Colorado Livin’

9-year-old from Highlands Ranch folds, delivers 2,000 ‘Thank you’ hearts to hospital workers

 A 9-year-old girl wanted to show her appreciation for medical workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in Colorado. So she started folding paper, and along with friends and classmates, ultimately created and delivered 2,000 origami paper hearts with “thank you” messages on them to the hospital staff at Swedish Medical Center. “We wanted to let the medical staff know that we cared about them during this tough and difficult time,” 9-year-old Erica told Denver7. She soon recruited her family and friends, then her classmates at Cougar Run in Highlands Ranch, to take part. Each three-inch heart has a simple message written on it: “Thank you and stay safe.” “They risk their lives to save ours so I want to say thank you to them,” Erica’s friend Eunice, ...

Do’s And Don’ts Of Mask-Wearing During Colorado’s Coronavirus Outbreak

Now that masks are recommended for everyone who’s out and about, new questions are coming in from Colorado Wonders and other channels about mask etiquette and efficacy. What should people look for in masks? The key thing is covering the nose and mouth securely. Ideally with something that can hold the mask over the shape of the bridge of the nose. This is important because one of the main reasons officials decided to recommend masks for the general public of increasing evidence that people who don’t have symptoms could be shedding the virus through coughs, sneezes or even just breathing. In fact, it seems some people could have the virus and be spreading it up to 48 hours before they even show symptoms, so officials decided if everyone masked up, it could help. The state has team...

Earth Day 2020: Colorado activities that are good for the earth

Now more than ever, our hearts are turned to the importance of taking care of this beautiful world.  As the first U.S. state travel office to develop a comprehensive destination stewardship plan aimed at inspiring travelers to reduce their impacts, the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), along with destinations across the state, is creating opportunities for people who love travel to visit responsibly when restrictions are lifted. Colorado already is home to two of the seven U.S. cities powered 100 percent by renewable energy, meaning travelers to both Aspen and Glenwood Springs can enjoy a vacation with little carbon impact. Visitors can experience Vail knowing they are in the first certified sustainable mountain resort destination in the world. And with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis pushing ...

“Virtually Denver” has growing list of online/virtual activities

Can’t visit your favorite attractions in Denver? No problem!  Denver residents complying with a mandatory “stay at home” order to help curb the spread of the coronavirus can still explore The Mile High City’s rich cultural and performing arts scenes and attractions from the safety of their homes with a new online resource called Virtually Denver. The new web page and event calendar provide easy access to dozens of Denver’s top virtual museum experiences, art galleries and installations, performing arts, concerts, culinary demonstrations and even educational tools for families. Created by VISIT DENVER, Virtually Denver also offers an array of online film and literature options with a local flavor as well as a family-friendly section featuring children’s a...

Deals: Free delivery, online learning and more!

COVID-19 is changing our lives in a lot of ways. I have seen neighbors “going on a bear hunt” looking for the hidden teddy bears in windows…but more to the point – my neighbors are going on walks together! We are calling loved ones! (Verizon reports phone traffic up). Some of you might even be out of a job – that is why we feel it is so important to bring you deals as we find them. Scholastic. Scholastic has launched a “Learn at Home” website specifically designed for kids continued learning. Lessons are broken out by grade level. Kids can learn on their own, learn with the family or even with their teachers! https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html  Learn Something. There are several companies that are offering free online instruction in the time t...

This Drive-in, Social-distancing Cinema is Coming to Denver!

Taking the little ones into town, or for some food at a pub or restaurant, is now completely out of the equation with all of the country’s bars, pubs, cafes and other venues closing their doors for the foreseeable future.  While it’s still okay to nip to the park and practice good social distancing for some well needed fresh air, that can get pretty boring, but a new series of events may offer you some deserved relief. Put together by our friends at Hot Tub Cinema a string of family-friendly, Coronavirus-safe drive-in cinema shows are being brought to Denver – and they will play host to some of your kids’ favorite films. Drive-In Cinema Club runs from July 21st – 26th, 2020, where you’ll be able to enjoy a complete cinema experience from the safety of you...

