2025 El Paso County Extension Classes and Workshops
We offer a variety of classes and hands-on workshops in El Paso County throughout the year. They range from consumer education in home gardening, food preservation, and safety to backyard beekeeping. We also offer workforce certification courses in Cottage Foods, Landscaping and Agriculture business development. Check back often to find classes we are offering at locations throughout the county.
CSU Extension El Paso County Office
17 N. Spruce Street
2nd Floor
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Click on each class date to register
Pre-registration required on all classes.
Class Feature
Dining With Diabetes
What is Dining with Diabetes?
Dining with Diabetes is a Colorado State University Research and Extension health and wellness program that consist of a series of four in-person classes that includes general diabetes information, eating plans for diabetes and how to prepare healthy foods. The program’s focus is to help individuals learn strategies to lessen the health risks of diabetes.
The program is a series of four 2-hour classes that are held once a week. Classes consist of presentations on healthful food choices, tasty and healthy familiar foods, diabetic eating plans and cooking techniques using artificial sweeteners, reduced-fat foods, herbs, and spices.
You will receive
- All class handouts and folder
- Cooking utensils at every class
- Taste a new recipe in every class
- Diabetic Cookbook
- Certificate
Program Objectives
- Increase knowledge about healthy foods
- Present healthy versions of familiar foods and taste testing of recipes
- Demonstrate new cooking techniques
- Provide basic information regarding diabetes and nutrition
- Provide opportunities for sharing and learning from one another
Who can participate?
The program is designed for people with diabetes and their family members, caregivers, and support persons.
4 Week Class Series
Dates: February 25, March 4, 11, 18: 11:00am to 1:15pm (Classes held at Pikes Peak Library District-Library 21c Branch – NOT at Extension Office
Cottage Foods Food Safety Certificate: in-person
This training provides a 3-year certificate and meets the food safety training requirement for the Colorado Cottage Foods Act established and supported by the Colorado State Dept. of Health & Environment.
Participants learn food safety guidelines and the specifics for operating a small home-based cottage food business from a home kitchen. Learn about the most current Colorado Cottage Food Act.
Acquire a 3-year Cottage Foods Certificate. Training provides information in:
- Foods permissible in the Colorado Cottage Foods Act
- Ingredient labeling requirements
- Basic Food Safety
- Temperature control for food preparation
- Storage, transport and sales
- Special considerations for food preparation at high altitude
Date: April 15th, 2025 at 11:00am-2:30pm – In-person
Cost: $50.00 – 3-year certification
Click on the date to register for the class. No refunds.
Mediterranean Diet Workshop
Colorado State University Extension has created a workshop focusing on the Mediterranean diet. This workshop will answer questions about key characteristics of the Mediterranean lifestyle and how foods in the diet contribute to health. Plus, you will learn how to make fresh home-made hummus and try a delicious sample. After attending this workshop, you will have strategies to incorporate these foods and habits into your life.
Date: January 22nd, 2025 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Date: February 3, 2024 at 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Date: March 31, 2024 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Pre-registration required. No refunds.
Introduction to Water Bath Canning
From preserving your garden harvest to putting up locally purchased produce, canning is a great way to preserve the season’s bounty. Unlike baking, home canning requires knowledge of the science behind food preservation. In this introductory class, participants will learn about the risk of botulism, an overview of proper techniques, and a review of the proper tools for canning.
After attending this class you will be able to safely can high acid foods such as fruit, salsa, pickles, tomatoes, jams, jellies and more.
This is a hands-on class and you will take home a jar you make in class.
Date: April 3rd at 11:00am – 1:15pm
Pre-registration required. No refunds.
Jam Technique Class
Feel confident and proud to give your homemade jams and fruit spreads to your friends during the gift giving season! Wow them with a meal made with specialty items such as: Red Onion Marmalade, Green Chili Raspberry Jam or Cranberry Orange Chutney.
Learn tested and researched based techniques to safely water bath can jams, jellies, conserves, marmalades and chutney.
This is a hands-on class and you will take home a jar of Green Chili Raspberry Jam you make in class.
Pre-registration required. Registration closes on October 20th at 5:00 pm. No refunds.
Date: Coming soon
Introduction to Pressure Canning
From preserving your garden harvest to putting up locally purchased produce, canning is a great way to preserve the season’s bounty. Home canning requires knowledge of the science behind food preservation. In this introductory class, participants will learn about the risk of botulism, an overview of proper techniques, and a review of the proper tools for pressure canning foods.
Learn the steps to safely and confidently pressure can low acid foods such as vegetables, meats, soups and much more.
Date: April 10th at 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Pre-registration required. No refunds.
Food Preservation Technique Class: Pickling
If you love pickled vegetables and summer relish, come learn how to make your own. You will learn how to safely water bath can pickles, relish, salsa and chutney.
Date: Coming Soon
Home Food Preservation: Salsa Class
From preserving your garden harvest to putting up locally purchased produce, canning is a great way to preserve the season’s bounty. Home canning requires knowledge of the science behind food preservation. In this introductory class, participants will learn about the risk of botulism, an overview of proper techniques, and a review of the proper tools for pressure canning foods.
Learn how to make salsa in our hands-on class and take a jar home! Salsa can be a fun and easy way to preserve tomatoes to enjoy all year. You will receive tested and reviewed salsa recipes that mix low acidic foods such as onions and peppers with acidic foods such as tomatoes.
Date: Coming Soon
Food Safety Works Certification –
Online/Self-guided: Free
The Food Safety Works safe food handler certificate training teaches entry-level food workers how to safely handle, prepare and store food. This certification is taught online and is self-guided. Participants with a passing score receive a safe food handler certificate valid for two (2) years.
Benefits for Food Service Workers:
- Increase in confidence and motivation to handle food safely.
- Improve knowledge and awareness of ways to prevent foodborne illness.
- Valued by employers.
- Great incentives towards job promotions.
- Benefits for your business.
- Take pride in being proactive in preventing foodborne illness.
- Increase consumer confidence – show that you value safety.
- Increase employee pride and teamwork in serving food.
- Increase likelihood of improved inspections.
Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite which will have the website address and password to access the Food Safety Works Certification materials. You can download presentation slides, watch training video, and access link to exam. Once exam is completed and scored you will receive an email with your certificate valid for 2 years.
Registration is on-going and class can be started and completed anytime for $5.00.
Date: Anytime
Pressure Canner Gauge Testing
Testing your pressure canner dial gauge annually is vital in keeping your pressure canned products safe. Gauges that read high cause under-processing and may result in unsafe food. Low readings cause over-processing.
You can purchase your pressure canner gauge testing with or without The Complete Guide to Home Canning USDA Book.
Brands that can be tested: National, Magic Seal, Maid of Honor, and Presto
After you have purchased a ticket you will be contacted to schedule a time for testing at the El Paso County Extension Office located in Colorado Springs.
Date: Anytime
