out of our world
Colorado Cattlemen’s Association 2021 Annual Convention
OUT OF OUR WORLD — Are you ready to reunite and re-engage? Colorado Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) 2021 Annual Convention is happening and now is the time to register for the event, which will be June 21-23rd at the DoubleTree Hotel in Grand Junction. The three day event will get the industry back to business with committee meetings, policy discussions, educational information, and local, state, and federal updates. However, we have all missed networking and reconnecting with friends from across the state so there will be ample opportunities to catch up and enjoy the camaraderie of our industry.
For more information and to register, please visit https://www.coloradocattle.org/annual-convention or contact the office at (303) 431-6422. CCA is also accepting sponsors and trade show vendors for the event. Please contact Sarah Dideriksen at the CCA office to reserve your spot today!
Colorado Book Awards Online Literary Fiction and Poetry Finalist Reading
OUT OF OUR WORLD — What is literary fiction? What is poetry? Are the two genres similar? Ask these questions and more of the experts at the 2021 Literary Fiction and Poetry Colorado Book Awards finalists reading on Wednesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. MT. Former Colorado Poet Laureate Joseph Hutchison will M.C. this free Facebook and YouTube live event.
Register for this free event and view the full finalist reading schedule at coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-book-awards/
“Better Widowed than Married”: Conversa Women in Early Modern Europe
OUT OF OUR WORLD — On Monday, May 24, from 7:00-8:00p.m MDT, Professor Rebecca Wartell of the University of Colorado Boulder will lead a Zoom webinar on the subject of Conversa women – individuals and their descendents who had been forcibly baptized into the Catholic Church. Professor Wartell will devote particular attention to how missing husbands – lost at war or sea or with fates unknown – left a disproportionate number of widows in early modern Europe. Jewish and conversa women’s lives were often defined by their status as widows or agunot (“chained women”) whose social and economic mobility was, at times, marked with more autonomy than their married counterparts.
For more information or for the link to register, email cujewishstudies@colorado.edu
throughout our world
May is Older Americans Month
OUR WORLD — It is time for “olders” in our community to not only be honored as Wisdomkeepers but to become active as Wisdomsharers. It is an opportunity to explore and create meaningful options for changing the narrative on growing older in our communities. Please join Sandy Dolak for lively discussion on conscious and creative aging. Meetings will take place on Thursdays at the following locations and dates:
– Trinidad Ziccardi Hall at Mt. Carmel Wellness Center at 3 p.m. on May 13. (available in person or for anyone in the area by Zoom. Pre-register with Laura Jordan at Mt. Carmel: 719-845-4894)
– My One Hour Office at 523 Main St at 1 p.m. on May 20.
Contact Sandy Dolak at (719) 251-1271 or sandy@dolak.biz for more info.
Free support for teachers
OUR WORLD — Stressed? Virtual learning and changing plans wearing you down? Want support from the COVID chaos? Talk to a trained crisis counselor volunteer who can listen and support you, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week via telephone or text message to 303-724-2500. Free and immediate access to mental health services available as needed. The well being support line is a free service for all educators and school employees including ECE, K-12 programs, and higher education. The support line is available to any educator across the state including teachers, administrators, para-professionals, health care teams, and support staff.
HUERFANO
Vendors are invited to Art in the Park
LA VETA — Artists and fine crafters are invited to become vendors at this year’s annual Art in the Park, held in the La Veta Town Park. Vendors will be spaced 10′ apart, with foot traffic going in one direction, to comply with Health Department guidelines for the Covid pandemic. The number of booth spaces is about half of normal, so apply early. Applications are available on the SPACe website, www.spanishpeaksarts.org, or at SPACe, 132 W. Ryus, La Veta. Booth spaces are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis. Call 719 742-3074, Tues., Thurs., or Sat. 11 am – 2 pm
Artists invited to enter SPACe show
LA VETA — The Spanish Peaks Arts Council invites artists working in all media to enter the upcoming Artists’ Choice show next week, May 13 & May 15. The Artists’ Choice show will be on display May 18 – June 19, with an opening reception May 29. There is a small $5 fee per piece entered to help with overhead. All artwork will be for sale. For complete details, visit the SPACe website, www.spanishpeaksarts.org, call 719 742-3074, or visit 132 W. Ryus in La Veta, Tues, Thurs, or Sat, 11 am – 2 pm.
