TODAY
All shook up
The Quaking Aspen
10 a.m.-noon, Caribou Ranch Open Space, 1.9 miles north of Nederland on Colorado 72, then 1.2 miles west on County Road 126. Free.
Huge stands of Boulder County aspen are just starting to go gold. Learn the how and why on an easy, 2-mile hike through conifer forests, meadows and aspen groves led by naturalists Bonnie Sheppard, Megan Bowes and Anne Stanaway. They’ll explain the natural history of the aspen, including its importance to wildlife, its varied uses, response to fire and threats to its health. Appropriate for all ages.
MORE FOR TODAY
4-8 P.M. – Highlands Wine Tasting | Wet your whistle at the third annual Highlands Wine Tasting, catch the soulful stylings of cabaret blues artist Elizabeth Rose and her three-piece trio and then wander through the art market and sample delectibles from local restaurants. $40 at the door. | Under the tents on West 32nd Avenue between Meade Street and Lowell Boulevard. | highlands-square.com
MORE FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – Call on “The Real World-Denver” | Tour loft-style digs that were home to MTV’s Real World cast this summer and meet the cast during a benefit for the Denver Art, Culture & Film Foundation. Tickets at Mattie’s House of Mirrors. $50. 6:30-9 p.m. | 1946 Market St., Denver |
THURSDAY – Freakonomics | Bestselling author Steven Levitt headlines Bixpo, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Budweiser Events Center, Loveland | Ticket information: bixpo.com
THURSDAY – What not to wear | Style maven Clinton Kelly, co-host of “What Not to Wear,” hosts a style workshop and fashion show in the women’s department at Macy’s to showcase the hottest fall fashion trends for women sizes 14W and up. 6 p.m. Free. | Macy’s Park Meadows, 8455 Park Meadows Center Drive, Littleton | 303-390-4632 for reservations
THURSDAY – Dinosaurs of Colorado’s Past | Learn about amazing life forms – and their habitats – from Colorado’s past and present. For families with kids aged 6 and up. $3 per person. 6:30-8 p.m. | Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada | arvada.org/nature or 720-898-7405
THURSDAY – Workers of the world sing! | Ellen Klaver sings songs form the early days of the labor movement and narrates the history behind the songs. 7 p.m. Free. | Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette | 720-890-8289 or 303-665-7030
THURSDAY & FRIDAY – Star charts | Instructors Matt Tearle and Adam Norris talk about the history and science of astrology, including the origins of the zodiac. 7:30 p.m. $6 adults; $5 students; $3.50 kids and seniors. | Fiske Planetarium, Regent Drive, University of Colorado campus, Boulder | fiske.colorado.edu or 303-492-5001
FRIDAY-SUNDAY – Estes Park Film Festival | Inaugural festival, benefitting the Historic Park Theater, showcases nine feature-length films and 26 short films from across the country. | Historic Park Theater, 130 Moraine Ave., Estes Park | Schedule and ticket information: sdientertainment.com
SATURDAY – The Currency of Exploration | Lane Brunner, director of Numismatic Outreach at the American Numismatic Association, explains how money affects international diplomacy in the context of the Pike Expedition into the West. 2 p.m. Free. | Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs | 719-385-5990
SATURDAY – El Grito | Steamboat Springs celebrates Mexican Independence Day with mariachi music, traditional dancing and authentic Mexican food. Benefits Comunidad Integrada, a nonprofit working to promote and support the interaction of immigrant and permanent community members. 5-8 p.m. | West Lincoln Park, Steamboat Springs
