This calendar is a list of all public event and classes offered by Arapahoe County Extension. Some of the virtual classes may be offered by Extension offices in partnering counties. Other events may be offered that are closed to the public and available to program participants (e.g. 4-H members, Colorado Master Gardeners). Click here if you are interested in becoming a 4-H member, Colorado Master Gardener or Native Plant Master volunteer.
You may also request a program for your organization or school. Options for adults are youth are available.
- Family and Consumer Sciences (food preservation, food safety, nutrition, health, family financial management, etc.)
- Horticulture (yard, gardening, trees, insects, etc.)
- 4-H School and Community programs (embryology, in-school, after school, summer camps, kit programs, etc.)
For questions, please email CSU-Extension@arapahoegov.com or call the office at 303-730-1920.
To view other great programs Arapahoe County Extension has offered, please visit our Past Events page!
April
Food Preservation/Fermentation with Kimchi -April 25 – 7:00-8:30 p.m. $20.00 In this class you will learn the principles and benefits of vegetable fermentation. Participate in a hands-on activity of starting a Kimchi ferment that you take home to finish. Price includes taking home a Kimchi start, and directions for making Kimchi, fermented pickles and sauerkraut. Pre-register at least 5 days in advance, so we have enough materials and equipment for everyone to participate. Location: Arapahoe County CSU Extension Office- 6934 S. Lima St. Centennial, CO 80112 Register HERE
Container Gardening Workshop Saturday April 27, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Hudson Garden $30.00 Join Hudson Gardens and Arapahoe County Master Gardener Debbie Moody and learn about flower, vegetable and herb container gardening! We will show you how to choose a container, proper plants, soils, planting and maintenance. We will have a hands-on workshop where participants will plant a small container of flowers to take home. More information and registration HERE
Composting-April 30, 6:00-7:00 p.m. FREE Located at Aurora Central Library.
Join us for an informative talk about composting! Colorado Master Gardener, Andrea Briney will teach you everything you need to know about to create your own compost for your garden! Register HERE
May
The BUZZ on Bees Wednesday May 1, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Hudson Garden $15.00 Humans depend on pollinators for about 1/3rd of our diet, and the most nutritious part of our diet including vegetables, fruits, and nuts. In Colorado, we have over 1,000 species of bees, 250 butterflies, approximately 1,000 species of moths, and more! We have an amazing amount of pollinator biodiversity in Colorado. How can we best support them? This workshop led by Lisa Mason, Arapahoe County CSU Extension Horticulture Specialist, will cover the basics on bees and pollinator conservation. Learn to identify specific groups of bees in your own gardens, and how you can attract them to your landscape (without the risk of stings)! Learn about exciting projects like the Native Bee Watch Community Science program at CSU Extension, and how CSU researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help community scientists identify bees. More information and registration HERE
EAB Webinar May 2 6-7pm -Emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive beetle deadly to all ash trees, is slowly spreading throughout Colorado. During this webinar, attendees will learn more about EAB has been confirmed in Colorado, how to identify an ash tree, signs and symptoms of EAB and lookalikes, and what options are available for homeowners. Register HERE
Cottage Food Safety Training -May 3, 2024 – 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m $50.00 This food safety webinar meets the food safety-training requirements in the Colorado Cottage Foods Act. Participants learn food safety guidelines and the specifics for operating a home based cottage food business from a home kitchen. Participants also learn about the most current Colorado Cottage Food Act guidelines and best practices. Participants learn the basics of proper hygiene; preventing cross contamination and cross contact of food allergens; proper sanitation requirements, storage, transporting products and sales requirements. Upon completion of the webinar and passing the accompanying exam, participants receive a 3-year food safety certificate. Proof of attending an approved food safety training is required by most Colorado Market managers. Registration closes 5 days prior to the workshop. Register HERE