Panthers Football are going to state!
WALSENBURG — The John Mall High School football team is going to state! Come show your Panther pride with an epic send off. The team will have a sheriff escort, leaving from JMHS football field on Thursday, May 13 at 3:50p.m., heading south on Main Street all the way through town to hop on exit 49. Be sure to pick a spot along that route to encourage the JMHS football team a heart-felt send off.
John Mall High School Clothing Bank
WALSENBURG — John Mall High School will be hosting a community clothing bank in the high school’s cafeteria on Friday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All clothing will be free to the public, the number of clothing items allowed per family will be determined by the number of persons in the household. Donations will be accepted through May 6.
Requirements: Once we’ve taken your temperature please have your mask on and stay 6 feet away from each other. The clothing that is going to be donated NEEDS to be clean – no exceptions. Any and all clothing donations will be accepted with the exception of underwear, socks, bras, and other undergarments unless these items are purchased brand new and in a sealed package. Cash donations will also be accepted and put towards the purchasing of undergarments. Clothing donations will be accepted at John
Mall High School and cash donations will be accepted by Mr. DeJong.
For more information, email Ciera Padilla at 21cpadilla@huerfano.k12.co.us, Hannah Riedmiller at 21hriedmiller@huerfano.k12.co.us, or Diego Sanchez at 22dsanchez@huerfano.k12.co.us
Patsy O’Brien at La Veta Mercantile
LA VETA — Hailing from Cork in the south of Ireland, award-winning songwriter and much sought-after guitarist Patsy O’Brien is renowned for his ability to meld songwriting and guitar styles seamlessly. Patsy has traversed the globe, guitar in hand, accompanying, creating and recording with some of the giants of Irish music. With critically-acclaimed solo albums under his belt along with numerous live and studio collaborations, it’s no surprise that Patsy’s songwriting ability and guitar prowess are in demand (he hosts guitar workshops all over the country), and NPR saw fit to feature one of his song arrangements on the prestigious All Songs Considered.
On Friday, May 14th at 7:00p.m. Patsy will be performing at the La Veta Mercantile. Tickets will be $15 and there wil be limited seating. For more information, visit patsyobrienwebsite.com
Fridays in Huerfano
HUERFANO COUNTY — From May 14th to July 30th, every Friday will be a bit more magical in Huerfano County. Come join us in Walsenburg and La Veta for some music and live entertainment!
Starting May 14th, retailers in Walsenburg and La Veta’s Creative District will be staying open until 7pm to welcome you back downtown. Come see your favorite retailers or just come to enjoy the music!
On June 25th, Thomas Hinds will be performing in Walsenburg.
Spring Art Show now on display
LA VETA — The Spanish Peaks Arts Council in La Veta invites the public to see the Spring Show, on display until May 15. There is no admission fee. Face masks and social distancing will be observed. Nine area artists are represented in the exhibit which is a cheery, colorful and upbeat collection of original art in a variety of media. Visit with the artists and others who enjoy the arts. The SPACe Gallery is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 am – 2 pm and Saturdays, 10 am – 2 pm.; Located in the La Veta Town Park at 132 W. Ryus. Call 719 742-3074 for more information or visit our website, www.spanishpeaksarts.org.
La Veta Village Food Services
LA VETA — La Veta Village Food Services is no longer taking reservations or making calls for free food boxes. Food boxes are distributed on a first come, first served basis on the first and third Saturday of each month between 10 and 11 a.m. The next food distribution will be May 15 at the La Veta Fire House at 100 Birch Street.
Participants must wear a mask at all times, are not to leave their vehicles, and will be required to sign up during check in. For more info, call (719) 247-1393 or email lvvfoodservices@gmail.com.
