OLLI at Colorado State University

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OLLI at Colorado State University

OLLI is a community of lifelong learners aged 50 and better who connect to learn and grow together.

09/09/2026

🏔️ Discover the Story Beneath Your Feet! 📚

OSHR 6155: Larimer County in a Nutshell
📍 Drake Hall
📅 September 21 – October 12
⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM

Think you know Larimer County? Think again!

Journey through more than 11,000 years of fascinating local history in this engaging four-part course that reveals how the place we call home came to be. From the first humans who traveled through the region and the arrival of French trappers to the founding of our towns, irrigation projects, pioneer roads, and agricultural booms, you'll uncover the remarkable stories that shaped Northern Colorado.

🚶 Follow ancient trails that became vital transportation routes.
🚂 Explore how travel between communities evolved over time.
🌾 Learn how wheat, sugar beets, cherries, and peas fueled the local economy.
💧 Discover the engineering feats that brought water across mountains and made growth possible.
🏛️ See what historic landmarks have been lost and which treasures remain.
📖 Leave with a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and stories that define Larimer County.

Leading the adventure is Kenneth Jessen, a respected Colorado historian, author, and lecturer who has spent five decades researching and sharing the state's rich past. With more than 2,300 published historical articles and 23 books to his name, Jessen brings local history to life through captivating stories, stunning visuals, and a wealth of knowledge gathered over a lifetime of exploration.

Whether you're a longtime resident, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the region you call home, this course offers a fascinating look at the people, events, and innovations that built Larimer County.

✨ The past is closer than you think. Come discover the trails, towns, industries, and visionaries that helped shape Northern Colorado. www.osher.colostate.edu

09/08/2026

🧠✨ Aging Smarter: Refresh & Strengthen Your Brain with a Cognitive Upgrade (ONLINE)

Did you know your brain can continue to change, adapt, and grow throughout your life?

Join us for OSHR 9107: Aging Smarter, an interactive online course exploring practical, research-based strategies to support memory, focus, and overall cognitive health. Discover how combining insights from Western neuroscience with simple Eastern practices can help you stay mentally sharp, curious, and engaged.

📅 September 25 – October 23
⏰ 10:00 AM – Noon
💻 Online

In this welcoming and enjoyable course, you'll:
✅ Learn techniques to support brain health and cognitive longevity
✅ Participate in gentle brain exercises and engaging discussions
✅ Practice brief meditation to improve focus and calm the nervous system
✅ Connect with others in a stimulating, social learning environment
✅ Explore ways to stay mentally resilient and active at any age

Instructor Katherine Robinson brings a unique blend of expertise in psychology, mental health counseling, meditation, breathwork, and brain health. Certified by the McLean Meditation Institute and Yoga Body, she recently became a Certified Brain Longevity Therapist through the Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation. Katherine is passionate about helping others cultivate well-being, mental clarity, and lifelong learning.

🌟 No pressure. No tests. Just meaningful opportunities to learn, connect, and give your brain a healthy boost.

Stay curious. Stay centered. Stay mentally strong. www.osher.colostate.edu

🧠💙

09/07/2026

📚 OSHR 4118: Conversational Spanish for Absolute Beginners

¡Hola! Ready to dip your toes into Spanish without endless verb charts and vocabulary drills?

If you're looking for a fun, relaxed, and interactive way to start speaking Spanish, this class is for you! Designed specifically for absolute beginners, Conversational Spanish for Absolute Beginners focuses on communication, participation, and building confidence in a supportive environment.

Forget lectures and memorization. You'll learn through hands-on activities, conversation, and real-life practice that gets you using Español from day one. Whether you're planning future travels, connecting with Spanish-speaking communities, or simply looking for a new challenge, you'll have a great time learning together.

👩‍🏫 Instructor: Cindy Sargent
A retired elementary school teacher, Cindy has lived, worked, and traveled extensively throughout Latin America. When she's not gardening, hiking, knitting, or traveling, she's sharing her passion for the Spanish language with others.

📍 Location: Drake Hall
📅 Dates: September 21 - October 26
⏰ Time: 1:00-3:00 PM

🌵✈️📖 Start your Spanish adventure this fall. No experience required, just curiosity and a willingness to have fun! www.osher.colostate.edu

09/04/2026

🎨✨ Create Stunning Mosaics Inspired by Gaudí! ✨🎨

Step into the colorful world of Antoni Gaudí and discover the art of trencadís, the unique mosaic technique that helped make Barcelona's architecture famous around the world!

Using vibrant glass, ceramic tiles, and pieces of china, you'll learn how Gaudí transformed everyday discarded materials into breathtaking works of art. Explore the techniques and creative principles behind these iconic Catalonian mosaics while designing your own one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist looking for fresh inspiration, this hands-on class offers a fun and creative way to experiment with color, texture, and design.

