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.
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic offers science talks, a kids nature camp, and explorer experiences for adult and families with kids ages 8 and up. Directions: upon entering Crested Butte, proceed through the 4-way-stop at the intersection at Elk Avenue and follow the highway (also called Gothic Road or County Road 317) up the mountain past the ski area and through Mount Crested Butte (4 miles). The road will change from paved to dirt as you leave Mount Crested Butte. Follow it another 4 miles into Gothic. Info: 970-349-7231 or .
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.
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.
Nature/arts seminars Rocky Mountain Nature Association offers field-based, hands-on seminars in Rocky Mountain National Park. Seminar topics include: wildflowers, mammals, birds, cultural history, outdoor skills, photography, painting and writing. There are also Summer programs for kids. Info/register: call the Field Seminar Center at 970-586-3262 or visit .
Kids animal program “Fun with Animals,” a program led by Jody Weiland teaching about a different animal each week, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in October at the Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Cost is $15 for the 4-week session; the program is geared towards kids ages 3-6 years. Register: 720-898-7405.
Nature/science programs The Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center, 200 Matthews St., Fort Collins, has many activities, programs and events for children and adults, ranging from lectures to stargazing to hands-on science labs. Also, the Museum offers free admission every third Sunday of the month. Info: or 970-221-6738.
Seedling classes for preschoolers Seedling Classes offer a hands-on way for young children (ages 3-5, with an adult) to explore the plant world with nature walks, hands-on explorations, stories and projects Wednesdays through Dec. 8 at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Cost is $10 per class for members, $12 per class for non-members. A discounted package rate is available if you register for all classes. Register/info: or 720-865-3580.
Children’s nature programs There are a variety of programs available for children at the Mordecai Children’s Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. There are free drop-in programs available every weekday; “Exploration Stations” to visit from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; “Sensory Stations” to visit from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays; and a “Stories in Action” program at 10 a.m. Thursdays. Info: or 720-865-3585.
Children’s nature/science programs The Children’s Museum of Denver, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, has several science and nature activities for kids. Super Science Sundays at 3 p.m. on Sundays gives children a chance to try their hand at chemistry by mixing up and engineering their own toothpaste. Bubble Brigade at 11 a.m. on Sundays teaches kids about pressure with an explosive science experiment. Info: 303-433-7444 or .
Plant exploration classes for kids “Plant Explorers,” a class for children ages 6-10, with each session exploring a different aspect of the plant world, with garden explorations, activities and projects to take home, will be Wednesdays through Dec. 15 at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Cost is $12 per class for members, $15 per class for non-members. Register for all classes to receive a discounted package rate. Register: or 720-865-3580.
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.
Birding trail routes on Internet The Colorado Birding Trail has expanded to the west. Colorado’s southwest region, which includes the San Luis Valley, has been incorporated into the Colorado Birding Trail website. This trail features 13 new routes and more than 200 sites that provide wildlife viewers and birders with opportunities to see unique species in some of Colorado’s most spectacular environments. Info: .
Family nature activity Twenty-five Colorado State Parks now have “Family Activity Backpacks” that can be checked out free of charge at the park visitor center or office for day use. The backpacks include: two large bug boxes, magnifiers, various guide books (covering insects, birds, wildflowers and pond or tree life depending on the park), binoculars and a nature journal. Backpacks can be found at the following state parks: Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area; Barr Lake State Park; Boyd Lake State Park; Castlewood Canyon State Park; Cheyenne Mountain State Park; Crawford State Park; Eldorado Canyon State Park; Golden Gate Canyon State Park; Highline Lake State Park; James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park; Lathrop State Park; Lake Pueblo State Park; Lory State Park; Mancos State Park; Mueller State Park; North Sterling State Park; Ridgway State Park; Rifle Gap State Park (and Rifle Falls); St. Vrain State Park; Stagecoach State Park; Steamboat Lake State Park; Sylvan Lake State Park; Trinidad Lake State Park; Vega State Park; and Yampa River State Park. Info: .
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 Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a free program, “Star K Kids,” for children ages 5 and under every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. with puppets, stories, activities and outdoor exploration. Info: 303-739-2428 or .
