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Public Health clears up mold concerns

Gilpin Mountain Kids Early Learning Center gets green light after moisture concerns
Lincoln Hills Cares plans to renovate Winks Tavern into a welcome center for guests.

Lincoln Hills: hope, heritage, and legacy

A historic mountain retreat created as a place of freedom
NFPD Chief Charlie Schmidtmann, one of, if not the first of many who stared devastation in its face. Lakeview Fire, October 9, 2025.

ATF sends letter to Nederland community

Brice McCracken - One year ago, ATF's National Response Team was deployed at the request of local public safety authorities
This photo was taken in June 2017 after a snowy winter. The snow field on the left came down almost to the edge of the lake.

Requiem for a glacier

Saint Mary's has melted away
Community News
The lone cat at the event receives a blessing from Karla Schapansky, a lay pastoral leader for the Episcopal Church, on October 4, 2026.

All creatures great and small

Pets join their people for a special Sunday service
The 2026 Art at the Center Fall Exhibition showcased many breathtaking works, including "The Outing" by Brent Warren.

Art at the Center Fall Exhibition

All the beautiful colors on display
An all-female band performs as Miner’s Feast winds down Saturday evening in downtown Idaho Springs.

Miner’s Feast brings fall fun downtown

Soups, stews, brews, and music fill Miner Street

Prescribed burn scheduled

Prescribed fire operations the week of October 7

Sheriff candidate answers questions

Sheriff candidate Greg Demo addressed issues at the Gilpin County Candidates Forum

Farmers market season ends in smiles

Locals welcome fall at Harvest Festival

New locals are newlyweds

Colleen Leonard and Daniel Hipskind were married on September 25, 2026
Community Calendar
Events
 
Cracker Barrel
Winne the Pooh party, school showcase and more Peak to Peak-area events for the week of October 16, 2026
Halloween Calendar
Peak to Peak communities celebrate Halloween with fall festivals, haunted tours and family fun
Music Listings
Live music and open mics fill mountain venues October 15-25
Nederland Area Seniors
Plenty of opportunities for wellness, connection, learning, and fun for Nederland seniors
Gilpin County Seniors
Gilpin-area events for older adults, October 2026
Gilpin County Parks & Recreation
A variety of programs, activities and events throughout September
Government, Police & Fire
Government

Mold concerns at Gilpin Mountain Kids

Resident and Gilpin County Commissioner candidate Brady Fowler speaks about mold concerns during public comment at the October 13, 2026, meeting.

Residents question mold testing at childcare center

County looks at possibility of historic district
Council considers affordable housing, fire restrictions
Police and Fire

Allenspark Fire Protection District Ballot Issue 7C

If 7C passes, Allenspark Fire Protection District will hire a full-time chief and pay for staffing on high-risk wildfire days.

Should property taxes be increased to hire a full-time fire chief?

The Fire District Board approved a draft 2027 budget ahead of a November mill levy vote
Landline loss impedes emergency coverage
School Zone

School Calendars

Gilpin County and Nederland schools have a full week of sports, concerts, and conferences

Freshman Nora Shurr on her way to her second win of the season in the JV girls' race.

Ned Mountain Bike Team finds success in Eagle

Nederland Mountain Bike earned its third straight second-place Division Two finish

Gilpin County School is a Colorado Attendance Challenge Champion

High school received Accredited with Distinction recognition

Gilpin Homecoming parade

Proud to be an Eagle!
Mountain-Ear Media
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Culture & Leisure
Music of the Mountains

Local karaoke venues

Often we write about bands and local musicians and shows

    • Music Listing

      Live music along the Peak to Peak for the week of October 8-15, 2026

It's Your Turn

Attack of the leaf peepers

Public urination meets tourism destination

Shot in the wild: Meet the Winners

This year's winners showcase the wonder of wildlife through stunning photography
Arts & Entertainment
Wild turkeys flock together in Allenspark
Gilpin County Arts Association opens annual members’ show
Peak Abundance celebrates 40 years with fundraiser
Food & Eating

Roasted Garlic Guacamole

Roasted garlic brings a creamy nuance to old, familiar guacamole

Some Words for the Week
Everybody's Reading It!

Homer, Alaska

Doug and Annie read The Mountain-Ear at the  Salty Dawg in Homer, Alaska

Pets
Fifi

The Someday Dogs: The rest of the pack

Save a life with adoption through Longmont Humane Society

Who are the Someday Dogs?

Change your life and a dog's life—adopt from a shelter
Pet of the Week
Who am I? I’m Ozzy, eager to earn your special love, waiting for you at the Longmont Humane Society
Lifestyles
Master fisherman Bob Gibson.

A Lake Michigan grand slam

Chinook, coho, brown, and rainbow

Local news for those with vision loss

Aftersight makes local news accessible to those with vision loss

Local Resources List

See our local resources

Business
Pictured are the massive, state-of-the-art solar panels that make the new building Colorado's first net-zero nature center.

