ONGOING EVENTS |
Telescope viewing | Chamberlin Observatory, 2930 E. Warren Ave., on the University of Denver campus, has astronomy presentations and allows use of the 20-inch Alvan Clark refractor telescope beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Info: , or call 303-871-5172 for reservations.
Mining club | The Denver Mining Club is a free (except for purchase of lunch) weekly meeting each Monday except on holidays with a mining-related speaker. Meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Country Buffet Restaurant, 8100 W. Crestline Ave., Littleton. Purchase of buffet lunch is required.
River table | Visit South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s Carson Nature Center in South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive, the first Saturday of each month and manipulate a river in the 12-foot stainless steel river table. The table is filled with plastic sand and recirculating water powered by pumps that can be controlled by participants. Visitors can create a city landscape and see how natural river actions affect their creation. Naturalists are on hand from 2 to 3 p.m. the first Saturday of each month to guide individuals and families through the free, hands-on experience. Info: 303-730-1022 or .
GPS, map and compass class | On the second Friday of every month through November, there is a free USGS GPS, Map and compass class at Building 810, Federal Center, Lakewood. Class schedule is: Map and Compass from 9 to 11 a.m. and GPS from noon to 4 p.m. Info/register: 303-202-4689 or e-mail gpsworkshops@usgs.gov.
Science open house | The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, offers a free open house with hands-on science activities from 1 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month. Register: 303-739-2428.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research | NCAR’s Mesa Lab, a working research laboratory at the west end of Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, has a free visitor center that is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. The visitor center has a climate exhibit, an eclipse telescope, working supercomputers, a gravity well, and hands on demonstrations of lightning, tornados and fluid dynamics. Info: 303-497-1174 or .
Renewable energy | The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Visitors Center features an interactive exhibit hall and DOE public reading room. Info: or 303-384-6565.
Children’s workshops | The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., has many children’s workshops and events for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. For a list, call the Children’s Workshop coordinators at 303-370-8225 or 303-370-8347.
Nature programs | The Starsmore Discovery Center, at the entrance of North Cheyenne Canon at 2120 S. Cheyenne Road, has guided “wildlife tracks and signs” walks at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays on the Columbine Trail. Info: 719-385-6086.
Kids nature programs | Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, offers “Kids Hour” programs at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 29. Kids can enjoy fun activities, stories and short nature hikes. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 303-973-3959.
Kids nature programs | Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a free program for kids ages 5 and under every Thursday at 9 a.m. with puppets, stories, activities and outdoor exploration. Info: 303-739-2428 or .
Nature activities | Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a free program for Junior Rangers, “Black Canyon Wildlife Olympics,” between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at the South Rim Visitor Center. Info: 970-249-1914, ext. 423.
Nature activities | South Suburban Parks and Recreation naturalists lead many outdoor, nature and environmentally related activities and events at Carson Nature Center, 3000 W. Carson Drive, Littleton. For a list of events, visit or call 303-730-1022.
Nocturnal nature program | “Nature at Night,” a free program, is at 6:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month at Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora. Info/register: 303-739-2428.
Nature programs | The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a variety of nature programs for children and adults. For a list of events, call 303-739-2428 or visit .
Nature presentations | Garden of the Gods Park offers free daily nature presentations. For times and presentation topics, check the information kiosk at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Info: 719-634-6666.
Wildlife refuge programs | The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, East 56th Avenue at Havana Street, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. There are various exhibits at the Visitor Center, and free nature programs and refuge tours. Info: 303-289-0930 for times and reservations, or visit .
Natural history seminars | The Rocky Mountain Nature Association offers a series of outdoor seminars on natural history topics in Rocky Mountain National Park. Info: 970-586-3262 or .
Astronomy events | Fiske Planetarium, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, has a variety of astronomy shows, talks, and family matinees. The evening talks and shows are $6 adults, $5 students with valid I.D., and $3.50 for children and seniors. Saturday family shows are $5 adults, $3.50 children and seniors. Laser shows are $5. Info: 303-492-5002 or .
Public viewing at observatory | The Sommers-Bausch Observatory on the University of Colorado Boulder campus is open to the public for stargazing (weather permitting) every Friday at 8 p.m. Info: 303-492-6732 or .
