“The Inefficiency of Our Food System” is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science Program for June 7. John Mattingly will review the current system of distribution that relies heavily on fossil fuels and investigate alternatives with audience participation.

Every step of the process that brings food to our tables requires energy beginning with food plants absorbing the sun’s energy for growth. Transporting plants to stores, feed lots, and processing is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. After the conversion of plants to protein by animals, the end product, again, is transported using fossil fuels. Increased demand of a growing population for out-of-season meat and produce will likely make the system unsustainable. Mattingly will expand on this simple outline and offer possible improvements while entertaining suggestions from the audience.

John Mattingly has spent 53 years as a gardener, commercial farmer, and rancher in Colorado.   He attended CU Law School, specializing in water law, and has published items in various agricultural trade publications as well as in Colorado Central Magazine. He is currently retired and lives in the northern San Lusi Valley.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. Th doors open a 9:30 a. m. and the talk beings promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

“Electricity Generation and Transmission” is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science Program for May 3. Lisa Tiffin, Chief Commercial Officer for Tri-State Generation and Transmission, will present an overview of electrical power generation and distribution.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission is the wholesale power supplier to Sangre de Cristo Electric Cooperative, the consumer-owned rural cooperative providing electrical power to portions of Chaffee County. Tiffin will address the need for diversity of options for utility scale power resources and flexible alternatives necessary to provide reliable, affordable and responsible power. Unique contributions of each resource type to the overall wellbeing of the electrical grid plus the contributions of supplier and users to the efficiency and reliability of the electrical grid will be part of her discussion.

Ms. Tiffin’s 30 years in the energy industry have included experience in grid infrastructure, fuel supply, utility operations, planning, and markets. Current responsibilities are regulated resource planning and acquisitions, member flexibility programs, and marketing and trading operations. Her focus is on innovative measures to ensure robust system reliability given that the grid is in transition. She is an active leader in organized market greenhouse gas (ghg) initiatives aimed at improving tracking and reporting of ghg emissions in the west. As a 2023 Rocky Mountain Electrical League Industry Leadership award recipient, Ms. Tiffin is dedicated to actively pursuing industry initiatives that allow rural America to continue to benefit from reliable, affordable, and responsible power.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO.   The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. The Sunday Science Hospitality Committee welcomes any contributions to the “treat table,” including fruit and baked goods. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

Invented in the 1850’s, the process involves creating a light sensitive emulsion on a thin plate of tin using silver and a host of other chemicals. Once exposed to light using a vintage camera and lenses, the plate is developed before it dries. The photographer has about 2 minutes to expose the light sensitive plate once it’s been created and about 2 minutes to develop it once it’s been exposed. Washing and varnishing are the final steps in creating a photo that will last for many years. Tim will demonstrate this fascinating technique and provide an explanation of the chemical processes involved using a lucky subject from the audience.

A photographer for 45 years, Tim Brown’s first real photography job was in Colorado capturing the thrills of whitewater rafting for the tourist industry. Subsequent work was photographing adventure travel for clients such as Patagonia Clothing, Outside Magazine, Sports Illustrated and National Geographic to name a few. Drawn to the outdoor mountain lifestyle he became an avid kayaker and traveled the world capturing the adventurous life and extreme whitewater kayaking on film. With the onset of digital photography in 2001 Tim focused on fine art prints and selling his travel photos through galleries and art shows. He opened his own studio in Salida in 2014 and began using the wet plate colloidal process.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

The VFMP is a cooperative agreement between the Southeastern Water Conservancy District, the Bureau of Reclamation, Chaffee County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Arkansas River Outfitters Association providing river flows to support our fishery and to provide adequate boating flows in the prime timeframe for commercial rafting, kayaking and float fishing.  While benefitting these user groups, the local communities as a whole also benefit with these targeted flows.

