Find age-appropriate activities to get kids started on the
Sports, physical activities and games as well as parks, playgrounds and trails offer kids opportunities to explore and develop skills. Encourage them to find activities that they enjoy doing.
Dialing it down
SOMEHOW THIS IS GOING TO BE a February, season of love, note. We’ll just have to find out how before it’s all done.
The best part about being busy with all the moving parts of our lives is that we just don’t have time to obsess over the state of the world and all the chaos being sewn there.
Or do we?
Yeah, we do, actually, because the news cycle is everywhere we are and they’re doing their best to make sure that we are engaged with them and nothing builds engagement like outrage. And nothing supports our outrage like knowing other people, especially those online whom we’ve never met, are as outraged as we are.
It feels good, as in dopamine-hit good, to wallow in our righteous indignation of the opinions of those clearly misguided people who don’t agree with us. And whether we want to admit it or not, we’re fed a playbook from the algorithms of what to get worked up about.
I’m not saying that there aren’t things worthy of our attention and concern, even worthy of getting out and protesting. It’s just not good for us to spend our days in a lather. It’s unhealthy for us personally and as a community.
I have found myself getting worked up lately about a series of events and it has crept into my daily life. I’ve made hurtful comments to people. I’ve used a tone that was aggressive or dismissive. And these comments and tone had nothing to do with the events that have upset me, but the spillover in my interactions caused stress and conflict.
I feel the temperature rising and I’m trying to be aware of how it’s affecting me and my interactions with others. If I wrap my head around the idea that I don’t have to spend my mental energy defending my territory, I’m more at ease. People’s comments, or bumper stickers, don’t feel like an affront. They’re just someone else’s way of viewing the world that is different than mine. They’re sucked into a different algorithm that’s feeding them a different worldview than mine.
It’s easy to say that those others with different views are not even trying to see an objective world, whatever that is, but as the expression goes, it’s easier to see the twig in someone else’s eye than the stick in our own.
So, I guess I’m going to try not to assume what others are thinking. And I’m not going to cling too tightly to my own opinions. Sure, I’m going to have my viewpoint but I’m going to try not to hold onto it too tightly. Things are rarely as black-and-white as we’d like them to be. It’s easy to get worked up when we skip the nuances, which are always there, and jump right to being sure.
OK so bringing this back to love. If we start out the day deciding that we are all just muddling our way through this world and that valuing our neighbors and our family and friends and acquaintances is more important than standing by our opinion as though it is the only truth. Love is the only truth. Let’s take a minute each day to remember that our neighbors love their kids, too.
Good hygiene habits help kids stay healthy, especially during cold and flu seasons when germs spread easily at school and activities. Teaching children to wash their hands often with soap and water—especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing—helps remove germs they pick up on shared surfaces. Frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes reduce the spread of respiratory viruses and other infections in classrooms and at home. Staying home when sick, until fever-free for at least 24 hours, keeps peers and teachers from catching the same bugs.
As Dr. Paul Mayer, Larimer County Medical Officer, explains, “now is the time to start thinking about the steps to take to do your best to stay healthy and stop the spread of respiratory viruses throughout our schools …” which includes hygiene practices like handwashing and staying home when sick.
Make Valentine’s Day about gratitude
Making Valentine’s Day about gratitude—like writing thank-you notes to teachers, sharing something they appreciate about a classmate, or telling family members why they matter—teaches kids that when they give love to get love, they help create a more caring, joyful community. Valentine’s Day offers a great opportunity for kids—and adults—to focus less on candy and more on gratitude and kindness. Learning early that to “give love to get love” is more than a catchy phrase.
Practicing gratitude helps children notice the positive in everyday life and express appreciation to others, which strengthens relationships and emotional well-being. Children who regularly recognize what they’re thankful for tend to feel more connected, optimistic, and socially aware. As CSU Extension family health specialist Sue Schneider explains, practicing thankfulness “magnifies positive emotions” and helps kids build healthy habits of appreciation and empathy.
Healthy bedtime routines lead to better sleep
Bedtime routines make a big difference for kids from infancy through adolescence by helping young bodies and minds prepare for restful sleep. When children take the same calming steps each night, such as dimming lights, reading together, or having a quiet conversation, familiar cues signal their brains that it’s time to slow down and rest, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Experts stress this consistency is key: maintaining regular bedtimes and wind-down habits helps children sleep more reliably and supports better emotional regulation, attention, and overall health. Local sleep medicine physician Dr. Ivy M. Andersen notes, “Sleep is not optional. Every species needs sleep for a reason,” and disrupted sleep affects everything from memory to immune health, underscoring the value of healthy sleep habits and routines. By establishing predictable pre-sleep habits, you train your body and mind to relax, often leading to deeper, more restorative rest and better daytime functioning.
