Top Stories

Keep It Local: Indian Peaks Ace Hardware

Nederland - If you spend the rest of your life always doing your DIY shopping at an Ace Hardware, it’s probably because of the superb product quality and customer service you are used to receiving …
Panther pride
The sophomore class float in the parade in Nederland.
NEDERLAND - Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) celebrated homecoming during the week of September 23 - 28, 2024. This most exciting week of the school year was celebrated each day as …
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Belvidere Foundation Events Chairman Eric Chinn points out the fire-scorched bricks on the Shoofly, still standing after surviving the 1874 blaze.
Central City reached an important milestone in the restoration of its historic Belvidere Theatre. The Belvidere and the Shoofly buildings have been at the center of community activity since the early days. …
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More Local News

Trustees sniff at secondhand pot smoke

The Nederland Board of Trustees discussed two major issues during their meeting Oct. 1, These include continuing the Boulder County Co-Responder program, and the proposal for a Secondhand Marijuana Smoke ordinance …

Cracker Barrel

Thursday, October 3 Art at the Center Fall Reception: Celebrate the beauty of fall with art, music and refreshments. Enjoy stunning local pieces, and meet the artists behind them. Don’t forget to …
Police and fire

Golden Gate Fire bickers again

The Golden Gate Fire Protection District Board met on September 6, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Grange. From left, Steve Green, Marith Reheis, Secretary; Niffy Ovuworie, Vice-President and Treasurer; Deb Curlee, President, Dave Primmer and Fire Chief Kyle Benson.

Golden Gate Canyon - The Golden Gate Fire Protection District Board approved a pest control contract during a regular meeting on September 6, 2024. All Board members were present: Deb Curlee, …

Regional firefighters chop it up in Nederland

The NFPD hosted a vehicle extrication training and practiced on cars donated by residents.

The Nederland Fire Protection District (NFPD) Board of Directors met on September 18, 2024, to discuss the success of the district hosting the annual multi-jurisdictional vehicle extrication …

Government
Black Hawk - The Black Hawk City Council convened on September 25, 2024, addressing several key resolutions and City matters,  most importantly their proposed IGA with Gilpin County. They also …
he Courthouse in Central City now has a larger drop box, located near the flagpole in front of the building, that will be ready to receive ballots for this November’s election. …
Studio Tour Recap

Peeping art amongst the leaves

Local artist WANDERWEIRD has their colorful, nerd culture-inspired mosaics on display at Kaleidoscope Fine Arts Gallery in Nederland.
The second annual Peak to Peak Studio Tour took place on September 21 and 22. Galleries and visitors enjoyed a colorful event in the mountains.

Colorado artists shine at Gilpin Arts

Artwork by Colorado artists decorates the rustic walls of Washington Hall, home of the Gilpin Arts Association.

Artwork by Colorado artists decorates the rustic walls of Washington Hall, home of the Gilpin Arts Association. There is every kind of medium here …

Inspired by nature Laurence Delaunay – Lolo – has been a professional painter in Nederland for nearly 20 years. She enjoys painting animals and landscapes on large canvases “in a semi-abstract, …
Obituaries
Alfred Arias May 25, 1940 - September 20, 2024
Alfred H. Arias, 84, passed away at home on September 20, 2024. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on May 25, 1940, the 7th child of Antonia and Benito Arias. He was united in marriage to his wife, …
Tim Hannon May 20, 1951 - August 16, 2024
Long-time Eldora resident Tim Hannon died August 16, 2024, at Boulder Community Hospital after an extended illness. He was born in Anderson, Indiana, on May 20, 1951, to Donald and Ruth (McClain) …
Nancelia Jackson
  Nancelia Elizabeth Scott Jackson passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024, in Denver, Colorado, not quite making it to 100. She is best known in Gilpin County for being the granddaughter of …
 
James (Jim) Robert Miller
James (Jim) Robert Miller born 1946, died September 4, in a traffic accident in northern Wyoming. Jim was a Colorado native and three-term mayor of Nederland, Colorado. He grew up in Longmont,
 
Jean Ann Fischer
Jean Ann Fischer was born to Albert and Rosalie (Erickson) Fischer on December 17, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away on July 30, 2024, in Estes Park, Colorado. Jean was preceded in
Arts & Entertainment

Music of the Mountains: Brandywine and the Mighty Fines

Rollinsville - Brandy Ray vividly remembers the date on which her current primary project, Brandywine and the Mighty Fines, performed live for the first time: March 6, 2020. This is because, a week …

