Raising coachable kids
Take
Bus-riding activities
Family-friendly guest ranches
blueberry
Learn
Our spectacular journeys
WOW! I JUST READ Katie Harris’ Time Out and you should too. She calls it ‘Stop telling moms to enjoy every moment,’ and offers a clear, succinct picture of what modern motherhood entails.
Although she doesn’t use the word, I think part of what she is getting at is the judgement modern mothers feel from those who don’t understand what it means to parent in this fast-paced, ever-changing world.
Making judgements about ourselves and others is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s good. I’ve noticed that those who tend to judge the loudest and most frequently are often not that happy about themselves. In fact, most of us do a lot of self-judging. And social media doesn’t help with that.
It starts with comparing and competing. I’m wondering how we get to a point where we’re just ok being me. With so much messaging out there telling us that we’re not ok until we have this or look like that or can run, jump and swim faster and farther, it’s hard, especially for kids, to accept that just learning to be me and accept me is a big part of our journey here.
Maybe it starts with awareness of our own thoughts and when we notice that we’re comparing or competing or judging, we can smile to ourselves and let it go. It’s funny how it goes. Sometimes we’re thinking how someone else has it all and we’ll never get there. Sometimes we’re on the smuggier end of our thoughts and comparing how our car is so much nicer than the rando who just passed us.
There’s a painting called Spectacular Journey by Marcus Pierson that comes to mind for me when I’m thinking about comparing my life or aspects of my life to others.
It reads: That many had ventured farther and done so in finer style, bothered me not. My journey was my own and I found it to be quite spectacular
I hope that we can all come to realize that we are on spectacular journeys of our own and that everyone else is too. Sometimes our journeys are difficult and sometimes they are boring and sometimes they are sublime, but they are always our journeys to shape. Carry on,
Scott
SEPTEMBER 2025 • Volume 30, Issue 4
PUBLISHER
Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210
scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com
EDITOR
Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210
kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com
ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR
Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832
greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Susan Harting susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com
COVER PHOTO istock photo
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson, Katie Harris
ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING PO Box 740
Fort Collins, CO 80522 Voice 221-9210 • Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com
Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2025 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER:
Establish routines for a healthy family—Find helpful local resources and programs
AS SUMMER WINDS DOWN and the new school year gets into full swing, many families across Northern Colorado have found themselves in a familiar transition: shifting from long, unstructured days to more predictable schedules. While it was tempting to let those last weeks of summer stretch
on, re-establishing a routine is one of the healthiest things families can do physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you’re still struggling let go of the loosey-goosey ways of the summer, you’re not alone… and there is still time. Routines help children (and parents!) feel secure and reduce anxiety.
Poudre School District Resources
PSD back-to-school guide: https://www.psdschools.org/ back-school-2025-26
PSD’s team of mental health professionals offers a comprehensive approach to serving students and families by blending school resources with community resources. Schoolbased and school-linked programs provide students with early intervention, crisis intervention, prevention and treatment to address their specific needs.
PSD publishes a Transition Newsletter four times a year that focuses on topics such as Mental Health Awareness and other Poudre School District resources.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who follow consistent routines sleep better, perform better academically, and have improved behavior and emotional regulation. Adults benefit, too: structured days can lower stress, improve nutrition habits, and support stronger family connections.
Thompson School District Learning Services
TSD back-to-school Guide: https://www.tsd.org/family/guide
Anyone between 12 and 18 can go to the I Matter state website to take a short survey to assess their needs.
Greeley-Evans Dist. 6 Resources
District 6 Safe to Return School Plan: https:// www.greeleyschools.org/families/safe-return-toschool-plan
There are several free programs available to improve the physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness of students.
UCHealth Healthy Hearts and Minds
Family programs are designed to empower families with education, motivation and inspiration to prevent heart disease and cultivate lifelong habits of physical health and emotional wellness. They offer heart-health education and cholesterol screenings to elementary, middle and high school students. By taking small steps now, you’ll help your family hit the ground running—not just for academic success, but for a balanced, healthy school year ahead.
Arts and Imagination is a fresh approach to early childhood education. We view children as capable, strong, resilient and overflowing with knowledge, curiosity and potential. We value their thought journey and foster learning through our unique program.
Take a tour—Learn where milk, cheese, candy and teas come from
LOOKING FOR A FUN, educational and tasty way to spend the day? Northern Colorado is home to a number of working factories and farms that welcome the public to check out their operations. These interactive tours not only offer a peek into the production process, but they also include sampling opportunities as well! Here are four family-friendly options that are sure to impress curious kids and their grown-ups alike.
Hammond’s Candies—Denver
If your family has a sweet tooth, don’t miss the chance to tour Hammond’s Candies in Denver, where candy has been made the old-fashioned way for more than a century. On this 30-minute guided tour, guests will watch confectioners pull, twist, and shape candy canes, lollipops, and chocolate bars by hand— just like they did in 1920. Along the way, you’ll learn about the company’s rich history and sample freshly made treats. Tours are free and run Monday through Saturday from 9:15amto 2:15pm, with reservations required at least 24 hours in advance. Book your tour at hammondscandies.com.
