase a dinner from a selection of food trucks. Grills and on-site cooking are not allowed in the park. 

The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. 

Due to the firework production, visitors will not be allowed in the park from 9 p.m. July 3 until 8 a.m. July 4. Visitors will also not be allowed in the park on July 5. 

Stay updated on the events at facebook.com/HighlandsRanchCommunityAssociation. 

Lone Tree

Star in your own Fourth of July Parade in Lone Tree’s Family Fun Ride & Stroll. Families are invited to bring their bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers and even unicycles to Lone Tree Elementary at 9 a.m. to decorate their rides before taking a one-mile trek along Willow Creek Trail to Prairie Sky Park. 

Families can decorate beforehand but decorating kits will be available. The city also asks that families with children under the age of 6 have an adult accompanying them. 

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Prairie Sky Park will be closed for the Fun in the Park event. 

But, get your blankets, camping chairs, coolers and outdoor games ready because the park will be back open to the public at 6 p.m. for the Party in the Park event, which will include a variety of live music and games. 

From Kona Ice and Polar Bros Nitro Ice Cream to Billy’s Gourmet Hot Dogs and Philly on the Go, there will also be a wide range of food trucks available. 

A Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Gypsy Dreams, will perform at 8 p.m., before the firework show begins at approximately 9:30 p.m.  

Other firework viewing areas include Lone Tree Elementary, Lone Tree Arts Center, Promenade Park, Belvedere Park and Lincoln Commons Open Space. 

Shuttle services will be provided by the Lone Tree Link from 6-10:30 p.m. Pick up locations will be at The Hub and the Lone Tree Arts Center. During this time, those using Link on Demand will not need to use the app as the shuttle will run continuously.

Stay up to date on weather cancellations at facebook.com/CityofLoneTreeCO. 

Parker

The 18-minute fireworks show in Parker will launch at 9:30 p.m. north of Salisbury Park.

Limited parking is available at Salisbury Park. The larger grass lots, which have been used for parking in previous years, will not be available this year for parking. Additionally, parking will not be allowed along the side of major roadways such as Hess Road, Mainstreet or Parker Road. 

Other viewing sites around Parker include Bar CCC Park, McCabe Meadows, Stroh Soccer Field, Tallman Meadow Park and the Cherry Creek Trail 

Stay up to date about the show at facebook.com/TownofParkerCO. 

Sterling Ranch

Over at Prospect Park in Sterling Ranch is the community’s annual Stars and Stripes Celebration.

The celebration starts with a bike parade at 6 p.m., followed by a two-hour performance by Brain Hornbuckle Band.

Guests will be able to pick from a variety of food trucks, including Philly on the Go, M&M Western Grill, Big Belly Bros and Capo’s Pizza.

But the most exciting part of the evening will be when the sun sets and a beautiful firework show will light up the Chatfield Basin.

For updates, sterlingranchcab.com.

The post Fourth of July celebrations to take place across Douglas County appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

At Golden Community Center’s new yoga class, “child’s pose” could be renamed “kid’s pose.”

On June 22, the community center partnered with Conifer-based Guided Goat Hikes to host a baby goat yoga class.

About 25 humans and 15 young goats — or kids — gathered in an enclosed area on the Lions Park grass, just outside the community center. The kids were a few weeks to a few months old, according to yoga instructor Patricia Bruce from Guided Goat Hikes.

She said the community center would host baby goat yoga classes again on July 27, Aug. 24 and Sept. 21. Each class is $35 for members or $40 for non-members.

The yogis said the June 22 class was tons of fun, saying there was plenty of time to pet and cuddle with the goats during and after the class.

Suzie Kern and John Useller said they were more interested in meeting the goats than doing yoga, with Useller explaining how he likes it when a yoga class has a theme or unique draw.

Overall, they added how it was “cute” and “different,” and “perfect for a Sunday morning.”

Erin Oliver and David Hanson, who want to buy their own goats one day, said they signed up because they thought it’d be a fun way to interact with them. While it wasn’t as intense as a usual yoga class, they said they “made up for it in goat cuddles.”

Suzanne Davey felt likewise, saying, “I didn’t think (the goats) would be as interactive as they were.”

She recommended other people try it for themselves later this summer, saying it was an “amazing” experience.

For more information about the classes, including sign-up information, visit the City of Golden website or guidedgoathikes.com/baby-goat-yoga.

Click through additional photos from the June 22 class:

The post Just Kidding Around: Goldenites enjoy new baby goat yoga class appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

The Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum launched its brand-new 2theXtreme exhibit on June 1, offering an exciting new learning experience for kids and families seeking fun and educational activities this summer.

This innovative exhibit, developed by Evergreen Exhibits, highlights the vital role math plays in our everyday lives, providing an interactive experience where children can discover just how much math shapes the world around them.

“The whole idea is to show how math is a part of your life,” said Stewart Bailey, the exhibit’s curator. “The exhibit uses all sorts of fun, interactive activities to get this across. There are different themed areas, including sports, robotics, the environment, computer-related games, music, fashion and architecture.”

Children can expect to learn tons of exciting information, like how to make skateboards or snowboards perform faster using math, the mathematics behind Mars Rovers, and even the math behind predicting weather patterns to create their own reports.

Bailey also mentioned that there is a part of the exhibit called Style Revolution, which takes a 360-degree photo of you, which you can email to yourself as a free souvenir. According to the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan, where this exhibit was last seen, the 360-degree photo was a big hit for their visitors. 

There’s another area called Pedaling to the Peak that is all about bicycling, showing you a graph of your performance. 

However, if sports or things that have to do with the outdoors aren’t within your interest, rest assured, as this exhibit also highlights how math is involved with the arts. Bailey mentioned that visitors can expect to see a gigantic interactive musical instrument structure that demonstrates how math interacts with music. 

With such a wide variety of themes, every child will have an opportunity to see how math influences the things they already love. The exhibit features over 40 interactive, real-world math elements to explore, ensuring that every visitor, regardless of their interest in math, will find something to spark their curiosity.

The 2theXtreme exhibit is included with general admission to the museum and will be open until Sept. 7. Buy tickets online at www.wingsmuseum.org.

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Goldenites love art across all media and forms, from painting and sculpture to music and other performing arts.

And somehow, Foothills Art Center manages to encapsulate that love in seven days with ARTSWEEK GOLDEN.

For the seventh year in a row, FAC, its partners and the greater Golden community gathered June 16-22 to celebrate various artists and media.

FAC hosted some events at its campuses, while partner businesses like Golden City Brewery and Goosetown Station hosted others. For instance, on June 18, the Golden Mill hosted its fourth annual show of Circus Foundry aerialists and acrobats. The event also doubled as a fundraiser for FAC.

ARTSWEEK GOLDEN wrapped up June 21-22 with a free festival at Parfet Park. The new location showcased 70 artists for everyone visiting downtown Golden and the Clear Creek corridor, and featured a first-time beer garden with local brews.

For more information on Foothills Art Center, including its campuses and ongoing exhibits, visit foothillsartcenter.org.

Click through additional photos from the June 18 Circus Foundry performance:

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