2015 Northwest Colorado Summer Recreation Guide by Rio Blanco Herald Times

FREE 2015 Northwest Colorado

SUMMER Recreation Guide

FREE OHV & TRAIL MAP SECTION INSIDE!

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OHV Trails Rock Crawling Park Kenney Reservoir Rock Art Dinosaur National Monument Septemberfest Fishing Derby Fourth of July Rangely Outdoor Museum Golf Course

RANGELY, COLORADO www.rangelychamber.com 970.675.5290 â&#x20AC;˘ 209 E. Main St. rangelychamber@gmail.com

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2015 Northwest Colorado

SUMMER Recreation Guide

Table of Contents

5 Calendar of events

Where to go and when for summer festivals, fairs, and fun in the region!

10 wildlife 7 Top viewing locations Where to go to spy deer, elk, moose, cranes and more! Bobby Gutierrez Photos

8 10 13

One of the additions to the summer schedule of fairs and festivals.

Five tips for happy (OHV) trails Plan ahead for the best off-highway vehicle adventure.

Take advantage of local trail systems for some scenic vistas.

2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

The wild horses of Northwest Colorado Wild horse herds have thrived in this high desert climate, maybe too well for their own good.

War and peace on the range The turbulent history of sheep and cattle ranching in the West.

From steam age to world music stage The history and future of Rangely’s musical “Tank.”

Meekerpalooza!

A hike a day... Cover photo www.123RF.com

Step back in time at Dinosaur National Monument This treasure trove of fossils celebrates its centennial this year.

Whittle the Wood Rendezvous

‘Get lost’ in Steamboat Springs

Witness the creation of art by chainsaw artists at this unusual festival.

A theme park adventure for the whole family, with an interesting history.

Celebrate Colorado’s birthday with free entrance to state parks

Contributors

State parks will offer free entrance Aug. 3.

Family-friendly vaudeville theater A blast from the past in entertainment: live-action vaudeville theater in Glenwood Springs. Sean McMahon

Index of Advertisers

Heather Zadra

Caitlin Walker

Niki Turner Bobby Gutierrez Photos

Photo contributors: Bobby Gutierrez René Harden Dona Hilkey

MITCH BETTIS | PUBLISHER SEAN MCMAHON | EDITOR NIKI TURNER | PRODUCTION/DESIGN

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2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

Summer Calendar 2015 May 21-25 Grand Olde West Days ~ Craig Grand Olde West Days events take place throughout the Memorial Day weekend and at many locations throughout Moffat County. GOWD traditions include the annual dance, a parade through downtown, car show and donwtown street festival. Concert featuring Michael Aldridge Saturday. Visit www.grandoldewestdays.co m for ticket information and a complete schedule.

Crawling ~ Rangely Two days of spectatorfriendly, heart-stopping rock crawling action. Vendors onsite. Call 530-417-5333 for ticket information. Discounts available at werocklive.com. Entrance to park is 1/2 mile west of Rangely (watch for signs). All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. June 17-20

Bobby Gutierrez Photos

Meeker’s annual Range Call Celebration, July 2-4 this year, includes Colorado’s longest-running rodeo, a parade, fireworks, Sawyer Brown in concert and more. June 6 Meekerpalooza Arts & Music Festival ~ Meeker Meekerpalooza is a weekend of arts and music for the whole family. Events include live music performances, workshops and demonstrations, interactive kid art zone, arts & crafts fair and Taste of Meeker. Brought to you by the Meeker Arts & Cultural Council, Meeker Chamber of Commerce and ERBM Recreation & Park District. More information is available at www.meekerpalooza.com. June 13-14 W.E. Rock Trail-Gear Western Series Rock

Whittle the Wood Rendezvous ~ Craig A four day event where wood carvers from across the nation converge on Loudy Simpson Park to turn tree stumps into works of art. The City of Craig provides a free concert in the park. This year’s headliner is Jefferson Starship. Find more information on line at www.whittlethewood.com. June 19-21 Strawberry Days ~ Glenwood Springs Strawberry Days has been entertaining generations since 1898. The festival features a FamilyFest area with interactive, entertaining and creative experiences for the

kids; an arts and crafts fair and food court; an old-fashioned carnival; a parade down main street and a full entertainment line-up, and, as always, free strawberries and ice cream on Saturday. For more information, visit strawberrydaysfestival.com July 2-4 Range Call Celebration ~ Meeker Join the fun for the 130th Meeker Range Call. There are a lot of exciting events this year, including Sawyer Brown as the headlining concert, a tractor truck pull, CPRA Rodeo and many more events. Bring the family for the weekend and enjoy the “Oldest Annual Rodeo in Colorado.” Visit www.meekerrangecall.com. July 10-12 Colorado Lavender Festival ~ Palisade Colorado’s only lavender festival in historic downtown Palisade. Lavender farm tours, lavender product vendors, food, wine, demonstrations, seminars, workshops and live music. Festival in the Field will take place Saturday evening; tickets are available for purchase online at www.coloradolavender.org. July 11-12 Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park ~

Steamboat Springs The 34th annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and 41st annual Art in the Park events offer artistry and color on canvas and in the air. Get to the launch grounds early to see the balloons inflate. Check out Art in the Park, with arts and crafts, performances and an interactive children’s area, before returning to the launch area to watch the balloons light up over Mt. Werner. Visit www.steamboatchamber.com for more information. July 16-19 Wagon Wheel OHV Rendezvous ~ Meeker Enjoy 250 miles of trails through the White River National Forest during the day, and live music, food and contests in Meeker in the evenings. For more information, visit www.wagonwheeltrails.org or call 970-878-5510. July 28-Aug. 2 Rio Blanco County Fair ~ Meeker Features fun for the whole

Rangely’s Septemberfest celebration on Labor Day weekend includes a parade, car show, barbecue, concert and more.

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Summer Calendar 2015 and arts and crafts. Visit www.westernrioblanco.org or call 970-675-8211 for more information. Sept. 9-13 Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials ~ Meeker

Held every September for the past 29 years, the Classic offers five days of sheepdog herding competition for a purse totaling $20,000, along with an art show, food vendors, a dog agility and flyball demonstration and live entertainment. For more information or to order tickets, visit meekersheepdog.com

Bobby Gutierrez Photo

The Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials, held Sept. 9-13 this year, are an opportunity to watch sheepdogs vie with some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wildest sheep. family, including a variety of food vendors, midway rides, livestock competitions and exhibits, commercial exhibitors and musical entertainment featuring top name performers. Call 970878-9490 for more information. Aug. 3-8 Garfield County Fair ~ Rifle This fun event features a variety of vendors, local livestock viewing and competitions, a parade, the PRCA ProRodeo, a Demolition Derby and Gary Allan in concert Aug. 7. Visit www.garfieldcountyfair.com for more information. Aug. 5-9

Steamboat Wine Festival ~ Steamboat Springs The 12th annual Steamboat Wine Festival brings together master winemakers, culinary greats and distinguished guests. The Festival benefits local charity Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS). For more information on ticketing and the full schedule, visit www.steamboatwinefestival.com or email info@tppevents.com. Sept. 4-7 Septemberfest ~ Rangely Annual community parade, rodeo and a host of end-ofsummer events, including a community barbecue, bike rally, ice cream contest, car show, live entertainment,

Colorado Parks & Wildlife Photo

Colorado Parks and Wildlifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Free Fishing Days will take place June 6-7. Fishing is free for residents and nonresidents.

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2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

Top 10 wildlife viewing locations Summer Recreation Guide Staff

ildlife viewing is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the great outdoors. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ten great spots for catching glimpses of a variety of wildlife, from the majestic elk to the diminutive hummingbird.

1. Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge Situated along the Green River, this site is great for spotting many different duck species, Canada geese, and over 220 other bird species including herons and eagles. Mammals to watch for include deer, moose, beavers and coyotes.

2. Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area Rio Blanco Lake is home to a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds during migration seasons, notably a great blue heron rookery located in a stand of cottonwoods along the southwest boundary. Also watch for beaver along the river.

3. Yampa River Corridor Here are several great viewing spots along the Yampa River: the Yampa River State Wildlife Area (which requires a Habitat Stamp), Elkhead Reservoir, Duffy River Access, Maybell Bridge and East Cross Mountain. All are great places to view waterfowl. Mule deer, elk and a small herd of big horn sheep

Dona Hilkey Photo

on East Cross Mountain are inhabitants, as well as coyotes, foxes, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, badgers, muskrats, beavers, mink and weasels. Watch for Western rattlesnakes as well.