2024 NPM Wildflower Walk at Roxborough State Park – May 2 – 9:00am-12:00pm $25.00 Roxborough State Park comes alive in May with beautiful spring flowering plants in a gorgeous setting. Join your instructors Lenore, Cynthia and Colleen for a fun and informal tour in the park to identify and learn about the native plants that will be flowering at this time. This walk is geared towards native plant enthusiasts and beginners alike. Basic botany concepts and plant families will be emphasized, so prior knowledge in these areas will be helpful, but not required. Please bring your Flora of Colorado book by Jennifer Ackerfield if you have one (not required) and a hand lens. Please note: this one day wildflower walk does not count towards a Native Plant Master certification. More information and registration HERE
2024 NPM Wildflower Walk at Roxborough State Park May 9 – 9:00am-12:00pm $25.00 Roxborough State Park comes alive in May with beautiful spring flowering plants in a gorgeous setting. Join your instructors Lenore, Cynthia and Colleen for a fun and informal tour in the park to identify and learn about the native plants that will be flowering at this time. This walk is geared towards native plant enthusiasts and beginners alike. Basic botany concepts and plant families will be emphasized, so prior knowledge in these areas will be helpful, but not required. Please bring your Flora of Colorado book by Jennifer Ackerfield if you have one (not required) and a hand lens. Please note: this one day wildflower walk does not count towards a Native Plant Master certification. More information and registration HERE
Container Gardening Demonstration Saturday May 11, 12:00 -1:30 p.m. Englewood Library Let the Colorado Master Gardeners of Arapahoe County help you dive into the world of container gardening. Learn everything you need to know to create well-proportioned, elegant planters for summer that are beautiful and will thrive. This class covers everything from selecting the perfect container to choosing the right plants and designing a layout that showcases your style. Attendees will also enjoy a demonstration of several unique and beautiful container designs. Register HERE
Preparing the Soil – May 11, 10:00 am Cheyenne-Arapaho Park Join us at our Cheyenne-Arapaho Park Community Garden to learn about soil amendments and how to best prepare your soil for a successful vegetable gardening season!
MEET THE VEGETABLE GARDENER- Hudson Gardens Demo Gardens- Wednesday, May 15, 9:00am (if we are in the garden and weather allows) FREE but registration is requested. Registration COMING SOON
2024 2024 NPM Wildflower Walk at Cherokee Ranch & Castle- May 16- 9:00am-12:00pm $30.00 Cherokee Ranch and Castle is a private property with an elegant and interesting castle and over 3000 acres of rolling hills, forest, and meadows with spectacular views. This Foothills to Plains Native Plant Master Wildflower Walk is geared towards both beginning and advanced native plant enthusiasts. This fun and informal walk will include a review basic botany concepts and emphasize plant families, so prior knowledge in these areas is helpful but not required. Students will see an array of fantastic flowering native plants on short trails with some uneven footing. Hiking poles advised for those unsteady on their feet, but not usually required. Please note: This wildflower walk does not count towards a Native Plant Master certificate. More information and registration HERE
Food Preservation/Fermentation with Yogurt -May 15 – 7:00-8:30 p.m. $5.00 Come learn how easy it is to make yogurt at home. In this program you will learn the history and science of fermenting milk into tangy yogurt. We will also review the health benefits of eating yogurt.
Participants will watch a demonstration, taste test and receive directions for making yogurt at home. Pre-register at least 5 days in advance, so we have enough materials and equipment for everyone to participate. Location: Jefferson County CSU Extension Office- 15200 W 6th Ave Frontage Rd – Unit C, Golden, CO 80401 Register HERE
Food Preservation/Fermentation with Yogurt -May 16- 7:00-8:30 p.m. $5.00 Come learn how easy it is to make yogurt at home. In this program you will learn the history and science of fermenting milk into tangy yogurt. We will also review the health benefits of eating yogurt.
Participants will watch a demonstration, taste test and receive directions for making yogurt at home. Pre-register at least 5 days in advance, so we have enough materials and equipment for everyone to participate. Location: Arapahoe County CSU Extension Office- 6934 S. Lima St. Centennial, CO 80112 Register HERE
Tomatoes – May 18 10:00 am Join us at our Littleton Pea Patch Community Garden for a class all about growing tomatoes, how to care for and harvest them, and learn about common disease & pest problems of tomatoes.