Morning Fresh Dairy—Bellvue
Just northwest of Fort Collins, Morning Fresh Dairy has been delivering fresh, all-natural dairy products to local homes for five generations. Their family-friendly farm tours include a walk through the working farm, where you’ll meet the cows and learn how milk is made. Kids especially love visiting the calves and seeing the bottling process in action, along with sampling the products afterwards. Tours last 60–90 minutes and cost $6 per person. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather—the tour goes rain or shine! Book your visit at morningfreshdairy.com.
MouCo Cheese Company—Fort Collins
At MouCo Cheese, artisanal cheese has been crafted with care for over 20 years. On a guided tour of their Fort Collins facility, visitors follow the journey from the milk truck to the pasteurizer to the packaging room, gaining a firsthand look at how their awardwinning cheeses are created. The tour ends with a complimentary tasting of several of their most popular varieties, including rich, creamy Camembert and tangy washed-rind styles. Tours are free and available by appointment only. Visit mouco.com to reserve your spot.
Celestial Seasonings— Boulder
For a more calming (but still fascinating) experience, visit Celestial Seasonings in Boulder, where tea has been crafted for over 50 years. The 45-minute tour takes you from raw herbs to finished teabags, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability and global sourcing. Don’t miss the famous Mint Room, where the scent of peppermint fills the air. Afterward, guests can sample from more than 100 tea varieties in the tasting room. Tours are $6 per person (ages 5 and up) and run Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm by appointment. Reserve your spot at celestialseasonings.com.
Bus-riding activities
THE SCHOOL BUS RIDE can be the perfect time to ease into the day. But for many kids, it’s become just another stretch of screen time. Encouraging students to put down their phones during the ride not only helps reduce daily screen exposure but also gives them a chance to mentally prepare for the day ahead. Whether it’s sparking creativity, practicing mindfulness, or simply connecting with others, there are plenty of fun, low-tech ways for kids to pass the time on the bus and arrive at school more focused, calm, and ready to learn.
Reading
Buy from: Perelandra Bookshop at Wolverine Farm, 316 Willow St, Fort Collins Link: http://www.perelandrabooks.com/ Perelandra is a nonprofit-partnered bookshop in Fort Collins’ river district. Their collection is focused on metaphysics, the science of the inward, and essential nature of things. Reading on the bus boosts focus, builds vocabulary, and sparks imagination—all before the school day even begins. It’s a quiet, screen-free activity that helps kids transition into learning mode, making them more mentally prepared for class while also developing a lifelong habit that strengthens academic success.
Tangram Puzzle
IQ Puzzle Pro
Buy from: Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys, 111 N College Ave. Fort Collins
The top of the game board features a grid for 2D challenges and a separate grid for 3D pyramid challenges, while the bottom of the board features a completely different 2D challenge grid. All in the same compact, portable travel case that is perfect for playing in a vehicle and storing in a backpack the rest of the day. Kids 6 years and up will be challenged with this fun puzzle that can be played over and over again.
Scavenger Hunts
Make at home
A bus riding scavenger hunt is a fun activity where participants, while traveling on a bus, try to find specific items or complete tasks based on a pre-made list. These hunts can be a great way to make bus rides more engaging, whether it’s for a school field trip or a group outing. They can involve looking for objects, completing challenges, or solving clues related to the scenery or route. Up the ante by offering a prize for kids who compete the hunt at the end of week!
Buy from: Marley & Moose, 520 Mountain Ave, Berthoud
This puzzle game includes 7 pieces in a wood frame and the templates booklet for Tangram. It’s created to develop the understanding of 2D shapes, spatial reasoning, problem-solving, visual perception, and geometry skills… all of which will get those brain wheels turning as students transition into the school day. The wood base allows it to be played in a vehicle without much risk for losing or dropping pieces. There are multiple solutions, so your child can play again and again!
Saddle up for fall: family-friendly guest ranches to visit this season
FALL IS THE PERFECT TIME to trade backpacks for saddlebags and head to a guest ranch. Crisp mornings, golden aspen groves and wide-open skies set the scene for unplugged family time— complete with trail rides, campfires and maybe even a little line dancing.
Whether your crew is new to horses or made up of seasoned trail riders, these three guest ranches offer a warm Western welcome and plenty of fall fun for all ages.
Vee Bar Guest Ranch
Laramie, Wyoming
Tucked along the Little Laramie River, the Vee Bar Guest Ranch is a longtime family favorite just a few hours from the Front Range. With a blend of cozy log cabins, allinclusive meals, and genuine cowboy hospitality, this working ranch gives families the chance to slow down and reconnect.
Horseback riding is at the heart of the Vee Bar experience, with trail rides offered daily for all skill levels. The small rider-to-wrangler ratio means advanced riders can enjoy a lope or two while beginners and kids (6 and up) are escorted along behind. Families can also try their hand at fly fishing, soak in the outdoor hot tub or gather for evening games and marshmallow roasts. There’s even a saloon with live music on select nights.
As of press time, Vee Bar still had openings for September stays. The ranch closes for the season in October, making early fall the last chance to catch this unforgettable getaway before winter. To learn more or book a stay, visit Veebar.com.
