PAGE 32

         
           
BY GEOFF VAN DYKE

    
   
PAGE 72

30

YEARS

THE
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82

Holy Gravel!

Firmly Rooted

Force Of Nature

BY NICHOLAS HUNT

Andrea Murdoch, the chef
behind Denver’s Four Directions
Cuisine, shares how to celebrate
the fall harvest through a
feast replete with traditional
Indigenous foods.
BY PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG

Luis Benitez wants to harness
his experience as the former
director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
to create a similar entity in the
federal government—but can he
persuade Beltway politicians?
BY GEOFF VAN DYKE

Slow-cooked bison
and a trio of salsas

2

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Aaron Colussi; Natalie Warady (prop styling); Veronica Spera (food styling)

Combine gravel biking’s
welcoming culture and ease of
entry with Colorado’s seemingly
endless maze of dirt roads and
trails, and it’s clear why the
Centennial State has become
a mecca for the sport.

SEPTEMBER 2023

20

40

26

22

F R O M T H E E D I TO R
12

Meet the photographer
who captured images for this
month’s gravel biking feature.

CO M PA S S
How Gregory Alan Isakov’s
Boulder County farm helped
inspire the Grammy nominee’s
latest album. Plus: four local
artists dismantling the West’s
Marlboro Man stereotype.

42
E AT & D R I N K

CO L U M N S

AC T L I K E A LO C A L

25 WHAT’S HOT

32 CRIME

When one writer stopped trying
to keep up on the trail, she
rediscovered the joy of hiking.

Top Chef alum Carrie Baird slings
delightful a.m. eats at Fox and the Hen.

A Grand Junction–based task
force may have finally figured
out a way to put the brakes on
runaway auto theft in Colorado.

120 THE OVERSIMPLIFIED
GUIDE TO: SPLITTING A LOG

20 INTERSECTIONS

Three beekeepers making it deliciously
easy to support Colorado pollinators.

18 ADVENTURE

Your guide to the best spots, fresh
and classic, on Tennyson Street.
22 FASHION

What Coloradans can learn from
University of Colorado Boulder
head football coach—and recent
GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame
inductee—Deion Sanders.

26 TREND

BY SPENCER CAMPBELL

40 HIGHER EDUCATION

Lucina Eatery & Bar invites diners to
give themselves over to the culinary
traditions of Latin America, South
America, Spain, and the Caribbean.

Colorado State University rests
on land seized from Indigenous
tribes, who have largely been
ignored by CSU ever since. A
new administrator, Patrese Atine,
plans to build those relationships.

88 DINING GUIDE

BY KELLY BASTONE

28 REVIEW

Five tips for channeling your
inner Paul Bunyan in time
for the fall camping season.

O N T H E C OV E R
Photograph by Joshua W. Strong
Waterton Canyon

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FROM THE EDITOR

Onward
& Upward

JOSHUA W.
STRONG

^
Denverite
Luis Benitez
on Mt. Everest
in 2003

Geoff Van Dyke details in this month’s
profile of Benitez (“Force Of Nature,”
page 82), the 51-year-old adventurer
now wants to galvanize the outdoor
recreation industry at the federal level
by creating a national office of outdoor
recreation. “There are 22 state offices
of outdoor recreation, but there’s a limit
to what they can accomplish without
federal coordination,” Van Dyke says.
“Creating a new federal office these
days is a big ask, but given that outdoor
recreation is an $862 billion industry
in the United States, Benitez believes
his mission is warranted. And advocating for outdoor rec seems to be one
of the last issues both sides of the aisle
are willing to support.”

I hadn’t seen Benitez since our longago coffee chat, but our paths crossed
again in early 2023, right after he had
left a private sector job to begin his latest campaign. This time around, we
grabbed a hard cider about six blocks
from the state Capitol, which seemed
fitting. Benitez’s goal of having a federal
office of outdoor recreation is an ambitious one, but if anyone can move
mountains inside the U.S. Capitol, it’s
a guy who has summited Mt. Everest
six times.
LINDSEY B. KING

Joshua W. Strong had been an avid cyclist and adventure photographer for years,
but those passions hadn’t collided until summer 2020, when Strong brought a camFreelance
era to a local bike race. Since then, Strong, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, has been
Photographer
involved in Colorado’s cycling scene, making them the perfect choice to capture images for
“Holy Gravel!” (page 62), 5280’s guide to gravel biking. For Strong, though, one of the most important aspects
of gravel biking is diversity. “There are many ways individuals have faced barriers in the sport, whether that be
gender, race, financial background,” Strong says. “I think it is important that the community do work to welcome,
engage, and enable people to enjoy this wonderful sport.” That desire for inclusivity extended to Strong’s photo shoot for 5280,
where they invited their own models to participate. “It was a great opportunity to ensure the models were all diverse,” Strong says,
“and therefore showcase that there are so many more people who ride bikes than the typical stereotype.”

12

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Editor
lindsey@5280.com

CORRECTION

In July’s “Power
To The People,”
we wrote about
Fisher-Dwyer
Greens and Flowers; the name is
actually Dwyer
Greens and Flowers. We regret
the error.

From top: Didrik Johnck; Arthur Mount

It was the summer of 2017, and I was
working on a story about how Colorado land managers were seeing a distressing rise in what they called the
loving-it-to-death phenomenon. Too
many people were in the same outdoor
spaces at the same times, and they often weren’t respecting the sensitive environments they were visiting. To learn
more about how the state might address the growing problem, I had coffee on the 16th Street Mall with Luis
Benitez, who was then the director of
the nascent Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office.
Benitez wasn’t exactly what I was
expecting from the director of an agency
housed within the Colorado Office of
Economic Development and International Trade. He was gregarious, confident, funny, compelling, and adamant
that the state needed to find a way to
protect its valuable natural assets not
only because they were ecologically
worthy of protection, but also because
they were a huge economic driver.
“We’re never going to put a ‘closed’ sign
on Colorado,” Benitez said then. “But
this is an industry worth billions of dollars, and I think we can—and should—
take care of our own backyard.”
Six years later, Benitez is, if possible,
even more outspoken about and dedicated to that cause—so much so that
he’s taking his convictions to Washington, D.C. As 5280 editorial director

• Next to that Colorful Colorado sign (selfie!)
• After you hucked that backy off a cornice
• Around the campfire
• After anyone starts struggling emotionally
• Before anyone starts struggling emotionally
• In line for tickets at the big game
(go local sports!)

• Between the opening act and the headliner
• The front seat of a pickup on your way
to work

•Ma^mZbe`Zm^h_Zib\dniZ_m^krhnk^]hg^
with work

• The gun range (of course)
• The gun store (of course)
• The gun show (OK we get it)
• In the checkout line at the organic grocer
•:_m^kmaZmf^^mbg`maZm\hne]o^[^^gZg^fZbe
•Pabe^rhnk^fn\dbg`ma^lmZeel

• The trailhead (Colorado has more than
1,400 of 'em!)

•Pabe^rhnk^l^mmbg`niZ`khng][ebg]
• During potlucks at your house of worship
•Pa^grhnk^ikh`kZffbg`ma^\h]^mh
your new quick access safe

•Ho^k[nk`^kl!lhr%[^^_%[blhg%paZm^o^k"
• Waiting for a double oatmilk latte
• When you drop your kids off
• At the mechanic
• With your parents
• Around the kitchen table
•Ho^kma^[Z\drZk]_^g\^
• At the pool, lake, beach or swimming hole
• The local brewery (you know the one)
• Walking your dog to the dog park to play
with dogs

•>o^krpa^k^ghmhgmableblmmhh

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Talk about how they’re secured. How they’re used. And how to make
sure the wrong people don’t get them. Because there are simple
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A R T S & C U LT U R E

Home Field
Advantage
Gregory Alan Isakov has
always had a green thumb,
but it wasn’t until 2009 that
the now 43-year-old singer-songwriter fully grasped
the role farming plays in his
creative process. Growing up
in Philadelphia, the South
African–born musician performed in local bands, but he
moved to Boulder in 2000 to
study horticulture at Naropa
University, because a career as
a touring musician felt unobtainable. “It was like playing
Metroid and trying to beat
the boss at the end,” he says.
Even so, Isakov saw a chance
to make a living off his music
alone after his songs caught
the ears of some veteran
acts, earning him invitations
on three separate tours supporting Brandi Carlile, Ani
DiFranco, and the Indigo
Girls. Saying yes to all three
meant turning his attention away from the farm he
helped manage in Lyons, and
Isakov was surprised by how
quickly he felt out of balance and stifled creatively.

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA CARIDAD

SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

15

A R T S & C U LT U R E

CONTINUED

WESTERN PROMISES

“I think in 2009, I played 200 shows,
and I sort of lost my mind,” he says.
He also lost any energy to write new
material. “I was depressed,” he says,
“and I was like, that’s bizarre.”
Isakov realized that getting his
hands dirty was integral to both his
artistic process and his well-being.
In 2014, he bought Starling Farm,
a bucolic, six-acre parcel in Boulder
Country (complete with a sheep pasture and studio space) that provides
vegetables to roughly a hundred customers and a handful of local restaurants. Not only does the pastoral
environment give the troubadour
plenty of earthy metaphors for his
lyrics, but the exactness of cultivating heirloom vegetables is also a salve
against music’s mercurial nature. “With songs,
you can get really excited
about them, but then
when you come back to
them later, you’re like,
Why the fuck aren’t they
working now?” he says.
“With farming, I know
exactly how many beets
to put in a 50-foot bed
and to germinate them
at exactly 78 degrees. It’s
so calculable, and that’s refreshing.”
Working at Starling Farm helped
keep Isakov grounded—literally
and metaphorically—while writing
and recording Appaloosa Bones, his
sixth album and a follow-up to
2018’s Grammy-nominated Evening
Machines. The record, unveiled on
August 18, recaptures the nomadic,
unsure days of his early career, which
included playing gigs at Appaloosa
Grill on Denver’s 16th Street Mall
to earn rent money. The project took
five years to complete, partly because
Isakov was content to take his time
and partly because he wrote so much:
He composed 35 songs for the album before weeding out 24 songs
to get to the final 11. Now Isakov
faces another busy tour across North
America and Europe to promote the
release, including shows this month
at Mission Ballroom (September
2) and at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
(September 4). But as soon as that’s
over? The soil beckons. —CHRIS WALKER

Four local artists are disrupting the West’s Marlboro Man stereotype as part
of Cowboy, a venue-wide exhibition (September 29 to February 18) at the
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. —SPENCER CAMPBELL

16

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Appaloosa
Bones, Isakov’s
sixth fulllength album,
was released on
August 18.

NOTE TO SELF
Grace Kennison’s “I Remember Being Alone”—in which a sword-wielding angel bears
down on a cowgirl holding a knife to a snarling dog—“explores my desire to pull myself
out from under the hard, isolate American soul.” The painting, in other words, is an
acknowledgment of white women’s culpability in genocide and settler colonialism. It is
also a rejection of the belief that violence was justified to tame the West. “I am expelling myself from the fantasy that it represents,” says Kennison, who is white and lives in
northern Colorado, “naming the killer, and moving again toward liberation.”

SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Buffalo Bill Cody’s famed
Wild West show featured
cowboys from around
the world, including the
American-occupied Philippines. Those Filipino
horsemen were largely
forgotten until visual artist
Yumi Janairo Roth and
gender studies scholar
Emmanuel David, both
Filipino Americans and
professors at the University of Colorado Boulder,
launched We Are Coming.
Named for Cody’s messianic marketing slogan “I Am Coming,” the project displayed
those men’s names on the marquees of vintage Western venues, and the MCA Denver
will even install a marquee of its own.

Clockwise from far left: Courtesy of Gregory Alan Isakov; Courtesy of Juan Fuentes (“Untitled,” from the series 36 Miles East, 2021);
Courtesy of Yumi Janairo Roth and Emmanuel David (“We Are Coming” (Boulder, CO), 2022)

IN PLAINS’ SIGHT
During the summer of 2021, Denver photographer Juan Fuentes documented the lives
of modern-day Mexican cowboys in the Eastern Plains town of Bennett—from rows of
water tanks and fence lines (“Untitled,” pictured) to cowboy hats being sold alongside El
Torito Regio sauce at local markets—for his series 36 Miles East.

ΈΈΈՐɴǹ̥̥ʇ̓ɥǹːʇʳΖʳǹΈՐȧ˧ː ӬӨӬԫӮөӮԫӮӨӨӨ

A DV E N T U R E

In Step

Why I no longer strive to keep up
on the trails.

It wasn’t the moose blocking the path
that stopped me. It was my husband—
when I walked straight into his back.
At least 10 minutes had passed since
I’d last seen the flash of his blue shirt
amid the pine and fir trees in Rocky
Mountain National Park. That wasn’t
unusual: Our hikes often turned into
solo missions. His six-foot-two frame
and singular focus on our destination
(be it a lake, summit, or cascade) regularly outpaced my it’s-about-the-journey hiking style.
I was so surprised to crash into
him—and to see a moose 50 yards in
front of me—that I didn’t even glower
at him for leaving me behind. Our
speed disparity had irked me for years.
It was an incompatibility I couldn’t
square with the rest of our relationship.
What was supposed to be quality time
together left me feeling abandoned,
and I began to lose the joy of hiking—
along with my breath—while I tried
to keep up.
I knew the issue wasn’t that he didn’t
care or wanted to hike without me; it
just felt as impossible for him to match
my languid pace as it was for me to
speed up and not feel like I was in a
trail race.
It was on a path near Great Sand
Dunes National Park and Preserve in
2016 that I finally realized that, if I
was ostensibly hiking alone, I could
hike however I wanted—while letting
my husband hike his own way, too. I
needed to let go of my frustrations and
let the fun back in. A few months later,
while trekking the Village to Village
Trail at Beaver Creek Resort, I focused
less on where my husband was and
more on why I was lacing up my boots
in the first place: I was surrounded by
wild silvery lupine and pink fireweed.

TAKE YOUR TIME

Three trails well-suited to
leisurely fall hiking. —DS

The wind whistled as it blew through
the aspen trees.
By not trying to make the math
work, I began to appreciate that our
different styles came with perks. We
both get the safety of a hiking partner, but I’m also able to revel in my
solitude (at least until we meet up at
the next fork in the path). I can puzzle through a story I’ve been struggling
to write or daydream about adventures

Bergen Peak Trail, Evergreen
This 10.3-mile round trip up
9,701-foot Bergen Peak near
Evergreen will tax your lungs if
you take things too quickly.

not yet taken. I still get to enjoy that
all-important quality time on the
way to and from the trailhead, at overlooks where we share a snack, and
when we celebrate with a summit selfie. With more years and many more
miles behind us, I’ve come to see that
it doesn’t matter if our footsteps are out
of sync because we are still a pair. And
we don’t need a moose to force us back
together. —DALIAH SINGER

Raccoon Trail, Golden Gate
Canyon State Park
It’s only a 3.5 mile-loop, but with
some of the park’s best views you’ll
have to stop for plenty of photos.

Blue Lakes Trail, Breckenridge
From mountain goats to looming
Quandary Peak, there’s plenty
to admire on this 2.8-mile,
above-treeline trek.
I L LU S T R AT I O N B Y B OYO U N K I M

18

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

INTERSECTIONS

Revolving
Doors

Tennyson Street may have lost a few beloved businesses over the past decade, including
Elitch Lanes and BookBar, but a slew of new boutiques and eateries—plus a few mainstays—
has helped the six-block stretch between 38th and 44th streets maintain its reputation as
one of northwest Denver’s premier retail and dining destinations. —ALLYSON REEDY

chairs for cozy tippling. Griego says he
wouldn’t have considered opening an
after-dark destination here a decade
ago, but these days the street feels safer
after sundown. Top Tenn, located next to
Griego’s tattoo studio, Monkey Fist, isn’t
Tennyson’s only new spot for a nightcap.
The speakeasy-esque OK Yeah and golfthemed Crow’s Nest both opened earlier
this year.

4 The Oriental Theater
4335 W. 44TH AVE.

The Oriental opened in 1927, just as
movies got sound, but things went quiet
midcentury when the suburbs lured its
audiences away. Although there was a
brief stint showing, ahem, adult films in
the ’70s, the Oriental finally got loud
again in 2006 when new owners brought
the theater back to life as a music venue.
This month, catch first-wave punk band
Dead Boys (September 12) and indie-folk
quintet the Nadas (September 14).

5 Fenway Clayworks
4317 TENNYSON ST.

1 Feral
3936 TENNYSON ST.

W. 44th Ave.

W. 41st Ave.

20

TENNYSON ST.

5

Indie outdoors shop Feral started in a tiny
Tennyson bungalow in 2016, but two years
later, after the building’s landlord decided to
redevelop the property, the shop moved into
its current home: the century-old Berkeley
Theater. Now it boasts the city’s largest
selection of used gear and
technical clothing, and if
you can’t find what you’re
4
looking for secondhand,
Feral has new equipment
as well as select rentals. Its
W. 43rd Ave.
repair program can extend
the life of old gear, too.
3
1

W. 41st Ave.

2

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

2 Call Your

Mother Deli

3880 TENNYSON ST.

Andrew Dana and chef

Daniela Moreira weren’t going to
open the 10th outpost of their Jewish
deli—and the first outside of the Washington, D.C., area—just anywhere. They
were looking for a neighborhood full
of browsable shops where families can
camp out for a few hours on the weekends, and with Dana’s best friend living
in Denver, Tennyson Street caught the
couple’s eyes. Their hunch paid off:
When Call Your Mother opened this
past May, the line for its honey-tinged
bagels extended down the block.

3 Top Tenn Lounge
4110 TENNYSON ST.

Ortavio Griego recently launched his
fourth business on the street, the wineand-classic-cocktail-focused Top Tenn
Lounge, which found its niche with a
simple menu and loads of leather club

From top: Sarah Banks; Courtesy of Fenway Clayworks

^

The Oriental
Theater

After his 2022 holiday pop-up shop
proved a hit, ceramicist Sean VanderVliet
practically begged the building’s owners
to let him keep selling his mid-mod-style
pottery in the storefront through 2023.
That means you’re on the clock to snag his
clean-lined lamps, sconces, pitchers, and
mugs in person. (Don’t worry; his digital
store won’t be going anywhere.) “Tennyson
has the most communal feel,” VanderVliet
says. “They really support their own.”

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FA S H I O N

Prime Style

The hapless Buffs aren’t the only ones who need their new coach, Deion Sanders, to
revamp their vibes. Coloradans—ridiculed for their Chaco tans and penchants for plaid—
could learn a thing or two about fashion from the recent GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame inductee, too. —MAREN HORJUS

Mojo Filter
“I don’t follow trends. I set
trends,” Sanders told GQ.
So maybe we have Prime to
thank for the revival of the
oversize, full-frame shades
he’s worn for decades, like
these from Boulder-based
Optic Nerve. $30

You won’t catch Coach
Prime wearing his signature
bandana on the sidelines
anymore, but he’ll still rock
a rib-knit turtleneck. Grab
a similar version (for what
we imagine is a similar price)
designed by Italy’s Marni
at Boulder boutique Canoe
Club. $1,195

1996 Retro
Nuptse Jacket
Sanders was famously fined
for shirking NFL-licensed
garb on the sideline in favor
of a puffy black ski coat.
“We didn’t have nothing
that big and thick that kept
me warm,” he told GQ. You
can still snag that ’90s look
with this boxy jacket made
by Denver gear giant the
North Face. $330

Cowboy Hat
Sanders’ custom-made
Colorado headgear (recreated here by the Mile
High City’s Cowboy Up
Hatters) features a deep
cattleman’s crease on the
crown, a 4.5-inch brim with
slightly square corners, and
a stark white color for added
flash—as if Neon Deion
needed any. From $750

Pantheon III
Sanders recently tweeted
that being on time is one
thing that requires zero
talent. Match his current
look—a light dial and black
leather band—and his
punctuality with Denver
watchmaker John Atencio’s
Rome-inspired Pantheon III
timepiece. $1,195

22

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Sarah Banks (hat); Courtesy of the North Face (jacket); Courtesy of Optic Nerve (sunglasses); Courtesy of John Atencio (watch); Courtesy of Canoe Club (sweater); Getty Images (grass)

Broken Fisherman
Turtleneck

You’ll See Why
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Whether you’re seeking a special holiday for the family or just appreciating the daily, dreamy snowscapes,
there’s a romantic lodge room, cozy cabin, or private guest house for the whole crew ready to welcome
you. Satisfy your inner foodie with on-site dining for any occasion, including the award-winning
Ranch House Restaurant, serving top-quality Wagyu from our own pastures—one of the only places
in the country to provide this offering. Relax the day away at Ranch Creek Spa, the year-round
outdoor pool and hot tub, by crackling hearths, or in the privacy of your own copper soaking tub.
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Introducing...

Keep Colorado Wild
As Coloradans, we live life outside — and with that comes the
responsibility for all of us to care for Colorado and keep it wild.
New this year, Colorado residents will see a $29 Keep Colorado
Wild Pass added to their annual vehicle registration through the
Division of Motor Vehicles. This annual pass gives all Coloradans
easy access to all state parks and the added benefit of supporting
our great outdoors and wildlife in a meaningful way.
Colorado is home to more than 960 species of wildlife and 23
million acres of public lands, ranging from wetlands to forests,
canyon landscapes to mountain lakes. So it is no surprise that
Coloradans cherish an outdoor lifestyle and want to protect the
wild spaces and wildlife they treasure.

Keep Colorado Wild Pass Quick Facts:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Save 60% over the traditional annual state parks pass
Available only with your vehicle registration process
The $29 pass is included in your price total
When purchased, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife
(CPW) logo prints on your registration card which
becomes your pass.
No additional window sticker is provided
Keep your registration card/pass with your vehicle
The pass is not transferable between vehicles
The pass can be linked to the MyCPW app
All regularly priced Colorado state park passes are still
available
You can opt out of the pass

Staunton State Park

The Keep Colorado Wild Pass is way more than state park
entry, the money raised from the pass sales supports your local:
• State parks system
• Search and rescue teams
• Avalanche safety programs
• Wildlife conservation efforts
• Outdoor learning opportunities
All of Colorado wins when you stay opted in! Join us in keeping
Colorado, Colorado.
Read more about the Keep Colorado Wild Pass and how it
benefits Colorado at: cpw.info/keepcoloradowildpass and
cpw.info/keepcoloradowildpassspanish.

English

Spanish

W H AT ’ S H O T

From top: A strawberry and
Campari cocktail, croque madame,
and smothered breakfast burrito

Most kids fantasize about
becoming movie stars or firefighters. But chef Carrie Baird,
formerly of Bar Dough, and Michael Fox, owner of Dis Burrito
(which makes freezer-friendly
a.m. wraps for local grocers,
coffeeshops, and catering gigs),
both dreamed of opening breakfast restaurants as children.
So when the two connected in
2021, it was as if the sunnyside-up eggs had aligned. The
duo’s daytime LoHi eatery, Fox
and the Hen, debuted in June
with a grab-your-own-hotsauce wall and throwback neon
signage. “I really love tapping
into that American nostalgia,”
says Baird, who filled the menu
with cheeky takes on breakfast
favorites, such as Le Big Mac
Omelette. Served with fries, the
French-style omelet is stuffed
with ground beef, smothered in
an American cheese hollandaise, and sprinkled with lettuce,
diced onion, pickles, and sesame
bun breadcrumbs. Or try one of
Baird’s Fancy-ish Toasts, a reff
erence to the signature tartines
she made on Top Cheff in 2018.
Options include the croque madame (griddled sourdough layered with ham, Gruyère cheese,
béchamel sauce, spicy tomato
jam, and a poached egg) and
a ricotta- and custard-stuffed
brioche French toast with jam
and granola. Both are vast improvements over the sugar cereals of yourr youth. —ETHAN PAN

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH BANKS

SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

25

TREND

Lyons’ Spirit Hound Distillers, offers
notes of oak, vanilla, and warm spices.

Third-generation beekeeper Pontus
Jakobsson and his wife, Lara Boudreaux,
are behind this Front Range honey empire. Named for Jakobsson’s grandfather,
who taught his father and him the family
trade back in Sweden, Björn’s
was born in 2013 and has
since grown to encompass
150 hives across Boulder
County; retail stores in
Breckenridge, Steamboat
Springs, Littleton, and DIA; and 25 local
farmers’ market stands. Those looking to
embrace raw honey’s reported medicinal
benefits will find myriad options, including
honey infused with congestion-clearing
oshá root and a variety blended with
propolis, a substance made by bees from
tree and plant resins purported to have
antibacterial properties.
BUY: Björn’s Sweet and Spicy honey
($29 for 10.5 ounces), a collaboration
with Pueblo’s Jojo’s Sriracha, is made with
Pueblo-grown red jalapeños. Drizzle over
pizza crust for what Jolene “Jojo” Collins
calls “hipster sopaipillas.”
HOMESTEAD IN
THE HOOD

Buzz Worthy
With Colorado’s pollinators in peril, it’s never been more important to support
our local bees and beekeepers. Thanks to these makers, it’s also deliciously easy.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Colorado
bees are in trouble. Due to pesticide
use, drought, and climate change, the
Centennial State’s population of hive
dwellers has declined 72 percent in
the past 25 years—one of the steepest
drops in the nation. That’s a problem,
because these pollinators play a crucial
role in our ecosystem and are responsible for one in every three bites of food
we consume. In sweeter news, however, state lawmakers recently passed
a bill limiting the use of bee-killing
neonicotinoid pesticides in the state,
and there are several fiercely dedicated local beekeepers, including these
three, caring for their colonies and
producing award-winning products in
the process. —CALLIE SUMLIN
26

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

BEE SQUARED
APIARIES

3 More Ways
To Help
• Plant
bee-friendly
native flowers.
• Choose
pesticide-free
seeds and forgo
insecticides on
your property.
• Buy organic
produce to reduce agricultural
pesticide use.

Berthoud beekeeper Beth Conrey
boasts three prestigious Good Food
Awards for her products, including a
floral, rose-petal-infused
honey. Even more impressive
is her commitment to supporting pollinators: Between
tending her 200-some hives,
Conrey co-founded the
statewide People and Pollinators Action
Network nonprofit and donates two
percent of Bee Squared’s gross sales to
organizations that protect bees.
BUY: Bee Squared’s Spiced Rum Barrel
Aged honey ($15 for 12 ounces), the
result of a recent partnership with

In 2019, Sarah and Matt McLean were
stung by the beekeeping bug. Their hobby
evolved into Homestead in the Hood,
a company Matt left his Denver Public
Schools teaching job to run full time. With
the bounty produced by hives
dispersed among their own
backyard in Historic Westminster and private properties in
Erie, Lakewood, Centennial,
and Denver, the couple handmakes everything from beeswax food wraps (a natural,
biodegradable alternative to plastic wrap)
to candles to specialty honeys flavored
with lemon peel. Curious about beekeeping yourself? Homestead in the Hood also
offers Beekeeping 101 classes as well as
guided beehive tours, during which kids
and adults can don bee suits and get an
up-close, educational look at what happens inside the hive.
BUY: The palate-warming Winter Warrior
honey ($17 for eight ounces) is boosted
with bee pollen, clove, ginger, orange
peel, and cayenne.

