Hey, NOCO Crew!
I got buzzed by a tiny metallic green bee in the garden this week, so I looked it up and went down a maze of pollinators. Turns out this bee was after the salt in my sweat, and it's one of hundreds of native bee species doing more pollinating around here than honeybees ever do. Nearly 30% of all bee species found in North America and about 5% of the global bee population live in Colorado.
We're staying on that thread this week. We’ve also got a massive weekend event lineup for you, featuring everything from local Juneteenth celebrations and Father's Day dad-bod contests to a full slate of live music up and down the foothills.
Grab a coffee, and let's dig in!
– Megan
The Unsung Heroes Outside the Hive
Honeybees are amazing (and deeply beloved). But did you know they are also technically considered livestock? Believed to have originated in Africa or Asia, the species naturally spread across the Middle East and Europe before humans carried them to the far corners of the earth. We actually started domesticating them — shifting from hunting wild hives to managing colonies about nine thousand years ago to secure a reliable, steady supply of honey and beeswax.
Let’s talk about our local bee neighbors. These species evolved hand-in-hand with our regional ecosystems right here at home, and they routinely outperform honeybees when it comes to pollinating native wild spaces and backyard crops alike.
In fact, when it comes to bee diversity, our state is an absolute powerhouse. Colorado is home to over 1,000 native bee species, which is more than the entire eastern United States combined! And you don’t have to head deep into the wilderness to find them; over 400 of those species have been documented right here in Larimer and Weld Counties.
While a honeybee colony operates like a massive corporate machine, Colorado’s native bees are mostly independent, solo operators. Because 90% of them are solitary, every single female acts as her own queen — building her own nest, gathering her own food, and laying her own eggs. With no massive hive or honey supply to protect, they have no reason to be aggressive, making them incredibly docile, safe neighbors.
Meet the Locals: Three Fascinating Neighbors
The Ultra-Efficient Mason Bee: These spring-emerging bees carry pollen loose on the hairy undersides of their bellies rather than in neat little leg baskets. Because they don't wet the pollen down to pack it away, they are famously messy. They literally "belly flop" into flowers, showering everything around them in pollen and cross-pollinating up to 95% of the flowers they visit (compared to a honeybee's 5%).
The Master-Architect Leafcutter Bee: True to their name, these summer bees use their mandibles to cut perfect, dime-sized circles out of plant leaves (like your backyard roses). They roll these leaf discs up, fly them back to a hollow stem, and use them like wallpaper to construct beautiful, cushioned nursery pods for their eggs. Don't worry — their artistic trimming doesn't hurt your plants!
The Flashy Metallic Green Sweat Bee: If you spot a tiny bee that looks like a glittering, flying emerald, you’ve found a green sweat bee. They get their quirky name because they are attracted to the salt in human perspiration, occasionally landing on you just to take a quick sip of your sweat.
These native species are the true backbone of our local ecosystem, quiet geniuses that keep Northern Colorado's wild spaces and backyard gardens beautifully in bloom.
🔍 Learn more about our native bees:
The Colorado Field Guide: Download this beautiful, free Colorado Native Bee Field Guide to identify the unique species visiting your yard.
Meet the Main Groups: Read Audubon Rockies on Colorado's Coolest Bees to learn more about the diverse families of bees native to our state.
Become a Citizen Scientist: Help track and observe local pollinator populations right here in Fort Collins with Native Bee Watch.
Build a Native Bee Sanctuary in Your Backyard
If you want a thriving garden, the best thing you can do is roll out the welcome mat for our native solitary bees. Transforming your yard into a sanctuary doesn't require a total landscape overhaul — just a few intentional, bee-friendly adjustments.