Truly a net-positive for Nederland

Wild Bear's new center collects good vibes
Susan and Jeffrey Green, owners of Very Nice Brewing Company in Nederland and Gilpin County, stand in VNBC in their new location at The Vault in Nederland.

How to stay Very Nice through disaster

Local brewery embraces practicality in the face of pain
In this personal essay, reporter Christopher Kelley reflects covering the Lakeview Fire
Lakeview's past and future still in question
Offering hearty food and welcoming service near Allenspark
Longtime stylist stays busy in Gilpin location
New management for campground, store
New owners take over record store
House of Odditeas blends herbs, history, and a little magic on Eureka Street
Opinion
Peak Perspectives

One year later, a personal perspective

I have been thinking about this column for several days—pretty much since Friday

Majority of book challenges come from organized groups or governments
Saturday I had an exceptionally good day, guiding questions and listening to answers
The Mountain-Ear will host a Candidates Forum at the Old Central City courthouse
Letter to the Editor
Special Publications
Andrew Morse works at the pottery wheel at the Gilpin County Community Center.

Art around every corner in Gilpin

A trip through Gilpin County on the Peak to Peak Studio Tour

Aspens and art on local Studio Tour

Studio Tour featured 26 galleries and home studios

Studio Tour 2026: Canyon Coffee

Canyon Coffee in Coal Creek Canyon participates in Studio Tour 2026
Body Mind Spirit
Glenwood Hot Springs, one of Colorado’s most popular destinations for soaking in gently warm waters, with cave options and more, offers ample opportunities for cautious bathing.

Exploring the world of hot springs

Hot springs may offer health benefits, but they also come with risks that visitors should consider

Hot and cold water therapy may benefit both body and mind
Visitor's Guide
Trotting horses through the Rocky Mountains may be a dream for most, but here it can be a reality. Mountains, trees, lakes, and trails are calling your name.
The Peak to Peak region really has it all, even its own ski area—Eldora Mountain Ski Resort. 
Mountain Columns

Agile and fragile

A look at our state animal, bighorn sheep

Northbound and down

Fort Collins continues to bet on itself

Libra

The Autumn Equinox signals the start of the new season
Local volunteer Carolyn Petersen has hosted multiple Star Parties over the past few summers, where she has taught visitors about the night sky at Panorama Point.

Colorado’s first Urban Night Sky Place

Golden Gate Canyon State Park gains significant recognition 

Mountain Folk Tale: Emma Berg, Gilpin storykeeper

CENTRAL CITY - At this year’s Cemetery Crawl at the Catholic Cemetery, Emma Berg stepped into the role of Ellen Flynn, telling Flynn’s story with a precision that comes from hours of research and practice.  The audience, huddled near a...

Sunscreen, snacks, and social skills

Wrap up summer and get back-to-school ready
Obituaries
Peggy Buck Mills
Peggy Jeanne Buck passed away on September 8, 2026
Joseph Anthony McCullough 
Joe McCullough, 72, of Gilpin County, Colorado, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on August 12, 2026
Dennis Dwight Duckett
Dennis Dwight Duckett passed away on July 15, 2026 at  his beautiful home in Ruidoso New Mexico
Mary Geneva Ramstetter
Mary Geneva Ramstetter, aged 91, a long time Golden resident
Robert (Bob) Dean Fowler
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Dean Fowler
Lakeview Fire
One of the bigger and more intricate pieces that Kay has ever worked on, presenting the beautiful yellow aspen leaves of autumn.

Kay O'Neil can't be stopped

Kay O’Neil has reopened her stained glass studio after the Lakeview Fire
Tadasana Mountain Yoga, after their studio was lost in the 2025 Lakeview Fire, has been hosting sessions everywhere in the community, including at HubNed.

'Silver linings everywhere'

Tadasana Mountain Yoga finds strength after the Lakeview Fire

Donate to the Lakeview Fire victims

Help those afffected by the fire at Caribou Viallage UPDATE: Nearly $400k raised across verified fundraisers!

 

After the Lakeview Fire, artist Danielle Crouse found a new creative path
After rebuilding, Mountain Man celebrates 13 years
Around the Region
Allenspark
Community, crafts, art, music in Allenspark
Black Hawk
Stair climb marks 25 years since attacks
Central City
G3 needing to 'remove or relocate' structures
Coal Creek Canyon
Expanded menu marks event supporting students
Gilpin County
Festival brings politics, food, and local crafters together
Gold Hill
Music, food and community filled the Gold Hill Inn’s annual Labor Day party
Golden Gate Canyon
Golden Gate Canyon Fire District hosts over 200 people
Nederland
New campaign aims to normalize mitigation