Happy Mother's Day weekend, NOCO!

This one's packed. I wrote you a poem inspired by our late snowstorm. We track migrating birds taking the night-shift, and put together a Mother's Day guide with some less-clichéd ways to spend the weekend. And, if you're a mom reading this: we hope somebody makes it easy on you this weekend.

Let’s dig in!

– Megan

We love a local spread, and you can find the best brunch links in ‘Happenings’ below. But if Mom prefers a day without a strict clock or a crowded lobby, try one of these instead:

The Raptor Baby Shower
The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program in Fort Collins is opening its gates for a Spring Open House this Saturday, May 9, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This facility is rarely open to the public, making a peek at the educational ambassadors and the "baby shower" for young birds in care feel genuinely special.

The Greenhouse Date
Skip the imported bouquet that fades by Wednesday. Take her to Bath Garden Center in Fort Collins, The Windsor Gardener, or Mountain Roots Gardens in Milliken to pick out hanging baskets or perennials. She gets something that will bring her joy much longer than cut flowers.

Baby Goats or Forest Bathing
If she wants silly, Barnyard Buddies in Loveland has Baby Goat Yoga this Saturday at 10:00am and again at 11:30. The 11:30 spot includes a flower arranging class, too! If she needs a reset, the Gardens on Spring Creek is hosting a Forest Bathing class Saturday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

The Maker Route
Instead of buying a gift, spend Sunday morning throwing clay. The Artisan Shop & Studio in Loveland is hosting a Mother’s Day Pottery Wheel class at 11:00 AM. If she prefers sourdough, Loveland Aleworks has a workshop Saturday from 1:00 PM to 3:15 PM. She leaves with a new skill or an object she actually made.

The Sculpture Scavenger Hunt
Loveland is the sweet spot for a free, outdoor art wandering. Benson Sculpture Garden has over 170 pieces, and Chapungu Sculpture Park offers 26 acres of Zimbabwean stone carvings.

The Game: Find the piece that most matches Mom's energy, the one she’d put in her front yard, and the one she absolutely would not.

No matter what you do, we wish all the moms the happiest of Mother’s Days!

While most of us are asleep and the neighborhood’s gone still, the skies above NOCO are packed with movement. The hummingbirds, bluebirds, and cranes we notice during the day are only part of the story. Most migrating songbirds actually travel at night, when the air is cooler and smoother, and predators are less of an issue.

On clear spring nights, thousands of birds pass over Colorado while we sleep. By sunrise, they drop into trees and open spaces to rest and refuel. There’s a good chance some of them are spending the morning in your yard or along your favorite trail before continuing north the next evening.

A few local favorites moving through right now:

How to help: Birds navigate using stars, natural light, and Earth’s magnetic field. Bright artificial light can confuse them, especially during peak migration weeks. If you can, turn off porch lights before bed, or close the blinds on brighter rooms facing outside, especially on clear nights.

Morning Fallout: After a rainy night, a single tree might hold three species that weren't there yesterday. Grab your binoculars and check the backyard with your early morning coffee.

You can track what’s flying over Larimer County each night using BirdCast's live migration dashboard. It uses weather radar to estimate how many birds are moving overhead in real time, and honestly, it’s pretty incredible once you start watching it.

The stack of documents lands on the table and suddenly the house you love feels like a liability. The clauses, the contingencies, the counteroffers. It's a lot to deal with, even when everything goes smoothly.

Amilyn Stange has been inside that paperwork longer than most agents have been in real estate. Before she even showed a house, she spent years as a banker and a paralegal for real estate and estate planning attorneys. The fine print isn't intimidating to her, it’s the foundation of her journey into real estate. She works across all of NOCO — from Erie to Wellington, Estes to the plains — and her job is to make sure you understand exactly what you're signing, and why.

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

👉 MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

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.