Plant in Visual ‘Bumper Stickers’
When planting for bees, think in clusters rather than scattering individual flowers. Native bees practice ‘flower constancy,’ meaning they target one plant species per foraging trip. Planting native blooms in dense clusters of at least 3 feet by 3 feet creates a highly visible neon sign that tells passing bees exactly where to land.Embrace a Little Backyard ‘Mess’
Did you know that roughly 70% of our native bees nest underground? Species like miner bees tunnel into the soil to lay their eggs. To help them, leave a few sunny, undisturbed patches of bare ground entirely free of thick mulch or landscape fabric. For the other 30% that nest in cavities (like leafcutter and mason bees), leave hollow flower stems standing through the winter and keep a dead log or woodpile in a quiet corner of the yard.Choose the Right Front Range Fuel
To keep your backyard sanctuary buzzing from spring through fall, select native plants with overlapping bloom times. Excellent choices for Northern Colorado include:Blanketflower (Gaillardia) and Rocky Mountain Penstemon for early summer color.
Bee Balm (Monarda) and Native Sunflowers for mid-summer energy.
Rabbitbrush and Aster to provide critical late-season fuel before winter.
🔍 Want to go deeper? A few good starting points:
CSU Extension Guide: Check out the official CSU Extension Fact Sheet on Attracting Native Bees for detailed habitat design tips.
Attracting the Locals: Check out the sister CSU Extension Fact Sheet on Attracting Native Bees for deep dives into specific nesting habits.
Build Your Own Bee Hotel: Follow this step-by-step Guide to Building a Safe Bee Sanctuary to give tunnel-nesting bees a clean, healthy home.
Copoco’s Honey
To tie our pollinator theme together, look no further than Copoco’s Honey in Fort Collins. What began as a local passion for bee rescue has grown into a beloved, full-service brick-and-mortar storefront that has served as a cornerstone of the Northern Colorado beekeeping community since 2004.
Why We Love Them:
The Roots: Founded by brothers John and Ben Gilmore, Copoco's (which stands for Colorado Pollination Company) started out of a pure love for bees and a desire to provide a reliable pollination service for local agricultural fields. Over the last two decades, it has evolved into a true community hub, where both absolute beginners and seasoned commercial beekeepers rub elbows at the counter.
The Goods: This isn't the clear, pasteurized stuff you find in grocery store plastic bears. Copoco’s specializes in pure, raw, unfiltered Colorado honey, keeping all the natural pollen and enzymes intact. They have an incredible variety on the shelves, ranging from classic local alfalfa and wildflower to rich creamed honeys and unique flavor infusions, alongside hand-rolled pure beeswax candles and natural skin salves.
The Rescue Squad: They don't just sell the sweet stuff; they actively protect the local population. If a rogue swarm of honeybees sets up camp in a neighbor's tree or structural wall, the Copoco's crew coordinates safe swarm rescue and extraction to relocate the colony to a healthy environment where they can thrive.
The Mentorship: For the folks trying their hand at backyard beekeeping, Copoco’s is an invaluable lifeline. They sell the actual starter equipment, wooden hive components, and live spring bee "nucs" (nucleus colonies), while offering structured classes and patient, over-the-counter advice to make sure your backyard hive succeeds.
How to Support:
Visit: 2020 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524. (970) 493-2475 (Just north of Willox Lane).
Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (Closed Sundays).
Online: copocoshoney.com
The Nectary Pollinator & Sensory Garden
If you want to see a community-led habitat corridor in action, take a stroll behind the Poudre River Public Library District’s Administrative Center to visit The Nectary.
The Story:
The Sanctuary: This vibrant public garden was specifically designed to bridge urban spaces with native habitat conservation. Tucked away in downtown Fort Collins, it is meticulously planted with region-specific native flora that provides a continuous, multi-season nectar highway for wild bees, butterflies, and migrating monarchs.
The Living Classroom: Rather than just a passive park, the library uses The Nectary as an active launchpad for local engagement. Throughout the warmer months, it hosts community nature journaling workshops, ecological education events, and hands-on programs that show residents exactly how to replicate these vital pocket habitats in their own neighborhoods.
