It’s only the start of the summer, and some of the students staying at Colorado State University-Pueblo may be thinking “there’s nothing to do in this little town of Pueblo;”  well there are many free or inexpensive things occurring in the Pueblo community, which students can participate in over the summer months.

Although Pueblo doesn’t’ compare in size to larger cities such as Denver,  Pueblo still has a lot to offer, which students may not be aware of, for some summer fun. From biking trails to rockin’ concerts to barbecues along the river, there seems to be something for every student to enjoy.

The Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo

The NRCP website states that their center is a great location for hiking, picnicking, biking and fishing, located in a rock canyon on the banks of the Arkansas River.

The NRCP is also offering weekend raptor talks every Saturday which began on May 22, from 1 to 2 p.m. There will be live hawks, owls and other resident raptors present at the talks in the NRCP Raptor Facilities. However, NRCP states on its website, that this is a weather dependent, outdoor activity.

They will also be offering Tai Chi on the River every Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. and NRCP’s website states that this activity is open to all ages. There is no registration required but there is a $3 fee for parking— this includes all visits to the NRCP.

Coyote’s Coffee Den, a coffee shop, is located right off the bank of the river, which offers gourmet coffee, fresh baked goods and many other items. For information, call the Nature and Raptor Center at 719-549-2414.

The Pueblo Zoo

The Zoo is open year-round and is located in the City Park. The Pueblo Zoo is home to more than 420 animals and 140 species, according to the Pueblo Zoo website. Adult admission is $8; ticket sales stop at 3:45 p.m. and animal exhibit buildings close at 4:30 p.m. Feeding crackers can also be purchased at the ticket counter for the Pioneer Ranch farm animals. The Zoo is open every day, starting Memorial Day through Labor Day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For students who would rather spend their summer inside, the Rawlings Library is offering free activities and an indoor environment which students able to enjoy throughout the summer.

The Rawlings Library

The library will be offering free movie days inside the Infozone News Museum located on the top floor. The Pueblo City-County Library website states that the movies are free of charge and open to the public; however seating is limited so moviegoers should arrive early. Many of the movies are focused toward children; however there are movies directed toward an older audience which includes:

Saturday and Sunday Matinees (2 p.m.)

•             June 26 and 27:                 Alice in Wonderland (PG)

Independent Film Series (7 p.m.)

•             June 19:               Storm (NR)

Book to a Movie (6:30 p.m.)

•             June 15:               The Lovely Bones (PG 13)

Thursday Night Movies (6:30 p.m.)

•             June 10:               Crazy Heart (R)

•             June 17:               Sherlock Holems (PG-13)

•             June 24:               Invictus (PG-13)

Students may also become library members for free, as long as they have documents that state their dorm or apartment address. Once a library member, the library offers movie rentals for a week at a time, free of charge. However the library will charge a late fee of $1 per movie for every day the movie is late, accroding to the Pueblo City-County Library website states, so keep the due dates in mind.

The Rawlings Library is also hosting the fourth annual Nuestra Biblioteca Celebration and Sweet Dreams Car Show on Sunday, August 15, in the main library parking lot. For information about the car show, contact Dan Romero at 719-565-5623.

Located at 100 E Abriendo, the Rawlings Library is only a few blocks from Historic Downtown Pueblo, where the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo is located.

Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo

HARP is a great location for picnicking, biking or just relaxing with friends on a nice summer day.  They offer boat rides, gondola rides, and paddle boat rentals, stated on the HARP website. The Riverwalk is also surrounded by many small businesses. HARP will also be hosting several summer events listed on their website; events include:

Boats, Bands, and Bar-B-Que on June 4 to 5

•             When:                  June 4, 5 to 9:30 p.m. and June 5, 10 a.m.to 10 p.m.

•             Where:                the Intersection of Grand and Main

•             Cost:                    $3 per person, with those 12 or under gaining free admission.

Admission comes with a special collector’s button which will be

numbered for prize giveaways throughout the event.

•             Description:      Great food, live music and a festival type atmosphere. Ice cream

eating contest, junior cook-off competition for the kids and a Kansas

City barbecue Society sanctioned cook-off competition. For more

information, call 719-595-0242

Spirit Fest 2010 on the Riverwalk

•             When:                   Friday, June 11, 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

•             Where:                  the Intersection of Grand and Main

•             Cost:                     Free admission

•             Description:      Continuous music on two entertainment stages from regional and

national recording artists, food and beverage vendors, gift vendors,

a children’s fun zone, a 5k run, art show, health fair, community

presentations and awards. For more information, call 719-671-5451

2010 Farmers’ Market on the Riverwalk

•             When:                   Thursday, June 24 – the First Frost

Farmers’ Market begins at 4 p.m.

Entertainment begins at 5 p.m.

Happy Hour Cruise from 4 to 8 p.m.

•             Where:                 the Coca-Cola Plaza by the Riverwalk Boathouse

•             Cost:                      Free admission

•             Description:       Each evening will feature different performers to enjoy while strolling

around the market. Several local produce farmers and other healthy

food vendors will be on hand to cater to any appetite. Relax with a

Happy Hour Cruise on one of the Riverwalk Excursion Boats, or take a

ride through the channel with your family. There will be discounts on

Excursion Boat Rides and 50 percent discounts on Pedal Boat Rides.

For more information, call 719-595-0242

Rollin’ On the Riverwalk

•             When:                    Sunday, July 4, doors open at 4 p.m.

•             Where:                  the Intersection of Grand and Main

•             Cost:                      General admission $2, children 12 and under are free! Limited Premium

seating and VIP Tickets are Available! Contact the HARP Authority for

pricing details at 719-595-0242.

•             Description:       Enjoy a family friendly Fourth of July at Pueblo’s Riverwalk with a

concert and the biggest fireworks display in Pueblo! For more

information, call 719-595-0242.  No pets allowed in the event area.

No outside food or drink allowed in the event

Down the road from HARP is the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, locate at 210 N Santa Fe Ave., which will be offering summer events and exhibits throughout the months of June and July.

The Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center

The Rock ‘N’ Rods Exhibit Opening Reception is an exhibit hosted by the arts center on Thursday June 10, from 5 p.m. to 7p.m., at the Helen T. White Galleries. The Reception is free and open to the public, according to the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center website.

The exhibit displays custom cars, auto design from initial drawings to the finished vehicle, rock ‘n’ roll art and vintage collectors. The exhibit is sponsored by the Mahlon Thatcher White.

For students ages 21 and over, the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center will be offering events as follows:

Margarita and a Movie featuring American Graffiti

•             When:                    Thursday, June 24, 7 to 11pm

•             Where:                   Jackson Sculpture Garden

•             Cost:                      $20 admission includes 1 margarita and snacks.

•             Description         Drinks and music at 7 p.m. Movie (American Graffiti) starts at 9 p.m.

Rock ‘n’ Rods exhibit will be open from 8 to 9 p.m. featuring replica car

models from the movie! Food from Solar Roast also available for

purchase from 7 to 9 p.m.

Festival Fridays

•             When:                   Friday, July 9, 16, 23, 30 and Friday, August 6, 6 to 10 p.m.

•             Where:                  Jackson Sculpture Garden

•             Cost:                      $4 in advance/$5 at the gate.

•             Description:        Happy Hour: 6 to 7 p.m. • Bands play at 7 p.m.

•             July 9: Wallace Cotton and the Royals,

•             July 16: Daniel Cordova Y Esperanza,

•             July 23-Rock Creek Road Band,

•             July 30-Funkiphino

•           August 6-The Martini Shot.

To contact the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center call 719-295-7200