Good Morning and welcome to Volume 1, Edition 3 of Scout & Tell.
I need some help. The past week, there has been this stuff falling from the sky. Faintly I recall this event happening before, but if someone has a name for it, please share. The first one to share gets a $5 Venmo from me.
We are chalk full of fun events happening in northern Colorado. Event season is beginning, the weather is changing and frankly, I’m excited for what’s in store over the next couple of months.
School is back in session, CSU starts next week and we’ll be drinking pumpkin spice lattes before you know it. col
See you on the trail,
Matt McConkey
Editor
Photo courtesy of Vincent Guth.
How to Actually Catch the Northern Lights From Your Backyard This Year
Colorado knows Northern Lights. Until recently, you were more likely to find them at the dispensary than your backyard.
But last November, we were treated to the real thing.
And by the looks of it, we might get the chance again this fall.
Earlier this month, the sun spit out what scientists call a, ‘coronal mass ejection’, or a burst of charged particles, which could have caused the northern lights to dip into Idaho and Wyoming. This close call could be the first of a couple more instances where we in northern Colorado could get treated to that beautiful color in the sky again.
Why Is This Happening At All?
Here’s the quick science lesson without the chalkboard: Our sun isn’t a constant, boring fireball, rather it runs hot and cold in an 11-year cycle. In October 2024, NASA and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration announced that the sun had hit it’s peak stormy-ness, yet we were still treated to some colorful skies late last year.
Here's the chain reaction, dumbed all the way down: sun gets cranky → sun burps out a wave of charged particles → those particles smack into Earth's magnetic field → Earth's magnetic field kind of absorbs the hit and glows about it → we call that glowing the aurora. When the sun's tantrum is big enough, that glow gets pushed way further from the North Pole than usual, which is why you've probably noticed way more "aurora spotted in Nebraska!" headlines lately than you used to.
The Annoying Truth About Actually Seeing It
The problem with these events is one big solar storm doesn’t guarantee you’ll see anything. Three big factors come into play.
The solar storm needs to be strong enough - This is measured on something called the KP index. 0-9 on how mad is the sun right now. Last year, the KP index hit an 8 and we saw them in Fort Collins.
The sky needs to be dark and cloud-free. A big blanket of clouds? Better luck next time.
Clear views are kind of important - Get away from Walmart parking lot and out of town for the best shot.
Stay Ahead of the Game
The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has an actual Aurora Borealis dashboard and don’t get put off by the 2003 vibes from the website, it’s legit. The dashboard has a 30-minute forecast detector which answers the simple question: Do I need to grab the lawn chair, throw it in the car and head somewhere dark.
Where can you catch the best views?
If the sky is cooperating and conditions are good, one spot is east toward the Pawnee National Grasslands. Use this Light Pollution Map for some great results on where to head, no matter where you live.
The sun is coming down out of the current cycle, slowly. Scientists say it still has a few tantrums left in it. And the next one might be enough to put Northern Lights back over our Colorado, no dispensary required.
THE WEEKLY SCOUT
Stories worth your time, Trails worth the hike
☕️ Feeling the Entrepreneurial Itch + a Love for Coffee?
A local coffee delivery service is on the market and looking for a new owner. Based in Fort Collins, Brew Tyme doesn’t require a lot of time and this side hustle could spawn into a full time business, according to the write up.
⛰️ A Tradition Like No Other
Colorado State University is back in action this week and the annual, “Hike to the A” is happening this Saturday. Best to avoid Maxwell Natural Area this Saturday, but don’t worry, I’ve outlined some spectacular spots below this week.
🚌 New Routed, Improved Frequency for TransFort
Fort Collins has made some drastic changes to their routes and scheduling on TransFort. All changes went into effect Monday. One big change: Sunday service has been eliminated.
🥤 My Milkshake Factory Brings All the Boys to the Yard
These headlines write themselves, folks. Over the weekend, the Milkshake Factory officially opened in Old Town. This place looks fantastic.
TRAILS
Ready to work off that lactose treat? Hit the trails with these guides below.
From the personal inventory, this is a route I like to run. Start At Trilby and Shields, work your way down the Long View Trail and back up. 11.5 miles of beautiful views and wide open trail.