Gold Rush in Leadville @ Loveland Museum (Loveland) — Sat, 10am–4pm — Leadville's wild mining era comes to Loveland in an exhibit that's equal parts grit and gold. 👉 Stake your claim

Explorations @ Art Center of Estes Park (Estes Park) — Sat–Sun, 11am–5pm — A rotating members' show worth the mountain drive. 👉 Go look at good things

Debut Theatre Company: The Odyssey @ The Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) — Friday and Saturday, Various Times — Homer, reimagined by local youth theater. Epic in scope, surprisingly moving. 👉 It's a long way home — get tickets

Olympus: The Greek Rock Musical @ Playcrafter Kids (Fort Collins) — All Weekend, various times — The gods have a setlist. Local kids bring the thunder. 👉 Bow to the chorus

Oratorio Society of Estes Park: Mozart's Requiem @ Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies (Estes Park) — Friday and Saturday, Various Times — A full choral Requiem in the mountains the weekend before Mother's Day. Make it a moment. 👉 Ascend

Run Like A Mother Family Fun Run @ Reconnect Chiropractic (Loveland) — 5-7:30pm 🌸 — A celebration of moms who move. Strollers welcome, medals encouraged. 👉 Lace up, legends

Kids Pottery Wheel Throwing Class @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 5:30–7:30pm — Little hands, big messes, something to be proud of. 👉 Get your hands dirty

Business After Hours: The Backyard John Deere @ 900 E HWY 402 (Loveland) — 5:30–7pm — Networking with a side of heavy equipment. Not your average mixer. 👉 Roll up

Open Mic Night @ New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins) — 5–7pm — An inclusive open mic that actually means it. Good people, good sound. 👉 Grab a seat or a mic

The Positive Spin: Vinyl Record Night @ Mobb Mountain Distillers (Fort Collins) — 6–10pm — Crate-diggers, spirit-sippers, and people who know what a B-side is. 👉 Drop the needle

LuneAtics Lounge: Songwriters Exchange @ The Love Shack (Fort Collins) — 7–10pm — Intimate. Inspiring. Unfiltered. An intimate evening of creativity, connection, and conversation. 👉 Bring your verses

University Symphony Orchestra: Virtuoso Voices @ Griffin Concert Hall, CSU (Fort Collins) — 7:30–9:30pm — World-class student musicians doing the thing they were born to do. 👉 Come be moved

Travel with Intention @ Global Village Museum (Fort Collins) — 7–8pm — Travel writer Zanny Merullo on the art of going somewhere with your eyes open. 👉 Pack your curiosity

Summer Send Off @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 8pm–midnight — End-of-semester energy, live music, and a room full of people ready to celebrate. 👉 Send it

Daniel Boling at Listening at the Legion @ American Legion Post 119 (Estes Park) — 6:30–8:30pm — Intimate listening room, genuine storytelling, mountain air. 👉 Settle in

Civil War History Class @ Estes Valley Community Center (Estes Park) — 1–2pm — Local historians doing the work so you don't have to Google it at 2am. 👉 Show up and learn something

Local Bluegrass Pick @ Twin Owls Steakhouse at the Taharaa (Estes Park) — 6:30–9pm — Mountain bluegrass and a steak. That's the whole pitch. 👉 Pull up a chair

Music Bingo @ Wiley Roots Brewing (Estes Park) — 6:30–9pm — The only trivia night where knowing the drum fill actually helps. 👉 Daub your card

Wind in the Willows @ The Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) — Fri 7:30pm — Mole, Rat, and Mr. Toad take the stage. A classic that holds up. 👉 Mess about with tickets

Open Nursery Day @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 9am–12pm — Native plants, knowledgeable staff, and the kind of shopping that's good for the watershed. 👉 Dig into it

Mother's Day Sale: Jewelry, Art & Antiques @ ArtSpace Sidetrack Gallery (Loveland) — 10am–8pm 🌸 — One-of-a-kind gifts made by actual people. Skip the mall. 👉 Shop with intention

Large Animal Evacuation & Preparedness Training @ Blue Arena / The Ranch (Loveland) — 6:30pm — If you have horses, goats, or livestock, this one's not optional. 👉 Know before you need it

Cat-ingo Night! @ NoCo Cat Cafe (Loveland) — 6pm — Bingo. But with cats. That's it. That's the event. 👉 B-I-N-G-meow

Kick Off Rooftop Social @ Desk Chair Workspace (Loveland) — 5–11pm — A rooftop, a sunset, and a crowd of people who actually like their work. 👉 Rise to the occasion