Clockwise from top left: Trinette Reed/Stocksy; Courtesy of Björn’s Colorado Honey; Sarah Banks; Courtesy of Jamie Erickson/Bee Squared Apiaries

BJÖRN’S
COLORADO HONEY

REVIEW

Leap Of Faith
Lucina Eatery & Bar invites diners to give themselves over to the culinary traditions
of Latin America, South America, Spain, and the Caribbean. — ALLYSON REEDY
ark Hill’s Lucina is an undeniably fun restaurant. Not
like ordering-out-of-aclown’s-mouth fun or, ahem, watchingcliff-divers-plunge-off-a-waterfall
fun. Instead, Lucina’s particular brand
of amusement for diners is allowing
them to try—and delight in—something they may have never eaten before.
It’s a trust fall sort of fun, where you’re
nervous and giddy because you don’t
quite know what’s about to happen, but
you have a hunch it will be exhilarating.
Lucina’s namesake is chef-owner
Erasmo (Ras) Casiano’s mother, who

P

^

From left:
Owners Ras
Casiano, Diego
Coconati, and
Michelle Nguyen;
the banana con
dulce de leche

made sure that everyone who entered
her home was well-fed. The lineup of
shareable Latin and Caribbean small
plates blends Casiano’s Mexican upbringing with chef-partner Diego
Coconati’s South American and Caribbean childhood. Everything about
the restaurant, from the bench seating
and floral-wallpaper-adorned bar to
the dishes that blend surprising combinations of flavors and textures, is a soulful
celebration of these bold cultures.
Dive into the unknown with the
tlacoyo cochinita, a masa “boat” that
holds kicky habanero-garlic crema and

pork that’s been slow-roasted overnight. Give the dish a squeeze of the
quartered lime, rip off a chunk, and
eat it with your hands. The presentation is intentional—this is the kind of
restaurant where you’re encouraged
to play with your food. It’s a messy
bite, yes, but it’s also tender and warm
with spices such as Mexican cinnamon and achiote.
Another must-have to start your
meal is the pan de casa.The sourdoughmeets-cornbread textured loaf is
delicious, but it’s the fluffy cloud of
accompanying chimichurri butter that
makes you overlook the $5.50 cost for
a small serving. (We recommend upgrading to a large for $11.) While it
is a bit of a downer that free bread
at restaurants has all but disappeared,
the upside is that, at least at Lucina,
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BANKS

28

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

SE PT EM BE R 15 – O CTOB ER 2 9
FRIDAYS – SUNDAYS, 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.
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of our seven-acre maze. Dive into a world of maritime
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your inner adventurer as you chart your course through
towering waves of corn.
Mini Maze | Barrel Train Rides
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8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton

REVIEW

the care put into the pre-meal carbs
makes them well worth the price tag.
If the aguachile negro is available
(the menu rotates seasonally), order
it—even if just for the shock value.
The team burns garlic, onion, scallions, and four types of chiles to create an inky sauce called salsa ceniza.
You will wonder how something so
pitch black can taste so bright, and
you’ll happily dip the accompanying
tostadas into the sharp, citrusy pool—
taking care to grab a shrimp, a cucumber ring, cilantro, and onion on the
way—while trying to solve that riddle.
Carrots have never been my favorite
thing to see on a menu—they’re often so snoozy—but I closed my eyes
and leaned into Lucina’s multifaceted
rendition of the ubiquitous vegetable.
Casiano and Coconati toast a pile of
rainbow carrots (zanahorias, in Spanish) in their giant pizza oven, the centerpiece of the open kitchen, and stack
them alongside charred scallions and
crispy pepitas. It all sits atop a swoosh
of tangy crema agria (Mexico’s version
of sour cream) blended with chives for
a fancy, onion-dip-like accompaniment
that has serious flair.
Alcapurrias, or Puerto Rican fritters, aren’t on many local menus, but
you should give these fried parcels
a try. Made with a ground yucca
and taro crust, Lucina’s version has
braised chicken spiced with cumin,
coriander, paprika, and sofrito (the
Latin American mirepoix of peppers,
tomatoes, onions, and garlic). A little smoky and a whole lot crispy, the
alcapurrias are best topped with the
attendant tangy cabbage salad and then
plunged into the spicy serrano crema,
all of which cuts the heft of the batter.
Patrons dining at Lucina on Fridays and Saturdays are in for a different treat. The weekend-only paella is
fantastic—but it does require patience.
Each 10.5-inch dish, which easily
feeds two to three, is made to order
and can take up to an hour to hit the
table. But once it arrives, every bite is
an adventure. The inclusions change
weekly based on what’s fresh, but my
paella pan brimmed with red peppers,
mussels, trumpet mushrooms, chorizo, shrimp, saffron threads, and large
chunks of salmon. My only complaint
was that the rice, the best bits of
30

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

FOUND IN
TRANSLATION
We highly suggest branching out
from the familiar offerings on
Lucina’s menu. Use our primer
on these items listed in Spanish
to order like a pro. —AR
ALCAPURRIAS \ al-kuh-pur-ee-uhz
These giant pockets—stuffed with
spiced chicken and sofrito at the
Park Hill eatery—are a popular fritter in Puerto Rico. They are battered
in yucca, taro root, and achiote then
deep-fried to crackling perfection.
CONGRÍ \ kon-gree
Tender black beans are cooked with
fluffy rice and sofrito to produce congrí, which is often presented alongside
plantains. The classic Cuban side dish
is a satisfying addition to plates such
as the churrasco y papas (chimichurriglazed hanger steak with potatoes).
MADUROS \ mah-doo-rohs

Maduros are ripe plantains that are
gently fried to caramelize the sugars
(think: the best banana you’ve ever
had). Ask for the side dish, devoured
throughout the Caribbean and Latin
America, with the mojo pork chop.
MOFONGO \ moh-fone-goh

which should be scraped off the bottom of the pan, could’ve been crispier.
Lucina sources its desserts from
Stanley Marketplace’s Miette et
Chocolat (Casiano and Coconati also
run the food hall’s Create Kitchen and
Bar) and then assembles them at the
restaurant. It’s a smart move, as one
of Miette et Chocolat’s pastry chefs
and chocolatiers, Gonzo Jimenez, is
a member of Christina Tosi’s Bake
Squad, the Netflix show that’s all
about creating over-the-top treats.
Unsurprisingly, the banana con dulce
de leche is extravagant, with piped
dulce de leche white chocolate ganache, banana crémeux (a cross between a mousse and a custard), and
an enjoyable crunch courtesy of the
sablé cookie on the bottom.
Lucina is that rare-in-Denver place
where you’ll want to bring all your
friends so that they, too, can experience the unexpected culinary rush.The
magic here lies in the uncertainty.Trust
me, you’re in great hands.

^

A feast, including
paella and charbroiled
oysters, at Lucina

LUCINA
EATERY & BAR

2245 Kearny St.;
lucinaeatery.co
The Draw:
Inventive dishes
inspired by the cuisines
of Latin America,
South America, the
Caribbean, and Spain;
lively vibe
The Drawback:
Some dishes are
a little pricey
Noise Level:
Moderate
Don’t Miss:
Pan de casa, tlacoyo
cochinita, zanahorias,
weekend paella

This Puerto Rican specialty features
mashed, fried plantains mixed with
garlic and chunks of crispy pork.
Lucina’s dish is served with a generous
side of sliced pork belly and topped
with an herb salad.
PUPUSAS \ puh-poo-suhs

In Honduras and El Salvador, thick,
griddled corn cakes—or pupusas—
are packed with meats, beans, or
cheeses. At Lucina, the parcels are
filled with ropa vieja: stewed beef,
tomatoes, and sofrito.

Get carried away in Vail, where every hour is golden hour. As you
take in the awe-inspiring splendor of autumn, experience the
village, with nearly 150 shops, over 75 restaurants, world-class spas,
and premium properties. Relax, unwind and discover Vail this fall.
DISCOVERVAIL.COM

CRIME

How The West
Was Won

BY S P E N C E R CA M P B E L L

Police believe
car theft is key
to cracking
down on all
kinds of crime.

ripping open cabinets and riffling through drawers, stealing firearms and much
of the jewelry Kenneth had purchased for his wife, Peggy, during their 46 years
of marriage. When a local deputy arrived, he found the Sanders’ TV in the
driveway and a boot print on the splintered front door.
That same month, a task force created specifically to investigate car-related
crimes met at the Mesa County Sheriff ’s Office for its regularly scheduled
weekly operation. The group wasn’t designed to investigate burglaries like the
one at the Sanders’ house, but the leaders of the task force, a Colorado State
Patrol (CSP) initiative dubbed Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement
(BATTLE) West, had been trying something new to fight a rise in auto thefts.
From 2019 to 2021, car thefts in the United States increased by 25 percent,
according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The crime wave hit
Colorado particularly hard: The number of boosted vehicles here skyrocketed 98
percent from 2018 to 2022, earning the Centennial State the dubious distinction
of being, per capita, the car theft capital of the country.
Instead of solely targeting auto theft, BATTLE West had started offering
to help law enforcement agencies in its western Colorado district pursue all
property crime. The thinking behind the strategy: When a law is broken, a stolen car is typically involved. The Sanders’ burglary was a perfect example. After
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SEAN PARSONS

32

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Source photos: Getty Images (8)

On a Sunday morning this past
March, Ted Ruckman drove his white
Ford truck to the Palisade peach
orchard his family has owned for four generations, killed the engine, slipped the keys into
the console, and set off around a garage to fix
a broken-down backhoe. While making the
repairs, Ruckman heard the light crunch of
gravel under tires but didn’t think much of it.
One of his neighbors headed to church, most
likely. When he rounded the garage on his
way to pick up more parts, however, Ruckman discovered his truck was gone.
Two days later and five miles away, as
friends and family gathered for the funeral of
Kenneth Sanders, a former U.S. Marine who
died from cancer at the age of 71, thieves
kicked in his widow’s front door. Several
men tore through the Mesa County home,

A Grand Junction–based task force may
have finally figured out a way to put the
brakes on runaway auto theft in Colorado.

CRIME

BATTLE West received its briefing on the
case, “it became a target of focus for us,” says
Sergeant Brian Eldridge, the Mesa County
Sheriff ’s Office’s liaison to the task force.
The investigation moved quickly. Questioning of Sanders’ son’s wife yielded the
names of two potential suspects, Devon
Krieg and Zander Saunders, who once had
been friends with the daughter-in-law’s
son. Based on surveillance of Krieg’s home,
a judge signed a search warrant for the
property, where officers found the Sanders’
personal documents; debit, credit, and social
security cards; and 17 guns, which evidence
suggests the suspects intended to sell to other
parties. “The interesting thing was—and this
was just happenstance—when we located the
residence where all that stolen property was,”
Eldridge says, “there was a stolen truck.”
Officers identified the white Ford hidden
beneath blankets and a tarp as belonging to
Ted Ruckman of Palisade.
THE DISAPPEARANCE of the Fordslowed operations at Ruckman Family Orchards, but to
Ted, the loss felt personal. “The biggest thing
was the audacity of people to take other
people’s property. That’s not the way we live

out here. It was, it was…,” Ruckman pauses.
“They entered my space. This is my space.”
For most of Ruckman’s life in Mesa
County, crime—especially car theft—didn’t
seem like something he had to worry about.
Master Sergeant Scott Simons can empathize. Before the pandemic, Simon would
hear about maybe one pilfered car a day in
Grand Junction, where he has been based for
most of his two decades with CSP, but that’s
changed since 2020. “There were days with
five steals, and none of them were related
[to each other],” Simons says. “It’s not like
an auto theft ring or they were taken from
a dealership. It was just sporadic. They were
popping up all over the place.”
Along with the crime’s growth came a
change in its nature. Historically, people
stole cars because they could sell them for
money, either intact or by chopping them
up for parts, or because they were looking
for a good time. “Auto thieves today are not
joyriders,” says Cale Gould, spokesperson
for the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention
Authority (CATPA). “They’re not Nicolas
Cage in Gone In 60 Seconds. They don’t have
great skills where they could steal high-end
cars in 60 seconds. Auto thieves are career

FALL HOM
ES
ADO
R
H
LO

OW

CO

PRESENTS THE

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SHOW HOURS:
Friday, Sept. 15
10 a.m.–6 p.m.
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10 a.m.–6 p.m.
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10 a.m.–3 p.m.
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Kids 12 and under are free
Purchase advance tickets at:
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34

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

criminals who steal cars for the entire purpose of committing other crimes.”
It’s CATPA’s mission to ensure they
never get that chance. As part of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, CATPA
collects one dollar from every auto insurance
policy issued in the state to fund initiatives
that deter auto thefts. Most of the time, the
money—$5.7 million annually, on average—
is disbursed to law enforcement agencies
through grants, including the one that pays
for BATTLE. Started in 2018, BATTLE
split the state into four geographic regions
(North, South, East, and West) with the
intent of using additional resources—i.e.,
money—to entice agencies in those areas to
work together to investigate stolen cars. As
the statistics indicate, the plan didn’t work.
Then, in 2022, Simons was promoted to
lead the Investigations Unit in CSP’s Grand
Junction office, inheriting BATTLE West in
the process. One of his orders from the higher-ups in Denver: Fix the task force. “They
wanted to see some changes,” Simons says.
There are many reasons why car thefts
in the United States have increased over
the past few years. Anytime there’s economic uncertainty, there’s a rise in crime.

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CRIME

The NICB also points to the emergence of
keyless fobs and drivers’ penchants for leaving them in consoles as making cars easy
pickings for would-be robbers. On social
media, a collective of crooks in Minneapolis who call themselves the Kia Boyz used
social media to show followers across the
country how to exploit functional flaws in
Kias and Hyundais to boost the rides. Today,
those brands comprise a quarter of all thefts
in the United States.
There are institutional issues that make
catching car thieves difficult, too. Many times,
where vehicles are nabbed isn’t where they’re
found, meaning they may have crossed jurisdictional borders. Furthermore, some police
agencies, especially in rural areas, don’t have
the resources to devote to auto theft, especially when they have decided that other
crimes must take priority. Criminals are also
aware that most law enforcement agencies will
not pursue suspects in stolen cars because a
chase can cause massive property damage and,
sometimes, fatalities. Police believe it’s safer to
catch up with the criminals later.
But why has Colorado seen a steeper rise
in auto theft than other states? “That’s a million-dollar question,” Gould says.

36

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

John Pickard has a theory. A commander
with the Lakewood Police Department, Pickard leads the CATPA Metropolitan Auto
Theft Task Force (C-MATT), which is separate from BATTLE but has much the same
mission, only for the Denver metro area. In
2014, the Colorado Legislature decided that,
to convict someone of auto theft, the state
would have to prove that the accused thief
knew they were in an ill-gotten ride. A person’s fingerprint on the gearshift, for example,
was not enough evidence; they could have
been a passenger. “We had lots of cases that
were declined by the [district attorney’s]
office,” Pickard says, “because they had a very
difficult time showing that the person knowingly was in possession of the stolen vehicle.”
Facing this litany of obstacles, BATTLE didn’t seem to be making much of a
dent in car crime. Part of the issue was that
while auto theft was BATTLE’s mission, it
wasn’t the primary concern of many local
law enforcement agencies, who might be
more focused on expending their limited
resources toward, say, the shoplifting sprees
plaguing their retail centers. But after surveying offenses in Mesa County, it became clear
to Simons that car theft was connected to

just about every other type of crime. “It was
very rare that you would arrest somebody for
auto theft without some secondary charges
involved,” Simons says.
In early 2022, Simons called Sergeant Justin Montover, who at the time led the Mesa
County Sheriff ’s Office’s Property Crime and
Investigations Unit, and together they began
organizing weekly, daylong operations targeting property crime suspects. BATTLE West’s
bankroll funded deputies’ overtime so they
could work outside their normal shifts. Every
Wednesday, the sheriff ’s office’s intel unit
would print out a list of warrants for shoplifting, burglary, and other offenses, as well
as a list of stolen cars in the area. The officers
would then knock on the doors of suspects
while keeping an eye out for any stolen cars
near the premises. While in jail, those people couldn’t steal more cars. Montover was
so committed to the project that he spent
the allotted annual overtime budget in two
months. “I’m not overly proud of that by any
means,” Montover says.
But when Montover went to his superiors
at the sheriff ’s office to apologize, they told
him to keep going. “They refused to give the
operations up,” Montover says. The task force

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CRIME

had proved so successful that Mesa County
moved money around in the department’s
budget to continue funding overtime pay
until the next CATPA grant cycle started in
2023. The investment paid off. By the end of
2022, car theft in the BATTLE West region
had decreased by 32 percent over 2021, compared with an increase of 11 percent across
the state during the same time frame.
Perhaps more important, BATTLE West
operations resulted in a decrease in all property crime in the area, and as arrests began
stacking up, more departments and agencies
within BATTLE West’s purview wanted
in on the ops. Within a few months, the
task force’s numbers swelled from a handful of Mesa County deputies and CSP’s
two Grand Junction–based investigators to
20 or so officers from the Grand Junction,
Montrose, and Cortez police departments.
Representatives from U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Colorado
Bureau of Investigation also joined the initiative. In terms of size, BATTLE West
equaled an entire small-town police force.
“Everybody started realizing in different
meetings and briefings that not only are

38

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

vehicle crimes falling,” Montover says, “but
also all property crimes are falling—and
some of these property crimes are related to
violent crime.”
In an attempt to expand BATTLE West’s
successes, CSP rolled out similar weekly
operations across all its regions, including
the newly formed BATTLE Southwest, in
2023. By the end of June, BATTLE North,
for one, had worked with the Greeley Police
Department to complete 19 missions, recovering 57 stolen vehicles valued at a combined
$687,000. They also made 30 arrests on warrants for things like vehicle theft, aggravated
robbery, felony menacing, and first-degree
murder. “I think the charges that came on
top of normal auto theft were far and away
a greater impact to the community than just
recovering the vehicles,” says Sergeant Jamie
Colyer, who leads BATTLE North. Still,
Colyer was happy to report that, after a 25
percent increase in 2022, car theft in BATTLE North had fallen 21 percent through
June of this year.
JADE BEACH SPENT the winter in Bozeman,

Montana, caring for his grandmother in
hospice. After her death, he drove home

to New Mexico but stopped to visit friends
for a few days in Lakewood—where thieves
broke into his steering column and made
off with his 1989 Toyota Camry.
Police recovered the sedan a few weeks
later, when someone drove it to an unrelated
court appearance and license plate readers
in the parking garage identified the Camry
as stolen. It’s now sitting in an impound
lot and will reside there for the foreseeable
future, as Beach, who lived in Denver for
five years, isn’t sure he wants to retrieve a car
whose value might be less than the impound
fee. (The experience has left Beach feeling
more than a little cynical about his former
hometown. He now thinks of Denver as an
“open-air insane asylum.”)
BATTLE doesn’t cover the Denver area
because the metro requires more attention
than a part-time operation can offer—
as anyone who’s read headlines lately can
attest. In July, a woman was shot in the
hand after using an Apple AirTag to track
her stolen Kia Optima to a parking spot in
Aurora. Earlier in the year, a man also found
his own pilfered car—and shot and killed
the 12-year-old boy he found in the driver’s seat. In fact, if BATTLE’s regions had

CRIME

been completely theft-free in 2022, Colorado would still have ranked sixth in the
United States for auto robbery, thanks to the
Denver metro, where more than 30,000 cars
were filched. As such, the Mile High City
has its own, dedicated CATPA initiative:
Pickard’s C-MATT, a full-time task force of
12 officers and two civilians staffed by eight
departments in Jefferson, Denver, Arapahoe,
and Adams counties.
Denver is not only more active than
the rest of the state, but its criminals are
also more organized. In 2021, for example,
C-MATT spent nine months investigating an enterprise that officers dubbed “the
Sopranos” due to the blood ties of its members (as well as to one suspect tattooing
“Sopranos Style” across his forehead). The
Sopranos were more structured than car
thieves in, say, Grand Junction, but they, too,
boosted rides as conduits to other crimes. A
grand jury eventually indicted four suspects
from the group under Colorado’s Organized
Crime Control Act, finding the faction
responsible for $1.2 million in stolen vehicles, catalytic converters, and weapons.
Although his thieves are more coordinated than Simons’, Pickard has begun

incorporating BATTLE West’s approach as
a piece of C-MATT’s overall strategy. “Anybody who is successful,” Pickard says, “others
would be remiss not to try and look at their
success to see if we can apply it to what we
do.” Police agencies in the Denver metro
have long helped their neighbors out after a
serious crime. Now, C-MATT is offering aid
more frequently for smaller offenses, Pickard says, “because, by golly, they’re probably
going to be involved with a stolen car.”
Pickard isn’t the only one who has noticed
BATTLE’s success. Captain Mike Ryan,
who runs CSP’s investigative services section, says Governor Jared Polis personally
contacted CATPA to offer congratulations. This past legislative session, lawmakers
passed Senate Bill 23-257, which earmarked
$5 million for CATPA’s prevention efforts,
nearly doubling its annual budget. Applications that rely on multiagency cooperation,
such as BATTLE, will receive priority
access to the new funds. State legislators also
approved SB 23-097, which makes stealing
any vehicle a felony offense. (Previously, car
theft charges were based on a value system;
taking a clunker worth less than $2,000, for
example, was a misdemeanor.)

While both bills received bipartisan support, not every legislator believes funding
police initiatives is the answer. “Why are people doing nefarious deeds in the first place?”
asks state Representative Lorena Garcia, one
of 10 in the House who voted against SB
23-257. (Only one senator objected.) Garcia would rather that money be put toward
social programs: “What we need to do is
invest in our people.”
Ryan says the extra money will, in part,
allow BATTLE to pay for bigger operations, including even more overtime for law
enforcement agencies that have been clamoring to join the task force. In the future,
BATTLE might be able to go full time,
like C-MATT. As for concerns about state
money going to a larger law enforcement
presence? All Ryan can do is point to BATTLE West: “When we’ve seen nothing but
increases since 2014 and suddenly our first
significant reductions come right from the
area that we just tested our new strategy out?
I don’t know if I’d say it’s an outlier as much
as I’d say it’s a trend in the right direction.” 
Spencer Campbell is the features editor at 5280.
Email feedback to letters@5280.com.

SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

39

HIGHER EDUCATION

New
School?
With a peg-letter board serving as
the office directory and a pendulum
clock marking time like a metronome, the entryway to the presidential offices
at Colorado State University feels like the
set of a stage play about campus life in the
1960s. Even the massive elm trees shading
the lawn beyond the building’s stone pillars
testify to decades past. Yet I’m here to meet
an administrator who’s expected to put CSU
on a decidedly forward-looking path: In the
newly created role of assistant vice president
of Indigenous and Native American affairs,
Patrese Atine is charged with improving the
university’s rapport with a demographic that
hasn’t, historically, enjoyed much consideration at this or other institutions of higher
education across the United States.
CSU’s disconnect with Native Americans began with its creation, on land that
had been seized from tribes. The LandGrant College Act of 1862 awarded federal
land—including more than 10 million acres
of Native holdings—to U.S. states and territories so they could establish colleges of
agriculture and industrial arts. Colorado used
its share to create the Colorado Agricultural
College (now Colorado State University) in
1870, six years after the Sand Creek Massacre, in which some 230 members of the
Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes that once
occupied that land were slaughtered by the
1st Colorado Infantry Regiment of Volunteers and 3rd Regiment of Colorado Cavalry
Volunteers—both commanded by Colonel
John Chivington of the U.S. Army.
The university’s land acknowledgment
statement, published in 2019, addresses the
school’s use of parcels originally occupied
by Indigenous tribes. The statement also
recognizes CSU’s responsibility to offer an
education that’s accessible to and inclusive
of all, which was, in theory, the point of the
Land-Grant College Act, even if in practice
it almost exclusively helped white students.
Yet just 908 CSU students—or roughly
three percent of the student body—selfidentified as Native American for the

Colorado State University rests on land seized from Indigenous
tribes, who have largely been ignored by CSU ever since. A new
administrator plans to build those relationships and improve
Native Americans’ access to higher ed. BY K E L LY B AS T O N E

Patrese Atine,
CSU’s new
assistant vice
president for
Indigenous and
Native American affairs

2023-’24 school year. (Of note: The U.S. Census estimates those who identify as only Native American account for 1.7 percent of the state’s populace.)
Meanwhile, a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigation published by High Country
News in 2020 revealed that CSU was among at least 16 land-grant institutions
across the nation that continue to profit from appropriated land: Mineral and
grazing leases on acreage formerly occupied by Native communities generated $662,596 in revenue for CSU during fiscal year 2019.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JIMENA PECK

40

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

HIGHER EDUCATION

With the creation of this assistant vice
president position, CSU joins a small cadre
of land-grant universities that have decided
formal apologies and land acknowledgments
don’t do enough to right institutional wrongs
against Native Americans. CSU hopes that
putting an advocate for Indigenous Americans in the president’s office will allow it to
boost recruitment and retention of Native
students and staff, develop culturally responsive research initiatives, and steer the
university toward healthier relationships
with sovereign tribal nations within Colorado and beyond.
By mid-May, when I visit campus, Atine
has logged just 10 weeks on the job. “I’ve
spent the first two and a half months just
listening, learning the history of the institution and hearing from students that are here
and that have left,” Atine says. “I’ve reached
out to institutions in our area that also serve
Native populations to hear their backstories
about what works—and what doesn’t.”
identify as Indigenous to hang out in CSU’s Native
American Cultural Center (NACC), a room
within the Lory Student Center where colorful posters and bookcases surround long
tables that make the space look more like a
library than a lounge. But this is one place
on campus where Native Americans don’t
feel outnumbered: Here, freshmen meet
with returning students who serve as mentors and tutors, and groups of young people
plan leadership development retreats and
awareness-raising events, such as the annual powwow and celebrations of Native
American Heritage Month in November.
Established in 1979, the NACC has long
been “a big factor” in persuading prospective
students and their families to consider CSU,
says the center’s director, Tyrone “Ty” Smith,
a CSU alum who was born and raised on
the Navajo Nation. Other schools may have
multicultural centers that welcome students
who identify with a broad array of cultural
and ethnic backgrounds, but with those who
identify as only Native Americans tallying
just 2.9 percent of the total U.S. population,
“they may feel they’re not represented, that
their voices may not be heard at a multicultural center,” Smith says.
Furthermore, Native Americans already
comprise a multicultural demographic spanning various tribal affiliations across rural
and urban backgrounds. What they share
is a common need for a supportive community—particularly as they adjust to a
predominantly white university located
within the predominantly white city of Fort
STUDENTS DON’T HAVE TO

Is it possible to go back 400 years
in 4 days? Here, in The City Different,
the oldest capital city in the United
States, it isn’t only possible; it’s
expected. It’s just one of the things
that makes The City Different,
but there’s still so much waiting
to be uncovered.

42

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Collins. “Some may never have been underrepresented like that,” Smith says, “so they’re
not yet comfortable with it.”
While the NACC has provided Indigenous Americans who matriculate at CSU
with a more supportive atmosphere and more
resources than they’re likely to find at most
other U.S. institutions of higher education,
it alone cannot reconcile the institution with
past—and sometimes continuing—norms
based on exclusion and injustice. For instance,
in 2010, as CSU’s basketball team prepared
to play its rival, the University of Wyoming,
a group of students created a Facebook page
that appeared to have been sponsored by
CSU Athletics (but wasn’t) and suggested
that fans re-enact a cowboys versus American Indians battle. Tiffani Kelly, an enrolled
member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, was one of the CSU students who
raised objections in her posts on the page.
“The aggression was horrific,” she says. “I was
threatened with being beat up because I was
voicing my opinion that this was a problem.”
Campus protests led to dialogue with
Tony Frank, CSU’s president at the time,
who was moved to pursue changes that could
improve the school’s treatment of Native
Americans. Frank supported the 2011 creation of the Native American Legacy Award,
which allows members of tribes that were
forcibly removed from Colorado to qualify
for in-state tuition rates at CSU. In 2015, the
university changed the name of its Pingree
Park Mountain Campus to Colorado State
University Mountain Campus to eliminate
the reference to George Pingree, a participant
in the bloodshed at Sand Creek.
But in 2018, a campus tour made national
headlines after a parent grew suspicious of
two prospective Native American students
and called campus police. Officers removed
the boys from the tour and subjected them
to questioning and a search of their possessions—despite the fact that they’d done
nothing wrong. “It wasn’t unique to CSU,”
says Kelly, who by then had graduated and
taken a position as assistant director of CSU’s
NACC. Similar events involving nervous
whites calling the police on bystanders of
color have occurred across the country. However, Kelly says, “it made [Native Americans
at CSU] feel like unless we’re performing at
a powwow or prayer ceremony or as a mascot, we’re not accepted into general spaces.”
The incident rallied the broader CSU
community around improving inclusion of
Native Americans. Frank established a task
force that morphed into the current Native
American Advisory Council, which examines
the challenges faced by Native students and

No other city makes a first impression like Santa Fe. The moment you arrive, adobe-style
architecture captures your gaze. Each building crafted and shaped by the historic city that
surrounds it. When you stroll through the streets, it’s clear how The City Different got
its name. It’s just one of the things that makes The City Different, but there’s still so much
waiting to be uncovered.

HIGHER EDUCATION

staff. The group also proposes solutions: One
was to establish a high-level administrative
position that could channel Indigenous viewpoints into the institution’s top office.
“This is not DEI work,” says Kelly,
who served as chair of the Native American Advisory Council and helped write the
job description for the new assistant vice
president position. “We’re talking about
developing relationships with tribes, with
sovereign nations.” Until now, individual students and staff have assumed the burden of
acting as mouthpieces for their cultures and
communities. The goal is for the new assistant
vice president to collaborate with other Indigenous groups to execute those diplomatic
functions, including those that influence research objectives and curriculum creation.
Says Kelly: “The position operates at a high
level where systemic change happens.”
Its establishment places CSU among
the forefront of land-grant institutions that
have, since 2018, created similar positions to
address Native American relations. The University of Arizona (situated within a state that
includes several large reservations, such as
the Hopi Reservation and Navajo Nation,
for sovereign nations) has already instituted

44

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

senior vice president and assistant vice provost positions to manage Native American
affairs. The University of Minnesota also created two executive positions for Indigenous
issues: Most recently, in May 2021, the school
appointed Karen Diver as senior adviser to
the president for Native American Affairs, a
position that was reminiscent of the one she
held under President Barack Obama.
Schools that weren’t founded by the
land-grant process see value in having an executive dedicated to Native American issues,
too. In May 2023, the University of Colorado Boulder began looking for an associate
vice chancellor of Native American affairs,
and the University of Denver has worked to
be more inclusive in recent years, too. “We
would love to have a big-picture person like
Patrese,” says Chris Nelson, associate professor at the University of Denver’s Morgridge
College of Education, the Native faculty director for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion, and the faculty adviser for the DU
Native Student Alliance, a support group for
Indigenous students that promotes awareness
of those cultures across campus.
Like CSU, DU has also had to reconcile
a legacy of unsavory beginnings: Its founder,

John Evans, was the governor of the Territory
of Colorado and its superintendent of Indian
affairs when the Sand Creek Massacre took
place. After the university’s own John Evans
Study Committee of 2014 found him culpable
for the atrocity, DU added positions that could
better support Native American students.
Nelson now collaborates with Stevie
Rose Tohdacheeny Lee, the school’s associate director for diversity, equity, and
inclusion, Native American initiatives (a
position created in 2016). Both women
spend most of their time supporting Indigenous students’ day-to-day needs, like
adapting to campus housing and managing
financial aid. “As people on the ground, we
don’t have discussions with the chancellor,”
Nelson says. “But an assistant vice president would have direct communication to
top cabinet leaders and could actually shape
policy and outreach.”
For his part, CSU’s NACC director Smith
sees the assistant vice president position
as delivering the strategic leadership that
his office doesn’t attempt. “We’re busy, so
having a voice for us at that level is so important,” Smith says. “It has been a long
time in coming.”

