- What: Monthly meetings
- When: Usually 2nd Thursday of March-Dec. at 6:00pm – 8:00pm MT. **please check schedule below for adjusted dates and times**
- Where: See below and calendar for location.
- Who: Club Members, guests, and visitors (our meetings are open to the public).
- Misc: FREE Mineral giveaway at nearly every meeting!
- AND Meetings include “Mystery Minerals” (a short program for kids of all ages at the beginning of every meeting – bring your gem/mineral ID books and/or kids or grand kids for “Mystery Minerals!” Every month, we’ll do a short, simple (15 min) activity trying to identify a handful of “unidentified” rocks. Bring your books and a kid to, literally, learn more!), club business, programs, guest speakers.
Upcoming Meetings for 2026
*please note – further meeting detail can be found below, or by using the click for details hyperlink for each meeting*
January & February – no meeting
| Mar 12 6:00PM | Apr 9 6:00PM | May 14 6:00PM | Jun 11 6:00PM | Jul 18 9:00AM |
| Mt Shavano Manor How to Prepare the Specimens You Collect click for details | Mt Shavano Manor Gemologist’s Perspective on Rocks by Mark Krivanek click for details | BV Airport Local Geology 101 – Igneous Rocks by Bob Hickey click for details | Mt Shavano Manor Geologic Events Shaping the Local Landscape by Cindy Williams click for details | Texas Creek CGMS Group Field Trip click for details |
| Aug 15 11:30AM | Sept 10 6:00PM | Oct 8 6:00PM | Nov 12 6:00PM | Dec 10 5:30PM |
| Centennial Park Pavillion Annual Picnic and Silent Auction click for details | Location TBD Topic TBD by Presenter TBD click for details | Mt Shavano Manor Use of Stone in the Rockies: 10,000 Years Before to 1700 Years Before Present by Brinnen Carter click for details | Location TBD Topic TBD by Presenter TBD click for details | Mt Shavano Manor Holiday Party and Potluck with Gem and Mineral Silent Auction click for details |
March 12, 6:00 p.m. Mount Shavano Manor (meeting room), 525 W. 16th St. Salida, CO, 81201
Presentation: How to Prepare the Specimens You Collect by Fred Jackson and Michael Hishman.
You’ve found a cool looking rock. It might be a mineral or a gem, but it’s got a white film all over… or it’s all red! How can you clean it off? What can you do to make it look good? CGMS members, Fred Jackson and Michael Hishman, will share their knowledge and help you turn your “rocks” into “specimens” you’ll be proud to show off!
April 9, 6:00 p.m. Mount Shavano Manor (meeting room), 525 W. 16th St. Salida, CO, 81201
Presentation: A Gemologist’s Perspective on Rocks by Mark Krivanek
What is a gemologist, what do they do, and how do they look at and think about rocks and minerals? Geologist, gemologist, and master faceter, Mark Krivanek of Krivanek Jewelers, will answer these questions and more! He’ll also bring specimens of cut and uncut gems so rockhounds can get a better idea of what to look for when rock hunting.
May 14, 6:00 p.m. BV Airport Office, 27960 County Road 319, Buena Vista, CO 81211
Presentation: Local Geology 101 – Igneous Rocks by Bob Hickey
You are looking up at a local mountainside or holding a local rock in your hand, but what is it? Bob Hickey, CPW volunteer geologist, will teach us about our local igneous rocks with lots of examples and photos.
June 11, 6:00 p.m. Mount Shavano Manor (meeting room), 525 W. 16th St. Salida, CO, 81201
Presentation: Geologic Events Shaping the Local Landscape by Cindy Williams
Learn about the geologic history shaping local land forms from the Chalk Cliffs to Ruby Mountain.
July 18, 9:00AM – 3:00PM. Texas Creek Recreation Site Field Trip in lieu of monthly meeting.
Annual CGMS Group Field Trip – We will be visiting a new location in 2026! More info to come, so please stay tuned. – – – KID FRIENDLY! – – – No signup required.
We’ll meet at Texas Creek recreation site, located about 30 miles east of Salida, off Highway 50, between mile markers 252 and 253. From Salida, turn left on Fremont County Road 27, go across the bridge and park; carpooling is recommended. Official start time is 9:00AM, but the club is planning on staying until 3:00PM if you can’t make it early.
August 15, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Centennial Park Pavilion (adjacent to the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center and Centennial Courts at 410 W. Rainbow Blvd, Salida CO, 81201)
Cookout/Picnic/Gem and Mineral Auction
Join us for a fun afternoon and buy some cool mineral specimens! CGMS will provide the burgers, hot dogs and buns. Please bring your own drinks and a side dish, snack, or dessert to share.
September 10, 6:00 p.m. Location TBD
Presentation: TBD by TBD
Description TBD
October 8, 6:00 p.m. Mount Shavano Manor (meeting room), 525 W. 16th St. Salida, CO, 81201
Presentation: Use of Stone in the Rockies 10,000 Years Before Present to 1700 Years Before Present by Brinnen Carter
Brinnen Carter, Archaeologist and Resources Manager of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, will come and discuss the link and importance of stones and minerals to the ancient indigenous peoples of the Rocky Mountains.
November 12, 6:00 p.m. Location TBD
Presentation: TBD by TBD
Description TBD
December 10, 5:30 pm Mount Shavano Manor (meeting room), 525 W. 16th St. Salida, CO, 81201
Christmas Party/potluck dinner and Gem and Mineral Silent Auction
Members and non-members are welcome. CGMS will provide turkey, ham, pulled pork, plates and flatware. Please bring a side dish, vegetable, or dessert to share, your own beverages, and cash or check for the auction.
Columbine Gem and Mineral Society 