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Eight years in the making, the Mighty Argo Experience Cable Cars are set to open to the public in April.

The estimated $71-million project will take tourists and locals on a 1.2-mile trip up the mountain in glass gondolas, climbing at least 1,250 feet in altitude to the top where retail, restaurants, pubs and a concert setting will be waiting.

Following that opening, the Trek mountain Bike Trails at Virginia Canyon Park are expected to reopen free to the public with added and extended mountain bike trails.

The most extreme of the trails is expected to gain national recognition for its’ difficulty rating of ‘Red Double-Diamond’.

“It’s a way of designating something as more difficult than double-black, ‘Red Double-Diamond’ is proline. We’re just trying to make it really clear to people that this is not your average front-range trail,” Moore said.

In a recent interview, Moore told the Courant, “The penalty for failure is much greater.”

So, is the juice worth the squeeze? Is the added income to the tax coffers of Idaho Springs worth the inundation of tourists we will undoubtedly experience this Spring?

Let me know your thoughts, [email protected].

The seasonal wildlife closure of the Trek Mountain Bike Trails at Virginia Canyon Mountain Park will not be lifted as planned on April 1, as the entire trail system will be closed on April 13 for first responder training on the mountain.

According to the Colorado Mountain Bike Association, or COMBA, the site will host intensive emergency evacuation preparations. These drills will involve gondola rescues, rope work, and rappelling, with participation from Alpine Rescue, Clear Creek Fire Authority, and Argo staff.

“The part that people seem to keep missing in our communications is that the park is fully closing on April 13th, not fully opening,” COMBA Executive Director President Gary Moore told the Courant.

Clear Creek Fire Authority Chief Jeremy Jones confirmed at least two members of the department will be in training at the Argo April 13-15.

A tentative ‘soft opening’ for the Mighty Argo Cable Cars is set for April 23 or 24.

“Pysanka” is a Ukrainian word that translates as “to write.” It’s a skill and talent of creating Easter eggs with unparalleled precision and intricacy, according to historians.

Idaho Springs resident and business owner Meghan Vickers has been practicing the art form since she was a child. 

“I grew up in the Orthodox Church of America and this is very important in the Orthodox tradition. My grandmother was Ukrainian and my grandfather was Russian,” Vickers said. “My grandmother actually made these eggs so it’s carried down through the generations.”

Vickers and her husband own the Sit N Chill ice cream shop, 1501 Miner St, in Idaho Springs. This Easter season, they teamed up with the Clear Creek Library District to teach the ancient skills of Pysanka to locals.

“This is a really traditional art form that goes back centuries, every part of it has some kind of symbolism, the colors, the designs, when you make them, how you make them and who makes them,” Vickers said. “Spring and re-birth are a reflection of the art as well as the season.”

Horns were honked, American Flags were waved and poignant signs expressing distrust in the U.S. federal government were held high.

The latest No Kings rally on Highway 103 over I-70 in Idaho Springs March 28 drew an estimated 130-people to make their voice heard, according to the Clear Creek Democrats.

“I just feel helpless, you know, what can I do? This is the best way to voice your opinion and try to get people to stand up and act,” Pam Sullivan from Blackhawk said amidst the crowd.

According to national reporting and Wikipedia there were a group of coordinated protests that took place on March 28 across the nation.

They were part of a series of demonstrations to protest the actions and policies of the second Trump administration, including the 2026 Iran war; suppression of the Epstein files; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that led to shootings by immigration agents.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson characterized the rallies to a national audience as "therapy sessions" for those who "hate our country".

The annual fundraiser for Loaves and Fishes food bank has downtown bars and restaurants competing for bragging rights for the fourth year.

The fourth annual Wing Crawl is coming back to downtown Idaho Springs as one of Idaho Springs Loaves and Fishes’ food pantry’s biggest fundraisers of the year.

Competition between downtown restaurants will be heated this year, organizers told the Courant, with everyone seeking bragging rights for the year, in addition to the coveted Wing Crawl trophy.

The unique design for this year’s trophy has yet to be revealed but has not disappointed in the past. According to organizers, this year’s trophy is in the style of the "Stanley Cup," but they would say no more.

Smokin’ Yard’s BBQ, 2736 Colorado Blvd, will be defending its winning title from last year against at least nine other Miner Street wing slingers during the competition scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m Sat. May 2.

Sign-up and tickets, $35 pre-event, are available now at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-wing-crawl

We’ll publish results from this poll in next week’s newsletter!

Saturday, April 4:

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