Ladies Spicy Book Club @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 6:30–8:30pm — You know the genre. You know the vibe. Come ready to discuss. 👉 Turn the page

Foothills Symphonic Band: "Bridging Cultures" @ Griffin Concert Hall, CSU (Fort Collins) — 7–8:30pm — A concert program built around music that travels and connects. 👉 Find your seat

Music at the Mothership: Miguel Avina Trio @ New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins) — 5–7pm — Live music in the brewery that put Fort Collins on the map. Free, as it should be. 👉 Tap in

NoCo Swing Dance @ 1599 City Park Dr (Fort Collins) — 6–10pm — Lessons at 6, open dancing after. Bring someone or meet someone. 👉 Don't sit this one out

Blast N Scrump: Second Fridays @ Scrumpy's (Fort Collins) — 7–11pm — The monthly hard cider party that earns its reputation. 👉 Get there early

Spring Dance Capstone Concert: To Be Seen @ CSU School of the Arts (Fort Collins) — 7:30 — Student choreography, live performance, and the satisfying feeling of watching someone nail it. 👉 Bear witness

An Evening with Laughing Water @ Chippers Lanes (Fort Collins) — 8:30–10:30pm — Fort Collins' own. A good room for a good show. 👉 Don't sleep on it

Friday Live Music: Laurie & Lorrie @ Snowy Peaks Winery (Estes Park) — 4:30–6:30pm — Wine, music, mountain views. No notes. 👉 Clock out up here

HPEC Guided Interpretive Walk @ Houts Reservoir & Equalizer Lake (Loveland) — 9–10:30am — Walk with restoration ecologists who actually know what they're looking at. 👉 Walk smarter

Downtown Loveland Past & Progress Tours @ Various Venues (Loveland) — Various Times — Local history, walkable format, stories hiding in plain sight. 👉 Read between the buildings

Run for the Trees @ Mehaffey Park (Loveland) — 9:30–10:30am — A 5K that plants trees. The most efficient run in town. 👉 Log some miles, grow a forest

Mother's Day High Tea @ Sweet Heart Winery (Loveland) — 10am 🌸 — Tiny sandwiches, good wine, and someone you love. Don't wait on this one. 👉 Pour yourself in

Intro to Tincture Making @ Orion's Apothecary & Mushrooms (Loveland) — 10:30–11:30am — Learn to make your own herbal extracts from people who actually know plants. 👉 Bottle something useful

Drink the West Party @ Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (Loveland) — 12-5pm — Come try all 6 core Colorado Black Tooth beers, jump into games, win giveaways, and stick around for live music. 👉 Ride on in

Colorado Eagles vs. Henderson Silver Knights — Game 4 @ Blue Arena (Loveland) — 5pm — Calder Cup Playoffs, Round 2. This one matters. 👉 Get loud

ABBA Euphoria Returns @ Rialto Theater (Loveland) — 7–9pm — ABBA tribute in a beautiful old theater. Resistance is futile. 👉 Take a chance

Dueling Pianos Official Road Show @ Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (Loveland) — 7:30–9:30pm — High-energy, request-fueled, crowd-participates-whether-they-planned-to-or-not. 👉 Request something chaotic

10x10 Exhibition @ 7 Old Town Square (Fort Collins) — 6:30–10pm — Ten artists, ten pieces, one night. Part of Fort Collins Art Week. 👉 Pick your favorite

Compass Comic Con @ Compass Community Collaborative School (Fort Collins) — 10am–6pm — A fan convention run by the school community. Costumes enthusiastically welcomed. 👉 Suit up

Spring Open House at RMRP @ Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (Fort Collins) — 12–4pm — Meet the raptors. Learn what goes into saving them. Bring everyone. 👉 Look a hawk in the eye

Treats for Two: Mother's Day Chocolate Tasting @ Global Village Museum (Fort Collins) — 3–4pm 🌸 — Chocolate paired with culture. A genuinely lovely afternoon. 👉 Reserve the good seats

