AvidLifestyle September 2023 Issue

Regarded as Colorado’s premier real estate firm, strengthened by over 4 decades of serving communities across Colorado, Kentwood Real Estate provides the highest quality service and expertise, producing matchless results.

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Legacy of Innovation in the Kitchen and Beyond

A Legacy of Innovation in the

A Legacy of Innovation in the Kitchen and Beyond

A Legacy of Innovation in the Kitchen and Beyond

A Legacy of Innovation in the Kitchen and Beyond

A Legacy of Innovation in the Kitchen and Beyond

Kitchen and Beyond

Inspired cooking makes for a flavorful life. Thermador appliances help ignite your culinary flame –— giving you the base ingredients to create exceptional dishes. Sleek designs add richness to any kitchen design, and industry-leading technology will help transform our passion for premium quality into everything you put on a plate.

Inspired cooking makes for a flavorful life. Thermador appliances help ignite your culinary flame –— giving you the base ingredients to create exceptional dishes. Sleek designs add richness to any kitchen design, and industry-leading technology will help transform our passion for premium quality into everything you put on a plate.

Inspired cooking makes for a flavorful life. Thermador appliances help ignite your culinary flame –— giving you the base ingredients to create exceptional dishes. Sleek designs add richness to any kitchen design, and industry-leading technology will help transform our passion for premium quality into everything you put on a plate.

Inspired cooking makes for a flavorful life. Thermador appliances help ignite your culinary flame –— giving you the base ingredients to create exceptional dishes. Sleek designs add richness to any kitchen design, and industry-leading technology will help transform our passion for premium quality into everything you put on a plate.

Inspired cooking makes for a flavorful life. Thermador appliances help ignite your culinary flame –— giving you the base ingredients to create exceptional dishes. Sleek designs add richness to any kitchen design, and industry-leading technology will help transform our passion for premium quality into everything you put on a plate.

Inspired cooking makes for a flavorful life. Thermador appliances help ignite your culinary flame –— giving you the base ingredients to create exceptional dishes. Sleek designs add richness to any kitchen design, and industry-leading technology will help transform our passion for premium quality into everything you put on a plate.

Local, we are offering Call us

appliance selection delivery, advice

Thank Louisville

Exquisite brands. Unparalleled service. Amazing attention to detail.

Exquisite brands. Unparalleled service. Amazing attention to detail.

Exquisite brands. Unparalleled service. Amazing attention to detail.

Exquisite brands. Unparalleled service. Amazing attention to detail.

Exquisite brands. Unparalleled service. Amazing attention to detail.

Exquisite brands. Unparalleled service. Amazing attention to detail.

Local, family owned and operated for over 30 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line to fit any budget.

Local, family owned and operated for over 30 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line to fit any budget.

Local, family owned and operated for over 30 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line to fit any budget.

Local, family owned and operated for over 30 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line to fit any budget.

Local, family owned and operated for over 30 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line fit any budget.

Local, family owned and operated for over 30 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line to fit any budget.

Local, family owned and operated for over 30 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line to fit any budget.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses.

Colorado’s

10 14

SETTING THE STAGE

Commune With Nature

By Heather Shoning

ON THE AGENDA

Breakfast fly-in, doggie splash & pet expo, Oktoberfests and more

FEATURED

38 AGRIHOODS

By Mark Samuelson

42

By Paula M. Bodah

NOSTALGIC NOTIONS

The art of Scooter brings joy with a twist of midcentury style

By Kastle Waserman

local flavors

20

18 24

arts & culture dwelling well

30 32

FINE DINING COMES HOME

Personal chefs from INTUEAT bring fine food and service to a dining table near you

By John Lehndorff

FRIENDLY SPIRITS

A feisty little distillery brings home big awards for its Colorado-grown whiskey

By John Lehndorff

DESIGN INSPO

Alluring Anteroom

By Heather Shoning

TURNING TABLES

The story behind the craft at Aspen Woodshop

By Lexi Reich

48 ready to wear

FASHION FUROR

Love these looks to carry you into autumn and beyond

By Hailee Lucchesi

influencers

56 58

COMMUNITY-BASED

Mountain High Appliance’s Brad Barnett built a big business while supporting his community

By Kim D. McHugh

wayfarers

A ROMANTIC GETAWAY

Plan a Colorado Springs weekend for dining, relaxing and maybe a little adventure

By Kastle Waserman

matt@seasonedcuisine com

September 2023 // vol. 5 // no. 6

PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER

Allen J. Walters

PUBLISHER

Chris Phillips

CONTENT DIRECTOR, Colorado AvidGolfer

Jim Bebbington

sales, marketing & advertising

VP OF SALES & MARKETING

Lori Perry

GOLF PASSPORT & SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER

Michael T. Colander

DIGITAL STRATEGIST

Brandon Kusek

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Julie Krueger

art & editorial EDITOR

Heather Shoning

ART DIRECTOR

Brenna Farrell

CONTRIBUTORS

Paula M. Bodah, Amanda Lacey, John Lehndorff, Hailee Lucchesi, Kim D. McHugh, Vanessa Miranda, Lexi Reich, Mark Samuelson, Kastle Waserman, Chad Chisholm, Christian Marcy-Vega

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: chris@avidlifestyle.com

EDITORIAL INQUIRIES AND LETTERS: heather@avidlifestyle.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE: 720.493.1729

MAILING ADDRESS: 9350 E. Arapahoe Road, #210 Greenwood Village, CO, 80112

AvidLifestyle (ISSN 2642-0562) is published twelve times a year by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC, and printed by Publication Printers Inc. volume five, number six. 9350 E. Arapahoe Road, #210, Greenwood Village, CO 80112. Order your personal subscription to AvidLifestyle at avidlifestyle.com or by calling 720.493.1729

Subscriptions are available at the rate of $12 per year. Copyright © 2023 by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to AvidLifestyle, 9350 E. Arapahoe Road, #210, Greenwood Village, CO 80112. The magazine welcomes editorial submissions but assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material.

TALK OF THE TOWN

KNOW SOMEONE who should be featured in AvidLifestyle? Tell me about them at heather@avidlifestyle.com

COMMUNE WITH NATURE

WE’RE H EADING INTO MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR. Being outside in Colorado is always wonderful, but I love it when the temperature really starts to swing. It’s the best time to be outdoors, soaking up what can feel like about three seasons over the course of a day.

A few of this issue’s articles fall right in line with getting outdoors—in a variety of ways. For one, Home on The Range (page 42) offers us a peak at the new 22,500 acres that will be home to nearly 500 wild mustangs in Colorado, thanks to our friends at the Wild Animal Sanctuary who’ve stepped up to open this new Wild Horse Refuge. You can visit the refuge by appointment to see these magnificent horses.

I’m particularly interested in the agrihood trend that’s cropped up across the nation over the past few years (Agrihoods, page 38). These communities center around a working farm and agricultural amenities for residents, including farm shares from the food grown within the neighborhood. The idea can be summed up as a farm-to-table village. It’s a fascinating concept, and Colorado is embracing it.