In addition to his role as Executive Director of the Arkansas River Outfitters, Bob Hamel participates in many other forums. He is a member of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Citizens Task Force, the Arkansas River Basin Roundtable, Collegiate Peaks Trout Unlimited where he is a board member, and the Arkansas River Water Forum where he is President of the Board.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

This concept was first proposed by Charles Darwin and is playing out all around us every day. Gene will use local trout and plant examples to illustrate the G x E concept.

Gene has a B. S. in Plant Science from Penn State and M. S. and Ph. D. degrees in Plant Pathology from Washington State. He held a faculty position for 27 years in Plant Pathology at the University of Arkansas where he conducted research on wheat diseases, taught various undergraduate and graduate courses, and provided disease management recommendations to wheat growers. Since moving to Salida in 2016, his interests evolved to fishing, gardening, geology, hiking, and skiing.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Please note that this program will be presented at the Buena Vista Community Center, 715 East Main Street. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. This month’s program gives special recognition to the birth of Charles Darwin, Feb.12, 1909. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science program for February 1. Dr. Gene Milus will speak on how the interaction between the genotype of an organism and its environment (G x E) determines the fate of that organism.

Dr. Altneu received her medical degree from the University of Connecticut and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. After completing a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at CU, she practiced in Lakewood before making the move to Salida. She now practices at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

Chaffee County, CO — The Central Colorado Humanists are proud to announce the opening of applications for their 2026 Educational Scholarship Program, supporting students who embody humanist values and a commitment to lifelong learning. Rooted in the belief that knowledge grows from science, reason, creativity, and compassion, the Humanists are dedicated to helping local students pursue higher education and expand their understanding of the world.

This year, the Humanists are pleased to introduce an exciting improvement: a new partnership with the Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF). Through this collaboration, the Humanists will utilize CCCF’s scholarship platform to streamline the application and scholarship management process, making it easier and more intuitive for students to apply, track requirements, and manage their awards.

CCCF is deeply appreciative of the Humanists’ longstanding generosity and commitment to local students. The launch of CCCF’s new scholarship platform reflects its mission to make it easier for community members to give back in meaningful ways. By providing a centralized, efficient application system, CCCF is honored to support the Humanists in administering their scholarship program—allowing their team to focus on thoughtful applicant review rather than the administrative work of collecting and organizing materials. Scholarship management is a new resource CCCF is making available to all local organizations offering scholarships.

Application Details

Applications open December 15, 2025, and are due March 1, 2026. The application includes an essay, required documents, and a letter of reference. Students are encouraged to begin the process early to ensure they have ample time to prepare all materials.

For full eligibility criteria, instructions, and guidance on

how to prepare, please visit the Central Colorado Humanists website at https://centralcoloradohumanists.org/scholarships/

The Central Colorado Humanists remain dedicated to supporting the next generation of scholars who will lead with curiosity, reason, creativity, and compassion—and are excited to make the process more accessible than ever through this new partnership with CCCF.

For more information, please visit www.centralcoloradohumanists.org.

“Future Energy Technologies” is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science Program for August 3. Dr. Dan Bishop will discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) has accelerated the development of alternative energy technologies over the last 5 years.

Progress in nearly every area of scientific endeavor, already moving rapidly, has been accelerated by advancements in AI. Viewed as science fiction only a few years ago, advancements in solar, wind, hydro, nuclear fission and fusion will change the way we perceive them. Companies are already building out prototypes and even beginning to market some of these innovations. Dan Bishop’s presentation will cover all five alternative energy technologies mentioned above from the perspective of radical changes that are likely to occur within the next five to ten years. Driving those changes is the insatiable demand for energy precipitated by the rise of AI. If even half of these glimmers on the horizon become reality, we likely will see dramatic changes, both in society in general and in our daily lives.

