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Melamed reinstated as principal

Return to leadership duties after investigations found no policy violations
TEENS, Inc. Executive Director Stephen LeFaiver introduces the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood Development, Dr. Lisa Roy.

Ribbon cut on New Explorers Learning Center

One journey ends; many others begin

Public Health clears up mold concerns

Gilpin Mountain Kids Early Learning Center gets green light after moisture concerns
Many former tenants of the Caribou Village Shopping Center gathered at the Train Cars to commiserate over coffee for the first anniversary of the Lakeview Fire.

Lakeview Fire: One year later

Tebo unveils plans for new shopping center, promises to work with former tenants on comparable rent
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
Community News

Forestry Sort Yards closing for the season

The Boulder County Community Forestry Sort Yards program is in its final days of operation for 2026
Cat ladies take over! Four guests showed off their feline side at Liberal Drinking with the Dems on October 13, 2026.

Drinking liberally with the Gilpin Democrats

A little beer, some costumes, and an unexpected political reunion
At Lincoln Hills the Dr. Nathaniel Howard III Outdoor Classroom sits near Pactolus Lake.

Children's opera coming to Lincoln Hills

Central City Opera brings 'Earth to Kenzie' to Gilpin County
Playing Peak to Peak Soccer builds skills, healthy habits, and teamwork.

Successful season for Peak to Peak Soccer

Nederland youth soccer builds skills and teamwork

Quoth the library, 'Nevermore!'

Funds to raise and murders to solve one evening behind library doors
Community Calendar
Events
 
Cracker Barrel
Juggling club, Fempire Comedy Fest and more Peak to Peak-area events for the week of October 22- November 4
Halloween Calendar
Circus freaks, Southern Gothic chic, and more spooky season events along the Peak to Peak
Music Listing
Live music along the Peak to Peak for October 22-31
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
Mayor Nichole Sterling kept up a smile through hearing over 30 minutes worth of public comment, the majority of which was against the Town's continued pursuit of Eldora Mountain Resort.

Trustees double down on Eldora

Board doggedness defeats citizen disapproval

Timberline Fire reviews finances and operations

District discusses costs, Station 3, and busy wildfire season
Police and Fire
Election
If 7B passes, 90% of the funds would be used to hire more firefighters, according to Timberline Fire Chief Paul Ondr.

Timberline Fire Protection District Ballot Issue 7B

Should property taxes be raised to hire more firefighters?

Allenspark Fire Protection District Ballot Issue 7C

Should property taxes be increased to hire a full-time fire chief?
School Zone
The Nederland Middle School Choir, Altitunes, perform during their Fall 2026 Concert.

Music, music, music at NMSHS

Students in the Nederland Middle-Senior High School Music Department filled the auditorium
The fastest boat in the water for the Second Annual Boat Regatta at Chinook West was the Kai-Yak.

Anchors away for Chinook West

Chinook West students tested their engineering skills in the Second Annual Boat Regatta

Gilpin Board seeks better communication

New curriculum announced, focused on values-based leadership

School Calendars

Gilpin and Nederland school events, October 22-29, 2026

Legacy riders (raced all four years of high school) Maddie Perry, Amika Begin, and Finn Fitzer on their senior send-off ride.

Ned Mountain Bikers successful at Regionals 

Mountain bike team took second at regionals, sending 11 riders to state championships

Ned CC girls win Foothills League

5 runners finish in top 15

Panther pride, Homecoming victories

Wins and Panther pride for Homecoming week 2026
Mountain-Ear Media
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Culture & Leisure
Music of the Mountains

Bourbon Brass Band

Duo brings New Orleans to Colorado

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
All the beautiful colors on display
Colleen Leonard and Daniel Hipskind were married on September 25, 2026
Happy Birthday to my little brother
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
Here I am, Nessa, waiting to make my great escape from 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
Golden Rose Antiques at 357 Gregory Street in Black Hawk, pictured in October 2025, shortly after opening at its new location.

Golden Rose Antiques makes Black Hawk home

Family-owned shop brings years of experience to Gregory Street

Building skills, confidence with Just2 Educational Services

Educational Services helps students build academic skills and independence
Wild Bear's new center collects good vibes
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
Opinion
Letter to the Editor

Our wild neighbors deserve better 

Seneca Wolman - Amendment 83, misleadingly titled the “Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish"

From Sheriff Kevin Armstrong

Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office adresses misinformation

Choice Enrollment Night at NMSHS

Sean DePaula - We welcome you to Nederland Middle-Senior High School’s Choice Enrollment Night

Letter of Support for Zach Meyer

Tami Archer - I first met Zach Meyer 13 years ago when we both worked for the City of Black Hawk

Susan Berumen for Commissioner

Phil Gibbs - Writing in support of Commissioner Susan Berumen

Letter of Support for Brady Fowler

Tami Archer - I am proud to put my name behind Brady Fowler for Gilpin County Commissioner
Peak Perspectives

Asking good questions for 50 years 

October 31, 2006, was my first day at this newspaper...

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
Cool community happenings, brought to you by your local paper
Last week, we held a lot of non-time-sensitive news
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

Scorpio

Scorpio is the most powerful sign of the zodiac
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
Courtesy and respect hold sway during talks
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