Early fall is when the remnants of summer begin to fade, temperatures drop, and the leaves change color. The changing weather also ushers in a season of nostalgic celebrations traditionally connected to the harvest calendar, such as popular fall farm festivals.
Just a few miles east of Barr Lake in Brighton, SonFlower Ranch co-owners Keith Gunn and Mike King have begun making preparations for their 10th annual Fall Shindig, a unique name chosen to differentiate the event from other local festivals. The ranch is home to a variety of animals, including horses, goats, pigs, miniature donkeys, alpacas, and several species of birds, which are housed in the on-site aviary.
The Fall Shindig was launched in 2016 to support Gunn’s passion project, the SonFlower Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The wildlife center had only been established as a 501(c)3 earlier that same year, but it quickly grew legs of its own. Nearly 100 animals were referred to the center during its first few months of operation.
“I initially spent several thousand dollars out of my own pocket to fund the wildlife center,” said Gunn, who directs the facility without taking a salary, “but we recognized it would not be possible to keep it going without raising funds.”
The wildlife center provides a second chance for small animals abandoned in nature — primarily squirrels, rabbits, and raccoons. A team of three part-time employees and several volunteers care for the animals to ensure they are healthy enough to be released back into the wild. They are also vaccinated before release, which is uncommon in wildlife rehabilitation. Construction is underway on enclosures to expand services to foxes and bobcats, but Gunn’s ambitions do not end there.
“I want to provide rehabilitation services to as many of Colorado’s animals as possible,” said Gunn, as he described the proper size and shape for raptor enclosures, which are not (yet) part of the wildlife center.
Each year the wildlife center has surpassed the previous year’s number of referrals. Gunn and King said they expect to rehabilitate more than 400 animals this year.
Among the wildlife center’s most visible success stories are Cashew and Pecan, two pale-furred raccoon sisters rescued in Boulder and now living in Harmony Hill at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. Their condition, known as leucism, causes pigment loss in their fur and makes survival in the wild nearly impossible. Gunn made arrangements for them to be transferred to the zoo’s care instead of being released.
“I had a connection who helped make it happen,” said Gunn. “The next thing we knew, Cashew and Pecan had a new home.”
The touching story demonstrates not only the positive impact of this local wildlife rehabilitation center but also the dedication of the local people behind it.
SonFlower’s Fall Shindig
When: Oct. 10-11, 9 a.m. — 4 p.m.
Where: SonFlower Ranch (15445 Powhaton Rd., Brighton)
Cost: Admission is $5, purchased on-site
The Fall Shindig at SonFlower Ranch helps support ongong services and introduce new ones. Attendees can tour the ranch and see the animals, but are not permitted to enter animal enclosures. More than 30 local food and craft vendors will also be featured, including kid-friendly booths with face painting and a bounce house, and pumpkins will be available for purchase.