Friday, January 23

Backcountry Workshop: Join Mammut and The American Avalanche Institute for an afternoon of activities, education, giveaways, and free food (while supplies last). Avalanche beacon time trials and Avalanche rescue fundamentals. Food and space are limited. Free event. RSVP at store.eldora.com/l/public/p/aai-workshop, 1:30 to 4 p.m., Eldora Ski Resort, upstairs in the Indian Peaks Lodge, 2861 Eldora Ski Road #140, Nederland.

January Parent’s Night Out: Children at least five years-old, but less than 15, are welcome. Join us for games, crafts, swimming, and dinner! Bring a swimsuit and towel, and wear P.J.s if you want! $25 and registration required. 4 to 8:30 p.m., Gilpin County Community Center, 250 Norton Drive, Black Hawk.

Saturday, January 24  

27th Annual Chilifest: Join us to eat and judge the best chili sampling across the Front Range from roughly 20 chefs. Categories include red, green, vegetarian/vegan, and the notorious Texas-style chili—no beans allowed. Prizes and awards for the top three winners in each category. 5 to 7 p.m., Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association, 31528 Highway 72, Golden.

Sunday, January 25

Teens Speak Up! Speech and Advocacy Workshop: Must be able to attend all sessions. Sessions run on Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m. on January 25, February 1, February 8, and February 15. Open to all high school aged students in the Nederland area. Pizza dinner included. Opportunity to speak on the Capitol Floor and have your voice heard! $200 participation award. Email nederlandlibrary@nedlib.org for more information. 

Tuesday, January 27

Food Protection Manager Review Class and Exam: Presented in both English and Spanish. Hosted by Colorado Department of Health and Environment along with Ameristar Casino. Training with exam costs $86. Exam only costs $28. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ameristar Casino, 111 Richmond Street, Black Hawk.

Thursday, January 29

Adult Makers Night: Arts program co-hosted by Library Assistant Director/Artist Jesse Ansari and Artist Leah DeCapio of Spirits of the Rocks. We’ll be trying our hands at a different art technique or project every month. From paper crafts, sewing skills, to paint, leather, and clay, we hope to cover it all and have some fun creating! No skills necessary but a good sense of humor will be useful. $5 suggested donation. Please sign up prior to the event at https://nederland.libcal.com/event/16062402. 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Nederland Community Library located at 200 Highway 72, Nederland.  

Saturday, January 31

DIY Survival During a Power Outage: Did you come away from the last set of power outages wondering what you could have done to weather them better (no pun intended)? Or perhaps you figured out some creative and effective ways to stay warm, fed, and feeling safe when there’s no electricity? Come share your ideas and questions with other mountain residents in a facilitated roundtable format so that we all may successfully navigate upcoming power outages with confidence in ourselves and our community. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Gilpin County Library, 15131 Highway 119, Black Hawk.

Sunday, February 1

Full Moon Tour & Dinner Series: Join us at Eldora for a special after-hours ski and split board tour under the full moon, followed by a special chef-prepared dinner of hearty mountain fare at the Caribou Lodge. Tickets are $99 and can be purchased here: https://store.eldora.com/l/public/p/full-moon-dining. 4 to 9 p.m. at Eldora Ski Resort located at 2861 Eldora Ski Road #140, Nederland. 

Did we miss you? Would you like your event listed in the Cracker Barrel? Please submit your event online at https://www.themtnear.com/events-submission/ to be included in the next edition. Check us out online at www.themtnear.com/events for more upcoming events.