Consider a weekend escape to Colorado Springs to enjoy some outdoor time. We look at four excellent resorts that offer the perfect romantic getaway—with a side of adventure if you choose (A Romantic Getaway, page 58).

In addition to “getting outdoors” content, we have other great articles you’ll love. You’ll meet a host of creative local businesspeople, including Duston Evans, the boss man behind Rocker Whiskey and Spirits in Littleton (Friendly Spirits, page 24) and Brad Barnett of Mile High Appliance (Community-Based, page 56), among others.

When you’re not reading AvidLifestyle, I hope you’ll be enjoying the beautiful Centennial State outdoors. I know I will be!

Heather Shoning

AvidLifestyle is a luxury lifestyle magazine serving Denverʼs south suburbs. And weʼre excited to add new, experienced writers to our growing list of contributors. Do you have magazine writing experience? Do you know Denver’s south suburbs? Can you dig deep for the unique story about the people, places and events that make our community special? If so, we want you! Please email heather@avidlifestyle.com with basic info about yourself and at least three published clips (links are fine).

PHOTO BY VANESSA MIRANDA

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September 2

BREAKFAST FLY-IN

Visit Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight (Centennial location) the first Saturday of each month (*except as noted on the website) for breakfast with a view. Visitors can enjoy breakfast from a local food truck, watch aircraft fly in and explore interactive exhibits and simulators. Event starts at 9:30 a.m. and tickets are required. ENGLEWOOD, wingsmuseum.org

September 7

CANDLELIGHT OPEN AIR: VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS

Candlelight Open Air concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Denver. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Museum of Outdoor Arts’ Marjorie Park under the gentle glow of candlelight. Doors open at 7 p.m. and performance begins at 8:15 p.m. GREENWOOD VILLAGE , moaonline.org

September 8–9

HIGHLANDS RANCH PIONEER DAYS

The Old West comes to life for a fun-filled weekend in Highlands Ranch, with horsedrawn hayrides, gold panning, banjo music, dance performances, a raptor program, ice cream and self-guided mansion tours. The event runs 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at HIGHLANDS RANCH MANSION, hrcaonline.org

September 8–10 & 15–17

VAIL OKTOBERFEST

September 9

34TH ANNUAL COLORADO ARTFEST AT CASTLE ROCK

Get ready to head down to Festival Park as the Castle Rock Chamber hosts a juried fine art show with artists from across the country. Enjoy live main-stage entertainment featuring popular musicians, interactive exhibits for the kids, savor fabulous food and beverages, and so much more! CASTLE ROCK , crgov.com

September 9

DOGGIE SPLASH & PET EXPO

Highlands Ranch residents, pack up your pups and head to Westridge Recreation Center—it’s time for the end-of-season dog swim! Dogs must be accompanied by a human aged 16 or older, though humans aren’t allowed in the pool. Three one-hour sessions available; reservations are required.

WESTRIDGE REC CENTER, hrcaonline.org

Come explore the cultures of the world within Aurora’s neighborhoods. There is something for everyone to enjoy here! From city sponsored cultural events, to culinary delights, and a vast variety of outdoor activities, there is no shortage of things to do! Come see why Aurora is truly the world in a city!

The award-winning Vail Oktoberfest has announced details of its two-weekend Bavarian extravaganza of competitions, contests, flowing German beer, German delicacies, traditional music and dance, children’s entertainment, and more. This free, family-friendly event, named among the 10 greatest Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S. by USA Today, will be in Vail’s Lionshead Village Sept. 8–10 and Vail Village Sept. 15–17. Standout activities include World Keg Bowling Championship, brat eating contest, stein hoisting competition and a costume contest! VAIL , oktoberfestvail.com

PHOTO BY CARLEY HAUPT

PHOTO BY EMILY TRACY

PHOTO BY BARBARA HOVERSTEN

September 9

SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA

You shop, you save, everyone wins! Shopping Extravaganza is a day full of shopping, prizes and fun, all to raise money for non-profit organizations in our local community. $20 of each ticket sold goes back to the participating non-profit of your choice. CASTLE ROCK , visitcastlerock.org

September 14

DAIRY BLOCK DINES

Get ready to embark on a culinary journey! This sophisticated outdoor dinner party for 150 people in the Alley at Dairy Block features top Colorado chefs, libations from award-winning cocktail crafters and more. Designed to celebrate the vibrant culinary scene found at the LoDo microdistrict, this four-course dinner will feature a thoughtfully prepared menu, a welcome cocktail and live entertainment by Something Vinyl Club and others. Tickets starting at $75 per person. DENVER, dairyblock.com

September 16

HIGHLANDS RANCH OKTOBERFEST

It’s German-themed fun all day long at this big festival, with German beer and music, food booths, non-stop games and entertainment for the kids, and the main event—Dachshund races! Oktoberfest is 1–9 p.m.; there’s also a 5K race at 9 a.m. TOWN CENTER SOUTH, hrcaonline.org

September 13

PRECIOUS TEA

Precious Tea is an annual luncheon hosted by A Precious Child’s Women’s Guild. The theme of this year’s event is High Tea! Grab your most extravagant hat and join our Women’s Guild for an inspirational lunch benefitting A Precious Child. CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE , apreciouschild.org

September 16–17

ART ON THE GREEN

This huge two-day outdoor art festival showcases the works of more than 80 specially selected artists from all around Colorado. The event also includes food trucks, adult beverages and live music. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. both days at CURTIS CENTER FOR THE ARTS, greenwoodvillage.com

September 16

CHALK ART FESTIVAL CENTENNIAL

September 15–18

HARDROCK SUMMIT

The fall show for the finest minerals, fossils, gemstones and jewelry is here. With more than 250 top-notch exhibitors of high-end minerals and rare fossils, Hardrock Summit is the global meeting place for the mineral and fossil communities as well as the leading trading platform for businesses and collectors. DENVER, hardrocksummit.com

At this free annual festival, local artists create mesmerizing masterpieces using only colorful sidewalk chalk. View the artwork as you browse the vendor booths, enjoy the live music and participate in family-friendly activities. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at THE STREETS AT SOUTHGLENN, centennialco.gov

PHOTO BY LAUREN BRANT

PHOTO BY JEFF FIERBERG

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF CENTENNIAL

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ YULIA FURMAN

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ BILLION PHOTOS

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ KATHYSG

September 16

CASTLE ROCK OKTOBERFEST

Live bands, food trucks, beer, cocktails and vendor booths make for a great evening in Downtown Castle Rock. Event runs 1–9 p.m. CASTLE ROCK, crgov.com

September 28–October 1

STEAMBOAT FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

Steamboat Food & Wine Festival is your seat at the table of creation. Interact with renowned chefs in venues that are equal parts intimate and panoramic. Discover first-hand how the chefs and winemakers collaborate, and how origins of food and wine define the most luxurious of flavors. Tickets available now, and many events to choose from! STEAMBOAT, steamboatfoodandwine.com

September 29

WHISKEY TASTING AT THE CASTLE

September’s whiskey tasting event at Cherokee Ranch & Castle features single malt whiskey and its many reflections across the world, plus heavy appetizers, an educational program and tours of the castle. 6:30 p.m. at CHEROKEE RANCH & CASTLE, cherokeeranch.org

September 29

WINE WALK

Enjoy a beautiful summer evening at the Downtown Parker Wine Walks on the Final Fridays in Summer 2023. Pick up your wine glass at the chamber, then enjoy visiting dozens of downtown merchants serving small pours. A Parker summer tradition! Event is rain or shine, 4:30-7:30 p.m. PARKER, parkerchamber.com

PHOTO BY JON RESNICK

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ ALEXANDER RATHS

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ BARMALINI

Nostalgic Notions

The ART OF SCOOTER brings joy with a twist of midcentury style

By Kastle Waserman

Photography By Chrysti Burroughs

WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE to step back into the midcentury? Take one look at the fine art paintings by artist Scooter, and you may feel you’re at a swingin’ party in the 1960s. From scenes in midcentury modern homes to vintage vinyl album covers to joyful couples in their best retro attire, his work goes back in time to romanticized happy days.

