Spanish Peaks Country

Antiques at the Spanish Peaks Vintage Trailer Rally Open House
2025-08-16 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | La Veta Pines RV Park, 226 W Grand Ave, La Veta, 81055
La Veta Pines RV Park hosts the 5th annual Antiques at the Spanish Peaks Vintage Trailer Rally this year August. The open house will be Saturday, August 16 from 11am-2pm. Vintage trailers and RVs from the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s will be on display. The public is invited to join the fun, tour the units and vote for your favorite. A food truck will be onsite.

Foraging for Wild Edible, Medicinal, and Useful Wild Plants (Gardner area)
2025-08-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Malachite Farm is located near the community of Gardner, in Huerfano County, PO Box 1011 403 Poplar Street 403 Poplar Street, La Veta, CO, 81055, United States
The Spanish Peaks Outdoor Center presents a half day foraging field session near Gardner, Colorado in Huerfano County. Join local interpretive naturalist and ethnobotanist, Bob Kennemer for a hands on class on ethical foraging skills. This class takes place on Malachite Farm and Ranch near the site of the historic site of Malachite. Located along the Huerfano River, the farm is home to hundreds of useful wild plants. Participants will learn how to find and ID plants used for food, herbal remedies, arts/crafts, and more. Dangerous and poisonous plants will also be identified.
Your guide and instructor: Kennemer majored in Environmental Science with a minor in Outdoor and Environmental Education at the University of Denver. He went on to become a certified Outdoor Leader via the National Outdoor Leadership School, in Lander, WY. Kennemer is a former Wilderness EMT. He is a sought after presenter, guide, and instructor with more that 40 years experience. Kennmer’s classes are described as a unique combination of entertainment and education.

Walking Earth: Plein Air Artmaking
2025-08-30 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Museum of Friends, 109 East 6th Street, Walsenburg, CO, 81089, United States
A nature-based artmaking session led by MoF Co-Founder and New York, 1 percent for the Arts, Artist and Art Educator, Maria Cocchiarelli, blending mindful walking with open studio creativity. Materials provided – just bring yourself and a sense of curiosity.
What to Expect:
-Grounding and intention-setting before the walk
-Gentle movement and observation-based prompts
-Studio time to explore what you noticed or gathered
-Opportunities to share, reflect, and connect
This workshop is part of the Museum of Friends’ Healing Through Art initiative, which promotes wellness and connection through creative engagement.
The Museum of Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sustained by the generosity of donors, community supporters, and grant funding. A suggested donation of $8 per person helps us continue providing community-centered programs like this one.

Mountain Mining Days
2025-09-06 08:00 - 17:00 | Walsenburg
Celebrate Walsenburg’s rich heritage at Mountain Mining Days over Labor Day weekend. Enjoy a festive parade, live music, a classic car show, local vendors, kids’ activities, and more in historic downtown. This lively annual event honors the region’s mining past with community spirit, entertainment, and fun for all ages.
The day kicks off with a Main Street parade followed by a street fair along West 6th Street and at Miner’s Plaza.

Hombre de Fuego with Community Stew!
2025-09-06 16:30 - 20:00 | Huerfano County Community Center, 928 Russell St, Walsenburg, 81089
Hombre de Fuego – September 6th – After the Mountain Mining Days activities have closed down, we will be gathering at the Huerfano Community Center for Hombre de Fuego with Community Stew – a nourishing community meal that can incorporate donations of locally grown produce. There will be food and community conversations emceed by Molina Speaks culminating in the burning of our 7 foot sage bush effigy. Doors open at 4:30 and the effigy will be burned around dusk, ~ 7PM

Spanish Peaks HealthCare Foundation Golf Tournament
2025-09-12 07:00 - 14:00 | Grandote Peaks Golf Course, 5540 State Hwy 12, La Veta, 81055
There’s nothing like a September day at Grandote Peaks Golf Course! Join us at the Spanish Peaks HealthCare Foundation Annual Golf Tournament—a day of golf, fun, food, and fundraising to support local students pursuing careers in healthcare. This year, we proudly awarded a record $37,000 in scholarships to Huerfano County students!
Event Details:
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Location: Grandote Peaks Golf Course
Range Opens: 6:00 a.m.
Check-In: 7:00 a.m.
Shotgun Start: 8:00 a.m.
Format: 4-Person Scramble | 18 Holes
💵 $500 per team ($125 per person) includes:
Grab-n-Go breakfast
Range balls, green fee, and golf cart
A delicious BBQ lunch with sides prepared by Chef Arleigh Bailey
Beverages, themed holes, door prizes, and the last hurrah of summer on the course!
Register your team or become a sponsor. Questions? Contact Patti Davis at 719-859-0323 or email mrsdr50@gmail.com.

Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Fest
2025-09-18 - 2025-09-21 | La Veta, 200 S Main, La Veta, CO, 81055, United States
Celebrate Celtic culture in the heart of Colorado at the Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival, September 18–21, 2025. Enjoy world-class performances, ceilidh dancing, and hands-on workshops in music, dance, and storytelling. Set against the stunning Spanish Peaks, this immersive retreat blends tradition, talent, and community spirit.

La Veta Oktoberfest
2025-10-04 10:00 - 18:00 | La Veta, 200 S Main, La Veta, CO, 81055, United States
Celebrate autumn in La Veta on the first Saturday of October with La Veta Oktoberfest! Enjoy a lively Biergarten, live bands, a classic car show, 100+ artisanal vendors, and fun family activities. This beloved, nonprofit community event supports local scholarships and charity while showcasing regional traditions.

Día de los Muertos Comunitaria Ofrenda
2025-10-18 10:00 - 2025-11-15 16:00 | Museum of Friends, 109 East 6th Street, Walsenburg, CO, 81089, United States
📅 On View: October 18 – November 15, 2025
📍 Location: Made in Walsenburg Gift Shop | Museum of Friends | 600 Main Street, Walsenburg, CO
Each year, the Museum of Friends hosts a Día de los Muertos Comunitaria Ofrenda, a community altar honoring the lives of loved ones who have passed. Adorned with marigolds, candles, photographs, and symbolic artwork, this annual display offers a shared space for remembrance, celebration, and cultural connection.
Community members are invited to contribute photos, small mementos, or written messages in remembrance, healing, or hope—acts that honor those we’ve lost and foster unity within our community. Items may be retrieved on Saturday, November 15, at the close of this year’s ofrenda.
Through this shared tradition, we celebrate life, memory, and the enduring presence of those who came before us.
👉 RSVP: www.museumoffriends.org

Tom Vail & Jann Vail: Shared Journey Exhibit
2025-10-18 10:00 - 2026-03-15 16:00 | Museum of Friends, 109 East 6th Street, Walsenburg, CO, 81089, United States
Museum of Friends | 600 Main Street, Walsenburg, CO
Experience the beauty of creative partnership in Tom & Jann Vail: Shared Journey, a featured exhibition at the Museum of Friends in downtown Walsenburg. This compelling show brings together paintings, mixed media, and personal reflections that trace the Vails’ decades of shared artistic vision. While their work reveals a lifelong dialogue, each artist maintains a distinct style — expressing individuality within their shared journey of creativity.
Housed in the historic Roof & Dick building on Walsenburg’s Main Street, the Museum of Friends offers free admission and welcomes visitors year-round. Explore rotating exhibitions, engaging public programs, and a growing permanent collection of 4,000 works of art that celebrate friendship and generosity in art.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Admission: Free (donations welcome to support exhibits and programs)
Learn more: www.museumoffriends.org

La Moda de los Muertos (Fashion of the Dead) — Fundraiser for the Museum of Friends Building Fund
2025-11-01 16:00 - 18:00 | Museum of Friends, 109 East 6th Street, Walsenburg, CO, 81089, United States
Join the MoF and Friends for La Moda de los Muertos, a vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration of life, memory, and creativity. This dynamic fashion runway event features alt-inspired, folklórico, and contemporary fashions, accompanied by live entertainment and festive performances. Enjoy the sounds of Huerfano Winds, an ensemble of John Mall High School alumni, and close the evening with a lively community fiesta.
This special event also serves as a fundraiser supporting the Museum of Friends Building Fund and the restoration of the museum’s historic windows.
Guests are encouraged to visit the Comunitaria Ofrenda (Community Altar) in the Made in Walsenburg Gift Shop window to leave messages or small tokens of remembrance, healing, and hope — acts that honor loved ones and foster unity within our community. Offerings may be retrieved on Saturday, November 15, at the close of this year’s ofrenda.
Admission: Free (donations welcome to support exhibits and programs)
Make a donation or reserve a ticket: https://bit.ly/Fashion_Fundraiser