HIGHER EDUCATION

SITTING AT A POLISHED conference table on

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5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

campus, Patrese Atine wears a gray pencil
skirt and matching jacket that looks, I imagine, like something the 39-year-old purchased
for her previous job. Before starting at CSU
on March 1, Atine worked in Washington,
D.C., initially as the government and legislative affairs associate for the Navajo Nation
(she is an enrolled member of that tribe) and
later as the director of congressional and federal relations for the American Indian Higher
Education Consortium as an advocate for
tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). She
learned to read the capital’s pulse and how to
sense the tipping point in negotiations there.
Now she’s recalibrating those instincts to
northern Colorado.
She’s also asked tribal nations about past
injuries and possible grudges against the university. “You have to address wounds,” Atine
says. But she also says that simply initiating
a dialogue builds brand-new bridges between
Native American communities and Colorado’s institutions of higher education. “I’ve
been asking critical questions about our engagement with tribal members,” Atine says.
“What do tribes want? And are we doing
what’s best by tribes? And I don’t know that
institutions of higher education have historically asked that.”
Growing up in Provo, Utah, Atine was
drawn to Brigham Young University, which
conducted “a lot of outreach and recruitment
in my community,” she says. She felt comfortable on that campus, in part because BYU had
amassed a sizable group of what Atine calls
“urban Indians.” Her uncomplicated adaptation to college life isn’t typical of Native youth.
“One thing that I commonly hear from Native
students is that they don’t feel like their cultures, their identities, or their communities are
reflected in their coursework,” she says.
Consequently, some of the tribes’ most
bookish kids gravitate toward TCUs, which
are also land-grant institutions, but ones
operated by the tribes themselves. These
schools—none of which are located in
Colorado but are scattered across other Midwestern and Western states—are chronically
underfunded, Atine says, and typically lack
sophisticated laboratories and other highdollar, high-tech facilities. But, she explains,
they let Indigenous students learn in culturally centered environments that train them
to occupy careers that are needed on reservations: teachers, veterinarians, and natural
resource managers, among others.
Becoming a teacher was Atine’s initial goal while at BYU, but her experience
in Provo, and later at Boston University
(where she earned a Master of Arts in

HIGHER EDUCATION

education, policy, planning, and administration), afforded her broader horizons that
eventually led her to the Beltway. “The best
resource we have in the United States is our
higher education system,” Atine says. “I’ve
been telling Native students, ‘Be a specialist so you have a passion that you can carry
on through your adult life.’ I feel that can
happen with higher education.”
There are so many needs in Indigenous
communities, though, that it’s difficult for
Atine to know where to begin. Some tribal
communities have told her they need help
improving K–12 education so that higher education actually becomes a realistic option.
The University of Arizona, where the Office
of Native American Advancement and Tribal
Engagement is three years old, has already
begun to partner on agricultural research
spurred by tribal needs and interests. With
Atine’s diplomacy, CSU could develop similar collaborations with Colorado-based tribes
seeking insights into crop development and
natural resource management.
The new assistant vice president has also
been tasked with making CSU friendlier to
incoming students who come from tribal
nations. That includes hiring more Native

American faculty and staff to bolster Indigenous voices across campus. Curricula might
also change to become more representative
of Indigenous experiences and traditions.
“We’ve heard that to be successful, students
need to see themselves reflected in coursework,” Atine explains. “What does that look
like? I don’t 100 percent know.”
Atine also isn’t completely sure how she
will spend the money she’s allotted. Each
year, Atine will create a budget and will have
the ability to recommend up to $500,000
in annual expenditures—taken from CSU’s
land-grant income—to benefit Native American and Indigenous people. University
spokesperson Nik Olsen says scholarships
are a likely target.
Data illustrating the prosperity gap between Native Americans and the broader
U.S. population is scarce, because the U.S.
government does not track Native American wealth, and the statistics that do exist
can be misleading. What little information there is, however, suggests that the gap
is wide. Thus, even CSU’s $12,702 in-state
yearly tuition for students from tribal nations
can seem unattainable to many Indigenous
Americans. Several Colorado schools (such

as Metropolitan State University of Denver
and Fort Lewis College in Durango) offer
tuition waivers for enrolled tribal members.
And last year, the University of Arizona developed the Arizona Native Scholars Grant
to assist Indigenous-identifying Arizona undergraduates by paying for any tuition and
fees that aren’t covered by Pell grants.
Money has also dominated Atine’s conversations with Colorado’s Native communities.
“Financial aid and scholarships remain at
the top of the list of needs,” she says. Closing
the wealth gap for Colorado’s Native Americans would be job enough. Helping the
institution see and hear those populations
is less quantifiable and, thus, potentially
more difficult.
But amid nationwide declines in college
enrollment (Colorado’s college-going rate for
high school seniors in 2021 was 49.9 percent,
more than 10 percent lower than the national
average, and declines are projected for 2025
and beyond), CSU is motivated to pay attention to Native American populations. Atine
says the consideration is long overdue. 
Kelly Bastone is a Steamboat Springs–based writer.
Email feedback to letters@5280.com.

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Your guide to Denver Metro private schools. Flip the page to
learn more about the schools, find school events, and more.
Scan the QR code to find schools near you!

Private School Handbook

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Private School Directory
 Mackintosh Academy

 Accelerated Schools of Denver



2160 S. Cook Street
Denver, CO 80210

4400 E. Iliff Avenue
Denver, CO 80222

ADMISSIONS: (303) 758-2003
acceleratedschools.org
SPECIALT Y: Individualized programs,
providing a unique and alternative approach
to learning.
GR ADES/AGES: Middle School–High School
For full profile, see page 53.

ADMISSIONS: (303) 777-5161
denveracademy.org
SPECIALT Y: Inspiring and empowering
students with varied learning profiles.
GR ADES/AGES: Second Grade–High
School (2-12)
For full profile, see page 55.

ADMISSIONS: (303) 794-6222
mackintoshacademy.com
SPECIALT Y: Innovative International
Baccalaureate education tailored for gifted and
creative students. Emphasis on service, socialemotional growth, and sustainability.
GR ADES/AGES: Preschool–Middle School
For full profile, see page 58.

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Aspen Academy

5859 S. University Boulevard
Greenwood Village, CO 80121
ADMISSIONS: (303) 346-3500 ext. 125
aspenacademy.org
SPECIALT Y: Internationally acclaimed
academics, personalized instruction, leadership and
entrepreneurial development, and service learning.
GR ADES/AGES: Preschool–Middle School
For full profile, see page 54.
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Colorado Academy

3800 S. Pierce Street,
Denver, CO 80235
ADMISSIONS: (303) 914-2513
coloradoacademy.org
SPECIALT Y: Creating curious, kind,
courageous, and adventurous learners and
leaders through transformative teaching.
GR ADES/AGES: Pre-K–High School

Denver Academy

Evergreen Country Day School

7018 S. Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120

Mullen High School

1036 El Rancho Road
Evergreen, CO 80439

3601 S. Lowell Blvd.
Denver, CO 80236

ADMISSIONS: (303) 674-3400
evergreencountryday.org
SPECIALT Y: Education with intention.
Preparing and inspiring students to thrive and
create a better world.
GR ADES/AGES: 18 months–8th Grade

ADMISSIONS: admissions@mullenhigh.com
SPECIALT Y: Founded in the Lasallian
tradition, Mullen is a Catholic, college
preparatory high school that provides exempla
teaching through a community of faith,
scholastic rigor, and care and vigilance for each
student it serves.
GR ADES/AGES: High School
For full profile, see page 58.

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International School of Denver

7701 E. First Place, Unit C,
Denver, CO 80230
ADMISSIONS: (303) 340-3647 | isdenver.org
SPECIALT Y: Multicultural, multilingual
school with language immersion and
International Baccalaureate education.
GR ADES/AGES: Preschool–Middle School
For full profile, see page 56.
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Ricks Center for Gifted Children
University of Denver

2040 S. York Street
Denver, CO 80208
ADMISSIONS: (303) 871-3715
du.edu/ricks
SPECIALT Y: Differentiated educational
programming for gifted students.
GR ADES/AGES: Preschool–Middle School
For full profile, see page 59.

 Kent Denver School


Dawson School

10455 Dawson Drive
Lafayette, CO 80026
ADMISSIONS: (303) 665-6679
dawsonschool.org
SPECIALT Y: Preparing students to bring
their best to the world. With a focus on
character education and leadership, Dawson
offers college-preparatory academics, curated
experiences and travel, and robust athletics,
arts, and innovation programs.
GR ADES/AGES: Kindergarten–High School
For full profile, see page 54.

P SH B-50

4000 E. Quincy Avenue
Englewood, CO 80113
ADMISSIONS: (303) 770-7660
kentdenver.org
SPECIALT Y: Serving diverse, passionate
students in grades 6-12, Kent Denver School
transforms lives of students and community
through extraordinary educational experiences.
GR ADES/AGES: Middle School–High School
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St. Anne’s Episcopal School

2701 S. York Street
Denver, CO 80210
ADMISSIONS: (303) 756-9481
st-annes.org
SPECIALT Y: Cultivating a community of
curious and compassionate learners who are
inspired to serve and enrich our world.
GR ADES/AGES: Age 3 through Grade 8
For full profile, see page 59.

Private School Handbook

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Private School Directory


St. Mary’s Academy

4545 S. University Blvd.
Englewood, CO 80113
ADMISSIONS: (303) 762-8300
stmarys.academy
SPECIALT Y: The SMA family environment
is guided in the Loretto School Values of faith,
community, justice and respect. Academic
excellence, global leadership, service, arts
and athletics.
GR ADES/AGES: Age 3 through Grade 8
(co-ed), High School (all girls)
For full profile, see page 57.
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St. Elizabeth’s School



Valor Christian High School

1800 N. Pontiac Street, Denver, CO 80220

3775 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 8012

ADMISSIONS: (303) 322-4209
stelizabethsdenver.org
SPECIALT Y: St. Elizabeth’s is an
intentionally inclusive Episcopal school that has
a commitment to excellence and believes that all
students should receive quality education.
GR ADES/AGES: K–8

ADMISSIONS: (303) 471-3000
valorchristian.com
SPECIALT Y: Valor Christian High School's
mission is “to prepare tomorrow’s leaders to
transform the world for Christ.” Valor provide
a college preparatory program, within a
vibrant Christ-centered environment that
empowers students to excel in their passions
and to grow in wisdom, knowledge, leadership
faith and service.
GR ADES/AGES: 9-12

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The Logan School for
Creative Learning

1005 Yosemite Street, Denver, CO 80230
ADMISSIONS: (303) 240-2444 x. 117
becky.godec@theloganschool.org
SPECIALT Y: Inspiring gifted students to
discover their learning path through individual
units of study.
GR ADES/AGES: Kindergarten–8th Grade
For full profile, see page 56.

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School Event Calendar
TOUR

2023

TOUR

SEP. 18, OCT. 17, DEC. 13 | 8:25 AM

2023

Accelerated Schools

Ricks Center Campus Tours

Accelerated Schools
2160 S. Cook Street, Denver, CO 80210

Ricks Center for Gifted Children at University of Denver
2040 S. York Street, Denver, CO 80208

Accelerated Schools specializes in the individual
student’s education and plans with the whole student
in mind, no matter the learning difference, such as
Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, OCD, depression,
or anxiety, as well as gifted and talented students who
need to be challenged. We are proud to be part of one
of the oldest non-profit private schools with “Open
Enrollment” in the country.

We are excited to once again welcome visitors into our
building. We will be offering both individual, small
groups, and virtual tours. Come in and learn about our
approach to learning and find out what makes Ricks
Center a place where we can empower intellectually
gifted children to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Schedule your tour today by visiting acceleratedschools.org.
........................................................................................
TOUR

WEEKLY IN 2023

International School of Denver
Campus Tours
International School of Denver
7701 E. First Place, Unit C, Denver, CO 80230
Join us! Come to campus to see our unique educational
model in action.
Visit isdenver.org/admissions to start your inquiry and
find a time that works best for you.
........................................................................................

To sign up for a tour, please visit du.edu/ricks/admissions/visit.
........................................................................................
TOUR

2023

Visit Kent Denver School
Kent Denver School
4000 E Quincy Ave. Englewood, CO 80113
Visit us to see all that Kent Denver has to offer!
Tour our beautiful 200-acre campus and meet with
community members to learn about the extraordinary
educational experiences we provide. From our academic
philosophy to award-winning programs, students
develop and grow through active, self-directed learning
in a caring, inclusive environment.
For details on upcoming events, or to schedule a campus
tour, please visit kentdenver.org/visit.

Colorado Academy
Admission Preview
Colorado Academy
3800 S. Pierce Street, Denver, CO 80235
CA is seeking curious, kind, courageous, and
adventurous students in Pre-Kindergarten through
Grade 12 from a variety of backgrounds. Admission
Preview is a unique opportunity to learn about our
school community, and we look forward to connecting
with your family.
Visit coloradoacademy.org for more information.
....................................................................................
OCTOBER 1 | 9–11 AM

St. Elizabeth’s All School Open Hous
St. Elizabeth’s School
1800 N. Pontiac Street, Denver, CO 80220
Join us for a tour and interactive informational session
in our spacious new Park Hill location! Faculty,
administration, students, and parents will share more
about our mission, programs, and community at St.
Elizabeth’s School. All families that are interested in
K-8 education are welcome! Reserve your spot today!
RSVP and find out more at stelizabethsdenver.org.
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Private School Handbook

SP ECIAL ADVERT ISI NG SECT ION

School Event Calendar
SEPTEMBER 27 | 6 PM: PreK–8
OCTOBER 25 | 10 AM: 2–6
DECEMBER 6 | 10 AM: Pre-K–1

Mackintosh Academy
Admissions Open House
Mackintosh Academy
7018 S. Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120
At our September 27 “Taste of the Apple,” witness
our Pre-K-8th grade inquiry-based International
Baccalaureate program for gifted learners firsthand. On
October 25 and December 6, join us for admissions open
houses tailored to grades 2-6 and Pre-K-1 respectively.
Individual tours by appointment for grades 7 & 8.
Contact us at (303) 794-6222 or
admissions@mackintoshacademy.com to RSVP.
........................................................................................
OCT. 5 & 24 | 5:30-8 PM

Explore Valor
Valor Christian High School
3775 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Meet our faculty, coaches, and administrative staff, see
our state-of-the-art campus and experience Eagle spirit
first hand. Everyone is welcome!
For more information and to RSVP,
contact Admissions@Valorchristian.com
........................................................................................
OCT. 11 | 9:30–11 AM

The Logan School Parent
Information Session
The Logan School for Creative Learning
1005 Yosemite Street, Denver, CO 80230
Join us to learn more about Logan, meet Head of
School, go on a student-led tour of the school,
with time for questions after the tour.
Visit www.theloganschool.org/take-a-tour or email
admissions@theloganschool.org
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OCT. 19, NOV. 2, DEC. 7 | 9:30-11 AM

Aspen Academy School Previews
Aspen Academy
5859 S. University Blvd., Greenwood Village, CO 80121
Witness our extraordinary classrooms in-action!
Join our team and Founders to learn about the
Aspen Academy culture and academics, see classrooms,
and meet directors. This is a great opportunity for
families to ask questions and talk with current Aspen
Academy parents.
Learn more and register here: aspenacademy.org/visit
........................................................................................
TOUR

OCTOBER 21 | 9:00 AM

St. Anne’s Parent Preview
St. Anne’s Episcopal School
2701 S. York Street, Denver, CO 80210

OCTOBER 21 | 10 AM - 1 PM

St. Mary’s High School Open House
St. Mary’s Academy
4545 S. University Blvd., Englewood, CO 80113
At St. Mary’s Academy High School, students are
inspired by the immersive environment with rigorous
academics, integrated service learning, the arts, and
athletics. They are honored and empowered as young
women to be agents of change.
Contact Admissions at 303-762-8300.
........................................................................................
OCTOBER 27 | 10 AM–12 PM
OCTOBER 28 | 10 AM–1 PM

Dawson School Open House
Dawson School
10455 Dawson Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026

Scan the QR code
below to find
schools near you!

Friday is a set program. Learn more about Dawson's
approach to education, and hear from faculty, students,
and parents. Campus tour provided. Saturday is a
drop-in atmosphere where you can talk to Dawson
Admissions and faculty. Campus tours will be available.
Register at dawsonschool.org/openhouse or email
admissions@dawsonschool.org.
........................................................................................
NOV. 2 | 8:30 AM–12 PM

Denver Academy Open House
Denver Academy
4400 E. Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80222
Enjoy a personal tour of our 21-acre campus by a Student
Ambassador. Meet staff and learn about our studentcentered approach to education for those with varied
learning profiles (including students with dyslexia, ADHD,
and other learning challenges) in grades two to 12.
Register for an open house at denveracademy.org/openhouse
or call 303-777-5161 to schedule a private meeting and tour.
........................................................................................
NOV. 5 | 8:30AM MASS, 10-2PM TOURS

Mullen Open House
Mullen High School - Rilko Events Center
3601 S. Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO 80236
Please join us for our annual Open House! Through our
student-led tours, prospective families have the opportunity
to meet our faculty and staff, coaches, club moderators and
learn more about our community, academics, faith, service,
and what it means to be a Mullen Mustang!
Please visit our website to fill out an inquiry form to learn
more about Mullen: www.mullenhigh.com/admissions
........................................................................................
DEC. 1 | 8:30–10 AM

Evergreen Country Day
School Open House
Evergreen Country Day
1036 El Rancho Road, Evergreen, CO 80439

Join us for a campus tour and learn more about
preschool through eighth grade at St. Anne’s Episcopal
School. The Parent Preview begins at 9:00 A.M. in the
School’s Outdoor Amphitheater.

Discover ECDS! You will have the opportunity to meet
with the Head of School, tour our facilities, observe
classes, take part in our town meeting and house
program, and see how ECDS prepares its students to
thrive and create a better world.

Visit st-annes.org/parent-preview for more information
and to RSVP for the October 21 event.
........................................................................................

Contact Carlin Zia at czia@evergreencountryday.org
303-674-3400 x 108

P SH B-52



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advertising?
Contact
Heather Lowe at
heather@5280.com
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information.

Private School Handbook

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Accelerated Schools
EDUCATION WITH A HISTORY OF SUCCESS
OUR PROGRAM:

OUR VISION:

Accelerated Schools is an independent, coeducational day school for students in middle school
and high school. Our positive atmosphere guides
students that have not thrived in a traditional school
setting to achieve social and academic skills. Our
comprehensive learning environment supports
the success of students with learning differences
such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, OCD,
depression, anxiety as well as gifted and talented
students who need to be challenged.

We have created a student-centered learning
environment led by teachers who are adaptable
lifelong learners since 1974. We understand that
all students have a set of necessary skills to learn
for their future, as well as unique needs and goals
to accomplish. We tailor our program to each
student in order to address both sides of this
educational paradigm. With an average class size
of seven students, each student is enrolled with an
individualized success plan based on their needs,
interests, and remaining graduation requirements.
Our students receive no failing grades; if students are
below grade level in any given subject, the teacher
emphasizes the curriculum in that skill until they
meet the mastery requirements for that subject.

OUR GOAL:
Accelerated Schools exists to provide a unique,
alternative, and rigorous approach to learning. Our
goal is to produce highly skilled students that
have a positive attitude toward themselves. We
strive to give each student the tools to improve their
overall academic skills, help them to have greater
self-esteem, and be goal-oriented. We encourage
and prepare them to be college-bound and have the
confidence to move to the next level.

At Accelerated Schools, we offer High School and
Middle School classes with open enrollment; any
student may begin classes any day, year-round. If you
find that your child has been unsuccessful in their
current school, we are able to help.

ADMISSIONS: 303.758.2003
GRADES: 5–12
ENROLLMENT: 25-50
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 7:1
TUITION: $25,750 (Middle School)
$27,300 (High School)
   

2160 S. COOK STREET, DENVER, CO 80210 • (303) 758-2003 • ACCELERATEDSCHOOLS.ORG
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Private School Handbook

SP ECIAL ADVERT ISI NG SECT ION

Aspen Academy
EXTRAORDINARY FUTURES BEGIN HERE.
LAUNCHING LEADERS WITH NEXT
GENERATION EDUCATION.
Aspen Academy in Greenwood Village,
Colorado, is a national leader in innovative
education. Through internationally acclaimed
academics and small classes led by exceptional,
award-winning faculty, we provide a
foundation of rich academics and leadership,
where students are empowered to lead
purposeful and extraordinary lives.
For more than 18 years, Aspen Academy
has focused on real-world skills, including

the nation's first integrated entrepreneurial
development program. To date, we've helped
launch more than 350 student-run businesses.
Our students receive 90+ hours of leadership
per student, per year and 85% of Aspen
Academy students are in the top 10% of U.S.
students in math and reading. Here, your
child's curiosity and joy of discovery will
be cultivated along with a love of learning
in school and in life. We would love the
opportunity to meet you. Sign up for a tour
today at aspenacademy.org/visit

ADMISSIONS: kate.shaw@aspenacademy.org
ENROLLMENT: 400
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 8:1
TUITION: $19,958 Pre-K to 3rd | $20,650 4th-8th

5859 S. UNIVERSITY BLVD., GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO 80121 • (303) 346-3500 • ASPENACADEMY.ORG

Dawson School
MORE THAN A SCHOOL. DAWSON IS COMMUNITY.
A community of educators, faculty, and parents who believe education should not only prepare
students for academic success - it should prepare them for life.
Through a combination of relevant academics, curated experiences, arts, athletics, and innovation
programs, and a focus on character education and leadership, we help students discover their
individual potential and how to bring their best to the world.
Surrounded by open space and views of the Flatirons, we encourage you to come visit Dawson and
see why our campus experience and safety is unmatched.
• Student:faculty ratio is 7:1, and our average class size is 15.
• 100% of our seniors are accepted at a four-year accredited college.
• 150+ colleges and universities come to Dawson annually to recruit our students.
• More than 70% of faculty carry advanced degrees.
• Experiential learning programs and travel incorporated into each division.
• State-of-the-art Innovation Center with maker spaces support an integrated technology curriculum.
• Two gyms, seven tennis courts, and numerous athletic fields.
• Extensive arts facility, including a modern performing arts theatre.
• Social campus with ongoing events, sports, and activities with surrounding communities.

ADMISSIONS: admissions@dawsonschool.org
GRADES: K-12

ENROLLMENT: 520

TUITION: 6-12: $33,700 | 3-5: $30,590 | K-2: $27,070

10455 DAWSON DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, CO 80026 • (303) 665-6679 • DAWSONSCHOOL.ORG
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Private School Handbook

SP ECIAL ADVERT ISI NG SECT ION

Denver Academy
THE WAY YOU LEARN BEST
DENVER ACADEMY CHANGES LIVES.
Founded in 1972, Denver Academy (DA) believes
that students thrive when taught the way they
learn best.

technology, arts programs, athletics, character
development, and extracurricular offerings.
Hands-on learning and cultural experiences
enrich each student’s education.

Denver Academy is one of the top schools in the
nation dedicated to teaching students with varied
learning profiles including dyslexia, ADHD,
twice-exceptional students, and those with
other learning challenges. Small classes of 12-14
students facilitate differentiated instruction.

Denver Academy’s innovative approach is based
on the balance of classroom management,
information processing, and academic literacy.
Flexible placement in several academic levels
within each core subject allows faculty to teach to
each student’s optimal level.

The 21-acre campus in Denver’s University
Hills neighborhood is an exceptional learning
environment. Denver Academy’s robust
curriculum includes challenging academics,

At Denver Academy, students excel in their
strengths and are equipped to overcome
their challenges.

ADMISSIONS: 303.777.5161
enrollment@denveracademy.org
GRADES: 2 to 12
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 6:1
TUITION: $33,400 (Grades 2-6)
$36,100 (Grades 7-12)
(Need-based financial aid available)

4400 E. ILIFF AVENUE, DENVER, CO 80222 • (303) 777-5161 • DENVERACADEMY.ORG
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Private School Handbook

SP ECIAL ADVERT ISI NG SECT ION

International School of Denver
MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION. GLOBAL MINDSET. EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT.
AT THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
OF DENVER, our students don’t just learn
a second language–they become immersed
in the culture of countries and communities
around the world by learning from native
speakers, participating in language festivals,
and going on international trips.
With our inquiry-based, student-centered,
globally-minded International Baccalaureate®
(IB) framework, we prepare our students to
become well-rounded and to think, behave,
and see the world differently.
Our students learn how to think for

themselves, be curious, ask questions,
process information, and connect dots across
disciplines and concepts, preparing them to
thrive in a world both inside and outside the
classroom.
At the core, we are more than a school. We
are a global community making the world a
more compassionate and curious place, one
student at a time.
Come see our unique educational model
for yourself. Join us for a tour this fall!
Chinese. French. Spanish.

ADMISSIONS: 303.340.3647
GRADES: Preschool–8th ENROLLMENT: 700
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 8:1
TUITION: ECE and Primary School (K1 - G5): $24,750
Middle School (G6 - G8): $27,250
(Financial assistance available)

7701 E. FIRST PLACE, UNIT C, DENVER, CO 80230 • (303) 340-3647 • ISDENVER.ORG

The Logan School for
Creative Learning
WHERE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE IS BOUNDLESS.
THE LOGAN SCHOOL is a place where
children are seen for who they are and their
individual interests are the driver of their
learning. Our mission is to cultivate the
curiosities of gifted children. We create
intentional spaces where our students’ needs
are understood and met by expert teachers,
and where they can find a community of
peers. Students are supported to build a
broad range of academic, social, emotional,
and life skills through meaningful, handson experiences within their classroom

communities and in the world beyond.
Logan students are the heroes of their
education stories.
“We are a community of lifelong learners driven
by curiosity and passion. This is true both for our
students and our faculty! The people I work with
are curious, intelligent, and driven to support
the diverse needs of the individual students that
we serve. My job is challenging, interesting and
rewarding every day!” - Logan Teacher

ADMISSIONS: 303.340.2444 ext 117
GRADES: K-8 ENROLLMENT: 243
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 6:1
2023-2024 TUITION: $27,000

1005 YOSEMITE STREET, DENVER, CO 80230 • (303) 340-2444 EXT 117 • THELOGANSCHOOL.ORG
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Private School Handbook

SP ECIAL ADVERT ISI NG SECT ION

St. Mary’s Academy
EDUCATION FOUNDED ON FAITH, COMMUNITY, JUSTICE, AND RESPECT
ST. MARY’S ACADEMY is Denver’s premier
independent, Catholic school, spanning
coeducational Preschool to 8 and an all-girls high
school. Established in the Colorado Territory in
1864 by the Sisters of Loretto, the values of faith,
community, justice, and respect guide the Academy
and its students.
We continue to be a forward-thinking educational
leader focused on a values-based and purpose-driven
education with rigorous academics, integrated service
learning, competitive athletics, outstanding faculty,
and a commitment to individualized attention and
developing the whole student.
Since its founding, St. Mary’s Academy has
welcomed children of every culture, religious
tradition, and economic background. We emphasize

understanding and appreciation of different
perspectives. We focus on respect and how to
treat each other – to love inclusively. This allows
for a deeper understanding of others and of one’s
convictions in an increasingly complex, multicultural,
and multi-religious world.
Our values transcend time and make good people
and great leaders. We encourage strong moral and
character development in pursuit of the common
good. We inspire leaders and change agents, teaching
students how to think and problem solve in the spirit
of teamwork and collaboration to prepare them for
success in an ever-changing world. Our students are
kind, compassionate, and empowered individuals
who work, learn and have fun together every day on
our beautiful 24-acre campus, centrally located in
Cherry Hills Village.

ADMISSIONS: 303.762.8300
GRADES: Preschool–8th (Co-ed)
High School (All Girls)
ENROLLMENT: 680
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 7:1
TUITION: $19,530-$25,640

4545 SOUTH UNIVERSITY BLVD., ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113 • (303) 762-8300 • STMARYS.ACADEMY
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Private School Handbook

SP ECIAL ADVERT ISI NG SECT ION

Mackintosh Academy
KEEN MINDS. COMPASSIONATE HEARTS. GLOBAL ACTION.
FOR OVER 45 YEARS, MACKINTOSH ACADEMY has prepared our gifted and creative
students to contribute their unique talents and thrive in a changing world. As the Denver area’s
first school dedicated to gifted learners, we combine years of experience with leading-edge
curriculum and teaching practices. We emphasize innovation, inquiry-based learning, critical
thinking, and service.
• International Baccalaureate Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes
• Whole-child focus develops emotional intelligence, self-regulation and
communication skills
• Hands-on approach to learning nurtures creativity and innovation
• Small class sizes in a caring community
• Vibrant arts, PE and Spanish programs integrate with classroom curriculum
• Service learning empowers students to take action on real-world challenges
• Tuition assistance available

CONTACT US FOR A TOUR OF OUR NEWLY UPGRADED CAMPUS!