4. Steamboat Lake State Park

LOOK UP and live! Steamboat Lake is fed by four different mountain creeks and is a fantastic habitat for sandhill cranes,

great blue herons and more than 200 other bird species. Deer, elk, snowshoe hares, porcupines, foxes, coyotes and muskrats also inhabit the area. Watch for the silvery shadows of several different types of trout in the lake.

5. Stagecoach State Cont. on page 20

Look overhead for power lines this summer. White River Electric Association Inc. and Yampa Valley Electric Association are committed to safety.

Never touch, kick or pick up downed wire. At no charge, White River Electric and Yampa Valley Electric will locate any of their underground systems if you are planning to dig on your premises. A 48-hour notice is required and UNCC must be called prior to digging (800)922-1987. Customers can also call UNCC by simply dialing 811.

I Avoid contact with overhead power lines when working outside. I Do not touch electrical switches while hands are wet.

I Do not turn on the lights in your home if you smell gas.

I Childproof your home with plastic protective caps over your electrical outlets.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG! SAVE A LIFE! THANKS!

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Don’t miss Meekerpalooza! ‘Fun for the whole family’ By the Meeker Chamber

he Meekerpalooza Arts & Music Festival is “fun for the whole family” on Saturday, June 6 at Ute Park in Meeker. This festival, in its third year, showcases all aspects of dance, singing, music, visual and culinary arts. Events include live music performances, interactive kid art zone, arts and craft fair and the “Taste of Meeker.” The Meeker Arts and Cultural Council started Meekerpalooza three years ago. “We wanted to bring attention to everything Meeker has to offer, and this event should be representative of the local people and what they bring to the community,” said MACC President Gary Zellers. The mission of the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council is to inspire and educate artists and community through promotion, advocacy and enhancement of cultural and artistic

Cont. on page 9

Meeker Chamber Photo

ERBM RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT • Hiking and Biking Trails • Parks • Special Events • Free Concerts • Free Outdoor Movies • Indoor Pools • Fitness Room • Showers )UHH :LÀ

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2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

Meekerpalooza Arts & Music Festival Cont. from page 8 efforts. The MACC is a non-profit group striving to provide a positive economic, cultural and educational impact in our community. All proceeds from Meekerpalooza further that mission. Meekerpalooza begins at noon and ends at 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and are available at the gate. Children younger than 5 and seniors over 75 receive free admission. Events and activities include the Kids Art Zone, where kids of all ages can explore their creativity through dance, music, puppetry, painting and crafts; music and art workshops; and musical performances featuring Colorado bands Great American Taxi, Hog MaGundy, Brian Jordan Band, and locals Matt Holliday & Friends, Casserole Beans, Clover Loafers and Los Venados. Also enjoy the Taste of Meeker, in which Meeker’s favorite restaurants and chefs will offer small portions of their signature dishes! A beer garden will feature Palisade Brewery offering their “Beer that makes you smile!” “Each year the event gets bigger and better. This year we are excited about it being in Ute Park, the home of the Meeker Classic. This allows partnership with other events and organizations, allows for better sound, and can accommodate larger crowds,” said Vanessa Trout, event coordinator and treasurer of MACC. “We are thankful for the volunteers who join us and want to improve the event each year,” added Trout. MACC is grateful for the generosity of the event sponsors so far this year: ERBM Recreation and Park District, Meeker Sand and Gravel, White River Electric Assoc., Redi Services, Meeker General Mercantile, and R & T Oilfield. More information and tickets are available online at www.meekerpalooza.com. If you have questions, would like to volunteer at the event, or participate as a vendor please call 970-439-0183. New this year, MACC is partnering with ERBM Recreation and Park District. Their Road Rash n’ Splash Triathlon will end at Ute Park at noon with their award ceremony which will kick off Meekerpalooza. Anyone who enters the triathlon will also receive free admission to Meekerpalooza. Call 970-878-3403 to enter. The Meeker Classic Cattle Dog Trials is a new event for

Meeker Chamber Photo

Steve Wix - Broker, Owner and Meeker Native Andrea Thiessen ~ Broker & Realtor Rachel Gates ~ Broker & Realtor

1130 MARKET STREET IN MEEKER, COLORADO … For all of your real estate needs in Meeker and beautiful White River Valley. N Ranches N Residential N Commercial & Investment N Hunting and Recreational Properties See our listings with pictures on our web site at www.backcountryrealty.com P.O. Box 2107 • 1130 Market St. • Meeker, Colorado 81641 970-878-4715 • Cell 970-390-2182 • E-mail: backcountry@nctelecom.net

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Cont. on page 12

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War & Peace

On the Range

Bobby Gutierrez Photo

By Niki Turner niki@theheraldtimes.com

ince the earliest pioneers arrived in Northwest Colorado, livestock ranching has been the economic backbone of the area’s agricultural communities, providing stability and continuity in a region that has been subject to the boom and bust cycle of the oil and gas industry for generations. But in the late 1900s and early part of the 21st Century, a little-known war was taking place in the American West between cattlemen and sheepmen. From 1870 to 1930, hundreds of thousands of sheep would be massacred, along with at least 50 of their owners and caretakers. The cattlemen, in their defense, were attempting to protect their livelihood. Sheep were believed to destroy grazing land with their sharp hooves and nipping foliage too close to the ground. It was thought that sheep polluted precious water sources, making them untenable for horses and cows, and that the woolly critters spread disease. Famous western fiction author Zane Grey inked the following words in his novel detailing the range wars in Arizona titled “The Last Man,” published in 1921, that summed up the cattleman’s perception of sheep: “Presently his keen nostrils were

assailed by a smell of sheep, and soon he rode into a broad sheep trail. From the tracks Jean calculated that the sheep had passed there the day before. An unreasonable antipathy seemed born in him. To be sure he had been prepared to dislike sheep, and that was why he was unreasonable. But on the other hand this band of sheep had left a broad bare swath, weedless, grassless, flowerless, in their wake. Where sheep grazed they destroyed. That was what Jean had against them.” According to a 2011 PBS documentary titled “Sweetgrass,” at the height of the conflict, “Some Americans complained that the sheepherders were not U.S. citizens and were sending their profits abroad rather than investing in the United States. The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, together with the Great Depression and the Immigration Act of 1924 (which limited the number of Spanish nationals who could enter the United States annually) slowed the influx of Basques.” Fearful of losing their way of life, cattle ranchers banded together against the sheep ranchers. The violence that ensued has since been referred to as the “Sheep Wars” or the “Sheep and Cattle Wars” or the “Range Wars” by historians. Cattlemen established “sheep deadlines,” geographical lines sheep

2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

were not to cross under threat of retribution. When lines were crossed, Night Riders—hired bands of masked cowboys—terrorized shepherds and sheep owners, destroying entire flocks, burning the sheepherders’ wagons, killing their dogs, and sometimes the shepherds as well. In Routt County in 1895, some 350 cattlemen—upon hearing that approximately 60,000 sheep were about to be brought across the WyomingColorado border—adopted a series of resolutions designed to ban all sheepherders from entering northwestern Colorado. In Garfield County, things got ugly between sheepherders and cattlemen. In one instance, 4,000 sheep were driven off a bluff into Parachute Creek. The sheepman, upon trying to prevent the destruction, was shot in the hip and wounded. Sheepherders, who often tended their flocks alone in isolated areas, were defenseless against the bands of Night Riders. Rio Blanco County has its own Sheep War story, but it’s one that didn’t end in violence. In 1922, Regas Halandras, a Greek immigrant working as a shepherd, was blocked from driving a flock of sheep through Meeker by gun-wielding cattle ranchers and

Cont. on page 11

War & Peace On the Range Cont. from page 10 their broom-brandishing wives. In spite of the threats, Halandras persevered, eventually buying his own flock and establishing a successful sheep operation in northwest Colorado. In a Denver Post article from 1977, he was named “the best known sheepman in Rio Blanco County.” His legacy continues today in the annual Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials—arguably the best-known and most challenging sheepdog trials in

the United States, if not the world. The “Meeker Classic,” as it is known around town, was founded by Regas’s son, Gus. And, following in his father’s footsteps, Gus’s son, Regas, is the current mayor of Meeker. The legacy of the cattle ranchers continues as well. During the Fourth of July, thousands of spectators come to Meeker to enjoy a festival that began with what is now the oldest annual rodeo in Colorado. Range Call is an

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annual tribute to the tradition of cattle ranching in the White River Valley. In spite of a tumultuous beginning, the cattlemen and sheepherders of Northwest Colorado have found ways to work together for the good of the community and the preservation of the land that sustains their ways of life. In many ways it’s a sign of hope for our country, and our culture. Differences can be overcome for the greater good.