Dan Bishop earned his doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS and has devoted a good part of his career teaching chemistry and computer science. His interests have encompassed all areas of science, from the very large (astronomy and cosmology) to the very small (DNA and quantum physics). Since retiring from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, he and his wife Ann eventually settled in Salida where he writes (the Saturn Accords trilogy and KwicKode-Springboard to Python), paints (mostly acrylic landscapes and abstract art), and desperately tries to keep up with his online science news feeds.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

Regenerative agriculture is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems. It emphasizes topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, and improving the water cycle. The primary goal is to enhance the health of the soil, which is crucial for a sustainable ecosystem. A GMO is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques in order to favor the expression of desired physiological traits or the production of desired biological products. In a groundbreaking shift that challenges traditional narratives in agriculture, a new movement is emerging at the intersection of regenerative agriculture and GMOs. Long viewed as opposing philosophies, the convergence of these two approaches is paving the way for a new generation of sustainable, resilient, and productive farming systems.

John Mattingly has spent 53 years as a gardener, commercial farmer, and rancher in Colorado. He has also been a GMO seed producer. He attended CU Law School, specializing in water law, and has published items in various agricultural trade publications, as well as in Colorado Central Magazine. He is currently retired and lives in the northern San Luis Valley.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

Registration begins at Frantz Lake at 8:30 am on Friday, July 4th, followed by fishing from 9:45 to 10:45 am. A hot dog lunch and sodas will be available for contestants and their families. Special prizes will be awarded, including first fish caught, longest fish caught, youngest contestant, and contestant who travelled farthest to participate. All contestants will receive a souvenir derby t-shirt.

Kids should bring their own fishing gear, water, and sunscreen. Fishing equipment will be provided free to participants without their own gear. Derby winners will be announced at 11:15 am. Parking is available near the lake. Frantz Lake is located just north of Salida on CR 160 near the hospital. For the duration of the derby event (8:30 am until noon), adults accompanying derby contestants are exempt from the State Wildlife Area (SWA) requirement to possess a valid hunting license, fishing license, or access pass to utilize the property. However, if people aged 16 or older choose to fish they must have a valid Colorado fishing license. For more information, visit www.collegiatepeakstu.org 

“FIRST” is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science Program for June 1. Kate Sample will discuss how FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) prepares youth for the future and encourages participation in STEM.

FIRST is a global nonprofit organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4–18. Guided by a set of Core Values, participants collaborate to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their work in exciting, sports-like competitions. These hands-on challenges build self-confidence, leadership, and teamwork—skills with a lasting impact on academic success and career readiness in STEM and beyond.

Sample holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Masters of Education in Instructional Design, and Nonprofit Management, and is looking to begin a Project Management Professional certification. An alum of and now a professional in the FIRST community, Sample is dedicated to helping others discover what inspires them and strives to create content that connects with diverse learners while reducing barriers to access.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

“Insect diversity on Native Thistles in the Upper Arkansas Valley” is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science program for May 4. Dr. Svata Louda will present a progress report on her Citizen Science project addressing Insect-Thistle interactions.

Dr. Louda will present a progress report on her Citizen Science project on Insect – Thistle Interactions here in Chaffee County. Dr Louda has been studying native thistles especially the Platte Thistle for many years starting at the University of Nebraska. The database she and fellow researchers have built over the years is one of the first to quantify the effects of native flower-and seed-feeding insects on native plant populations. Her inquisitive mind led her to continue asking questions about the insect – thistle interactions in our area after she “retired” to Salida. The comprehensive list of insect species interacting with a characteristic native plant developed by her Citizen Science project also provides a useful baseline dataset for assessment of biological responses to climate change in the future. In this talk she will introduce the charming creatures that the project collected (2023, 2024) that now reside in the Natural History Museum, Entomology Division, University of Colorado, Boulder.

Dr Svata Louda grew up fascinated by nature, bringing home whatever she found as she explored nature in the chaparral behind her home abutting the Angeles National Forest in southern CA. After a short foray into Economics, she settled into a lifelong career in the Biological Sciences. She earned a B.S. degree in Zoology, a Masters in Marine Ecology and her PhD. in Ecology, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Plant Ecology at Yale University. After various research projects she landed at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, becoming the George Holmes University Professor of Biological Sciences. Since moving to Salida 20 years ago, she has continued to stay engaged in the biological sciences and collaborate with former colleagues and students on research.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please note the change of location to A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO, and join us

Can we watch the events online after they happen?