Scott Burroughs is the artist Scooter, based in Colorado Springs. He credits his mom for influencing his love of midcentury style. “Growing up, my mom decorated with midcentury modern pieces with the furniture and wooden cat sculptures,” he says. “As a young kid, I didn’t know anything about design, but I would look at them and think they were amazing.”

He says the nostalgia of the style compels him to put it into his art. But he didn’t always know that fine art would be his future. As a child, he struggled with a learning disability. “I was a horrible student,” he admits, “but I could always draw.” He met a girl in high school that would later become his wife, and she encouraged him to go after his dream of art. Moving to California and discovering the Academy of Art University led him to enroll as a sculpting major.

Then Disney came recruiting for an internship program. Burroughs says he didn’t think much of it at the time. “They were offering free pizza, and I was a poor student, so I went to listen to their spiel to get a free lunch!” He says within minutes they convinced him to be a Disney animator. He switched his major to illustration and started working on a portfolio. He won the internship and a job for 10 years working on such films as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Pocahontas.”

When the Disney studio closed, he and his wife were expecting their second child and decided to move back to Colorado to be close to family. He switched back to doing commercial illustration and began pursuing fine art using his love of retro style, painting midcentury scenes and iconic images.

Hi-Fi-Hijinx

Burroughs’ art can be found at midcentury celebration events such as Tiki Oasis and Palm Springs Modernism Week. He also sells online and hosts online parties to promote the release of a new series. He and his wife also recently released a book, “Mid-Mod Happy Hour,” featuring cocktail recipes, accompanied by his art.

Burroughs is adamant about using his art to give back. Proceeds from sales go to Acres of Love, an organization that helps orphaned and abandoned children in South Africa. He says he feels passionate about helping children after almost losing his youngest son. “When our son was 16 months old, he had a brain aneurysm, and he should have died. But he didn’t,” Burroughs says. “He had to relearn how to talk and move, but he got through it. It was a total miracle. So we have a place in our heart for any kid that’s sick or going through difficulty.”

For Burroughs, Scooter art is a way to bring joy and hope to people. “I don’t do anything on the dark side. I want to inspire romance, lightheartedness and happiness.”

He uses gouache paint, an opaque watercolor that provides a bold, flat wash of color, allowing the focus to be on shapes and colors, which was a popular look for art from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Artist, Scott Burroughs , aka Scooter

I've Got You Under My Skin

Artist, Scott Burroughs , aka Scooter

Fine Dining Comes Home

PERSONAL CHEFS bring fine restaurant food and service to a dining table near you

PERSONAL CHEFS bring fine restaurant food and service to a dining table near you

By John Lehndorff

By John Lehndorff

Photography Courtesy of INTUEAT

Photography Courtesy of INTUEAT

WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE anyone squirm, but let’s get personal: Are we really satisfied with our home food life? Meals from the best bistros in town delivered by DoorDash don’t come with table service. They definitely don’t come with cleanup afterward. We can use a caterer or meal service, but we won’t have a lot of choices.

Honesty, we crave special meals at home that feel like the best restaurant experiences we’ve enjoyed. That desire helped launch INTUEAT, the Denver-based

personal chef service founded in 2019. “A caterer will deliver a product you choose from their menu: steak or fish, rice or potatoes. Personal chefs take a curated approach to events,” says INTUEAT’s operations manager Chris Ortiz. “We don’t have standard menus. We work with you to develop flavor profiles matched to your specific needs and wants.”

INTUEAT has provided personal chefs to homes across Colorado, including many in the south metro area. “We have many chefs who work in the south Denver

suburbs, including chef Anthony Ramos who lives in Centennial. We’ve done sushi parties for two in Parker with chefs from Matsuhisa, which has restaurants in Aspen, Vail and Cherry Creek,” Ortiz says.

One of INTUEAT’s busiest personal chefs is Brandon Flood. “One of chef Flood’s first events for us was a wonderful black tie 60th birthday party in the birthday girl’s new home in Castle Rock,” Ortiz says. “Friends and family came in from all over the nation to celebrate with her.”

CHOOSE A CHEF OR MATCH THE EVENT

Beginning to collaborate with INTUEAT’s personal chefs is a little like finding a mate or a vacation rental. “You can hit our website, swipe through the chefs, and book them like you book a condo on Airbnb. Our roster of high-caliber chefs has a wide range of professional experiences and interests,” Ortiz says. “You can also just message us, saying, ‘Hey, this is kind of this is the event I’m interested in. This is the occasion and my ballpark budget. Who do you have?’ Then we match one of our chefs with you.”

The staff helps clients decide whether to use their own cookware, plates, silverware and glassware or have the chef bring everything. “It’s all about the little details like what type and color of napkins. What is best for this event for your friends and family who will be in attendance?” he says.

Since there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, anything is potentially possible. “If you can dream it in terms of food, beverages and hospitality, we can deliver it to your home, your office or another venue. We take care of everything from front to back,” Ortiz says.

JUST LIKE AT DENVER’S BEST RESTAURANTS INTUEAT’s business in Denver has grown steadily in the past few years, in part as a ripple effect of the pandemic.

“Many folks had been regulars at their favorite restaurants for years. When those restaurants did reopen, they found that it wasn’t quite the same experience because the people, the food or the service had changed,” Ortiz says. “We’re bringing that restaurant experience that everyone has been longing for into their homes.”

Hiring a personal chef versus heading to a steakhouse is a good investment because of what you don’t have to do to get dinner, Ortiz says.

“If you like ten different types of cuisine, you’ve got to find ten different restaurants scattered across the area. Is the parking decent? Will you need to pay for Uber? For a lot of people, there are childcare costs, too,” he says.

Using a personal chef is also ideal if a customer has specific requirements for sourcing ingredients, whether because of dietary or environmental concerns. According to Ortiz, you can be sure about where and how the salmon was caught and who grew the asparagus.

Entertaining, especially during the year-ending holidays, can be fraught with stress instead of joy. Ortiz, a sommelier with extensive local restaurant experience, insists that first-class service is behind every great dining or party experience, no matter the season. “The difference is providing that concierge touch,” he says.

