CSU Extension Gilpin County

08/25/2026

Green School early bird registration is currently open! If you're interested in gardening in Colorado this is a great resource. 🌱

Learn more: https://online.colostate.edu/certificates/green-school/

08/25/2026

The National Park Service is celebrating its 110th birthday today. Thanks for preserving our special places and stories, including Gilpin County's closest national park - Rocky Mountain National Park! 🎉

08/25/2026

REMINDER! Join forestry experts TOMORROW to walk the Gilpin Fairgrounds trail and discover how local partners are working to improve forest health and wildfire resilience.

Forests provide many benefits to our community: recreation, clean drinking water, and a beautiful place to call home, to name a few. But a century of fire suppression has created an unnatural build up of fuels, threatening both our community and the forests. The walk will address how removal of unhealthy trees through selective thinning can lead to a more diverse and naturally fire- and disease-resistant forest, not only on public lands but on private lands as well.

No registration required. This guided walk is approximately one mile in length and is kid-friendly. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather. Dogs are not permitted.

When: TOMORROW, Tuesday, August 25, at 5:30 pm
Where: Gilpin County Fairgrounds Walking Trail, 230 Norton Drive, Black Hawk

08/21/2026

Do you know a student who is curious about Colorado State University (or college in general) but hasn't had the chance to experience campus? If yes, please consider attending Rural Student Visit Day!

Rural Student Visit Day is a two-day, on-campus experience created specifically for rural high school students. Students will spend the first day (Friday, October 9) exploring CSU, connecting with faculty and current students, experiencing academic programs, and meeting other students from rural communities.

Then on Saturday, students will continue their visit through Explore CSU, giving them even more opportunities to experience academics, student involvement, and life as a Ram.

What students can expect:
• Hands-on academic experiences and opportunities to explore CSU's colleges
• Connections with faculty and current CSU students
• Conversations with students from rural communities
• A dinner reception with current rural CSU students
• An extended campus experience through Explore CSU on Saturday
• Free overnight lodging Friday night at the Hilton Hotel across from campus

Friday, October 9: Rural Student Visit Day
Saturday, October 10: Explore CSU
Deadline to Register: September 10 | Limited Spots Available!

Students who register for Rural Student Visit Day will automatically be registered for Explore CSU.

Learn more and register at the link.

Students from rural communities and their guests are invited to join us for two days of exploring CSU and learning more about life as a Ram.

08/20/2026

REMINDER! Join forestry experts next Tuesday, August 25, to walk the Gilpin Fairgrounds trail and discover how local partners are working to improve forest health and wildfire resilience.

Forests provide many benefits to our community: recreation, clean drinking water, and a beautiful place to call home, to name a few. But a century of fire suppression has created an unnatural build up of fuels, threatening both our community and the forests. The walk will address how removal of unhealthy trees through selective thinning can lead to a more diverse and naturally fire- and disease-resistant forest, not only on public lands but on private lands as well.

No registration required. This guided walk is approximately one mile in length and is kid-friendly. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather. Dogs are not permitted.

When: Tuesday, August 25, at 5:30 pm
Where: Gilpin County Fairgrounds Walking Trail, 230 Norton Drive, Black Hawk

08/17/2026

On this national Relaxation Day, we encourage you to consider joining us this FRIDAY, August 21, for our FINAL Mindfulness in Nature workshop!

Mindfulness is a secular, accessible practice that involves intentional awareness of the present moment. Research shows that mindfulness practices can reduce stress and improve well-being. Mindfulness practices are strengthened in nature as the natural environment inherently supports present-moment awareness.

In this workshop, nature-based mindfulness leaders will guide participants in developing a relationship with nature while calming the nervous system. Participants will learn to focus attention to the senses using plants and other objects at the community garden and forested trail. Give it a try for your health!

Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Where: Gilpin County Community Garden at the Gilpin County Fairgrounds

No prior participation is required. Register here to reserve your spot: https://col.st/k34bn

08/14/2026

Join us on Thursday, August 27, to explore the Maryland Mountain Hidden Treasure trail and learn about local flowers, trees, and other natural features!

The hiker-only summit trail is a 3-mile intermediate trail that climbs 900 feet in elevation to the panoramic summit of Maryland Mountain. This out and back hike will take approximately 3 hours to complete. Attendees should bring water, snacks, sun protection, and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Dogs are not permitted.

Visit https://col.st/gq95l for more information and to reserve your spot - space is limited!

Hosted by Gilpin County CSU Extension and Gilpin County Parks & Recreation

08/13/2026

Join forestry experts to walk the Gilpin Fairgrounds trail and discover how local partners are working to improve forest health and wildfire resilience.

Forests provide many benefits to our community: recreation, clean drinking water, and a beautiful place to call home, to name a few. But a century of fire suppression has created an unnatural build up of fuels, threatening both our community and the forests. The walk will address how removal of unhealthy trees through selective thinning can lead to a more diverse and naturally fire- and disease-resistant forest, not only on public lands but on private lands as well.

No registration required. This guided walk is approximately one mile in length and is kid-friendly. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather. Dogs are not permitted.

When: Tuesday, August 25, at 5:30 pm
Where: meet at Gilpin County Exhibit Barn, 230 Norton Drive, Black Hawk

08/11/2026

Muddy Boots. Rare Plants. Surprisingly Fascinating Water.

Join local botanist and ecologist Rea Orthner Wrobel to tour the wettest library topic you never knew you’d love. This onsite tour of the Gilpin County Library Fen will cover fen ecology, hydrology, peat formation, rare species, and why these squishy landscapes are ecological gold mines.

Please bring rubber boots or shoes that can get wet, and dress for the weather.

When: Saturday, August 15, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Gilpin County Public Library, 15131 CO-119, Black Hawk

Space is limited and registration is required: https://col.st/435x7

08/07/2026

Reminder: FREE educational event this SATURDAY - Noxious Weeds & Their Look-Alikes

Several species of non-native plants have become a threat to the economic and environmental value of land in Gilpin County. These plants are not indigenous to the United States and have no natural predators or diseases to keep them in check. They are rapidly displacing native vegetation, causing a loss of native ecosystem stability and diversity, while affecting recreational resources.

Attendees will learn about Colorado’s noxious w**d laws and why they matter in Gilpin County. Presenters will provide identification tips and discuss management strategies for the noxious w**ds common to our county while also highlighting native look-alikes.

When: Saturday, August 8, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Gilpin County Public Library, 15131 CO-119, Black Hawk

No registration required.