John Mall High School Choir concert
WALSENBURG — The John Mall High School Choir concert will be Saturday, May 15 at 1 p.m. the United Methodist Church at 108 Kansas in Walsenburg. Members of the choir are allowed two family members each, so the event will be live streamed for the rest of the community on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/4pSZVvx6D
Trivia night with the SPBA and the SPLD
WALSENBURG — At 6:00 p.m. on May 19th at the Second St. Bar & Grill the regular monthly mixer of the Spanish Peaks Business Alliance will be teaming up with the Spanish Peaks Library for a fun night of Trivia and casual networking. Drinks for purchase and appetizers provided. Don’t miss the fun!
Spanish Peaks Chamber Spring Mixer
WALSENBURG — The Spanish Peaks Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us for a Spring Mixer, May 19 from 4-6 p.m. at Rollin’ Smoke Garage BBQ – 110 East 5th Street, Walsenburg, CO 81089.
We will have a short presentation, appetizers, cash bar, and door prizes donated by Crafty Canary and Crafted in Colorado. Come hang out, enter the free raffle, and share ideas for the coming tourist season!
Huerfano Softball Captains Meeting
HUERFANO COUNTY — Huerfano County Softball League 2021 Captains Meetings will be held on Friday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Walsenburg Community Center, 928 Russell Street. For more information, please email the new Recreation Coordinator Joshua House at jhouse.huerfano.us
Gardening 101 at the Spanish Peaks Library
WALSENBURG — On May 23rd at 1:00p.m., the Spanish Peaks Library will be hosting another discussion on gardening basics. This month’s discussion will be focusing on companion planting and the principles of Xeriscape. Come join us and learn the techniques of symbiotic planting in the garden and landscape. Space is limited, so please call early to reserve your space! 719-738-2774.
Sector Partnership Meeting
LA VETA — The Sector Partnership Meeting will join together businesses and wrap up a busy month May 24th at 6pm at the La Veta Library, 3rd floor conference room and online via Zoom. Our next meeting is June 3rd. Visit us at www.spanishpeakschamber.com or email info@spanishpeakschamber.com for more information.
Farmers Markets are coming back!
HUERFANO COUNTY — The La Veta Farmers Market will begin May 27th from 3:00-5:00p.m. in front of the Francisco Fort Museum. The Walsenburg Farmers Market is coming back too, on Sundays from 12:00-3:00p.m. at Heritage Park.
Twin Peaks Motorfest
HUERFANO COUNTY — Come out Memorial Day Weekend on May 30 for Sand Drags, Barrel Racing, and Short Course Trails! General admission prices are $10 a day ($5 for kids) and pit passes are $20/day. This event will be held west of Walsenburg between mile marker 292 & 293. Gates open at 8 a.m.- enjoy some fun in the sun with the whole family! Call Luke for more info at (719) 568-3350.
La Veta Visitor Center opens Memorial Day Weekend – volunteers needed!
LA VETA —The Spanish Peaks Chamber of Commerce will be opening the La Veta Visitor Center, located at the Historic Train Depot next to the La Veta Town Park, on Memorial Day weekend. The Visitor Center will be open Thursday through Monday from 10am-5pm. We will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Visitor Center is operated with trained volunteers and is a wonderful way to welcome people to the area and help plan their visit. We will be following COVID-19 regulations and masks are required to enter. If you’d like to volunteer we’d love to have you! Two volunteer shifts are available, either one or two days a week or on a fill-in basis. The first shift is 10-1 and the second is 1-5.
A big thank you to the town of La Veta for providing this location free of charge. If you are interested in helping out, please call for more information. Training starts the middle of May!
Contact: LaRissa Morris 808-936-0663
Francisco Fort Museum opening
LA VETA — After careful consideration, the Town of La Veta and the Francisco Fort Museum are excited to announce that the Museum’s doors are opening Memorial Day Weekend. The Fort will be open Saturday the 29th, Sunday the 30th, and Monday the 31st from 10:00 am to 4 pm. Seasonal hours will resume on Tuesday, June 1st and the Museum will be open 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday. This is the proposed schedule through Labor Day. There will be free admission on Memorial Day Weekend.