Junior naturalist program | Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, offers a “junior naturalist” program for children. Kids can earn a Certificate of Completion or continue on for an official Junior Naturalist Patch. Two hikes are required for completion. Kids will use their artistic skills and gain knowledge of the outdoors in this program. Ask the Visitor Center for details. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Self-guided junior ranger program | North Cheyenne Canon Park, is offering a self-guided junior ranger program. Young rangers between the ages of 8 and 12 can earn “Steward Level” badges using Junior Ranger booklets which may be picked up from either the Starsmore Discovery Center, at the entrance of North Cheyenne Canon, 2120 S. Cheyenne Road, (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday) or at the Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center, 4075 N. Cheyenne Canon Road,(9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Sundays). Young Rangers receive a booklet, pencil, patch and certificate of completion. Cost is $5 per person. Info: 719-385-6086 or .
Junior ranger activity | Colorado National Monument in Fruita is unveiling a new Junior Ranger activity booklet for kids ages 5-12. The booklet is available at the CNM Visitor Center. Once kids have completed the required activities (usually takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours to complete), they can return to the visitor center where a park ranger reviews their work and awards them an official Junior Ranger badge and certificate. Info: 970-858-3617 or .
Kids nature program | “Animal Art and Awesome Activities,” an animal-related art and activity program for kids ages 6-10, is from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month at the Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Cost is $10/class. There is a $2 discount if registering for at least three sessions. Register: 720-898-7405.
Nature activities | Curecanti National Recreation Area, between Montrose and Gunnison on Highway 50, offers two free programs: “Saturday Night Sky Programs,” featuring astronomy when the moon is small and moonlight hikes at the Dillon Pinnacles when the moon is full or nearly so; and “Junior Ranger” programs for kids every Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Elk Creek Visitor Center. Info: 970-641-2337, ext. 205.
Kids nature program | “Nature Adventures,” a free parent/child program for kids ages 4-6 and parents, is at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Nature Center Specialist Dean Bernard tells stories and leads nature activities and games. Register: 720-898-7405.
Mineral group | The Rocky Mountain Micromineral Association, a new mineral group, will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the Colorado School of Mines Museum. The group is informal, with no dues, officers or newsletter. Microscopes and free microminerals are available at the meetings. Info: contact Richard Parsons, 303-838-8859 or Richard.parsons@att.net.
Self-guided homestead tours | Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown, has a new one-fourth-mile trail and self-guided booklet that takes visitors on a tour of Park’s old homestead and its out-buildings. The trail booklet is available at the homestead and the Visitor Center. Info: 303-688-5242.
Guided walks | Garden of the Gods Park, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, offers free daily guided walks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at the north main parking lot trail head. Take water, and wear sturdy shoes and a jacket. Info: 719-634-6666.
TODAY
Touch table programs | Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, is offering a “Trailhead Touch Tables” programs at 10 a.m. Sundays in October. Explore some of the animals of the park by touching skulls or skins, making animal tracks, viewing insects and spiders, creating a bird nest or making plant rubbing. There are different activities every week. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 719-646-1977 or 719-576-2016.
Migration hike | Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs, is offering a program, “The Great Migration Challenge Hike,” at 1 p.m. at the Day Use Trailhead. Pretend to be a migrating bird and meet the challenges involved in migrating to warmer climates in the winter. Migrate around a short trail and see if you survive to nest and have chicks. Info: 719-646-1977 or 719-576-2016.
Halloween nature program | “Trick or Treat Nature Trail,” a fun event with booths, a scavenger hunt puzzle and more, will kick off at noon at Bluff Lake at Morrison Nature Center and Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road. Info: 303-739-2428.
Archaeology talk | “Egypt as Metaphor,” a free talk by Marjorie Venit, about the fusion of Egyptian and Greek architectural elements as exhibited in the monumental tombs of Alexandria, will be at 2 p.m. in the second floor meeting room of the LoDo Tattered Cover Bookstore, 1628 16th St. Info: .
Trail maintenance event and hike | Volunteers are needed to help with trail maintenance work on the Carpenter Peak Trail, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The project involves up to 6-miles of relatively strenuous hiking. Tools and gloves will be provided. Dress for the weather, wear sunscreen, and take plenty of water and snacks. Register: 303-979-3959.
MONDAY
Guided hike | Park Volunteer Donna Becker will lead a free hike along the Siamese Twins Trail at 10 a.m. in Garden of the Gods Park. Meet in the Red Rocks Room of the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Take water, sunscreen and a hat; dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Register: 719-219-0108.
TUESDAY
Bat program | Park Volunteer Naturalist Jeanne McElderry will give a free program on brown bats in Garden of the Gods Park at noon in the Red Rocks Room of the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Register: 719-219-0108.