“Edward S. Curtis: the Man and his Legacy” is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science Program for April 6. John Graybill, great-grandson of Edward Curtis, and Coleen Graybill will explore the legacy of the legendary Edward Curtis and his 30 years of work producing over 40,000 images documenting the culture of Native Americans.

The Graybill’s will reveal the fascinating story of how Curtis' vision unfolded, from his initial foray into photography to his enduring legacy. Curtis’ work led to the publication of the 20-volume “The North American Indian” capturing their music, dance, rituals, and lifestyle. His journey included early mountaineering adventures, Hollywood collaborations, his photography techniques, and a deep commitment to preserving Native American heritage through legislation.

A renowned photographer, John Graybill completed his photography degree at the Rhode Island School of Photography in 1979, and has been honored by the Professional Photographers of America, a recognition he shares with Curtis who was so recognized in the early 1900’s. Graybill is President of the Curtis Legacy Foundation and a prominent authority on Curtis’ life and work.

With degrees from Central Michigan University and Colorado Technical University, Coleen Graybill is a Master Photographer recognized by the Professional Photographers of America. As a key figure in managing Curtis’ unpublished works, Colleen has published two books on Curtis’ unpublished photographs and writings and is spearheading two more.

The Graybill’s operate a successful photography business in Buena Vista. They believe their work at the Foundation is a heartfelt mission dedicated to ensuring that Native American stories are told and individual voices are heard.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please note the change of location to A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO, and join us

The rich mining heritage of western states has left a legacy of abandoned mines that degrade the water quality of streams and rivers and pose a risk of catastrophic spills and blowouts. With 23,000 abandoned mines across Colorado chances are good you have an abandoned mine “time bomb” near your water. Since 2004, TU’s Mine Restoration Projects in the Western U.S. have restored riparian habitat, improved water quality, and reconnected rivers and tributaries for native trout. Yet, the specter of abandoned mines remains a massive threat to our watersheds, fish, and communities that goes largely unnoticed. Raising public awareness and solving the technical, regulatory, and funding challenges around cleaning up these messes is only part of the picture.

Willis’ full-time tenure with TU began in October 2012, focusing on reclamation of mining impacted areas, stream channel morphology and river dynamics, soil and water chemistry, with project management/oversight at over 50 phases of cleanup across Colorado. He now directs TU’s AML program in 5 additional western states. Willis educates partners about the complex nature of AML cleanups from both technical and legal perspectives, and how best we can collaborate across organizations.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please note the change of location to A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO, and join us.

Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science, Feb. 2, 2025:

“Colorado’s Transition to a Low-carbon Energy Future” is the topic of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science Program for Feb. 2, 2025. Allen Best, chair of the board of Big Pivots, will address the question - Is Colorado truly a shining beacon on the hill in the energy transition?

At Big Pivots, a publication that covers energy and water transitions in Colorado, Best tracks progress towards Colorado’s ambitious goals of 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. “It’s almost dizzying, trying to keep up with all the work across Colorado to make this difficult but necessary transition,” says Best. Though Colorado’s activity is arguably a model for other states, Best says the hard questions are just now being addressed. The presentation will touch on everything from the prospects of geothermal for both heating and electricity to the discussion around nuclear and why sales of EVs have surged.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please note the change of location to A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO, and join us.

“Warfare on the Northern Plains: Quantifying the Construction of Community Fortifications at the Molander Site” will be the topic of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science program for January 5, 2025. Dr. Mark D. Mitchell’s presentation will cover the largescale defensive systems built by indigenous farmers of what is now North Dakota, what they tell us about warfare of the period, and the implications for the communities that built them.

Large-scale warfare in North Dakota of the 1500’s necessitated the building of elaborate defensive systems by the indigenous farmers to protect their towns. The labor-intensive structures required planning and coordination to complete the many steps of developing deep ditches, log palisades, and guard towers. The mid-eighteenth-century Molander sites, a Hidatsa community, offers a unique opportunity to investigate fortification design and planning and to quantify the construction effort required.