Family-friendly snowshoe adventures
Rent snowshoes for the family at a local mountain rental shop, like Mountain Rentals in Loveland (mountainrentalsinc. com) or Estes Park Mountain Shop (estesparkmountainshop.com). Then head out to find some snow.
Popular beginner trails in Rocky Mountain National Park include the Bear Lake and Sprague Lake loops in the Bear Lake corridor. The 0.6-mile and 0.7-mile loops, respectively, offer flat terrain that winds along lakes through forested trails. For a more challenging endeavor, start at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and make your way to The Loch or Mills Lake. Both routes are just over five miles round trip, featuring moderate elevation gain and incredible views (nps.gov).
Lory State Park is another great place to find snow, with Shoreline Trail’s onemile trek to Horsetooth Reservoir and the 2.2-mile gently sloping East Valley Trail making great choices for beginners. The Well Gulch Nature Trail is a slightly more difficult 1.5-mile option that works well for families with older or more experienced kids (cpw.state.co.us).
Best local sledding hills
Looking for the best hills for all levels of thrill seeker? In Berthoud, the hill directly south of Pioneer Park is a popular spot for young- to medium-aged kids, offering a long stretch of short, mild hills perfect for repeat runs
Fort Collins favorites include Fossil Creek Park and Edora Park, both featuring more extreme hills for daring sledders, and City Park for those wanting a gentler, more laid-back ride (fortcollins.gov).
The University of Northern Colorado’s Nottingham Field is Greeley’s most popular spot, with plenty of parking and room to spread out—a good thing, because the hill has long been one of the region’s most beloved sledding destinations. (unco.edu)
In Loveland, Kroh Park and Mehaffey Park offer hills of varying length and steepness, making them a solid choice for mixed-age groups (lovgov.org). Note that Kroh Park tends to see crowds on snowy days so it’s best to arrive early. If snow totals in the valley just aren’t cutting it, you might have better luck at Rocky Mountain National Park’s Hidden Valley. Once a bustling downhill ski area, today the spot is frequented by sledders and is the place to go for the longest runs, year-round restrooms and even a weekend warming house (visitestespark.com).
Indoor and outdoor skating spots
Fort Collins’s Edora Pool and Ice Center offers public skate hours Monday through Saturday on its NHL regulation-size indoor rink. Admission is $7/adult and $6/ child, and skates can be rented for an additional $3/pair. For a full schedule visit fortcollins.gov.
The Greeley Ice Haus offers indoor public skating daily from noon-1:30pm with family skate taking place during the Tuesday and Thursday sessions and on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8pm. Cosmic skating lights up Fridays from 6:30-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 7-8:30pm. Admission is $6/person, plus an additional $4 for skate rentals.
While many of the region’s outdoor rinks closed at the end of January, outdoor skating can be enjoyed at Longmont Recreation’s covered rink through March 3 (longmontcolorado.gov).
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Local Shops’ creative bundles
Looking to shop local while getting more value for your money? Northern Colorado businesses offer creative ways to save through customizable bundles, bulk purchasing, and thoughtfully curated collections. From building a personalized travel kit to stocking your freezer or expanding your reading list, these local options combine flexibility, savings, and community impact— making it easier to support small businesses while meeting everyday needs in a meaningful way.
Friendly Nick’s Butcher: Whole Animal Packages
2601 S Lemay Ave UNIT 4 (Scotch Pines), Fort Collins
A whole animal package of beef or pork from Friendly Nick’s Butcher means purchasing an entire animal—such as a cow or pig— processed into a variety of cuts for your freezer, including steaks, roasts, ground meat, and specialty items. Buying meat this way often costs less per pound than purchasing individual cuts, offering longterm savings for families who cook at home. It also reduces waste by using the entire animal. Choosing a whole animal package supports small, local farms and butcher shops, keeps food dollars in the community, and strengthens regional food systems while giving customers transparency about where their meat comes from.