2024 NPM Course at Sandstone Ranch OS May 23, 30 & June 6 – 9:00am – 2:30pm $125.00 Come explore and learn with us at this amazing open space. We will introduce you to 40-60 plants, using family features and a botanical key to help identify species. Ecological relationships, human connections and the potential to use some of these plants in your landscaping will be discussed. In addition, we will emphasize understanding noxious alien plants and the challenge they present to our native environment. More information and registration HERE
June
Creating a Pollinator Garden – June 4 at 5:30 to 7:30 pm Free– Lima Plaza Demonstration Garden-6934 S. Lima St. Suite B
How and When to Plant – June 1, 10:00 am Cheyenne-Arapaho Park Join us at our Cheyenne-Arapaho Park Community Garden to learn about the basics of planting a vegetable garden and about how and when to plant your vegetable seeds!
Planning Your Garden Saturday, June 1st at 9:00 am Free Clayton Elementary Community Garden 475 W Union Ave, Englewood, CO 80110
Urban Ranchers Day Camp June 4-7 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM Ages 8-13 Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Aurora
Camp Fee $140
Urban Rancher Camp brings the farm to urban kids. Youth learn first-hand about agriculture, livestock, and animal care and husbandry. Youth will learn how to care for and handle several animals throughout the camp – such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, and llamas . Camp counselors will lead daily games and projects which will help youth explore where their food comes from. Camp runs from 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM each day. On Friday, we will celebrate at a meal from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Camp registration includes a t-shirt, field trip to CSU Spur Campus, snacks, activities, and the end of camp meal on the last day of camp! Lunch is only provided on Friday. Space is limited to 12 participants on a first come, first serve basis. Registration will close on April 30. Register HERE
More information and Registration HERE
Food Preservation/Fermentation with Ginger Ale -June 5- 7:00-8:00 p.m. $10.00 In this fermentation workshop you will learn to make this fun and fizzy beverage at home using water, sugar, ginger, lemon juice, and baker’s yeast. You can register as an individual or a family for one low registration fee of $10.00. The fee includes making and taking home a 2 liter bottle of the ginger ale starter to ferment at home, per paid registration. Just let us know how many will be attending so we put out enough chairs. Location: Jefferson County CSU Extension Office- 15200 W 6th Ave Frontage Rd – Unit C, Golden, CO 80401 Register HERE
Food Preservation/Fermentation with Ginger Ale -June 6 – 7:00-8:00 p.m. $10.00 In this fermentation workshop you will learn to make this fun and fizzy beverage at home using water, sugar, ginger, lemon juice, and baker’s yeast. You can register as an individual or a family for one low registration fee of $10.00. The fee includes making and taking home a 2 liter bottle of the ginger ale starter to ferment at home, per paid registration. Just let us know how many will be attending so we put out enough chairs. Location: Arapahoe County CSU Extension Office- 6934 S. Lima St. Centennial, CO 80112 Register HERE
Planting Demonstration – June 6, 6:00 pm (Evelyn) Join us at our Cheyenne-Arapaho Park Community Garden for a planting demonstration!