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, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, offers fitness walks Wednesday mornings in October. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Red Rocks Room to select a hike option. Dress for the weather; wear appropriate shoes, and take hat, water and sunscreen. Following each fitness hike is an informative “Garden Greeting” and free refreshments at the Visitor Center : 719-634-6666. Register: 719-219-0108.
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 ages 7-12 will use their artistic skills and gain knowledge of the outdoors in this program. Pick up a Junior Naturalist booklet at the visitor center. Kids must participate in at least two naturalist-led programs and complete all activities in the booklet to earn a certificate of completion and an official Junior Naturalist Patch. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Junior rangers program Rifle Falls State Park, 5775 Hwy. 325, Rifle is offering a Junior Ranger program for children ages 6-12 who want to discover the park’s wildlife, geology, ecosystems, history and environment through the eyes of a ranger. Participants can pick up a Junior Ranger activity book in the Rifle Falls campground entrance station on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Hours may vary. Participants should complete the activity book and return it to the campground entrance station to receive a signature noting completion and a Junior Ranger badge. Participants may also have their picture taken for display at the Rifle Gap Visitor center once a photo release form is signed. Info: 970-625-1607 or rifle.gap.park@state.co.us.
Junior rangers program The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a free junior rangers program for kids ages 6-12 at 1:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. Registration is required! For information or to register, call 303-739-2428.
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 .
Green Building Group discussion group “Talking Green,” a Steamboat Springs Green Building Group, meets for educational discussions at 5:30 p.m. the 4th Tuesday of every month at Harwigs/L’Apogee, 911 Lincoln Ave. Info: 970-879-7529.
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. Register: 720-898-7405.
Kids nature program Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, offers a “Kids Hour” with naturalist-led activities, geared for kids ages 2-7, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays Oct. through December. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
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. The program includes stories and nature activities, crafts, short hikes 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.
GPS, map and compass class On the second Friday of selected months (subject to staff availability), there are free USGS GPS, Map and compass classes at Building 810, Federal Center, Lakewood. Class schedule is: “Map and Compass” sessions are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and “Using GPS and Topo Maps” sessions are from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Info/register: 303-202-4689 or e-mail gpsworkshops@usgs.gov, or visit .
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.
Roxborough Ride Naturalist-guided tours in a seven-passenger golf cart around the Fountain Valley Trail are offered at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Reservations are required for the rides; donations are accepted for vehicle maintenance. Register: 303-973-3959.
Rocky Mountain Raptor Center tours RMRP is offering behind-the-scenes tours of their treatment room, food prep room and pantry, and a chance to meet Education Ambassadors, raptors that are non-releasable due to their injuries. Tours are free and are limited to the first 20 who RSVP. Tour dates are: Oct. 1 and 16; Nov. 5 and 20; and Dec. 3. Register: e-mail info@rmrp.org with your preferred date, contact information and number of people in your party.
Nature notes club The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources has formed a “Nature Notes Club” for the County’s Open Spaces. The “Nature Notes Club” is a guided, nature-journaling program. Participants will be led by Volunteer Naturalist Lisa through the process of creating their own nature journals in the style of John Muir or Aldo Leopold. The club will have several outings throughout the county’s Open-Spaces system, allowing members to receive basic instructions on sketching, ecology, geology, wildlife and other natural sciences. Club members can participate in all sessions or just a few, whatever fits their schedules. Each session includes a short hike to a scenic location with lots of potential for journaling. Participants need to provide their own notebooks and writing/drawing utensils, and are “strongly encouraged” to take a stool to sit on, a digital camera, and snacks and water for the trail. Participants should also dress appropriately for the weather and wear closed-toed shoes to each session. Nature Notes Club meetings are from 8 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 10, 24 and 31. To register and for meeting locations, contact Rob Novak at rnovak@larimer.org or call 970-679-4561.
TODAY
Ornithology event Chatfield State Park and the Denver Field Ornithologists are hosting the annual “Big Sit!” between 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the event, participants sit or stand in one location and try to count as many bird species as possible. The event will be at Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Drive, Littleton. Take lunch and drinking water, wear sunscreen, and use your own chair or benches provided by Chatfield State Park. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: .