Walsenburg Parade of Lights
2025-11-28 18:30 - 20:30 | Walsenburg, CO
✨ The magic begins the day after Thanksgiving! ✨
Kick off the holiday season in Huerfano County with festive markets and events starting Friday, November 28! 🎄Don’t miss the 36th Annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Walsenburg at 6:30 p.m. Watch the streets come alive with twinkling lights, then gather for a special tree lighting ceremony at Gub Gub’s Pizza and Ice Cream. 🌟
Downtown shops will stay open late—making it the perfect evening to shop local and find unique gifts for everyone on your list! 🎁

Shop Small Business Saturday
2025-11-29 | Huerfano County
Saturday, November 29th, is Small Business Saturday! There’s no better place to shop small than right here in Huerfano County!
Skip the big box stores and the online checkout carts. Instead, spend the day discovering one-of-a-kind gifts from local makers, artists, and shop owners who pour their hearts into what they do. You’ll find handmade goods, unique treasures, and that perfect something you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, many of our merchants are offering special deals and extended hours just for Small Business Saturday.
Grab your shopping buddy, fuel up on coffee, and spend the day exploring Spanish Peaks Country. Your holiday list (and our local businesses) will thank you! 🎁

La Veta Merchants' Holiday Fest
2025-12-05 16:00 - 20:00 | Downtown La Veta, 115 W Ryus Ave, La Veta, 81055, United States
The 2nd Annual La Veta Merchants’ Holiday Fest is held in downtown La Veta. Shop late ’til 8 with in-store specials, prize drawings and enjoy festive food and drink, Santa will be seeing the kids from 4-6pm at the “North Pole” (106 E Francisco), tree lighting at Charlie’s Park on Main St.at 5pm where the FCPA show choir carolers will begin roaming around town, the Jingle & Strut holiday costume parade and contest will begin at the “North Pole” at 6.

2025 Annual Holiday Bell Ringing
2025-12-21 16:30 - 18:30 | La Veta Town Park, 132 W. Ryus St., La Veta, CO, 81055, United States
Sunset on Winter Solstice, December 21st, 4:30pm​
The sound of a bell welcomes peace, happiness, and wisdom. Participants walk in a joyous procession around town, bestowing well wishes on our La Veta community. At the end, refreshments! Wearing festive or vintage clothing is encouraged. Come celebrate miracles
This event is gracefully sponsored by the La Veta Creative District.

SHELVIS
2026-01-24 19:00 - 21:00 | La Veta Mercantile, 300 S. Main Street, La Veta, 81055
Lori “Shelvis” Muha fronts her spot on band “The Roustabouts,” with her high-energy performances, great vocals and charismatic stage presence…she is quite simply, an entertainment powerhouse.
“Shelvis” brought the sold out house down at the Mercantile last Summer with her smash-up of hits by Elvis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and so many more. This year, she’ll add new songs and will feature songs in tribute to the new movie “Song Sung Blue” in honor of Neil Diamond.
If it’s pure fun, heartwarming nostalgia and joy making entertainment you’re looking for, this is the band! Escape your Winter doldrums and spend the night with Shelvis and the Roustabouts!
Voted Denver’s Best Band (2019) by the readers of 5280 Magazine
$20 Advance | $23 Day of Show
Buy Tickets: https://lavetamercantile.simpletix.com/

The 15th Annual Wine Tasting Event hosted by the Spanish Peaks Healthcare Foundation
2026-02-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Grandote Event Center, 5535 Co-12, La Veta, CO, 81055, United States
✨ Saturday, February 28, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Grandote Event Center, La Veta
💲 $50 per person, purchase tickets at 15th Annual Wine Tasting Event – Spanish Peaks Healthcare Foundation – Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center/VCLC
Join us for An Evening of Wine, Music, and Community, featuring:
🍷 7 incredible wines available for tasting and purchase
🍽️ Delicious hors d’oeuvres
🎁 A lively Silent Auction filled with unique items
🤝 Camaraderie, connection, and a great night out for a great cause
We’re offering a bubbly featured non‑alcoholic spirit for our designated drivers and guests who prefer an alcohol‑free option—because everyone deserves a festive glass in hand!