That includes everything from grocery shopping to cleanup. Ortiz insists his team will leave your house in perfect condition, including taking the trash out. With a personal chef and staff involved, hosts can relax. Ortiz says, “They actually get to enjoy their own party.”

INTUEAT 720.634.6519 intueat.com

John Lehndorff writes about food for AvidLifestyle, Colorado AvidGolfer and the Boulder Weekly. He hosts Radio Nibbles on KGNU-FM.

Friendly Spirits

A FEISTY LITTLE DISTILLERY brings home big awards for its authentic Colorado-grown whiskey

By John Lehndorff

Photography by Chad Chisholm

IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW he was the founder, owner and boss man behind Rocker Whiskey and Spirits, you might guess that the burly, bearded guy walking across the tasting room’s patio was just another jean-clad local stopping in for an after-work cocktail.

Duston Evans looks the part, but as he sits and talks about the spark that launched the small distillery in Old Town Littleton, he analytically sips a cocktail calling out the flavor and aroma components. The bar crew is testing a new concoction fusing Rocker bourbon, smoked pineapple, poblano chiles, brown sugar and lime. He approves.

Evans opened his micro-distillery seven years ago, inspired partly by an item he found at one of his favorite haunts, a junkyard.

“I saw this oil can from the 1930s. It was a rusty can that tilted on its side with ‘Rocker’ on the label that had that vintage Americana look and feel to it that I wanted,” Evans says. The find sparked the distillery name—Rocker Whiskey and Spirits—and the distinctive round bottle its products come in.

“I didn't want to have just another square whiskey bottle on the shelf,” Evans says. The resulting round, tilted bottle received an award from an international packaging design competition.

The distillery building had been used mainly as a warehouse before Evans bought it to open up shop. “I wanted it to be connected to a community. That’s why it’s in Littleton,” he says. A bootstrapped, hands-on renovation gave the site a vintage rough-hewn personality, not unlike the one that Evans displays.

Owner, Duston Evans

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Collectibles and memorabilia he has amassed over the years line the shelves behind the Rocker bar. “We Americans don’t make cool stuff like we did back in the day. Everything looks alike now,” he says. The tasting room looks into the space where most of Rocker’s spirits are aging in 400 oak barrels.

The first product Rocker made was vodka, distilled from Colorado-grown corn. In fact, 100 percent of the grain the distillery uses is grown on a 116-year-old family farm near Burlington, Colorado, along I-70 in the far eastern edge of the state.

“They grind the grain on Monday, deliver it on Tuesday, and we use it immediately. It doesn’t sit in bins for months,” Evans says.

With head distiller Nick Hutch, Evans produces Rocker’s signature bourbon whiskey, using 70 percent corn balanced with 30 percent wheat. One of the smoothest pours is the bourbon finished for 18 months in port barrels imported from Portugal.

Rocker’s five-year-old rye whiskey is a revelation. The harshness of many straight rye whiskeys “will blow your face off,” he says, a grin spreading across his face. “Ours is a softer rye. We want it to be more approachable.”

Unlike some distilleries, Evans says Rocker never imports tanker cars of grain spirits produced by mega-distilleries in the Midwest. The only spirit not made in-house is its rum imported from the Caribbean. “We are using the extra rum barrels to make rum-finished rye that should be ready around the holidays,” he says.

Head Distiller, Nick Hutch

Each batch of Rocker tastes slightly different. “We only bottle as needed,” Evans says. “Otherwise, we leave it in the barrel, and the flavor develops.”

This maverick approach has earned Rocker a loyal following in the bourbon-loving metaverse and a slew of major awards. Rocker’s bourbon whiskey finished in port wine barrels won the Best of Show award over global competitors at the 2023 Denver International Spirits Competition as well as Double Gold kudos for its bourbon whiskey at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Despite its award-winning prowess, Rocker may be a minor player in the spirits world, but Evans swears that will change. “We have big aspirations to spread the word about Rocker to bourbon lovers everywhere, but we’re never going to change the way we make it.”

ROCKER WHISKEY & SPIRITS

5587 S. Hill St.

Littleton

303.795.7928

rockerspirits.com

Alluring Anteroom

BASIL + TATE’S owner and lead designer Jackie Newell sure knows how to make an entrance. In your home, that is. She designed this tranquil foyer to focus on the modern table and its accessories. “For every space we design, we first ask our clients how it needs to function for their family,” she says. “In this case, they already had sufficient space for guests’ coats, so we didn’t need space for coat hooks and shoe storage. We were able to throw practicality out the window and just design a space strictly for the sake of making it pretty!” Two tips for adding decor to a space like this: pop in some greenery and use books for layering, Newell says.

Resources

Table: Crate & Barrel

Mirror: Wayfair

Pouf: Target

Candlesticks: Pottery Barn

Vase: Pottery Barn

BASIL + TATE

303.842.2663

basilandtate.com

COMMUNITY of the YEAR

Once you experience it, you’ll see that it’s more than the miles of trails, spectacular views and acres of open space. It’s how the thoughtfully crafted homes and gathering spaces are perfectly situated to take advantage of it all.

From the mid $600s to over $1 million. With a distinctive Castle Pines address. models open daily

I-25 at the Castle Pines Parkway Exit

This is not an offer for real estate for sale, nor solicitation of an offer to buy to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Pricing does not include options, elevation, or lot premiums, effective date of publication and subject to change without notice. All square footages and measurements are approximate and subject to change without notice. Community amenities are proposed and preliminary, and are subject to change without notice. Views not guaranteed and may change over time. Models are not an indication of racial preference. Maps and renderings are artist’s conception based on preliminary information, not to scale and subject to change. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. Equal Housing Opportunity. © 2023 Shea Homes, Shea Canyons, LLC. And The Canyons.

Turning Tables

The story behind the craft at ASPEN WOODSHOP

By Lexi Reich

Photography Courtesy of Aspen Woodshop

IN A SOCIETY dominated by mass production, hand-crafted furniture stands out as a testament to artistry and quality. But shaping raw materials into functional works of art is no easy feat. Self-taught Bennett Ostroff uses wood and other organic materials to create unique pieces with timeless charm at his woodshop in Denver—and each project takes him anywhere from 20 to 80 hours. Now, more than seven years in business, his one-of-a-kind tables, desks, countertops and bookshelves can be found in homes throughout the state.

Ostroff is not a woodworker by plan. In fact, he stumbled upon the craft because he was looking to upgrade his wobbly IKEA table when he moved to his first Denver home in 2013. The $5,000 price tag for a farmhouse table wasn’t feasible on a young therapist’s

budget, but he wanted a statement piece to complement his home’s Victorian architecture and 1890s exposed brick.

“By this point in my life, I wasn’t the least bit handy, and I had certainly never built anything with my hands,” Ostroff says. He thought there was no chance he could make a similar one himself. Or could he?

Little did Ostroff know his mission to build a farmhouse table launched what would later be his full-time career. Today, Aspen Woodshop is a one-man shop that focuses on every aspect of the creative process—from concept and design to assembly and finish. Plus, sustainability is key to his business; Ostroff chooses locally harvested and/or milled wood as much as possible.

