Wednesday, February 9, 2011

News Release: Golden Mountain Lion Presentation

Contacts:              Wendy Keefover
WildEarth Guardians
303-819-5229

Brenda Porter
Colorado Mountain Club
303-996-2748
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- FEBRUARY 9, 2011

Golden Mountain Lion Presentation
Topics Include Front Range Study, Natural History and Co-Existence

GOLDEN, Colo.— The Colorado Mountain Club and WildEarth Guardians will host an evening:  Mountain Lions Live in Golden. Presenters will discuss mountain lion natural history, ecology, ongoing research and tips for living and recreating in mountain lion country. 

The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 10, 6:30-8:30 at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401. The event is free and open to the public.

“Mountain lions contribute to the richness and complexity of Colorado’s ecosystems,”
said Wendy Keefover, wildlife advocate for WildEarth Guardians.  “By creating awareness and understanding of these native cats, we can promote common sense precautions to eliminate potential human-lion conflicts.”

Golden’s rugged foothills and mountainous backdrop provide excellent habitat for mountain lions, also commonly called pumas, cougars, or panthers.  These large, golden cats, shy and unsocial by nature, prefer living around rugged terrain that is suitable for ambushing prey, such as deer and elk. While mountain lions are thought of as wilderness creatures, they are highly adaptable and can flourish in suburban habitats like those found all along the Front Range.  As an "obligate carnivore," however, mountain lions are constantly on the prowl for prey, which can bring them into the human areas.

The presentations include what is necessary to maintain lions’ long-term conservation, including what the state has done to protect breeding females and their kittens.  Kittens are totally dependent upon their mothers for their first nine months, and typically spend between ten and 24 months learning survival skills from their mother. 

Also on hand will be mountain lion researcher Mat Alldredge of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Alldredge is the lead researcher on a groundbreaking study of mountain lion habits and habitat needs along the Front Range.  His study provides new and surprising insights into mountain lion biology and ecology. 

“We're trying to learn more about how lions utilize urbanize landscapes to help us develop strategies to minimize conflicts,” Alldredge said.

Keefover added that as more Coloradans move into mountain lion habitat in the coming years, public education will be key to maintaining tolerance for the species, and for ensuring their conservation.

“The better that people understand this magnificent animal, the more likely it is that we will continue to have support for protecting the places that it needs to survive over the long term,” she said.

Event Details:

Mountain Lions Live in Golden
Thursday, March 10, 6:30-8:30
American Mountaineering Center-Colorado Mountain Club
710 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401

About the Colorado Mountain Club
The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to adventure, education and preservation in Colorado. Established in 1912 by mountaineering enthusiasts, CMC now has more than 8,000 members statewide who explore and protect the wild areas of Colorado. CMC offers hundreds of events and classes for all ages and abilities. Throughout its history, the club has been instrumental in landmark achievements such as the designation of Rocky Mountain National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, and the passage of the Wilderness Act. To become a member, visit www.cmc.org.

About WildEarth Guardians
Founded as Forest Guardians in 1989, WildEarth Guardians protects and restores wildlife, wild rivers, and wild places in the American West. We have four programs focusing on wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and climate and energy.  Our headquarters is in Santa Fe, NM. We also have offices in Denver and Boulder, CO and Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. Visit wildearthguardians.org for more information.

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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

CMC Benefits: The High Mountain Lodge



From the desk of Sarah Gorecki, Development Director of the CMC, shares her skiing experience over her weekend at The High Mountain Lodge outside of Winter Park. CMC Members get 10% off their stay at the lodge, which is run by two long-time CMC members Tom and Julie Beckwith. 

Who knew that one of the benefits of being a Colorado Mountain Club member was relaxation? 

This weekend I took advantage of one of our great member benefits and stayed at the High Mountain Lodge, just outside of Winter Park. The High Mountain Lodge is owned by CMC members Tom and Julie Beckwith, and CMC members get 10% off their room stay. 

Julie and Tom Beckwith
After skiing all day at Winter Park and Mary Jane, we checked in during the late afternoon. Tom and Julie greeted us with snacks and drinks by the fire. A free happy hour was not all they had in store for us. During ski season, Tom and Julie actually cook dinner for their guests. And being a bed and breakfast, a hot yummy breakfast of quiche, muffins, lattes, juice, and fruit was waiting for us in the morning. 

The atmosphere at the lodge is welcoming and laid back. We enjoyed getting to know some of the other guests by the fire over our wine and cheese, we played games in the rec room, we perused the wall of movies guests can check out, we enjoyed the view of the pasture and the wooded hills, and the falling snow lulled us to sleep.


Little things make the stay nice: Dogs are welcome. There is a fireplace in every room. There is a pool, hot tub, and sauna. And during ski season, if you stay Friday and Saturday night, you can stay Sunday night for free and drive back early Monday morning – why fight the Sunday afternoon traffic? 


The High Mountain Lodge is one of many companies that offer discounts to CMC members. In addition to the discounts listed on the CMC website, many CMC groups also have discounts with their local retailers.  And as a CMC member, you also receive the member rates of other regional mountaineering clubs on a host of their perks and benefits, including huts. 

Participating clubs include the Adirondack Mountain Club, American Alpine Club, Appalachian Mountain Club, Mazamas, and the Mountaineers. Contact each club or the CMC to take advantage of what they have to offer!

What are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy all the benefits of being a CMC member!