Crazy Critters Day Camp
June 10-13
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Ages 7-9
CSU Extension Office, Centennial
Camp Fee $150
This is camp for youth interested in being outdoors and learning about wildlife and their habitat. Youth will have a chance to learn about both, along with environmental science, zoology, entomology & more. Camp registration includes admission and transportation to off-site locations such as the Butterfly Pavilion, Carson Nature Center, Cherry Creek Ecological Park, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Genessee Park, a camp t-shirt, snacks, and activities. Campers will need to pack a lunch each day. Space is limited to 12 participants on a first come, first serve basis. Registration will close May 3. Register HERE
Xeriscaping and Waterwise Gardening Tuesday, June 11, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Hudson Garden $15.00 Arapahoe County Master Gardeners will provide an overview of what water wise landscaping is all about and how you can implement water savings in your own yard with the right techniques and xeric plants. More information and Registration HERE
2024 NPM Course -Dawson Butte Open Space – June 11,13 & 20- 9:00am-1:00pm $125.00 Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space in Douglas County has a total of over 7 miles of wide and mostly flat trails which meander through forests and meadows with spectacular views and an amazing array of wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Class hikes are approximately one mile in length. This NPM course at Dawson Butte Open Space takes you through forests and meadows with spectacular views and amazing wildflowers and shrubs. More information and registration HERE
2024 NPM Course Aurora Reservoir – June 14, 21, and 28 7:30am – 12:00pm $125.00 Join us for this new course location for the Native Plant Master Program! You will learn about 45+ Colorado native plants at this location. The month of June at Aurora Reservoir brings great diversity. With nearly 1,000 acres of open space surrounding 800 acres of water, this class provides the opportunity to learn a variety of upland, facultative, and obligate riparian-wetland plant species. Class hikes will be 2-3 miles round trip on a combination of concrete path and gravel trail. Participant entry fees for the Aurora Reservoir are waived compliments of the city of Aurora Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Department. SOLD OUT
2024 N2024 Native Grass ID Workshop – Saturday, June 22 10:00am – 1:00pm $5.00 Join us for an informative workshop about Colorado native grasses! This will be held in the AG building at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa. Your instructors will be Raylene Owen and Heather Koch, Native Plant Master trainers. The first half of this workshop will be a classroom presentation about Colorado native grasses and grass anatomy, including how to tell grasses apart from dicots, rushes and sedges. The second portion of the class will be a hands- on lab where you will learn sight identification and characteristics of 10 common Colorado grasses, along with some anatomical dissection. If time allows and there is interest, there will be a short walk around the fairgrounds to identify grasses in the field. This course does not count toward the Native Plant Master certification. Register HERE
Cottage Food Safety Training -June 14, 2024 – 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m $50.00 This food safety webinar meets the food safety-training requirements in the Colorado Cottage Foods Act. Participants learn food safety guidelines and the specifics for operating a home based cottage food business from a home kitchen. Participants also learn about the most current Colorado Cottage Food Act guidelines and best practices. Participants learn the basics of proper hygiene; preventing cross contamination and cross contact of food allergens; proper sanitation requirements, storage, transporting products and sales requirements. Upon completion of the webinar and passing the accompanying exam, participants receive a 3-year food safety certificate. Proof of attending an approved food safety training is required by most Colorado Market managers. Registration closes 5 days prior to the workshop. Register HERE
Introduction to CMG Demonstrations – June 29, 10:00 am Join us at our Cheyenne-Arapaho Park Community Garden to learn about the vegetable gardening demonstrations we will be tending to for the 2024 season!
MEET THE VEGETABLE GARDENER- Hudson Gardens- Demo Garden Arapahoe County Master Gardeners- Saturday, June 15, Drop by anytime between 9:00 and 11:00 AM. Free but registration is requested. Register HERE
“What is Companion Planting and Does it Work?” Hudson Gardens Demo Gardens Saturday, June 15, 9:30-10:30am.- FREE Join the Arapahoe County Master Gardeners for an informal class at the Vegetable Garden on this topic. You might be surprised by what you find out. Please Register HERE
July
Saturday, July DATE TBD at 9:00: Lawn Care Free Clayton Elementary Community Garden 475 W Union Ave, Englewood, CO 80110
