Category: News

Viewing the Great American Solar Eclipse

by Patty Unruh

As everyone knows, unless they were camping under a rock for the past several weeks, this past Monday, August 21, our nation experienced its first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918. Dedicated eclipse chasers had efficiently reserved motels and viewing spots months if not years in advance along the path of totality. My family and I found ourselves in North Platte, Nebraska on Monday at 12:54 pm Central Standard Time, gazing with awe at the nearly once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. (more…)

Volunteers make it happen

By Jaclyn Morrow

Gilpin County Fair 2017 found the community enjoying so many ways to have fun together. In true anniversary fashion, for 25 years Gilpin County has had these festivities. The fair gathers folks from all over to share in what we like to do best, have fun. The 25th Anniversary booth folks, overseen by Vickie Nemec, was eager to hear your stories of previous Gilpin County Fairs, including making a video of the memories told. On display was an amazing quilt made from the official t-shirts from each of the 25 years of our fair. This was made by local Gilpin quilters and is truly unique. If you stopped by the booth, you may have picked up souvenirs like the anniversary pin or fidget spinner. (more…)

A Family having Fun

By Jaclyn Morrow

Salida Circus from the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado brought happiness and joy to the Gilpin County Fair. Jacob, Addison and Vea – three volunteer local children, enjoyed watching the performers getting decked out in clown collars, noses, spinning plates, hoops and juggling pins on foot stands to the music of the William Tell Overture. (more…)

Pro Cycling returns to Colorado

by Dave Gibson

From the years 2011 through 2015 the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Bicycle Race rolled through the mountains and brought Coloradoans a professional sport that has long been enjoyed in Europe with race extravaganzas such as the Tour de France. When five years of monetary losses mounted, it was cancelled. There were no races in 2016. Fortunately for bicycle racing fans, in 2017 bike racing has returned to the state with the four-stage Colorado Classic. (more…)

Team triumphs 10-8 over the Champs

by Patty Unruh

The month of July concluded with a favorite pastime – the annual adult co-ed slow pitch softball league’s Tonya Putnam Memorial Tournament. As typical, the final showdown was between the Acers and the Champs. The Acers came out on top 10-8 in the championship game. They were also the 2016 league victors, winning over the Champs. (more…)

Short on wings, long on entertainment

By David Josselyn

The second annual Central City Wing Fest, Saturday, July 22, was met with eager anticipation by those who attended the inaugural or heard about it second hand. The Wing Fest event allows business and residents to show off their chicken wing finesse in a contest for best wing, and then holds a chicken wing eating contest. Trophies are handed out for best wings, but over-eaters, er, over-achievers in eating are awarded cold hard cash for their gnashing ability. (more…)

Western horsemanship at the Gilpin County Arena

By Jaclyn Morrow

Saturday, July 22^nd at the Gilpin County Arena, 16 riders and horses participated in the second of three summer horse shows sponsored the by Peak to Peak Healthy Communities Project. It also has generous support by United Power and a sponsorship by The Mountain-Ear, Nederland Equestrian School, and Ridgeline Consulting. Promptly at 9:00 am the judged riding events began. Previously, most riders had unloaded, prepared and warmed up their horses in the clean arena with only a couple puddles from our recent rains near the announcer’s tower.  Some riders shared horses in different age groups, though sharing a horse in the same age group did not give an official score points for the second rider. One rider had two horses, the first to earn points for the cherished buckle, and the other was to practice and train the horse for future competitions. (more…)