Dr. Mark D. Mitchell is the Research Director for Paleocultural Research Group, a nonprofit that conducts citizen-science research, trains students, and educates the public on the archaeology and paleoecology of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Mitchell holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and has more than 35 years of experience in archaeological field and laboratory research. His prime research interests are the political and economic development of post-A.D. 1200 farming villages of the Missouri River valley and American Indian land use in the San Luis Valley and adjacent mountains. He is the author of books, journal articles, book chapters, and monographs on the archaeology of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please note the change of location to A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO, and join us.

Helmets are the primary and most effective approach to preventing traumatic brain injury during accidents in cycling, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Contemporary helmets employ a liner of rigid foam that dampens impacts, reduces impact force, and reduces head accelerations. These helmets have been highly effective in reducing the risk of skull fracture, penetrating injury, and brain injury.

Sandy has had a career in leading non-profits, most recently as Executive Director of The Center Foundation in Oregon. This organization’s mission is to promote the health and safety of kids in sports, especially around concussion injuries. David has been an officer in numerous outdoor companies such as HydroFlask and Rumpl. He was recently named the CEO of Wave Cel, a company that is at the leading edge of improving helmet safety for biking, skiing, and in the workplace.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please note the change of location to A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO, and join us.

Ben will review the history and creation of the 1968 National Trail System Act and specifics of the program delivery for the National Scenic and Historic Trails. The talk will include current and future management for the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The 3100-mile trail from Mexico to Canada spans 20 different National Forests, 3 National Parks, 13 Bureau of Land Management Units and 2 National Monuments.

Ben has over 20 years of public land management experience working for the private sector, non-profits and the Federal Government. This includes positions at all levels within the United States Forest Service in 4 different countries (Brazil, Honduras, Philippines, and the United States). Most recently he accepted the position as the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Administrator. 

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please note the change of location to A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO, and join us.

For the past generation, conservation advocates have moved away from advocating for the intrinsic values of biodiversity conservation to justifications emphasizing economic benefits. Dr. Young will briefly outline these approaches, as they have been playing out in both the developing and the industrial worlds, and argue they risk being ill-informed, insufficient, and even counter-productive.

Born and raised in Colorado, and climbing in the Sawatch range since he was ten, Dr, Young earned his BA from the University of Chicago and his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, both in biology. He has taught, mentored, and carried out ecological research for over forty years in Kenya, Panama, and the western United States. He brings years of experience in environmental education and the ecology, restoration, conservation, and management of human-dominated landscapes, especially rangelands.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please join us.

In addition to the physics and technology of MRI, Poorman’s talk will address it’s uses inside the body as well as in the wider world including agriculture. By the end of the talk, you'll be an expert at identifying common foods by their MRI image, know why MRI exams are accompanied by loud clanging, and be able to demonstrate spin physics in your living room.

Dr. Poorman is an expert at MRI use in unusual places with over 12 years of experience in medical research. An avid outdoors adventurer she moved to Salida 2-½ years ago to be near her humanist-member parents and the mountains.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please join us.

Dr. McGoodwin spent several decades in the village. His study relied on key informants and close friends in the village and used both quantitative and qualitative methods to learn of the social and economic lives of villagers. McGoodwin will show how state and regional policies emphasizing the export of marine resources have contributed to this region’s ongoing poverty and the degradation of its marine ecosystems.

Dr. McGoodwin, Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado-Boulder, is a cultural anthropologist who studies fishing people, fishing communities, and fisheries-management policies. He has worked in fishing communities around the world and held appointments at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, and Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Over his long career he has focused on the development of fisheries-management policies that will enhance the well-being and food security of the world’s small-scale fishing people.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m., admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please join us.