All Huerfano County COVID protocols will be in place. Masks will be required for inside spaces. The Museum staff and board strive to create a positive and safe environment for visitors and staff. We look forward to welcoming you back into the Museum and into history. For additional information check out our website and Facebook page. https://www.franciscofort.org/ https://www.facebook.com/FranciscoFortMuseum
Oktoberfest Smokeoff and Cody Sisters Concert
LA VETA — Who makes the best smoked meats in southern Colorado? If you think you do, enter this exciting competition on June 19th when the Oktoberfest committee presents their benefit Cody Sister concert and Smokin’ cookoff! Show your community spirit, enter your smoked specialities and compete for the title! To register or for details, call John at 719-742-3288.
Addiction treatment
WALSENBURG — Front Range Clinic is offering confidential, safe, access to medications for addiction treatment at two locations in Walsenburg. Thursdays, 9:30 to 11 a.m the mobile unit will be at 1818 E. Kansas Avenue. Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the clinic will be held at 129 Kansas Avenue. For more information call 1-866-MAT-STAT or visit www.frontrangemd.com
Free COVID-19 testing at health dept.
WALSENBURG — The Health Department has expanded FREE COVID-19 testing in Huerfano County. This free COVID-19 test is available to everyone, regardless of symptoms. No insurance required
Please call for an appointment. Testing will be available on: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Appointments are required for testing, call 719-738-2650 for an appointment. The Las Animas/Huerfano Health Department office address is: 119 E. 5th Street.
Walsenburg area AA and NA meetings
WALSENBURG — AA meets Tuesday and Friday, at 7 p.m. at the Church of Christ, across the street from the Spanish Peaks Library. NA meets Saturday at noon at the Huerfano County Community Center.
Free legal self-help clinic
HUERFANO COUNTY — The Spanish Peaks Library in Walsenburg is hosting a free legal self-help clinic on the second Tuesday of every month. As a COVID work-around, instead of coming into the physical library, the volunteer attorney will call the clinic patron’s telephone directly, using the phone number provided to your library staff.
Please call (719) 738-2774 to be added to the sign-up sheet. The next clinic will be hosted on Tuesday, June 8th from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. If possible, patrons are encouraged to have a computer or tablet available during the phone call.
Huerfano County Courthouse Grand Opening
HUERFANO COUNTY — As most of you know, we had to cancel our grand opening last year due to COVID restrictions. We are now planning to have our Grand Opening Friday, August 6th, at 1:30p.m.
LAS ANIMAS
2021 Garden Gala at Nicol’s Cottonwood Corner
HOEHNE — Come to the annual open house and garden gala at Nicol’s Cottonwood Corner, Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be prizes, refreshments, and great selection of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, patio pots, succulents and indoor house plants.
Nicol’s is located at 19990 CR 75.1, one block east of Hoehne School. 719-680-1402.
Primero Kindergarten Screening
PRIMERO — On Saturday, May 15 there will be a screening for any child aged 5 by June 1st who is interested in attending Kindergarten in the Primero School District. The screening will take place at Primero School at 20200 State Hwy 12. Your child will be screened using DIAL-3. Please bring your child’s vaccination records, birth certificate, and proof of residency in district.
Spring Bulldog Run
TRINIDAD — The 2021 Spring Bulldog Run will feature a 5k walk, 5K run, and 10K run along the south shore of Trinidad Lake State Park at 8 a.m. on May 22. Both runs are participating events for the 2021 RaBa Cinco running series. 2021 races are now open for registration, with detailed information and individual event links found at RaBacinco.com.
Races held in the three county Raton Basin area of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico are available to residents (featuring county team competitions) and visitors to our region with events including 5K up through the half marathon and 50K “ultra” challenges. Teens through seniors (with three age groups for both males and females) are eligible for awards based on point totals accumulated for up to five races in what is expected to be a series of ten races concluding in the fall. However, please note the total number of races may be limited depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information or to register online, visit at https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Trinidad/BulldogRunMay2021 or call Jason at 719-680-0171.
Laboratory to combat Human Trafficking
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY — On May 26th from 1:00p.m. – 4:00 p.m., the Trinidad Police Department along with The Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking will be hosting a virtual community training on how human trafficking is impacting our state and region. This training will cover federal and local laws, root causes of trafficking, identification and complexities of disclosure, mandatory reporting, and local resources to support survivors. Trinidad law
enforcement will be receiving a separate, mandatory training. This training will complement that one so that the community can work together to prevent trafficking and support victims and survivors in a comprehensive and collaborative response.
