WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM

You leave the front range on a Friday afternoon, heading west for a few days of crisp mountain air and adventure. Five minutes in, you’ve already somehow hit traffic, and frustration sets in. You climb the hill up towards Genesee, finally cresting it and see that sweet, sweet mountain range of the continental divide in the distance. Maybe this drive is worth it, you say. Seconds pass by, and you look out the window, and “wait, what’s that… are those buffalo?”

And you would be correct. The buffalo herd at Genesee Mountain has a long history of roaming those grounds. In 1900, less than 1,000 buffalo survived in North America, after being hunted recklessly in the 19th century by settlers and traders (as well as the US government, but thats a nasty story for another time). Highly recommending reading Steve Rinella’s book, American Buffalo, if that’s of interest.

Here in Colorado, the buffalo herd totaled just 18 animals, all housed at Denver’s City Park Zoo. Things were looking dire for the American icon. Sensing the pivotal moment, Denver acquired a group of bison from the herds at Yellowstone National Park - direct descendant from the last wild herd in the U.S. The city moved the entire herd from the City Park Zoo, to the freshly minted Genesee Game Preserve in 1914, and let nature do its thing. Slightly ironic given its man made and managed, but they were doing the best they could at the time.

Genesee Mountain Park was largely completed by 1926, and it became Denver’s first mountain park, and now is the largest at 2,413 acres. The buffalo still roam, and the 23 head herd occupies 743 acres of pasture land and lodgepole pines.

As direct decedents from Yellowstone, and a lack of interbreeding with cattle, this herd represents one of the most genetically pure buffalo herds in existence. A tell tale sign is their prominent shoulder humps indicating the herd is a rare legacy of the original American bison.

STARGAZING

Close friends of mine may think this is a Kygo fanboy moment (which, same song title, is an all time banger). But no, this is not an EDM reference by a man rushing towards middle age, just trying to hold onto his youth… which may or may not be correct 🤷‍♂️.

This evening, take a second to step outside and peer up into the heavens, and you might just catch glimpses of meteors rushing by. The Perseids meteor shower is in full swing, and it peaks on warm August nights in the northern hemisphere. Lucky for us, the peak of the shower is tonight (August 12th) into the wee hours of the following morning. But you’re gonna have to stay up past bedtime to catch most of it. While meteors can be visible as early as 10pm, the peak viewing time is generally between 2am and 3am. So get to bed early, set an alarm, and see the spectacle.

Unlucky for us, we’ve been having a near full moon, which is trying to take the shine away from the shower (DAD JOKE!).

IN TOWN

Taking a stroll through Golden is never a bad idea — here are a few snapshots of the public art and images that caught my eye around town.

THE BRIEFING

Sunrise 6:11 AM
Sunset 8:01 PM
Fire Bans - Yes, Stage 1
Clear Creek Status - Green Flag, Open to All Uses

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TUESDAY

White Ranch, Golden- Weekly ride with Jeffco Mountain Bike Club, 5:30pm. Sendy

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Whiskey on Washington- Whiskey & Food Pairing Experience, 6-8:30pm. Last minute tickets

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Weekly Run Club, 6pm. Run, then beers

WEDNESDAY

Connects Workspace (Red Rocks), Golden- Golden Startup Coffee, 9-11am. Cool people doing cool things

Chatfield Botanic Gardens, Littleton- Seasonal Discoveries: Garden Tour, 10-11am. Leisurely Stroll

The Golden Hotel, Golden- Wednesdays on the Creek Summer Music Series: Bill McKay Band, 5-8pm. Check it out

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

Cannonball Creek Brewery, Golden- Open Mic Night, 6pm. Grab a slot

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- ART BAR: Fused Glass Watermelon Trinket Bowl, 6-8pm. Don’t lie, we all have trinkets

THURSDAY

Lions Park, Golden- Kid & Parent Yoga in the park, 5-6:30pm. See you there

Black Fox Provisions, Evergreen- Flatbed Sessions: Live Music with Steve Knight, 5:30-7:30pm. BYO Campchair

Community Garden at Buchanan Park, Evergreen- Gala in the Garden with Evergreen Sustainability Alliance, 5pm. Tickets in advance

Twin Forks Tavern, Morrison- Rose’s of Provence Wine Dinner, 6pm. Reservations required

Runner’s Roost, Golden- Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Hot Like Mars, 6-9pm. Funky

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Thank you Thursday. Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open, and a great warm up for Open Mic Night 👇️ 

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Almost Famous Open Mic Night, starting at 7pm

FRIDAY

The Golden Mill, Golden- Rooftop Yoga, 9:30-10:30am. Rain or Shine

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue Friday, 5pm. Call ahead to reserve

Barrels & Bottles, Golden- Live music with Emily Rose, 6-9pm.

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Vegan Shark, rock and roll band, 6pm. Great name

Goosetown Station, Golden- Big Hooray Bluegrass, 6:30pm. Like no other

Etta Jeanne, Golden- Live music by Sam McManus, 7-9pm. Enjoy

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Drag Show & Bingo, 8-10pm. Swing by

Buffalo Rose, Golden- 6 Million Dollar Band: Ultimate 80s Experience, 8pm. These guys rock

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- The Wrecklunds and a Birthday Jubilee, 8pm. Celebrate

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Motley 2-Crue Cover Band, 8pm. Kickstart my heart

SATURDAY

Golden Library Parking Lot, Golden- Golden Farmers Market, 8am-1pm. Fresh

Parfet Park, Golden- Yoga in the Park, 9-10am.

Hiwan Park, Evergreen- Outdoor Yoga with Free Range Yoga, 9-10am. Stretch it out

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Flow state

Buchanan Field, Evergreen- Mountain Music Fest, 12-9pm. Check it out

SUNDAY

Olde Town, Arvada- Farmers Market, 9am-1:30pm. Fresh produce and fun

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Sunday Bluegrass Brunch with Bottlerocket Hurricane, 10am-1pm. Shake off the cobwebs

Golden Outpost, Golden- Country Market, 10am-3pm. Yeehaw

Cannonball Creek, Golden- Basic Kneads 15th Anniversary Party, 12-8pm. Pizzaaaa Party

Lone Rock Retreat Center, Bailey- Bailey Theatre Company Annual Fundraiser: Come getaway to Spain, 2-6pm. Tickets

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

Heritage Belmar Park, Lakewood- Back to the 80s with Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, 6pm. Rock on

MONDAY

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

The Eddy Hotel & Taproom, Golden- Rooftop Tango, 6pm. Dancin’ feet

Chief Hosa Lodge, Genesee Mountain Park

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See you around the next bend!