MONDAY
Homeschool Day/bird banding event A Homeschool Day event will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory’s Old Stone House headquarters, 14500 Lark Bunting Lane on the Barr Lake State Park property on the north side of the lake. Meet outside the Park’s nature center for a short walk to the banding station where Bird Bander Meredith McBurney will demonstrate the banding process and talk about bird identifications and adaptions. RMBO naturalists will also lead a hands-on bird identification activity, a habitat hike and a migration relay. Parents are invited to attend and participate. Cost is $5 per family plus $6 per vehicle for a State Parks day pass. Register: call 303-659-4348, ext. 15 or e-mail cassy.bohnet@@rmbo.org.
TUESDAY
Boulder Green Building Guild residential brown bag series lecture “How the Real Estate and Appraisal Community are Taking on the Challenge of Adding Quantifiable Green Data to the MLS and Financing Systems,” a talk by custom builder and developer Sean Smith of Sean Smith and Company, LLC; Elizabeth Million, AVP Home Loan Manager, Bank of America Home Loans; and David W. Scott of Colorado Landmark, will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room at REI, 1789 28th St., Boulder. Cost is free for BGBG members, $20 nonmembers. Take a sack lunch if desired. Register: .
Utes program “The Utes – Neighbors in the Garden,” a free presentation by Garden of the Gods Volunteer Bette Lamore, will be at noon in the Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Register: 719-219-0108.
Fall color tree walk Alan Nelson, Senior Grounds Specialist, Facilities Management, University of Colorado, Boulder will lead a free fall color tree walk on the CU Boulder campus at 5 p.m. Visitors will learn about the unique characteristics and historical significance of the CU trees. Meet at the North entrance of the Museum of Natural History, located in the Henderson Building on the CU Boulder campus between 15th and 16th Streets just east of Broadway. Parking is $3 (take exact change) in Lot 208 after 5 p.m. Info: or 303-492-6892.
Spanish language astronomy program “Vida en Otros Planetas?” a live astronomy talk by Tito Salas, will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $7 adults, $3.50 child/senior, $5 for students with valid ID. Info: 303-495-5001, fiske@colorado.edu or .
WEDNESDAY
Biodiesel program “How to Get More Biodiesel in the Marketplace: Utilization Challenges,” a free seminar led by Teresa Alleman, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, will be at 4 p.m. in Room 105, Olin Hall, University of Denver, 2190 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. Refreshments will precede the seminar at 3:50 p.m. Info: .
Free day at Museum To celebrate National Fossil Day, admission fees will be waived at the Morrison Natural History Museum, 501 Colorado Highway 8. Info: info@mnhm.org, 303-697-1873 or .
Amazon program “Fish Tails: Stories from the Amazon Rain Forest,” a program with Museum Chief Curator Kirk Johnson and Paulo Petry of the Nature Conservancy, will be at 7 p.m. at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Johnson and Petry will explain the connection between the rain forest and Denver, and share the latest conservation challenges and successes in the biologically diverse Amazon. After the program, see the Amazon Voyage exhibition and enjoy dessert. Cost is $12 members, $15 nonmembers. Info: 303-322-7009 or .
Geology field trip USGS Geologist Pete Modreski will lead a free public field trip at 4:30 p.m. on a short 1/2-mile hike to an old copper mine located at the base of Lookout Mountain. Meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of Bonvue Drive, one block off Lookout Mountain Road and .85 mile west of the traffic light at 6th Ave. and 19th St., Golden. Be prepared for a rough trail with cactus, rocks, brush and poison ivy; elevation climb is about 200 feet. On the hike, Modreski will discuss local geology, rocks minerals and natural history. Info: contact Pete Modreski at 303-202-4766 or pmodreski@usgs.gov.
Guided photography walk Professional scenic photographer Paul deBerjeois will lead a photography walk at 4:30 p.m. in Garden of the Gods Park. Meet in the Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Take any camera from cellphone to DSLR; tripod and polarizing filter are also suggested. Also take water, a hat, a jacket and wear sturdy shoes. Register: 719-219-0108.
Guided bird walk Naturalists Paul and Phoebe Thayer will lead a bird walk, for birders of all ability levels, at 9 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Take water, a bird book and binoculars; wear sunscreen; and dress appropriately for the weather. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
THURSDAY
Fall color tree walk Alan Nelson, Senior Grounds Specialist, Facilities Management, University of Colorado, Boulder will lead a free fall color tree walk on the CU Boulder campus at 5 p.m. Visitors will learn about the unique characteristics and historical significance of the CU trees. Meet at the North entrance of the Museum of Natural History, located in the Henderson Building on the CU Boulder campus between 15th and 16th Streets just east of Broadway. Parking is $3 (take exact change) in Lot 208 after 5 p.m. Info: or 303-492-6892.