How to Support & Experience It:
Visit: Take a walk through the garden anytime — it's located directly behind the Library District Administrative Center at 301 E. Olive Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524. Bring a notebook or a camera to capture the incredible insect activity.
Join an Event: Keep an eye on the Poudre Libraries events calendar to sign up for upcoming outdoor workshops, native plant talks, and family-friendly citizen science days held right in the garden.
Spread the Thread: Take the inspiration home! Grab some design ideas from their plant layout to transition a corner of your own yard into a mini urban habitat corridor.
Every contribution keeps us out in the field, digging into local history, and showing up for the towns we cover. We're grateful for every bit of support. Thanks for being part of this.
— Megan & David
ADD AN EVENT
From Berthoud to the Wyoming state line, Fort Morgan to Estes, each week we pull together a list of the top events happening all over Northern Colorado.
June 19 - 22
All Weekend Long
Shaped by the Land: Dara Weyna & Jai Cochran @ Cornerstone Gallery at the Masonic (Fort Collins) — Fri 9am–5pm, Sat noon–4pm — Two artists explore the land's textures and forms inside Fort Collins' Masonic-turned-gallery space. 👉 See what the land holds
Fort Collins Foxes Baseball @ Fort Collins Foxes Baseball Club (Fort Collins) — Fri–Sun, various times — A weekend homestand for the local summer-league nine. 👉 Catch a game
Foothills Juneteenth Celebration @ Foothills Shopping Center (Fort Collins) — Fri–Sat, 12–8pm — A two-day community celebration marking Juneteenth, with vendors, music, and programming. 👉 Celebrate freedom, FoCo-style
Northern Colorado Home Show @ Pedersen Toyota Center (Loveland) — Fri–Sun, various times — Free admission, local contractors and home vendors under one roof. 👉 Plan your next project
FRIDAY 19th — Juneteenth
Friday Night After Work Meditation @ Heruka Kadampa Meditation Center (Fort Collins) — 5:30–6:15pm — A quiet reset before the weekend starts. 👉 Exhale into Friday
Sunset Horseback Ride @ Tattered Saddle (Fort Collins) — 7:30–8:30pm — An evening trail ride timed to the sunset. 👉 Ride into golden hour
Mountain Glow Candle Bar Experience @ Rocky Mountain Olive Oil (Fort Collins) — 1–4pm — Build your own custom candle. 👉 Light it up
Music at the Mothership: DJ Williams @ New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins) — 5–7pm — Live music at New Belgium's outdoor stage. 👉 Hear it from the Mothership
Koa String Quartet Recital ft. Ari Isaacman-Beck, Jesús Morales & Dali String Quartet @ Northern Hotel Lobby (Fort Collins) — 5–6:30pm — Classical strings in the historic hotel lobby, part of the MusicSpoke recital series. 👉 Lobby, but make it Mozart
An Evening with Mountain Grass Unit: Dog's Out the Cage Tour @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre (Bellvue) — 8pm — Bluegrass-leaning jam band rolls through the canyon's riverside stage. 👉 Let the dog out
Fort Collins Foodie Walk @ Downtown Fort Collins (Fort Collins) — 5–8pm — A self-guided crawl through Old Town's food scene. 👉 Walk it off, then eat more
Comedy Night w/ The Comedy Brewers @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Local stand-up at the art-house theater. 👉 Laugh in the dark
Brew Paw Paw @ Peculier Ales (Fort Collins) — 4–6pm — A pet-friendly fundraiser pour. 👉 Drink for the dogs
Author Spotlight with Tempest Wick & Nicole Kennedy @ Cherry on Top Bookshop (Fort Collins) — 5–7pm — Two authors talk craft and sign books. 👉 Get it signed