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Meekerpalooza Arts & Music Festival Cont. from page 9 Meeker which will be held in Ute Park after Meekerpalooza on Sunday, June 7 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free event will feature 50 of the top cattledogs and their handlers from across the United States, as they practice for the National Cattle Dog Association National Trials in Steamboat Springs June 10-13. Visit Meekerclassic.com for more information about the Cattledog Trials.

Meeker Chamber Photo

Bobby Gutierrez Photo

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Five tips for happy (OHV) trails Summer Recreation Guide Staff Follow these five simple tips for a fun and safe ride: 1. Get your vehicle in order. Before you go, do a quick visual inspection. Next, check the fluids and top them off. If you’ll be riding in the backcountry or for an extended period of time, do a full check of all systems, including brakes, the cooling and heating system, the driveline, tires, engine and transmission. 2. Check your repair kit. Many UTVs come with repair kits. If yours didn’t, buy one pronto. A wellstocked repair kit includes an air pressure gauge, a tire repair kit, baling wire, a couple crescent wrenches, Allen wrenches, electrical tape, a multitool, a tow strap and everybody’s fix-everything-favorite: duct tape. For extended rides, you should also bring along spare parts, including belts, hoses and hose clamps,

oil, some brake line, a spare tire, spark plugs and anything else that will keep you from having to spend the night under a tree. 3. Pack emergency supplies. If you’re not going far from home or camp, you can pare down to the basics—some spare clothes, extra food and water, a flashlight, a pocket knife, and a flint or lighter. For longer trips add a hat, a few doses of prescription medication, a compass or GPS, a jack, a tarp and rope for impromptu shelters and a fire extinguisher if you have the room. Your emergency supplies should also contain a well-stocked first aid kit. Make sure to bring along your ID with emergency contact and allergy information. 4. Check restrictions for the area where you’ll be riding. Some places are government-regulated while others are privately-owned, so rules may vary. Colorado Parks & Wildlife requires an OHV registra-

tion sticker for the current year. Visit cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/pages/regi strationsohv.aspx for more information. 5. Safety first! • Make sure someone else knows where you’re going and your expected return time. • Ride with a buddy (but not on the same rig unless your ride is designed for it). • Bring a map and a fully charged cell phone. • Wear safety gear—you’ll look cool AND stay safe. A helmet, goggles, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, riding boots and a chest protector are all you need. • Make sure you choose the right size and type of ATV for your body weight and skill level. • Look into ATV safety training. • Skip the drugs and alcohol, always. Finally, don’t forget to respect the wilderness and stay on approved trails. Happy riding!

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nterested in spectacular views, the chance to see local flora and fauna and some excellent cardio? Take advantage of the many trails in Northwest Colorado. China Wall - Meeker: Buttressing the White River Valley, the soaring landmark known locally as China Wall features sandstone rock formations and a variety of wildlife (watch for lizards!). Six trails about 12 miles in total length are groomed for hiking and mountain biking (see map on page 15). They are suitable for all skill levels. www.meekerrecdistrict.com Hanging Lake - Glenwood Springs: Hanging Lake is one of the most popular destinations near Glenwood Springs, and with good reason. The hike is about a mile each way and is moderately difficult but worth the view at the top. As it is a fragile ecosystem, please stay on the trail and avoid throwing anything in the water (including yourself). Specific details and a trail map are available at www.fs.usda.gov. Hanging Lake parking lot full? Try Grizzly Creek instead: www.fs.usda.gov.

Grand Junction/Palisade - Mount Garfield: This four mile trail near Palisade is difficult, but worth the view at the top. You might just get lucky enough to see wild horses grazing in the area. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also earn bragging rights; this trail has an elevation gain of 2,000 feet in just two miles. Bring lots of water and plenty of resolve! For more information and a map check out www.blm.gov Rifle - Rifle Falls: With well maintained trails and a breathtaking triple waterfall, this is a favorite of tourists and locals all year long. Take the loop over the falls and see just how intense your fear of heights really is by walking out on platforms built over the cliffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge. Make sure to check out the caves at the start of the trail as well. This hike is easy to moderate. Colorado Parks & Wildlife offer specifics about your visit to Rifle Falls at cpw.state.co.us Rangely/Dinosaur - Cold Desert Trail: Starting at the Canyon Area Visitor Center, this short easy loop is great for a quick leg stretch on your way to the dinosaur quarry. See the unique â&#x20AC;&#x153;cold desertâ&#x20AC;? environment surrounding the towns of Rangely and Dinosaur. www.nps.gov Steamboat Springs - Fish Creek Falls Trails Loop: Aspens, wildflowers, evergreens, a 283 foot waterfall. Basically, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise. This well-maintained trail system is easy to moderate depending on which loop you take. Trail map and specifics at www.fs.usda.gov.

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7 2 3 M ar ke t St re e t ( Hi g h w ay 1 3 ) Me e ke r, Co l ora d o 8 1 6 41 9 7 0 . 8 7 8 - 3 6 56 w w w. e lk m ou n ta i n me e k er. c o m

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From Steam Age to World Music Stage

The TANK at Dawn, Mark McCoin Photo

2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

The history of Rangely’s ‘Tank’ By Heather Zadra Special to the Summer Recreation Guide

n her 2013 Grand Junction Daily Sentinel article about a 1930s-era railroad water treatment tank turned sonic sound space, journalist Rachel Sauer noted that reverberations in “the Tank” are hardly predictable. Rather than return with the regular cadence of echoes, sound waves in the 60-foot, steel-capped cylinder “race in circles like atoms in a supercollider. Twist away like a whirlpool, like a benign Charybdis. Expand and pulse up and up and up.” In recent years, conversations about the Tank have focused largely on its resurrection. After years sitting empty on a hillside north of Rangely, it was “saved” by friends nobody knew had loved it for more than three decades. In March 2013, the “Friends of the Tank”—dubbing themselves “an eclectic group of artists, sonic explorers and practical minds bound by a common experience”—emerged from a group of musicians and sound-lovers who had been experimenting with Tank sounds since the late 1970s. The Friends launched a Kickstarter campaign that, in three weeks, unveiled the Tank to the public imagination, prompted 800 supporters worldwide to donate more than $46,000 and rechristened the Tank with an unlikely title indeed: Center for Sonic Arts. Since the campaign, the Friends of the Tank have earned nonprofit status and acquired a building permit to adapt the space for assembly purposes. Last September, volunteers installed lighting, fencing, ventilation, and access points. In June, they will gather again to place a custom-made recording studio onsite and create an entryway in the Tank’s side. Labor Day weekend will be the Tank’s grand opening to the public, coinciding with Rangely’s annual Septemberfest community festival. In popular lore, the Tank never held liquid. It was purported to have come from Loma, Colo., or perhaps the Arkansas Valley in southeastern Colorado. Colorado railroad scholar William

Cont. on page 18

This Map section is sponsored by the Lodging Tax Boards of Rio Blanco County

Maps of rio blancO

county

MEEKER

Colorado

A River Runs Through It

Meeker is the gateway to the heart of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and the head of the White River offering a plethora of year round outdoor activities. Our Town is steeped in the history of the American West with Indian battles and the rangeland issues of the early Cowboys and Sheepmen. Enjoy Meeker’s downtown boutiques, art shops and Museums and catch an outdoor summer concert. The Flat Tops Scenic Byway, connecting the towns of Meeker and Yampa, is an ideal location to view pristine scenery and wildlife. The Wagon Wheel OHV Trail system offers 250 miles of trails through the White River National Forest. The Phillip and Dorcas Jensen Memorial Park adjacent to town offers 57 acres of rugged open space with groomed hiking and mountain biking trails for all skill levels and includes a mountain bike flow course.

COME CHECK US OUT! www.townofmeeker.org

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o c l m e E W to the

RANGELY

Rock Crawling — PARK —

This park offers moderate to very challenging trails on BLM land. It is jointly managed by the BLM and the Rangely Rock crawlers club. The blue and green trails are for the moderate drivers. The yellow trails are for the experienced drivers, in specially modified rigs.

