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 .
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.
Atmospheric research lab | 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. and 1 p.m. with puppets, stories, activities and outdoor exploration. (There will be no programs on Nov. 26, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31). 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
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.
Mineral sale/open house | The annual winter open house and half-price mineral sale will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at David Bunk Minerals, 1441 W. 46th Ave., Unit No. 8, Denver. Info: 303-477-6897 or .
MONDAY
Guided hike | Park volunteer Donna Becker will lead a free, hour-long hike along the Siamese Twins Trail at Garden of the Gods. The hike will feature references to the ecology, history and geology in the Garden. Meet at 2 p.m. in Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and take water, sunscreen and a hat. Info: 719-634-6666.
USGS Map Store sale | From Dec. 7 to Dec. 11, USGS Map Sales is offering 15 percent off all items in the store. The USGS Map Sales room is in Building 810, Denver Federal Center, Lakewood. (Enter from the Main Gate, Gate No. 1, off Kipling Street between 6th Avenue and Alameda Avenue). The store is fun by the Rocky Mountain Nature Association and sells field guides, Colorado nature and history books, calendars, CDs, Audubon stuffed birds, National Geographic maps, road atlases and USGS maps. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays only. Also available through Dec. 25 are free bundles of “government surplus” topographic maps that can be used as gift-wrapping paper. Info: 303-202-4675.
Bald eagle viewing/talk | A Naturalist will give a free talk about bald eagles and lead a walk along a paved trail to a viewing area where participants can view bald eagles. The talk will be at 4 p.m. at Fossil Creek Regional Open Space, located off Highway 392, west of the Windsor/I-25 interchange. The program will be cancelled in the event of snow, high winds or poor visibility due to fog. Info: 970-679-4561.
TUESDAY
Boulder Green | Building Guild Residential Brown Bag Series program “Passive House (Passivhaus),” will be at 11:30 a.m. in the REI Community Room, 1789 28th St., Boulder. Take a sack lunch if desired. Cost is free for BGBG members, $20 for non-members. Register: .
Bison talk | Park volunteer Bette Lamore will give a free lecture on bison, “Buffalo Ghosts,” at noon in the Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Register: 719-219-0108.
Renewable energy program | “Developing Global Climate Scenarios with Integrated Models,” will be at noon at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden. Take a sack lunch if desired. Register: 303-384-6565.
WEDNESDAY
Wildlife walk | Park naturalist Bret Tennis will lead a free wildlife walk in search of migrating species and year-round inhabitants among the animals that share the Garden. Meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Red Rocks Room of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and take water, sunscreen a jacket and a hat. Register: 719-219-0108.
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.
Bald eagle viewing/talk | A Naturalist will give a free talk about bald eagles and lead a walk along a paved trail to a viewing area where participants can view bald eagles. The talk will be at 4 p.m. at Fossil Creek Regional Open Space, located off Highway 392, west of the Windsor/I-25 interchange. The program will be cancelled in the event of snow, high winds or poor visibility due to fog. Info: 970-679-4561.
THURSDAY
Asian dinosaurs/plants program | “Sandstorms to Snow Leopards: The Cretaceous Tourist in Mongolia” a program by Kirk Johnson, Chief Curator and Vice President, research and Collections Division, will be at 7 p.m. in the Ricketson Auditorium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Johnson will discuss his 1997 journey to remote areas of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert in search of fossil plant from the time of the dinosaurs. Cost is $12 members, $15 nonmembers. Info: or 303-322-7009.
Renewable energy program | “NREL’s Big Green Building,” will be at noon at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden. Take a sack lunch if desired. Register: 303-384-6565.
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.
Gem and mineral show | The Flatirons Gem and Mineral Show will be Dec. 11-13 at Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 11, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Info: .
SATURDAY
Author book signing | Five local authors will introduce their featured books, followed by book signing, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Visitor Center in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Authors/books include: “Colorado’s Newest and Best Wildflower Hikes” and “100 Best Denver Area Day Hikes,” by Pam Irwin; “Colorado Mountain Passes,” by Rick Spitzer; “Colorado Scenic Byways,” and “Colorado Less Traveled: Journeys Off the Beaten Path,” by Jim Steinberg; “The Guide to Colorado Birds,” and “Land of Grass and Sky: A Naturalist Prairie Journey,” by Marty Taylor Young and “Colorado State Parks and Natural Areas,” by Frank Weston. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
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Park open house | Cherry Creek State Park, 4201 S. Parker Road, is having its annual holiday open house event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the park’s campground registration building on the east side of the park. There will be free refreshments, kids’ crafts and holiday shopping with a discount. Info: 303-690-1166.
Guided bird walk | Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch is offering a free guided birdwalk at 8:30 a.m. at Ponderosa Preserve. For ages 10 and over, this program is open to birders of all ability levels. Directions to Ponderosa Preserve will be given upon registration: Register/info: 303-739-2428.
Kids science program | “Bangs and Whispers: Physics of Sounds and Music,” a free program by University of Colorado, Boulder Professor Steve Pollock, will be at 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics room G1B30 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 .
Holiday evening | Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, at the entrance to Garden of the Gods off of 30th Street in Colorado Springs, is having a holiday evening event from 4 to 8 p.m. The event features jingle-bell wagon rides, old-time musical entertainment, lantern light tours to the 1860’s homestead cabin, blacksmithing demonstrations, a barn dance and a bonfire to roast marshmallows. There will be Victorian celebrations in the 1880’s Rock Ledge House, Edwardian festivities in the 1907 Orchard House and Saint Nickolas will be visiting the children in the Carriage House. Cost is $6 adults, $4 seniors and teens, $2 for kids 12 and under. Info: 719-578-6986.
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.
