Special Events

2024 SPECIAL EVENTS

Kick off the holiday season with our festive Dog Parade and Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Ranch House!

2:30-3 p.m.: Get ready for the festive fun as we kick off with our Dog Parade, starting right in front of the Ranch House! Come cheer for our furry friends as they strut their stuff in holiday spirit.

3 p.m.: Costume contest winner announced.

2:30-5:30 p.m.: Enjoy a full afternoon of excitement with our Polar Express Holiday Train, an Obstacle Course, and food trucks!

3-5 p.m.: Ornament decorating (while supplies last) and a special visit from the Grinch, who’ll be adding his mischievous touch by hanging ornaments from 3:30-5 p.m.!

5:15 p.m. : Gather around for the grand finale—our Tree Lighting Ceremony! Watch as the tree sparkles to life and marks the start of the holiday season.

Date:

Saturday, Nov. 23

Time:

2:30-5:30 p.m.

Where:

Ranch House Parking Lot

Cost:

Free to attend!

Cutting a Christmas tree in a national forest is a tradition for many families in our community. By cutting your own tree, you take an active part in managing your national forests! Once again, you can do it in our community’s open space. The Ken-Caryl Ranch Master Association Open Space Department, Open Space Committee and Board of Directors, in accordance with the Ken-Caryl Ranch Forest Stewardship Plan, is supporting our third season of the Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Program as a nice addition to the annual Christmas Tree harvest/sale in Ken-Caryl Ranch. The program will provide the community with an option to register for a permit, limited to 75 permits, one per family, to hike in the open space and cut a Christmas tree. The cost of the permit is $10 to cut up to three trees, and all proceeds will go to offsetting Open Space Department expenses.

The goal of the program is to take areas that are not as accessible to bulk forest operations and allow volunteers to cut their own trees in a designated area where regeneration of Douglas Fir trees is reaching such a height that it begins to act as a ladder fuel for wildfire, generally, over 6 feet tall, and affects forest health due to the density of the amount of trees. Other trees may be found at the sites, including Aspen and Ponderosa Pines; however, these trees are not part of the project for removal by residents. Douglas Fir trees are soft and small needled trees. Guidelines for the program include the following:

• You must have a valid permit to cut and/or remove Douglas Fir trees in designated areas from Ken-Caryl Ranch open space. Boundaries of the Christmas tree cutting sites will be marked with flagging, “Timber Harvest Boundary” and several trees may have “Do Not Cut” flagging attached. Please refer to the site map that is printed below this article.
• You must stay within the designated cutting areas (see map).
• No topping of Douglas Fir trees – cut to size once the full tree has been felled.
• Cut below lowest live limb – leave stumps no higher than six inches.
• Hand saw only, no gas or electric saws allowed.
• Avoid damage to other trees.
• No vehicles, bikes, or horses are permitted. This program is for hikers only.
• Tree harvest dates are Nov. 20 – Dec. 15.

Permits are available for purchase online via button below. What a great way to support your Open Space Department and receive a beautiful tree for the holidays!

For more information on the Ken-Caryl Forest Stewardship Plan, you can visit https:// ken-carylranch.org/download/foreststewardship-plan/. Questions may be directed to the Ken-Caryl Ranch Park Rangers at 303-979-1876, ext. 170.

NOTE – While cutting and transporting your own Christmas tree from open space is a rewarding and great way to spend time with family, please be aware that it requires intense physical exertion including, walking long distances, hiking off trail, and standing on uneven ground and steep slopes. This year’s cutting sites feature difficult and challenging terrain and conditions. Residents should be prepared for snowy and icy conditions and cold temperatures. For safety, residents are encouraged to dress in layers and to take plenty of breaks, as needed. Please note: this activity may not be suitable for very young children or residents with pre-existing conditions or difficulty with mobility.

Date:

Permit sale begins Monday, Nov. 4

Time:

9 a.m.

Where:

Open Space

Cost:

$10

Holiday Toy Drive: Supporting the Denver Santa Claus Shop’s Mission of “A Toy for Every Girl & Boy”

The holiday season is upon us, and the Denver Santa Claus Shop (DSCS) is once again dedicated to bringing joy to children in need with their mission, “A Toy for Every Girl & Boy.” Once again, this year, Ken-Caryl residents and realtors Mike Aden and Greg Milano of Colorado Home Realty have teamed up with Ken-Caryl Ranch to host a community toy drive from Nov. 9 to Dec. 15.

The DSCS toy drive seeks new and gently used toys for children aged newborn to 11 who might not otherwise have a gift to open this Christmas. Donations are warmly welcomed at the following locations:

Donation Drop-Off Locations:

• Community Center
  Monday – Thursday: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  Friday: 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Saturday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  Sunday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Ranch House
  Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Fridays)

Neighborhood Pick-Up Option:

If you’d prefer a toy pick-up, contact Greg Milano at 303-888-9228 or Mike Aden at 303-525-4896. They’ll happily pick up your donation.

Donate Online to Bring Joy This Holiday Season

For those who prefer to give a new toy online, DSCS offers an easy way to shop and donate through their Amazon and Walmart wish lists. All items purchased online will be shipped directly to the organization for delivery to families in need. Donations of any amount are also accepted to support DSCS’s mission.

Visit denversantaclausshop.org/donate to make an online donation or purchase toys for DSCS.

With the community’s generosity, the Denver Santa Claus Shop hopes to bring smiles to nearly 13,000 children this holiday season. For more information, visit the Denver Santa Claus Shop website.

Let’s make this holiday season one filled with hope and happiness for every child!

Date:

Saturday, Nov. 9 – Dec. 15

Time:

See location hours below.

Where:

Ranch House & Community Center

Donation Drop-Off Locations:

• Community Center
  Monday – Thursday: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  Friday: 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Saturday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  Sunday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Ranch House
  Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Fridays)

The weather is crisp, the temps are dropping and before you know it, we will be getting ready for the holidays! In preparation, Ken-Caryl Ranch is hosting our annual Christmas Tree Sale at the Dakota Lodge on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on a first come, first-served basis, for Ken-Caryl residents only. The type of trees provided will be Douglas Firs, which are cut down from the foothills open space and are more “natural” and will vary in size and shape. Rangers, with the help of volunteers, will display the trees next to the Dakota Lodge and barn as was done in the past. Additional trees will continue to be brought out throughout the sale.

Donations (cash, check or credit card) are being accepted in exchange for the trees to offset expenses in the open space program. Limit one tree per family to ensure many families can enjoy this great tradition. For the annual tree sale, the Ken-Caryl Ranch Rangers harvest small diameter trees in the open space to improve wildlife habitat and overall forest health. The removal of the small trees reduces overcrowding and eliminates ladder fuels that can carry into a forest canopy.

If you have any questions about the Christmas tree sale, contact Matt Ōven, Open Space Director, at 303-979-1876, ext. 170 or email matto@kcranch.org.

Date:

Saturday, Dec. 7

Time:

9-11 a.m.

Where:

Dakota Lodge

Cost:

Donations accepted.

Holiday Happenings at the Ranch House
Join us for a festive celebration on December 7 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Ranch House!

Enjoy classic holiday fun for all ages with:

• Horse & Carriage Rides
• Hot Chocolate Bar
• Christmas Carols with Summit Sound of Voices West
• Holiday Games & Crafts

Don’t miss a chance to capture the magic with *Photos with Santa.

*Registration required for photos with Santa using the Santa Photo Registration button.

Date:

Saturday, Dec. 7

Time:

12-5 p.m.

Where:

Ranch House

Cost:

Free to attend!