DO NOT ATTEMPT THE YELLOW TRAILS IN A STANDARD SUV. Significant body damage to your vehicle may occur. Winch points are located on yellow trails for your convenience. DO NOT ATTACH A WINCH LINE TO ANY TREE. Stay in designated areas except the play areas. DO NOT GO OUT OF BOUNDS. DO NOT CUT OR REMOVE ANY VEGETATION. PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT. NO GLASS CONTAINERS. TRAVEL AT OWN RISK.

RECOMMENDED 4X4 EQUIPMENT ROLL OVER PROTECTION FIRST AID KIT FIRE EXTINGUISHER OIL ABSORBENT AND BUCKET YELLOW TRAILS (in addition to above) 37” TIRES LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS R.R.C. and the BLM have spent many years and a lot of hard work on these trails. Please follow the rules and preserve your privilege of using them. All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 8

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o c l m e E W to the

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rio blanco county

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rio blanco county

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Local OHV Regulations Meeker, Rangely and Rio Blanco County are proud to be “OHV Friendly Communities.” Local government officials have adopted regulations permitting the operation of off-highway vehicles within the town limits, not including state highways, and on designated county roads. Within Meeker Town limits snowmobiles are not included in these regulations. Operators must obey all speed limits, exercise safe driving practices, and are subject to the Model Traffic Code regulations and applicable laws of the State of Colorado. Within the County, OHV operators are required to maintain at least the minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000.00 per person, $50,000.00 per accident, and $15,000.00 property damage. Within Meeker Town limits, the OHV maximum speed limit is 25 miles per hour unless a sign designates a lesser speed limit. Within the Rangely Town limits, the OHV maximum speed limit is 10 miles per hour. On designated County roads, OHV riders must not exceed speeds of 35 miles per hour, or the posted speed limit, whichever is less. Within Meeker Town limits operators must be in possession of a valid Colorado driver’s license or a valid driver’s license from another state. Within Rangely Town limits any person operating an OHV must be at least 11 years of age or be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. Within the County, riders 16 years or older must have a valid driver’s license, and riders over the age of 10 must be operating under the supervision of a person with a valid driver’s license. Riders under the age of 10 shall not operate an OHV. Within Meeker Town limits, OHVs are allowed on all roads and alleys, with the exception of State Highway 13 (Market Street). Riders crossing State Highway 13 (Market Street) shall do so at an angle of approximately ninety (90) degrees to the direction of the highway, and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing. Within Rangely Town limits all Town streets, roads, and alleys, except any street or road which is part of the State Highway system are designated as off-highway vehicle routes. Within Meeker Town limits, no person shall operate an OHV while carrying another person or riding in any position that may interfere with the operation or control of the OHV or the view of the operator. All off-highway vehicles must be equipped with and have in use; • at least one headlamp, • at least one red tail lamp, • functioning braking system, • spark arrester, • muffler

• current Colorado Parks and Wildlife registration decal which can be obtained at www.parks.state.co.us With Rangely Town limits, OHV operators must take as direct a route as possible to a BLM area, educational activity, or employment. Educational activities or work activities must be approved by the Chief of Police and if in question will be verified. Within Rangely Town limits no OHV shall be operated between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Note: This is not a complete record of the government regulations and differences may exist which could result in your non-compliance. Please contact the Meeker Chamber of Commerce at 710 Market St., online at meekerchamber.com or by calling (970) 878-5510 for a complete copy of the regulations.

TRAIL DIFFICULTY LEVELS “Green” ATV/OHV Trail (beginner): A graveled or surfaced road with good sight distance. “Blue” ATV/OHV Trail (intermediate): A two track road or trail with natural surfaces, moderate turns with limited sight distance, moderately steep sections with drop-offs, ruts, dust, and frequent changes in the riding surface. “Black” ATV/OHV Trail (expert): A trail or very primitive two track road including steep, rough, and narrow segments, often with switchbacks. Trail conditions can change rapidly during and immediately after spring runoff and heavy thunderstorms. Private Land: It is unlawful to gain access to public land by trespassing on private property. Never assume access, always seek permission! Note: The ratings for this trail system are based on subjective comparison of trails within this system only. Newcomers are encouraged to begin their riding experience on the Wagon Wheel OHV Trail System with a “beginner” trail. This will establish a base for moving on to an “intermediate” or “expert” trail segment. Riders assume all risk associated with skill level, trail difficulty and conditions. The Town of Meeker, Rio Blanco County and Wagon Wheel OHV Club are not responsible for the accuracy of trail designation and classification.

RIDE RESPONSIBLY • Never go alone, make a plan and let others know where you will be and when to expect you back. • Use official agency maps and observe all signs. • Ensure you have enough fuel to make your trip and for emergency. • Be prepared in case of injury, in-

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clement weather, breakdowns, losing your way, and other disasters which can occur. • Pull off the road at trail heads and do not block access to the trail while staging. • Air down your tires to a safe PSI, allowing for better traction and a smoother ride. Don’t forget to air back up when you return to main roads. • Pull over to the side of the trail to let faster vehicles pass. • Share the road and yield to non-motorized trail users. • Help those in need of assistance. • Keep right to pass vehicles moving in the opposite direction. • Engine noise can easily spook horses. Stop well ahead of equestrians, turn off your engine, remove your helmet and proceed only after they wave you by. • Use hand signals to let others know how many vehicles are behind you. A closed fist means the final rider has passed. • Leave the trail cleaner than you found it, it only takes a second to stop and pick up trash. • Aim your tire at rocks and obstacles, and drive over them if possible. Do not widen the trail. • Do not use shortcuts. Switchbacks are designed to maintain the stability of the trail, cutting them destroys their integrity. • Ride single file on narrow trails. • When you encounter water, go straight through while maintaining a steady speed, unless the water is too deep. • Do not let yourself get stuck or carried away. • Drive slowly, wildlife and other motorists share these trails. • Use a spotter when necessary. Ensure that the spotter stands out of the way of the vehicle, and is out of the path in case of rollover. • Make sure other riders are clear and away from the vehicle when encountering a difficult obstacle. • Do not drive around unnecessarily in campsites and at trailheads; be courteous to those wanting to enjoy the peace of nature. • While hunting from an OHV, rifles and bows carried must be completely unloaded and fully enclosed in a case. Do not use your OHV as a rifle rest. Shooting from a vehicle or across a road is prohibited. • Motorized cross-country travel to retrieve game is not permitted in most areas. Pack your game out to your OHV. • Give wildlife and livestock their space. Do not harass them. • Travel and camp on durable surfaces • Dispose of waste properly • Minimize campfire impacts

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This Map section is sponsored by the Lodging Tax Boards of Rio Blanco County

Maps of rio blancO

county

MEEKER

Colorado

A River Runs Through It

COME CHECK US OUT! www.townofmeeker.org

www.meekerchamber.com

Where do you find the road less traveled?

Rangely

Colorado

ven! OHV hea

chrislatham photography | Progressive Trail Design

C stayomf e for a r or a l ide, ifetim e!

www.rangely.com • 970-675-8476 •

The TANK Cont. from page 16 Reich, however, believes the Tank’s actual story is very different. Water treatment tanks like this one, he says, were essential to the railroad industry in the first half of the 20th Century. “The whole idea was to use soft water in the steam engines so that they would have to be cleaned less often,” Reich said. Rangely’s Tank was likely built for water stations in Rifle or Grand Valley, near modern-day Parachute, between 1937 and 1941. In 1951, just a couple of years after Moon Lake Electric Association (MLEA) decided to offer service to the rapidly-burgeoning oilfield industry, it purchased the Rangely Power and Light Company, including a steamand natural gas-fired generating plant. By the early 1960s, MLEA hoped to lower the plant’s insurance

costs by adding a fire suppression system—hence the decision to purchase the Tank and use it for water storage. Locals who remember the Tank’s reconstruction said it was pieced together in little more than a week using a crane and welding tools. In the town proper, most residents took little notice of the addition to Rangely’s “skyline.” Moon Lake, however, would soon need to contend with the repercussions of their well-intentioned plan. Ken Winder, a Moon Lake electrical engineer from 1972 to 1981 and MLEA’s engineering department manager until his retirement in 2013, knows as much as anyone about why the Tank never again held water. “The Tank’s position had to be near and above the plant so that we’d have

water pressure,” Winder said. “But after it was placed, there were questions about the adequacy of the foundation.” Longtime MLEA employee Dave Justus recalled that town officials had concerns the hill itself wouldn’t have supported the 1,170 tons of water weight the Tank could potentially hold. The plan that had dismantled and transported a massive tower of metal across county and perhaps even state lines ended there. By 1975, Moon Lake administrators decided the local power plant was no longer earning its keep and shut it down. The company sold the plant equipment, but nobody seemed to want the Tank. Local tradition holds that Moon Lake eventually offered it up for as little as $1. But even as the Tank’s

purpose for Moon Lake evaporated, its emptiness became the very thing that drew native speakers to it. The first group to discover the way Tank sounds dipped, climbed and meandered was comprised of the usual suspects: partygoers, love-smitten and lovelorn teenagers, and oilfield workers. Locals recollect customs: spray-painting graduation years on the Tank and modifying car stereo systems with speaker cords of sufficient length to grace the Tank with music. In 1976, a second group of Tank inhabitants sprang from a random encounter between visiting artists and Rangely natives. “Sonic thinker” and composer Bruce Odland was gathering sounds for an event installa-

