Category: Education

  • North American river otters

    North American river otters

    Slater, Emmet, Olive, Olivia, and Emilia

    by Dave Gibson

    Though no definitive historic population numbers are available, river otters at one time numbered in the hundreds of thousands in the U.S. and Canada. Once one of the staples of the French fur trade, in the year 1800 alone there were 65,000 river otters harvested. (more…)

  • Education on the “island continent”

    Education on the “island continent”

    Gilpin teacher Sam Wardell recaps a year in Australia

    by Patty Unruh

    Imagine trading your job, your home, and even your car with someone else for a whole year. Then, imagine you’ll be going to the world’s biggest island but smallest continent, a land known for its kangaroos, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, Vegemite, Great Barrier Reef, and “g’day mate” greetings. (more…)

  • Peak to Peak Rotary receives grant

    Peak to Peak Rotary receives grant

    Through local Farmers Insurance agent

    The Peak to Peak Rotary Club received a $1,000 grant from Farmers Insurance Exchange Co. in their ongoing effort to assist in local communities. The grant was applied for by Rebecca Shirey, a local Farmers Insurance Agent, who has been a resident for nearly 30 years in Mid-Gilpin County (more…)

  • Gilpin County School abuzz at 2018 spelling bee

    Gilpin County School abuzz at 2018 spelling bee

    Jiselle Osteboe blasts through the competition to win top prize

    by Patty Unruh

    Fifth grader Jiselle Osteboe was the queen bee at Gilpin County School’s annual spell-down on Thursday, February 1, in the school auditorium. Jiselle bored through five rounds of sticky words to win with “jackhammer,” meaning “a rock drill of the hammer type usually held in the hands of the operator.” Jiselle defeated a field of 110 students in fourth through eighth grade to capture the championship and the $100 first prize. She is eligible to compete in the state spelling bee on March 10 if she chooses to do so. (more…)

  • A “tailing tale” of William Gilpin

    A “tailing tale” of William Gilpin

    Colorado Pioneer

    By Maggie Magoffin

    Early explorer, Nathanial Hill, described William Gilpin as, “…he knows almost everything, but he is the most impractical man I ever knew. When driving, he talks incessantly. Part of the time he is talking to me, part of the time to his ponies, Toby and Franny. The rest is soliloquy.” (more…)

  • Golden Gate Canyon history

    Golden Gate Canyon history

    From those who were there

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    Living history walked and talked in Golden Gate Canyon’s Grange Community Center, Friday evening, January 19, 2018. The 6:30 pm start time was happily delayed for the History of Golden Gate Canyon meeting. The delay was to accommodate the crowd with more chairs, and a sound system to go with the video screen already in place. The audience quickly grew to of over 100 people scattered between four generations of locals. (more…)

  • Middle school students recognized for athletic achievements

    Middle school students recognized for athletic achievements

    Cheerleading, boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons recapped

    by Patty Unruh

    Gilpin County Middle School athletes were awarded for their progress this past season in basketball and cheerleading at a winter banquet and awards program on (more…)

  • Trout in the Classroom

    Trout in the Classroom

    January is School Board Member Recognition Month

    by Patty Unruh

    The Gilpin County Board of Education met on Tuesday, January 16, at 7:00 p.m. A quorum of Craig Holmes, Sarah Swanson, and Kersten Armstrong began on time. Due to involvement in basketball games, Brook Ramsey arrived late and Steve Boulter was absent for the public segment of the meeting. Superintendent David MacKenzie and Elementary Principal Heather Huntoon were present. (more…)

  • Thanks to our Gilpin County School District RE-1 Board of Education!

    Thanks to our Gilpin County School District RE-1 Board of Education!

    School Board Recognition Month

    By David MacKenzie, Superintendent

    January is School Board Member Recognition Month and Gilpin County School District RE-1 would like to thank the Board of Education for their volunteer time and commitment to our students. The five elected Board members are Craig Holmes, President (Term 11/2007 to 11/2019); Steve Boulter, Vice President (Term 11/2013 to 11/2021); Sarah Swanson, Secretary/Treasurer (Term 11/2017 to 11/2021); Brook Ramsey, Member at Large (Term 11/2009 to 11/2019); and Kersten Armstrong, Member at Large (Term 2/2011 to 11/2019). (more…)

  • In-pavement mountain road LED lighting benefits motorists

    In-pavement mountain road LED lighting benefits motorists

    On I-70 at Hidden Valley and Hwy 93 from 64th Ave to Hwy 72

    By Stacia Sellers

      Travelers making their way along CO Highway 93 between 64th Avenue and CO Highway 72 will find they are guided by a section of illuminated roadway. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is using in-pavement LED lighting to enhance nighttime driving for travelers.  (more…)

  • A “tailing tale” of Lincoln Hills Cares

    A “tailing tale” of Lincoln Hills Cares

    Colorado History – Part 3 of 3

    By Maggie Magoffin

    The Great Migration of the 1910s-1920s is often seen as a movement of African Americans from the South to the North, however it also resulted in the growth of black communities in the West, including Colorado. By the 1920s, Denver had a strong and vibrant black community centered on the Five Points neighborhood, which had several thousand black residents. (more…)

  • Journalist uncovers glittering legacy in GOLD!

    Journalist uncovers glittering legacy in GOLD!

    Madness Murder and Mayhem in the Colorado Rockies 

    By Angela Zbornik

    Award-winning investigative writer Ian Neligh takes a look at the phenomenon of gold, the treasure hunters, both modern and historic, and brings them to life in a detailed and sharp narrative, GOLD! Madness Murder and Mayhem in the Colorado Rockies. (more…)

  • Saluting those who answered the call of duty

    Saluting those who answered the call of duty

    Gilpin County School pays tribute to our community’s veterans

    by Patty Unruh

    Gilpin County military veterans were honored with a tribute on Thursday morning, November 9, at Gilpin County School. Community members, students, administration, and active duty military personnel gathered to express thanks to these selfless individuals who sacrificed that we might live in a free country. (more…)

  • Turkey Shoot fun for kids

    Turkey Shoot fun for kids

    Christian Outdoor Fellowship of America

    By Randy Beaudette

    As the sun rose on the 2017 edition of Veteran’s Day, volunteers and youngsters gathered for the annual COFA Turkey Shoot. The event was held for the second year at the Colorado Adventure Center located near 6th Ave and Kipling and was sponsored by Christian Outdoor Fellowship of America (COFA). (more…)

  • It’s Charlotte Taylor Recognition Month

    It’s Charlotte Taylor Recognition Month

    Taylor retires as long-time member of the Gilpin Board of Education

    by Patty Unruh

    Charlotte Taylor has helped steer the ship of the Gilpin County RE-1 school district for the past eight years as a vital member of the school board. Taylor’s term of service was completed with the November 7 board meeting, during which her fellow members and the assembled public celebrated her many contributions. School board president Craig Holmes presented Taylor with a framed resolution proclaiming November as “Charlotte Taylor Recognition Month.” (more…)

  • Veterans who need support

    Veterans who need support

    Isle of Capri Casino supports No Soldier Left Behind

    By Pam Deck

    This week we honor our Veterans – men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country.  Many of these soldiers come back to their homes wounded in mind and spirit. PTSD, (Post-traumatic stress disorder), TBI (Traumatic brain injury), Sleep Disorders, Anxiety and Depression are just a few results of war.  The VA and insurance companies offer standard medical treatment and “talk therapies.” “Talk therapies do not usually work with soldiers suffering PTSD because they have to re-live the experiences all over again. Soldiers are reluctant to talk about the horrors that have lived through,” says Blair. “The current systems are failing them.” (more…)