TOPO Designs: Build a Kit
130B S. College Ave Fort Collins
TOPO Designs offers a “build your perfect kit” option that not only meets your custom needs, but also saves you money. Visit the retailer’s website to add up to eight items to your travel kit; each item providing a number of choices that consider your style, common use, and more. Starting with the type of bag (travel, roller, duffle, etc.), you then move through the steps to add the perfect accessories for your needs. Accessory choices are numerous and include pack bags of all sizes, bike bags, water bottles, wallets, and more. Once your kit is built, you can check out with a 15 percent savings.
The Midnight Oil Bookstore: Banned/Challenged Books
Buy from: 827 10th St, Greeley
This local bookstore cites Isaac Asimov: “Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” Reading banned books is interesting because these stories often challenge norms, question authority, and explore complex or uncomfortable ideas. They are important because they protect intellectual freedom, encourage critical thinking, and help readers understand diverse perspectives that have historically been silenced or restricted. The shop has a special section of their website reserved for books that have been either banned or challenged over history, some available for purchase in store and others available to order. Books in stock are ready for same-day pickup or immediate shipping.
Top hot springs getaways—Take the chill off
IF YOU’RE CRAVING QUALITY TIME in Colorado’s great outdoors but dreading the chill, the solution might be a dip in a geothermal hot spring. These mineral-rich waters can be found all over the state, drawing residents and tourists alike with their healing properties, including improved circulation, detoxification, stress reduction and muscle relaxation.
This month, escape to one of Colorado’s top hot springs destinations and take the plunge into relaxation and rejuvenation.
Ouray
The Ouray Hot Springs Pool features five yearround pools ranging from 82 to 106 degrees. These family-friendly pools are surrounded by picturesque canyon walls, made even more serene when dusted with snow. The facility is open daily from 11am to 8pm. Day passes cost $30/adult, $18/child and free/under 3. Visitouray.com.
The Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa’s outdoor pool is fed by continually flowing natural springs, keeping it at a constant 100 to 106 degrees. Guests can also visit the vapor cave, home to an underground deep soaking pool. $30/person for a 2-hour soak. Wiesbadenhotsprings.com.
Operating since 1913, Twin Peak Lodge and Hot Springs houses nine soaking tubs kept between 100 and 106 degrees. The hot springs are open daily from 8am to 7pm. Day passes cost $39/adult, $19.50/child and free/ under 2. Twinpeakslodging.com.
Glenwood Springs
Boasting the world’s largest hot springs pool—stretching more than two city blocks— Glenwood Hot Springs Resort offers plenty of room to spread out. Visitors can relax in the mineral baths or therapy pool, or hit the main pool for lap swimming. Day passes cost $38 and up/ adult and $27 and up/child. The pool is open daily from 9am to 9pm. Hotspringspool.com.
Overlooking the Colorado River, Iron Mountain Hot Springs is home to 16 mineral pools with a range of temperatures, plus a larger family pool and a jetted spa. Day passes start at $48/person and advance booking is recommended, as the property often reaches capacity. Ironmountainhotsprings.com.
For a more primitive experience, embark on a 0.2-mile hike to a small pool nestled in the hills. South Canyon Hot Springs ranges in temperature from 100 to 112 degrees. From Glenwood Springs, travel approximately five miles west on I-70 and take exit 111. Turn left on South Canyon Creek Road and continue one mile to the parking lot. Look for the dirt path on the right, which leads to the pool. Alltrails.com
Pagosa Springs
The Pagosa Springs area also offers a hike-in hot springs experience. The Piedra River Hot Springs are a series of riverside geothermal pools accessed by a three-mile roundtrip hike through San Juan National Forest. From Pagosa Springs, take Hwy. 160 west for 22 miles to First Fork Road. Turn north and continue 6.5 miles to the junction with Monument Park Road. Look for the Sheep Creek Trailhead and parking lot on the left. From there, it’s a 1.5-mile hike to the pools. Fs.usda.gov.
For a less rugged experience, visit The Springs Resort. Home to more than 50 soaking pools, a cold river plunge, waterfall and steam grotto, the resort offers something for everyone. Day passes start at $69/adult, $37/child, and free/under 3. Open daily from 9am to 10pm. pagosahotsprings.com.
Enjoy a variety of soaking areas along the San Juan River, as well as views of the San Juan Mountains from the rooftop tubs at Overlook Hot Springs. Day passes cost $30/adult and $24/child. The resort opens daily at 9 a.m. Overlookhotsprings.com.