“The Influences of Wildfire in Genetic Diversity of Trout in Rocky Mountain Headwater Streams” is the topic of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science program for June 2, 2024. The program is unique as presenter, Taylor Stack, is a 2016 graduate of Salida High School and was twice a recipient of a Central Colorado Humanists scholarship. The program begins at 10:00 AM at the Scout Hut at 210 E Sacket, Salida, CO.

Taylor studied wildlife conservation biology and biochemistry at Western Colorado University. He is pursuing his master’s degree in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology at Colorado State University. Following completion of his thesis and graduation he plans to pursue a career as a species conservation biologist.

Taylor is well known as a runner winning the state championship in the mile in 2016 and placing second in state cross country championships three times. While at Western he won the 2021 NCAA steeplechase championship and most recently placed first overall in Salida’s Run Through Time Marathon.

The Central Colorado Humanists will also announce and introduce the recipients of its 2024 scholarship recipients during this event. There are four $1500 scholarship recipients for Buena Vista graduates bound for college and one $1000 scholarship recipient bound for trade school. There are four $1500 scholarship recipients from Salida and three $1000 scholarships for students receiving their second CCH scholarship.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please join us.

The annual July 4th kids fishing derby at Frantz Lake returns for its 30th year. The free event for kids 13 and younger is sponsored by the Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

Registration begins at Frantz Lake at 8:30 am on Tuesday, July 4th, followed by fishing from 9:45 to 10:45 am. All contestants receive a souvenir derby t-shirt and special prizes will be awarded.

Kids should bring their own fishing gear, water, and sunscreen. Fishing equipment will be provided free to participants without their own gear. A free hot dog lunch and sodas will be provided for contestants and their families. More information at www.collegiatepeakstu.org

“Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe” is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science program for May 5, 2024. Dr Dan Bishop’s talk will address the developing field of artificial intelligence and its potential for good or harm. The program begins at 10:00 AM at the Scout Hut at 210 E Sacket, Salida, CO.

Artificial Intelligence was first recognized as a distinct field in Computer Science in 1956. But progress in AI over the next 60 years followed a tortuous path of fits and starts with lots of hype and frequent disappointments. Only recently has it become a significant factor in our daily lives. This presentation will identify the advances that have taken place in the last few years that have made this change possible.

The talk will also highlight some of the astonishing advances and new applications in AI that are revolutionizing our world at an awesome pace. If you have a computer, you can now use AI to generate short stories, business and academic reports, computer code, cartoons and quality images with a one or two sentence request. You can create short video sequences. AI can now legally guide a vehicle on major highways in California and Nevada and provide limited taxi service in several U.S. cities.

But there are dangers in the rampant proliferation of a new technology that even its developers admit they don’t fully understand. There are respected leaders in the field that fear AI could pose an existential threat to humanity. Should AI be regulated, and, if so, how and to what extent? How can we, as individuals, protect ourselves from fake text and images created with AI? With this presentation, Dan will attempt to show how AI got to where it is today, provide some insight into what the future of AI may bring, and provide details into how we can mitigate the very real dangers posed by AI today.

Dr. Dan Bishop is a retired associate professor of chemistry from Colorado State University (Ft. Collins). During the course of his teaching career, he actively pursued Computer Assisted Instruction in his classes and labs and marketed his programs nationwide. This led to a move to Buena Vista with his wife Ann, where they lived off and on between 1980 and 2000. In Buena Vista, Dan continued to market his programs, and created custom software for several local businesses. He also did a stint as lead programmer in Colorado Springs for Lockheed Martin’s space program. Dan and Ann have resided in Salida since 2012. In retirement, he has devoted his energies to art and writing. He has written and published two novels in a trilogy, The Saturn Accords, and is hoping to finish the third volume this year. One of the trilogy’s main characters is a fully sentient android. Regarding the now-burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence, he is guardedly optimistic that AI could lead humanity into a new era of prosperity.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please join us.

“Iceland then and now: Living with Ice, Fire and a Changing Climate” will be the topic of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science program for Sunday, April 7. Dr. Astrid Ogilvie’s

presentation will address Iceland's history and environment. The program begins at 10 a. m. at the Scout Hut, 210 E. Sackett St., Salida, CO.

