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110 Rosita Ave, Westcliffe, CO 81252

All Aboard Westcliffe is dedicated to telling the story of the railroad and its impact on the economic development and social fabric of the Wet Mountain Valley, specifically through preservation, restoration, education, and display. With beginnings in 1990, this group of volunteers has acquired and restored the original 1901 Denver and Rio Grande depot and single stall engine house-the last of its kind in Colorado. AAW also features a restored all wood caboose and outfit car from the late 1800’s open for walk-through. In 2021, AAW acquired a vintage model railroad originating in 1936 that is displayed with other in progress layouts in the basement of the Heritage Center.

Explore Custer County’s intriguing railroad stories at All Aboard Westcliffe, open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.

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50 E. Main St, Silver Cliff, CO 81252
719-783-0750719-783-0750
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Veterans Serving Veterans

We Believe in:

  • Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation: Our Veterans and their Families
  • Americanism: Teaching, Showing and Expressing
  • Strong National Security
  • Supporting our Children and Youth

Join American Legion Post 170 ~ Your Membership Makes a Difference
Volunteer – Help another veteran, their families and our community!

We are responsible for the Americanism Project where up to 55 U.S. Flags fly high on Main St. on patriotic holidays. 2023 dates below.

  • National Vietnam War Veterans Day ~ March 29
  • Armed Forces Day ~ May 20
  • Memorial Day ~ May 29
  • Flag Day ~ June 14
  • Independence Day ~ July 4
  • Patriot Day ~ September 11
  • POW/MIA Remembrance Day ~ September 15
  • Veterans Day ~ November 11
  • Pearl Harbor Day ~ December 7

The Post meets in the community room at Cliff Lanes at 25 Main St. on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm.

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PO Box 634 Westcliffe, CO 81252

Since 1998, Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley, a 501(c)3 non-profit, has been working to reduce local light pollution and create public awareness of a valuable and irreplaceable part of our Western heritage. They have worked effectively to demonstrate that the clear night sky above us is a tremendous natural resource to be preserved and treasured. It is one of the few experiences that serves to connect all peoples, providing a powerful sense of awe and wonder when viewing the night sky as our ancestors once did.

In 2015, Silver Cliff and Westcliffe were recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as the ninth certified Dark Sky Community in the world; the first in Colorado, and with an elevation of 7,900′, the highest anywhere!

The Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO), located in The Bluff Park at the end of Main St, has become a top destination for people from all around the globe when visiting the Wet Mountain Valley. Visitors can view the heavens from the SJO with its state of the art, 14” computer-automated telescope. Free public Star Parties are at the SJO throughout the year celebrating various astronomical events along with reserved Star Parties from April-October for up to 10 visitors per night. All Star Parties are hosted by a trained Star Guide and can be booked online. (Unfortunately the SJO is closed in 2020).

Whether you are a serious amateur astronomer or someone who just wants the opportunity to enjoy a night sky free of light pollution and learn more about the awe-inspiring Universe right above us, you’ll have a special and unique opportunity when you visit one of Colorado’s most pristine night skies here in the Wet Mountain Valley.

1100 Broadway Silver Cliff, CO

Community park with gardens, paths, and artwork, including off leash enclosures for large and small dogs.

Contacts: Tim Harmon, Secretary

 

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64169 Colorado 69, Westcliffe, CO 81252, USA

The Beckwith Ranch was a historic cattle ranch in the Wet Mountain Valley established in 1869 by George, Elton and Edwin Beckwith who built it into one of the largest cattle ranches in Colorado.By the early 1990s the ranch had seen its day and was in serious decline.

Thanks to the assistance of the Seeger family and others hoping to see the beautiful old home restored the Friends of Beckwith Ranch foundation was established and plans were put into place to begin her restoration. Along with the main house (known as the mansion) and ten of the outer buildings, the ranch is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been restored to their heyday.

Please come by and visit the jewel of the Wet Mountain Valley. Beckwith docents are available to answer guest questions not only about ranch history but of the wild west days in the Wet Mountain Valley. Beckwith Ranch offers daily tours June 1st to the end of October, 11am to 4pm. Winter tours can be arranged by reservation.

Donations are appreciated and go toward preservation.

PO Box 55, Westcliffe, CO 81252
The High Altitude Garden Club was formed on May 10, 1996 in Westcliffe, Colorado. Education is foremost to our group resulting in successful gardening at high altitude. Community projects include maintaining many public gardens in Westcliffe and Silver Cliff as well as planting barrels and planters along Main Street. The motto of the club is to be “perennially optimistic” in spite of the many challenges gardeners face in Colorado. We welcome all who share the love of gardening.
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High Country Recycling is a grassroots organization dedicated to waste reduction.

Our Mission is to be a comprehensive, successful program that supports individuals, business and governmental practices that reduces waste, promotes reuse and advances recycling throughout Custer County. Our Objectives are to promote community involvement, educate and raise awareness, expand options and role model zero waste.