ADMISSIONS: 303.794.6222 or admissions@mackintoshacademy.com
ENROLLMENT: 130

GRADES: Pre-Kindergarten–8th

STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 7:1
TUITION: $23,000-$23,550 (Morning PreK $13,800)

(303) 794-6222 • MACKINTOSHACADEMY.COM

Mullen High School
ENTER TO LEARN. LEAVE TO SERVE. LASALLIAN. CATHOLIC. COLLEGE PREP.
MULLEN HIGH SCHOOL is a Lasallian,
Catholic, college preparatory school
conducted in the tradition of the Christian
Brothers to provide a human and Christian
education for all. At the heart of the academic
experience at Mullen High School is our
commitment to our Lasallian, Catholic
mission of fostering a personal, caring, and
challenging atmosphere in our classes.
Students complete a rigorous collegepreparatory curriculum, with optional Honors
and Advanced Placement course offerings.
Additionally, as part of our Lasallian mission,
Mullen also offers the De La Salle Program,

which initially provides academic support to
help students transition to Mullen's collegeprep courses.
Our Educators attend with care and vigilance
to the whole person, providing a rich and
transformative educational experience that
teaches the minds and touches the hearts of
their students.
We welcome prospective students to come
experience a typical day as a Mullen Mustang.
Visit www.mullenhigh.com/admissions to fill
out an inquiry form to learn more about our
admissions process.

ADMISSIONS: 303.761.1764 ext 3317
GRADES: High School
ENROLLMENT: 750
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 12:1
TUITION & FEES: $18,200

3601 S. LOWELL BOULEVARD, DENVER, CO 80236 • (303) 761-1764 EXT 3317 • MULLENHIGH.COM
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Private School Handbook

SP ECIAL ADVERT ISI NG SECT ION

Ricks Center for Gifted Children
at University of Denver
EXPLORATION IN EDUCATION
Located on the University of Denver campus,
Ricks Center for Gifted Children fosters a
community of thinkers, problem-solvers, and
innovators through a dynamic and challenging
gifted educational environment, offering
programs for children ages three through
eighth grade. Students at Ricks Center are
empowered to embrace their creativity and
curiosity, to explore their talents and passions
and to elevate each other at an accelerated
learning pace in this student-led culture.

We offer:
• Active, engaged, hands-on learning
• Access to the University of Denver
resources
• Flexible, differentiated curriculum
• Low student to teacher ratio
• Teachers who know, understand, and
care deeply about gifted education and
each individual student
• An empathetic, inclusive, and equitable
school community

CALL OR INQUIRE ONLINE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RICKS CENTER AND
TO DISCOVER HOW RICKS IS THE BEST FIT FOR YOUR CHILD.

ADMISSIONS: 303.871.3715
GRADES: Preschool–8th
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 10:1
TUITION: Varies depending on level

2040 S. YORK STREET, DENVER, CO 80210 • (303) 871-3715 • DU.EDU/RICKS • RICKSCTR@DU.EDU

St. Anne’s Episcopal School
DISCOVER THE UNIQUE CHARM OF ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL.
Nestled on a breathtaking 7.5 acre campus
in Denver lies ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL
SCHOOL, igniting daily inspiration for
students ages three through eighth grade.
At St. Anne’s, we guide students through
their educational journey in a nurturing
environment where they will become curious
and compassionate learners who serve and
enrich our world through middle school
and beyond.
Since 1950, we have embraced an inclusive
ethos that nurtures and uplifts every child.
Classrooms boast cutting-edge technology
as well as devoted educators who challenge

their students. Our objective is to cultivate
a community characterized by integrity,
humility, and compassion while offering an
exceptional academic program that includes
art, music, drama, technology, language
classes, and a stimulating outdoor education
program at our foothills campus.
Grounded in the values and traditions of
our Founding Sisters, St. Anne’s fosters
an unwavering sense of belonging and
empowerment. Above all, our graduates
possess a deep understanding of themselves,
compassion for others, and a relentless drive
to serve and uplift their communities.

ADMISSIONS: 303.756.9481
GRADES: Age 3 - Grade 8
ENROLLMENT: 430
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 8:1
TUITION: $13,610 - $31,070

(includes daily hot lunch; need-based tuition assistance available)

2701 SOUTH YORK STREET, DENVER, CO 80210 • (303) 756-9481 • ST-ANNES.ORG
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RUBR IC

r

Boulder County’s unpaved
roads are perfect for pedaling.

RUBR IC

Combine gravel biking’s welcoming
culture and ease of entry with Colorado’s
seemingly endless maze of dirt roads and
trails, and it’s clear why the Centennial
State has become a mecca for the sport.
BY NICHOLAS HUNT
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y J O S H UA W. S T R O N G

SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

63

and a half ago, Front Range traffic had all but killed my will to battle other
drivers on the way to my favorite mountain bike trailheads. And road cycling
always seemed like a good way to breathe in car exhaust while dodging inattentive motorists. So instead of riding a few days every week like I did when I
first moved to the Mile High City, I found myself sitting on my couch.
Friends told me I should try gravel cycling to fill the two-wheeled void in
my life. Although it’s technically one of the oldest cycling disciplines—simply
because paved roads were rare when bikes were invented—the practice of
riding on rocky roads has been experiencing a renaissance lately. It felt like
a fad to me. Gravel bikes aren’t as fast as road bikes or as capable as mountain
bikes, I reasoned. But as I found out in spring 2022, when I bought a budget
gravel rig to replace my aging commuter cycle, a gravel bike can do something
no road or mountain bike can: take me from my front door near downtown
Denver to the mountains and back again. My full-suspension bike would be
too slow to tackle such a big ride, and a traditional road cycle would rattle
me to pieces once I left the pavement. A gravel bike’s plump tires and relaxed
frame geometry can absorb all but the chunkiest terrain while still being fast
(enough) on pavement. Better yet, even living in the heart of the city, I can
reach trout-filled streams, aspen
groves, and bighorn sheep, all
with minimal time spent riding
in traffic, thanks to the metro
area’s network of multiuse paths.
This epiphany reignited my
passion for cycling, and I’m not
the only one. “I think we were
like 50 people strong for the
first six months,” says Logan
Fair, who created the Colorado
Gravel Grinders Facebook group
in 2016. Seven years later, the
community has more than 5,600
members, more than half of
whom have joined since 2020,
when COVID-19 sent people
socially distancing outdoors.
While pandemic restrictions
have disappeared, the gravel
boom hasn’t. Fair says the majority of people who’ve joined since 2020 are
still riding, and new cyclists are adding to their ranks all the time. The market
reflects this trend. Gravel bikes are one of the fastest-growing segments in
the bicycle industry, with sales jumping 109 percent between 2019 and 2021.
Locally, Alchemy Bikes, a high-end bicycle manufacturer based in Golden,
has seen a steep decline in riders who want a dedicated road bike. “It’s a little
bit limiting,” says Bryce Wood, the company’s operations manager. “People
want versatility.”
They also want to feel welcomed. Road riding has built a strong culture, one
that’s dominated by white men and women, and mountain biking’s expensive
gear, steep learning curve, and send-it-bro vibes keep many would-be riders
away. But gravel cycling doesn’t have the same barriers to entry, says Marcus
Robinson (pictured), a longtime cyclist and co-founder of Denver-based cycling advocacy group Ride For Racial Justice. Traffic and technical terrain are
sporadic, meaning it doesn’t require specialized skills to get started. “It’s just
an open road that has dirt on it,” Robinson says. “It’s the only place right now
where I feel that I’m totally comfortable.”
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5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

SLACK GEOMETRY
For a stable ride, gravel bikes
typically have a longer wheelbase and a less steeply raked
headtube (the part of the
frame that holds the front
fork in place) than road bikes.
Too much rake, though—say,
an angle of 66 degrees or
less—and the bike “starts to
steer like a boat,” Miller says.
At a 71.5-degree angle, the
Rover’s headtube hits the
sweet spot, he says.

ROTUND RUBBER
Skinny tires go fast. Fat
tires provide better
traction and a more comfortable ride. The Rover
comes with 40-millimeterdiameter tires, which Miller
says is the most versatile size, but can fit up to
50-millimeter monsters.

Courtesy of Revel Bikes (bike)

A year

Gravel Bike Breakdown

Any bike can be a gravel bike if you ride it on gravel, but the discipline’s growing
popularity is due, in large part, to a new breed of gravel-specific bicycles (which start
around $1,000). And there’s a lot more to them than simply slapping some bigger tires
on a road rig, says Adam Miller, founder of Carbondale’s Revel Bikes. Here’s what makes
Revel’s Rover (from $4,000) perfect for getting on, and then off, the asphalt.
CARRYING CAPACITY
Getting away from civilization
safely means carrying more
gear (see “Everyday Carry” on
page 68) than you would on a
typical road ride. The Rover features four bottle cage mounting
points, which can also be used
to attach bags and other gear.

WIDE HANDLEBARS
Road bike drop bars (handlebars that curve back on
themselves) allow riders to
tuck into an aerodynamic
body position. Gravel bikes
have drop bars, too, but the
lower parts of the bars also
flare out to give the rider better control on bumpy terrain.

SIZING
IT UP
Finding a bike that
fits is less like getting
a new T-shirt and
more like buying a
suit. So think of Zack
Allison—co-owner
of Bike Sports, a
Fort Collins bicycle
fitting studio, event
organizer, and race
team—as your tailor.
FIRST read up on

what various bikes are
intended for to find a
match for your riding
style—whether that’s
smooth gravel or
chunky singletrack.
MOST BRANDS have

sizing tools on their
websites that use your
inseam and height,
but sizes can overlap,
meaning a rider who’s
five-foot-10 might
technically fit on both
a medium and a large.
“That’s when you need
to find a shop and have
them help size you,”
Allison says.

SIMPLIFIED
DRIVETRAINS
Single-chainring drivetrains
are popular with mountain
bikers for their reliability and
decreased weight, and the
trend is making its way into
gravel. Some riders still prefer to have two chainrings up
front to make climbing easier and descending faster.

DON’T PLAN on a perfect fit when you first
hop on the bike. At a
minimum, you’ll need
to adjust the saddle and
handlebars, but you
may also need to swap
out some parts (such as
the stem, which connects the bars to your
fork and can change
your handlebar position
drastically). “If you have
pain in an area,” he says,
“move things to where
you have less pain.”

PLIANT FRAMES
Racers want stiff bikes that
transfer all their power into
forward motion. That also
means they can feel every
pebble on the road, so when
you’re riding a trail that’s
all rocks—i.e., gravel—you
want a supple frame that can
absorb some of that chatter.

TUBELESS TIRES
Tubes are becoming a thing
of the past, thanks to goos
that coat the inside of your
tires to plug any punctures
on the go. You’ll need a
tubeless-ready wheel, however, that can create an
airtight seal between the
rim and the rubber.

CYCLING HAS a lot of

repetitive movements,
and that’s a recipe for
discomfort and overuse
injuries, Allison says.
Consider a professional
fitting (Bike Sports’
starts at $250), which
will check things like
proper knee angle and
foot placement.

Free
Wheels

The Front Range may be
Colorado’s most densely
populated urban corridor,
but finding wide-open
gravel isn’t a problem.
Paved Road

KEY

Paved Multiuse Trail
Soft-Surface Multiuse Trail
Gravel Road

Singletrack And/Or Doubletrack Trail

CHERRY CREEK STATE PARK

Difficulty: Easy
Accessible via: Surface streets,
greenways, vehicle, public transit
As cliché as it sounds, this Aurora
green space is an urban oasis, and
the tangle of gravel roads and
singletrack on the park’s southeast
side won’t let you forget it. In rainy
years, the prairie grasses and wildflowers can reach your handlebars,
and you’re sure to spot eastern
cottontail rabbits and prairie dogs—
just watch out for the latter’s
burrows, which they often build in
the middle of the trail. It’s possible
to make a 10-plus-mile-long loop
of gravel and protected bike paths
that more or less hugs the park’s
perimeter, but with the 40-milelong, multiuse Cherry Creek Trail
bisecting the park, you can ride
pretty much as far as you want
without having to cycle in traffic.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
ARSENAL NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE

Waterton Canyon

(just make sure you don’t pedal
onto the intertwined hiker-only
routes), and if you’re lucky, you’ll
spy the resident bison herd. For
a bigger ride, tack on the Perimeter Trail, a 14.2-mile gravel road
sandwiched between a fence and
the busy streets that hem in the
west, north, and east sides. While
the scenery is not particularly
stunning, it’s a great place to clock
some miles without worrying
about getting clocked by a Subaru.
WATERTON CANYON

Difficulty: Easy
Accessible via: Surface streets,
vehicle

Difficulty: Easy
Accessible via: Greenway, vehicle

The south side of Commerce
City’s Rocky Mountain Arsenal
has more than 10 miles of cruisy
single- and doubletrack trails

Waterton Canyon is reachable from
Denver by bike on the High Line
Canal Trail or Mary Carter Greenway—save for the final stretch,

66

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

where you have to navigate the
roads and trails surrounding Chatfield State Park—so it’s a great
escape from the city without getting
in a car. (There is a parking lot, with
a restroom, just across from the Littleton trailhead, and we won’t judge
if you use it.) The closed-to-cars
gravel road ascends 6.2 miles and
around 800 feet along the South
Platte River to the Strontia Springs
Dam, but the slope is so gentle you’ll
barely notice it. While the crowds
typically die out after the first few
miles, the views don’t, and if you’ve
got burly tires—at least 40 millimeters in diameter—you can continue
onto the Colorado Trail proper for
chunky singletrack. Or, if you’re
riding in summer, head to the swim
beach at neighboring Chatfield to
cool off before you head home.

BEAR CREEK LAKE PARK

Difficulty: Moderate
Accessible via: Greenway, vehicle
To avoid paying the $10 entrance
fee, you can stash your car at the
Morrison park-and-ride lot on
South Rooney Road and cycle
into this Lakewood park for free.
It’s also reachable from Englewood along the Bear Creek Trail.
However you arrive, expect some
technical riding as most of the
park’s trails are singletrack, ranging from the smooth-ish dirt on
the 6.6-mile Mt. Carbon Loop to
chunk on the North Park Trails.
Bear Creek Greenbelt Park, which
connects to Bear Creek Lake Park
to the east, is also home to various
unpaved trails worth exploring.

HIGH LINE CANAL TRAIL

Difficulty: Easy
Accessible via: Greenway,
vehicle
It’s easy to crank out miles on
the High Line Canal Trail—
heading west, it rises less than
three feet every mile, on average—so it’s a good thing that,
at 71 miles, it’s one of the longest continuous urban trails in
the country. The first 35 miles
or so from Waterton Canyon
to Cherry Hills Village are
gravel; then the route becomes
paved pretty much the rest
of the way to Green Valley
Ranch, near DIA. Cottonwoods along the 140-year-old
canal offer shade in the summer and a show in autumn, and
you’ll also pass the occasional
farm, pond, and park, as well as
plenty of tidy backyards.
BOULDER COUNTY

Difficulty: Easy to expert
Accessible via: Surface streets,
vehicle, greenway

Boulder County

When people picture gravel
riding, Boulder County is
what they see. The area’s network of soft-surface regional
greenways, multiuse paths,
open space trails, and pastoral farm roads can be strung
together for choose-yourown-adventure spins ranging
from easy meanders to century rides. Standouts include
the 2.3-mile Teller Farm Trail,
a sojourn through farmland still
used for crops, cattle grazing,
and beekeeping; the 14-mile
Coal Creek Trail, which connects Lafayette, Louisville,
and Superior; and the East
Boulder Trail, a mix of singleand doubletrack that snakes
through the rolling prairie of
White Rocks Nature Preserve,
home to bald eagles and snapping turtles. While most of
the gravel routes are easy to
moderate, linking them into
a longer loop usually requires
navigating surface streets and
speedy exurban traffic.

BUCKET
LIST
RIDES
Four epic gravel routes
spread across the state’s
most epic terrain.

1

BACHELOR LOOP HISTORIC TOUR, CREEDE

At just 17 miles, this
relatively short—but steep—
gravel route winds through
Mineral County’s ghost towns
and bristlecone forests. Ride
the loop counterclockwise and,
after suffering through around
four miles of climbing, you’ll
be able to cruise the rest of
the way.

2

PHANTOM CANYON,
CAÑON CITY

Expect a steady climb
from Cañon City through
rock tunnels and along trickling Eightmile Creek to
Cripple Creek on this former
railroad bed turned gravel
legend. To make a 65-mile
loop, take Shelf Road, which
snakes down a neighboring
canyon, back to town.

3

PONCHO & LEFTY’S
LOOP, TRINIDAD

Stephen Beneski,
co-founder of the Coloradobased publisher behind Gravel
Adventure Field Guide, curated
this 71-mile ride—which runs
along the northern base of
9,633-foot Fishers Peak—
for the company’s Trinidad/
Las Animas County pocket
guide (see “Guiding Lights,”
page 69). “You pass these
arroyos, which are like mini
Grand Canyons,” he says, “and
pronghorn sheep run with you
for miles.”

4

MOUNT ZIRKEL
WILDERNESS LOOP,
MEDICINE BOW-ROUTT
NATIONAL FORESTS

Hikers have the famed Zirkel
Circle (a 10.4-mile loop around
the Mount Zirkel Wilderness).
Cyclists can make their own
153-mile circumnavigation
of its namesake mountain
by connecting various gravel
and paved roads starting in
Steamboat Springs. Check out
thedirtyroads.com for a map
and route description.
SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

67

Leaving the blacktop behind means you need to be prepared. These nine essentials
will help ensure you make it back home on two wheels instead of two feet.

PUMP
OR CO2
CANISTER
Both will refill your
tire, but we prefer
a small hand pump
(even though it
takes a lot more
work), because it
can be used again
and again for free.

MULTITOOL
Bike-specific models include the
most common hex wrench sizes and
screwdrivers to keep things tight.
Some can even mend broken chains.

SPARE TUBE
If your bike still uses
tubes, you’ll need an
extra one if you get
a puncture.

TIRE PLUGS
There are some
breaches even
tubeless sealant goo
can’t cork. Carrying
a plug kit (or a
spare tube) can get
you rolling again.

WIND AND RAIN PROTECTION
Colorado’s weather, especially during prime riding
season, is volatile. Any light shell will work, but we
dig that the Summit Barrier jacket ($85) from Pearl
Izumi can pack down to the size of an orange.

68

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

SNACKS
Food that can replace
the salts you’re sweating
out—such as these chews
($2.45) from Boulder’s
Skratch Labs—are a must.

PATCH KIT
Having a patch kit can be
the difference between
riding and walking if your
spare tube gets damaged.

TIRE LEVERS
Use these to
remove and re-seat
a tire in case of a
nicked tube.

EMERGENCY
CASH
Carry cash (and
cards) in case of,
well, emergencies.

Riding In Style

This spread, clockwise from left: Sarah Banks (products provided by Louisville Cyclery); Courtesy of Pearl Izumi; Courtesy of Pactimo LLC;
Courtesy of Flylow Gear; Courtesy of Ripton & Co.; Courtesy of Primal Wear; Courtesy of Panache

With gravel riding taking the best of both road cycling and mountain biking, it’s only fitting
that it cribs their styles as well. Here, our guide to three distinct characters you may see out on
the unpaved roads and the local companies that can help you get the look.
CONVERTED ROADIES

FAT-TIRE FANATICS

COLORADO COMMUTERS

These recovering racers aren’t ready to give
up the form-fitting jerseys and bibs that
decrease wind resistance and show off the
quads they’ve spent years building.

The loose garments worn by converted
mountain bikers might make them slower,
but they’re also comfortable and attract less
attention during brewery pit stops.

Unlike roadies, who fawn over European
cycling style houses such as Rapha and Café
Du Cycliste, those coming straight to gravel
don’t respect any style police.

=

=

=

PRO MESH JERSEY
Cycling apparel giant Pearl Izumi, whose
U.S. headquarters are in Louisville, combined
gravel cycling’s all-terrain aesthetic with the
slippy speed of aerodynamic road tops to
create this limited-edition version of its staple
Pro Mesh Jersey. Men’s and women’s; $150

RANGE TRAIL LITE TEE
The laid-back fit and styling of this technical
tee from Denver’s Pactimo mean it won’t
look out of place on a mountain bike, but
its long backside will keep your backside
covered—even when you’re tucked over the
bars. Men’s and women’s; $85

ANDERSON SHIRT
This snap-button flannel from Denver’s
Flylow can be worn to the office or on the
trail, and while it may be decidedly un-aerodynamic, its stretchy nylon-spandex blend is
quick-drying and rated UPF 50 for long days
in the saddle. Men’s and women’s; $80

+

+

+

CARGO POCKET BIB SHORTS
Boulder-based Panache took its road
cycling bib—basically, padded cycling shorts
with shoulder straps that keep them firmly in
place—and added two pockets on the back
and a pouch on each leg for stashing cell
phones, snacks, and other essentials.
Men’s and women’s; $209

ILEX SHORTS
Mountain-bike-style shorts are great for riders who
want more protection from trail rash in case of a
crash. The Ilex shorts from Primal Wear in Denver
sport a rear zippered compartment so valuables
won’t rattle out. Pair them with a pair of bib liners
to protect your tailbone and prevent chafing. Men’s
and women’s; $100

SLATE JORTS
You could make your own jorts with a pair of scissors, but Boulder-based Ripton & Co. offers a wide
variety of performance denim bottoms, including
these shorts made from a blend of cotton, elastane,
and recycled polyester that are sure to be the
stretchiest pair of Daisy Dukes you’ve ever owned.
Men’s and women’s; $65

Three go-to route resources
for Colorado and beyond.

GRAVELBIKEADVENTURES.COM

THEDIRTYROADS.COM

GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE

Although it’s focused on Colorado
and the Front Range, this website
features a comprehensive collection
of trail descriptions and GPS files for
routes across the country.

This Steamboat Springs–based website has curated a list of monumental
gravel rides across the state—and
better yet, it includes GPS files for
more than 50 of them and a handful
of in-depth route descriptions.

Visiting Mesa, Pueblo, or Las Animas
counties or the San Luis Valley? Snag
one of these free Colorado-made pocket
guides at various bike shops in each area
or order them online for a small fee.

SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

69

Like all things fun, gravel
cycling is best when shared
with others.
BEST FOR
Changemakers

Forward Momentum
Marcus Robinson, a bike racer and co-founder of the Denver-based
national nonprofit Ride For Racial Justice, explains in his own words
why gravel cycling is his last safe space on two wheels.
After the murder of George Floyd, when the country was in turmoil, my wife said to me, “Baby,
you can’t go ride by yourself anymore, because you could end up in a ditch.” I made a post on
Instagram about that, and my co-founder, Neal Henderson, whom I’ve known for 18 or 20 years
now, reached out and said, “We gotta do something about this.” That turned into us having a
community ride in Denver just a few weeks later. About 75 to 100 people showed up, and we
were having tough conversations from the seat of a bike. Those conversations were eye-opening
for me and the rest of the folks riding with us. We just felt energized, and that turned into more
community rides and bigger rides.
Then I reached out to the organizers of the Steamboat Gravel [SBT GRVL] race, and we came
up with a plan to have 25 diverse riders from across the country participate in August 2021. We
got sponsors and trained them virtually. We paid for the whole thing with crowdsourcing and just
going into each other’s pockets to pull it off. Steamboat is a beautiful place, but there are not a lot
of people who look like us there. But the city embraced us. Nobody honked. Nobody tried to run
us off the road. Everybody was waving and giving directions. The community embraced us. We
have tough conversations with the organizers, which is great. They’re learning from us, and we’re
learning from them.
So gravel turned this light on. Our members think it is the best thing ever because they’re
able to take their families out cycling and don’t have to be afraid of riding in the hustle and bustle
of a city. I won’t go back to racing on the road. I don’t need that stress, and I don’t need the arrogance of it. And while mountain biking was new at one point, it was never really accessible. It
takes a lot to do it. It’s technical, and gravel is not. We’re slowly working through our community,
trying to get the grandmas and grandpas and the aunts and the uncles out on bicycles to show
them how accessible it is and that they have every opportunity to do these types of things. Once
they get out there, then the smiles begin.
Gravel has actually become more inclusive, not only toward Black folks but also for transgender
folks, for LGBTQ+ folks, too. I think it’s so inclusive because it’s so new. The old ways of thinking and racing have gone by the wayside. Gravel is a place to be safe and express yourself and not
be worried about, you know, getting hit or shot. We have younger, more diverse folks and more
people who are more in tune with the universe, shall I say. They are carving out a space that looks
like them. —AS TOLD TO NH
70

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Marcus Robinson’s nonprofit,
Ride for Racial Justice, works
to make everyone feel safe on
a bicycle through an athlete
program that funds the participation of cyclists of color
in races and community rides
across the country, including
one in Colorado Springs this
month (date TBD).
BEST FOR
Digital Natives

With more than 5,500 Facebook members, Colorado
Gravel Grinders is a great
place to find IRL riding partners and group outings online,
as well as to swap routes, trail
conditions, photos, and advice.
BEST FOR
Cube Dwellers

The only dress code when riding with Boulder-based Thank
Gravel It’s Friday—which
hosts Wednesday after-work
women’s outings, Friday gravel
spins, and monthly full moon
cruises—is to wear a T-shirt.
BEST FOR
Gravel Newbies

The 10- to 25-mile gravel
rides put on by meetup.com’s
Colorado Front Range Road &
Gravel Cycling Group are nodrop, meaning you won’t get
left behind even if you’re slow.
BEST FOR
Anyone & Everyone

Boulder’s Full Cycle Bikes
helps organize gravel outings
on Wednesdays with Ride or
Die Collective, a community
of women, trans, femme, and
nonbinary cyclists; on Thursdays with Boulder Cycling
Club; and on Sundays via its
own beginner, intermediate,
and advanced shop rides.

Gravel races are some of cycling’s most accessible and welcoming competitions, not just
because of the community that surrounds them, but also because you often don’t need
a racing license from the Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling’s governing body, to
participate, says Bike Sport’s Whitney Allison. These six local contests can get you started.

CROOKED GRAVEL
MILEAGE

25 | 67

A moose led the peloton during
the 2021 running of this Winter
Park event put on by the Ride
Collective, a Colorado-based
event organizer that runs eight
road, gravel, and mountain bike
races in Colorado and New
Mexico. So that should give
you a pretty good sense of the
terrain you’ll be riding through
during the four-year-old race,
which happens every July.
FOCO FONDO
MILEAGE

12 | 32 | 50 | 118

Founded in 2015 by Whitney
and Zack Allison, the FoCo
Fondo offers the same prize
purse for the top finishers in the
men’s, women’s, and nonbinary
categories. This year’s event,
which took place in Fort Collins
in July, had four routes, but only
those riders who completed the
118-mile course in a specified
amount of time received bolo
ties as finisher medals.

GRASSROOTS GRAVEL
MILEAGE

FoCo Fondo

IRON HORSE BICYCLE
CLASSIC’S LA STRADA
LA PLATA GRAVEL

15 | 38 | 72 | 110

SBT GRVL

THE RAD DIRT FEST

MILEAGE

MILEAGE

37 | 69 | 100 | 142

46 | 67 | 112

This race in Steamboat Springs
partnered with both Ride For
Racial Justice and All Bodies
On Bikes, an organization that
encourages all shapes and sizes
to ride, to help bring 45 diverse
competitors to the 3,000-plusperson event this past August.
Want your legs to hate you
even more? The event hosted a
Friday-night hill climb this year.

In 2021, wellness conglomerate
Life Time added the Rad Dirt
Fest (September 30 this year)
in Trinidad to its roster of more
than 30 national triathlons,
marathons, and bike races,
which include Kansas’ iconic
Unbound Gravel event and the
Leadville Race Series. Expect
a slickly produced event and a
competitive pace. 

Josh Weinburg/Courtesy of FoCo Fondo

MILEAGE

Take advantage of Pueblo
County’s long riding season at
this new four-course event with
appropriately spicy names: the
Mild, the Lil Chile, the Half, and
the Whole. The race, which takes
place this year over the weekend
of October 14, is part of founder
Adam Davidson’s mission to help
boost cycling and cycling tourism
in southern Colorado.

53 | 93

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic,
which sees roadies race a train
from Durango to Silverton each
May, is one of the most famous
cycling to-dos in the state, and
the event—which also includes
mountain bike contests and
untimed rides—added this gravel
battle to its schedule in 2017.

SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

71

Andrea Murdoch, the chef behind Denver’s Four Directions Cuisine, shares how to
celebrate the fall harvest through a feast replete with traditional Indigenous foods.
STORY BY PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ETHAN PAN

72

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON COLUSSI
PROP ST YLING BY NATALIE WARADY

FOOD ST YLING BY VERONICA SPERA

74

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

GRILLED
GARDEN
V E G E TA B L E S

You can opt for any assortment
of seasonal veggies for this
recipe. Murdoch favors squash,
tomatoes, and corn—all grown
in her yard, where she has cultivated a precolonial edible garden
featuring produce native to the
Americas, including traditionally
Andean crops such as oca and
mashua (potatolike vegetables).
She also hosts workshops on-site
that teach aspiring gardeners
how to sow their own seeds.
Serves 4
1 zucchini
1 yellow squash
3 bell peppers (yellow, red,
and orange)
6–8 Tbs. sunflower oil
¾ tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. sumac
½ tsp. dried sage
12 oz. tomatoes on the vine
2 local or heritage corn ears,
shucked and halved
1 bunch of green onions
1. Cut the zucchini and yellow
squash into ¼-inch planks lengthwise and set aside.
2. Cut the tops and bottoms off the
bell peppers and discard. Remove
the seeds and white pith, then cut
into quarters.
3. Whisk the oil with the salt,
sumac, and dried sage in a large
bowl and gently toss the vegetables—including the tomatoes,
corn, and whole green onions—in
the mixture.
4. Preheat the grill to about 400°
and cook the vegetables directly on
the grill. Turn them every two to
three minutes until the tomatoes
are blistered, the corn is amber-colored, the squashes and bell peppers
are al dente (and have crosshatch
grill marks, if you desire), and the
green onions are wilted. This should
take 13 to 15 minutes.

Previous spread: Getty Images (background). This page: Mali Textiles (hat); Valentich Goods (apron); shot on location at @thedenverstonehouse

Murdoch and
her dog, Roja

an Anglo-American household in rural Ohio,
Andrea Murdoch found herself far, geographiTHE MENU
cally and culturally, from her Indigenous roots.
Grilled Garden
In fact, it wasn’t until she was around 28 years
Vegetables, page 74
old that the Andean native of Venezuela, who
Jicama Slaw, page 77
was adopted and brought to the United States
Shredded Bison, page 77
as a young child, embarked on a life-changing
mission to explore Native heritages—both her
Salsa Trio, page 77
own and those of other original inhabitants of
Roasted Potatoes,
the Americas.
page 78
Already a chef trained in fine-dining techAndean Porridge,
niques by the Culinary Institute of America in
page 81
Hyde Park, New York, Murdoch first turned to
Blueberry Lavender
members of the Oneida Indian Nation to learn
Spritz, page 81
about Indigenous culinary traditions.Their ancestral
homelands include the Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
area where she was living in 2015. “The generosity
in sharing knowledge, their creation story, and so much more was so impactful and healing for me,” Murdoch says, “that I dove headfirst into this work of
Indigenous foods, sovereignty, and etymology and haven’t looked back since.”
Six years ago, after moving to Denver to be close to the mountains that
remind her of her brief time in the Andes, Murdoch launched Four Directions Cuisine, a catering company that fuses Native North, South, and Central
American ingredients and techniques to produce dishes such as bison-stuffed
arepas and Ute corn cakes. “As a displaced Indigenous person living on land
originally stewarded by other Indigenous nations, I am responsible for learning their history as if it were my own,” Murdoch says, “and then sharing that
knowledge in appropriate educational ways.”
That side dish of education can be
heavy: Through her pop-up dinners,
classes, and speaking engagements,
Murdoch raises funds for and educates diners about causes close to
her heart, such as the Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and
Girls movement. (According to the
National Institute of Justice, four out
of five Indigenous women experience
violence in their lifetimes, and Native
women and girls are 10 times more
likely to be murdered than people
of other ethnicities.) Murdoch also
connects violence against women
with the destruction of Native lands,
explaining that although crimes are
committed by individuals, a long history of harmful government policies
and the displacement of Indigenous
peoples have created conditions ripe
for these tragedies to occur.
As such, Murdoch hopes her food
—including the fall-bounty-filled feast
spread out on the following pages—
inspires individuals to respect both
the land from which her ingredients
come and the earth’s historical stewards. ‘‘Stories are told when preparing
and consuming food,” she says, “so I
wanted to offer recipes that would
cultivate an environment of people
coming together to prepare food, talk,
and be in relationship with one another.”

J I CA M A S L AW

Jicama is a globe-shaped root
vegetable originally cultivated in
Mexico. Its starchy white interior has a slightly sweet, subtly
nutty flavor that brings a pleasant
crunch to salads. Murdoch’s slaw
holds up well in the refrigerator
for up to six days.
Serves 4 to 6
1 poblano pepper
½ medium red onion,
julienned
2 bell peppers (any color),
julienned
1 lb. jicama, peeled
1∕3 cup cilantro, chopped
2 tsp. sea salt
¼ cup sunflower oil
Juice of two limes
1. Char the poblano on a grill, preheated to about 400°, or a comal
(pan/griddle) on the stovetop on
medium heat, turning as needed until
the flesh is tender (about eight to 10
minutes). Once it’s cool, peel, seed,
and dice the pepper and place it in a
mixing bowl.
2. Soak the red onion slices in cold
water for five minutes to tame the flavor. Drain and add, along with the bell
pepper, to the bowl with the poblano.
3. Using a box grater, grate the jicama
on the larger side and add it to the mix.
4. Toss together with the chopped
cilantro, sea salt, oil, and fresh-squeezed
lime juice. Add more salt if you prefer.
SHREDDED
BISON

This recipe honors the Northern Plains Indian Tribes—whose
cultures, spiritual lives, and traditions are interwoven with the
bison that once roamed the Great
Plains—and highlights the importance of protecting Indigenous
foodways. Any cut of bison roast,
such as chuck, will work in place
of the top round.
Serves 4 to 6
2 lb. bison top round
½ tsp. sea salt

¾ tsp. dried sage
¼–1∕3 cup sunflower oil
1 medium white or yellow
onion, peeled and quartered
3 Roma tomatoes, quartered
2 red bell peppers, quartered
4–6 garlic cloves
1½–2 qt. vegetable stock
(enough to cover the meat)
1 small dried ají amarillo (or
2 Tbs. of ají amarillo paste
or 1 fresh habanero or
Scotch bonnet pepper)
1. Dry the bison by leaving it uncovered in the refrigerator overnight or
up to two days, which will help the
meat gain a nice sear.
2. Season the bison with salt and
sage. In a cast-iron Dutch oven, heat
the oil over medium-high heat until
shimmering. Sear the bison, turning
occasionally, until it is browned on all
sides (about five minutes).
3. Add the onion, tomato, bell peppers,
and garlic and cook for three minutes.
4. Add the stock and chile. Bring to
a simmer, then reduce the heat to
medium-low. Cover and slow-cook
on the stovetop for four to five hours
or until the meat shreds easily when
pulled with two forks.
5. Remove the protein from the liquid
and shred. To make a thin sauce to
serve with the meat, blend the braising liquid, including the vegetable
pieces, until smooth. Taste and add
more salt if you prefer.

Each salsa makes about 1½ cups
GRILLED SALSA ROJA

Murdoch prefers to use sunflower
oil sourced from a local company,
such as Lamar’s Colorado Mills or
Berthoud’s Healthy Harvest, whose
goods are available online. If you
can’t find kaleidoscope cherry tomatoes for this sweet, mild condiment,
any multicolored variety of grape or
cherry tomatoes will do.
1 poblano pepper
10 oz. kaleidoscope cherry
tomatoes
3 Tbs. sunflower oil
1∕3 tsp. sea salt
¼ medium red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
1. In a medium bowl, toss the poblano and tomatoes—both uncut—in

From left:
Jicama slaw;
Murdoch serves
friends Vi Bright,
Kayla Banks, and
Claire Westcott

SA L SA T R I O

Murdoch recommends making salsa—a food with origins in
South America and Mesoamerica
(a historical region that spans
from central Mexico to northern
Costa Rica)—with a molcajete
and tejolote, or a mortar and
pestle. “That just adds to the
specialness, because then you’re
downshifting from a quick, easy,
mechanical process to a more
intentional, handmade, ancestral
process and tradition,” she says.
These three blends are designed
to complement Murdoch’s shredded bison, but you can also enjoy
them with anything you’d usually
pair with salsa, from tacos to eggs.
SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

77

sunflower oil and salt. Then char
them on a grill, preheated to about
400°, or a comal on the stovetop
on medium heat, turning as needed
until their flesh is tender (about
eight to 10 minutes). Peel and seed
the pepper.
2. While the tomatoes and poblano
roast, pulverize the red onion and
garlic in the molcajete. When the
tomatoes and poblano are ready,
add them in and continue to carefully grind down the mixture into a
chunky salsa.
3. Stir in the chopped cilantro. Taste
and add more salt if you prefer.
SALSA VERDE

The slow-simmered
bison plays well
with Murdoch’s
salsa trio.

A roasted serrano pepper gives
Murdoch’s bright and acidic version of this classic tomatillo-based
sauce, which dates back to the
Aztec empire, a gently fiery punch.

6 (about 12 oz.) tomatillos,
husked
1 serrano pepper
2 Tbs. sunflower oil
¼ tsp. sea salt
2 garlic cloves
¼ medium yellow onion,
chopped
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
1. In a large bowl, toss the whole
tomatillos and the serrano pepper in
sunflower oil and salt. Then blister
them on a grill, preheated to about
400°, or a comal on the stovetop
on medium heat, turning as needed
until their flesh is tender (about
eight to 10 minutes). Remove the
skins from the tomatillos and seed
the pepper.
2. While the tomatillos char, pulverize the garlic and yellow onion in the
molcajete. When the tomatillos and
serrano are ready, add them in and
continue to grind down the mixture
into a chunky salsa.
3. Stir in the chopped cilantro. Taste
and add more salt if you prefer.
SALSA MACHA

This versatile, crunchy chile oil
is often made with a medley of
dried peppers and peanuts, but
Murdoch uses pepitas and
sunflower seeds, both native to
North America, in place of the
latter due to the prevalence of
peanut allergies. Look for the
dehydrated peppers at local
Mexican supermarkets such as
Mi Pueblo or Lowe’s Mercado or
from online retailers like Amazon.
If you can’t find any of these
varieties, replace the missing
amount with more of the other
chiles or sub in another type.
8 dried chiles de árbol,
stems removed
2 dried chiles morita,
stems removed
1 dried ají amarillo,
stem removed
½ cup raw pepitas
¼ cup raw sunflower kernels
8 garlic cloves
2 tsp. sea salt
1¼ cup sunflower oil
78

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

1. Using gloves, roll the chiles
between your fingers to remove
and discard the loose seeds.
2. In a large skillet, toast the chiles
over medium heat, stirring often
until they’re puffed all over (about
six to eight minutes). Be sure not
to burn them or your salsa will be
bitter. Set aside.
3. Toast the pepitas and sunflower
kernels in the same pan over
medium heat until mostly golden
brown (about five to seven minutes). Set aside.
3. Pulverize the garlic in a molcajete.
Next, add the chiles and continue to
grind. Then add the toasted pepitas,
sunflower kernels, and salt and continue to pound; you want to crush
everything without creating a paste.
4. Heat the oil in the small saucepan over medium-low heat.
Meanwhile, transfer the chile mixture to a heat-safe bowl. Slowly
pour the hot oil over the chile
mixture, pausing three times to
let it seep into the ingredients and
avoid burning the garlic. Cool
and store in a glass container or
jar in the refrigerator for up to
one month.
R OAST E D
P OTATO E S

Pick up La Salle’s Strohauer
Farms fingerling potatoes,
which have a buttery, starchy
flesh, at select Whole Foods
Markets, and merquén chile
seasoning, a smoky blend of
crushed Chilean peppers, at
Savory Spice stores.
Serves 4
1½ lb. Strohauer Farms
fingerling potatoes,
washed and dried
4 Tbs. sunflower oil
½ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. merquén chile seasoning
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes
in the oil, salt, and merquén
seasoning. Arrange them on a halfsheet pan and roast for 30 minutes
or until fork-tender.

ANDEAN
PORRIDGE

In Murdoch’s native Venezuela, mothers feed their
babies porridge with nutrientdense quinoa and amaranth
(a flowering plant that yields
protein-packed seeds) to wean
them off their milk. In addition
to being hearty and comforting,
for Murdoch, the porridge, akin
to elevated oatmeal or rice pudding, is a way to connect with
her ancestors. She uses pepita
milk, a plant-based alternative
to the traditional dairy version.
Serves 6
For the pepita milk:
2 cups raw pepitas
3 cups water
2–3 Tbs. agave nectar
¼ tsp. sea salt
For the porridge:
4 cups pepita milk
1 cup quinoa flakes
2 Tbs. agave nectar
2 pints fresh berries, such as
raspberries, blackberries,
and blueberries
3 Tbs. bee pollen granules
(Murdoch likes Björn’s
Colorado Honey brand)
1. To make the milk: Toast the pepitas in a dry pan over medium heat
until they are very fragrant and
have taken on an oak color (about
five to seven minutes). If they are
any darker, your milk will be bitter.
Cover with water, soak for eight
hours, and strain. Blend the pepitas on high with the water, agave
nectar, and sea salt. Store in the
refrigerator in a lidded container
for up to five days.
2. To make the porridge: In a large
saucepan, bring your pepita milk to
a simmer on medium-high heat (be
careful not to scorch the liquid).
Whisk in the quinoa and cook for
about five minutes, whisking every
minute or two to keep the porridge
from sticking to the bottom of the
pan. Stir in the agave nectar and
remove from heat.

3. To serve: Spoon the warm
porridge into small bowls and
top with the washed berries
and a sprinkle of bee pollen.
B LU E B E R RY
L AV E N D E R
SPRITZ

Murdoch sources dried blooms
from Savory Spice to whip
up a lavender sugar for this
refreshing nonalcoholic sipper.
Makes 4 drinks
For the blueberry-lime purée:
6 oz. blueberries
2∕3 cup agave nectar
Juice of one lime
For the lavender sugar:
2∕3 cup coconut palm sugar
1 tsp. dried lavender

SAVE
THE DATE

Don’t feel like turning on
the stove? Savor Murdoch’s
cooking at one of these
coming events instead.
September 7: Molcajete
Youth Workshop, Loveland
Public Library
lovelandpubliclibrary.org
September 8: Tracing
Andean Culture Through
Food lecture and cooking
demonstration,
Denver Botanic Gardens
botanicgardens.org
October 6: Chef Takeover,
SAME Café
samecafedenver.org

From left:
Andean porridge; a
batch of blueberry
lavender spritzes

For each spritz:
Lavender sugar
Ice
3–4 Tbs. blueberry-lime purée
Club soda
Lime wedge
1. To make the blueberry-lime
purée: Blend the blueberries,
agave nectar, and lime juice until
smooth (squeeze in more lime if
you prefer a tangier drink). It will
keep in the refrigerator for up to
six days.
2. To make the sugar: Combine
the coconut palm sugar and lavender in a clean coffee or spice
grinder and blend until combined.
You can store the condiment in
an airtight container, such as a
mason jar, in a dry place for up to
six months.
3. To serve: Cut a notch in the
center of a lime wedge and run
it around the rim of a glass. Put
the lavender sugar in a dish that
is larger than the diameter of
your glass and dip the top of the
glass into the sugar to dust the
rim. Fill the glass with ice, add
the purée, and fill it the rest of
the way with club soda. Garnish
with a lime wedge. 
SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

81

82

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Denver’s Luis Benitez wants to harness his past
experience as the first director of the Colorado
Outdoor Recreation Industry Office to create a
similar entity in the federal government. But can
the accomplished mountaineer get Americans—
especially Beltway politicians—to see the benefit of
coordinating our outdoor adventures?

BY GEOFF VAN DYKE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BANKS

Not for himself, of course. From a tender age, Benitez was in close
proximity to power brokers—and, in this case, he was mixing drinks
for men with last names like Ashcroft and Busch and Danforth.
It was the late 1970s and early ’80s, and after school was over,
Benitez would head to his maternal grandfather’s suburban St. Louis
store, Kelly’s Sporting Goods. Bill Kelly hadn’t always been the proprietor of a retail business. He’d first made his name as a hunting and
fishing guide who helped his clients achieve their goals on rivers or
in duck blinds, from Missouri’s Ozarks to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula
and most everywhere in between. Some of those clients were men of
considerable power and influence, and one day a few of them encouraged Kelly to open a sporting goods store. “The way my grandfather
tells the story is that they were fly-fishing,” Benitez says. “They were
all standing by the river, and they were like, ‘Bill, we have to order our
shotguns from Scotland and our fly reels from England, and we pay
a lot of import duties. We think you should open a shop.’ ”
Kelly thought it was a grand idea, except he didn’t have the capital
to establish a business of his own. So these men of considerable power
and influence—Missouri Attorney General John Ashcroft, U.S. Senator John C. Danforth, and Augie Busch, as in Anheuser-Busch—told
their friend they’d write him checks. He’d never have to pay them back,
they said, but in return for their largesse, when the business became
solvent, these men could walk in and grab, say, a hunting jacket off the
rack and keep it. Maybe a fly rod and a reel and a pair of boots, too. If
they wanted Kelly to guide them, he’d have to get the store’s manager
to run the shop while they were off gallivanting in the wilds.
And so it came to be that, before long, little Luis was hanging
out at Kelly’s Sporting Goods after school, stocking shotgun shells
84

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

and fishing rods and making highballs for these prominent men and
running interference when their respective wives called the shop to
ask where they were. “My grade school was a quarter-mile away from
my grandfather’s shop,” Benitez says. “From the time I got out at 3
to 6 p.m. when my mom came to pick me up after work, this was
my education.”
It was an education in both how power works and in the ability
of outdoor pursuits to bring people together—the store’s slogan was
“Where Sportsmen Meet”—that would serve Benitez well as he
embarked upon a life full of ambitious undertakings. Some of those
quests involved expeditions in extreme environments. In his 20s and
30s, Benitez summited Mt. Everest six times, including being a key
member of the team that guided Golden’s Erik Weihenmayer, the
first blind climber to reach the highest point on Earth. Benitez has
also stood atop the tallest peaks on all seven continents, many of
them multiple times.
In his early 40s, however, Benitez took on a different type of challenge: a desk job as the founding director of the Colorado Outdoor
Recreation Industry Office. As the head of that entity, created in 2015
by then Governor John Hickenlooper, Benitez was tasked with being
the point person for the Colorado businesses and communities that

Previous spread and this page: Getty Images (trees)

LUIS
BENITEZ
LEARNED
TO MIX A
HIGHBALL
WHEN
HE WAS
A YOUNG
BOY.

I

rely on the outdoor recreation economy. He relished the opportunity
to help protect Colorado’s lands and grow the state’s already robust
outdoor economy.
When Governor Jared Polis’ administration arrived, Benitez took
his outdoors experience and Rolodex to VF Corporation, the parent
company of iconic outdoor apparel brands such as the North Face
and Smartwool. But the long-term mission he had begun to execute
at the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office permeated his
thoughts during his four years in the private sector. So much so that
Benitez left VF Corporation in early 2023 to launch a new, very public
mission: to create a federal office of outdoor recreation.
Benitez has begun this adventure at a time in which the idea of
growing the federal government is anathema to roughly 50 percent of
the voting public, and substantive—and seemingly intractable—issues
like inflation, crime, health care costs, homelessness, immigration, and
gun violence are front of mind domestically. It is, figuratively, a steep
hill to climb. “If Lou says he’s going to do it, he’s going to find a way
to do it,” says David Benitez, Luis’ younger brother by 11 years. “And
if it’s not 100 percent achievable, he’s going to find micro-wins, and
then, you know, everybody will feel like he did it anyway. It’s kind
of an inevitability.”

n the state of Colorado, the phrase
“outdoor recreation” conjures myriad images: hiking in the San Juan
Mountains, fly-fishing on the Frying Pan
River, cycling up Flagstaff Mountain,
paddling on the Arkansas River, mountain biking in Fruita, elk hunting in the
Never Summer range, four-wheeling
near Camp Hale–Continental Divide
National Monument, and skiing the
Back Bowls of Vail Ski Resort. These
excursions are among the primary reasons so many Coloradans choose to live
here, and why so many tourists visit from
around the world each year. The state
sells adventure—it’s what we have that
so many others desire.
The ability to recreate in these wild
spaces is also an important reason people
stay in Colorado and in other states
that have a similarly wide variety of
natural assets. This phenomenon is a
byproduct of something referred to as
topophilia, a term Hickenlooper often
employed when, as governor, he touted
Colorado’s wilderness and the impact
it has on the state’s residents. Topophilia is derived from the Greek words
“topo,” meaning “place,” and “philia,”
meaning “love of,” and as early as 2005,
it had been defined as “the affective
bond with one’s environment—a person’s mental, emotional, and cognitive
ties to a place,” in an Environmental
Health Perspectives article.
Roughly a decade ago, Hickenlooper
decided he wanted to leverage that love
of place in the Centennial State while
Benitez moved
at the same time keeping its wildlands
to Colorado from
wild.That meant coordinating supervision
Missouri decades
over the vast and somewhat disparate
ago to work at
Outward Bound.
outdoor recreation industry in Colorado by creating the Colorado Outdoor
Recreation Industry Office, the second
such department in the country, after
Utah’s. Naturally, the governor wanted to hire a savvy leader and a strategic thinker to head up the new office, but he also needed someone
with wide-ranging experience in the outdoor world. He ultimately
tapped Benitez, who at the time was working at Vail Resorts. “Governor Hickenlooper deserves so much credit for this,” says Conor Hall,
who became the office’s director in 2022. “He was a real visionary in
shaping the office and giving it a voice and putting it in Colorado’s
Office of Economic Development and International Trade to give it
a real economic development and jobs bent. Because this is really one
of the key economic drivers for the state.”
Benitez says that in the early days of the office, he was given a
desk, a computer, and a credit card for gas—and that was about it. His
portfolio of responsibilities, however, was significantly more substantive. Hickenlooper’s charge to Benitez was to coordinate efforts to
grow the outdoor rec economy while also improving awareness of the
sector, including promoting education and workforce development,
SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

85

W

hen you have lunch with Benitez or watch him participate
in a panel discussion, it’s easy to forget his mountaineering
bona fides. In person, Benitez radiates energy, but like most
mountain climbers, he is not physically imposing. He has enviable, wavy
dark hair and perfect white teeth and, whether he is clean-shaven or
sporting a full beard, he is eminently rugged in a way most men can only
dream of. At the same time, at the age of 51, he looks more like a hip
suburban dad—which he is—than, say, Nirmal Purja, the Nepali-born
climber who is the most recognizable high-elevation mountaineer today.
It’s also easy to look past Benitez’s feats as a summiter of 8,000meter peaks because, for the better part of a decade now, he has toiled
86

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Benitez at Mt.
Everest’s basecamp
in 2003 with the
Khumbu Icefall in
the background

away at office jobs, much to the delight of his
family, which had worried about his safety
for years. The evolution is more logical than
it might appear, but grasping the journey is
easier if one demarcates Benitez’s working
life into a series of acts:
Act I: outdoor/mountaineering guide, world traveler, climber of
big mountains
Act II: town councilperson in Eagle, director of organizational
development and then director of talent development at Vail Resorts,
director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, vice
president of global impact and government affairs at VF Corporation
Act III: TBD
It’s more difficult to draw a straight line from Benitez’s early life
experiences through to his professional accomplishments. His father,
Ramiro, was an aerospace engineer who’d immigrated to the United
States from Ecuador in the early 1960s to attend St. Louis University.
His mother, Rosanna, was an artist and art teacher from Missouri.
His parents were the yin and yang that influenced his younger years,
and Kelly’s Sporting Goods provided him a schooling in the ways
of the world.
It was an early-childhood diagnosis of asthma, however, that in retrospect seems as if it could have thwarted Benitez’s adventures before
they’d begun. For much of his upbringing, Benitez struggled to breathe,
both at a lower elevation in St. Louis and when he visited his dad’s
family outside of Quito, Ecuador, which sits at an elevation of 9,350
feet. Eventually, his parents found a doctor who prescribed several
things; chief among the recommendations was simply spending time
at elevation to strengthen his lungs.
Neither of his parents was particularly outdoorsy, but his Ecuadorian uncles were. Benitez and his family would visit every summer, and
young Luis would follow two of his uncles—who were engineers by
profession and mountaineers by hobby—on high-elevation trails and
practice breathing in the thin air. “Bit by bit, things got better, got
stronger,” Benitez says.
Toward the end of high school, Benitez worked summers as a hut
boy in Ecuador’s high-elevation hut system, cleaning the backcountry
cabins and assisting the cooks. He was good at the job and handled the
elevation surprisingly well—so well that he was eventually promoted
to a position that Benitez says translates from Spanish to “turnaround

Didrik Johnck

and spearheading health and wellness initiatives. “For a long time, I
had recognized the layered benefits that come from outdoor recreation,” Hickenlooper, now a U.S. senator, says. “It’s not just getting
people healthy. It’s also about maintaining spiritual health. It’s helping
people recognize and value wilderness and open spaces of all kinds.
And it also creates jobs.”
Conservation and environmental stewardship also fell under Benitez’s
purview. As participation in outdoor recreation has grown in Colorado, and across the country, that increased usage has burdened our
wild spaces, and preserving those landscapes has frequently fallen to
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). One representative example
is the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, which helps maintain trails on
the state’s highest peaks. “We need to think of the outdoors as infrastructure,” Benitez says. “We need to think of trails like highways and
rivers as bridges. We need to think this way because these things are
resources that help drive our sector of commerce. These are not amenities; they are strategic, structural pieces of this economy.” Benitez
argues that maintaining heavily used trails, for instance, should not fall
to NGOs; most of the funding for and the work on projects like those
should be carried out by state and federal entities working in concert.
A few years after Colorado’s office had been established, Benitez
began looking beyond the state’s borders to expand his vision of a more
unified and centralized effort to advocate for the outdoor recreation
industry. In 2018, he rolled out the Confluence Accords, an early
attempt to organize the various state offices of outdoor recreation that
had been created around four pillars: conservation and stewardship,
education and workforce training, economic development, and public
health and wellness. “It became clear to me as more state offices were
created that we needed to have our own Magna Carta,” Benitez says.
“Basically, the idea was to say to governors: ‘If you create this office,
fine, you can choose your adventure and follow your own path. But if
you choose to create this office and be part of the national consortium,
you have to become a signatory to the Confluence Accords.’ ”
Benitez freely admits that it was an “experiment,” but it has worked—to
a point. Currently, there are 22 states with offices of outdoor recreation,
16 of which have signed on to the Confluence Accords. That leaves 28
states, including the four most populous in the nation, without such
an office, and the offices that do exist have often experienced setbacks.
Montana, for example, has an office of outdoor recreation, but the
current governor, who didn’t create the office, has decided not to staff
it. The office in Washington state was nearly shut down as a result of
budget cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic; directors from other
states’ outdoor recreation agencies lobbied Washington’s governor to
keep the office, which he did.
Ultimately, the state bureaus are at the mercy of their respective
governors, which, even with the Confluence Accords in place, makes
things unnecessarily unstable in the outdoor rec sector. As Benitez
puts it, those offices need an air traffic controller overseeing things and
holding those states, and their governors, accountable. Both he and
Hickenlooper believe a federal office could do just that.

“WE NEED
TO THINK
OF THE
OUTDOORS
AS INFRASTRUCTURE.”
person.” If clients got themselves in trouble on their expeditions, Benitez
would be sent out to rescue them and bring them back to the hut. “I
had grown up my entire life with asthma, learning pressure-breathing
exercises,” Benitez says. “People would get freaked out because they
couldn’t breathe the higher they got, and it’s hard to explain, but I could
drop into this gear that was very comfortable and familiar because I
knew how to pressure-breathe. I could stay calm when everyone else
was struggling and falling apart.”
Benitez was mostly an indifferent student, both when he was younger
and as he aged. Still, he attended the University of Missouri–St. Louis,
where he studied political science, all while honing his climbing and
mountaineering skills. Instead of completing his undergraduate degree,
though, Benitez told his parents he was moving to Colorado to be a
guide with Outward Bound, which offers experiential outdoor education
programs. “They were like, ‘Luis, you’re throwing your life away to be a
glorified camp counselor?’ ” Benitez says. (Benitez holds a professional
mountaineering guide accreditation and has an executive MBA from
the University of Denver.)
If the mountains of Ecuador instilled in Benitez a fascination
with the high country, the mountains of Colorado forged in him
a lifelong love affair. They also cemented in him an optimism and
a stick-to-itiveness that’s common among mountaineers. Luis, his
brother David says, is not the type of guy who finds excuses not to
do something.
David recounts the story of when he and Luis were doing a multipitch climb in Colorado, maybe 20 years ago. The brothers were on the
second pitch when David was ready to turn back. “I was like, ‘Lou, it’s
gonna storm. There’s, like, a gigantic storm. I can see it.’ ”
Luis told his younger brother not to worry. “We’re clinging onto
the rock wall and getting slammed by sleet and freezing rain and
ice, and Lou said, ‘It’s Colorado. Don’t worry, it’ll pass,’ ” David says.
“It didn’t pass.”
Twenty minutes later, the storm broke, but the temperature had
plummeted, and David was freezing. “Lou said, ‘Come on, the only
way you’re going to warm up is if you keep moving.’ So we kept moving, kept going up.”
The conditions were such that the brothers failed to complete the
climb on that day, but Luis’ perseverance left a strong impression on
his younger brother. That tenacity stuck with David and helped him
reach the tops of mountains on other difficult climbs. “You know

that elation when you summit?” David says. “That feeling when you
finally finish the climb is unparalleled. Everything else is erased when
you’re at the top.”