“I believe that I was destined for this work— that I tapped into a dormant potential,” he says.

After acquiring essential tools and converting his garage into a makeshift woodshop, Ostroff spent a month crafting his dream table. The final product was so impressive that even his grandmother didn’t believe he made it from scratch.

He realized he could probably make another table to sell on Craigslist and use the profit to cover the cost of his new tools. When that worked, he made another and then another. Inquiries began flooding in for different styles and types of wood.

“I turned nothing down,” Ostroff says. “Each new project required research and trial and

Artist, Bennett Ostroff

error. Many mess-ups became firewood. But in the end, I always figured it out. With each piece came more knowledge and more photos for my Craigslist listing. Most important, I was thoroughly enjoying it.”

Slowly, Ostroff cut back his therapy practice and added more orders to the whiteboard hanging in his shop. Dining tables, desks, coffee tables, bookshelves, countertops, even a spoon rack. He refined his craft to include live-edge pieces, which he specializes in today. Each natural slab is transformed into a highly individual piece of furniture while retaining the wood’s natural look and feel.

“It’s an unmistakable reminder that this came from a tree,” he explains. “I source my liveedge slabs from environmentally-friendly mills. Instead of clear-cutting forests, these mills recycle trees that were removed from yards or downed by storms.”

River tables are another core element of Aspen Woodshop’s offerings. This style continues to grow in popularity and features resin as the “river.” Ostroff says it’s a unique piece for the home but requires an immense amount of labor.

—BENNETT OSTROFF —BENNETT OSTROFF

“I believe that I was destined for this work— that I tapped into a dormant potential.”

“I believe that I was destined for this work— that I tapped into a dormant potential.”

DWELLING WELL // aspen woodshop

“It’s an involved process requiring patience and expertise,” he says, “but done right, river tables can be real showpieces.”

Ostroff delivers larger pieces in his shop truck, a 1965 Ford pickup named “Loretta” after his grandmother, who, as Ostroff puts it, eventually came around to accept that her grandson was not making furniture from kits.

“While I’m not healing therapy patients fulltime as originally planned, I like to think I’m bringing happiness into homes in an entirely different—yet still meaningful—way,” he says. “When I deliver a piece and see the joy on customers’ faces, it is deeply fulfilling for me. I consider it a lucky bonus that I’m able to support myself doing it.”

ASPEN WOODSHOP

215.901.6793

aspenwoodshop.com

Agrihoods

Some Colorado towns are building on a nationwide living trend for families that want a closer relationship with their food

Some Colorado towns are building on a nationwide living trend for families that want a closer relationship with their food

By Mark Samuelson

By Mark Samuelson

IN A YEAR WHEN REAL ESTATE AGENTS say homebuyers are returning to urban areas like Highlands and Wash Park, there’s a different trend taking hold in towns like Parker, Elizabeth and Kiowa, where a growing number of families are reaching for tighter relationships with what they eat, which means a decidedly un-urban landscape.

FINDING AN (AGRI) COMMUNITY

Ken and Mary Monson of Houston knew they wanted to retire to Colorado, although they had little idea of what that would look like other than wanting land where Ken could build a woodshop. Now the pair are on the farm committee in their new agrihood, Fox Hill, near Franktown.

“It’s near the city, but it’s a farm, and you don’t have to be the farmer,” Mary Monson says as she and Ken showed the historic farmhouse and barn that are optional Fox Hill amenities, on a hill planted with onion, garlic, beans, cucumber, leeks, eggplant, peppers, zucchini and salad greens, along with a fruit orchard.

The community, like a few others in Colorado and many cropping up around the U.S., offers residents a deeper connection to place. Fox Hill preserved the legacy of the original homestead with a 1912 Charleston−style farmhouse, barn and silos, among the acres of building sites along paths and dotted with picnic spots. Homebuilders use sustainable building practices including solar and geothermal heating and cooling systems. Lot sizes range from

1.5 to 4.4 acres, so homeowners can have their own acreage.

Mary grew up in Missouri, where her dad farmed a thousand acres. Now, the couple likes the agrarian surroundings (their custom home looks directly across at the farm), but they don’t have to do the planting and harvesting. Instead, they receive a cooler of produce every two weeks (including fresh flowers) and select beef and pork cuts from stock raised at Fox Hill or on a nearby pasture.

Fox Hill’s concept blends two- and three-acre sites for new custom homes with a historic hay farm with views west to the Rockies.

Ken and Mary Monson, from Houston, discovered Fox Hill, where they’ve built a custom home with an outbuilding for a woodshop. An early project for Ken was a chestnut strawberry box to carry produce that residents receive.

Ken and Mary Monson, from Houston, discovered Fox Hill, where they’ve built a custom home with an outbuilding for a woodshop. An early project for Ken was a chestnut strawberry box to carry produce that residents receive.

PHOTO BY MARK SAMUELSON

Paige McLaughlin, who markets Fox Hill’s acreage sites, says the community now has 17 final site packages, yielding custom homes from $1.799 million. She says some homeowners are retirees like the Monsons—but a surprising number are younger, with kids with whom they can share the agrihood experience.

GOING IT ALONE

Teegan and Chad Braun and their four kids are at the heart of a booming agrihood movement in Elbert County, albeit outside of a planned agri-community. Their three-acre homestead in Elizabeth is a showplace for how to live sustainably, as well as how you might get your kids off their iPhones and into new relationships with their surroundings.

That was just a vision two years ago when the Brauns were remodeling their Castle Rock house, but on a lark, toured a 1975 for-sale home on three acres 15 miles east. This was in the pandemic market when homes—any homes—disappeared the day that they were listed, with many showings and multiple offers.

One look at the place, and they were smitten. “Would you pull it off the market for us?” they asked the sellers. Amazingly, the couple said yes, with the wife noting that she had been following Teegan’s Instagram posts on healthy living.

Now the six Brauns are living with eight turkeys, four pigs, six goats (plus two newly arrived kids), 30 “layer” chickens and another 22 “meat birds” that will be heading to the butcher soon.

Meanwhile, Chad and Teegan have a real estate practice around farm living and are spending their spare time writing how-tos for clients so they can homestead on their new properties. With social networking as its driving force, that movement is just one of the ways families find their way into agrihood-style living east of Parker.

“We want to hone life skills for our kids,” Teegan says. Kids Jayden, Noah, Cameron and Liam say they loved the idea of the farm move right from the moment their parents floated it.

Teegan says their agrihood information has spread like wildfire via social media—and contacts who see the farm want the same. Moving the concept along are trends toward multigenerational living (her mom has an apartment out back) and “compound living,” where friends gather to buy a large parcel and establish individual homesteads.

Despite a slower market, land opportunities are tighter now, Teegan says. She sees house-on-land situations currently priced from $750,000, with raw land considerably less—such as Serenity at Wolf Creek near Kiowa, where you’ll find 35 acres from $210,000.