Cont. on page 19

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WESTERN RIO BLANCO METROPOLITAN RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT

CHECK US OUT! Rangely Recreation Center WINTER HOURS: M-Th 6am-9pm, Fri 6am-7pm, Sat & Sun Noon-7pm SUMMER HOURS: Mon & Wed 5:30am-8pm, Tue, Th & Fri 5:30am-7pm Sat & Sun 9am-5pm Child Care available Mon-Fri 8:30am-10:30am

CALL FOR REC. CENTER SUMMER HOURS

FRIDAY, JULY 3rd

# Color Run 5k (8:30am start time with registration at 8am, $20 per person *includes shirt* or $60 for immediate family). # All proceeds benefit the New Eden Pregnancy Center # At various points throughout the course you will be doused with colored powder # Inflatables (11pm-3pm) # Cajun Boil (5:30pm) $25/adult, $5/kid’s hot dog meal # Purchase tickets at the Rec. Center # Contact Kirstin or Camilla (675-8211) for more info # Concert FREE! (6:30pm) # Night Golf (Contact Chris Hejl at Cedar Ridge Golf Course for more information at 675-8403)

S G N I N E P P A H

Rangely Recreation Center

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SATURDAY, JULY 4th # Rib Cook Off (begins at 10 am with judging at 5 pm) # Old Time Games (12-3pm) # Local Music Showcase (3pm FREE) # Fireworks- At Kenney Reservoir (Dusk)

www.westernrioblanco.org 611 S. Stanolind Ave. I Rangely I 970.675.8211

Friday ~ Monday | Sept. 4 ~ Sept. 7, 2015 Rangely, Colorado

ccording to some, Rangely is one of those places where you have to create your own fun, which is what folks had in mind when they came up with Septemberfest. This annual Labor Day celebration has a long history of providing family fun. Don’t miss our Annual Craft Fair in the Park on Monday, September 7. The Rangely Recreation Center, its business members and lots of volunteers pull off this event each year, and we look forward to seeing you this year! Sept. 47, 2015. The 6th Annual Rock ‘N Bull will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015 at the Fairgrounds beginning at 7:00 p.m. Cost is: $20 VIP $10 for Adults $5 for Kids. 3 years and younger are Free. Rangely Museum will hold the Annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015 from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 4, 2015 To Be Determined.......................................5:00 p.m. to finish ...........RJSHS Auditorium

Saturday, September 5, 2015 Uintah Railroad Tour ...............................8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m ........Elks Park Fast, Flat and FREE 5K .............................8:00 a.m. to finish ............Elks Park Blue Mountain Half Marathon .................7:30 a.m. start time...........Blue Mtn. Highway Bulls n Bogeys Golf Tournament .............9:00 a.m. to finish .............Fairgrounds/Golf Course Bike Rally..................................................9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. .....Elks Park Parking lot Day in the Park.........................................1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. .......Elks Park Bench Press Contest................................2:00 p.m. to finish .............Elks Park Pavilion Chili Cook Off Contest..............................4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. .......Elks Park 6th Annual Rock ‘N Bull ...........................7:00 p.m. to finish .............Fairgrounds Sunday, September 6, 2015 Ice Cream Social ......................................1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. .......Rangely Museum Muddy Dip ‘N Dash ..................................5:30 p.m. to finish .............Old Parkview Site Mud Tug O’ War ........................................7:30 p.m. to finish .............Old Parkview Site Sunday Evening Worship .........................6:00 p.m. to finish .............Elks Park Pavilion Monday, September 7, 2015 Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast..................6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. .......Rangely Fire Station Star Spangled Parade ..............................9:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m .......Main Street Craft Fair in the Park................................10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. .....Elks Park Car Show in the Park ...............................10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. .....Elks Park Team Cribbage Tournament.....................10:30 a.m. to finish ...........Elks Park Pavilion Barbecue in the Park ...............................1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. .......Elks Park Duck Race Sponsored by STUCO.............5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. .......Green River Bridge FREE CONCERT .........................................6:30 p.m. to DONE .............Elks Park Softball Field

The TANK Cont. from page 17 tion in Rangely. Two roughnecks sent him into the Tank along with his recording equipment, striking the outside of the structure with two-by-fours and rocks. That night, the Tank drew Odland back, this time with instruments and a friend. Though he left Rangely the next day, Odland could never stay away for long. For the next three decades, he brought musicians, equipment, and instruments from around the world to test the sonic waters of the Tank. In 1999, Michael Stanwood, a musician and longtime friend of Odland’s who visited the Tank regularly for the better part of two decades, found the Tank’s portal welded shut, its exterior ladder cut off. The owner at the time, concerned about liability, didn’t hesitate to sell it and five of the original nine acres to Stanwood for a mere $10. Another decade and a half trickled by, with an eclectic, evolving group of international musicians and artists making journeys to rest, record, and explore the Tank’s soundscape. But as years passed, Stanwood and others began to feel that their exploration of the Tank’s secrets was coming to a close. When somebody offered to buy the Tank, Stanwood reached out to Odland before mak-

ing a decision. As Odland contemplated a future without the Tank, he sought input from good friend David Shoemaker, who had produced Odland’s Tank album “Leaving Eden.” Shoemaker refused to return to Rangely for the Tank’s “funeral,” insisting instead that it had to be saved. A few days later, as Odland and his friends celebrated his 60th birthday, a group of Tank faithful sat up late into the night, making plans to do just that. Though Stanwood returned to the Friends of the Tank double what the Order of the Tank had contributed for his stewardship for 14 years, they little understood what would be involved in the permitting process. Now, two years in, they credit town and county officials, among others, for help-

ing guide them toward making the Center a reality. “[W]e really did not know a thing about conditional use permits or building permits…so it is a continuous learning curve,” Odland said. “But now enough people are joining in that we feel it will really have a future there in Rangely.” Odland is right. Even as an international community of musicians and artists awaits opportunities to learn from the Tank, few people in Rangely have experienced the Tank in the ways the Friends envision—through education, personal engagement and mutual interaction. There is curiosity, but not yet passion; there is wary acceptance, but not yet welcoming. The tenor of the note is still uncertain; the Friends have released it, but only the Tank will decide

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how it plays out. For more information, photos, and to listen to music made in the Tank, visit www.tanksounds.org.

The original version of this article appeared in Volume 7, Issue 7 of the Waving Hands Review. See http://www.cncc.edu/waving-hands-review/ for more.

ilver age

Proud Member of the Rangely Chamber of Commerce

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Top 10 Wildlife Viewing Locations Cont. from page 7 birds. In sagebrush areas, deer, prairie dogs, sage grouse and pronghorn can be spotted. Golden eagles reside here, as well as elk, moose and a variety of smaller mammals. Take the six mile self guided tour with a brochure from the refuge headquarters or walk the half mile nature trail along the Illinois River.

7. Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area

René Harden Photo

Park Wetland Habitat Preserve This wetland preserve has seven ponds and ditches with two platform viewing blinds and a boardwalk. The reservoir is home to trout, salmon and pike. Redtailed hawks, ospreys and occasionally eagles can be seen, as well as many other water birds.

6. Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Diverse habitats provide outstanding viewing for water, shore and marsh

Look for desert bighorn sheep and mule deer in this wildlife area situated on the Colorado River. Two viewing loops and waterfowl blinds offer great opportunities for spotting different types of waterfowl, great blue herons, peregrine falcons, eagles, hawks, quail and turkeys, as well a songbirds in the river trees and shrubs.

8. Grand Junction River Corridor There are three viewing areas along this corridor—Grand Junction Wildlife Area, Colorado River Wildlife Area and Connected Lakes of Colorado River State Park. They are all great places for birding and spotting deer and small mammals. Walk the paved trail and

2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

look for beaver dams along the river backwater. Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) is currently working to restore the wetlands environment at this site.