T

he outdoor recreation industry economy in the United States
accounted for $454 billion, or 1.9 percent, of the nation’s
gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, according to the
Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
For context, BEA data show that utilities account for 1.7 percent of
the GDP and mining accounts for 1.5 percent. In 2021, the year for
which the most recent data are available, the outdoor rec industry
accounted for 4.5 million jobs.
Perhaps surprisingly, it wasn’t until 2018 that the BEA began
measuring the footprint of the industry—which means no one really
knew the full scope of the sector until five years ago. “The outdoor
recreation industry has not been seen, or even understood itself, as
a cohesive thing,” says Brad Garmon, the executive director of the
Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and the 2023 chair
of the Confluence of States, a coalition of states who have signed
on to the Confluence Accords. “It’s partly tourism, but it’s also the
ski hill operators and the people who serve the food at the resorts
and the people who change the sheets in your hotel room. It’s the
boat manufacturer and the RV manufacturer and the shoe manufacturer—it’s all part of the outdoor rec industry. For years, I don’t
think that was understood.”
Not only is it now being recognized as a unified industry, but
the data also reveal a sector that’s growing. The number of Americans participating in outdoor recreation—which includes a broad
spectrum of activities, from jogging to camping to hunting—has
grown for the past eight years. In 2022, the nonprofit Outdoor
Industry Association’s most recent data year, the number of outdoor recreation participants grew 2.3 percent to 168.1 million,
which translates to 55 percent of the U.S. population over the age
of six. By contrast, 51 percent of Americans read a book in 2022,
according to the Outdoor Industry Association.
All of which raises an obvious question: Given the size of the
outdoor recreation industry, why isn’t there already a federal office
dedicated to it? Benitez likes to say that, as a whole, the outdoor
recreation industry has been too busy playing outside to get organized on a national level in a way that might result in an agency
or office nestled within a cabinet-level department, such as the
Department of Commerce or the Department of the Interior. “We’re
the cool kids,” he says. “We do inspirational stuff, and that is a part
of our narrative.”
Hall, the current director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation
Industry Office, takes a slightly different view. “I think that’s right—
to a degree,” Hall says. “But I think that’s a little bit overblown. I
think it’s more a byproduct of being such a disparate and widespread
industry. It’s a series of a whole bunch of different businesses that all
have that through line of the outdoors. And so it’s just been a little
bit harder to organize.”
There actually once was a federal-level Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
(BOR), which John F. Kennedy established in 1963 and housed inside
the Department of the Interior. The bureau was created in response to
the findings of the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission,
authorized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration in
1958. According to a 2018 white paper titled “The Bureau of Outdoor
Recreation in Post-War America” by attorney Jeremy W. Richter, “The
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation was not to manage any land itself but
concerned itself with policy, planning, aid, and coordination. The Bureau
was interested in all outdoor recreation, both urban and rural.… The
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation would work through CONTINUED ON PAGE 96
SEPTEMBER 2023 / 5280

87

PRICE KEY

Average Entrée
$
$$
$$$
$$$$

under $15
$16 to $20
$21 to $30
$31 and higher

SYMBOL KEY

Indicates a restaurant featured in 5280 for the
first time (though not necessarily a restaurant
that has just opened).
Indicates inclusion in 5280’s 2022 list of Denver’s
best restaurants. These selections are at the discretion
of 5280 editors and are subject to change.

A5 STEAKHOUSE

$$$$

LoDo / Steak House The team behind Forget
Me Not and Tap and Burger offers a refreshing
chophouse experience in a hip, delightfully
funky bar and dining room. Reservations
accepted. 1600 15th St., 303-623-0534. Dinner
AFRICAN GRILL & BAR

$$$

Lakewood / African Head to this cheery restaurant for rich stews, fried fish, rice dishes, and
friendly service. Get the chakalaka, a traditional
vegetarian South African stew. Reservations
accepted. 955 S. Kipling Parkway, Lakewood,
303-985-4497. Lunch, Dinner
$$$

Aurora / American Caroline Glover brings a warm
dining experience to Stanley Marketplace with
Annette. Enjoy a family-style menu featuring
seasonal salads, toasts, and wood-grilled fare.
Reservations accepted. 2501 Dallas St., Suite 108,
Aurora, 720-710-9975. Dinner
$

BANH & BUTTER BAKERY CAFE

Aurora / French Thoa Nguyen crafts French
pastries inspired by her Vietnamese heritage at
this East Colfax cafe. Go for the dazzling crêpe
cakes. Reservations not accepted. 9935 E. Colfax
Ave., Aurora, 720-513-9313. Breakfast, Lunch
$$

BELLOTA

RiNo / Mexican Go for elevated regional Mexican
fare like shrimp tacos basted in butter infused
with shrimp shells and the popular fried quesadilla
de requesón. Also check out the Boulder location.
Reservations not accepted. 3350 Brighton Blvd.,
720-542-3721. Lunch, Dinner
THE BINDERY

$$$

LoHi / Contemporary Linda Hampsten Fox’s
eatery, market, and bakery offers worldly fare
inspired by her travels. Settle in for the smoked
rabbit pecan pie with mustard gelato. Reservations accepted. 1817 Central St., 303-993-2364.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
BLACKBELLY

$$$

Boulder / American Chef Hosea Rosenberg’s
carnivore-friendly menu focuses on charcuterie,
small plates, and daily butcher specials. Reservations accepted. 1606 Conestoga St., Boulder,
303-247-1000. Dinner
88

Dialing It In
Phone your family and friends. This May, Call Your Mother Deli opened its first location outside of the
Washington, D.C., area on Tennyson Street, bringing stacked bagel sandwiches, tender babka muffins,
and other twists on deli fare to the Berkeley neighborhood. Try the exclusive-to-Denver Jetski, which
sandwiches Colorado-sourced pastrami and brisket, sliced jalapeño, and generous amounts of melted
American and cheddar in a cheese-encrusted bagel.

$

CALL YOUR MOTHER DELI

Berkeley / Deli This “Jew-ish” deli specializes in
bagel sandwiches of classic and experimental
varieties. The PB&J-inspired Grand Villa is a
delightful upgrade from the childhood classic.
Reservations not accepted. 3880 Tennyson St.,
720-756-7864. Breakfast, Lunch

DAE GEE

$$$$

CHEZ MAGGY

LoDo / French Acclaimed chef Ludo Lefebvre
plates up Colorado-inspired French classics at
this brasserie inside the Thompson Hotel. Don’t
miss the expertly prepared escargot in garlic
butter. Reservations accepted. 1616 Market St.,
720-794-9544. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
$$

COMAL HERITAGE FOOD INCUBATOR

Globeville / International Immigrant women from
Latin America develop a rotating menu featuring
their family recipes at this welcoming restaurant.
Reservations not accepted. 3455 Ringsby Court,
Suite 105, 720-500-3455. Lunch
CORRIDA

$$$$

Boulder / Spanish This elegant Spanish steak
house offers stunning Flatiron views and fabu-

lous cocktails and wines. Splurge on the Japanese
wagyu. Reservations accepted. 1023 Walnut St.,
Suite 400, Boulder, 303-444-1333. Dinner, Brunch
$$

Congress Park / Korean Enjoy bold Korean flavors
at this Congress Park eatery. Order the pork
bulgogi or try the bibimbap. Multiple locations.
Reservations accepted. 827 Colorado Blvd.,
720-639-9986. Lunch, Dinner
DAUGHTER THAI KITCHEN & BAR

$$$$

LoHi / Thai This upscale Thai restaurant from
Ounjit Hardacre serves beautifully plated
dishes and inventive cocktails. Try the lycheekissed massaman curry with Colorado lamb or
the crispy soft-shell crab larb. Reservations
accepted. 1700 Platte St., Suite 140, 720-6674652. Lunch, Dinner
DOS SANTOS

$$

City Park West / Mexican The menu at this
modern taqueria features light, seafood-centric
dishes, like a beer-battered fish taco. Reservations
not accepted. 1475 E. 17th Ave., 303-386-3509.
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

WANT MORE DINING OPTIONS? Visit our online listings at 5280.com/restaurants.
5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Sarah Banks

ANNETTE

CONGRATULATIONS!

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DINING GUIDE
$$

DRAGONFLY NOODLE

LoDo / Asian This eatery from restaurateur Edwin
Zoe serves a multinational variety of Asian dishes.
Order any of the ramen bowls. Also try the Boulder location. Reservations not accepted. 1350
16th Street Mall, 720-543-8000. Lunch, Dinner
Edgewater / Pizza This pizzeria has been family
owned and operated for more than 60 years. Try
the Howdy Pizza, a combo of sausage, peppers,
mushrooms, and jalapeños. Reservations not
accepted. 5302 W. 25th Ave., Edgewater, 303-2373524. Lunch, Dinner
Englewood / Mexican The team behind this Englewood restaurant has been serving affordable
Mexican food for more than 40 years. Reservations accepted. 3495 S. Broadway, Englewood,
303-781-0243. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

$$

FAMOUS ORIGINAL J’S PIZZA

Five Points / Pizza Joshua Pollack’s New York–
style and rectangular “grandma” pies are totally
customizable and available by the slice. Try the
meat lover’s with sausage, pepperoni, and diced
Taylor ham. Reservations not accepted. 715 E.
26th Ave., 720-420-9102. Lunch, Dinner

Cherry Creek / Asian Try the Amazing Roll:
chopped fatty tuna, cucumber, and scallion on the
inside; avocado, crispy kani, eel, and special sauce
on the outside. Reservations accepted. 250 Steele
St., Suite 104, 303-722-9968. Lunch, Dinner

$$

$

Valverde / Mexican This is a must-visit destination
for taco lovers. Try the tacos al pastor and carnitas,
and don’t skip the salsa bar. Reservations not
accepted. 1565 W. Alameda Ave., 720-583-6586.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
LA DIABLA

$$

HONEY ELIXIR

RiNo / Contemporary Nonalcoholic potions,
boozy cocktails, sipping chocolate, and teas—
along with a menu of light bites like brûléed goat
cheese—are the draw at this stunning bar. Reservations not accepted. 2636 Walnut St., Suite 104,
720-328-5992. Dinner
$$

$$

IL PORCELLINO SALUMI

Berkeley / Deli This market and deli strives to
provide the highest-quality locally raised cured
meats in Colorado. Pick a selection to take with
you or enjoy a fresh salumi platter or sandwich
in-house. Reservations not accepted. 4324 W.
41st Ave., 303-477-3206. Breakfast, Lunch

$$

Ballpark / Mexican James Beard Award finalist
Jose Avila serves up comforting pozole and other
traditional Mexican fare at this casual eatery.
Don’t miss the weekend brunch for chilaquiles,
huaraches, and a killer house michelada. Reservations not accepted. 2233 Larimer St., 720-5191060. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
LA FILLETTE BAKERY

$$

Montclair / French This French-inspired bakery
makes magical laminated creations, including a
brunch burger sandwiched between two croissant
buns. Reservations not accepted. 6217 E. 14th Ave.,
303-355-0022. Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch

$$

LOGAN STREET RESTAURANT & BAR

$

Washington Virginia Vale / Middle Eastern Inside a
shopping center on South Monaco Parkway,
friendly owner Ismet Yilmaz prepares authentic
Turkish pastries. Try the pistachio baklava. Reservations not accepted. 850 S. Monaco Parkway,
Suite 9, 720-787-7751. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
$$

Lincoln Park / Jamaican This family-owned
restaurant serves classic Caribbean-centric dishes
like jerk chicken, fried plantains, and rice and peas.
Reservations accepted. 709 W. Eighth Ave.,
303-623-0013. Lunch, Dinner

$$$

South Park Hill / Latin American Bold flavors
from Latin America, the Caribbean, and coastal
Spain tantalize at this lively restaurant. Try the
mofongo, a plantain mash with pork belly chicharrón. Reservations accepted. 2245 Kearney St., Suite
101, 720-814-1053. Dinner
MANGO HOUSE

JAMAICAN GRILLE

$$$

Speer / Mediterranean From the owners behind
Carboy Winery, Logan Street serves wood-fired
fare, fresh pastas, and flatbreads that pair well
with the house-made vino. Reservations accepted.
400 E. Seventh Ave., 720-617-9400. Dinner
LUCINA EATERY & BAR

ISTANBUL CAFE & BAKERY

$$

Aurora / International This immigrant- and refugee-led food hall is home to six outstanding
culinary concepts: Urban Burma, Jasmine Syrian,
Golden Sky Asian, Odaa Ethiopian, and Nepali
Spice. Reservations not accepted. 10180 E. Colfax
Ave., 303-900-8639. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

$$
JOVANINA’S BROKEN ITALIAN

$$

West Highland / Asian Blackbelly’s Chris Teigland
and Ariana Pope bring Asian fusion fare to West
Highland with Glo Noodle House. Don’t miss the
karaage. Reservations accepted. 4450 W. 38th
Ave., Suite 130, 303-993-4180. Dinner

$$$$

LoDo / Italian This gorgeous LoDo eatery expands
on traditional Italian fare by incorporating unexpected, seasonal ingredients. Reservations
accepted. 1520 Blake St., 720-541-7721. Dinner
KACHINA CANTINA

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

$$$

$$$

Speer / Indian Go for divey tikka masala cheese
steaks and smothered fries at this fast-casual
Indian eatery, which serves up an excellent saag to
boot. Also try the Boulder and LoDo locations.
Reservations not accepted. 609 Grant St.,
720-779-0762. Lunch, Dinner

90

KP ASIAN CAFE

$$$$

LoHi / American This sunny brunch eatery could
make any morning brighter. The animal-style
hash brown smothered in cheese and special
sauce (an homage to In-N-Out) is a must-order.
Reservations not accepted. 2257 W. 32nd Ave.,
303-862-6795. Breakfast, Lunch

GLO NOODLE HOUSE

$$

Westwood / Mexican Enjoy plates of mole and
enchiladas verdes, as well as a menu of almost 30
different juices and smoothies, in a space decorated with the art of Frida Kahlo. Reservations
accepted. 3735 Morrison Road, 303-936-0758.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Aurora / Chinese At KP Asian Cafe, chef-owner
Kevin Chu serves specialties from across China.
Try the Hong Kong–style noodle soup. Reservations not accepted. 12201 E. Mississippi Ave., Suite
111, Aurora, 720-456-7745. Lunch, Dinner

Capitol Hill / American Head to this plant-filled
bar for cocktails like the pineapple daiquiri.
Enjoy your drink with a cheese plate or spicy
pickled okra. Reservations not accepted. 619 E.
13th St., 303-832-0776. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

RiNo / Seafood Kevin Morrison offers approachable, fresh seafood and a hearty beer list at this
casual oysterette. Try the ceviche or wood-firegrilled whole bass. Reservations accepted. 3510
Larimer St., 303-248-3497. Dinner

GAIA MASALA AND BURGER

KAHLO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

LA CALLE TAQUERIA Y CARNITAS
HASU SUSHI & GRILL

HUDSON HILL

LoHi / American At the Fifth String, chef Amos
Watts offers his seasonally inspired cooking alongside an in-house beef butchering program. The
results, such as the tallow candle bread service,
are delicious and inventive. Reservations accepted.
3316 Tejon St., Suite 102, 720-420-0622. Dinner

FOX AND THE HEN

$$$

$$$

Downtown / American Located in the Brown
Palace Hotel, this is the home of Denver’s power
meal. Indulge in the lavish brunch on Sundays.
Reservations accepted. 321 17th St., 303-312-5924.
Breakfast, Brunch

FISH N BEER

THE GREENWICH

RiNo / Pizza Restaurateur Delores Tronco brings
a slice of her favorite New York City neighborhood to RiNo at the Greenwich. Don’t miss the
sourdough pizzas and inventive vegetable plates.
Reservations accepted. 3258 Larimer St.,
720-868-5006. Dinner

$

EL TEPEHUAN

THE FIFTH STRING

Westminster / Barbecue This fast-casual joint
serves award-winning hickory-smoked pork, brisket, chicken wings, ribs, and more. Also try the
Lone Tree location. Reservations not accepted.
5160 W. 120th Ave., Suite K, Westminster,
303-379-9205. Lunch, Dinner

$$

EDGEWATER INN

ELLYNGTON’S

$$

GQUE BBQ

$$$

LoDo / Southwestern Located in the Dairy Block,
this spot specializes in Southwestern fare, such
as pozole. Also try the Westminster-based sister
location, Kachina Southwestern Grill. Reservations accepted. 1890 Wazee St., 720-460-2728.
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

MERCURY CAFE

$$$

Five Points / Contemporary Enjoy live music and
plenty of vegetarian options, as well as gnocchi
and a bison burger. Reservations accepted. 2199
California St., 303-294-9258. Dinner, Brunch
MISFIT SNACKBAR

$$

City Park / Contemporary Chef-owner Bo
Porytko serves a rotating lineup of imaginative
but familiar pub fare at this walk-up kitchen inside
Middleman cocktail bar. Try the ever-changing
chips and dip. Reservations not accepted. 3401 E.
Colfax Ave., 303-353-4207. Dinner

DINING GUIDE

MOLOTOV KITSCHEN & COCKTAILS

$$$

City Park / European The ever-changing menu
at this aptly kitschy restaurant celebrates the
cuisine of Ukraine. Try creative takes on
borscht and Eastern European dumplings.
Reservations accepted. 3333 E. Colfax Ave.,
303-316-3333. Dinner
$$

NEW SAIGON

Westwood / Vietnamese This spot serves an
extensive menu featuring delicious rice paper
wraps, salads, pho, seafood dishes, duck, and more.
Reservations accepted. 630 S. Federal Blvd.,
303-936-4954. Lunch, Dinner
NOISETTE

$$$$

LoHi / French Chefs Tim and Lillian Lu serve
elegant renditions of French bourgeoisie-style
specialties (home-cooked comforts) in a romantic,
light-drenched space. Reservations accepted.
3254 Navajo St., Suite 100, 720-769-8103. Dinner
NOBLE RIOT

$$$

RiNo / American Nosh on charcuterie boards,
fried chicken, and other picnic-ready fare at this
chic, sommelier-operated natural wine bar in
RiNo. Reservations accepted. 1336 27th St.,
303-993-5330. Dinner
$$

NOLA VOODOO TAVERN AND PERKS

3DLGIRUE\&LW\RI&DUOVEDG/RGJHU V7D[

Clayton / Southern New Orleans native and
owner Henry Batiste serves his grandmother’s
recipes for gumbo, po’ boys, and more. Reservations accepted. 3321 Bruce Randolph Ave.,
720-389-9544. Lunch, Dinner
OAK AT FOURTEENTH

$$$$

Boulder / Seasonal This bright, open space just off
the Pearl Street Mall offers a diverse, ever-changing menu of seasonal, oak-fired eats. Order the
kale and apple salad, oak-roasted ocean trout, or a
handmade pasta dish. Reservations accepted.
1400 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-3622. Dinner
$

OHANA ISLAND KITCHEN

LoHi / Seafood This Hawaiian-inspired eatery
serves top-notch tuna poke, Spam musubi,
Kalua pork, and more in a casual setting.
Reservations not accepted. 2563 15th St.,
303-718-6580. Lunch, Dinner
OSAKA’S

$$

Boulder / Japanese Enjoy unique Japanese
comfort food at this Boulder restaurant. Try one
of the signature Osaka Burgers, which sub a
savory Japanese pancake (okonomiyaki) for the
traditional bun. Reservations accepted. 2460
Canyon Blvd., Boulder, 720-398-9115. Dinner
PADOCA BAKERY & MARKET

$

Montclair / South American This Brazilian bakery
serves an assortment of sweet and savory goodies. Try traditional items, like the brigadeiro or
the pão de queijo, with a latte. Reservations not
accepted. 950A Jersey St., 720-520-007.
Breakfast, Lunch
PARK & CO

$

Uptown / American This casual tavern serves
sandwiches and salads but specializes in gourmet burgers. Try the Hatch green chile burger.
Reservations not accepted. 439 E. 17th Ave.,
720-328-6732. Lunch, Dinner
92

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

A HEARTFELT THANKS TO OUR 2023
MORGAN ADAMS CONCOURS SPONSORS

DINING GUIDE
$

THE PORKLET

Aurora / Asian This fast-casual spot in a shopping
center excels at producing renditions of katsu
(fried cutlets encrusted in light, flaky panko
breadcrumbs). The Volcano Fried Rice is a
must. Reservations not accepted. 12201 E.
Mississippi Ave., Suite 123B, 303-364-1287.
Lunch, Dinner
Q HOUSE

$$

City Park / Chinese Enjoy a modern take on
Chinese cuisine executed by chef Christopher Lin,
an alum of Momofuku in New York City. Try the
braised pork rice. Reservations accepted. 3421 E.
Colfax Ave., 720-729-8887. Dinner
$

QUIERO AREPAS

Platt Park / Latin American The entirely glutenfree menu offers delicious selections like the
pollo guisado arepa, a flatbread that comes
stuffed with shredded chicken, black beans, and
cheese. Also check out the LoHi location.
Reservations not accepted. 1859 S. Pearl St.,
720-432-4205. Lunch, Dinner
RANDALL’S

$$

Cole / Southern This neighborhood restaurant
serves up comforting Southern fare with a side of
warm hospitality. Try the fried catfish dinner.
Reservations not accepted. 3349 York St.,
720-583-0473. Lunch, Dinner
REDEEMER PIZZA

$$$

RiNo / Pizza Spencer White and Alex Figura, the
duo behind Dio Mio, bring New York City–style
sourdough pizza to RiNo. Nosh on full pies in the
dining room or nab a slice from the walk-up
window in the back. Reservations accepted.
2705 Larimer St., 720-780-1379. Dinner
RESTAURANT OLIVIA

$$$$

Washington Park / Italian This cozy yet modern
neighborhood spot from the team behind Bistro
Georgette specializes in fresh pastas and Italian
classics like porchetta. Reservations accepted.
290 S. Downing St., 303-999-0395. Dinner
RIO GRANDE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

$$$

LoDo / Mexican Natural ingredients and fresh
produce characterize this Mexican spot. Multiple
locations. Reservations accepted. 1745 Wazee St.,
303-623-5432. Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

Burnayev run a pasta program with dishes that
celebrate seasonal bounty. Reservations
accepted. 1165 S. Broadway, Suite 104,
720-502-5681. Dinner
SPUNTINO

$$$$

RiNo / Mediterranean Acclaimed chef Alon
Shaya brings his modern Israeli fare to Denver.
Start with the creamy hummus and pillowy
wood-oven pita before moving onto dishes like
tabbouleh salad, short-rib-stuffed cabbage, and
harissa chicken. Reservations accepted. 3330
Brighton Blvd., Suite 201, 720-408-2444.
Dinner, Brunch
SHI MIAO DAO YUNNAN RICE NOODLE

$$

Aurora / Asian This build-your-own rice noodle
soup restaurant specializes in cross-the-bridge
noodles from China’s Yunnan province and delicious boba milk teas. Reservations not accepted.
2000 S. Havana St., Aurora, 720-583-2839.
Lunch, Dinner
SOMEBODY PEOPLE

$$$

Overland / Mediterranean At this vegan restaurant, Sam and Tricia Maher and head chef Art
94

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

$$$$

Highland / Italian Enjoy the locally sourced
menu at this Italian-inspired, husband-andwife-owned spot. Try the seasonal pasta or any
dish with Southern Indian influences. Don’t
miss the house-made gelato for dessert. Reservations accepted. 2639 W. 32nd Ave.,
303-433-0949. Dinner
SUNDAY VINYL

SUPER MEGA BIEN

$$$

RiNo / Latin American Chef Dana Rodriguez
offers a combo of large-format, shareable items
and Pan-Latin small plates. Try the slow-braised
beef brisket with a cabbage slaw and steamed
buns. Reservations not accepted. 1260 25th St.,
720-269-4695. Dinner

$$

VITAL ROOT

Berkeley / American Justin Cucci’s fourth eatery
focuses on creative, wholesome fare like cashew
queso dip and sunflower risotto. Reservations not
accepted. 3915 Tennyson St., 303-474-4131. Lunch,
Dinner, Brunch
VOGHERA RISTORANTE & APERICENA

$$$

Berkeley / Italian Enjoy Italian-style tapas such as
beef tartare, burrata, and pancetta-wrapped scallops at this rustic-chic Berkeley outpost.
Reservations not accepted. 3963 Tennyson St.,
303-455-9111. Dinner, Brunch
$

WHITTIER CAFE

Whittier / Cafe This cafe serves coffee, beer, and
wine sourced from African nations and a small
menu of burritos, panini, and more. Reservations
not accepted. 1710 E. 25th Ave., 720-550-7440.
Breakfast, Lunch
THE WOLF’S TAILOR

TABLE 6

$$$

Lone Tree / Indian Chef Charles Mani serves classic and contemporary dishes from regions across
India at this eatery inside Park Meadows Mall.
Reservations accepted. 8505 Park Meadows
Center Drive, Suite 2184A, Lone Tree, 720-5368565. Lunch, Dinner

$$$

LoDo / European This Union Station restaurant
offers warm hospitality, exquisite cuisine, and
an extensive wine list, all to the soundtrack of a
vinyl-only playlist. Don’t miss the oysters or
the desserts. Reservations accepted. 1803 16th
St., 720-738-1803. Dinner

$$$$

Speer / American This space’s warm and cozy
atmosphere extends to the American bistro
cuisine, which is elevated by haute foodie
touches. Reservations accepted. 609 Corona
St., 303-831-8800. Dinner

$$$$

Sunnyside / American Chef Kelly Whitaker fuses
Asian and Italian cuisines at this hip eatery. The
results, such as 7X brisket braised in dashi and red
wine, are uniquely delicious. Reservations
accepted. 4058 Tejon St., 720-456-6705. Dinner
WYNKOOP BREWING COMPANY

TAVERNETTA

$$$$

LoDo / Italian The team behind Boulder’s
acclaimed Frasca Food and Wine offers the same
attention to hospitality at this more casual Denver
restaurant, home to dishes from across Italy.
Reservations accepted. 1889 16th St., 720-6051889. Lunch, Dinner
TEALEE’S TEAHOUSE AND BOOKSTORE

$$

Five Points / International Head to this charming
teahouse-bookstore-market for loose-leaf and
specialty teas and all-day fare like soups, salads,
and sandwiches. Reservations accepted. 611 22nd
St., 303-593-2013. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TOCABE, AN AMERICAN INDIAN EATERY

SAFTA

URBAN VILLAGE GRILL

$

$$$$

Curtis Park / Japanese James Beard Award–
winning chef Tyson Cole combines unexpected
flavors for his unique take on Japanese food. Visit
for the daily happy hour. Reservations accepted.
2500 Lawrence St., 303-444-1922. Dinner
UNCLE

XICAMITI LA TAQUERÍA

$$

Golden / Mexican This long-standing joint serves
cooked-to-order burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and
alambres (skillet dishes). Reservations not
accepted. 715 Washington Ave., Golden, 303-2153436. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
$

YAZOO BARBEQUE COMPANY

Berkeley / American Feast on Indigenous fare like
fry bread tacos, with bison, beans, lettuce, cheese,
and salsas, or spicy potato- and corn-laden green
chile stew at this fast-casual spot. Reservations
not accepted. 3536 W. 44th Ave., 720-524-8282.
Lunch, Dinner
UCHI DENVER

$$

LoDo / Pub Enjoy fresh beer and pub favorites
such as the bison burger at one of Denver’s first
brewpubs. Reservations accepted. 1634 18th St.,
303-297-2700. Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

$$

Speer / Asian A bustling atmosphere defines this
popular noodle house. The concise menu includes
dishes such as Chinese-style steamed buns and, of
course, noodles. Also try the Highland location.
Reservations not accepted. 95 S. Pennsylvania St.,
720-638-1859. Dinner

Five Points / Barbecue This unpretentious barbecue joint offers a Deep South menu, featuring
pork ribs and brisket. Reservations not accepted.
2150 Broadway, 303-296-3334. Lunch, Dinner
ZIN ZIN’S BURMESE CUISINE

$

Aurora / Asian Sample traditional Burmese
cuisine like beef samosas and mohinga (rice
noodles in a split pea purée). Reservations not
accepted. 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora,
720-982-2477. Lunch, Dinner
ZOMO

$$

Englewood / Asian Owners Alysia Davey and
Ryan Anderson serve family recipes inspired by
their Vietnamese and Chinese roots. Reservations accepted. 3457 S. Broadway, Englewood,
720-739-8882. Lunch, Dinner
X These listings are in no way related to advertising in 5280. If you
find that a restaurant differs significantly from the information in its
listing or your favorite restaurant is missing from the Dining Guide,
please let us know. Write us at 5280 Publishing, Inc., 1675 Larimer
St., Suite 675, Denver, CO 80202 or dining@5280.com.