GET little bodies MOVING
Age-appropriate activities to get kids started on the right foot
Before they even reach their first birthday, kids’ lives revolve around movement. From scooting to crawling to walking, then running and climbing, they move not because we tell them to, but because it feels natural.
“Our jobs as parents are to stand back and watch them safely explore,” says Maureen Hobbs, a licensed K-12 physical education teacher at Loveland Classical School. Hobbs says that both with her own daughter, and with the students she taught as a preschool teacher for more than a decade, her philosophy has always been the same: introduce kids to the tools they need—whether playground equipment or a soccer ball—and then observe how they choose to interact with them.
Today, she employs that same philosophy with her elementary students.
“My students always have options,” she explains. “If we’re
KATIE HARRIS
working on an obstacle course in class, they might have a choice of whether to walk, skip or run to the other side. If we’re attempting to keep something up in the air, they can choose between a balloon, a basketball or a beach ball.”
Hobbs says empowering kids to make decisions about how they move helps build confidence and turns activities that might otherwise feel intimidating into play.
Another way she makes movement engaging is by incorporating cognitive and affective skill-building into physical activities. Setting poly spot floor markers out in patterns, giving cues in rhyme, and setting aside time at the end of class to reflect on the day’s activities and celebrate each other’s accomplishments all help bring other domains of learning into movement.
“Students are learning colors, numbers and patterns,” says Hobbs. “They’re figuring out what kinds of movement excite them and what makes them nervous. They’re paying attention to the feelings of those around them. And at the same time, they’re moving their bodies and getting exercise.”
Co-owner and lead instructor of NorthStar Athletics in Loveland, Micah Gaiter, employs many of the same strategies in his gymnastics classes.
“I intentionally use colors, shapes, letters and patterns in our stations to bring in that cognitive development piece,” he says. “This is just as important for our younger students as the physical aspect of gymnastics.”
In addition, Gaiter prioritizes developmental exercises over skill mastery for students under 5. This includes activities that build handeye coordination, spatial awareness, balance, strength and the ability to follow instructions—foundational skills that will support sports participation later on.
“We’re not teaching 1-year-olds how to do a cartwheel,” he says. “They don’t have the physical ability for that yet. What we’re doing is helping develop the parts of their bodies that
will eventually lead into those skills.”
In his toddler-aged classes, Gaiter encourages parent involvement to help children with new concepts like hanging from a bar or climbing a ladder. By the time they reach age 4, many are ready to attend class independently.
Gaiter, who says gymnastics is one of the most effective sports for overall development up until age 6, also points to ages 4 to 5 as a time when many children have the focus and attention span to begin participating in other structured sports with simple concepts, such as soccer or T-ball. The caveat, he says, is that families should look for coaches who keep kids moving and engaged throughout the class.
“An organized, structured activity with an age group that doesn’t yet know how to organize themselves, in a wideopen field, is only going to be successful if there are enough tools to get—and keep—their attention,” he says.
Hobbs also stresses the importance of engagement, prioritizing keeping kids busy and out of lines where they have nothing to do but watch others take turns and potentially compare themselves to their classmates. She invents games—often adjusting on the fly—and uses stations to prevent boredom and distraction.
With the late preschool to early elementary age group, both Hobbs and Gaiter agree that games focused on spatial awareness and gross motor coordination remain developmentally appropriate. At the same time, cognitive and affective growth can begin to emerge through learning game rules, cooperation and basic sportsmanship.
The complexity of a game or sport ultimately determines what age it is appropriate, says Gaiter. While 5-yearolds may not yet be ready to learn the rules of football, practicing simple skills like throwing and catching is developmentally appropriate. He also notes that for some children, the social benefits of a team sport may outweigh the physical ones at this age.
As kids reach age 6 to 7, Gaiter says
team sports can play a larger role, with many children becoming ready— often for the first time—to understand teamwork, game structure and how to cope with losing. Solo sports, he adds, remain strong confidence builders at this age. He suggests a mix of both, noting that participation in multiple sports is often beneficial.
“Unless a child is really driven and passionate about one thing, my recommendation is to learn different activities, train their body in different ways, interact with different people and avoid tying their sense of success to just one thing,” Gaiter says.
Hobbs suggests starting out with recreational sports, which are typically affordable, low-pressure and offer short seasons.
“Take them to a park or watch a soccer game on TV and let them observe others playing,” says Hobbs. “Let them try as many things as possible and decide what they like and don’t like.”