What’s Happening at Gilpin County Parks & Recreation

Gilpin County Parks & Recreation bit.ly/gilpinparksandrec , 303-582-1453 http://www.facebook.com/gilpincounty.org/ Pool Hours please call to confirm prior to coming Monday and Wednesday: 7:30 …

Music Events

Busey Brews Friday, October 4 at 4 p.m. - Lost Penny (Oktoberfest and 5th  Anniversary) Saturday, October 5 at 3:30 p.m. - S’moreGrass (Oktoberfest and 5th Anniversary) Sunday, October 6 at 4 …
Discover Colorado
Catching curve balls: A baby hummingbird's resting place serves as a reminder of the beauty and darkness of life.
Estes Park - As the hummingbirds made their way south a few weeks ago, I watched a momma and two babies feed from my garden. I could tell one of the babies was out of sorts. It struggled to fly, …
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FOOD
This lovely, light Greek-tasting dish is a perfect lunch or light dinner. I find that it has more “body” if made with pearl couscous, but the choice is yours. Serves four Ingredients For the …
Poetry Corner

... all the beauty we have seen

I drive on a road

I used to drive down

multiple times a day

some stretch of asphalt

with a mountain view

in the time I’ve been gone

this place has not changed much

but I have …

Transformers One

Transformers One October 4 and 5 Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday Matinee at 2 p.m. The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but who once were …

Gilpin Halloween Events

October 1 - October 27 Pumpkin Decorating Contest: The 2024 Pumpkin Decorating Contest begins October 1. This event is open to all ages, so get creative! No carved pumpkins, only exterior decoration. …

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School Zone
Gilpin Elementary students raced and raised the full amount needed for the 100 Elk Outdoor Education Retreat for 4th and 5th grade students this year.
Colors are everywhere at Gilpin Elementary School Fundraiser
Gilpin Elementary students raced and raised nearly $7000 in donations for participating in the first annual Color Run. Along with funds from a bake sale and grants, they raised the full amount needed …
School Calendars
Nederland Middle-Senior High School Thursday, October 3 at 5:30 p.m. - SAC Meeting Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. - PTA Meeting Friday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m. - JV Girls’ Volleyball at STEM Highland …
Drew Starkey ticks off more yardage.
Gilpin coach sees successful football season ahead
After the Gilpin Homecoming football game was canceled due to a last-minute forfeiture by Lake County, the Eagles were anxious to take the field on September 21 against the South Park Burros.  …
Listening intently: 
Fifth grade student council members (Caden McLain, Jace Parten, Catherine Motchan, Catherine Pirkle, and Blakeley Parten) conversing with school board members.
Gilpin School board focuses on Board guidance
The major business at the Gilpin County RE-1 School Board meeting on September 17, 2024, was to meet with the district lawyer in an executive session to get guidance concerning board member legal …
Racing in Eagle
Our two varsity riders, Grayson Shurr and Laila Waldron, after being pulled off the dusty course due to lightning.
Mountain bike race in Eagle brings drama
It was an eventful day in Eagle for the Nederland High School Mountain Bike Team–with dusty conditions, corkscrew turns, and the varsity riders getting evacuated mid-ride due to lightning.  …
Mountain Columns

Life in Nature: Antlers at dawn

Two bucks square off in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Last week I took the opportunity to get up early and head up to the high country for one of my final visits of the season before the first snow flies. I greatly enjoy the Old Fall River Road in Rocky …

Parenting with purpose

The first Mountain Strong Families parenting event of the school year, hosted by TEENS, Inc., on September 3, created a warm and uplifting atmosphere. Although some parents initially hesitated, many …

Mountain Folk Tales: Ned Writers Group

Writing in solidarity Top, left: Seated are Blair Justice, Rita Justice, and Kathy Brantley. Standing are Jaydene Morrison, Betsy Buck, Sarah Triffleman, Alberta Montgomery, Jeannette Smith, and Elaine Miller. Taken in August 2009 as part of the original Lifestory Writing Group. Top, right: Standing are Jeannie Leigh, Betsy Buck, and Barb Miller. Seated are Serene Karplus, Lucy Stroock, and Sue Bart. Taken in October 2013. Bottom, right: Seated are Alberta Montgomery, Dick Deubel, and Violet Aandres. Standing are Serene Karplus, Kathy Brantley, Marilyn Fagerstrom, Lynda Dawson, Gary Ennor, Jeannette Smith, and Betsy Buck. Taken in December 2014.

During the second half of my four-year journey as a student at the University of Colorado Boulder (the half during which I decided to major in creative writing), I joined a creative writing group

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Around the region
Black Hawk

Black Hawk Council approves historic renovations

Preserving the past
The Black Hawk City Council decided to rehabilitate the historic property at 311 High Street, with the project not exceeding $1,477,700.32, partly funded by a grant.