52 80 MA GAZ I N E P R OMO TI ON

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SEP
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SEP
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The Blue Shoe Run for
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Food Bank of the Rockies’
Colorado Fall Home Show
Second-Annual Gather & Sow Colorado Convention Center | 10 a.m

2777 Mile High Stadium Circle, Denver

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
5:30-10 p.m.

(across from Empower Field at Mile High)

8:30 a.m
13th Annual Blue Shoe Run for Prostate Cancer.
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Huge party with beer, music, food, silent auction
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Information and registration at
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SEP 28 OCT 1

Gather & Sow is an elevated, farm-to-table
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OCT
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FO RC E O F N AT U R E

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 87

the states, which would serve as middlemen
between the federal and local governments.”
In its 15 years as a discrete entity (in 1977,
it was disbanded and its responsibilities were
absorbed into the Heritage Conservation and
Recreation Service, which was abolished by
President Ronald Reagan in 1981), the BOR
had a marked effect that endures today. Its
most lasting legacy may be its involvement in
the passing of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, which resulted in the
creation of the Land and Water Conservation
Fund (LWCF).The LWCF has been financed
by entry fees and donations to the country’s
national parks, and it provides money to states
for use in outdoor recreation projects.
In order to access those federal dollars—still
available today through the LWCF, which was
permanently funded in August 2020 by the
Great American Outdoors Act—states must
complete Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plans (SCORP) every five years.
“Funds [are] available to states for both urban
and rural recreational needs,” Richter writes.
“The idea of the SCORP was to use time and
money more efficiently. The SCORP would
keep the states focused on the most pressing
of the outdoor recreation needs, rather than
being sidetracked by lesser projects.”
The LWCF is just one example Benitez
can point to as a reason to resurrect a federal
office. But given that BOR shuttered less than
two decades after its creation, it seems reasonable to be skeptical of Benitez’s endeavor,
and indeed there are a number of obstacles to
the creation of such an office. Existing federal
agencies that operate in the outdoor space—the
U.S. Forest Service, for example, or the Bureau
of Land Management—might believe there’s
no need for another federal office coordinating what they do. Furthermore, broad-based
understanding of what outdoor rec is and does
is a potential hurdle. “We need to make people
aware of the impact of outdoor recreation and
why it’s important,” says Katherine Andrews,
the director of Arkansas’ Office of Outdoor
Recreation. “That’s one of the biggest parts of
our jobs—explaining to people why outdoor
recreation is important and how it contributes
to factors like health and wellness, conservation, and economic growth.”
Finally, funding is a concern at the federal
level when the United States is running a $1.4
96

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

trillion budget deficit. Benitez, who started
the Colorado office with a desk, a gas card,
and a computer, says, in all seriousness, “That’s
all you need to start a federal office. It could
be one person with a minimal budget. We’re
not talking about big government.”
Even with all those potential hurdles to
clear, outdoor recreation and all it encompasses—the protection and stewardship of the
country’s wild spaces, the creation of jobs, and
the health benefits of recreating outside—is
one of the last domestic issues that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle seem to agree
on. “There are so many legislators now who
recognize the importance of outdoor rec,” says
Andrews, who works for Republican Governor
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whose administration has made outdoor recreation a priority.
“And, honestly, outdoor recreation is a very
good example of a bipartisan issue. We see
people from all across the political spectrum
not only participating in the outdoors but also
caring about the outdoors, both from a real,
deep, personal connection and from a legislative and policy perspective. I don’t think it’s
an uphill climb. I think Luis is really riding
this awesome wave.”

I

t’s difficult to say whether Benitez’s formative years spent in proximity to powerful
people or his years as a mountaineering
guide at the highest levels or his innate determination will help him most in his effort to
create a federal office of outdoor recreation,
but his former boss has an educated guess.
“Luis approaches solving problems like he
approaches a mountain,” Hickenlooper says.
“Especially with the larger, more complicated
problems, he’s looking for a route. And once
he’s got that route, then he’s analyzing it for
weaknesses or places of risk. And then he’s
figuring out how he’s going to resolve those
places of risk when he gets to that point.”
As Michigan’s Garmon puts it: “I think the
industry has always needed a sort of champion like Luis—someone who’s relatable, but
also, you know, he’s summited Everest and
can sit in Congress and chat with senators.
Luis is a force of nature.”
Benitez is well aware that if a federal office
of outdoor recreation is to be created, it will
not happen quickly. Such an office would
be established by the president or by an act
of Congress. Benitez clearly already has the
backing of Hickenlooper—who met with U.S.
Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo
to discuss the idea in July—and he says both
Senator Michael Bennet and Representative
Joe Neguse support the effort to create a federal office. This month, Benitez will speak at
the Outdoor Economy Conference in North

Carolina, where he will press his case with
the 22 state outdoor recreation office directors. “We need to have the directors have
conversations with their bosses [governors],”
Benitez says, “and be able to say, ‘Red, blue,
purple—it does not matter. This is good for
everybody. This is not bigger government; this
is better government.’ ”
Being Luis Benitez means not sitting
around and waiting, so while he advocates
for a seat at the federal table, he is teaching
a class in the Masters of the Environment
program at the University of Colorado Boulder. He’s also written a book about emerging
political voices in the outdoor rec industry
that’s tentatively scheduled to be released
in spring 2024 by Di Angelo Publications.
Teaching, writing, advocating: Benitez’s third
act sure looks as if it’s shaping up to be political in nature. He says he isn’t thinking about
leading a potential federal office of outdoor
recreation, but he’d be open to considering
it if he were asked. He also says he wants
the next lieutenant governor of Colorado
to make the outdoors his or her bailiwick.
“Whoever the gubernatorial nominee is,
I’m going to do everything in my power to
push them to make the lieutenant governor
responsible for this,” Benitez says. “Colorado
Parks and Wildlife, the outdoor recreation
industry office, and the tourism office. That
can all belong to the lieutenant governor.”
Could Benitez be that lieutenant governor?
He’s coy when asked about the prospect, but
he thinks maybe he could.
For now, though, the mountain-climbercum-educator-cum-politico is focusing on
helping the industry he loves. Benitez’s wife,
Katie Jacquemin, says the happiest she’s seen
her husband of 10 years at work was when
he was employed by the state government.
“The most passionate I’ve ever seen him in a
job was when he was working with Governor
Hickenlooper,” she says. “All the time I’ve
known him, that’s the most passionate I’ve
ever seen him about a job and a purpose.”
After a stint in the private sector, that passion
has returned. “We need a deeper understanding of who we are as an industry, what we
do, what our political power is, and what our
voices could look like together,” Benitez says.
“That’s why you need a clearinghouse for all
these things. Because until you do, people are
going to do great stuff in their lanes. And don’t
get me wrong: These lanes are awesome. But
imagine the efficacy if we worked together. If
we could just get our narrative a little tighter,
imagine the power of that.” 
Geoff Van Dyke is 5280’s editorial director.
Email feedback to letters@5280.com.

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Featuring

COLORADO HOMES
The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is
not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell
Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently
owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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Carrie Levi 970.567.5938
Jason Levi 970.426.8916 | jason@thelevigroup.net | TheLeviGroup.net

HIGHLANDS RANCH | $1,000,000
Remodeled six bedroom, four bath home in the Kentley Hills neighborhood. The eat-in kitchen features a gas range, reverse osmosis filtration system and
a huge island. The kitchen opens to the spacious, family room with an updated gas fireplace and rustic wood beams. Don’t miss the primary suite with a
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jennifer.bub@cbrealty.com | JenniferBubRealEstate.com

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guiding you home since 1906

WINDSOR | $2,999,999
Luxurious home: 6 beds/8 baths. 2.6 acres w/opt. to buy adj. lot.
Elevator, fireplaces, 3 kitchens, gym, & theater room. Backyard has gas
fire pit, pool, hot tub, & shower. Zoned for horses. Separate 2,000 sf.
ste. 6 car garage & 4-car /RV detached.

DENVER | Price Upon Request
Beautiful modern prairie-style 5br/5.5ba home located in the highly
sought-after Hilltop neighborhood. Featuring a grand suite complete
w/2 walk-in closets & luxurious freestanding tub, finished basement,
laundry room, mud room, office & loft.

Christina Larson 970.443.4111
You.re.Home777@gmail.com | DiamondHomesACutAbove.com

Tina Parks 720.232.4482
tina.parks@cbrealty.com | TinaParks.com

DENVER | Price Upon Request
Falling Water offers 3 contemporary models. Homes come
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DENVER | $2,250,000
This stately historic home offers five bedrooms and five baths, including
a primary suite featuring a fireplace and an exquisite spa-like bathroom.
The finished basement offers a 360-bottle wine cellar, media room
with/bar, bedroom and bath.

Dorie Lisowska 719.337.2442
dorio2006@hotmail.com | DorieSellsDenver.com

Darlene Emory 303.886.0671
samwyatthomes@comcast.net

CONIFER | Price Upon Request
Historic 3br/2ba, 2,506 sf "Stone Lodge House" on 2.7 majestic acres
w/charming exposed aspen beams, wood ceilings & stained glass.
Features sunroom, living room w/fireplace, updated kitchen, open
great room & deck overlooking the pond & mountains.

CONIFER | Price Upon Request
City & mountain views abound in this luxury 4br/4ba home on Conifer
Mountain. This turn-key home has over $200K in updates. Boasting
a two-story great room w/gas fireplace, formal dining room, updated
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Dawn Zalfa, JD 720.495.1225
dawn.zalfa@cbrealty.com | DZsellsRE.com

Salesa Hancock 720.818.0456
salesa.hancock@cbrealty.com | SalesaSellsHomes.com

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CASTLE PINES | $1,300,000
Amazing ranch-style 5br/4ba Castle Pines home w/an office, great
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Conveniently located to schools & Elk Ridge Park.

WESTMINSTER | $1,290,000
5,500 SF, 6br/6.5ba property with a country feel is just blocks from
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mechanic's dream garage & home theater.

Sandy Benson 303.718.1175
sandy.benson@cbrealty.com | SandySellsCOHomes.com

Julie Thelander 303.520.2308
julie.thelander@cbrealty.com | FindHomeColorado.com

BOULDER | Price Upon Request
3br/5ba townhome in Dakota Ridge is situated close to picturesque
trails & parks that showcase breathtaking views of the foothills.
Featuring high ceilings, a primary suite w/5pc bath, professionally
finished basement, 3 balconies & 2-car garage.

CASTLE PINES | $1,200,000
Beautiful 4br/4ba home nestled in the remarkable Forest Park in Castle
Pines North. Offering an open floor plan, primary suite w/en suite bath
& walk-in closet & walkout basement w/access to backyard w/pond.
20 mins from the DTC & easy access to I25.

Richard Harris 720.331.9855
ra.harris@comcast.net | HarrisHomesColorado.com

Karen Valdez 303.886.4545
karen@karenivaldez.com | KarenIValdez.com

CENTENNIAL | $1,200,000
5br/6ba Piney Creek Village home w/oversized 3-car garage
backs to open space. This 6,116 finished SF open concept home
offers high ceilings, office, living rm w/fireplace, gourmet kitchen,
primary suite w/fireplace & professionally finished basement.

BOULDER | $1,200,000
Beautiful 4br/3ba home less than 15 minutes above the city in Boulder
Heights. Featuring multiple decks w/foothill & city views, sunroom & 2
fireplaces. Located at the end of a cul-de-sac on 1.47 gently sloping
acres that feature rock outcroppings.

Jill and Greg Svenson 303.522.0631
jill@jillgreg.com | JillAndGregHomes.com

Deborah Pixler 303.917.6771
deborah.pixler@cbrealty.com | pixlerperfecthomes.com

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guiding you home since 1906

PARKER | $1,095,000
Stunning rustic and contemporary farmhouse sitting on one-half acre
in the Pinery Country Club and offers privacy and seclusion, while still
being conveniently located near all the amenities. This home has been
completely remodeled and move-in ready!

GOLDEN | Price Upon Request
Genesee 4br/4ba home featuring a living rm w/fireplace, family rm,
dining rm, recently remodeled kitchen w/custom frameless cabinets,
quartz counters & SS appliances & 3 decks. Primary bedroom
w/gorgeous, remodeled bathroom. Short drive to Golden.

Mary Ann O'Toole 720.530.6878
OTooleMaryAnn@gmail.com | MaryAnnOtoole.cbintouch.com

Amy Smoldt 303.949.9683
amy@mountaintimerealestate.com | MountainTimeRealEstate.com

AURORA | Price Upon Request
Spectacular 4bd/3.5ba Blackstone Country Club Home w/views.
Updated w/designer finishes, great room, formal dining room,
breakfast nook, primary suite, huge basement w/endless opportunity.
3-car garage and amazing landscaped yard.
Suzanne Alliano 303.359.9996
suzannealliano@gmail.com | SuzanneAlliano.com

CONIFER | $1,025,000
Impeccable main-level living on 4 acres of terrain that
flow seamlessly into 1,000 acres of Arapahoe National
Forest. 3br/3ba home offers an open vaulted floorplan,
granite & stainless kitchen & dining area open to the
great room w/gas fireplace.
Mike Fuentes 303.679.8055
Terry Robinson 303.898.3658

LITTLETON | $1,000,000
Unique opportunity to own a ranch-style 5br/3ba home on a
private lot in a desirable neighborhood. Featuring high ceilings,
designer paint, great room w/fireplace & finished basement
w/wet bar, stone accents & fireplace. Near Chatfield Reservoir.

PARKER | Price Upon Request
Stunning 5br/4ba Stepping Stone residence offering a gourmet kitchen
w/SS appliances, study, fireplace, finished basement & 3-car garage.
Easy access to nearby parks, schools, shopping centers & dining
options. Community offers a range of amenities.

Anzur & Associates 303.263.6808
AnzurTeam@gmail.com | RealDenverLiving.com

Erica Dufford 303.718.7573
ericadufford@gmail.com | EricaDuffordHomes.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BOULDER | $999,900
4br/3ba private, 1.2-acre mtn home, 5.5 miles up Lee Hill. Open floor
plan, 2 eat-in-kitchens, 2 fireplaces, 2 separate entrances, 2 laundry
rms. Cherry cabs, granite, ss appliances & cantilevered island. 2 Car
Garage. 15 mins to downtown Boulder!

BROOMFIELD | $990,000
3br/3.5ba home backing to the Broadlands 8th fairway w/an open
design. Gourmet kitchen w/an island, a pantry and a breakfast nook.
Main floor primary bedroom w/a 5-piece bath and walk-in closet.
Complete w/an unfinished basement and 3-car garage.

Deborah Lepercq 303.956.4003
deb@debsoldmyhome.com | DeborahLepercq.cbintouch.com

Dave Elmblad 970.376.4407
dave.elmblad@cbrealty.com | MyHomeByDave.com

LAKEWOOD | $982,000
Fully updated 5br/4ba, 3,700 SF home on a cul-de-sac near Southland
Shire Park. Well-thought-out open floor plan. Featuring acacia wood
floors, custom woodwork, gourmet kitchen w/high-end appliances,
guest apartment in walk-out basement & large deck.
Gig Blitz 303.900.5545
gig.blitz@cbrealty.com | GigBlitzRealEstate.com

LITTLETON | $975,000
Spectacular 4br/4ba ranch w/3-car garage in Meadow
Ranch, a private, gated community. This 4,766 SF
home features a custom gourmet kitchen w/granite
countertops & upgraded SS appliances, high-efficiency
windows & finished, terrace-level basement.
Lars Swenson 303.242.1968
Mike Atefi 720.220.7911

GOLDEN | Price Upon Request
4br/4ba townhome. Kitchen w/SS appliances. Primary suite w/a
fireplace, en-suite bath and walk-in closet. Lower level w/a living
area, kitchenette, bedroom, full bath and a sliding glass door
leading to a private patio. Complete w/a Trex deck.

LITTLETON | $950,000
4br/4ba Backcountry home features an open-concept floor plan w/
dining area, living space w/gas fireplace, high-end vinyl flooring &
upgraded kitchen. Complete with a primary suite, covered deck and
lower level w/wet bar & additional living space.

The Mailey Team 303.531.3010
SueAndJeff@MaileyTeam.com | MaileyTeam.com

Dawn Havery 720.413.0318
Dawn.Havery@CBRealty.com | www.DawnHaverySellsHomes.com

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guiding you home since 1906

MONUMENT | $945,000
Custom 4br/5ba home situated on a 0.80-acre lot, with easy access to
I-25. Featuring a thoughtfully designed layout that delivers functionality
& comfort. Complete w/gourmet kitchen, primary suite, finished
basement, 6-car garage & RV parking.

EVERGREEN | $930,000
Captivating 4br/3ba property nestled in Valley Hi Estates. Boasting
an impressive 2,800 SF & 1.34-acre lot, this magnificent home offers
a well-appointed kitchen w/granite countertops & newer appliances,
great room w/fireplace & primary suite.

Emel Shuck 719.396.9982
emel.shuck@cbrealty.com

Vicki Wimberly 303.210.8577
vicki.wimberly@cbrealty.com

EVERGREEN | $930,000
Remarkable 3br/3ba property nestled on a sprawling 1-acre of land.
Featuring light-filled living areas, vaulted ceilings, gleaming hardwood
floors, beautiful stone gas fireplace & luxurious primary suite w/2
walk-in closets. Close to Flying J Ranch.

AURORA | $928,900
Beautiful 4br/4ba ranch home situated on a corner lot w/3-car split
garage, community amenities & more. Built in 2019, it features over
$200K in upgrades. Enjoy wide plank hardwood flooring, study,
fireplace & gourmet kitchen w/solid stone counters.

Vicki Wimberly 303.210.8577
vicki.wimberly@cbrealty.com

Donna Jarock 303.718.6285
thanksdonna@gmail.com | HomesAndCondosDenver.com

AURORA | Price Upon Request
Stunning 4br/4ba home features custom millwork,
plantation shutters, hardwood floors & stone columns.
Enjoy an airy main w/a gas log fireplace, built-in sound
system & eat-in gourmet kitchen w/double ovens.
Dine al fresco on the covered deck.
CC Signature Group 719.550.2547
info@ccSignatureGroup.com | ccSignatureGroup.com

LAKEWOOD | $895,000
Spectacular mountain and Red Rocks views from this 5 bedroom
4ba home on an oversized lot in Green Mountain neighborhood.
Featuring a 3-car garage, 10’ ceilings at the entry, upgraded
kitchen w/granite countertops and family room w/gas fireplace.
Vicky Limpede 303.881.4901
vickyl_coldwellbanker@yahoo.com | Colorado1stTeam.com

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CASTLE ROCK | Price Upon Request
JUST SOLD. Stunning 4br/4ba home w/5,000+ finished sq.ft. in
Castle Rock. Backs to Open Space with views of the Rock. Main
level laundry and primary suite w/a 5-piece bath and walk-in closet.
Complete w/finished walkout basement.
McLean and Ginger Giles 720.593.2378
team@gilesteam.com | GilesTeam.com

BROOMFIELD | Price Upon Request
3br/3ba home in a prime location features a stunning
kitchen, open floor plan & office. Anthem Highlands
offers miles of trails. Amenities include a clubhouse,
fitness center, swimming pools, parks, ponds &
basketball, tennis & volleyball courts.
Jennifer Kiss 303.828.7472
Michael Brassem 303.494.0990

LONGMONT | $800,000
5br/4ba home w/beautifully appointed finishes, hardwood floors,
open-concept design, soaring ceilings & kitchen w/large island, granite
countertops, ss appliances, painted cabinets & glass tile backsplash &
3-car garage. Near Ute Creek Golf Course.

HIGHLANDS RANCH | $800,000
Gorgeous, end-unit 3br/3ba townhome w/heated 2-car garage with
Epoxy floors in Tresana. Featuring high ceilings, open floor plan,
gourmet kitchen, dining room & private patio with Teak flooring. Close
to shopping & schools. Resort-style amenities.

Erich Menzel 970.402.8457
Erich.Menzel@CBRealty.Com | HomeSalesInLoveland.com

Kristi McGee 720.703.4908
kristi.mcgee@cbrealty.com | KristiMcGee.com

DENVER | $795,000
Exquisite 2br/3ba 1,751 SF unit features an open floor plan, office,
14’ ceilings & floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the stunning city
views, plus a private balcony. Easy access to Coors Field, Pepsi Center
& The Denver Performing Arts Center.
Robb Green 303.885.2924
robb.green@cbrealty.com | RobbGreenRealtor.com

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

HIGHLANDS RANCH | $775,000
6br/5ba home in Highlands Ranch with updates throughout
and an open floor plan. Enjoy updated kitchen and baths as
well as a main floor primary suite. Basement w/an additional
family room and a second primary suite. Complete w/a
backyard and a patio.
CB Realty-Tolbert and Rutz 303.895.9493
Geri.Rutz@ColoradoHomes.com | MyNewColoradoHome.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

guiding you home since 1906

ELIZABETH | $765,000
Nearly new, 5br/4ba Richmond beauty backs to open space. Loaded
w/upgrades, this gem has a fully finished, garden-level basement,
fenced/landscaped yard + 3-car garage! Featuring a spacious family
room w/fireplace & gourmet kitchen w/quartz counters.

AURORA | $759,000
Stunning 3br/3ba home on a corner lot in the Hilltop section of
Inspiration. This single-floor residence offers an elegant layout,
9’ ceilings, study & covered deck. The amenities of Hilltop Club include
a pool, yoga studio, fitness center & more.

Adelia Redalen 303.829.6475
adelia.redalen@cbrealty.com | AdeliaColoradoHomes.com

Michael Cutbirth 720.339.9608
michael.cutbirth@cbrealty.com | MichaelCutbirth.com

CASTLE ROCK | $750,000
5br/4ba home w/an open-concept. Living area w/a fireplace. Gourmet
kitchen w/SS appliances, double ovens and a large island. Primary
suite w/an en-suite bath. Complete w/an unfinished basement,
spacious sunroom, covered deck and 3-car tandem garage.

LONGMONT | $750,000
3br/2ba ranch home in Longmont w/an open floor plan and lots
of natural light. Kitchen w/granite countertops. Primary suite w/a
5-piece ensuite and private patio entrance. Complete w/an expansive
basement and a detached 2-car garage w/workshop.

Adrian Espinoza 720.799.4164
adrian.espinoza@cbrealty.com | EspiAgency.com

Amy Sonnanstine 720.466.3481
Amy.Sonnanstine@CBRealty.com | AgentAmyS.com

CONIFER | $735,000
3br/3ba mountain sanctuary in the Denver foothills on a 2-acre lot.
Featuring vaulted ceilings, gas stove, roomy kitchen, dining room &
2-car garage. The primary suite is a true sanctuary, with a private
balcony offering breathtaking views.

CENTENNIAL | $725,000
4br/3ba Hamilton model w/formal living room, dining room and a main
floor study. Kitchen w/a center island and a large pantry. Family room
w/a gas fireplace. Primary bedroom w/a 3/4 bath. Complete w/a twocar garage and a "park-like" backyard.

Janet Ronneng 303.919.3096
janet.ronneng@cbrealty.com | RealEstateToRoots.com

Colleen Teitelbaum 303.668.8186
teitelbaumcolleen@gmail.com | CocoTeitel.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BOULDER | Price Upon Request
SOLD 2 BED / 2 FULL BATHS / 1,004 SF / Carport. One-of-a kind
condo in downtown Boulder. South facing amplifies the gorgeous
natural light throughout w/breathtaking mnt views! Eat-in kitchen,
quartz counter, wood floor, fireplace & balcony.

PINE | $699,000
Newer 3br/2.5ba upgraded mountain home on 2 acres featuring
4 outdoor living spaces, vaulted ceilings, big windows, gourmet
kitchen, primary suite, patio and garage access. Guest studio or office
is close w/high-end finishes. No HOA!

Deborah Lepercq 303.956.4003
deb@debsoldmyhome.com | DeborahLepercq.cbintouch.com

Alissa Skildheim 303.888.4814
alissa@comountainbroker.com | CoveringColoradoHomes.com

EVERGREEN | $695,000
3br/2ba home full of improvements & upgrades is located on a 1-acre
mountain property. Featuring 3 decks, an open floor plan, hardwood
floors throughout, a stone wood-burning fireplace & a spacious kitchen
w/granite countertops & new ss appliances.

ARVADA | $679,000
The stunning property stands out not only for its remarkable features
but also for its lightning-fast sale. In less than 48 hours, this exceptional
home went under contract and was successfully sold in just 13 days.

Dawn Havery 720.413.0318
Dawn.Havery@CBRealty.com | www.DawnHaverySellsHomes.com

Sean Closset 720.308.7505
sean.closset@cbrealty.com | SeanSellsColorado.com

PARKER | $659,000
Extraordinary end-unit townhome, perfectly situated on the 16th hole
of the breathtaking Pinery golf course! Gourmet kitchen w/custom
walnut cabinets and top-of-the-line appliances. Living area w/a new
fireplace. Complete w/new front and rear decks.

HIGHLANDS RANCH | Price Upon Request
4br/4ba home w/wood floors, stacked stone 3-way fireplace, kitchen
w/rich 42-inch cabinets and SS appliances. Fully remodeled. Complete
w/finished basement, large yard & amazing 42' deck. Nestled in West
Highlands Ranch near Marcy Gulch Trail.

Mary Ann O'Toole 720.530.6878
OTooleMaryAnn@gmail.com | MaryAnnOtoole.cbintouch.com

Kristine Stirling 303.881.4768
kristine.stirling@cbrealty.com | KristineStirling.com

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guiding you home since 1906

LITTLETON | Price Upon Request
4br/3ba patio home in Littleton, including main floor office/bedroom
& loft. Remodeled kitchen, SS appliances and a 5-burner gas range.
Unfinished basement w/nearly 1,200 additional sqft. Complete
w/fenced patio on greenbelt. No maintenance home.

THORNTON | $650,000
5br/3ba home w. open floor plan. Open kitchen w/newer appliances
and newer granite counters. Great room w/a gas fireplace. Primary
suite w/a primary bath and walk-in closet. Complete w. finished
basement, spacious backyard and a 3-car garage.

Kristine Stirling 303.881.4768
kristine.stirling@cbrealty.com | KristineStirling.com

Lotte Radoor 303.995.6153
lotte.radoor@cbrealty.com | www.lotte.realtor

PARKER | Price Upon Request
JUST SOLD. 3br/3ba home w/2,400+ square feet of finished
living area. Eat-in kitchen and great room w/soaring ceilings and
views. Primary Complete w/an unfinished basement and a fenced
backyard w/deck and garden beds.

PINE | $635,000
Secluded RIVER front retreat with amazing views! Cross your own
private bridge to flat land with a multitude of uses! Featuring wood
floors, wood-burning fireplace, 3-car garage & workshop. 7 minutes to
285 & Conifer amenities! Jeffco Schools!

McLean and Ginger Giles 720.593.2378
team@gilesteam.com | GilesTeam.com

Alissa Skildheim 303.888.4814
alissa@comountainbroker.com | CoveringColoradoHomes.com

BROOMFIELD | $630,000
Beautiful 4br/2.5ba 2-story house in Broomfield w/NO HOA & 3-car
garage. Offering an open floor plan & tons of space for entertaining on
the huge deck in the private backyard. This community is close to open
spaces, parks, trails & public transit.

BLACK HAWK | Price Upon Request
Wonderful 4br/2ba home in Black Hawk w/an open floor plan, woodburning fireplace, 2 single-car garages w/storage & workbenches,
sunroom & outbuilding on 3.035 acres of majestic, wooded land. Enjoy
breathtaking views of the Continental Divide.

Kristina Polson 303.359.2999
kristina.polson@cbrealty.com | KristinaPolson.com

Cyndi DeLaney 303.204.3834
cyndi.delaney@cbrealty.com | CyndiDelaney.cbintouch.com

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COLORADO SPRINGS | Price Upon Request
Lovely 5br/3ba home offers soaring ceilings, a home
office, gourmet kitchen, primary with 5-piece bath,
loft, furnished basement and more. Enjoy easy access
to nearby amenities and Colorado Springs!

LAKEWOOD | Price Upon Request
Meticulously renovated down to the bones, this adorable 3br/2ba home
offers main-floor living. Featuring an open floor plan, built-in shelving,
double-paned windows, new ss appliances & 2-car garage. Located in
a cul-de-sac near Alameda & Garrison.

CC Signature Group 719.550.2547
info@ccSignatureGroup.com | ccSignatureGroup.com

Carla Knight 720.626.9747
CarlaKnightHomes@gmail.com | www.CarlaKnightHome.com

PARKER | $620,000
Clarke Farms 4br/3.5ba charmer w/3-car garage features vaulted
2-story ceilings, wide open spaces, gas fireplace & extensive
hardwood floors. Complete with an updated kitchen w/granite
countertops, primary suite w/walk-in closet & finished basement.

CASTLE ROCK | Price Upon Request
JUST SOLD. 3br/4ba home with a short walk to Meadow View
Elementary, Castle Rock Middle School and Castle View High
School. Features motorized shades, hardwood floors, vaulted
ceilings, finished basement with kitchenette and private backyard.