PHOTO BY MARK SAMUELSON

PHOTO BY MARK SAMUELSON

PHOTO BY MEGGAN WINEGAR

Fox Hill’s Paige McLaughlin joins the community’s resident farm manager Anthony Zamora on a hill beneath the community’s farmhouse and barn dating from 1912.

Fox Hill’s Paige McLaughlin joins the community’s resident farm manager Anthony Zamora on a hill beneath the community’s farmhouse and barn dating from 1912.

Farm manager Anthony Zamora, with an agriculture degree from CSU, shows a high-tech greenhouse that produces salad greens year-round at Fox Hill.

Farm manager Anthony Zamora, with an agriculture degree from CSU, shows a high-tech greenhouse that produces salad greens year-round at Fox Hill.

Agrihood Meggan Winegar Parker Belle and Ben (10) Belle Winegar, 14, plants a kiss on a steer at her family’s farm east of Parker. She and her brother Ben Winegar have learned agrihood skills from their involvement with 4-H.

Agrihood Meggan Winegar Parker Belle and Ben (10) Belle Winegar, 14, plants a kiss on a steer at her family’s farm east of Parker. She and her brother Ben Winegar have learned agrihood skills from their involvement with 4-H.

Chad Braun says he finds no shortage of honey-do assignments on the family’s new spread in Elizabeth, including building this coop for their 30 layer chickens.

Chad Braun says finds no shortage honey-do assignments on the family’s new spread in Elizabeth, including building this coop for their 30 layer chickens.

PHOTOS BY MARK SAMUELSON

A Home on the Range

Colorado’s new Wild Horse Refuge protects both the magnificent mustang and a rich piece of Western culture

Colorado’s new Wild Horse Refuge protects both the magnificent mustang and a rich piece of Western culture

By Paula M. Bodah

By Paula M. Bodah

Photography Courtesy of Wild Horse Refuge

Photography Courtesy of Wild Horse Refuge

ONCE UPON A TIME , the U.S. was home to vast herds of free-roaming wild horses. “They were all over the country 150 years ago,” says Patrick Craig, executive director of the Wild Animal Sanctuary, just northeast of Denver. Some estimates put the number of wild horses nationwide at around 2 million in 1900.

ONCE UPON A TIME , the U.S. was home to vast herds of free-roaming wild horses. “They were all over the country 150 years ago,” says Patrick Craig, executive director of the Wild Animal Sanctuary, just northeast of Denver. Some estimates put the number of wild horses nationwide at around 2 million in 1900.

Craig, who started his sanctuary 43 years ago to save surplus zoo creatures and wild animals people acquired then realized they couldn’t care for, also spearheaded the founding of the new Wild Horse Refuge, a 22,500acre parcel in northwestern Colorado. Opened in spring 2023, the new haven will become home to as many as 500 mustangs, most of which will be relocated from nearby public lands such as the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area.

Craig, who started his sanctuary 43 years ago to save surplus zoo creatures and wild animals people acquired then realized they couldn’t care for, also spearheaded the founding of the new Wild Horse Refuge, a 22,500acre parcel in northwestern Colorado. Opened in spring 2023, the new haven will become home to as many as 500 mustangs, most of which will be relocated from nearby public lands such as the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area.

The history of our country’s wild horses is rich and proud. The Spanish likely brought the domesticated forebears of those wild equines to North America in the 1500s. Indigenous people, who recognized their usefulness, helped spread the equine population across the continent. From those groups of domesticated horses, some would break free and form the feral herds that we’ve come to call mustangs. “Mustang isn’t a specific breed,” Craig explains. “It’s another term for wild horse.”

The history of our country’s wild horses is rich and proud. The Spanish likely brought the domesticated forebears of those wild equines to North America in the 1500s. Indigenous people, who recognized their usefulness, helped spread the equine population across the continent. From those groups of domesticated horses, some would break free and form the feral herds that we’ve come to call mustangs. “Mustang isn’t a specific breed,” Craig explains. “It’s another term for wild horse.”

Those horses thrived in the vast, unsettled stretches of the American West, but as the country’s development progressed, conflict began to grow between cattle ranchers and the roaming equines.

In the middle of the 20th century, the newly formed Bureau of Land Management (BLM) started leasing land for grazing cattle. “Back when there weren’t so many people, it wasn’t a big deal,” Craig says, “but eventually, the horses got pushed into tighter and tighter areas.”

Over time, the wild horse population faced increasing pressures, from food scarcity to being rounded up and sent to slaughter. A form of rescue arrived in 1971 with the enactment of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, protecting the animals that lived on federal land. Horse Management Areas were established across the U.S., and the BLM, which manages them, tried to control and stabilize the wild horse population by rounding them up and offering them for adoption. However, the number of horses far exceeds the adoption rate, resulting in a constant struggle to find suitable homes for the magnificent creatures.

BA TH & SHO WER

In 2021, to address the growing number of horses in the northwestern part of the state, Colorado Governor Jared Polis sought help from various organizations, including the Wild Animal Sanctuary. It had already opened a 10,000-acre refuge for wild horses in southeast Colorado in 2018. Now, Craig began the process of raising money for this new, larger refuge to the north. “We started a founder program for people to donate, and thousands of people paid to make it happen,” he says.

The new refuge offers plenty of space for the horses to roam and form their unique family bands. While the sanctuary’s caretakers regularly observe them to ensure their safety, they strive to minimize intervention. No one trucks in hay or water or calls a veterinarian to attend to a sick horse. “They’re wild, and they survive one hundred percent on their own,” Craig says.

The horses come in a variety of breeds and colors. Some still exhibit the original Spanish horse traits, with distinct colors and markings, while others have characteristics from farm-bred draft horses. The diversity and beauty of these wild animals capture the essence of their heritage and the history they carry.

Beyond preserving the wild horses, the sanctuary represents a living heritage of the nation’s past. Protecting these beautiful beasts also means safeguarding a connection to our history and promising to cherish and protect our natural world for generations to come.

The Wild Horse Sanctuary is open to the public by appointment. Visit wildhorserefuge.org for details.

FASHION FUROR

LOVE THESE LOOKS to carry you into autumn and beyond

By Hailee Lucchesi

WHEN IT COMES TO FALL FASHION, there can be an overwhelming amount of looks you want to achieve this season. That is why we’ve created this “get the look” guide to show you how to nail this season’s hottest trends.

BUTTONED UP

First, if you’re going to call yourself a Coloradan, your wardrobe must have the perfect coat. A LINE boutique has done it once again with its Anine Bing Finley Trench in the most opulent taupe tone. The heavyweight 100-percent suede fabric is designed with center-front closure and optional self-tie belt, making it a fall essential. The long silhouette and modern collar allow this trench to be worn with jeans and a tee during the day or layered over a beautiful pair of pants and a cashmere sweater for a night at your favorite local restaurant. If it couldn’t get any better, the leather in this garment was made with the Leather Working Group, an organization dedicated to driving positive change, enhancing transparency and making an impact across the global leather supply chain.