Leading the class is Renee Walkup, a Fort Collins artist whose innovative mosaic creations can be found in public spaces including Pathways Hospice in Larimer County and Kaiser Permanente in Denver. Renee has been creating mosaics since 2017 and teaching for the past five years, combining her artistic expertise with skills developed during her career as a professional speaker. Known for incorporating texture, dimension, and creative innovation into her work, she currently serves as President of Colorado Mosaic Artists (CMA).

🌈 Unleash your creativity, transform ordinary materials into extraordinary art, and bring a touch of Spain's artistic magic into your own creations! Registration is open. Visit www.osher.colostate.edu

Level: Beginner • Intermediate • Advanced

🎨🧩✨

09/03/2026

🍂🌿 OSHR 1047 Petal to the Metal: Race to the Top for the CSU Trial Garden Plants 🌿🍂

Ready to discover which plants are the true champions of the CSU Trial Gardens? Join horticulture expert Bev Shaw for a fun and informative look at top-performing plants, gardening trends, and water-wise favorites that thrive in Colorado landscapes.

📅 Monday, September 21 | 9:00-11:00 AM
📅 Tuesday, September 22 | 9:00-11:00 AM

Learn from Bev's decades of horticulture experience and passion for Colorado gardens. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, you'll leave inspired and ready to grow! 🌻🌱✨

Registration is now open at www.osher.colostate.edu.

09/02/2026

💪✨ Move Better, Feel Better, Age Backwards! ✨💪

Looking for a gentle, enjoyable way to improve your flexibility, balance, strength, and energy? Join us for ESSENTRICS® for Beginners, a welcoming class designed for those new to the program or anyone who wants to revisit the fundamentals.

Created by Miranda Esmonde-White, author of the New York Times bestseller Aging Backwards, ESSENTRICS® is a dynamic, full-body workout that combines stretching and strengthening to help relieve aches and pains, improve mobility, and even stimulate the brain. 🧠🎶

Each class begins with a brief discussion about the science behind the program, followed by an uplifting workout set to music that makes movement enjoyable and effective. No experience needed!

Instructor Terry Nolan has been teaching ESSENTRICS® since 2013 and holds the program's highest level of certification. Known for her mindful, encouraging, and fun teaching style, Terry helps participants rebalance their muscles and joints while enjoying every step of the journey.

📅 Wednesdays, September 23 - October 14
⏰ 10:00 - 11:00 AM
📍 Studio West Dance Center
🧘 Level: Beginner
✅ Bring: A yoga mat

If you love keeping your mind active, why not give your body the same attention? Come discover why so many people are making ESSENTRICS® part of their healthy aging routine! Registration is open! Visit www.osher.colostate.edu 🌟

09/01/2026

🍂 Fall 2026 Registration Opens September 2 at 9 AM! 🍂
Fall 2026 Registration for Art & Design classes is open now!

A season of discovery, connection, and lifelong learning is just around the corner.

With more than 200 courses to choose from, OLLI offers countless opportunities to explore new interests, deepen existing passions, and engage with ideas that inspire. Our courses are led by expert instructors who, like you, are lifelong learners eager to share their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm with fellow OLLI members.

Whether you're interested in history, science, literature, current events, art, wellness, travel, or something entirely unexpected, you'll find a welcoming place to learn and grow.

✨ Satisfy your curiosity. Meet your people.

At OLLI, learning is only part of the experience. The friendships, conversations, and sense of community you discover along the way are what make OLLI truly special.

Fall 2026 Registration for all Art & Design classes is now open.
📚 Fall 2026 Registration Opens 🗓️ September 2 at 9:00 AM for all classes.

A fabulous fall of learning, connection, and discovery awaits. We can't wait to learn with you! www.osher.colostate.edu

🍁✨

08/31/2026

🎨 Art & Design Registration Opens September 1 at 9 AM!

Ready to explore your creative side this fall?

Choose from 23 inspiring courses taught by 15 talented instructors, with opportunities to learn, create, and grow across multiple mediums and skill levels. Whether you're drawn to painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, or something entirely new, your inner artist will find a happy place in this vibrant palette of courses.

Not an artist? Not a problem.

OLLI's Fall 2026 catalog offers more than 200 courses designed to spark curiosity, encourage lifelong learning, and connect you with a community of engaged learners.

🖌️ Art & Design registration opens September 1 at 9 AM 📚 Registration for all Fall 2026 courses opens September 2 at 9 AM

Don't miss your chance to create, learn, and be inspired this fall. www.osher.colostate.edu

🍂✨

08/28/2026

Registration opens September 1 at 9 AM for all art classes and September 2 at 9 AM for all classes. You can register in three ways: online at www.osher.colostate.edu, by phone at 970.491.7753, or in Person at Drake Hall, 2545 Research Blvd., Fort Collins, CO 80526. To see a full list of fall classes, check out our online catalog at www.osher.colostate.edu.

Address

2545 Research Boulevard
Fort Collins, CO
80526

Website

https://courses.online.colostate.edu/

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