Hippie Sabotage: Give and Take Tour @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre (Bellvue) — 8pm — The Mish gets down with Hippie Sabotage and Kembe X in the canyon. If you know, you know. If you don't, find out. 👉 Get tickets

Foothills Summer Farmers Market @ Foothills Shopping Center (Fort Collins) — 10am — The summer market is back. First one of the season. Go find the person who sells the good jam. 👉 Shop local, eat better

Baby Goat Yoga @ Foothills Shopping Center (Fort Collins) — 10am–1pm (two sessions: 10–11am & 12–1pm) — An all-levels flow class with baby goats bouncing around your mat. Chaos. Cuteness. Core work. 👉 Grab a spot before they're gone

Mothers Day Brunch & Bubbles @ Farm Fusion (Fort Collins) — 11am 🌸 — Garden setting, seasonal menu, actual bubbles. The brunch worth booking. 👉 Pop the cork

Estes Valley Watershed Coalition: Living with Fire @ Estes Valley Community Center (Estes Park) — 1–5pm — The past, present, and future of wildfire in Colorado. Important and accessible. 👉 Know your landscape

Rain on the Rockies! @ Bond Park (Estes Park) — 11am–1pm — A community gathering invoking much needed rain or snow for a safe and successful summer season in the Rockies. 👉 Catch the drops

Greeley Farmers' Market @ Lincoln Park (Greeley) — 9am–12pm — Greeley's weekly market is back in season. Local produce, local makers, local everything. 👉 Go early, go often

Second Saturday Brewer Tour @ WeldWerks Brewing (Greeley) — 12–1:30pm — Behind-the-scenes at one of Colorado's most decorated breweries. 👉 See where the magic happens

Mother's Day Brunch @ Sweet Heart Winery (Loveland) — 8:45-10:15am — The early birds get the mimosas. 👉 Claim your table

Mother's Day Brunch @ Sunrise Ranch (Loveland) — 10:30am–12:30pm — A beautiful ranch setting for a brunch that earns the drive. 👉 Make the reservation

Mothers Day Pottery Wheel Throwing @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 11am–1pm — Make something with your mom. Or be the mom. Either way, clay. 👉 Get your hands in it

A Sweet Toast to Mom! @ MeadKrieger (Loveland) — 12–6pm — Mead, afternoon light, and a reason to celebrate. The low-key perfect Mother's Day option. 👉 Raise a glass

Face Vocal Band @ Rialto Theater (Loveland) — 2pm — Award-winning a cappella. No instruments, full impact. A great Mother's Day afternoon out. 👉 Hear something stunning

Made with Love: Mother's Day Brunch @ Cafe Vino (Fort Collins) — 10am–2pm — One of Fort Collins' best tables, dressed up for the occasion. 👉 Reserve your spot

Mother's Day Market @ The Movement Apothecary (Fort Collins) — 2–5pm — Local makers, wellness goods, and gifts you'll actually feel good about giving. 👉 Shop with your heart

Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 6:15pm — Biggie and Tupac, rendered by a string quartet in candlelight. Yes, really. Yes, it works. 👉 Believe it

Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — Two Show Times 6:15 and 8:30pm — Close the day with Fleetwood Mac, strings, and low light. 👉 Go your own way — to The Lyric

Comedy Brewers @ Bas Bleu Theatre (Fort Collins) — 7–8:30pm — Stand-up in a black box theater. A solid Sunday night if brunch put you in the right mood. 👉 Laugh it out

Tea Ceremony with Samantha Grant @ Golden Poppy Herbal (Fort Collins) — 12–5pm — A proper, intentional tea ceremony. Slow, beautiful, right for today. 👉 Steep yourself in it

Star Party @ Jackson Lake (Morgan County) — 8:15pm — Dark skies, spring constellations, worth the drive east. 👉 Look up

Sunday Fun-Day! @ Snowy Peaks Winery (Estes Park) — 3–7pm — Wrap Mother's Day with mountain wine and an unhurried afternoon. 👉 End it right

Pour it Forward Community Night ft. Katya Grasso @ Pour Brothers Community Tavern (Fort Collins) — 5–7pm — A portion of every drink goes to a local cause. Katya Grasso is tonight's featured partner. 👉 Drink for good