Anine Bing Trench, $1,200 at A LINE, Belleview Station DTC, 303.773.8200, aline-online.com

To top off this look, head to Dillard’s for its Hobo Pier Shoulder Bag crafted in rich brown suede with a whipstitch. Cleverly designed, the bag converts from shoulder mode to crossbody allowing for two looks in one while keeping you looking functional and fabulous.

Hobo Pier Shoulder Bag, $348 at DILLARD’S, Park Meadows, 303.790.0100, dillards.com

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ VICTORIA CHUDINOVA

IT’S A WRAP

One of our favorite styling tricks is the power of an oversized scarf. While traditionally, you tie it around your neck for warmth, we encourage you to use the entire scarf like this one from Insprye Boutique as the hero piece of your outfit. Wrap loosely around your shoulders or tie at the waist with a vintage belt for an easy and elegant look. The simple item instantly goes from basic to bold.

As lucky as we are to have 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s essential never to forget one of the most important accessories of all, eye protection. With one of the most extensive selections of lenses on the market, you can’t go wrong with any of Warby Parker’s styles. However, we’re swooning over its Fielder style in Cognac Tortoise Matte this fall. Made in Italy, this lightweight aviator and classic tortoise shade will keep you protected and poised all year long.

Scarf Wrap, $28 at INSPRYE BOUTIQUE, Park Meadows, 303.898.3892, inspyreboutique.com

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ ALLIANCE IMAGES

Fielder Sunglasses, $145 at WARBY PARK , Park, Meadows, 720.706.1176, warbyparker.com

THE NEW LEISURE SUITE

If you don’t already have this style sensation in your closet, now is the time to get your hands on one asap. Luckily for you, Nordstrom has the most gorgeous set from Reiss. The Gina Contract Trim-Shirt and High Waist Wide Leg Pants are an autumn must-have. The relaxed silhouette with ivory piping will have you looking effortlessly cool whether you are going to lunch with friends or out on the town for a special occasion, ensuring you will wear this set time and time again.

Gina Piped Button-Up Blouse, $225 and Gina High Waist Wide Leg Pants, $245 at NORDSTROM, Park Meadows, 303.799.3400, nordstrom.com

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ INDIRA’S WORK

LAYERED LOVELIES

If Dan Sharp isn’t already on your radar, we suggest you head to Cherry Creek immediately. Beginning his career in Paris, Sharp is the king of luxury outerwear, specializing in vintage jewelry and European coats made with luxe materials such as cashmere, fox, leather, fur and so much more. This Camel Shearling Wrap is undoubtedly no exception. Crafted with front pockets and animal print details throughout, this layering piece will surely dazzle and delight year after year.

IN THE BAG

There’s one thing you absolutely need for fall: an iconic handbag. When it comes to making the perfect pick, we suggest you go classic and courageous. Look no further than Nordstrom’s Mulberry Mini Alexa Leather Satchel in Acid Green. Named after the British fashion icon Alexa, the signature satchel is made with sustainable calfskin leather, a removable strap and a hand-braided handle, electing this handbag to carry you throughout the year. We’re coveting the vibrant green, but if this hue is too bold for you, the piece comes in an array of colors to satisfy every bag lover.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

In need of a little sparkle during the gloomier months of the year? Trice Jewelers has you covered. The Shy Creation 14K yellow gold diamond bracelet will brighten your wrist all season. The studded bangle bracelet with round brilliant cut diamonds on the edges can be worn alone for a show-stopping moment or stacked with other collectible pieces to wear with your daily wardrobe. No matter how you wear this timeless bracelet, we guarantee you will never run out of options on how to style it from day to night.

UP AND COMING

Stay ahead of the fashion curve by watching for new looks from Keti Vani. This local designer, whose tagline is “Fashion with Fit & Function,” is churning out attire for everything from holiday parties to weekend wear.

KETI VANI

347.920.6521

ketivani.com

Mulberry Mini Alexa Leather Satchel, $1,500 at NORDSTROM, Park Meadows, 303.799.3400, nordstrom.com

Shy Creation 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Studded Bracelet, $6,807 at TRICE JEWELERS Centennial, 303.759.9661, tricejewelers.com

Camel Shearling Wrap with Vintage Chanel Necklace, $3,750 at DAN SHARP LUXURY OUTERWEAR, Cherry Creek, 303.333.6666, dansharpluxuryouterwear.com

SCAN HERE FOR THIS YEAR'S VIDEO

Thank you

On behalf of AvidLifestyle and Colorado AvidGolfer, our Title sponsor Quantum Resistant Ledger, we would like to thank you for attending our 3rd Annual Wheels of Dreams Charity Experience on Saturday, August 5th.

We hope you had a wonderful evening enjoying live music by Sean Kelly, aerialist – Jamie Rifkin, amazing culinary stations with INTUEAT chefs, fresh grilled Tomahawk steaks on Mountain High Appliance’s grills, Blue Island Oyster Bar’s fresh shucked oysters, Ornery Olive charcuterie, Bono’s Pit BBQ, dessert station, cocktails, vintage cars, Mike Ward’s luxury cars and exquisitely decorated lounges by Howard Lorton Furniture & Design and Colorado Style Home Furnishings.

Maybe you took a swing at the Optimum Golf State-of-the-art Golf simulator contest with more than $1,500 in prizes or enjoyed watching local artist James Holmes create a stunning art piece or had a glass of Champagne and tried your luck to win the Trice Jewelers $3,000 diamond & Black Sea Tahitian pearl earring giveaway. For us, it was pure magic to be able to celebrate our charity partner, Bags of Fun.

To Date: Wheels of Dreams has raised more than $236,000.

We hope to celebrate with all of you next year at our 4th Annual Wheels of Dreams Charity Experience!

COMMUNITY-BASED

MOUNTAIN HIGH APPLIANCE dishes on building a big business and supporting the local community

The entrepreneur behind MOUNTAIN HIGH APPLIANCE dishes on building a big business and supporting the local community

By Kim D. McHugh

Photography By Christian Marcy-Vega

WOULD IT SURPRISE YOU to learn that Apple, Mattel, Disney and Google were all started in garages? That suggests Mountain High Appliance is in good company, given that its founder, Brad Barnett, hatched the company in his garage in Louisville.

The then 20-year-old was working at Boulder Valley Appliance, first delivering and eventually selling appliances so successfully he was often setting sales records. Convinced his achievements warranted a modest raise and an extra week of vacation, he ran the idea past the owner, who entertained the notion, but decided that was a hard no

“About a month later, I quit and started buying and collecting used appliances. I spent the first three months working with an old friend of mine. I ran an extension cord from my dryer’s 240-volt power source to my garage, where we’d repair appliances and store them until we sold them, delivering them in an old pickup that didn’t have a lift gate,” says Barnett.

In May 1993, he found a 1,900-square-foot space at Pine Street Plaza in Louisville for his his first showroom and repair shop, where he only sold used appliances for eight months. Shortly after starting to sell new appliances that included brands like Viking and Whirlpool, business boomed, and he

expanded by leasing another 1,100 square feet. As word spread about the company’s impressive showroom, knowledgeable salespeople, exceptional service and professional installation, he continued to expand the business, and today the space occupies 12,000 square feet. Celebrating its 30th year in business, Mountain High Appliance now has four showrooms— Louisville, Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs and Littleton—with more than 100 employees and 20 delivery vehicles.