Plein Air Painting Class @ Greeley Creative Arts Center (Greeley) — 7–9pm — Paint outdoors as the evening light shifts. 👉 Paint the golden hour
Loveland Chamber Golf Tournament @ The Olde Course at Loveland (Loveland) — 8am — The Chamber's annual fundraiser tournament tees off. 👉 Tee off for the Chamber
Ice Cream & Treats Festival @ The Foundry Plaza (Loveland) — 4–9pm — An evening of local ice cream and dessert vendors downtown. 👉 Treat yourself, repeatedly
Live Music: Dueling Pianos @ Sweet Heart Winery & Event Center (Loveland) — 6–8pm — Two pianos, one stage, audience requests welcome. 👉 Request, sing, repeat
Kade Robertson Duo @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — 6–8pm 👉 Pints and pickin'
Rooftop Cigars & Casks @ Desk Chair Workspace (Loveland) — 6–9pm — Cigars and barrel-aged pours above downtown. 👉 Smoke 'em if you've got 'em
Love Shack Comedy @ The Love Shack - Craft Mocktails (Loveland) — 8pm — Stand-up in a mocktail bar — a dry night out, literally. 👉 Laugh, no hangover
FACE of Fiber Show & "Journey Through Colors and Textures" @ Art Center of Estes Park (Estes Park) — 11am–5pm — A fiber arts exhibition exploring color and texture. 👉 See thread differently
Trail Ridge Road Scenic Ecology Tour of Rocky Mountain National Park @ Fall River Visitor Center (Estes Park) — 10am–4pm — A guided ecology tour along one of the highest paved roads in the country. 👉 Go high, learn deep
Painting Technique Class: Crafty Chica Oaxacan Mug @ Creativity Cabin (Estes Park) — 2–4pm — Paint a Oaxacan-style mug, no experience needed. 👉 Mug up, paint on
Intro to Stained Glass Workshop @ Creativity Cabin (Estes Park) — 11am–1pm — A beginner-friendly intro to cutting and assembling stained glass. 👉 See the light differently
The Coldies @ Bogey's Sport Bar (Estes Park) — 7–9pm 👉 Beat the heat with The Coldies
Tequila Mockin'Byrd @ Snowy Peaks Winery (Estes Park) — 5–7pm — Live music on the winery patio. 👉 Sip and sing along
John McKay Duo @ City Star Brewing (Berthoud) — 6–8:30pm 👉 Two guys, good tunes
SATURDAY 20th
Summer Solstice Yoga Workshop & Herbal Tea Ceremony @ Primrose Studio (Fort Collins) — 8:30–10:30am — Mark the longest day with yoga and a guided tea ceremony. 👉 Greet the solstice slowly
Signature Fly Fishing School @ St. Peter's Fly Shop - South (Fort Collins) — 9am–5pm — A full-day intensive for anglers ready to level up. 👉 Cast like you mean it
Pressed Flower Suncatchers with Courtney Sliga @ Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary & Clinic (Fort Collins) — 11am–1pm — Press real flowers into a window-ready suncatcher. 👉 Trap a little sunshine
On Water Dry Fly Tactics Class @ St. Peter's Fly Shop (Fort Collins) — 9am–1pm — Hands-on dry fly technique, on the water. 👉 Float it right
Mala Making Workshop with Jean Parker-Renga @ Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary & Clinic (Fort Collins) — 3–6pm — Hand-string your own meditation mala. 👉 String your intentions
Cyanotypes: Print the Rainbow with Sonja Salzburg @ Radish (Fort Collins) — 11am–1pm — Sun-printing with cyanotype chemistry, no darkroom needed. 👉 Print with sunlight
Scratch & Ride Horseback Experience @ Tattered Saddle (Fort Collins) — 10–11:30am — Brush, bond, then ride. 👉 Earn the ride
Larimer County Farmers' Market @ 200 W. Oak St. (Fort Collins) — 9am–1pm — The county's flagship Saturday market downtown. 👉 Fill the tote
Agave Underground: Latin Nights @ Agave Underground (Fort Collins) — 8:30pm — A late-night Latin music dance set. 👉 Dance underground