Both Hobbs and Gaiter agree that there’s no such thing as a bad sport—it all comes down to the reason for doing it.
“Sports should be safe, joyful and encourage a love of movement,” says Hobbs. “Whatever your child is doing, make sure they enjoy it.”
By Chas Greener
Since 1976, Mountain Kids has been a beloved destination for families in Fort Collins and beyond What began as the Mountain Gymnastics Training Center founded by Ron Baretta , a gymnastics standout , and his late wife Mary Baretta , a CSU-trained dancer has blossomed into a dynamic, multiprogram home for kids to thrive.
Mary passed away in January 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer, and her warmth, grace, and teaching spirit continue to guide Mountain Kids today Ron now shares life and leadership with his wife Jeni, whose support helps sustain the family vision
Next Generation & Programs That Grow with You
Their daughters Anna , Bree, and Mariah were raised in the original gymnastics and dance programs, competed nationally, and today continue to shape Mountain Kids in meaningful ways
Today, Mountain Kids is much more than gymnastics and dance It ’s a true one-stop shop offering preschool , gymnastics, dance, Ninja Zone, swim lessons, cheer, day camps, themed birthday parties, and even a café and shop all under one roof
A Personal Parent Perspective
As someone who worked at Mountain Kids for 25 years and whose children were part of many of the programs, I saw firsthand the lasting impact this place has My daughter is now a professional dancer, and her journey began right here in these studios. My son thrived in preschool and gymnastics, and both were more than ready for kindergarten, something their teacher once said she wished every student experienced.
Why Mountain Kids is Still a Great Place to Grow
One-stop convenience: From preschool and gymnastics to dance, cheer, swim, Ninja Zone, and more you can drop off all your kids in one place. No more driving across town
Generations of trust: Alumni now enroll their own children. Families return for the care, consistency, and community they know and love
Programs that grow with your child: Whether your child is crawling or cartwheeling, Mountain Kids has a place and a program for them
Join the Celebration and the Family
For five decades, Mountain Kids has helped kids grow stronger, braver, kinder, and more confident Now, we invite your family to become part of the next 50 years.
Explore trial classes. And experience why Mountain Kids is still the place where families grow together. �� Learn more or sign up at mountain-kids com
419 E Stuart St , Fort Collins, CO 80525 / 970-482-3118
CA M P GUIDE
2026 PREVIEW
School
Three PSD Teachers awarded state recognition
Educational excellence is something every Poudre School District educator strives for, and that was recognized this month as three district teachers won state awards for health and physical education.
Laura Barnes and Melissa Matz, both from Fort Collins High School, and Mark Bartlett from Irish Elementary, were all named Teacher of the Year in Health and Physical Education by SHAPE, the state organization for health and physical education. Matz and Bartlett won best high school PE teacher and best elementary school PE teacher respectively while Barnes won best high school health teacher. The three teachers were all given their awards during an event in Denver.
“Mark, Laura and Melissa are all outstanding teachers delivering high quality Health and Physical Education instruction to our students in PSD,” Jo Dixon, Teaching and Learning Facilitator for K-12 Health and Physical Education. “They are all willing to contribute to curriculum, professional development, and are outstanding leaders in their field. I am so proud they represent PSD and our K-12 team.”
Barnes, Matz and Bartlett all agreed that while they were honored to be given the awards, they felt it was a testament to the people they work alongside at their schools as well as the entire group of health and physical education teachers at PSD.
“I think all of us see it as a team,”
Matz says.
Barnes said health and physical education are a vital part of students’ education, saying what they teach “shows up in every classroom in every setting.” Bartlett added what they do is about all aspects of student well-being, from physical to mental to emotional to social.
“Health and physical education are such important, foundational elements of every student’s education, and it makes me overwhelmingly proud to know the hard work of our educators is being recognized statewide,” says Superintendent Brian Kingsley.
“Congratulations to these three wonderful teachers, and thank you all for making sure our students are healthy and ready to take on every day!”
School District News: Thompson
Joshua Martin, Carpenter Technician
When he graduated from Thompson Valley High School 20 years ago, Joshua Martin did not envision that one day he would be working behind the scenes keeping things running smoothly in that same school.
Yet now, as one of TSD’s two fulltime carpentry team members, Josh and his teammate (who happens to be his father) do everything from hanging whiteboards in classrooms to patching roof leaks to demolishing and remodeling a culinary classroom.