“Five years ago, we opened our biggest showroom in Littleton, which is fifteen thousand square feet. All our spaces have fully functional appliances, and I’m unaware of any competitor in the country that has fifteen or twenty live kitchens. We have some refrigerators and some ranges that are ten-, fifteen- and twenty-thousand dollars, so you should be able to try them out and see how they work before you buy them,” adds Barnett.

Although the company enjoys a reputation for its toney showrooms that feature high-end appliances, it offers customers more modestly priced appliances ideal for rental properties or simply a second fridge for the garage. And its pricing often matches and, in some cases, is more favorable than other area sources.

Barnett, who’s been in the Louisville area since moving there as a teenager in 1979, knows that supporting community is important, which is why Mountain High Appliance has donated to local charities, school programs and Chamber of Commerce–sponsored events. During and in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire in December 2021, the company distributed food to first responders and opened its doors to residents affected by the blaze.

The company has been a presenting sponsor for Wheels of Dreams, an AvidLifestyle and Colorado AvidGolfer charity event that benefits Bags of Fun, since its inception three years ago.

“We have a lot of mothers and daughters among our employees, which is why we’ve walked in support for cancer research organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation,” Barnett says. “We know what it means to work together like a family and take care of each other and our community. Everyone’s willing to help in some way.”

MOUNTAIN HIGH APPLIANCE

6905 S. Broadway, Suite 159

Littleton

303.665.6850

mountainhighappliance.com

A ROMANTIC GETAWAY

Plan a COLORADO SPRINGS weekend for dining, relaxing and maybe a little adventure

Plan a COLORADO SPRINGS weekend for dining, relaxing and maybe a little adventure

By Kastle Waserman

By Kastle Waserman

LOOK NO FURTHER than Colorado Springs for a perfect couple’s getaway where you can enjoy fabulous accommodations, delicious dining and a variety of activities from relaxing to rejuvenating. This picturesque destination, nestled in the Rocky Mountains, offers a blend of natural wonders, culinary experiences, outdoor adventures and luxurious resorts for an escape from everyday life.

Colorado Springs is all about awe-inspiring landscapes, including the majestic Pikes Peak and the stunning red rock formations at Garden of the Gods, so nowhere seems more appropriate than to book a suite at the Garden of the Gods Resort and Club With a rich 70-year legacy and a recent $40 million renovation, you can’t go wrong with this destination. Every corner of the resort offers expansive window views of the Garden of the Gods and the Rocky Mountains, including the aptly named Grand View Restaurant and the newly added private balconies in each guest room. According to Michael Garrow, vice president of sales and marketing at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, guests and members will immediately feel enchanted and invigorated by the cobblestone drive, beautiful landscaping, trickling water feature and fresh mountain air.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BROADMOOR

Lake Terrace Dining Room

Intimate dinner for two. Luxurious top-floor suite. Some people hope for good luck. Some bring their own. monarchblackhawk.com

THE COUPLE THAT GOLFS TOGETHER

If playing golf while enjoying the views is your ideal vacation, there’s no shortage of resorts with beautiful golf courses. Flying Horse Resort and Club offers on-site golf on two private 18-hole golf courses, one designed by the legendary golfer Tom Weiskopf and the other by golf course architect Phil Smith. At Cheyenne Mountain Resor t, you can book the Tee for Two package, which includes two nights in a guest room with a private patio or balcony, a spa credit and two rounds of golf on 18 holes surrounded by sweeping mountainscapes on the championship-caliber golf course designed by Pete Dye.

SPA FOR TWO

They say you can’t care for another if you don’t care for yourself first. If time for self-care is on your to-do list, Colorado Springs resorts have some lavish spa offerings. Garden of the Gods Resort boasts an on-property spa, Strata, integrated with a wellness center, which provides indulgent signature massages and private relaxation that will spoil you, along with sparkling wine and seasonal treats. The Broadmoor offers a couples massage at their in-house spa, which recently received five stars from Forbes Travel Guide.

GOOD EATS

Indulging in good food is an essential part of any vacation. Award-winning restaurant

The Steakhouse at Flying Horse offers housecut steaks, seafood, plus views of Pikes Peak, the Rocky Mountain Front Range and the United States Air Force Academy. You can also reserve a spot in the wine tower for a 4to 7-course meal with wine pairing for each course. Jeffrey L. Howell, director of sales and marketing, describes it as the ultimate romantic dinner.

Another excellent option is Cheyenne Mountain’s Gates Grille at The Country Club of Colorado. You can break your diet with a decadent prime rib dinner while enjoying the spectacular views of Cheyenne Mountain and the emerald fairways.

If you prefer a casual ambiance, you can try the Golden Bee at The Broadmoor, a historic, 19th-century British gastropub built in 1961, where you can settle into the warm atmosphere for any traditional English fare of fish, chips and beer.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN RESORT

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BROADMOOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BROADMOOR

Ristorante del Lago

LIMITED INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE PLAY. EAT. DRINK. MEET. Hangar Club is a premier indoor golf entertainment and social club

Limited Membership Base Public and Private Events 22,000 Square Feet

10 TrackMan Simulator Bays In House Kitchen and Bar Open to the Public

WAYFARERS // colorado springs

A SENSE OF ADVENTURE

If you prefer being active with your partner, Colorado Springs offers abundant outdoor activities both around town and within the privacy of the area resorts. Enjoy the heated adults-only infinity pool at Garden of the Gods Resort.

At Cheyenne Mountain Resort, you can book openair Jeep tours for unobstructed photo opportunities, go on Arkansas River tours—ranging in difficulty from high rapids to floats—or take advantage of the 35-acre private lake with complimentary boat rentals. There’s also the chance to dip into the adults-only pool and hot tub.

Take a tennis or pickleball lesson, rent bikes from The Broadmoor’s Outfitters, or sign up for a guided hike. If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, you can also try local activities like mountain biking, ziplining, exploring the Pikes Peak Highway or enjoying the views on the cog railway to the summit.

SNUGGLE UP

Of course, a couple’s retreat is really about some alone time. If cozying up in a posh suite and ordering room service is all you want to do, the resorts are happy to oblige. Be sure to ask for special couple’s packages, such as Flying Horse’s Romance Package, which includes a night at the lodge, a couple’s massage surrounded by rose petals and candlelight and an aroma soak while enjoying your choice of wine and cheese or a fruit platter.

If you’re seeking a mesmerizing retreat, Colorado Springs is a convenient destination, offering numerous opportunities to relish with your loved one.

TOP RESORTS IN COLORADO SPRINGS

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN RESORT 3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd. 719.538.4000 cheyennemountain.com

FLYING HORSE RESORT AND CLUB 1880 Weiskopf Point 719.494.1222

lodgeatflyinghorse.com

GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB 3320 Mesa Rd. 719.632.5541

gardenofthegodsresort.com

THE BROADMOOR 1 Lake Ave. 800.755.5011 broadmoor.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLYING HORSE