At 16 million years of age, the island of Iceland is comparatively young, geologically speaking and remained unsettled until colonists arrived in the late ninth century from Scandinavia and the British Isles. As the island was created by volcanic activity, Dr. Ogilvie will emphasize its volcanic history leading up to the recent events on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country. 

Dr. Ogilvie earned her PhD at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK in 1982. She is a Research Professor at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado and holds teaching and research positions in several other institutions.

Dr. Ogilvie has an abiding interest in the broader issues of climatic change, the environmental humanities and current Arctic issues. Her overarching career goal is to build bridges between the social and natural sciences in order to foster interdisciplinary cross-fertilization. Toward that end, her multiple areas of research have focused on the North Atlantic environs.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please join us.

“The Federal Judicial System” will be the topic of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science program for Mar. 3, 2024. U. S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey, J. D., will explain why the drafters of the Constitution created a federal judicial system, its structure, the process for appointing federal judges and the rules they must follow. The program begins at 10 a. m. at the Scout Hut, 210 E. Sackett St., Salida, CO.

Judge Laughrey will share some of her more interesting cases to illustrate how courts resolve real world disputes, and the unique challenges faced by judges generally and federal judges specifically when they must interpret and apply the law, including Constitutional provisions. 

She will also discuss the U.S. Supreme Court's role in developing the rule of law in frontier America and historical examples of how U.S. Supreme Court decisions have profoundly impacted and tested our country. Finally, she will talk about her experiences in other countries and briefly compare their systems to our federal judiciary, as time permits.

Judge Laughrey was appointed to the federal bench by President William Jefferson Clinton in 1996, becoming the first woman to serve as a U.S. District Judge in the Western District of Missouri.  Prior to her appointment, she was a Professor of Law at the University of Missouri where she was recognized repeatedly as a distinguished faculty member and for her excellence in teaching. In 1991, she was awarded a Fulbright to the University of Linz, in Austria where she taught American legal principles. For several years during her judgeship, she served on the International Judicial Relations Committee (IJRC) making presentations to jurists in multiple nations. She is currently a member of the American Law institute, the leading independent organization in the U. S. producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and otherwise improve the law

Judge Laughrey enjoys skiing, whitewater boating and wilderness camping with her family and has recently taken inactive status.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please join us.

The deadline for applications for Central Colorado Humanists scholarships is March 1. Please visit the web site, centralcoloradohumanists.org for more information. The scholarships will be awarded to high school applicants planning to attend four-year colleges and community colleges. Applicants must be high school seniors at Buena Vista High School, Salida High School, Cotopaxi High School, and students in non-traditional programs or home-schooled students who plan to attend an accredited college or community college full-time next fall

“Cancer Genetics” will be the topic of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science program for Feb. 4, 2024. Teresa “Tess” Castellano will present a mini-genetic counseling session to define and discuss the differences between, sporadic, familial, and hereditary cancers. The program begins at 10 a. m. at the Scout Hut, 210 E. Sackett St., Salida, CO.

Cancer genetics began to expand in early 2000. The Denver-Centura system cancer

genetics program was started as part of the Catholic Health Initiatives program headquartered in

Lincoln, Nebraska.  The UC Health cancer genetics program started in Colorado Springs at Memorial Hospital. Hereditary Cancer Counseling can provide early screening, risk assessments, and education to support the health of patients with a higher hereditary risk of cancer.

Ms. Castellano received her Masters of Genetics and Biophysics degree in 1983 from the Colorado Health Sciences Center. A Board-Certified Genetic Counselor, she spent 20 years specializing in prenatal diagnosis. For 3 years during that period, she worked with the pediatric outreach program at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. During her career she designed and started three private services and one university-based clinic. She then transitioned to adult cancer genetic counseling in Denver. Retiring in 2017, Ms. Castellano moved to Chaffee County in 2021.

Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please join us.