Human evolution program | “Human Evolution and the Myths of Origin,” a program by Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of Anthropology; Steve Holen, Curator of Archaeology; and Steve Nash, Chair and Curator of Archaeology, will be at 7 p.m. in the Ricketson Auditorium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Cost is $12 members, $15 nonmembers. Info: or 303-322-7009.
WEDNESDAY
Fireside chat | “The Quest for Quarry 1,” a talk by educator and geologist John Ghist, about his summer-long research on the Ridge and the rediscovery of Lakes’ Atlantosaurus montanus and little crocodile (Goniopholis) Quarry, opened between March 27, 1877 and July 18, 1877, will be at 7 p.m. at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitors Center, 16831. W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison.
Wildlife walk | Park naturalist Bret Tennis will lead a free wildlife walk at 4:30 p.m. in Garden of the Gods Park. Meet in the Red Rocks Room of the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes; take a jacket, hat, binoculars and water. Register: 719-219-0108.
FRIDAY
Guided nature hike | Naturalist Deb Wright will lead a strenuous 6.4-mile round trip hike up Carpenter Peak at 8:30 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Take water, snacks and clothing appropriate for the weather. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Moonlight hike | Enjoy “Creature of the Night” activities then take a hike and listen for owls and other night creatures along a hiking trail in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Campground Amphitheater. If you do not have an annual State Parks pass, take exactly $6 to purchase a daily pass at the self-serve station next to the entrance booth. Reservations/info: 719-646-1977 or 719-576-2016.
Campfire event | A free activity around the campfire, with stories, songs, games and more, will be at 6 p.m. at Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora. Register/info: 303-739-2428.
Colorado mountains talk | “Rocks Above the Clouds,” a free talk by Jack Reed, Emeritus Scientist at the US Geological Survey, will be at 7 p.m. at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center. Directions: from I-10 westbound, take exit 256 and turn right. From I-70 eastbound, use exit 254 and turn left. Then follow the brown highway signs. For ages 13-adult. Register: http://; or 720-497-7600.
Halloween nature programs | There will be Halloween nature programs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Visitor Center in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. Activities include: meeting live owls from Ellicot Wildlife Rehab Center, eating s’mores and hearing stories about nocturnal animals, kids crafts, creating a creature, and transforming cookies into nocturnal treats. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 719-646-1977 or 719-576-2016.
SATURDAY
Kids nature scavenger hunt | Naturalist Nancy Mussetter will lead a scavenger hunt for kids ages 7-12 on the Fountain Valley Trail at 9:30 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Kids will hike and search for animal clues that reveal habitat and eating habits, followed by time at the Visitor Center for hands-on experience with animal skins and skulls and to work on a project they can take home. Take water, snacks and clothing appropriate for the weather. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
“Stress buster” hike | A guided hike aimed at helping participants “forget about life’s travails,” will be at 9 a.m. in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. The hike is tailored to the group’s ability and covers 2 to 5-miles. Meet at the Visitor Center; take drinking water and wear sturdy hiking shoes and sunscreen. If you do not have an annual State Parks Pass, take exactly $6 to purchase a daily pass at the self-serve station next to the entrance booth. Info: 719-576-2016 or 719-646-1977.
Full moon owl hike | “Owloween at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space,” a naturalist-led full-moon hike in search of “spooky nocturnal critters,” will be at 5:30 p.m. at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, located west of Fort Collins off of County Road 38E. The hike is rated “easy.” Register: or call 970-679-4561.
Raptor Halloween event | Volunteers at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program are hosting an “Owl-O-Ween” event from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Environmental Learning Center in Fort Collins. Three will be live owls and vultures, a costume contest, a marshmallow roast and other events. For information or directions, call 970-482-9088.
Naturalist-led program | “The Ghosts of Roxborough,” a program by Naturalist Carl Sandberg, will be at 10 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 303-973-3959.
Naturalist-led hike | “Hike to the Homesteads,” a hike to Homestead Meadows from Hermit Park Open Space, led by Naturalist Eileen, will be at 9 a.m. in Hermit Park Open Space, south east of the Town of Estes Park off of Hwy, 36. Dress appropriately for the weather, wear sunscreen, and take a sack lunch and plenty of water. Register: or call 970-679-4561.
Nov. 1
Historic home open house | A Volunteer Naturalist will lead a tour of the historic home of Henry Persse off the Fountain Valley Trail at 2 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
To publicize upcoming science events geared toward and open to the public, mail details at least two weeks in advance to Andrea Labak, Scientifically Speaking, The Denver Post, City Desk, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202, or e-mail Scispeak@denverpost.com.