The 15th Annual Wine Tasting Event hosted by the Spanish Peaks Healthcare Foundation
2026-02-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Grandote Event Center, 5535 Co-12, La Veta, CO, 81055, United States
Join us for a memorable night of wine sampling, delicious hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Alys’ Restaurant, and lively music. Enjoy camaraderie with friends and neighbors while bidding on exciting items in our Silent Auction! Featured wines will be available for purchase during the event; prices vary. Stay Connected: Follow us on Facebook at Spanish Peaks HealthCare Foundation for event details and updates. Featured wines will be highlighted, along with their prices.

Poudre Valley Playboys
2026-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 | La Veta Mercantile, 300 S. Main Street, La Veta, 81055
Lannie Garrett Presents:
The Poudre Valley Playboys
Poudre Valley Playboys, are a duo made up of guitar phenomenon, Josh Long (vocals) and upright bass virtuoso, Mark Verschoor. Both are stellar, charismatic entertainers.
Their concert is high-octane classic country-rockabilly-surf music that gets any crowd jumping and hollering within the first few bars.
The Playboys will dig deep into the archives to pull out some nostalgic gems from yesteryear in addition to cult classics from the rockabilly, country, and surf music scenes.
A typical mixing-it-up medley they’ll do is “Ghost Riders in the Sky” mixed with “El Cumbanchero.” Old School memories will abound….
With Mark Verschoor’s powerhouse bass licks and Josh Long’s riveting electric guitar riffs and vocals, this duo sounds like a full band…on fire.
The Playboys recently opened shows for renown country music legend, Marty Stuart and for Grammy nominated (best country album) singer/songwriter,
Charley Crockett at Denver’s Mission Ballroom for over 4000 people.
Don’t miss this one-of-kind show…they are coming to our town for one night only! You won’t be able to sit still…These guys know how to throw a party!

8th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Bingo
2026-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | La Veta Mercantile
Add a little Irish spirit to your spring break plans at the 8th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Bingo, hosted by La Veta Trails at La Veta Mercantile. This lively evening doubles as a community fundraiser, bringing locals and visitors together for a little friendly competition and a lot of small-town charm.
Bingo cards are $5 each, with a final cash cover game available for an additional $1 per card. Come dressed in your best green (there’s a prize for best costume), bring a few friends, and settle in for an evening that’s equal parts festive and fun, all in support of La Veta Trails.

Tales Around the Table
2026-03-15 16:00 - 18:00 | La Veta Mercantile
Gather around the tables at the Mercantile for an afternoon of true life stories told by La Veta locals. This month’s theme is Adventures of the Wild Kind. Storytellers are Arthur Ellege, Helen Hill, Manuel Molles and Jill Whitmore. Hosted by Adrienne Braswell. Suggested donation: $5.00

Cassie and Maggie Celtic
2026-03-20 19:00 - 21:00 | La Veta Mercantile, 300 S. Main Street, La Veta, 81055
With over 17 combined Canadian Folk Music, East Coast Music, and Music Nova Scotia awards and nominations, the JUNO-Nominated powerhouse duo, Cassie and Maggie, emerge as an unstoppable force on the global folk stage. Unleashing a magnetic energy, they seamlessly weave their deep Celtic heritage with contemporary influences. Committed to not just preserving but also propelling Nova Scotia’s folk traditions into new realms, Cassie and Maggie bring an exhilarating energy that is both timeless and irresistibly modern. Their eagerly anticipated 5th studio album, “Gold and Coal,” poised to solidify their status as folk music trailblazers.