Sundance Trail Guest Ranch
Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
Nestled in the quiet beauty of the Roosevelt National Forest, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch offers a laid-back, family-style ranch experience just 90 minutes from Fort Collins. This small, intimate ranch prides itself on a relaxed pace and personalized attention.
In fall, guests can enjoy scenic trail rides through changing leaves, cozy fireside evenings and friendly barnyard animals for little ones to feed and pet. Older kids and adults might join a murder mystery weekend or try guided yoga on horseback. While not all summer activities are available in fall—like river rafting or outdoor archery—there’s still plenty of ranch life to explore.
Because it’s open year-round, Sundance Trail offers flexibility for busy family schedules, making it an easy weekend escape or fall break destination. To book a stay visit sundancetrail.com.
Colorado Trails Ranch
Durango, Colorado
Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains, Trails Ranch is known for its exceptional family programming and breathtaking views. Open through mid-October, it offers a quintessential guest ranch experience with a wide variety of activities that go far beyond the saddle.
In addition to daily trail rides, families can enjoy fly fishing clinics, guided hikes, archery and family rodeos. There’s a supervised kids program packed with crafts, games and nature adventures, giving parents the option for some solo saddle time or quiet porch reading.
Evenings bring everyone back together for cowboy cookouts, hayrides and starry skies. With September and early October openings still available, it’s a golden opportunity to soak up Colorado’s autumn beauty while making lasting memories. Visit coloradotrails.com to book.
Katie Harris
Raisingcoachable kids
WHEN WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL COACH
Koby Anderson watches young athletes take the field, he isn’t just looking for natural talent or a powerful swing. What really stands out? A willingness to learn.
“Being coachable means having the desire to get better,” Anderson says. “It’s that open mind—that realization that others might know more than you. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.”
Anderson knows this firsthand. Growing up, he remembers being the kind of athlete who gave everything he had—and then beat himself up when things didn’t go perfectly. Coaching helped him shift that mindset.
“As a player, I was a perfectionist. But as a
coach, I’ve had to help kids find reality instead of chasing perfection,” he says. “The ones who grow the most are the ones who can accept feedback and keep showing up.”
SETTING THE TONE AT HOME
According to Barb Johnson, longtime cross country coach at Greeley Central High School, coachability begins at home—with the tone parents set on the sidelines, in the car after practice, and around the dinner table.
“It’s hard to tell a kid to be respectful or coachable when the adults in their life aren’t modeling that,” Johnson says. “If a parent is cussing out the official
How to build GOOD sportsmanship from the start
better coach for my athletes, not expect them to be better athletes for me.”
THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE
Both Johnson and Anderson agree that sports offer much more than wins and losses—they offer life lessons in resilience, teamwork and humility. But only if adults help kids see it that way.
“We spend a lot of time reframing what a win looks like,” Johnson explains. “One year our volleyball team made it to the state playoffs and drew the number-one-ranked team in the state. We knew we wouldn’t win on the scoreboard, so we sat down and set a goal—make it take them more than an hour to beat us. We lasted an hour and a half. That was our win. And we celebrated it.”
It’s a lesson in learning to love the process—something Anderson reinforces when players say they want to improve.
after every game, the child is going to pick up on that.”
Johnson has coached nearly every high school sport over her 36-year career and now teaches a leadership class for student-athletes. Her approach has evolved with the times.
“When I was younger, I coached the way I was coached—lots of yelling, tough love,” she says. “But as I got older and earned my master’s in school counseling, I realized: I need to be a
“If a kid tells me, ‘I love this game and want to get better,’ I tell them it’s okay to fail. Kids today really struggle with that. They want to get better, but they’re afraid of what it looks like when they don’t succeed right away,” he says.
That’s where consistency from parents comes in. “If your kid asks to practice, be willing to help in that moment. Don’t criticize; encourage,”
MODELING RESPECT, ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Sportsmanship goes far beyond handshakes and high-fives. It’s about how athletes carry themselves, win or lose.
“To me, it’s about how you represent yourself, your school, your community, both on and off the field,” Anderson says. “It’s about holding your attitude to a high standard.”
Johnson sees sportsmanship as something teams can leverage to make a broader impact. “When you’re part of a team, there’s power in that. We tell our athletes: How are you going to use it? Will you build others up? Serve
your community? That’s part of good sportsmanship, too.”
She also emphasizes the importance of celebrating every role on the team—not just the star players.
“Some kids are the engine, the flashy scorers. Some are the lug nuts. And no car can run without its lug nuts,” she says. “Parents can model this too—don’t only talk about the top scorers. Appreciate the ones who push their teammates to be better, even if they never see varsity time.”
RAISING RESILIENT PLAYERS
Both coaches stress the importance of helping kids develop the confidence to try, even if they’re unsure they’ll succeed.
“I always tell parents: encourage your kids to go out for the sport, even if they don’t think they’re good enough,” Johnson says. “There’s value in the tryout process. It teaches kids how to face their fears, meet new people, and walk into unfamiliar situations. Those experiences matter whether or not they make the team.”