9. Glenwood Canyon Trail

Paved walking and biking trails run from the west edge of Glenwood Springs to Dotsero. A variety of habitats make this amazing canyon an excellent place for viewing black bears, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, and mountain lions. Watch for falcons, hawks and golden eagles in the sky and beavers, mink and ringtails along the river.

10. Trappers Lake

This high-elevation lake and surrounding “silver forest” are perfect spots for viewing many different waterfowl, woodland birds, cutthroat trout and a variety of other wildlife. Nearby Wall Lake Trail puts on a spectacular wildflower display in summer, as well. Things to remember: • Blend with your surroundings—leave the neon shorts at home and don’t use

Cont. on page 21

BUCK ‘N’ BULL

Sean McMahon Photo

René Harden Photo

Cont. from page 20 scented products. • Plan your visit for early morning or late evening. Wildlife are most active during these hours of the day. • Be patient. Stay still and silent. • Bring binoculars, a spotting scope or a telephoto camera lens. • Look for movement and texture/color contrasts. • Leave Fido at home. • Never approach or feed wildlife, for both your safety and theirs. • Respect other wildlife enthusiasts. • Leave no trace. For more places to view wildlife, check out the interactive map at cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Viewing.aspx You can also download CPW’s official Wildlife Checklist at cpw.state.co.us/ Documents/Education/Stud entActivities/WildlifeDiscov ery/LookingForWildlife.pdf

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The Wild Horses of Northwest Colorado

Dona Hilkey Photo/Hilkey’s Outdoor Images

By Callie Hendrickson Executive Director White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts

orses have long been a significant part of Northwest Colorado’s history. The horse’s primary use was with the ranching industry, and they were used to herd cattle in areas that were not accessible by other means of transportation. Ranchers were the caretakers/managers of many horse herds as these were their brood mare bands. The ranchers placed quality stallions with the mares to raise good foals that would run with the band until they were gathered as three and four-year olds to be used on the ranches. In 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act (WFRHBA) was passed, requiring the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to become the managers of these herds on the public rangelands. The act required the BLM to inventory where horses and burros were located in 1971 and to consider managing the horses in those specific locations. These were known as “herd areas.” Herd areas are defined as the “Geographic areas of the public lands

identified as habitat used by wild horses and burros (WH&B) at the time the WFRHBA was enacted (12/12/1971).” Then the BLM was to determine where the horses could actually be managed. These areas are known as herd management areas (HMA). HMAs are defined as areas which “May be established in those HAs within which horses can be managed for the long term. HMAs are designated through the Land Use Plan process for the maintenance of WH&B herds.” Northwestern Colorado has three areas where horses are managed (no burros are located on Colorado BLM lands). The areas are the Sand Wash HMA in Moffat County, the Piceance– East Douglas HMA in Rio Blanco County and the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area in Mesa County. The Sand Wash herd management area (HMA) is generally located 45 miles west of Craig, Colo., in the Sand Wash Basin. The Sand Wash HMA includes 154,940 acres of public land, 1,960 acres of private land and 840 acres of state school section lands, for a total of 157,730 acres. Sand Wash Basin is surrounded by ridges and mesas and it receives 7 to 12 inches of annual precipitation. The original population of horses within the HMA in 1971 was 65 head.

2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

Over the years, the BLM has determined the area would sustain additional horses. Currently, it is believed the maximum number of horses the range will support is 363 horses. The current horse population is estimated at 496. The horses within the Sand Wash HMA exhibit many different colors. Among the most common are grey and sorrel although most colors and color patterns can be found, including buckskins, duns and paints. The Piceance-East Douglas HMA is located in Rio Blanco County, approximately 25 miles west and south of Meeker, Colo., and approximately 50 miles north and east of Grand Junction, Colo. The HMA comprises 158,310 acres of public land, 5,330 acres of state land and 26,490 of private land for a total of about 190,130 acres. The first Resource Area Management Plan, approved 95 to 140 wild horses on 190,130 acres within the Piceance-East Douglas HMA. In 2002, the population range became 135 to 235 horses. The upper limit (AML) is the maximum number that can graze, based on detailed analysis

Cont. on page 23

Wild Horses Cont. from page 22 of the available water, forage and other multiple uses. The current population within the Piceance-East Douglas HMA is estimated at 317. Additional horses have moved beyond the boundaries of the HMA. The horses within the Piceance-East Douglas HMA are typically solid colored browns and bays. These horses are not usually as visitor friendly as the Sand Wash and Little Book Cliff horses as there are not as many people watching and photographing in this area. The Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area is located 8 miles north east of Grand Junction and consists of 36,000 acres of public lands. The BLM has determined the appropriate management level to be 90 to 150 horses. There are currently 146 horses in this area. This herd exhibits a multitude of colors similar to the Sand Wash herd. The Friends of the Mustangs group has been involved in the management of the horses and the group administers fertility-control drugs with good success in this small herd. It is a thrill to view horses on the range and people come from many places to photograph them. They represent the spirit of the Western lifestyle on the open range and it is important to manage the appropriate number on the range. The BLM’s goal is to manage healthy horses on healthy

Cont. on page 28

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Whittle the Wood Rendezvous: One of Colorado’s most unusual art festivals Special to the Summer Recreation Guide

hat do unique sculptures and chainsaws have in common? Everything, at the 16th annual Whittle the Wood Rendezvous in Craig, Colo. What began in 1999 as a way to save some historic trees in the city park from destruction has since become a four-day festival and competition that attracts artists and spectators from around the world. Today, 12 large spruce logs are brought in for the competition and placed in the ground at LoudySimpson Park. Then it’s up to a select group of invited chainsaw carvers to transform those logs into works of art. The carvers participate in a lottery draw for the

stump they will begin carving Wednesday morning and must finish Saturday by 4 p.m. Each year the carvers compete in five categories for cash prizes. First, second and third place prizes as well as people’s choice and artist’s choice are awarded. People wander through the park during the days leading up to the main event to watch the carving in progress, and enjoy live music, food, beer and crafts vendors. Simultaneously, the Bear River Young Life Car and Motorcycle Show takes place in downtown Craig. This year’s 16th annual Whittle the Wood Rendezvous starts on Wednesday, June 17 and culminates with the community festival Saturday, June 20.

Whittle the Wood June 17~June 20, 2015

Join us for the 16th annual Whittle the Wood Rendezvous in Craig at Loudy-Simpson Park

Open Daily from 9am to Dusk to watch the carvers’ progress FREE shuttles Saturday from 10am to 8pm departing every 30 minutes from The O.P, JW Snacks, Mather's and the K-Mart parking lots.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY’S SHOWS ARE FREE!

Friday June 19th: All Day - Free Arts & Crafts Fair, Food Vendors, Beer Garden & Silent Auction 4:00-5:30 p.m. - Dixie Leadfoot and the Chrome Struts 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Gone Before they Got Here Saturday June 20th: 8 a.m. - Wake Up the Whittler 5K Fun Run All Day - Free Arts & Crafts Fair, Food Vendors, Beer Garden & Silent Auction 1:00-2:00 p.m. - Quick Carve Competition 10 a.m.-3 p.m. - Car Show Downtown - Bear River Younglife 3:00-4:30 p.m. - The Steve Thomas Band 5:00-5:30 p.m. - Whittle the Wood 2015 winners announced 5:30-7:00 p.m. - Jefferson Starship in concert

No dogs or bikes inside the event. Coolers are welcome, but please leave your alcohol at home. Coolers may be subject to search.

whittlethewood.com 970-826-2029

2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

Take a step back in time at Dinosaur National Monument

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inosaur National Monument was established on Oct. 4, 1915, as an 80-acre monument to preserve the outstanding fossil resources at the dinosaur quarry north of Jensen, Utah. “While the entire National Park Service is getting ready to celebrate 100 years in 2016, we have the honor of jumpstarting celebrations with an important anniversary of our own. Dinosaur National Monument was established on Oct. 4, 1915 and this season will be full of special events recognizing the Dinosaur Centennial throughout 2015,” says Monument Superintendent Mark Foust. “Each month’s activities from April through October will highlight a different reason Dinosaur National Monument remains an important place for scien-

tists, history buffs, adventure seekers, nature lovers, artists and more.” Additional activities will take place outside of the monument, many of them sponsored by a growing number of communitybased Dinosaur Centennial Partners. “My hope for both the Find Your Park and Dinosaur Centennial campaigns,” says Foust, “is that everyone feels genuinely welcome to visit and find out for themselves what makes this corner of northeast Utah and northwest Colorado a premier unit of the National Park Service.” Visit www.NationalPark Week.org to learn more about how you can join parks, programs, and partners in celebrating National Park Week across the country. Explore the website or follow DinosaurNPS on social media to learn more about joining the Dinosaur Centennial celebrations.