“There’s always something that needs to be done,” Josh says. “I like knowing that I’m keeping a building in a functional state so that my kids and other kids have the opportunity to get the best quality of education they need to further their futures.”
Josh began working with his hands when he was very young, learning from his father and grandfather how to fix just about anything. His grandfather was a master woodworker, and Josh loved spending time with him, soaking in his decades of knowledge.
“My grandfather would say, ‘It’s not rocket science, just look at it and think about it and you’ll come up with an idea,’” Josh recalls. “Growing up, I was always in the garage or in the kitchen tinkering with something.”
Josh has spent most of his adult life working in different trades, whether it was part of his job or just for fun. It was about a year and a half ago when Josh learned about an opening in the TSD facilities department working in carpentry — a job his dad had been doing for years.
“We work really well together,” Josh says. “It’s been a lot of fun. We help each other out depending on the job or location, or timeframe.”
Josh especially enjoys crossing paths
with staff and students in the buildings.
“In the elementary school classrooms, the kids always want to know what I’m doing and why I’m there,” Josh says. “Who knows, maybe it will spark an interest for someone.”
For Josh, being someone others can count on is just part of his upbringing,
and he is grateful for the opportunity to make a living doing things he loves.
“Working with my hands gives me a sense of accomplishment,” he says. “Doing a project and stepping back and looking at it and having that moment of ‘Hey, I did that with my own hands and it looks really good.’”
20 books in 12 months with the
Read On program and earn prizes! Adults (16+) can pick up a paper log at any branch or download the Beanstack Tracker App and following the instructions, or by visiting highplains.beanstack.org/reader365 . Redeem prizes at local HPLD locations after you’ve read 5, 10, and 20 books! For more details, check out www.MyLibrary.us/aro.
School District News: Greeley-Evans D6
District 6 on-time graduation rate exceeds 90 percent
For the first time, the on-time graduation rate in Greeley-Evans School District 6 exceeds 90 percent, and beats the average state graduation rate by more than four percentage points.
The 2025 graduation rates for Colorado school districts were released by the Colorado Department of Education. The on-time graduation rate for District 6 is 90.1 percent, up from 87.3 percent in 2024, and exceeding the state average of 85.6 percent. A total of 1,608 students graduated from District 6 schools in 2025, up from 1,465 in 2024.
Reaching the 90 percent milestone is a goal in the district’s strategic plan, Innovation2030. The district has met the goal one year earlier than outlined in Innovation2030, which states by 2026, 90 percent of students will graduate on time.
In 2015, the district 6 on-time graduation rate was 76.9 percent. Since then, Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Pilch has helped lead the implementation of two strategic plans that make personalized learning, college and career readiness and high school graduation a top priority.
Focusing on ninth grade student success, engaging students in extracurricular activities, making sure students have the academic and social/ emotional supports they need, and having students engaged in career pathways are just some of the work District 6 schools are engaged in to ensure students graduate high school ready for their future.
Here are a few of the highlights from this year’s District 6 graduation data:
The on-time graduation rate in District 6 exceeds the state average in every category but one. This includes:
• Hispanic/Latino students: 89.4 percent versus 81.2 percent
• White students: 93.7 percent versus 91.4 percent
• Black or African American students: 88.9 percent versus 81.6 percent
• Students living in economically disadvantaged homes: 88.7 percent versus 80.3 percent
• Students with disabilities: 83.9 percent versus 75.7 percent
• Students identified as gifted and talented: 98 percent versus 97.3 percent
• Students who are learning English as a second language: 84.7 percent versus 73.2 percent
Jefferson High School and the Greeley-Evans Alternative program, both offering alternative high school experiences to students who are behind on credits or not thriving at traditional high schools, saw an increase of more than 11 percentage points in the number of students graduating on time, from 67.9 percent in 2024 to 79.1 percent this year.
Every traditional high school, charter school and Early College
Academy exceeded the 90 percent graduation rate. Early College Academy and Union Colony Preparatory had a 100 percent graduation rate.
The dropout rate for District 6 is 1.2 percent for 2025, also below the state average of 1.6 percent. Last year the dropout rate in District 6 was 1.9 percent.