Anderson agrees that team sports can teach kids they’re not alone in their challenges, or in their growth.
“It’s not ‘I’m doing this by myself.’ It’s ‘I’ve got people around me who are going to push me, challenge me, and support me,’” he says.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Modeling respect, celebrating effort and reframing the win can go a long way in setting kids up for success, both in sports and in life.
Most importantly, Johnson says parents should take the time to help kids define their “why.”
“In my leadership class, I ask students: Why do you play sports? The answers aren’t about scholarships or trophies. They’re about friendships, travel, joy,” she says. “If parents can help kids focus on those things, the rest will come.”
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LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE
Foraging for local foods during the winter
FOR SOME COLORADANS,
THE DOUBLE PAYOFF of being out in nature and having the ability to round up incredible things to eat is a major selling point of living in the Centennial State. Foraging locally offers the opportunity to track down and harvest everything from mushrooms professional chefs pine to cook with to an array of sweet, tart, and colorful fruit. But first, a word of caution. It is dangerous to harvest and eat food you cannot properly identify. The below information is intended to be fun and educational, not instructional. It’s crucial to be 100-percent sure what you eat is safe and identifiable during the
VEGETABLES WILD ASPARAGUS
Asparagus makes an incredibly versatile and tasty addition to any meal. Expert foragers claim the taste of wild asparagus compared to the varieties offered in grocery stores doesn’t compare. Asparagus is perennial, which means you’ll find it growing in the same spot every year.
MUSHROOMS MORELS
If you’re a fan of mushrooms, the nutty taste of black and yellow morels is something you don’t forget. The fact these mushrooms are incredibly elusive makes them even more coveted by foragers and professional chefs. While forest fires are a constant source of anxiety and despair for much of Colorado, forested areas that have experienced fire events offer some of the best opportunities to find morels.
PORCINI
Found in the high country between elevations of 10,500 and 11,200 feet, the porcini is a high-maintenance mushroom when it comes to weather, and it won’t grow without a combination of monsoon rains and sustained summer heat.
FRUIT
WILD STRAWBERRIES
Most people love strawberries, but when it comes to locally foraging for these astoundingly sweet, juicy, and berries, you’ll need to think much smaller compared to the conventional varieties you’d buy at the store. If you’ve ever hiked through the mountains and saw tiny red fruit that resembled strawberries, what you saw might very well have been wild Colorado strawberries. You can also spot berry clusters similar to raspberries, which are quite delectable. Your best bet for finding these is late spring and early summer. With adorable tiny red berries that emerge in summer, wild strawberry plants can be identified by their blue-green leaves, small groupings of white flowers, and long red stems. While you’ll need to harvest loads of berries to cook with or snack on due to their small size, their unforgettable sweet taste will be worth the extra effort. High in Vitamin C, the leaves and berries of these plants can be steeped for a delicious tea.
WILD PLUMS
Discovering a wild plum tree in Colorado is pure joy for most local foragers. These trees are found near streams and irrigation ditches in the foothills and across the plains. In spring, wild plum trees are adorned with a stunning explosion of white flowers.
Later in the summer, sweet purple, blue, and reddish fruit appear on the trees that can be harvested before the fall. Wild plums are incredible when eaten fresh and are excellent for all manner of jams and jellies.
CACTI PRICKLY PEAR
As you’d expect, dealing with this cactus’ sharp needles is no picnic. But for tenacious foragers willing to put in the work, they’re a rewarding natural offering that’s as bountiful as they are easy to find. Thick gloves are mandatory while harvesting prickly pear, but not for the reason you’d expect. Its long needles (spines) can easily poke through the skin of your hands, but the prickly pear’s tiny hairlike needles are what usually cause the most pain and irritation.
The edible parts of the prickly pear can be split up into three sections: the green pad, or base of the cactus, the flowers, and the colorful fruit that grows at the top of the plant. Small younger plants are thought to be much tastier than older ones. Because of Colorado’s dry climate, prickly pears can be found throughout the state.
Buy Local All Year Long
Jodar Farms jodarfarms.com
Jodar Farms offers an online farm store with weekly drop offs at many convenient Northern Colorado locations. They sell hogs (half and whole) as well as eggs all year long.
MouCo Cheese Company
mouco.com
Made locally in Fort Collins, You can find MouCo Cheese at most King Soopers, Safeway and Whole Foods Markets in the Rocky Mountain Region as well as at specialty shops and cheese stores throughout the area.
Mountain View Meats mvmeatsfc.com
Located in Fort Collins, Mountain View Meats raises their animals humanely and works to feed their community. They sell bulk beef and pork.