Astronomy talk “Worlds in Collisions,” a live talk, will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $7 adults, $3.50 child/senior, free for students with valid ID. Info: 303-495-5001, fiske@colorado.edu or .
Sunset stroll A free evening walk to look for wildlife will be at 6:15 p.m. at Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora. Take a jacket and insect repellent. Info/register: 303-739-2428.
Kids nature program “Falling Into Fall,” a hands-on program in the “Knee-High Knapsack Club” for kids ages 3-6, will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center, 200 Mathews St. The program is included in the price of admission to the Museum. Register/info: 970-221-6738 or .
FRIDAY
Astronomy talk “Worlds in Collision,” an astronomy talk, will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $7 adults, $3.50 child/senior, $5 for students with valid ID. Info: 303-495-5001, fiske@colorado.edu or .
Alternative fuel vehicle day Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, is hosting National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, a biennial event that promotes the use of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on ACC’s South Lawn and on the Main Building’s first floor. The event includes vendors from the Denver Metro area who are committed to alternative fuel as well as vehicle displays and educational workshops. At 10 a.m., John Van Bogart presents, “A Cleaner, Stronger America;” at 11 a.m., Scott Rill presents, “Safety Basics: What You Must Know Before Working on a Hybrid Vehicle;” and at noon, Jerry Viola presents, “Going Green with Auto Tech at ACC – A College Degree for the Future Minded Automotive Technician.” ACC’s Automotive Technology Program will have seven hybrid vehicles on display at Odyssey. The event is free and open to the public. Info: .
Kids nature program “Spiders,” a program for kids ages 3-5 (accompanied by an adult) will be at 10 a.m. in the Red Rocks Room at Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Register: 719-219-0108.
Seminar on teaching physics “Confessions of a Converted Lecturer,” a free talk by Harvard University Professor and Dean of Applied Physics Eric Mazur, will be at 4:30 p.m. in Room 105, Olin Hall, University of Denver, 2190 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. Info: .
SATURDAY
Kids nature program “Spooky Creatures,” a free program for kids ages 6 and above, will be at 6 p.m. at Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora. The program includes an indoor presentation followed by an evening hike. Take a jacket and insect repellent. Info/register: 303-739-2428.
Nature activities The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Enter the Refuge is offering free tours, hayrides and nature activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of its “Journey to the Old West” celebration. The family-friendly event also features live performances, re-enactments, live cavalry drills and more. Enter the Refuge at 56th Avenue and Havana Street, then proceed 1.5-miles to the Visitor Center to check in. Register/info: 303-289-0930.
Astronomy Day event Celebrate Colorado Astronomy Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center, 200 Mathews St., Fort Collins. StarLab Planetarium Shows will be at 11 a.m., and at 1 and 2 p.m. Tickets are included with paid admission and will be available at the Museum’s front desk on the day of the shows. Also, members of the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society will display telescopes and share information about different types of telescopes between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hands-on activities will be offered throughout the museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: 970-221-6738 or .
GPS/geocaching program A “GPS and Geocaching” program will be at 1 p.m. in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. Meet at Camper Services; GPS units will be provided, or you can take your own. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 719-304-1086.
Naturalist-led activity “Who Lives in Roxborough?” an activity led by Naturalist Sue Klinke, will be at 10:30 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Oct. 17
Family “mystery” hike A naturalist-led family “mystery” hike will be at 10 a.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. Families will be challenged to solve a puzzle, riddle or mystery as they walk and search for clues along a 1-2 mile, easy trail. Meet at the Visitor Center. The program is recommended for ages 5 years and up; children must be accompanied by an adult. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 719-304-1086.
Guided bird walk Naturalist Doris Cruze will lead a bird walk, for birders of all ability levels, at 8 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. The birdwalk involves 6.4 miles of “moderate to strenuous” hiking to Carpenter Peak. Take water, a bird book and binoculars; wear sunscreen; and dress appropriately for the weather. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
For more Scientifically Speaking, go to .
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.
