Our 8th Annual Golf Invitational Teed Up a Record-Breaking Day of Community, Friendly Competition, and Support for Getting Students Outside This year’s Golf Invitational at Harvard Gulch brought in record attendees and record fundraising. On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, 150 golfers filled the tee sheet at Harvard Gulch Golf Course for the 8th annual Golf… Read more »
With Plenty of Camaraderie, Team Spirit, and Hard-Fought Matches, The Throwdown Fundraising Event Brought the Cottonwood Community Together for a Day of Friendly Competition Written by Lahja Wise, Throwdown “Bracket Master” and Changemaker Alum. It was a beautifully cool morning with an ominous forecast of near 100 degrees when the contestants arrived at McGregor Square… Read more »
An Afternoon of Art, Storytelling, and Community Showcased Colorado 14er Landscapes While Raising Funds for Students’ Outdoor Adventures On June 17, Cottonwood Institute was honored to celebrate the Colorado 14ers watercolor artwork of local artist Mike Wilson at a reception at the Colorado State Capitol alongside community members, supporters, and the artist himself. About the… Read more »
At Mothapalooza, Community Members Explored the Vital Role of Nocturnal Pollinators through Hands-On Learning, Expert Presentations, and an Unforgettable Evening Under the Stars Written by Cottonwood Institute Instructor and & Social Media Coordinator Harmony Esqueda. At dusk on a warm summer night, a crowd eagerly gathered at Beech Open Space near Longmont for an evening… Read more »
More Than 100 Participants Gathered to Learn Traditional Skills, Connect with Nature, and Strengthen Community Connections. Written by Kira Gilliland, Changemaker Alum. Over the past couple of years, our Ancestral Skills Gathering has had a meaningful impact within our small community. This year, however, we wanted to make it even bigger and better. The 3rd… Read more »
The Base Camp Bash 2026 was an Evening Full of Connection, Generosity, and Celebration On April 11, 2026, the Cottonwood community gathered once again at Upper Larimer in Denver for our 21st Annual Base Camp Bash, an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and impact. Building on last year’s milestone celebration, the Bash 2026 brought together… Read more »
Career Bloom Event Helped Young People Explore Career Opportunities Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. Our 2026 Partners In the Outdoors Career Day, called Career Bloom, lived up to its name, bringing opportunity, and community to help young people explore their futures. Planned in partnership with Environmental Learning for Kids,… Read more »
Join Us for Our 3rd Annual Ancestral Skills Gathering on April 25, 2026! Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. On a bright fall day, students from our Changemakers Outdoor Leadership Corps were waiting for a shuttle during a backpacking trip in the Rockies. To pass the time, their instructor taught… Read more »
A Night of Habitat Restoration Work Became a Tribute to Chelsea’s Time at Cottonwood. Written by New Vista CAP Instructor Lori Powell. Cottonwood staff, instructors, board members, Changemaker students, and Alumni recently gathered on an unseasonably warm November evening to take action for local habitat restoration—and to share a heartfelt farewell to Associate Director Chelsea… Read more »
On a warm September evening, some of our Cottonwood Institute community gathered at Woods Boss Brewing Company in Denver to raise a glass, connect, and enjoy some time together outside of the classroom and the field. Our 2025 Happy Hour was a chance to connect with friends, supporters, and new faces over good beer and… Read more »