Remember: Farmers’ Markets Go Through Fall
Berthoud Fickel Farmers’ Market
Berthoud Market at Town Park
June 14 to September 27 on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
Estes Valley Farmers’ Market
Estes Park
June 5 to September 25 on Thursdays from 8am to 1pm
Farmers’ Market at Fairgrounds Park
Loveland
June 1 to September 28 on Sundays from 9am to 1pm
Fort Collins Farmers’ Market
Fort Collins
May 4 to November 9 on Sundays from 10am to 2pm
June 4 to September 24 on Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm
Greeley Farmers’ Market
Greeley
May 3 to October 25 on Saturdays from 8am to 12pm
Larimer County Farmers’ Market
Fort Collins
May 17 to October 25 on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
Berthoud’s Fickel Farmers Market
Fickel Park, 620 Mountain Ave., Berthoud Saturdays, beginning June 14, 9am–1pm www.berthoud.org/1430/The-Berthoud-Market
Erie Farmers Market
Briggs Street between Wells and Moffatt, Erie Thursdays, 5–8pm, May 15–Sept. 18 www.realfarmersmarketco.com
Estes Valley Farmers Market
Visitor Center, 500 Big Thompson Ave., EP Thursdays, 8am–1pm, June–Sept. www.facebook.com/EstesValleyFarmersMarket
Farmers Market at Fairgrounds Park
700 S. Railroad Ave., Loveland Sundays, 9am–1pm, June 1–Sept. 28 www.cityofloveland.org/farmersmarket
Fort Collins Farmers Market
1001 E. Harmony Rd., FC (rain or shine) Sundays, 10am–2pm, May 4–Nov. 9 Wednesdays, 10am–2pm, June 4–Sept. 24 fortcollinsfarmersmarket.org www.facebook.com/fortcollinsfarmersmarket
Greeley Summer Farmers Market
7th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues, north of Lincoln Park Saturdays, 8am–Noon, May 3–Oct. 25 www.greeleygov.com/fm
Larimer County Farmers Market
200 W. Oak St., FC (courthouse parking lot) Saturdays, 9am–1pm, May 17–Oct. 25 www.larimercountyfarmersmarket.org
Loveland West Farmers Market at Jax 2665 W Eisenhower Blvd, LV Tuesdays, 9am–1pm, April 22–Nov. 4 www.facebook.com/ LovelandWestFarmersMarket
Timnath Sunday Market
Colorado Feed & Grain, 4138 Main St., Timnath Second & Fourth Sundays 10am–2pm, May–Oct www.TimnathFarmersMarket.org
Windsor Farmers Market
Boardwalk Park, 100 5th St., Windsor Saturdays, 8am–12:30pm, June 7–Sept. 6 www.windsorgov.com/FarmersMarket
FARM STANDS 2025 NoCo Farmers Markets
Bartels Farm
3424 E. Douglas Rd., Fort Collins thebartelsfarm.com www.facebook.com/The-Bartels-PumpkinPatch-137755902661
Chapmans Produce
31985 CR 17, Windsor www.facebook.com/ChapmansProduce
Colorado Fresh Farms
8101 S. Timberline Rd., Fort Collins www.coloradofreshfarms.com
Desiderata Ranch
4617 W. CR 2, Berthoud www.desiderataranch.org
Folks Farm & Seed
2917 S. Taft Hill Rd., Fort Collins www.folksfarmandseed.com
Garden Sweet
719 W. Willox Ln., Fort Collins www.gardensweet.com
Green Dog Farm CSA
3421 West CR 54G, Laporte (next to Overland Foods) www.greendogfarmcsa.com
Something about being on a farm just feels good. The pace feels relaxed and your interactions, maybe, more genuine. So swing by a farm stand soon and pick up some deliciousness while you’re at it.
Hazel Dell Mushrooms
3925 E. CR 32 (Carpenter Rd.), Fort Collins www.hazeldellmushrooms.com
Hoffman Farms, LLC
3545 W. O St., Greeley www.hoffmanproduce.com
Hope Farms
1601 N. Shields St., Fort Collins www.facebook.com/CULTIVATINGHOPECO
Jodar Farms/Fort Collins Vine Farm
Order online/pick up in Fort Collins www.jodarfarms.com
Long Shadow Farm
Order online/pick up Berthoud www.longshadowfarm.wixsite.com/longshadow
Native Hill Farm
2100 CR 54G, Fort Collins www.nativehillfarm.com
Ollin Farms
8627 N. 95th St., Longmont www.ollinfarms.com
On the Vine at Richmond Farms
3611 Richmond Dr., Fort Collins www.onthevineatrichmondfarms.com
OwlTree Farm
4605 E. CR 58, Fort Collins www.owltreefarmco.com
Papa Joe’s Honey
4855 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland www.facebook.com/PapaJoesLocalHoney
Pope Farms and Produce 6501 West 28th St., Greeley www.popefarmsproduce.com
Scofield Fruits 1821 W Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland www.scofieldfruits.com
Sunny Daze Gardens 901 S. CR 5, Fort Collins www.sunnydazegardens.com
Tigges Farm 12404 CR 64½, Greeley www.facebook.com/tigges.farm
Vibrant Life Farms 3315 Glade Rd., Loveland Order online, delivery to Loveland/Fort Collins www.vibrantlifefarms.com
Well Fed Farmstead 2229 W. Vine Dr., Fort Collins www.wellfedfarmstead.com
School District News: Poudre
Four 2025 PSD graduates win National Merit Scholarships
Even when school isn’t in session, the hard work of Poudre School District students continues to be recognized.