www.theheraldtimes.com 970.878.4017

‘GET LOST’ in Steamboat this summer Summer Recreation Guide Staff

orget the big name theme parks this summer with their outrageous prices and excruciating lines. Instead, spend a day (or two, or three) at Amaze’n Steamboat Family Fun Park, where every family member can find an activity to tickle their fancy, from getting lost in the giant maze to walking on water in a huge plastic ball, all while enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery in Northwest Colorado. “Our main activity, of course, is our Giant Maze... but people come for miniature golf, because no one knows what a giant maze is until they actually see one! Our slogan for the maze is ‘Get Lost!’ The whole point of the maze is to run it as fast as you can, find four checkpoints with hole punches with letters on ‘em (M,A,Z,E), find the exit and we’ll figure out how long it took you. Twelve minutes or less wins a prize,” explained owner and operator Gray

Kohlhase via email. Kohlhase has been part of Amaze’n Steamboat since it’s inception. “I started out as manager of Amaze’n Steamboat... and helped build it from the ground up! It took about a month to build the maze, put in the golf course, plant all the bushes and trees and do all the landscaping, etc. At that time, the maze was owned by Greg Gallavan and Ralph Pankey. After about 5 years, Ralph sold his half to Greg. Greg needed a business partner and I was the lucky guy! He gave me an opportunity that not many people get. Everything I know about the business world, I learned from him,” Kohlhase wrote. Gallavan, who lives in Winter Park, Colo., is also the owner and founder of Amaze Ventures, which has created more than 50 mazes around the world. He has mazes in New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Mexico, Jackson Hole, Wyo. (Kohlhase’s iden-

tical twin owns that maze), Jamaica, Australia, South Korea and St. Kitts, West Indies, among others. Gallavan personally builds each maze and teaches the buyers how to run the operation successfully. The maze isn’t the only activity at Amaze’n Steamboat. Guests can also enjoy the maze with Super Soakers, walk on water from inside an inflatable ball, play laser tag, complete a challenging 18-holes of miniature golf, fly high on the bungee trampoline, pan for gemstones and fossils, or shoot baskets against friends... the loser gets drenched with water. There’s also a bounce house for the younger visitors. Kohlhase has as much fun watching the park’s guests as he does participating, but his favorite activity is Squirt Gun Fun in the Maze. “I’ve seen 60-year-old ladies go into the maze with Super Soakers

Cont. on page 27

Giant Maze • Miniature Golf • Gemstone Panning Lazer Tag • Squirt Gun Fun Bungee Trampoline •Water Walkerz Bouncy House •Shoot’n Shower Basketball

A unique experience for the whole family! Ideal for birthdays, reunions, and group parties!

Visit our website for coupons and specials: www.amazensteamboat.com

SUN-THURS 10AM-9PM • FRI-SAT 10AM-9:30PM (Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day - weather permitting) 125 S. ANGLERS DR. • STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLO. • 970-870-8682 26

2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

Amaze’n Steamboat Family Fun park Cont. from page 26 and act like 10-year-old kids! Hiding around corners, ducking under the walls, soaking their friends and family. It’s hilarious!” It’s also a perfect place for family gatherings, reunions, and summer parties for large or small groups, with horseshoe pits, picnic tables, a big party tent and a small creek that runs throughout the mini-golf course. “We’re surrounded by trees and grass and birds and Fish Creek...and the ambiance of the place is incredible! We will cater any party and we have great group discounts,” Kohlhase added. Summer and day passes are available. “It’s a place where parents feel safe dropping their kids off for the day. It’s just a fun place for the whole family to come and play all day!” Amaze’n Steamboat Family Fun Park opens Memorial Day weekend

and remains open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Labor Day. “We go to weekends through September. We do have limited hours at the end of August when things start to slow down. Also, we might close if it rains but we usually try to stay open. People can still play golf and run the maze in the rain, so it’s a great place to come when the alpine slide, the gondola and the other mountain activities have to shut down,” he said. The park is located behind the Steamboat Visitor’s Center, across Highway 40 from McDonald’s at 125 S. Anglers Dr. A special grand opening is planned to celebrate the park’s 20th summer this May. For more details on the event, general information about the park, to find out about summer and day passes or to view pictures of the maze and other activities,

visit www.amazensteamboat.com check out Amaze’n Steamboat Family

Fun Park on Facebook, or call 970-870-8682 between May and October.

www.theheraldtimes.com 970.878.4017

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2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

Be Informed - Be Responsible. Education Matters! Where Can I Buy Marijuana? At one of Colorado’s licensed stores. Keep in mind that cities, towns and counties are allowed to ban the sale of marijuana, and many have. Colorado law states that stores cannot open before 8:00am and cannot be open past midnight. Keep in mind though that each jurisdiction is allowed to make more restrictive hours and many have. How Much Marijuana Can I Have? An adult, over 21 years of age, with a valid Colorado ID can purchase up to one ounce of marijuana, while an individual with an out of state ID can purchase up to one quarter ounce at a time. Can I Get a DUI For Smoking Weed in Colorado? YES. Colorado has adopted an “express consent” law. This means that by virtue of operating a motor vehicle on Colorado roads, you consent to a chemical test of your blood or breath if an officer has probable cause to believe you are impaired. If the Officer believes you are high, they will require a chemical test of your blood. If you have more than 5 nano-grams of active THC metabolites, you are presumed to be substantially impaired, meaning that a DA could tell the jury that, regardless of any other indicators of impairment, or how well you did on the roadside tests, it’s OK for them to presume you were driving stoned. Transport your marijuana in the locked trunk of your vehicle. Isn’t Weed Still Illegal Under Federal Law? Will the Feds Prosecute Me? Yes and no. Marijuana remains illegal under Federal Law. That being said, the federal government has said that they will not prosecute the possession or sale of marijuana, so long as state law is being complied with, and those laws are “robust.” Colorado has tried to make the regulations regarding possession and sales of marijuana robust and well regulated, so as to prevent federal interference. Can I Use My Credit or Debit Card? As it stands right now, pot shops are cash only businesses. Where Can I Smoke Weed in Colorado? Public consumption remains illegal, therefore, its really best to consume it in the privacy of your own home (although landlords have the right to say no). You cannot consume it in National Parks, at ski areas, outdoors, and even a hotel has the right to say no, just like they can prevent you from smoking cigarettes in your room. Please don’t ever smoke pot in any car, regardless.

Wild Horses Cont. from page 23 rangelands. However, there are challenges with management of the horses given their populations increase at approximately 20 percent each year. Therefore, they will double their populations within four to five years. BLM Colorado is using all approved population control methods in managing these horses but, as you note above, the numbers in both HMAs exceed the appropriate management level. Horses compete with the deer, elk, pronghorns and permitted livestock for feed and water in this arid climate. Natural resources have been allocated through land use planning for wildlife, livestock and wild horses. Maintaining appropriate populations of each of these is essential in maintaining healthy rangelands and preventing negative impacts. The BLM is a land management agency required to manage for multiple uses. As you visit the horses on the public lands, you are one of those multiple usesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;recreation. All uses are managed to assure significant progress is made toward achieving the BLM â&#x20AC;&#x153;Land Health Standards.â&#x20AC;? Maintaining appropriate populations of all species is essential in maintaining healthy rangelands and preventing negative impacts. The Greater Sage Grouse is a species that is currently being considered for listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Both the Sand Wash and Piceance-East Douglas HMAs overlap Greater Sage Grouse habitat. Therefore, it is critical that the HMAs be managed to ensure the Land Health Standards are met to help protect the sage grouse. Because they do not have natural predators and

their populations double every four to five years, the BLM is required by law to remove the horses that are above the AML if they are negatively impacting the range. Gathering horses is done by using helicopters to guide horses into corrals and/or feed or water is used to bait them into corrals. Then the horses are taken to short-term corrals for a period of time until they are adopted or there is space available in what is known as long-term pastures. Here, the horses live out the remainder of their lives. However, there are nearly 49,000 horses and burros currently in these corral and pasture facilities that have already been removed from the range and the cost to the taxpayer is $46 million per year to feed and care for them. It is natural to think that we should leave the horses on the range instead of removing them into corrals and pastures at such great expense. However, we must consider the ecological damage caused by too many horses on the range now and in the future. It is not easy to quantify the cost of ecological damage, but it is real and if left unchecked, it is irreversible. You are encouraged to enjoy the beauty of these great horses and to learn more about the challenges involved in the management of the horses and their habitat. To learn more about the local herds, visit the local BLM field offices in Craig, Meeker and Grand Junction. To learn more about the national BLM Wild Horse and Burro program and opportunities to adopt horses, visit www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/pro g/whbprogram.html.