2024 NPM Course at Roxborough State Park – July 9th, 16th and 23rd; 4-8pm $125.00 Take a Native Plant Master course at this state park with stunning red rock views and diverse plant communities. Explore the Gambel oak forest and wildflower-bordered trails during three outdoor field sessions where you will learn common and scientific names, ecological relationships and human uses of 40 – 50 plants. You will also develop skills in using family features and a botanical key to identify plants. Course includes special emphasis on natives useful for landscaping and invasive plants that threaten native ecosystems. SOLD OUT
Baking With 4-H
July 9 – 11
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Ages 13-16 CSU Extension Office, Centennial
Camp Fee $165
Arapahoe County 4-H is offering a Baking Camp for youth ages 13 – 16. Youth will learn about food safety, baking techniques, and will have a Cookie Baking Contest on the final day. Campers will make a variety of recipes ranging from biscuits, scones, cookies, cakes, pies, and pizzas. Camp counselors and CSU Extension staff will provide baking feedback and assistance throughout the camp. Registration fee includes all ingredients and supplies, take home oven thermometer, measuring utensils, apron, and a camp shirt. Space is limited to 10 participants on a first come, first serve basis. Registration will close June 7. Register HERE
Cottage Food Safety Training -July 12, 2024 – 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m $50.00 This food safety webinar meets the food safety-training requirements in the Colorado Cottage Foods Act. Participants learn food safety guidelines and the specifics for operating a home based cottage food business from a home kitchen. Participants also learn about the most current Colorado Cottage Food Act guidelines and best practices. Participants learn the basics of proper hygiene; preventing cross contamination and cross contact of food allergens; proper sanitation requirements, storage, transporting products and sales requirements. Upon completion of the webinar and passing the accompanying exam, participants receive a 3-year food safety certificate. Proof of attending an approved food safety training is required by most Colorado Market managers. Registration closes 5 days prior to the workshop. Register HERE
Pests and Diseases in the Vegetable Garden Tuesday, July 16, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Hudson Garden $15.00 Join Hudson Gardens and Arapahoe County Master Gardener Debbie Moody for an informative class about the most common pests and diseases in the vegetable garden and how to manage these problems. Information and Registration HERE
MEET THE VEGETABLE GARDENER- Hudson Gardens- Demo Garden Free Arapahoe County Master Gardeners Wednesday, July 17, Drop in anytime between 9:00-11:00am. Please register HERE
“What’s Bugging the Vegetable Garden?” Wednesday, July 17, Hudson Gardens Demo Garden 9:30-10:30am. Pests in the vegetable garden can affect the growth of plants as well as decreasing the crop quantity. Join us to find out who are the most common pests in the vegetable garden. Free but registration is requested. Register HERE
August
Creating Pollinator Habitat Saturday, August 3, 12:00-1:30 p.m. Hudson Garden $30.00 Arapahoe County Master Gardener Ron Hogan will teach you all about what pollinators need to survive and how to grow a garden where they will flourish! This class will cover all you need to know and what to grow to get your garden buzzing. Register HERE
Pollinators August 3 10:00 a.m. Littleton Pea Patch Our Colorado birds and pollinators have depended on native plants for millennia. Join Colorado Master Gardeners who will teach you all about this relationship and which Colorado native plants are best for our birds and pollinators.
Cottage Food Safety Training -August 9, 2024 – 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m $50.00 This food safety webinar meets the food safety-training requirements in the Colorado Cottage Foods Act. Participants learn food safety guidelines and the specifics for operating a home based cottage food business from a home kitchen. Participants also learn about the most current Colorado Cottage Food Act guidelines and best practices. Participants learn the basics of proper hygiene; preventing cross contamination and cross contact of food allergens; proper sanitation requirements, storage, transporting products and sales requirements. Upon completion of the webinar and passing the accompanying exam, participants receive a 3-year food safety certificate. Proof of attending an approved food safety training is required by most Colorado Market managers. Registration closes 5 days prior to the workshop. Register HERE
Saturday, August 10th at 9:00: Emerald Ash Borer Free Clayton Elementary Community Garden 475 W Union Ave, Englewood, CO 80110
Tomatoes – Aug 10, 10:00 am Join us at our Cheyenne-Arapaho Park Community Garden for a class all about growing tomatoes, how to care for and harvest them, and learn about common disease & pest problems of tomatoes.