Four 2025 graduates were named winners of National Merit Scholarships this year, as announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation from April through July. These students were selected among tens of thousands of others nationwide.
The PSD students who won scholarships this year are:
• Zoe Anderson, Fort Collins High School
National Merit Motorola Solutions Scholarship
Probable career field: environmental engineering
• Tyson Bhalla, Rocky Mountain High School
National Merit
$2,500 scholarship
Probable career field: electrical engineering
• Logan Guggemos, Fort Collins High School
National Merit
$2,500 scholarship
Probable career field: science/research
• Ia Reistad, Fossil Ridge High School
National Merit
$2,500 scholarship
Probable career field: biomedical engineering
The NMSC, a nonprofit organization, has worked over the past 70 years to award approximately 389,000 students scholarships worth a total of nearly $1.4 billion.
The selection process for this year’s winners began when high school juniors took the 2023 preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screening process. Last September, more than 16,000 semifinalists were named and moved on to the next round, where they were tasked with a detailed scholarship application. This included an essay in which they describe leadership positions and contributions in school and community activities. Semifinalists also had to take the SAT or ACT and earn a score that confirmed their performance in the initial test. This resulted in more than 15,000 finalists, around half of whom were chosen to receive a scholarship.
Congratulations to these incredible PSD students. We are proud of your accomplishments and eager to see the difference that you make in the world!
School District News: Thompson
Kayla Chapman leads with purpose in band and community
For many high school seniors, life can be a semi-chaotic jumble of homework, social activities, extracurriculars, and planning for the future.
Loveland High School senior Kayla Chapman has juggled all of those things and more, maintaining a straight-A grade point average, playing alto saxophone in the LHS band, serving on multiple boards and commissions for the City of Loveland, and working several days a week.
“I can do anything with support that I put my mind to,” Kayla says. “No matter how different your situation is from other people, or how hard, that shouldn’t stop you from accomplishing your dreams and goals.”
Kayla has attended Thompson School District schools since fourth grade and says she has always felt driven to do her best. Some of that motivation has come from growing up in a single-parent household with her older brother and her mom.
“My mom has been a single mom since I was in sixth grade,” Kayla says. “She has had to make sacrifices in her own life, but she has always been there for me. She’s been to every single competition. She made sure there was nothing different, that I was still able to do everything I wanted to do.”
For Kayla, that meant being heavily involved in the LHS band, where she has been principal of the wind symphony for three years, lead saxophone in the jazz band, and horn sergeant for two years, among many other honors.
“It’s super rewarding,” Kayla says. “I came into high school with one friend, and then I left my freshman year with a whole group of friends. My whole support system, I met because of joining band.”
Throughout high school, Kayla also had a passion for serving her community through local government.
Kayla has dedicated countless hours to the City of Loveland, serving on Loveland’s Youth Advisory Commission, being part of the Transportation Advisory Board and leading the Substance Abuse Subcommittee for YAC.
“I really love being involved in local government. I think it’s super important, knowing what you’re voting on,” Kayla says. “It’s important to be involved because you only get what
you put into it. Local government is where all the action happens.”
Kayla will attend the University of South Florida in Tampa this fall. She plans to major in civil engineering and hopes to have a career in public works, possibly in transportation.
“I like being in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics],” Kayla says. “Not a lot of girls go into that, and I think it’s important to be the representation you want to see. Civil engineering is a perfect mix of the government side and engineering.”
The Transportation Garden
For Transportation staff Thomas K., Shadra T., and Lynn F., their dream of providing fresh produce to their community of bus drivers, mechanics, and administration staff became a reality this year! Together, they formulated a development plan for the garden, gathered seed donations, broke ground with a fellow employee’s tractor, and started planting!
“It means a lot that management was willing to take a risk and create this garden,” said Thomas.
The team of three each provide a set of unique skills that have made this garden a reality: Shadra’s administration skills, Thomas’ horticulture education and background, and Lynn’s desire
to learn gardening. The trio has loved teaching their coworkers about gardening during this process. They’re grateful for the chance to support their fellow D6 employees in ways that go beyond driving, which is, of course, an incredibly valuable skill in D6! Around 20 varieties of organically grown vegetables, herbs, and fruit (looking at you, Tomato!) is distributed to Transportation staff at no-cost.
The vegetable garden joins an already flourishing flower garden, a haven for pollinators and a break space for staff.
This flower garden has been a decades-long labor of love created and tended by bus
Thank you for leading from the seat you’re in! We appreciate your leadership and care, Thomas, Shadra, Lynn, and Chris!
monitor Chris B.
Youth Climate Action Event, Volunteer Photography Exhibit, Urban Forest Ambassadors
YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION EVENT—MAKE A MOVE
Sign up to participate in the Youth Climate Action Event, Saturday, September 27th on National Public Lands Day in Fort Collins.
At the 4th annual Youth Climate Action event you can be one of 100 local youths between the ages of 1525 to participate in various servicelearning projects that connect you with nature & teach you about the power of giving back to community.