River Bluffs Open Space is a spectacular section of the Poudre River Trail System. There’s plenty of parking. Bring a pair of binoculars and get ready to see all types of water fowl, raptors and fish.
HOME OF THE WEEK
Photos courtesy of listing agent via MLS
Need a weekend away with cash to burn? This Estes Park Cabin is your spot, courtesy of Richard William. Located near Lumpy Ridge, you’ll wake up to views of Longs Peak and most likely some elk in the front yard, depending on the season.
Would you rather bring friends? This AirBnB comes with four bedrooms, four baths, a huge deck and an outdoor BBQ to enjoy the cool summer nights, watching the sunset over the Rocky Mountains.
TLDR; Estes Park cabin, four bedrooms, four baths, get away from it all for a weekend
SCOUT & TAIL
Photo courtesy of NoCo Humane
Akita, 1, Border Collie Mix, Female
Meet Akita! This Border Collie mix is one year old and would be a wonderful addition to a home without young children and someone ready for a VERY smart dog.
She’d be a great fit for a home with no other pets, as she get a little nervous around other animals. With that face and a Border Collie disposition, she’s guaranteed to be a ton of fun. For adoption info, check out the NoCo Humane page.
Shawty, We in the (Run) Club
Photo courtesy of Fitsum Admasu
A Run Club for Recovery, Not Racing
For the sober person, finding activities that don’t revolve around alcohol and other substances can be hard. Enter the Fort Collins Sober Run Club. This group gets together every Saturday morning at 10am in various locations around the city for one common purpose: A community for those in recovery, their allies and anyone seeking a supportive, active network.
Find out more on their Instagram
Photo courtesy of Miguel Amutio
This Run Club Runs on Coffee
Run clubs are all the rage. There’s a niche for every person and the AM Coffee Run is no expectation. They meet at various coffee shops around northern Colorado, take off for a run and come back to enjoy the brewed beans and company of others. Find out all the details on their Instagram page or Strava account.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Thursday
🔮 Witchy Community, Monthly: Verdant Nature Creations hosts its Witches & Pagans Monthly Meet-Up, 6–7pm — all workshops, classes, and ritual practice welcome. Details here
🎸 Allman Brothers Tribute Night: My Blue Sky honors the Allman Brothers catalog at Grimm Brothers Brewhouse's Third Thursday Concert Series, 6–8pm. Details here
🎶 Folk Duo, Free Show: Rainbow Girls play Washington's Thursday Night Live, 7–9pm, free and all ages. Details here
🎤 Palmer Squares Headline Sound Bar: Mishawaka presents The Palmer Squares w/ I In Team and The White Moms, doors at 7pm. Details here
🪕 Bluegrass Boys at Maxline: Sugar Britches brings banjo, bass, and mandolin to Maxline Brewing, 6:30–8:30pm. Details here
🎧 KRFC Presents Midnight North: Emberfield opens at the Aggie Theatre, 8pm, doors at 7. Details here
👢 Weekly Beginner Line Dancing: Sunflower Active Adult Community hosts its free weekly line dance class, 11am–12pm. Details here
🍺 Dead Nights at Salt Road: Tumbledown Shack's FoCo Dead Nights returns for its 1st-Wed/3rd-Thurs residency, 6:30–8:30pm, free. Details here
Friday
🍽️ Old Town's Bite-Sized Best: The Fort Collins Foodie Walk sends you through thirteen downtown kitchens, 5–8pm, free. Details here
🎸 A Love Letter to Jerry Garcia: The 2nd Annual NoCo JerryFest packs Washington's with jam-band royalty, 7pm, $37+. Details here
🚐 Build the Rig, Chase the Mountains: Overland Expo Mountain West brings 300+ exhibitors and 150+ classes to The Ranch, Fri–Sun. Details here
🌽 A Small-Town Classic: The Loveland Corn Roast Festival kicks off Friday at 5pm with the parade Saturday at 9:30am. Details here
👹 Creature Feature Downtown: Monster Day fills Greeley's 8th & 9th St Plazas with 80+ vendors for an anti-bullying fundraiser, free. Details here