2026 La Veta Oktoberfest Chili Cook-Off
2026-03-21 17:00 - 19:00
🌶🔥 Get Your Spoons Ready, La Veta!
The 2026 La Veta Oktoberfest Chili Cook-Off is heating up! Join us for an evening of bold flavors and friendly competition as local cooks battle it out for Best Red, Best Green, and Best Soup.
Taste your way through a wide variety of chilis, cast your vote for your favorites, and see who takes home the bragging rights (and prizes!). 🏆
Plus, don’t miss the silent auction, packed with fantastic items that help support our community.
Bring your appetite and your friends, this is one delicious event you won’t want to miss!
Saturday, March 21 | 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location TBD

The Hours of Anne: The Last Day in the Life of Anne Boleyn
2026-03-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-03-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-03-29 14:00 - 16:00
One-Woman Show
Myths and legends abound about Anne Boleyn, the second wife of England’s King Henry VIII. The Hours of Anne explores the final day in the life of this young woman who met her ultimate destiny on the executioner’s block. The Hours of Anne relies on historical records and the actual words of the young queen during the final hours of her short life. The audience is drawn into the Tower of London — and then Tower Green — as if having a chair set next to Anne Boleyn as she prepares for her fate.
Fri, March 27 – 7pm
Sat, March 28 – 7pm
Sun, March 29 – 2pm

2026-03-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Francisco Center for the Performing Arts, 127 W. Francisco St., La Veta, CO, 81055, United States
New Event!
Saturday, March 28 | 1:00 PM
📍 Francisco Center for the Performing Arts
Join archaeologist and CSU professor Dr. Chris Fisher, known for discovering lost cities in the Honduran jungle, as he shares how LiDAR technology is transforming exploration and uncovering ancient worlds.
Don’t miss this fascinating journey into the past! 🌿🔍

Jack Hadley Blues and Soul. Presented by Lannie Garrett.
2026-03-28 19:00 - 21:00 | La Veta Mercantile, 300 S. Main Street, La Veta, 81055
Jack Hadley was born in the Philippines into a military family. When they returned to America, they were stationed in San Francisco where he spent his childhood in the Haight-Ashbury district. Jack’s mother bought him an acoustic guitar at an early age to keep him busy. The family eventually moved to Denver, Colorado, where he learned to play music by ear, playing everything from Hendrix to Dylan, unaware that he was learning the foundation of American music – the Blues.
Jack played in a number of bands, sharpening his guitar skills and discovering his vocal talent along the way. He began performing as a solo artist and played countless shows as a hired gun. In 2005, Jack decided to focus on writing and performing his own blues-based material with his trio, The Jack Hadley Band. That same year he was playing at a local club when he was approached by blues veteran Otis Taylor, who happened to be in the audience. For the next 18 months, Jack was Taylor’s lead guitarist, playing festivals and shows all over the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom.
“…left-of-center/eclectic blues…a monster blues guitarist/singer with an amazing sum of influences:
North Mississippi drone blues-meets Jimi/BB/Albert/Curtis Mayfield/Marley filtered through-
Haight Ashbury…” – Bob Lohr, Producer, San Telmo Media
Winner of the 2017 Colorado Blues Challenge, Solo/Duo category. Represented the Colorado Blues
Society at the 2018 International Blues Competition in Memphis, Tennessee.
Jack has the national and international touring experience, including Blues from the Top, Winter Park CO | St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis MO | Live on the BBC, London, England | SummerFest, Milwaukee WI | Stern Grove Festival, San Francisco, CA | Rauma Blues Festival, Rauma, Finland.
DISCOGRAPHY
Deeper – 2008
The St. Louis Sessions – 2014
Daybreak In Alabama – The Langston Hughes Project – 2020
The St. Louis Sessions Volume II – 2024

Earth Day Seeding at Lathrop State Park
2026-04-25 11:00 - 13:00 | Lathrop State Park, 70 County Road 502, Walsenburg, CO, 81089
On Saturday, April 25 from 11am to 1pm, Colorado Parks & Wildlife is hosting an Earth Day seeding event at Lathrop State Park. Volunteers will help restore campground areas where grass has been damaged by construction and heavy use. Without reseeding, invasive plants move in, so this is your chance to help keep Lathrop healthy and beautiful for years to come.
📅 Saturday, April 25 | 11am–1pm
📍 Meet at the Lathrop Visitor Center
📝 Registration required. Spots are limited to 50 volunteers
Bring water, sunscreen, gloves, and dress in layers for changing weather. All ages welcome! Grab the family and come spend a couple hours giving back to one of the most beautiful parks in southern Colorado.
🔗 Register here: cpwconnect.state.co.us
