May. 01, 2025
May 18, 2025 |
Elevate Your Fiction From “Just Okay” to “Jackpot!” (Salida)
A Storycrafting workshop sponsored by Central Colorado Writers. Join a small group of authors for an intimate 3-day workshop, including presentations, writing time, hands-on workshopping, and open-mic evening. Limited to 16 on a first registered, first accepted basis. Presenters include Kelley Lindberg, Jerry Fabyanic, and Laurel McHargue. $200 for CCW members, $220 for nonmembers. Registration is open.
Address
Salida, CO
Learn More
May 18, 2025 | 11 a.m.
Stories & Poems Naturita (Naturita)
The Stories & Poems series follows a simple format: a performance of a featured storyteller or poet, followed by a question-and-answer session, then a Gourd Circle. Free; open to all ages.
Address
Naturita Community Library, 107 West 1st Ave, Naturita
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
May 19, 2025 |
Gold Rush Literary Award Submission Window
The Gold Rush Literary Award is the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ contest for unpublished novelists. The contest is for unpublished writers of novel-length fiction only. Categories include: Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror, Mystery/Thriller, Women’s Fiction/Romance, Mainstream/Other; YA/Middle Grade. Contest submission window is April 18-May 19.
Address
Learn More
May 20, 2025 | 6-7:30 p.m.
Spoken Word Open Mic (Grand Junction)
A space and time just for the spoken word, including poetry, storytelling, monologues, stand-up. Come share or just listen every third Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Copeka Coffee. May’s featured reader: Chessie Woodruff
Address
Copeka Coffee, 1012 N. 5th Street, Grand Junction
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
May 20, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Hockey Romance How To (Online)
Sponsored by Pikes Peak Writers. This class will lead you through some of the basic rules, typical gameplay, and common superstitions associated with the sport of hockey to add to your work. Presenter H.L. Voss is an award winning queer and non-binary author that specializes in transformative fiction. Free, registration required.
Address
Online
Learn More
May 20, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.
Poetry Readings and Open Mic (Boulder)
The Colorado Poets Center has Poetry Readings and Open Mic on Tuesdays at 6:30pm throughout the spring.They meet in the Upper North Room of Boulder Books, 1107 Pearl Street.Tues., May 20 is Mary Crow.
Address
1107 Pearl Street
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
May 21, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Queer Book Club (Denver)
In May, we will be reading and discussing You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian. RSVPS are required for this event. This book club will be hosted by Cara Castellow.
Address
The Spicy Librarian, 3040 Blake Street #110 Denver
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
Learn More
May 21, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Stories & Poems Norwood (Naturita)
The Stories & Poems series follows a simple format: a performance of a featured storyteller or poet, followed by a question-and-answer session, then a Gourd Circle. Free; open to all ages.
Address
Lone Cone Library, 1455 Pinon St, Norwood
Click here to view this address on a Google Map
Support Rocky Mountain Reader
Rocky Mountain Reader depends on generous contributions from readers to support our operations. Please consider making a donation that you can afford — one-time, monthly or yearly. Donations are tax-deductible.
Newsletter Updates
Subscribing is free! To subscribe, sign up to receive our weekly newsletter that will provide previews and links to upcoming content, literary news items from around Colorado and more.
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