😂 Emil Wakim at The Comedy Fort: An evening with the rising comedian, 6pm. Details here
🍓 Jam & Jelly Know-How: Larimer County CSU Extension teaches home food preservation, 12:30–3:30pm. Details here
🤠 Line Dance Lesson, Then Two-Steppin': Boot Scoot USA's country dance party takes over the Aggie Theatre with DJ John Stamps, lesson at 8:30, dancing at 9pm. Details here
🏍️ Two Days, Every Current Indian: Indian Motorcycle Demo Days lets you ride the full lineup at Fort Collins Motorsports, Fri–Sat 10am–5pm. Details here
Saturday
🦫 Beaver History and Annie the Railroad Dog: Center for Creativity's Courtyard Open House digs into local animal history, 11am–1pm, free. Details here
🕺 Disco Takes the Aggie: Gimme Gimme Disco brings a full platform-shoes takeover, 8:30pm. Details here
🎙️ A Genuine Singer-Songwriter Legend: Michael Martin Murphey plays an intimate set at the Rialto Theater Center, 7:30pm. Details here
🌿 Keep Your Patio Alive Through Late Summer: A free Master Gardener-led patio & container gardening class at Berthoud Community Library, 10:30am–12pm. Details here
🛍️ Berthoud's Saturday Staple: The Berthoud Market fills Town Park with growers, makers, and live music, 9am–1pm. Details here
🌸 A Stroll Through the Gardens: Gardens on Spring Creek's Garden Ambassadors lead a guided tour with a stop at the Butterfly House, 9:30–10:30am — registration required. Details & tickets
🚗 Car Show in Severance: Vecinos Mexican Grill & Cantina hosts a car show with breakfast until 11am, all makes and models, free registration, 11am–3pm. Details here
🎨 Handpicked Colorado Makers: The Fort Collins Artisan Fair brings dozens of small-scale artisans to Linden St, 10am–3pm. Details here
🥁 Level Up Your Drumming: Raquy Danziger leads an intermediate darbuka workshop at Drake Center as part of NoCo Raqs Fest, 3pm. Details here
!!!🎹 Dueling Pianos Downtown Windsor: A high-energy night of music and laughter, 7–10pm. Details here
🌺 BBQ, Luau, and a Dance Floor: Maya's Ballroom Dance hosts its annual BBQ Luau dance social — mains provided, bring a side, 5:30–10pm. Details here
🍦 Car Show Meets Froyo: Dish Creamery's car show and garage party at Allnutt Funeral Service's Drake Road Chapel, 10am–1pm. Details here
🎶 Heart Tribe at Odell: Mishawaka's Summer Concert Series continues with Heart Tribe, 7pm. Details here
🧘 Tai Chi in the Gardens: Yang-style Tai Chi at Gardens on Spring Creek, 8–9am, $15, all ages and fitness levels. Details here
💃 A Day of Music and Belly Dance: The 2026 NoCo Raqs Fest fills The Drake Centre with workshops, performances, and shopping, 10:30am–8:30pm, free–$55.20. Details & tickets
🦌 Support Elk and Wildlife Habitat: The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Colorado banquet includes raffles and a fundraising dinner — general ticket sales end around 7pm. Get tickets
🛍️ Handmade Treasures at Bath Garden Center: The Summer Meadows Makers Market brings 20+ Colorado artisans, 9am–1pm. Details here
Sunday
📚 Swap a Book, Grab a Beer: New Belgium Brewing's Book Swap trades your nightstand pile for a free pour. Details here
🥕 Fairgrounds Farmers Market, With a Kids Corner: The Loveland Farmers Market includes a dedicated Kids Market alongside produce and local goodies, 9am–1pm. Details here
🎨 Make a Sun-Catching Keepsake: Blue Moose Art Gallery's Whimsical Wire Suncatcher class runs 9:30am–12pm. Details here
⚔️ Newcomers Festival and War Practice: The Kingdom of the Outlands hosts a two-day SCA gathering at Spring Canyon Community Park, Aug 22 8am–Aug 23 2pm. Details here
🥬 Timnath's Sunday Market: The Official Timnath Farmers Market fills Main Street, 10am–2pm. Details here
🎤 Three Bands, One Stage: Milk N' Fox, The Bad Roommates, and Kamfield play The Atrium Music Lounge, doors at 7, $12 advance/$15 day of. Details here
🥕 Fort Collins' Weekly Market: The Fort Collins Farmers Market runs Sundays through Nov 8, 10am–2pm, at Harmony & Lemay. Details here
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