In the afternoon hear from youth speakers who will share their experiences with environmental preservation, environmental justice, outdoor equity & civic engagement. There will be conversations about Climate Grief to Active Hope and you’ll learn how to create an Action Plan to guide your environmental efforts at school, at home, and in the community.
This next-generation climate awareness event is youthdeveloped, youth-driven, and
September events
FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1
Windsor Harvest Festival
Parade, vendors, 20-30 hot air balloons, pie-eating contest, live music, fireworks. windsorharvestfest.com
FRIDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 12
Downtown Greeley Friday Fest
Free live music, face painting, fire spinners, bubbles, balloons and more. Downtown GR. greeleydowntown. com/special-events
TUESDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16
FoCo Food Truck Rally
Food trucks and free live music. City Park, FC. focofoodtruckrally.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department
Mountain Festival
Annual fundraiser offers live music, silent auction, plant/bake/book sales, kids activities, demos, food trucks, more. Across from Rist Canyon Fire Station 1, Bellvue. festival.rcvfd.org
Fiesta in the Plaza / Fiesta en la plaza
Celebrate with musicians and Mexican dancers. Centennial Village Museum, GR. greeleymuseums.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Honey Festival
Enjoy several honey varieties, mead tasting, bee-themed products, observation beehive and busy bee kid’s zone. Fairgrounds Park, LV. LovGov.org/HoneyFestival
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
The Farm 40th Anniversary Celebration
Free fun featuring food trucks, farm games, live music, animals and line dancing! The Farm at Lee Martinez Park, FC. fcgov.com/thefarm
Pastels on 5th Street
Chalk art festival featuring 150 artists, live music, kids area and marketplace. Fifth Street adjacent to Loveland Museum, LV. pastelson5th.org
Timnath Fall Festival
Live music, artisans, local beer, food trucks, activities/crafts. Timnath Community Park , Timnath. timnath. org/fall-festival
Loveland Chocolate & Cheese Fest
Full day of sampling, shopping and entertainment. The Ranch, LV. treventscomplex.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Fort Collins Open Streets
Community event offering car-free streets for playing, biking and all modes of active transportation with live music, interactive arts/culture activities, food and more. fcgov.com/ openstreets
SEPTEMBER 26 & 27
Greeley Oktobrewfest
Pretzels, brats, beer plus live music and exciting kids activities. Lincoln Park, Downtown GR. downtowngreeley.com/specialevents/greeley-oktobrewfest
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
The Family Center Fiesta
Annual fundraising event with delicious Mexican food, margaritas, dancing, auctioned prizes! The Lyric, FC. thefamilycenterfc.org/fiesta
ENTERTAINMENT
THURSDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4
Bohemian Nights: Thursday Night Live Concert Series
Live music from emerging and established artists. Old Town Square, FC. bohemianlivemusic.org/ outdoor-events/thursday-night-live
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Rock Garden Concert Series
Features Daniel Rodriguez and benefit The Matthews House. Kids 12 and under free. Fort Collins Nursery, FC. fortcollinsnursery.com/events
SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH NOVEMBER 9
Steel Magnolias
Enjoy this heartwarming comedy with moments of poignant emotion. Candlelight Dinner Theatre, Johnstown. coloradocandlelight.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Skygazing
Brief, family-friendly astronomy activity followed by skygazing with telescopes from Northern Colorado Astronomical Society. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, FC. fcgov.com/events
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
FoCo POP: Cirque FLIP Fabrique
This high-energy circus features breathtaking acrobatics and retro vibes. West side of Edora Park, below Riffenburgh Elementary School, FC. lctix.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Tracy Lawrence
Enjoy boot-stomping, up-tempo country music. Union Colony Civic Center, GR. ucstars.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Free Day at Loveland Museum Free admission during business hours. Loveland Museum, LV. thelovelandmuseum.org
SEPTEMBER 19 AND 20
Hoedown Hill Music Festival
Rock Weekend
Headliners include Cold War Kids and Third Eye Blind. Hoedown Hill, Windsor. hoedownhill.com/ music-festival
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Songs and Stories with Roger McGuinn
As the leader of the influential 60s group, The Byrds, McGuinn was on the leading edge contributing songs like “Eight Miles High,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Rialto Theater Center, LV. rialtotheatercenter.org
SEPTEMBER 26 AND 27
Hoedown Hill Music Festival
Country Weekend
Headliners include Randy Houser and Chris Lane. Hoedown Hill, Windsor. hoedownhill.com/music-festival
ACTIVE-ITIES
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Teen Night Out
Play dodgeball, volleyball, miniature golf, indoor yard games, or join the Nerf war! Enjoy craft making or swim in the indoor waterpark. Family FunPlex, GR. greeleyco.gov/thingsto-do/events/greeley-events
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Black Squirrel Half
Challenging yet accessible trail run plus a kids 1-mile race. Lory State Park, Bellvue. gnarrunners.com/ black-squirrel-half
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Honeybee Hustle
Challenge yourselves to a .80-mile loop open for 1.5 hours with awards for various categories. Fairgrounds Park, LV. sweetheartcityracing.com/ events/honey-bee-hustle
Guided Full Moon Bike Ride
Riders will start at trailheads in Greeley and Windsor and ride to the Poudre Learning Center for stargazing with the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society. poudretrail.org