CUSTER COUNTY RECYCLES collects Aluminum, Cardboard, Mixed Paper and Steel Cans at the Joanie Liebman Recycling Center at the county landfill and in horse trailers at convenient in town locations.

GLASS RECYCLING will now be available 24/7 (starting February 9th) in the Big Blue located in the parking lot of Altitude Community Fitness.

RECYCLING CAN EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE LANDFILL! We are a growing county so the more waste material we keep out of the landfill, the longer the life of the landfill to be able to serve the people of Custer County for a long time to come.

THANK YOU FOR RECYCLING!

103 S 2nd St, Westcliffe, CO 81252

KLZR Radio, FM 91.7, is  local, sustainable and interactive community radio station committed to reliable, informative, timely and entertaining programs for everyone living in the Wet Mountain Valley.

417 Cliff St, Silver Cliff, CO, USA

Open Hours: Monday and Thursday 11am to 4pm, Friday 10am to 1pm

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80 Sheep Creek Road, Westcliffe, CO 81252, USA

Education vs. Extinction

Mission: Wolf is a solar-powered nature center that provides a sanctuary for unwanted captive-born wolves and horses. We offer experiential education to inspire the public to become stewards of the earth.

Since 1988 we have provided lifelong care for 125 wolves and 25 horses, facilitated experiential wolf education with over 1 million people and preserved 350 acres of pristine subalpine habitat. Our community of volunteers from around the world invites you to visit us.

Day Visits

Sign up for a sanctuary experience at Mission:Wolf. During the guided visit, you will have the chance to spot some of our 23 wolves and wolf-dogs while learning about wolf behavior, biology, ecology, the stories of our wolves, and (for those interested) the systems we have in place to live on solar power at 9,500ft.

We offer these guided experiences by donation. Your guide will talk with you about the best ways you can support us, whether through a donation or by volunteering. This can be taken care of on-site.

Volunteer

Mission:Wolf has depended for decades on the hard work of our passionate volunteers, who stay anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks. Volunteers are truly the backbone of Mission: Wolf. We couldn’t serve the animals without them.
In 2022, more than 200 volunteers donated 2,500+ hours of work to the wolves. Come pitch a tent and help out for the weekend! Email info@missionwolf.org or call 719-859-2157 to get on the volunteer calendar.
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Outreach – Education – Training –
Support of Wild Horses and Burros

Melody DeBenedictis, Executive Director and Kim Tattle, Director

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SANGRES ART GUILD – The Sangres Art Guild is a non-profit organization committed to helping the visual arts flourish in our community by promoting the Wet Mountain Valley as a vibrant, art-centered destination offering  a year-round schedule of enriching activities, events and programs.

Sangres Art Guild sponsors the 3rd Street Gallery with its on-going calendar of fine art shows and receptions featuring recent works of budding and seasoned local and neighboring community artists. From May through December, there is ample opportunity to stop by and view a wide range of original art – painting, mixed media, photography, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts and sculpture.

Sangres Art Guild also presents opportunities promoting art inspiration, education, and advancement for aspiring artists of all ages through our SAG ARTS program. We are proud to partner with Rebeccas Fund, a lasting legacy to Rebecca Samuelson, to present SAG Arts for Kids, a growing program of classes targeted to children of all ages, including Preschool Classes, Kids’ Summer Art Camp, and the annual Inspirational Visiting Artist series.

Sangres Art Guild presents our popular Arts Hullabaloo, a 3-day festival offering ‘Family Fun with the Arts.’ Included are hands-on, creative events like our sidewalk chalk art competition, kite designing and flying and our fun filled Saturday Art in the Park, featuring non-stop creative activities for the whole family. For more information on our art shows and activities, or to join our dynamic volunteer group, visit http://www.sangresartguild.org.

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103 South 2nd Street, Westcliffe, CO, USA

The Second Street Second Hand Thrift Store is a Service-Disabled-Veteran-Owned Thrift Store that supports Veteran and First Responder Causes in the Wet Mountain Valley and beyond. We are Nonprofit with a mission to fund Veterans Assistance Programs. Stop in today and shop for a cause!

511 W Main Street Westcliffe, CO 81252 United States
Solvista Health is a local nonprofit proudly serving Custer, Chaffee, Fremont and Lake Counties since 1967. We provide a comprehensive array of mental health and substance use disorder treatment and supports, including 24/7 mobile crisis services. Go to our website, call or visit our convenient location on Main Street in Westcliffe to learn more about how we can help you and your loved ones.
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PO Box 385, Westcliffe, CO 81252

Trails for All is a grassroots, all volunteer effort to improve peoples’ well-being through the maintenance, enhancement, promotion and protection of the incredible trails in and around the Wet Mountain Valley.  We believe that trails contribute to a higher quality of life in at least seven ways: physically, mentally, emotionally, aesthetically, spiritually, relationally and environmentally.  We have several trail maintenance days scheduled throughout the summer – that’s where we’re going and we hope you’ll come with us! Follow us on Facebook or email Chuck Ziehr, our Trail Maintenance Coordinator, to sign up at cziehr@trailsforall.co. See you out on the trail!

 

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