Remaining Saturday Evening Programs For The Season At Rocky Mountain National Park

Date: September 25, 2012
Contact: Kyle Patterson, [phone]

Please join us for the last remaining Saturday evening programs for this year at Rocky Mountain National Park.  

Saturday, September 29, 7:00 p.m. - The Colorado River: Lifeblood of the West Beaver Meadows Visitor Center 

Rocky Mountain National Park helps create the most important and powerful river in the arid American west-The Colorado River. The Colorado River is the principal river of the southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. The 1,450-mile river encompasses parts of seven American states and two Mexican states. Known for its dramatic canyons and whitewater rapids, the Colorado is a vital source of water for agricultural and urban areas in the southwestern desert lands of North America. The river and its tributaries are controlled by an extensive system of dams, reservoirs and aqueducts, which furnish water for irrigation and municipal supplies of almost 40 million people both inside and outside the watershed. The Colorado's steep drop through its gorges is also utilized for the generation of significant hydroelectric power, and its major dams regulate peaking power demands in much of the Intermountain West. Since the mid-20th century, intensive water consumption has dewatered the lower course of the river such that it no longer reaches the sea except in years of heavy runoff. Join ranger Michael Chickos to learn more about the timeless journey of this most famous river.

Saturday, October 6, 7:00 p.m. - Grin and Bear It: Rocky's Black Bears             Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

Black bears of Rocky Mountain National Park have unique characteristics that differentiate them from other national parks. Black bears are omnivores eating both plants and animals. About 90 percent of its diet is made up of plants. They may be active anytime, day or night, but most often during morning and evening twilight. When not feeding they rest in day beds next to a log in a windfall, in dense brush, or in a depression. Its northern cousin, the grizzly bear is no longer found in Colorado. Join ranger J.J. King to learn about their population, diet, and physical characteristics here in Rocky.

Saturday, October 6, 7:00 p.m. - Where The Wild Things Are                 Kawuneeche Visitor Center

Join Ranger Rebecca Roland for a look at the history of wildlife management in the National Park Service combined with historic photographs.

Saturday, October 13, 7:00 p.m. - Rocky Mountain Reflections by Roger Wolfe Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

Join 2011 Artist-In-Residence, Roger Wolfe, to watch the beautiful 40 minute video production he created for Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain Reflections.  While working on assignment for 9News/KUSA-TV Denver, Roger received an Emmy award for his coverage of the Pope's visit to Estes Park, the Edward R. Murrow Award for a series on Schizophrenia and the 2005 Award for Colorado Broadcaster of the Year. For his residency in September of 2011, Roger worked on Rocky Mountain Reflections, a video of Rocky by blending prose, poetry, music, video and still images along with interviews of writers, philosophers, artists and park visitors, speaking about the importance of mountains and wild places to humans. Now retired, Roger is eager to produce more creative and longer format videos exploring the importance of places like Rocky to the human experience.

Saturday, October 20, 7:00 p.m. - Walk in the Park with Nick Mollé: Rivers of the Rockies                                                                                                                            Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

Rivers of the Rockies explores the rivers of the northern Colorado Rocky Mountains including the mighty Colorado River and the life it supports in Rocky Mountain National Park. Tracing the source of our streams, Rivers takes us to some of the most beautiful and inspirational destinations from the top of the Rockies to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The profound values of various life zones in the ecosystems are explored with breathtaking cinematography. This is a continuation of the series, A Walk in the Park with Nick Molle where Nick presents viewers with his dedicated approach to understanding North America's scenic natural treasures. As always, he approaches his subject with sound science, respect, and a touch of humor. All programs are free and open to the public.

For more information on Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park's Information Office at [phone].