In a sweet start to the Black Hawk City Council meeting on September 11, 2024, Eddie Miller, owner of Hi-Heat & Sweets, rang the ceremonial bell.   Miller, fondly known around town as …

Nederland

Nederland Food Pantry moves house

The Nederland Food Pantry's new campus is planned to include an outdoor garden space and a walk-in cooler.

There’s a lot on the horizon for the Nederland Food Pantry (NFP). The pantry, Community Gardens, and the Clothing Closet – while the community that they serve has grown, they have also seen their …

Gilpin County

Gilpin appoints new County Attorney

Gilpin County has appointed Jack Reutzel, from Fairfield and Woods, as its new attorney, succeeding Brad Benning in the role of County Attorney.

At the September 24, 2024, Gilpin County Commissioners meeting, all commissioners were present, along with key officials and newly appointed County Attorney Jack Reutzel. 

Timberline’s plan for better fire response in our community

Brush 52: The trusty fire truck that’s been serving the community for over 20 years, now in need of an upgrade for improved comfort and safety during deployments.

The Timberline Fire Protection District Board met on September 17, 2024, to discuss important updates, including the district’s aging deployment truck, Brush 52, and ongoing issues at Station 5. …

Boulder County

Moratorium approved for large house applications

The Boulder County Board of Commissioners approved a six-month moratorium on applications for houses in unincorporated Boulder County with a proposed size over the median residential floor area for a …

Coal Creek Canyon

Coal Creek Canyon’s annual pancake breakfast

Cub Scout Jude Aron helped serve his community at a pancake breakfast.

About 60 people attended the Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association annual fall pancake breakfast at the CCCIA Hall. The festive meal included pancakes, sausage, and eggs ...

Central City

Birdhouse Painting Workshop brings out local creativity

On Saturday, September 14, the Gilpin Arts Association hosted a relaxed birdhouse painting workshop, sponsored by Central City Main Street. The event ran from noon to 2 p.m. and brought together six …

Wild Bear

Wild Bear Nature Center builds on

On Saturday, September 24, 2024, approximately 60 people bedecked in hard hats and high-visibility personal protective gear gathered at the site of the future Wild Bear Nature Center to celebrate the …

Opinion
Letters to the Editor

Bring commonsense, vote Marshall

Dear Editor , I have known Corey Marshall for almost thirty years. I used to be his neighbor and my older daughters used to babysit his lovely children. Corey was the best neighbor that anyone could …

Supporter of humankindness

Dear Editor, I have been casually following the banter between our county commissioner candidates and their supporters during this election season, and I am beginning to notice an unfortunate trend. …

Here we go again, NO on Proposition 127

Dear Editor, Here we go again, another attempt to manage wildlife by the ballot. Proposition 127 would ban hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx, and criminalize killing of those species except …

Thanks to Gilpin County!

Dear Editor, The Gilpin County Democrats held their Annual Picnic on September 29, and it was a terrific event! Many gratuities need mentioning. First of all, thank you to Jeff and Susan Green at …
Peak Perspectives
I am sitting here in the office, thinking about the past week and looking forward to the next one.  A few weeks ago, we had a bunch of training on-site for our new website launched this week. Hang on friends, it's gonna take a little bit of time for a full transition …
First, I want to say a huge thank you to the five candidates that are running for Gilpin County Commissioner. Each candidate showed up for our Candidate Forum, answered the questions thoughtfully and shared a bit about what they'd bring to the county, if elected.  …
This year may be the most contentious election year I have ever been through. Now, that’s not saying much, I guess. The Presidential election four years ago was certainly contentious. This year it …
Featured video

Nederland Clean Up Day 2024

Check out this week's edition of The Mountain-Ear! Read about Nederland's 2024 Town Clean Up Day at The Mountain-Ear online. To find out details and to stay informed about happenings within your …

Our Podcast
Pet of the week

Who am I? I’m Minka

<p><em>I’m Minka, appearing exclusively at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley</em></p>

Half of your couch is just not what I’m after

Part of your sammich is just not what I crave

Some of your time is just one lap of water

Just leaves me thirsting for the day

Public Notices

 

News from around the web
Grist reports on how, as global temperatures rise and seasons shift, bees and other pollinators are missing critical connections with flowers and crops.
Sunflowers use tiny movements to follow the Sun's path throughout the day. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel Most of us aren’t spending our days watching our houseplants grow. We see their signs of life only …
(BPT) - Do you want to explore the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of unique cultures and landscapes up close and personal? If so, you might be attracted to "adventure" or "active" travel. However, …