Ten Years Gone: Led Zeppelin Tribute @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 8pm — A full tribute set channeling Zeppelin's catalog. 👉 Stairway, obviously
Live Music with Carl Cropp @ Gilded Goat Brewing Old Town (Fort Collins) — 6–8pm 👉 Settle in for the set
The Collective Market @ Dandelions & Rust A Colorado Mercantile (Fort Collins) — 10am–3pm — A pop-up market featuring local makers and vintage finds. 👉 Shop the collective
Taste of Morning Fresh Dairy @ Morning Fresh Dairy (Fort Collins) — 10am–4pm — Tour and taste at the local dairy. 👉 Get a taste of the farm
Plantiness Tattoo Party @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 2–8pm — A plant-themed flash tattoo event paired with beer. 👉 Get inked, get a pint
Children's Author Signing! @ Old Firehouse Books (Fort Collins) — 1–2pm — Meet a children's book author and get a copy signed. 👉 Bring the kids, get it signed
Eric Golden Band @ Tom Davis Saloon (Loveland) — 8pm 👉 Two-step it
Mosaic Lamp Workshop @ The Artisan Shop & Studio (Loveland) — 6:30–8:30pm — Build a one-of-a-kind mosaic lamp. 👉 Light up your own work
The Raven's Crow @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — 6–8pm 👉 Hear the Crow call
Rooftop Social @ Desk Chair Workspace (Loveland) — 5–11pm — An evening rooftop hang downtown. 👉 Go up for the view
Missoula Children's Theatre: The Little Mermaid @ Rialto Theatre (Loveland) — 3pm — Local kids take the stage in this touring children's theater production. 👉 Under the sea, on stage
Community Art Meetup @ Orion's Apothecary & Mushrooms (Loveland) — 2–4pm — A casual gathering for local artists to create and connect. 👉 Make something together
Handbuild Clay Lanterns @ The Artisan Shop & Studio (Loveland) — 1:30–3:30pm — Build a clay lantern by hand, no wheel required. 👉 Build your own glow
Verboten's 5th Street Block Party @ Verboten Brewing (Loveland) — 1–10pm — An all-day block party outside the brewery. 👉 Take the street, take a pint
All Day Summer Solstice Celebration @ MeadKrieger Meadery (Loveland) — 12–5pm — A solstice celebration with mead, music, and Norse flair. 👉 Solstice, mead-style
LOVELAND PRIDE @ Hammond Amphitheatre (Loveland) — 11am–4pm — Loveland's annual Pride celebration at the amphitheater. 👉 Show up, show out
Baby Goat Yoga @ 3650 N County Rd 3 (Loveland) — 10–11am — Yoga with baby goats wandering the mats. 👉 Namaste with goats
The Berthoud Market @ Berthoud Town Park (Berthoud) — 9am–1pm — The weekly Berthoud farmers and makers market. 👉 Browse the Berthoud Market
HPEC Volunteer Saturday Morning Garden Club @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 9am–12pm — Hands-on native garden volunteering. 👉 Get your hands in the dirt
HPEC Chapungu Bird Walk @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 9–11am — A guided bird walk through the native habitat. 👉 Spot something with feathers
Starship feat. Mickey Thomas @ The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park) — 7–11pm — The classic rock act plays the Stanley's iconic grounds. 👉 Rock the Stanley grounds
Longs Peak 5 Miler @ Estes Park High School Commons (Estes Park) — 8–10am — A scenic road race with Longs Peak as the backdrop. 👉 Run toward the peak
Jeremy Smith @ Bogey's Sport Bar (Estes Park) — 7–10pm 👉 Catch the Saturday set
Estes Park Volksmarch @ Start/Finish at the Visitor Center (Estes Park) — 8am–2pm — A self-paced community walking event, open to all paces. 👉 Walk at your own pace
Estes Park Car Club's Cars and Coffee @ Estes Valley Community Center (Estes Park) — 9–11am — Classic and custom cars, coffee in hand. 👉 Coffee, then chrome