Julie Thelander 303.520.2308
julie.thelander@cbrealty.com | FindHomeColorado.com

McLean and Ginger Giles 720.593.2378
team@gilesteam.com | GilesTeam.com

BOULDER | Price Upon Request
3br/2ba townhome located in the heart of Boulder,
just moments away from the prestigious University
of Colorado. This open floor plan boasts numerous
updates, including new carpet & flooring, remodeled
bathroom & brand-new dishwasher & oven.
Jennifer Kiss 303.828.7472
Michael Brassem 303.494.0990

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

DENVER | $600,000
Stunning 2br/3ba townhome w/2-car detached garage in Lowry's
Officer's Row, the perfect complement to low-maintenance living!
This rare corner unit features a wall of windows, oak floors, fireplace,
soaring ceilings & newly painted kitchen cabinets.
Natalie Farn 303.434.8937
natalie.farn@cbrealty.com | NatalieFarn.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

guiding you home since 1906

DENVER | $599,999
Like new 3br/2ba ranch-style home in a cul-de-sac just minutes from
Downtown Denver. Built in 2018 w/newer flooring, finishes
& appliances. This house is turn-key ready w/oversized 2-car garage.
Easy access to Highway 36 & I25.

WESTMINSTER | $599,900
Lovely 4br/3ba home offers great curb appeal, high ceilings, an open
layout & No HOA. Featuring a main level primary suite w/oversized
walk-in closet & updated shower, eat-in kitchen w/SS appliances
& stone tile backsplash & fully fenced in backyard.

Chesley Kelley 720.382.8971
ColdwellChesley@gmail.com | ChesleyKelley.com

Heather McNicholas 720.255.7056
Heather@ListingBeautifulHomes.com | ListingBeautifulHomes.com

BROOMFIELD | Price Upon Request
Renovated 3br/3ba luxury townhome w/main floor primary bedroom in
the neighborhood of The Falls at Legend Trail, within The Broadlands
Golf Course community. Featuring a primary suite, gourmet kitchen
& 2-car attached garage. Easy access to Hwy 36.
Lorri DeLaney 720.313.7437
delaneylorri@gmail.com | LorriSellsHomesColorado.com

LITTLETON | $587,000
Farmhouse cottage with 3bd/3ba, oversized front
porch, a low maintenance yard, and spacious kitchen
w/new cabinets, quartz and newer appliances.
Complete w/a nice primary suite and unfinished
basement. Only 2 blocks to the park!
Kristine Stirling 303.881.4768
Jan Selinfreund 720.427.5888

WESTMINSTER | $585,000
Updated 4br/3ba home in Lakeview Landing boasting one of the
largest floor plans in the neighborhood at over 2,200 SF of living space.
Featuring hardwood floors, wood burning fireplace & 1-car attached
garage. Near Standley Lake & trails.

BAILEY | Price Upon Request
Gorgeous 3br/2ba west-facing mountain home in Bailey on 1-acre
w/stunning views. The main floor greets you with an enormous great
room w/fireplace, kitchen w/granite countertops, dining area, living
room, main floor office & updated full bath.

Lisa Keener 720.272.8593
lisa.keener@cbrealty.com | LisaKeener.com

Carrie Bachofer 720.938.6109
realtorcarrie@comcast.net | CarrieBachofer.com

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DENVER | $570,000
2br/2.5ba townhome in Central Park w/an open concept design.
Kitchen w/modern cabinets, SS appliances and quartz countertops.
Primary bedroom w/mountain views and a walk-in closet. Enjoy a
spacious loft and a laundry room. Complete w/a 2-car garage.

WESTMINSTER | $560,000
Stunning 3br/3ba tri-level home in Sheridan Green featuring a study
& remarkable 400 SF family room/study/mudroom addition complete
w/vaulted ceilings, gas fireplace & unique bar area created out of an
airplane’s wing. Easy access to US 36.

Katie K. Portenga 303.242.5062
katie.portenga@cbrealty.com | PortengaProperties.com

Elisabeth Nelson 303.916.5859
Elisabeth.nelson@cbrealty.com

LAKEWOOD | Price Upon Request
Stunning 3br/2ba Lakewood ranch w/oversized 2-car detached garage
& finished basement near the Federal Center, St Anthony’s Hospital
& Green Mountain. Well-maintained 1,896 SF home features an open
floor plan with lots of upgrades throughout.
LaDawn Sperling 303.710.5817
ladawn.sperling@coloradohomes.com | LaDawnSperling.com

AURORA | $550,000
4br/3ba home boasting vaulted ceilings & open-concept
main-floor living area. Eat-in kitchen w/modern appliances
& granite countertops. Family room w/fireplace & backyard
access. Primary suite w/vaulted ceilings, walk-in closet &
updated bathroom.
Kimberly Brown 303.588.1768
Russell Brown 720.266.3005

AURORA | $549,000
Stunning, paired 3br/3.5ba home in Highland Villas features a
well-designed floor plan w/3 separate living areas. The open concept
design offers a spacious gathering room w/gas fireplace & light & bright
kitchen & dining area. Near Southlands Mall.

COLORADO SPRINGS | Price Upon Request
Tucked into a cul-de-sac of Tamarron at Rockrimmon, this 4br/3ba
is not far from trails. Featuring a main-level office w/built-in shelving,
kitchen w/cherrywood cabinetry & Corian counters, dining area
w/fireplace & finished basement.

Katie K. Portenga 303.242.5062
katie.portenga@cbrealty.com | PortengaProperties.com

Angela Smith 719.210.8878
Angela@MovingUpWithAngela.com | MovingUpWithAngela.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

guiding you home since 1906

AURORA | $535,000
3br/3ba home in Sky Ranch w/an open floor plan. Family room opens
to the kitchen space w/a large island, SS appliances and a walk-in
pantry. Primary suite w/a walk-in closet and a 5-piece bath. Complete
w/a landscaped backyard and a covered patio.

GOLDEN | $525,000
4br/3ba townhome w/2-car garage & fenced outdoor space. Featuring
hardwood floors, wood burning stove, open kitchen w/Silestone
countertops & dining space. Primary bedroom w/private balcony &
mountain views! Near Coors Reservoir & Maple Grove Park!

Donna Jarock 303.718.6285
thanksdonna@gmail.com | HomesAndCondosDenver.com

Kelly Redpath 303.548.4058
Kelly@kellyredpath.com | KellyRedpath.com

ARVADA | Price Upon Request
3br home on just under a quarter of an acre w/2-car garage near
Old Town Arvada. Main floor includes a living room, kitchen w/ss
appliances, laundry & family room w/fireplace. Featuring new carpet,
new flooring in the kitchen & RV parking.

LITTLETON | $525,000
3br/1.5ba ranch-style home w/1-car garage in a desirable
neighborhood & location. Featuring a large kitchen & dining area, living
area & spacious fenced backyard. Near the Light Rail station, Bemis
Library, parks & Littleton Public School system.

Carrie Bachofer 720.938.6109
realtorcarrie@comcast.net | CarrieBachofer.com

Emily Mate 720.466.3107
emily.mate@cbrealty.com

AURORA | $500,000
3br/4ba home w/many updates. Main level w/a living/dining room
combo and an updated kitchen. Family room w/a gas fireplace.
Finished basement w/a rec space, a bar are, a full bath w/jacuzzi tub
and laundry. Complete w/a deck and a 2-car garage.

LAKEWOOD | $475,000
Bright & updated 3br/1ba home is situated on a spacious lot just a
short drive from Sloan's Lake & Downtown Edgewater in Denver. The
home showcases a perfect blend of 1950s charm & modern updates.
Complete w/RV pad w/cleanouts & electrical hook-up.

Donna Jarock 303.718.6285
thanksdonna@gmail.com | HomesAndCondosDenver.com

Brandi Miller 720.442.1681
brandi.miller@cbrealty.com | BrandiMillerProperties.com

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COLORADO SPRINGS | $465,000
Located off of the Country Club of Colorado golf course, this 2br/2ba,
1,783 SF townhome offers plenty of space. Featuring a spacious
kitchen, bonus rm, heated garage & built-in shelving. Near Broadmoor
Valley Park, Cheyenne Mountain & the Broadmoor.

AURORA | $459,000
Charming 3br/2ba Saddle Rock condo w/pool, hot tub & clubhouse.
Featuring an open concept, kitchen w/granite counters, vaulted
ceilings, fireplace, 2 balconies & tandem 2-car attached garage.
Near Saddle Rock Golf Course & Red-Tailed Hawk Park.

Rob Thompson 719.337.7254
rob.thompson@cbrealty.com | RobThompsonHomes.com

David Armayor 303.669.1854
David.Armayor@cbrealty.com | MyColoradoHomeFinder.com

COLORADO SPRINGS | $450,000
Charming 3br/2ba home in the Sundown North Subdivision!
Conveniently located off North Powers near Cottonwood Creek Park.
Built in 1997, this 2,564 SF home flaunts a new roof & exterior paint &
Pikes Peak view. Complete w/central AC & fireplace.

AURORA | $450,000
Charming 3br/2ba home w/2-car garage offers an open floor plan
w/endless potential. Kitchen w/great cabinet storage & tile countertops.
Family room w/gas fireplace & wood flooring (laminate). Huge backyard
is fully fenced. New A/C & exterior paint.

Rob Thompson 719.337.7254
rob.thompson@cbrealty.com | RobThompsonHomes.com

Kelly Ellis 303.921.5420
Kelly.ellis@cbrealty.com | ColdwellBanker.com/KellyEllis

DENVER | $450,000
2br/1ba home. Updated kitchen w/a built-in hutch,
undermount cabinet lighting and high-end Bosch dishwasher.
Landscaped backyard w/mature trees, premium turf and a
back patio. Complete w/a 2-car garage and a Tesla charger.
Close to Ruby Hill Park.
Bryan Kurtz 720.421.4580
bryan.kurtz@cbrealty.com | DenverKurtzKrew.com

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

LITTLETON | Price Upon Request
3br/3ba 2,415 SF Provincetown Landing condo located within close
proximity to Marston Lake, Grant Ranch, Racoon Creek Golf Course,
parks, restaurants & much more. Featuring a spacious kitchen,
fireplace, large back patio & 2-car detached garage.
LaDawn Sperling 303.710.5817
ladawn.sperling@coloradohomes.com | LaDawnSperling.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

guiding you home since 1906

AURORA | Price Upon Request
3br/4ba townhome w/basement boasting over 2,400 SF, updated
kitchen, open floor plan, finished basement & 2-car secure garage
leading to the private patio. Community amenities include pool,
clubhouse & tennis courts. Near public transportation.

COLORADO SPRINGS | Price Upon Request
Low maintenance & main-level living in this spacious 2br/3ba
Saddleback townhome w/2-car garage featuring an open floor layout.
Featuring large windows, skylights, brand-new carpet, fresh interior
paint on the main level & finished basement.

Shannon Pace 303.919.2611
shannon@yourfreshstartgroup.com | YourFreshStartGroup.com

Angela Smith 719.210.8878
Angela@MovingUpWithAngela.com | MovingUpWithAngela.com

FOUNTAIN | Price Upon Request
Charming 3br/2ba ranch-style home w/2-car garage boasting fresh
new paint & trim throughout the home. This beautifully maintained
property features a living room with a fireplace, new carpet, an
unfinished basement & extended patio in the backyard.

COMMERCE CITY | $380,000
2br/2.5ba home w/an open floor plan. Living room w/volume ceiling.
Kitchen w/newer stainless appliances, cabinets with roll-out shelving
and an island. Primary suite w/a 5-piece bath, walk-in closet and a
balcony. Attached 2 car garage.

Hannah Espejo 818.643.9492
hannah.espejo@cbrealty.com | Hannah.EspejoCB.com

Cathy Schuster 303.478.6364
cathy.schuster@cbrealty.com | WestminsterRealEstate.com

LOVELAND | $349,950
2br/2ba 2nd-floor condo w/1-car detached garage & view of Equalizer
Lake! Easy access to I-25 & near lakes, trails & much more! Featuring
vaulted ceilings, great room w/fireplace & kitchen w/Cityscape
cabinets, ss appliances & solid Granite counters.

DENVER | $340,000
Charming 2br/1.5ba updated townhome w/fresh paint & modern
lighting fixtures. Featuring a kitchen with solid surface countertops,
updated cabinets & breakfast bar, a living room with a wood-burning
fireplace & unfinished basement.

Cheryl Melichar 303.817.6163
cheryl.melichar@coloradohomes.com | CherylMelichar.cbintouch.com

Christiana Barber 720.404.8757
cbhomesco@gmail.com | ChristianaBarber.com

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

GREENWOOD VILLAGE | Price Upon Request

ERIE | Price Upon Request

EVERGREEN | $1,225,000

Stunning 1.8-acre property offers a combination of elegance &
luxury. This 5br/7ba home features a gourmet kitchen, main floor
primary suite, walk-out lower level & pool w/pool house.

5br/5ba home w/mountain views on 2.48 acres w/gourmet kitchen
w/42" custom cabinets, granite countertops, gas range & electric
oven, walkout basement & wrap-around porch w/fireplace.

Beautiful 4br/4.5ba Saddleback Estates home has over $125,000
in key infrastructure improvements in the last 2 years making this
property turnkey. Located on a wooded 4.7-acre lot.

Ryan Ramey

Janie Larson

Seth Larson

303.565.6964

720.937.2676

720.633.5458

PARKER | Price Upon Request

ERIE | $1,025,000

CASTLE ROCK | $980,000

Contemporary 5br/4ba ranch boasts voluminous ceilings, designer
upgrades & floor-to-ceiling tile surround gas fireplace. Amenities
include a clubhouse, pool & Cherry Creek Trail access.

Beautiful 2020 4br/3.5ba home w/ soaring great room, walls
of windows, spacious rooms, open floor plan. Mountain views,
backing to open space and in a great neighborhood!

7br/6ba Castlewood Ranch home sits on a ½ acre lot backing to
open space. Boasting a main floor primary suite w/5pc bath & 2
walk-in closets, hardwood floors & finished basement.

Eric Tack 303.295.2000
Karla Tack 303.956.8586

Karen Elmers

Ken Posen

303.810.7708

720.353.0046

DENVER | $975,000

LAKEWOOD | $880,000

LONGMONT | Price Upon Request

3br/2ba home w/a chef’s kitchen. Main floor w/a fireplace, 2
bedrooms and updated bath. Basement w/a fireplace, laundry, nonconforming bedroom and 3/4 bath. Complete w/a 2-car garage.

Meticulously upgraded 3br/3ba property on a premium lot, offering Beautifully updated Mid-century modern 3br/3ba home on a private
southern exposure & a private setting. Featuring an open floor plan, spacious lot. Gorgeous new deck and primary bath. Soaring
hardwood floors, office & well-appointed kitchen.
windows with amazing mountain views and an open floor plan.

P.J. Farrell

Scott Beville

Karen Elmers

303.884.5368

303.905.6872

303.810.7708

ERIE | $815,000

AURORA | Price Upon Request

PUEBLO | $750,000

Beautiful 5br/5.5ba home in coveted Collier's Hill with open floor
2br/2ba home w/4,000+ square feet. Enjoy an open kitchen and
plan, office, primary bedroom with luxurious remodeled bath, newly adjacent spacious living room. Complete w/a serene open space,
finished basement w/rec room, bedroom and bath.
an extended patio, fire pit and grills.

Beautiful 5br/4ba custom home in Liberty Point Estates on a 1.12acre lot. This almost 5,300 SF home has captivating indoor/outdoor
spaces & unobstructed Sangre de Christos views!

Karen Elmers

Debi Haning

Jennifer Montoya, MBA

303.810.7708

303.960.8252

719.232.3397

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

guiding you home since 1906

ELIZABETH | $750,000

HIGHLANDS RANCH | Price Upon Request

COMMERCE CITY | $685,000

This is a beautiful home with formal dining, a spacious kitchen, a
breakfast nook area, a living/entertainment room, a primary suite
with two closet spaces, & enjoyable outdoor living.

Lovely 3br/4ba Highlands Ranch home w/finished basement
& hot tub in the backyard.

Gorgeous 4br/4ba ranch home w/2-car garage in Reunion that
backs to open space. Featuring wood-look luxury vinyl floors, an
open floor plan & finished basement. Near Reunion Rec Center.

Francesca Costa

Debbie Joseph

Kareem Howard

720.341.8208

303.842.8331

720.206.6568

TIMNATH | $649,000

WHEAT RIDGE | Price Upon Request

COLORADO SPRINGS | $615,000

3br/2.5ba home in Trailside w/high-end finishes throughout.
Kitchen w/all appliances and a spacious center island. Home
includes built-in speakers, both inside and on the back patio.

2br/1ba home featuring a bonus room and a heated 2.5 detached
garage on a beautifully landscaped corner lot. Minutes from the
West Highland neighborhood, Edgewater & Sloan's. No HOA!

Perfectly appointed 5br/3ba ranch home w/walk-out basement in
Bradley Ranch. Built in 2021 & situated at the end of a coveted
cul-de-sac w/expansive views of Pikes Peak & Front Range!

The Choice Team

Colorado Home Group

Tina Parks

970.658.5909

719.650.1203

720.232.4482

CENTENNIAL | Price Upon Request

ARVADA | $585,000

CASTLE ROCK | $575,000

2br+/2ba home in the Four Lakes community w/a spacious living/
dining room area. Primary suite w/a walk-in closet and 5-piece
bath. Complete w/a basement 2-car garage and in-ground pool.

3br/2ba home in an ideal location. Kitchen w/all appliances and
generous counter spaces. Primary suite w/a 3/4 bath and great
closet space. Complete w/a finished basement and backyard.

Cozy 2br/3ba beauty on a cul-de-sac in Plum Creek with mountain
views! Featuring vaulted ceilings, updated kitchen w/granite
counters, primary suite w/5pc bath & finished basement.

Debbie Joseph

Bruce McQuiston

Robert Keyes

303.842.8331

303.882.9235

719.244.1693

CONIFER | $575,000

WESTMINSTER | $565,000

JEFFERSON | $555,000

Charming 3br/2ba view home on 2 private acres features vaulted
ceilings, open floor plan, gas stove fireplace, wood beams & barn
wood paneling. Close to 285 with top-ranked schools.

Over 100K in upgrades done in this 3br/3ba Torrey Peaks gem!
Featuring rich plank flooring, open-concept family room & kitchen
& family room w/fireplace. Near Ryan Elementary & 2 parks.

Completely updated 2br/1.5ba mountain home with unobstructed
mountain views! Open floor plan includes a family room w/gas
fireplace. Easy access to Hwy 285 & many outdoor activities.

Dawn Zalfa, JD

Charlene Rosenblatt

Tammy Nelson

720.495.1225

303.588.8472

970.389.6426

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

DENVER | $550,000

BRIGHTON | $550,000

MILLIKEN | $545,000

Spacious 1br/1ba luxury condo in the Park Lane community
located across the street from Wash Park. Completely updated
w/open floor plan, light laminate wood floors & neutral paint.

3BR/2.5BA home. Family room w/a gas fireplace. Kitchen w/LG
SS appliances, glass tile backsplash and a pantry. Primary bedroom
w/a 5-piece bath. Complete w/a basement and 2-car garage.

Waterfront Country Living! 3br/2.5ba home w/3-car garage backs
up to Ehrlich Lake. Highlights include owned solar panels, LVP
flooring, upgraded cabinetry & counters & upstairs laundry.

Lisa Heagney

Dan D. Gerlock

Shara Trutner

720.338.8095

720.326.8100

720.930.0030

DENVER | $545,000

WESTMINSTER | $539,000

WINDSOR | $535,000

4br/2ba home minutes from parks, trails, public transportation,
fabulous food, breweries & much more. This exquisite property
showcases a stunning floor-to-ceiling transformation.

Perfect 3br/2ba starter home, centrally located between Boulder &
Denver w/easy access to I-36. Complete with a remodeled kitchen
& bathrooms. Near Standley Lake & West View Rec Center.

3br/3ba dream home in Windshire Park featuring an open floor
plan including the kitchen w/granite countertops, ss appliances &
pantry. Close to schools, shopping, dining & rec areas.

Vicki Zeeb

Sarah Yang

Martine Bonhoure

303.549.6203

720.384.5646

970.443.1781

FLORISSANT | $525,000

IDAHO SPRINGS | $500,000

LAKEWOOD | $495,000

This beautiful Rocky Mountain retreat features 2 bedrooms, 2
baths, and a finished walkout basement. Updates include new
flooring, interior paint, and remodeled kitchen and bath.

Rare 2-parcel offering w/mountain views. Summer cabin w/Divide
views has water, sewer, electric, brick fireplace & 2.27 acres. There
is a 2.27-acre vacant building lot that adjoins it.

IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! Rare opportunity to own this RanchStyle 4br/3ba Home - w/vaulted great room and dining areas open
to the kitchen for ease of formal or informal entertaining!

Kylie Rupert

Terry Robinson

CB Realty-Tolbert and Rutz

303.842.8205

303.898.3658

303.895.9493

GREELEY | $480,000

ARVADA | $475,000

COLORADO SPRINGS | Price Upon Request

Spacious and well-maintained detached patio home 4br/3ba
nestled in an established neighborhood within west-central Greely.
Close to schools, hospital, UNC, FRCC, shopping and dining.

Fresh & bright 2br/4ba 2-story townhome with a garage &
basement. Featuring a new basement bath & fresh paint. Complete
with an enclosed patio. Close to schools, parks & shopping.

Gorgeous 3br/2ba rancher offers a plethora of recent updates and
includes a gas fireplace, primary suite with a private deck, and fully
fenced yard with garden beds.

Dawn Mathis

Barb Riley

CC Signature Group

970.481.5263

303.548.0753

719.550.2547

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

guiding you home since 1906

ENGLEWOOD | $445,000

AURORA | $444,000

BOULDER | Price Upon Request

2br/2ba townhome in the Cherry Creek School District has been
beautifully remodeled. Featuring an open floor plan w/fireplace,
remodeled kitchen & low-maintenance vinyl plank flooring.

Spacious 2br/3ba townhome backing to a green belt featuring
cathedral ceilings, great room w/fireplace, main level primary suite,
loft & 2-car attached garage. Close highway access.

2br/2ba condo in the Chateau Village neighborhood featuring a
generously sized living room w/fireplace, large windows & patio.
Near the carport & community pool & close to CU campus.

John Kinney

Ryan Cutbirth

720.283.9000

303.324.7943

Jillian Fowler 303.884.2032
Tom Fowler 303.956.2575

COLORADO SPRINGS | Price Upon Request

DENVER | Price Upon Request

WINDSOR | $425,000
Updated 4br/3ba tri-level home in the heart of Windsor features
2 living spaces & large sunroom. This large lot offers privacy all
around & a finished shed w/heat, A/C & soundproofing!

Charming 3br/2ba rancher offers updated interior & new paint, light Conveniently located 2br/1ba duplex on a corner lot w/1-car garage
fixtures & carpet. Enjoy an open concept plan w/gas fireplace, a
featuring an open floor plan, hardwood floors, remodeled kitchen
spacious kitchen, & fenced yard w/shed.
w/granite counters & ss appliances & updated bath.

Josh Chapel

CC Signature Group

Lindsay Schulze

970.218.2220

719.550.2547

720.550.2282

DENVER | Price Upon Request

AURORA | $414,900

COMMERCE CITY | $407,500

Updated 2br/1ba rowhouse style condo steps from Sloan’s lake.
4BR/2BA home on a large lot in the Meadowood neighborhood.
Kitchen w/a gas stove, quartz counters and reclaimed wood Living room w/carpeted floors. Upper & lower levels have 2 bedrooms.
shelving. Complete w/a private patio and deeded single-car space.
Complete w/a lower, garden level, basement and backyard.

Bright 3br/2ba recently remodeled home w/detached garage on
a large lot. Featuring an open layout w/new int/ext paint, updated
kitchen & bathrooms, refinished hardwood flooring & more!

Sarah Scott-Wilson

Illona Gerlock

P.J. Farrell

303.250.5323

303.809.1235

303.884.5368

COLORADO SPRINGS | $400,000

DENVER | $400,000

DENVER | $399,900

3br/2ba home boasting new carpet, updated lighting, refinished
main level maple floors, vaulted ceilings, kitchen w/granite counters
& deck. Only .6 miles to Portal Park & near UCCS.

Beautifully remodeled 1br/1ba condo plus flex space. Featuring
west-facing mountain views, new flooring & updated kitchen
w/Calcutta quartz counters. One block to Cherry Creek Mall!

Beautifully maintained 2br/1ba ranch home w/many recent updates
including the kitchen. Located in the Sherrelwood neighborhood,
offering convenient access to highways 25, 36, 70 & 76.

Jennifer Montoya, MBA

Barb Riley

Steven Gravlin

719.232.3397

303.548.0753

720.201.0266

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COLORADO SPRINGS | Price Upon Request

AURORA | $385,000

Beautiful 4br/2ba home in Stratmoor South offers low maintenence
yards, Cheyenne Mountain views and spacious backyard with
cedar plank fence & new stucco exterior.

5br/2ba home w/full basement near Anschutz medical campus
Exquisite first-floor end unit 2br/2ba condo in the desirable
w/easy access to DIA, schools, parks, shopping & dining. Featuring Broadmoor community, just across from the prestigious Cheyenne
a living room, dining area, kitchen & sprawling backyard.
Mountain Resort/Golf Club. Complete w/detached 2-car garage.

CC Signature Group

Marcyndah Cosner

719.550.2547

303.881.1876

Christine Sullivan 719.660.5801
Anna Fish 719.650.9300

RYE | Price Upon Request

LAKEWOOD | $330,000

LAKEWOOD | $325,000

Charming 2br/1ba open-concept cabin. Featuring knotty alder
paneling, wood burning fireplace, and pine flooring. This cozy
mountain escape is a short walk away from Lake Isabel.

Spacious 2br/2ba condo featuring a living room w/fireplace,
kitchen w/breakfast bar seating & newer ss appliances & private
covered balcony. Near William F. Hayden Park & McIntyre Gulch.

Stunning mountain views of the Flat Irons of Boulder & The Foothills
of Lakewood. Ground-floor 1br/1ba condo nestled above an open
space park w/trails & easy access to the Light Rail.

CC Signature Group

Shari Weissman

Tyler Westcott

719.550.2547

303.229.9723

303.619.4817

FOUNTAIN | Price Upon Request

AURORA | $317,000

AURORA | $300,000

Charming 3br/1ba rancher loaded w/recent updates throughout
including new paint, flooring, furnace, driveway & more! Enjoy
2 fenced yards, 2 storage sheds & a new deck.

2br/2ba ground-floor unit featuring an open floorplan w/vaulted
ceiling, fireplace, spacious kitchen & built-in display nooks. Close
to I225, DTC, Lightrail & Cherry Creek Reservoir.

2br/2ba home w/great potential and an excellent opportunity for
those looking to build some sweat equity. Complete w/a once fully
finished basement and a generous yard.

CC Signature Group

John Kinney

Brandon Miller

719.550.2547

720.283.9000

303.990.0702

DENVER | $294,000

AURORA | $285,000

PARKER | $265,000

Fabulous 1st-floor 1br/2ba condo in the Trails at Parkfield Lake
featuring new paint, flooring & fixtures. Complete w/granite
countertops & electric fireplace. Near Parkfield Lake Park.

Beautifully updated 2br/1ba condo in Heather Gardens community
w/ extra room and enclosed patio, many amenities including golf
course and close distance to rail station. Easy Parking!

19630 Victorian Drive Unit #A7, Parker, CO 80138. Parker condo
that offers a taste of the urban lifestyle without being urban!

Rae Marie Heard

Mary Ann O'Toole

Jason Glowacki

720.234.7918

720.530.6878

720.661.3981

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

COLORADO SPRINGS | $373,000

AC T L I K E A L O CA L

THE OVERSIMPLIFIED GUIDE TO:

O wning a red flannel and an ax won’t magically transform you into Paul Bunyan.
That’s why we asked the professionals performing at this year’s Lumberjack Festival
(September 30 through October 1 in Littleton’s Clement Park) to help sharpen
your skills in time for the fall camping season. — B A R B A R A U R Z U A

1

2

3

4

5

Grab a splitting maul,
which combines the
sharpness of an ax
with the hitting power
of a sledgehammer,
and a dry log, which is
easier to splinter and
burns more readily.

Place the doomed
log vertically on a
larger, sturdy piece
of flat wood and look
for cracks. These are
weak spots, so aim
your first strike for
one of the fissures.

With your feet shoulder-width apart and
your knees slightly
bent, hold the maul
over where you want
to make contact.
Don’t take your eyes
off the target.

Lift the maul above
your head and bring
it straight down,
instead of swinging it
on an arc—that way,
if you miss, the maul
won’t end up chopping you instead.

For the best ratio
of surface area to
burn time, continue
cleaving the wood
until you end up
with pieces roughly
15 inches long by
five inches wide.

ILLUSTRATION BY SIMONE MASSONI

120

5280 / SEPTEMBER 2023

Acrylic, 36” x 48” © Karen Roehl

Represented By:
TIERRA MAR GALLERY
225 CANYON RD,
SANTA FE, NM 87501
WWW.TIERRAMARGALLERY.COM
KARENROEHL.COM

www.karenroehl.com