MEET THE VEGETABLE GARDENER- Hudson Gardens- Demo Garden Arapahoe County Master Gardeners Wednesday, August 21. Feel free to drop in anytime from 9:00-11:00am. Free but registration is requested. Register HERE
“Extending the Vegetable Growing Season”. Hudson Gardens Demo Garden Wednesday, August 21, 9:30-10:30am- FREE Want to start your growing season early or extend it into the winter months? Join the Arapahoe County Master Gardeners to learn how to do exactly that. Free but registration is requested. Register HERE
September
Cottage Food Safety Training -September 6, 2024 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m $50.00 This food safety webinar meets the food safety-training requirements in the Colorado Cottage Foods Act. Participants learn food safety guidelines and the specifics for operating a home based cottage food business from a home kitchen. Participants also learn about the most current Colorado Cottage Food Act guidelines and best practices. Participants learn the basics of proper hygiene; preventing cross contamination and cross contact of food allergens; proper sanitation requirements, storage, transporting products and sales requirements. Upon completion of the webinar and passing the accompanying exam, participants receive a 3-year food safety certificate. Proof of attending an approved food safety training is required by most Colorado Market managers. Registration closes 5 days prior to the workshop. Register HERE
Putting the Garden to Bed & Evaluation of CMG Demonstrations Sept 7, 10:00 am Cheyenne-Arapaho Park
Fall Planted Bulbs Thursday, September 12, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Hudson Garden $30.00 In this class, you will learn everything you need to know about how to plant, care for and maintain fall planted bulbs for springtime flowers. Come join Arapahoe County Master Gardeners who will show you how to create a springtime flower display in your yard with the right fall planted bulbs. (Speaker TBD or will be Dawn Fradkin) Registration COMING SOON
Putting the Garden to Bed & Evaluation of CMG Demonstrations Sept 14, 10:00 am Littleton Pea Patch
MEET THE VEGETABLE GARDENER- Hudson Gardens- Demo Garden Arapahoe County Master Gardeners Wednesday, September 18, Drop in anytime between 9:00-11:00 am. Free but registration is requested.
“Importance of Fall Clean-up”. Wednesday, September 18, 9:30-10:30am Hudson Garden Demo Garden Good fall, or end of the season, clean up is essential to keeping your soil healthy and decreasing any over wintering disease, weed, and pest issues. Let the Arapahoe County Master Gardeners give you some ideas on how to do a thorough job. Free but registration is requested.
October
Happy Houseplants Wednesday, October 9, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Hudson Garden $30.00 Learn how houseplants can keep you gardening through the winter! Arapahoe County Master Gardener Donnetta Wilhelm will teach you all about how to grow and care for common houseplants and what to do about pests and diseases on indoor plants. Registration COMING SOON
Cottage Food Safety Training -October 17, 2024 6:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m $50.00 This food safety webinar meets the food safety-training requirements in the Colorado Cottage Foods Act. Participants learn food safety guidelines and the specifics for operating a home based cottage food business from a home kitchen. Participants also learn about the most current Colorado Cottage Food Act guidelines and best practices. Participants learn the basics of proper hygiene; preventing cross contamination and cross contact of food allergens; proper sanitation requirements, storage, transporting products and sales requirements. Upon completion of the webinar and passing the accompanying exam, participants receive a 3-year food safety certificate. Proof of attending an approved food safety training is required by most Colorado Market managers. Registration closes 5 days prior to the workshop. Register HERE
November
Cottage Food Safety Training -November 1, 2024 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m $50.00 This food safety webinar meets the food safety-training requirements in the Colorado Cottage Foods Act. Participants learn food safety guidelines and the specifics for operating a home based cottage food business from a home kitchen. Participants also learn about the most current Colorado Cottage Food Act guidelines and best practices. Participants learn the basics of proper hygiene; preventing cross contamination and cross contact of food allergens; proper sanitation requirements, storage, transporting products and sales requirements. Upon completion of the webinar and passing the accompanying exam, participants receive a 3-year food safety certificate. Proof of attending an approved food safety training is required by most Colorado Market managers. Registration closes 5 days prior to the workshop. Register HERE
Colorado State University Extension is an equal opportunity provider. | Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. | CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension ensures meaningful access and equal opportunities to participate to individuals whose first language is not English.
Colorado State University Extension es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. | Colorado State University no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad y se compromete a proporcionar adaptaciones razonables. | Office of Engagement and Extension de CSU garantiza acceso significativo e igualdad de oportunidades para participar a las personas quienes su primer idioma no es el inglés.
Col.st/ll0t3
