The Colorado Mycological Society is about people with such diverse interests as socializing, hiking, nature study, photography, and edible wild foods. These people, however, have a common focus which is an interest in learning more about wild mushrooms.

• The Colorado Mycological Society is a nonprofit corporation established in 1967 to advance the understanding of, and to stimulate interest in, the field of mycology.
  
  
• CMS members collect mushroom specimens for identification, preservation, and study as well as for the "pot".
  
  
• CMS is affiliated with the North American Mycological Association [NAMA].
  
  
• CMS provides consulting services to the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Rocky Mountain Poison Center, County agents and others.
  

CMS activities are varied:

• Monthly Meetings — CMS meets once a month from March through October. Meetings are held on the second Monday night of each month. CMS meetings provide an informal opportunity to socialize and exchange information with others interested in mycology. Each meeting features a lecture and/or slide presentation on mycology or a related subject. Speakers include nationally known mycologists, outside specialists and knowledgeable members.
  
  
• Newsletter — CMS publishes SPORES Afield, a nationally recognized mycological newsletter containing news from across the state and around the nation.
  
  
• Annual Fair — CMS holds a Wild Mushroom Fair each year in August at the Denver Botanic Gardens to educate the general public and club members about wild mushrooms. August is the height of the mushroom season in Colorado, and members from around the state bring in a large variety of mushrooms for identification and display. The fair is open to the general public on a Sunday. It is a great time to learn more about mushrooms.
  
  
• Forays — Periodically during the Colorado mushroom season knowledgeable CMS members lead mushroom forays (outings) to different locations around the state. We collect and study all kinds of mushrooms on these forays which are normally held on Saturday or Sunday. We leave in the morning and are usually back by mid-afternoon. You must be a member of CMS to attend our forays. Forays are probably the best way to learn to recognize different kinds of Colorado wild mushrooms. They are also a good way to meet interesting people.
  
  
• Reference Library — CMS offers free use of its mycology reference library to CMS members. You can check out field guides and other books at no charge. We also offer a variety of new books and tee shirts for sale at each meeting.
  
  
• Classes — CMS periodically offers classes in beginning mushroom identification for members and the general public. We also sponsor classes on growing edible mushrooms and mushroom photography.

Officers and committee chairs are selected from the CMS membership. Annually the membership elect fellow members to serve as a Board of Directors for the organization. Members also support the organization as volunteers in such areas as membership, book sales, refreshments, and so on. Members are also encouraged to provide support when it's time for the annual fair.

CMS is governed by a set of Bylaws which all members are encouraged to review periodically.