The DOs and DON’Ts of a statewide stay-at-home order for Colorado families

Gov. Jared Polis issued a statewide “stay at home” order Wednesday, requiring the state’s 5.7 million residents to avoid unnecessary travel or mingling with others outside their households. Polis, who had resisted taking the dramatic step even as cities, counties and local health departments in metro Denver issued similar orders before him, said he was persuaded that a statewide approach was necessary as the coronavirus continued to spread throughout the population. “Now is the time to stay at home,” Polis said. Similar to the county-level and regional orders that had been issued by others, Polis’s order will allow grocery stores, liquor stores, gas stations and other businesses considered essential to remain open. Customers may visit those as long as they maintain social distancing, stayi...

Denver Zoo Launches Virtual Zoo with Daily Videos and Family Activities

Zoo to You: Virtual Safari Keeps the Community Connected to Denver Zoo and Its 3,000 Animals  Denver Zoo may not be open to guests, but its animal care team is still busy at work caring for its nearly 3,000 animals. And now the Zoo is reaching out to the community with a new resource to help families stay connected to its animals and stave off cabin fever during this difficult time. Zoo to You: Virtual Safari will be updated daily with new animal videos, wildlife-themed activities and other ideas that families can do at home. Highlights include: Live Streams and DZTV Videos: The Zoo will feature a new animal and area of the Zoo every day at 1 p.m. MST on Facebook Live, which will give viewers a chance to interact directly with animal care staff. There will also be new a...

Tweens, Teens and Young Adults in the Coronavirus Crisis

In this crisis, teens and young adults sent home from college pose different challenges for families than young children who need to be occupied and reassured. For starters, families are reporting problems persuading their older children to comply with social distancing rules. Combine the teenager’s innate sense of invulnerability, their intense focus on peers, and the fact that the virus is less likely to harm them, and you may get a lot of pushback. This week, childmind.org talked to their experts about this and other issues affecting teenagers and young adults, including those who are depressed or anxious, disappointed about missing important milestones in their lives and worried about their futures. Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults in the Coronavirus Crisis Tips fo...

Colorado launches emergency child care for those on the front lines of coronavirus — and it’s free for now

A new effort to provide care for the children of thousands of hospital staff and emergency responders in Colorado kicked off Monday with around 900 children linked up with nearby child care providers. The initiative covers a small slice of the tens of thousands of young children estimated to need care so their parents can work at essential jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, but leaders and participating child care providers say it represents an impressively fast response that will grow in the coming days. State officials and more than a dozen early childhood groups spearheaded the emergency child care campaign last week after a wave of school and child care center closures set off fears that health professionals and first responders wouldn’t be able to do their jobs without a safe place...

Resources for students and families navigating learning from home; Colorado schools closed through April 17

This week, Gov. Polis took the unprecedented step of suspending in-person learning in public and private schools across the state from March 23 to April 17 as part of the statewide effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. His executive order directs Colorado school districts and the Charter School Institute to make every effort to provide alternative learning opportunities during this time while taking into account the needs of local communities. The order also directs the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to issue guidance to support P-12 school systems in developing and implementing plans to assist families and students in accessing alternative learning, providing free and reduced-price lunch and breakfast, and offering waivers for instructional time as appropriate...

What CAN I do during a time of social distancing?

What CAN I do during a time of social distancing? During this period of social distancing there are still many things you can do.  • Relax. Think of this as a time to slow down and do the things you’ve been wanting to do, but haven’t found the time. Remember, mental health is important to overall health and keeps your immune system stronger. • Enjoy the great outdoors while remembering to practice social distancing from other recreators. • Watch videos to learn and practice new skills such art, crafting, electronics, musical instruments, home projects, cooking, etc. • Get creative with the food that sits in your cabinets and never gets eaten. • Learn a new musical instrument, or practice the one you’ve already picked up. • Read a book: The libraries may be closing, but with your libra...