Link to register available on Facebook, search for “Trinidad Police Department Laboratory” or go to:
https://zoom.us/…/tJYrdOCopz8sHtBZqKK38ftn6SUnYES8q0fK
Fishing Tournament
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY — The Stonewall Fire Auxiliary is hosting the 2 nd annual Fishing Tournament at Monument Lake Resort on Saturday, June 5. 2021. Registration starts at 7am, fishing starts at 9am. The cost is $20 for adults and
youth (under 16) is $15. No license is required as that is Colorado’s free fishing day. Early registration
has begun at www.stonewallfireauxiliary.com; with adults @ $15 and youth (under 16) at $12. There is
a park entrance fee collected at the gate or office.
The tournament ends at 3pm and awards begin at 4pm with $3000.00 in cash prizes. The day doesn’t
end then and the country band, The Break room, will be playing in the meadow following awards. You
can then head up to the Monument Bar and Grill and listen to the acoustic guitar of Estin McGraw with
Estin and the 86’d on the patio. There is no cover charge for either.
Please come and join us for a fun filled day with lots of food, prizes, and great entertainment while
supporting the Stonewall Fire Department. For more information contact 719-868-2249 or
www.stonewallfireauxiliary.com.
Registration now open for ‘Rad Dirt Fest Gravel Bike and Trail Run Event
TRINIDAD — As off-road endurance events continue to gain popularity throughout the country, Life Time is excited to announce The ‘Rad Dirt Fest, a new off-road cycle and trail run event based in Trinidad, featuring views of the Spanish Peaks, small town charm and miles of smooth gravel and trails. The inaugural event, which will take place Oct. 2-3, 2021, offers three gravel cycling distances and two trail run distances. It also coincides with a town celebration commemorating the 200th year of the Santa Fe Trail.
The off-road cycle race will offer three distance options for athletes on fast, fun and clean gravel: a short 38-mile loop with 2,720 feet of elevation gain, a 90-mile course with 5,000 feet of climbing and a 162-mile grind with 10,800 feet of elevation gain. In its inaugural year, the trail run will take athletes on two scenic routes on the outskirts of Trinidad: an approachable half marathon option with 1,000 feet of elevation gain and a 50k route with 3,200 feet of climbing. As the town evolves and grows its trail network, the running courses will also evolve, allowing The ‘Rad to grow alongside the town of Trinidad.
Registration for The ‘Rad opened Tuesday, April 13. Learn more and register at www.theraddirt.com. Or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
COLFAX
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at Sugarite Canyon State Park
COLFAX COUNTY — May 15th is World Migratory Bird Day! Come out and celebrate it at the Sugarite Canyon State Park. Activities start as early as 6:55 a.m. with the Early Bird Special of coffee, treats, and birds at the feeders, but they really pick up at 9:00 a.m. with Coffee with a Ranger and Intro to Bird Photography. There will be activities for kids as well as adults, and the day will wrap up with two activities starting at 4:00 p.m. – A Lake Maloya Clean-up and a meet-and-greet with some big birds of prey. Regular park fees apply.
Raton AA meeting
RATON — AA meetings are every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday night, at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 4th and Tiger Drive in Raton. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Al-Anon meeting
RATON — Al-Anon comes to Raton thanks to support from the World Journal and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Raton. Meetings are every Thursday at 6 p.m. at 240 Rio Grande. Al-Anon is a self-supporting group that seeks to assist the family and friends of people who are abusing alcohol or other substances. Questions? 970-568-6969.
Free transportation for veterans for medical appointments
NE NEW MEXICO — The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services is partnering with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to provide free transportation for veterans for VA or VA-approved non-VA medical appointments. The first phase of this innovative program will serve military veterans in the following counties: Cibola, Colfax, Guadalupe and Socorro.
Veterans must make reservations three days in advance for these free round trips by calling the DAV at 505-582-4544. If you are interested in volunteering as a driver, call the DAV for details.