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Celebrate Colorado’s 139th birthday with free entrance to area state parks on Aug. 3

Rifle Gap State Park

Niki Turner Photo

By Caitlin Walker Special to the Summer Recreation Guide

he Centennial State will celebrate its 139th birthday Aug. 1, and the following Monday, Aug. 3, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will waive all entrance fees to state parks in honor of “Colorado Day.” Enjoy recreational activities and breathtaking natural beauty at any of these Northwest Colorado locations: • Pearl Lake State Park • Steamboat Lake State Park • Stagecoach State Park • Elkhead Reservoir/Yampa River State Park • Harvey Gap State Park • Rifle Falls State Park • Rifle Gap State Park • Highline Lake State Park • James M. Robb ~ Colorado River State Park • Sweitzer Lake State Park • Vega State Park Can’t get away on Colorado Day? Entrance fees for the rest of the year are as follows: Daily Parks Pass - $7 to $9, required for all vehicles and good until noon the following day Annual Parks Pass - $70 per vehicle Annual Multiple Pass - $35 per vehicle in the same household after purchase of annual pass Aspen Leaf Pass - $60 per vehicle for Colo. residents 64 years of age or older Aspen Leaf Multiple Pass - $30 per vehicle in the same household after purchase of Aspen Leaf Pass Columbine Pass - $14 for disabled Colo. residents Colorado Disabled Veterans License Plate - no charge Centennial Pass - $14 for income eligible Colo. Residents For more information or to purchase a pass online, visit cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/ParksPassInfo.aspx

2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

Rifle Falls State Park

Niki Turner Photo

Harvey Gap State Park

Niki Turner Photo

Family-friendly Dinner Theatre 3)1 $)%4 < 271( )9 ,295 vaudeville theater By Caitlin Walker caitlin@theheraldtimes.com

f youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve driven down Grand Avenue in Glenwood Springs, Colo., recently, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve probably seen it. The eye-catching painted mural of the cast, the crowds streaming in on weekend evenings, and of course the name spelled out in snazzy yellow marquee: GLENWOOD VAUDEVILLE REVUE. But what is â&#x20AC;&#x153;vaudeville,â&#x20AC;? exactly? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never heard the term before, vaudeville can best be summed up as a variety showâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;think SNL but with extra panache. It gained momentum in the 1880s and was the most popular form of entertainment in America through the 1920s. Vaudeville performances were often the highlight of the year for residents in the frontier towns dotting western Colorado. Acts ranged from dramatic readings to barbershop performances to musical numbers, skits, jokes and magic tricks. The Vaudevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two hour performances feature all this and moreâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and they are one hundred percent family friendly. John Goss brought this once-forgotten theatrical art back to the heart of Glenwood Springs six years ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had our first show in May 2009. Not the best time to open a theatre but I was so convinced it would work that I went for it anyway. I worked out an agreement with the Masonic Lodge in Glenwood Springs and threw every cent I owned into it,â&#x20AC;? Goss said via email. A seasoned 25-year theatre veteran, Goss has created and performed in hundreds of shows in numerous states. His favorite thing about performing arts? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Entertaining people. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really that simple.â&#x20AC;? Featuring a cast bursting with talent, the show does just that. Vaudeville in particular allows him to â&#x20AC;&#x153;put anything on stage that is fun and entertaining. Any wacky, silly, beautiful, funny or just impressive idea I can come up with, we can put in the show.â&#x20AC;? The performances are reinvented each season with new material and old favorites. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This summer weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing a lot of new original materialâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; it will be hilarious.â&#x20AC;? Goss and his fellow vaudevillians relocated to the former Springs Theatre in downtown Glenwood Springs in 2012. The building has been completely renovated to accommodate 150 guests for dinner (catered by numerous local restaurants), drinks and the show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although it has had its tough times,â&#x20AC;? Goss said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Vaudeville has constantly grown and we expect it to continue with the new location and fantastic cast.â&#x20AC;? The spring season runs through May 23 with shows Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. A 5:30 p.m. Sunday performance is added for the summer season, which begins June 12. The Vaudeville also hosts stand-up comedy nights, concerts and fundraisers for local businesses at their 915 Grand Ave., location. Specifics can be found at www.gvrshow.com, their Facebook page (search Glenwood Vaudeville Revue) or by calling 970-945-9699. Call the number above or visit www.gvrshow.com/reservations to make reservations.

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2015 SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE

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Amaze’n Steamboat Family Fun Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Backcountry Realty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Bedrock Depot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Blue Mountain Inn & Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Blue Spruce Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Buck and Bull RV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Cedar Ridges Golf Course. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Christie’s Liquor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Cook Chevrolet & Subaru. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 El Agave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Elk Mountain Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ERBM Rec. & Park District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Garfield County Fair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Giovanni’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Glenwood Vaudeville Revue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Green Cabins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 JJ Tires & Auto Repair Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Joy Surveying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Kush Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Lost Solar Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Ma Famiglia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Meeker Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maps Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Meeker Golf Course. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Meeker General Mercantile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Meeker Lodging Tax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maps Moosehead Lodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Nichols Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Northwest Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 NW Colorado Hunting Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Old Town Hot Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Pioneers Medical Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pinyon Tree Liquors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Professional Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Rangely Area Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Cover Rangely District Hospital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Rangely Liquors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Rangely Lodging Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maps Rangely Rock Crawlers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maps Rio Blanco Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Rio Blanco County Historical Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Samuelson’s True Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Silver Sage RV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Steamboat Power Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Sweetbriar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Town of Meeker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maps Town of Rangely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maps Tread of Pioneers Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Trapper’s Lake Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Watt’s Ranch Market. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover West End Drive Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Western Exposures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 White River Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 White River Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 White River Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 WRBM Rec. & Park District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 WREA/YVEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Wyatt’s Sporting Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

271 E. Market St. • Meeker, Colorado • Mon-Sat 7am-8pm • Sunday 9am-6pm

Produce

Bakery

Deli

Meat Dept.

Friendly Service

Family Owned and Operated — Since 1955 —

All it takes is all you’ve got. CEDARRIDGES GOLFCOURSE Open to the Public Open 7 Days A Week 502 RBC Road 108 • Rangely Contact Pro Shop for more info.

970.675.8403 NNN

9-Hole Course • Par 36 • Full Bar Putting Green • Driving Range Pro Shop • Snack Bar

NNN

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE NAPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 6 Elks Scramble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 13 Rangely Open Stroke Play . . . . . June 20 Rio Blanco Cup. . . . . . . . . . . June 27-28 Night Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 3 Summit/Midstream Employee . . July 11 Two-Man Best Ball . . . . . . . . . . . July 18 Couple’s Classic . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 1-2 Septemberfest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 5

The 9-hole Cedar Ridges Golf Course in Rangely, CO, is one of western Colorado’s best kept secrets. Always in great shape, and always a challenge, this par 36 course features 5 sets of tees and plays 3,433 yards from the tips. Cedar Ridges opened in 1985 and just keeps getting better with time. Chris Hejl ~ General Manager

MEEKER

GOLF COURSE

9-Hole Course • Rental Clubs Driving Range • Pro Shop Open 7 Days A Week Open to the Public • 8am-8pm 903 RB County Rd. 13 • Meeker

970.878.5642 NNN

JB Golf

BAR & GRILL

Full Bar/Snack Bar | Patio Seating Coolers Available | Private Parties Open Seven Days a Week

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Ladies Deerfly . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 6 Two-Man Best Ball . . . . . . June 20-21 Lischke Memorial . . . . . . . July 18-19 Meeker Junior . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 28 Meeker Couples. . . . . . . . . August 8-9 Men’s Club Champ . . . . August 22-23 Ladies’ Club Champ. . . . August 29-30 O.F.I.C. Seniors . . . . . . . . . Sept. 12-13

The 9-hole course at the Meeker Golf Course facility in Meeker, CO, features 2,744 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 68. The course rating is 33.4 and it has a slope rating of 111. Meeker Golf Course opened in 1971. Julie & Scott Bowman ~ General Managers