Here are the graduation rates by school in District 6:
• Greeley Central High School: 92 percent
• Greeley West High School: 91.9 percent
• Northridge High School: 94.4 percent
• District 6 Online Academy: 86.5 percent
• Early College Academy: 100 percent
• Jefferson High School/Greeley-Evans Alternative Program: 79.1 percent
• Frontier Academy High School: 97.5 percent
• Union Colony Preparatory: 100 percent
• University High School: 97.8 percent
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FIVE STAR SERVICE FIVE STAR RESULTS
JEFF BITTERMAN
Associate/Partner
As a parent of five and a real estate professional who loves helping families, I understand the importance of finding the right home to fit your needs. Whether you’re looking for more space, a great school district, or a welcoming neighborhood to grow and thrive, I’ll provide expert guidance to make your move smooth and stress-free — so you can focus on what matters most: your family.
“Jeff was a rock star agent! He not only worked exceptionally hard on selling our house, but he also became a dear friend in the process. He was honest and open and offered great advice. He went above and beyond helping us. A “must have” person when selling, or buying, a home in the Ft. Collins area.” - Tim H
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February events
FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Freezy Daze
Winter shoppingland with BOGO deals, live ice carving, petting zoo, kids activities, artisan booths, etc. Downtown GR. greeleydowntown. com/events/freezy-daze
Estes Park Wine & Chocolate Festival
Sample sweets from the region’s finest chocolatiers, taste pours from a variety of wineries, and enjoy live music. Ages 21+. Estes Park Event Center. eventsinestes.com/winechocolate-festival
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Sweetheart Festival
Live ice carving, fire and art demonstrations, music/dance, Little Miss Valentine & Mr. Cupid Contest, and more. Downtown LV. visitloveland.com/sweetheartfestival
ENTERTAINMENT
THROUGH FEBRUARY 14
The Environment’s Influence on Skateboard Design
“Designing the Ride” exhibit features vintage skateboards and highlights the sport’s connection to creativity and environmental awareness. Loveland Museum, LV. thelovelandmuseum.org/ designing-the-ride
FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28
Eagle Watch
Bald eagles from the north make Fort Collins their winter home in communal roosts near the reservoir. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, FC. fcgov.com/events
THROUGH APRIL 4
Hello, Dolly
A turn-of-the-century matchmaker, brings romance, humor, and lively dance to the stage. Candlelight Dinner Theatre, Johnstown. coloradocandlelight.com
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
A Dance Place Presents Beetlejuice Teen Cast Hilarious, high-energy production filled with quirky characters, bold humor, and unforgettable musical moments.. Monfort Concert Hall, GR. ucstars.com
FEBRUARY 6 THROUGH MAY 23
Letters from the Heart: Global Threads of Love
From whispered love letters to sacred offerings, this exhibit traces how people express devotion across cultures and generations. Global Village Museum, FC. globalvillagemuseum.org
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Collin Raye
Intimate acoustic evening with one of the great hitmakers of country music. Rialto Theater, LV. rialtotheatercenter.org
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Vegetable Printmaking
Families discover the playful side of produce in this hands-on vegetable printmaking drop-in activity. Loveland Museum, LV. thelovelandmuseum.org/programsevents
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Xtreme International Ice Racing (XIIR) Fearless racers take to the ice on motorcycles and quads. Blue Arena, LV. treventscomplex.com/events
Versa-Style Street Dance Company
Celebrate the artistry of Hip Hop and street dance culture. Lincoln Center Performance Hall, FC. lctix.com
Churchill Presented by Emery
Entertainment
In this engaging one-man-show, British actor David Payne brings Churchill to life onstage. Hensel Phelps Theatre, GR. ucstars. showare.com
FEBRUARY 14 AND 25
Free Day at Loveland Museum
Free admission during business hours. Loveland Museum, LV. thelovelandmuseum.org
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Journey to Oz
Family-friendly with audience participation. Rialto Theater, LV. rialtotheatercenter.org
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
The Grocery Story
Sonic journey where Saturday night rock’n’roll meets Sunday morning revival. Lincoln Center Magnolia Theater, FC. lctix.com
Skygazing
Brief, family-friendly astronomy activity followed by skygazing. Fossil Creek Natural Area, FC. engage. fcgov.com/Calendar
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Step Afrika! presents: The Evolution Tour Blends African and African American percussive dance into performances filled with rhythm and storytelling. Monfort Concert Hall, GR. ucstars. showare.com
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Book Signing with Jo Renfro
Celebrate the release of her latest book, Peg’s Egg, a hilarious story about making a mistake and learning to laugh at yourself. Old Firehouse Books, FC. oldfirehousebooks.com/ events/calendar/2026/02
Foreigner: The Hits Unplugged Features acoustic renditions of their most iconic songs. Monfort Concert Hall, GR. ucstars.showare.com
RiDE on
ACTIVE-ITIES
FEBRUARY 1 THROUGH 28
Healthy Kids 5210+ Challenge
Students, school staff and families learn and practice the 5210+ healthy habits. uchealth.org/services/ community-health/healthy-heartsand-minds
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Windsor’s Magical Forest Families play in nature, Tools and trees provided. West of the roundabout on Windsor Lake Rd. recreationliveshere.com/218/ Magical-Forest
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Winter Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day Free breakfast/afternoon and mechanic stations. Around FC. fcgov. com/bicycling/bike-to-work-day
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Sweetheart Classic 4-Miler
All ages. Downtown LV. sweetheartcityracing.com/events
Time out
KATIE HARRIS
Decoding today’s teen slang
SIX-SEVEEEEEN. As I’m writing this, I’m optimistic that we left that fad in 2025—only time will tell. And while the phrase took the world by storm in no time flat, making its way into schools and homes across the globe, and eventually being appropriated by all age groups, from toddlers to grandparents, it’s certainly not the only new term making the rounds with today’s teens.
