Volunteers invited to work on South Mesa Trailhead

The public has a chance to help upkeep one of the Boulder area’s more popular trails on Saturday. In conjunction with National Trails Day, the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks team is sharing with volunteers the importance of trail maintenance. Volunteers will have the opportunity to help clean and fix up the South Mesa Trailhead near Eldorado Springs. Volunteers will be assisting with drainage work, adding surfacing material to the trail and erecting fencing. Volunteers will meet at the trailhead at 9 a.m., and work will end around 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided for volunteers on Saturday, and children are welcomed with a parent or guardian. Multiple groups will tackle a variety of hiking distances and difficulties, according to the city. Carpooling or taking the free Eldorado Springs shuttle is also encouraged by the city.

It’s recommended that volunteers dress for the weather, including closed-toed shoes or boots, and bring plenty of water and snacks, personal first aid and a backpack to carry personal items. BVSD

Lafayette teacher among 22 state semifinalists

Two local charter school teachers, one from Boulder Valley and the other from St. Vrain Valley, are among this year’s 22 Colorado Teacher of the Year semifinalists. In Boulder Valley, Elizabeth Rose Tarbutton is a math teacher at Lafayette’s Peak to Peak Charter School. She has been an educator for 16 years. In St. Vrain, Julie Ahrens is a kindergarten teacher at Longmont’s Twin Peaks Classical Academy. She has been an educator for six years.The 22 semifinalists were selected from a pool of 419 applicants from 106 school districts. The semifinalist selection review committee included previous Colorado Teacher of the Year winners, Colorado Department of Education staff members and representatives from the Boettcher Foundation. The Boettcher Foundation is the lead sponsor of the Colorado Teacher of the Year program. The next phase of the application process includes additional essay questions. The Colorado Department of Education will announce its finalists for 2026 Teacher of the Year in September and name a winner in October. To learn more about the semifinalists, go to cde.state.co.us/cdeawards/ctoy-2026-semifinalists.

— Staff reports