David Tiller @ The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (Estes Park) — 5–8pm 👉 Settle in for the set
Boot Scootin' Bash @ Estes Park Event Center (Estes Park) — 3–9pm — A country-themed bash with dancing and live music. 👉 Boot scoot your way in
Jon Garson and Late For Supper @ City Star Brewing (Berthoud) — 6–8:30pm 👉 Arrive on time, stay late
Altered Ego @ The Grainhouse (Windsor) — 6–9pm 👉 Get a little altered
Red, White & Brew Race with miles.Beyond @ Tiho's Tequila Bar & Restaurant (Windsor) — 7:30am — A patriotic-themed fun run starting from the tequila bar. 👉 Run first, brew after
Pooches in the Park: Doggies & Donuts @ 100 North 5th Street (Windsor) — 10am — Dogs, donuts, and a downtown morning meetup. 👉 Bring the dog, eat the donut
Bootcamp for Backpacks @ Official Fitness (Windsor) — 9am — A fitness fundraiser supporting school backpack donations. 👉 Sweat for a cause
Grand Opening: Windsor Lake Gifts @ Windsor Lake Gifts (Windsor) — 9am–6pm — A new gift shop opens its doors in Windsor. 👉 Be there for day one
SUNDAY 21st — Father's Day
Baking Class with Dad @ Ginger and Baker (Fort Collins) — 10am–1pm — A Father's Day baking class for dads and kids. 👉 Bake it a family thing
Charcuterie Picnic Horseback Ride @ Tattered Saddle (Fort Collins) — 12–1:30pm — A trail ride with a charcuterie spread waiting at the end. 👉 Ride, then graze
Summer Solstice Morning Yoga Flow @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 11am–12pm — A solstice-timed yoga flow on the brewery patio. 👉 Flow into solstice
Dad Body Competition: 2nd Annual @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 4–6pm — A tongue-in-cheek Father's Day competition celebrating dad bods, not six-packs. 👉 Flex the dad bod
Plein Air Painting Class @ Greeley Creative Arts Center (Greeley) — 9–11am — Morning outdoor painting session. 👉 Paint the morning light
Acoustic Afternoons: Jared Jenzen @ Verboten Brewing (Loveland) — 3–5pm — A relaxed acoustic set on the brewery patio. 👉 Unwind to the acoustics
Loveland Farmers Market @ 700 S Railroad Ave (Loveland) — 9am–1pm — Loveland's Sunday market with local produce and goods. 👉 Stock up for the week
Sunday Dinner Live Music @ Lonigans (Estes Park) — 6–8pm — Live music with Sunday dinner at the Irish pub. 👉 Dinner with a soundtrack
Sarah Minto-Sparks @ The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (Estes Park) — 5–8pm 👉 Wind down with live music
Tahosa @ Bogey's Sport Bar (Estes Park) — 3–5pm 👉 Afternoon tunes, easy going
Yoga with a View @ The Estes Park Resort (Estes Park) — 9:30–10:30am — Morning yoga overlooking the lake. 👉 Strike a pose with a view
Stardust Melodies with Clarke and Beth @ City Star Brewing (Berthoud) — 5–7:30pm — A Sunday evening set of standards and easy listening. 👉 Settle into Stardust
Free Store @ FOCO Cafe (Fort Collins) — 2:15–3pm — A no-cost community resource pop-up at the pay-what-you-can café. 👉 Take what you need
MONDAY 22nd
PBA Experience League @ Sweetheart Bowling (Loveland) — 7–8pm — A bowling league experience open to the public, PBA-style lane setup. 👉 Bowl like the pros
Live Jazz @ The 120 Bar and Grill (Loveland) — 6:30–9:30pm — A weeknight jazz set to start the week right. 👉 Jazz up your Monday
Wesley Scott @ The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (Estes Park) — 5–8pm 👉 Start the week with live music
Clay Class: Coil or Pebble Bowls @ Creativity Cabin (Estes Park) — 2–4pm — Hand-build a bowl using coil or pebble technique. 👉 Build it by hand