If you’re still hanging out back in 2025 wondering what the heck six-seven even means, I’ve got you covered with some of the hottest slang making its way across the NoCo teen scene and what it means (or at least what my kids let me think it means). I’ve even thrown in a few examples, courtesy of my teenagers’ little brothers who are way hipper than I’ll ever be.
Cooking: Cooking can be a good thing when you’re the one doing the cooking— “I’m cooking in this video game” or “I really cooked on today’s math test.” It means you’re succeeding at something. Getting cooked, on the other hand, is never a good thing. “Bruh (see below), you got cooked by that math test” or “This game totally cooked me”—basically, you epically failed.
Bruh: You’ve probably seen the t-shirts stating “Ma, Mommy, Mom, Bruh.” Bruh is just the latest in a long line of terms of brotherly endearment— think dude, homie, bro. Girls have claimed it, too when talking to guy friends or even other girls. As my 4-year-old is especially fond of asking me, “What’s for dinner, bruh?”). It’s (insert sarcasm) fun.
Capping: “No cap, bruh, I’m telling you it happened!” To cap is to lie. Therefore, capping equals lying, and no cap literally means no lie. Per my 7-year-old, when told he needs to do his homework before play time: “Nah, you cappin’.”
Bet: There are two frequent uses for this term: the first is a shortened version of “you bet”, because why say two words when one will suffice?
“Can I hitch a ride after school?” “Bet.” “Did Mrs. Smith really dye her hair blue?” “Bet.”
Then there’s the version that’s used as a confident yes to something you probably shouldn’t say yes to. “Want to jump off this bridge?” “Bet.” Challenge accepted.
Glazing: Read, every time your kids compliment you in any way. Especially when they’re hoping to get something in return. (To reiterate, every time your kids compliment you in any way.)
“Mom, Haley doesn’t really like your dinner, she’s just glazing because she needs gas money.”
Rizz: Short for charisma, saying someone has rizz is saying they’re charming. It often refers to having game with the opposite sex. “I’ve got that rizz with the ladies”—every teenage boy with exactly zero rizz with the ladies.
Sus: Short for suspect, when you suspect someone’s capping. “That’s sus, bruh, there’s no way Mrs. Smith achieved that shade of blue with just Kool-Aid.” I consider it sus every time my kids attempt to glaze me.
Tea: Spill the tea, spill the beans. Tea is the whispered conversations your pre-teen girls are having between muffled giggles. It’s gossip at its finest.
Delulu: “That hair’s not blue, it’s green! You’re delulu.” Again, delusional is too time consuming to say, or maybe too tricky to spell, so leave it to the teens to come up with a short cut.
Now that you’ve got them in your arsenal, be sure to surprise and mortify your middle- and highschoolers after school by dropping one of their own slang terms in casual convo. Have an elementary-aged kid? Even better. If six-seven taught us anything, it’s that there’s no better way to kill a favorite teen phrase than for adults and little kids to adopt it as their own. You’re welcome.
Why choose Compass for middle and high school?
Inspired Learning: Engage in creative exploration and deep understanding.
Small, Supportive Community: Learn in a safe, welcoming environment that fosters belonging.
Real-world Connections: Students get out of the building and explore
Convenient Location: On the MAX bus line in midtown Fort Collins, just north of Whole Foods.
