May. 01, 2025
May 13, 2025 | 3-5 p.m.
Hard Times Writing Workshop (Boulder)
Free. This ongoing program offers a creative outlet for people facing addiction and recovery, poverty, homelessness, loss, and other life challenges. No experience needed.
May 13
May 27
Address
Boulder Public Library-Main, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
Learn More
May 14, 2025 | 6-7:45 p.m.
Poetry Night at the Library (Grand Junction)
Sponsored by Western Colorado Writers’ Forum. Each month poets are invited to read their work based on a previous month’s challenge, or any other poem they’d like to read. Then, a new topic is discussed and a new challenge is issued. Topics range from a particular poet, to a school of poetry, to a new tool for your poetry toolbox such as a form or poetic device. No poetry experience is required.
May 14
June 11
July 9
Address
Central Library, 443 N. 6th Street, Grand Junction
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
May 15, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Beaver Pelts and Buckskins: Fort Uncompahgre & The Old Spanish Trail (Palisade)
Join Western Colorado author and historian Dave Fishell as he presents the story of the first trading post in the western half of the state and the 1,200-mile-long Old Spanish Trail. Hosted by the Palisade Historical Society at The Ordinary Fellow.
Address
The Ordinary Fellow, 202 Peach Ave., Palisade
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
May 15, 2025 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Writing in Color: Resource Sharing for BIPOC+ Writers (Zoom)
Learn about new opportunities and resources that will help you grow as BIPOC+ writers and creatives together. Sponsored by Lighthouse Writers. Free for members, $5 for nonmembers.
May 15, 7-8:30 p.m., Zoom
July 17, 7-8:30 p.m., location TBD
Aug. 21, 7-8:30 p.m., location TBD
Address
Zoom
Learn More
May 15, 2025 | 4-6 p.m.
WCWF Happy Hour (Grand Junction)
Hosted by Western Colorado Writers’ Forum at Kannah Creek Brewing Company. Join fellow writers and WCWF board members for casual socializing. No registration required unless a party of 6 or more is attending.
May 15
June 19
Address
Kannah Creek, 1960 N. 12th St., Grand Junction
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
Learn More
May 16, 2025 | varies
50th Annual Amache Pilgrimage (Amache National Historic Site)
May 16-18.
This year, the Full Amache Pilgrimage will take place in the Amache area from the evening of Friday May 16 to midday Sunday May 18, with additional events hosted by Amache Alliance, the University of Denver Amache Project, National Parks Conservation Association, Colorado Preservation Inc., and the Sand Creek Massacre Foundation. There will also be events earlier in the week in Denver at the Denver Art Museum and History Colorado Center. PLEASE NOTE: you will need your own transportation to attend these events.
See RMR review of Amache: The Story of Japanese Internment in Colorado During World War II by Robert Harvey.
Address
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
May 16, 2025 | 5-7 p.m.
Open Mic and Happy Hour by Denver Women’s Press Club
The Denver Woman’s Press Club has enhanced its offerings for journalists, fiction and non-fiction writers, playwrights, poets, PR professionals and friends. It now hosts open mics once a month for anyone interested in exploring their writing interests. The Open Mic and Happy Hour enables you strut your stuff!
Next one is Friday, May 16, 5 to 7 p.m. in a safe place, regardless of your level of experience. Participants and readers, all of whom should be 18 years old or older, are expected to be mutually respectful. Doors open at 5 p.m. Up to 12 writers will have five minutes to present. No RSVPs Just show up. While this is a free event with light refreshments, donations are gladly accepted. (The DWPC does not discriminate against any person or organization.)
Address
Denver Woman’s Press Club
1325 Logan St., Denver, CO 80203
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
May 17, 2025 | noon
RMFW Anthology Information Call (Streamyard)
Anthology editors Amy Armstrong and Deb Courtney will answer questions about the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ 2026 anthology, “True Story.” For anyone unable to attend, a recording of the call will be posted the next day on the RMFW website. Free; registration required to participate in the live call.
Address
Streamyard
Learn More
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Briefly Noted
The Beckwith Dynasty: A Ranching Empire in Colorado’s Wet Mountain Valley
Courtney Miller
Filter Press
130 pages
Once one of the largest cattle ranches in southern Colorado, Beckwith Ranch rises to its former glory in the concisely and neatly written, The Beckwith Dynasty: A Ranching Empire in Colorado’s Wet Mountain Valley by Courtney Miller. The author explores the history of a successful shipbuilding family who traveled west in 1869, and would eventually create through hard work, luck and a handful of shenanigans, an incredibly successful agricultural operation. Miller guides the reader through the origins of the ranch with stories of true cowboys and the Old West.
Beginning with a meager 160 acres, the family created a vast holding of land and livestock that would eventually become a thriving and majestic showplace of 8,800 acres with a very distinctive mansion of white clapboard and red roof. The fortunes of the Beckwith empire grew even more with the discovery of gold and silver in the nearby mountains. The mansion continued to expand as well, becoming a rambling complex with all the latest Victorian fineries accumulated from travels afar. Sophisticated and worldly travelers were entertained with unparalleled grandeur in the hinterlands of Colorado’s Wet Mountains.
As with any great western story about perseverance and triumph, the tale of the downfall of the family and the mansion is equally fascinating. Death, disease and estranged family relations all contributed to the passing of the heyday of the grand place.
Located on Hwy 69 near Westcliffe, Colorado, the site and venue is now listed on National Register of Historic Places. The obvious sincere and deep appreciation the author has for the ranch shines through in his writing. He packs a lot of Wet Mountain Valley history in this small volume with fine research and striking details. This book is a nice resource for any Colorado history buff. — Jeffery Payne
