Overview
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS, though traditionally called Home Economics) is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community. In the Tri River Area this position covers many topics including: food safety, nutrition, wellness, Cottage Foods Act, food preservation, canning gauge testing and food systems work. To join our Family and Consumer Science mailing list, please email Ann.Duncan@colostate.edu and include your name, email address, and mailing address.
Contact the Extension Area Specialist
Ann Duncan, MS, RDN Family & Consumer Science Area Specialist
Email: ann.duncan@colostate.edu
Phone: 970-249-3935
Classes and Programs
Everyday Nutrition for Health
We are very excited to announce that registration is open for all of our upcoming Everyday Nutrition for Health Webinars for the year 2025-26. This webinar series is offered by the Extension Specialists in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition to help address misinformation around everyday nutrition topics.
Register now!
Optimizing Muscle Mass While Aging: Looking at how nutrition and physical activity help us maintain muscle mass
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 12-12:35pm, On Zoom
Lynn Bellmore, registered dietitian and family physician, will discuss the importance of strength for healthy aging and highlight key nutrition and physical activity considerations for staying strong.
Register here: https://col.st/55X9Y
The Mind Diet: How the foods we eat can impact cognitive decline
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 12-12:30pm, On Zoom
Learn about this dietary pattern that may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Receive practical tips for eating foods that help support brain health.
Register here: https://col.st/vuhwG
All webinars are pre-recorded. A traditional Q&A will not take place; however, we will gather questions via a post-survey and respond to those questions via a follow up email to those who registered for the webinar.
Homesteading:
- Homesteading the Western Slope is a collaborative effort between Colorado State University Extension and The Western Colorado Homestead Collective. As a team we aim to empower individuals on the Western Slope to embrace self-sufficiency, increase knowledge and foster community collaboration.
Presenters at this event are volunteering their time to share their knowledge with you and are made up of community members, local experts and producers. They will be presenting on a variety of topics including home food preservation, soil, composting, gardening, fermented foods, mushroom foraging, orchard management, livestock, poultry and many other topics.
This conference will provide participants with knowledge, connections and rural living skills that will aid them in being more self-sufficient in an ever changing world.
For speaker spotlights and event updates please go to our Facebook page.
Food Insecurity:
- Community Alliance for Hunger Relief and Education
- We form partnerships unified under the goal of increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. To this end, we:
- Increase community access to fruits and vegetables through our farm-to-foodbank program;
- Change knowledge of and attitudes towards fresh produce by providing hands-on learning on our farm and in our teaching kitchen; and
- Grow healthy communities by providing opportunities for civic service and supporting initiatives that work to decrease hunger and food insecurity.
- Learn about volunteer opportunities and more by clicking here.
- We form partnerships unified under the goal of increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. To this end, we:
Food Preservation:
- Considerations to Preserving Food – Facebook Live
- Canning in Colorado 101 – Video
- Water Bath Canning in Colorado – Video
- Freezing Fruits and Vegetables – Video
- Canning
- Learn the basics of canning and food preservation.
- Upcoming Classes: TBD
- Learn the basics of canning and food preservation.
- Preserve @ Home (Click to View Class Brochure)
- Preserve @ Home provides research based food preservation education across geographical barriers. Participants learn how to produce high quality preserved foods and the science behind food preservation and food safety. Individuals with little or no previous food preservation experience are welcome. Anyone with an interest in food preservation and food safety can enroll in Preserve @ Home.
- Upcoming Class: January 15, 2026
- Canning Pressure Gauge Testing – in person.
- Bring in your dial gauge pressure canner lids to one of our Tri River Area county offices. Gauge accuracy will be tested and recommendations made regarding proper canning times and procedures. It is best practice to test your lid every year. This helps to ensure you are canning at the proper pressure to prevent botulism. Botulism is a rare, but serious disease associated with canned products. Information on botulism.
- Upcoming classes: TBD
- Bring in your dial gauge pressure canner lids to one of our Tri River Area county offices. Gauge accuracy will be tested and recommendations made regarding proper canning times and procedures. It is best practice to test your lid every year. This helps to ensure you are canning at the proper pressure to prevent botulism. Botulism is a rare, but serious disease associated with canned products. Information on botulism.
Food Safety:
- Food Safety Works:
- Learn the basics of handling food safely and earn a 2 year certificate. This course is in compliance with Montrose, Delta, Ouray and Mesa County Health Departments. Take it online and on-demand by calling our office. 970-249-3935.
- Cottage Food Producers:
- The Colorado Legislature passed the Cottage Foods Act that set food safety standards for small-scale, cottage food enterprises. To be in compliance with this act, individuals must take a food safety course to learn how to safely produce and handle food within the home and at the point of sale. Receive a 3 year certification today! For a list of online classes, look at Eventbrite and search CSU Extension Colorado Cottage Foods or click here.
- All upcoming classes: Click here
- The Colorado Legislature passed the Cottage Foods Act that set food safety standards for small-scale, cottage food enterprises. To be in compliance with this act, individuals must take a food safety course to learn how to safely produce and handle food within the home and at the point of sale. Receive a 3 year certification today! For a list of online classes, look at Eventbrite and search CSU Extension Colorado Cottage Foods or click here.
- ServSafe:
- Take the manager level certification in order to be in compliance with the Food Code and your local health department regulations. This is a high level, nationally recognized program that prepares individuals for a career in hospitality or food service. See below for options and available testing dates. All classes and testing dates are available on first come basis and pre-registration is required. No in-person classes available for summer of 2025 — see ServSafe website for additional options.
- Proctoring: Available upon request.
- Additional classes and options: