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
Sand Creek Massacre program | “The Life and Times of Making Medicine,” a program about Making Medicine, a Cheyenne warrior and buffalo hunter who was a teenage witness to the Sand Creek Massacre, will be at 1 p.m. at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site near Eads. Info: 719-469-0543 or 719-729-3003.
TUESDAY
Boulder Green Building Guild | Residential Brown Bag Series talk “Xcel Energy Rebates: Grow Your Knowledge Grow Your Business,” will be the topic discussed at 11:30 a.m. in the in the Community Room at REI, 1789 28th St., Boulder. Take a sack lunch if desired. Cost is free for members, $20 nonmembers. Register: .
Nature art class | Naturalist Phyllis Vandehaar will lead a class teaching how to “capture the beauty of Roxborough’s buildings, landscape and foliage using a variety of techniques from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. The class will focus on watercolor and webbing. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register/info: 303-973-3959.
Buffalo program | Park Volunteer Bette Lamore will give a free lecture on bison 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.
WEDNESDAY
Guided bird walk | Naturalists Paul and Phoebe Thayer will lead a bird walk at 9 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Take water, snacks and clothing appropriate for the weather; as well as a bird book and binoculars if you have them. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Wildlife walk | Park Naturalist Bret Tennis is leading a free “wildlife walk” at 4:30 p.m. at Garden of the Gods. Meet in the Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes and sunscreen; take a jacket, hat, binoculars and drinking water. Register: 719-219-0108.
Science cafe program | Diana H. Wall, Director of the School of Global Environmental Sustainability at Colorado State University, will give a free talk, “The Dry Valleys of Antarctica: Soils and Climate Change,” will be at 6 p.m. at Dempsey’s, 160 W. Oak St. Fort Collins.
Fireside chat | “The Quest for Quarry 1,” a talk by geologist and Friends of Dinosaur Ridge board member John Ghist, will be at 7 p.m. at Dinosaur Ridge Visitors Center, 16831 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison.
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.
SATURDAY
“Ology” hike Naturalists | Lila and Peter Laux will lead a hike at 12:30 p.m. on the Fountain Valley Trail in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. They will discuss the interrelationships of geology, biology and ecology along the trail. Wear sunscreen, take drinking water and dress appropriately for the weather. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Book signing and talk | Ian Plimer, author, environmentalist and founder of Greenprint Denver, will discuss and sign her book, “How the West Was Warmed: Responding to Climate Change in the Rockies,” at 7:00 p.m. at the LoDo Tattered Cover Bookstore, 1628 16th St. Info: 303-436-1070.
Guided bird walk | American Birding Association staff will lead a bird walk and answer questions on bird identification, behavior, birding optics and equipment during a 9 a.m. hike in Garden of the Gods Park. Meet at the Park’s Visitor Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Take water, a snack and binoculars. Info: 719-219-0108.
Space Day event | “Colorado Space Day, a free, day-long event celebrating spaceflight and exploration, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Denver Chamberlain Observatory, 2930 E. Warren Ave. Activities include speakers and information tables. Info: 303-330-2888.
Kids science program | “H2O,” a free program by University of Colorado, Boulder Professor Casey Hines, will be at 9:30 a.m. in Cristol Chemistry room 140 on the CU Boulder campus. This program is geared towards students in grades 5-9; however, all ages are welcome to attend. Info: 303-492-5011 or visit .
Kids turkey program | Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs, is offering a program for kids ages 6-years and older at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center. Kids can learn about the native turkeys who live in the park, participate in hands-on interactive games and activities, and make a project to take home. Parent(s) must accompany children. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register/info: 719-576-2016.
Bighorn Sheep Festival | The Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15 in Georgetown. Trained Division of Wildlife volunteers will be on hand to help viewers locate the sheep and to give brief lessons about these majestic mammals. There will be hot cider, educational programming, crafts, activities and guided fishing at Georgetown Lake. Nov. 14 presentations include: “Wildlife of Clear Creek County,” “Camping and Hiking with Kids,” “Catching Poachers: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Protecting Colorado’s Wildlife,” “Introduction to Fly Fishing/Tying,” “Coyote Tales,” “Bighorn Sheep of Georgetown,” “Coyotes in the City: Living with Colorado Wildlife,” “Mountain Pine Beetles,” “Impacts of Climate Change on Colorado’s Wildlife,” and “Winter Bird Feeding.” Info: -6B73-421C-8202-A508D9546E2F/0/GTownBighornSheepFestival2009.pdf.
Nov. 15
Darwin program | “Meet Charles Darwin!” a live performance by re-enactor Brian “Fox” Ellis, will be at 4 p.m. in the Ricketson Auditorium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Cost is $15 members, $18 nonmembers. Info: or 303-322-7009.
Archaeology talk | “Rural Life and Death in Ancient Peru: An Update on the Archaeology of the Santa Rita B Complex,” a talk by Jonathan Kent, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Department of Anthropology, will be at 2 p.m. at the LoDo Tattered Cover Bookstore, 1628 16th St. Info: 303-436-1070.
Guided bird walk | Naturalist Doris Cruze will lead a bird walk appropriate for birders of all ability levels at 8 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Take water, snacks and clothing appropriate for the weather; as well as a bird book and binoculars if you have them. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Agriculture/history event | Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences and College of Natural Science’s 10th annual Thornton-Massa Lecture, “The Origin of the Plants on Your Plate,” by University of Nebraska Professor Steve Baenziger, will be at 2 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom on the CSU campus. Following the talk, there will be a panel of CSU experts discussing the origin of a few household foods. There will also be a reception with light appetizers showcasing the foods discussed by the panelists. Reservations: 970-941-7013.
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.