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Try Hockey for Free Ages 4-9 years are eligible to participate. No equipment necessary. Greeley Ice Haus, GR. greeleyco.gov/things-to-do/events/ greeley-events
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Camina el río / Wade the River
Kick off Latino Conservation Week with this program on the Poudre River for all ages. fcgov.com/events
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Windsor Witch Paddle
Dust off your broomsticks and grab your paddles for a bewitching paddleboarding experience at Windsor Lake. Boardwalk Community Park, Windosr. recreationliveshere.com/Calendar
SEPTEMBER 26 THROUGH 28
Red Feather Trail Jamboree with Kids 1-mile Run
Half-marathon, 50K, 50-mile, and kids 1-mile (Sunday). Red Feather Lakes. gnarrunners.com/red-feather
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Youth Climate Action Day
Local youth participate in various service-learning projects that connect them with nature and teach about the power of giving back to community. Avodadro’s Number, FC. sustainablelivingassociation.org/ youth-climate-action
SEPTEMBER 28 AND 29
Northern Colorado Mountain Bike Fest with Take-a-Kid MTB Ride
Demo bikes, poker ride, group rides, food/beverages, live music and more. Group rides for kids of all ages. Lory State Park, Bellvue. nocomtbfest.com
Additional programs available through local recreation departments: Estes Park: evrpd.colorado.gov/recreation
Fort Collins: fcgov.com/recreation
Greeley: greeleyrec.com
Loveland: LovGov.org/ActivityGuide
Windsor: recreationliveshere. com/160/Activity-Guide
Time out
LEA HANSON
Stop Telling Moms to Enjoy Every Moment
Every mother has heard it at some point: “Enjoy every moment—it goes by too fast.”
In my nearly 18 years as a parent, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard this advice—usually from older women whose children are long grown, who look wistfully at my young kids and offer a well-meaning reminder. And after years of hearing it, I’ve internalized it, too. I find myself silently repeating the mantra: These years are fleeting. These are the best years of my life. One day, I’ll miss this. And I don’t doubt that all of that is true.
But I have to be honest—some days, I’ve had enough of it.
Because telling mothers to enjoy every moment overlooks a crucial truth: raising young children may be deeply rewarding, but it’s also incredibly hard. It’s exhausting, messy and overwhelming. And anyone who insists otherwise has either forgotten what it’s really like—or is in denial.
When a mother hits her breaking point in the grocery store as her two young sons wrestle in the aisle, and someone chuckles and says, “Enjoy every moment,” they’re minimizing her very real frustration.
When an older woman advises a young mom not to work so much because she “won’t get this time back,” she’s failing to understand the impossible tightrope modern moms walk—juggling ambition, financial necessity and the emotional weight of guilt.
When a mom hands her toddler a screen in the dentist’s waiting room and is met with a disapproving glare, what’s missing is empathy—for a
woman who needs 10 quiet minutes to breathe.
The truth is, we are not parenting in the same world the generations before us did. The pressures are different. The pace is relentless. The expectations are sky-high. Yes, we want to be present with our kids. We want to see the world through their eyes, soak in the sweetness and cherish the little things. But the idea that we should enjoy every moment isn’t just unrealistic, it’s unfair. Sometimes, we don’t want to be
around our kids. Sometimes, we don’t even like them. That doesn’t make us bad mothers—it makes us human.
Modern motherhood needs space for both joy and struggle. We need to feel allowed to delight in the moments we love and speak honestly about the ones we don’t. That’s how we support each other. That’s how we move forward—not with guilt or denial, but with grace, empathy and the freedom to feel all of it.
Not every moment is magical. And that’s okay.
Weld County recognizes contributions of foster families and community
Dozens of Weld County staff and community members filled the board room, located at O Street in Greeley, on a Monday morning in early May. Kicking off the regularly scheduled board meeting was a proclamation for Foster Care Month.
The proclamation acknowledged the Weld County families who are currently opening their hearts and homes to more than 70 children and youth in out-of-home, non-kinship care. The Troyer family, who was recently honored by the Colorado Department of Human Services for their 27 years of service, was in attendance and recognized as well, donning jerseys that symbolized when each member officially became a Troyer. Cindy and Rod Troyer have cared for over 60 youth, adopting four (two sibling pairs) and maintaining relationships with several other biological families after successful reunifications.
“Our hope is that more Weld County residents will be inspired by the Troyer family and others like them to consider making a difference for youth, children and families through foster care,” said Jamie Ulrich, Director of the Weld County Department of Human Services.
Child welfare professionals, faith-based and community organizations were also recognized for their roles in improving the lives of children.
“Today and every day, we want to recognize the strength and resiliency of Weld County foster families, our child welfare staff and our community partners, who contribute to a safe and healthy community for all,” Ulrich said.
This proclamation and the impressive turnout was a reminder that it truly takes a village to promote the well-being of children.
To learn more about foster care in Weld County, including how to become a foster parent and other ways to get involved, visit www.weld.gov/go/fostercare.
