Denver Hotel Magazine - Summer 2013

S U M M E R 201 3

G AT E W AY T O C O L O R A D O

HOTEL

MAGAZINE

TIM ALLEN Denver’s Home-Grown Handyman

’ROUND THE RINK

With Roller Derby All-Stars

RIOJA RULES

Chef Jennifer Jasinski Handles The Heat

WORD OF MOUTH

Spinning The Yarns Of Colorado History

LONG LIVE THE OXFORD

A Historic Beacon of Hospitality

MAD SCIENCE!

The Great Urban Wine Experiment

WHO, WHAT & WHERE

Denver’s Hottest Spots

IrresIstIble

InspIred

IconIc

APPLE BURBERRY ELwAY’S FAÇONNABLE HYDE PARk JUICY COUTURE kIEHL’S SINCE 1851 LACOSTE LOUIS VUITTON MONTBLANC RALPH LAUREN RESTORATION HARDwARE TIFFANY & CO. TUMI

MACY’S

•

NEIMAN MARCUS

•

NORDSTROM

16 0 A M A ZIN G S T O R ES , O V ER 4 0 EX C L US I V E T O D ENV ER 3 0 0 0 E A ST F IR ST AVE N UE • D ENV ER , C O • S H O P C H ER RY C R EEk. C O M

DRIVE to a

Perfect Golf Experience

• Located 29 Miles from Aspen on the Crystal River and Only 2 1/2 Hours from Denver • Stay & Play Packages • All New Restaurant – “Hattie Thompson” • Award Winning Jay Morrish Designed Course • Corporate Golf Clinics and Outings Available • Ask About our Private Fly Fishing CARBONDALE,

COLORADO

COME PLAY, BOOK TODAY!

970.963.3625 • WWW.RVRGOLF.COM For special event booking information contact: Alden Richards – 970.963.3625 • alden@rvrgolf.com Dave Alvarez – 970.963.3625 • dave@rvrgolf.com

ISSUE 03: SUMMER 2013

CONTENTS FEATURES

These townspeople protect and celebrate the area’s rich history full of tall tales through the tradition of oral storytelling.

BY JULIE PIOTRASCHKE

24 THROUGH THE WELCOME ARCH Long live the Oxford Hotel, which continues to shine as a beacon of luxury and hospitality for all of Denver’s visitors.

BY CATHERINE ADCOCK

28 MAD SCIENCE: AN URBAN WINE EXPERIMENT

40 TIM ALLEN: DENVER’S HOME-GROWN HANDYMAN

34 CHEF JENNIFER JASINSKY: BESTING THE BEST OF

46 HARD HITTIN’ ROLLERGIRLS

Let the tourists have the wine country. Denver has its own laboratory genius cooking up barrels of Colorado’s most buzzed-about wines.

BY AMY SPEER

This Wolfgang Puck acolyte brings home boatloads of accolades from culinary critics the country over — all while running things behind the kitchen doors at three top Mile High restaurants.

BY DAVE MUSCARI

Once a local boy who stared at model planes hanging from his ceiling, Tim Allen opens up to DHM on his Denver childhood, his real-life role as Dad and being a Dick.

BY AMY SPEER

Denver’s Rocky Mountain Rollergirls don’t pull punches on or off the track. A local photographer captures the league’s intense competitive spirit.

BY AMY SPEER

Photo courtesy ABC

18 TALES FROM TELLURIDE

40 COVER STORY: TIM ALLEN

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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Experience the wonder of nature through the lens of Thomas D. Mangelsen.

CHERRY CREEK NORTH, DENVER 216 Clayton Street | 888-345-3007

DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Main Terminal, Level 5 | 888-238-9217

COLLECTOR EDITION PRINTS | ARTIST PROOF PRINTS | BOOKS | CALENDARS | ART CARDS | GIFT CARDS

www.mangelsen.com

ISSUE 03: SUMMER 2013

CONTENTS IN EVERY ISSUE

Photo courtesy Infinite Monkey

Dave Wood

Photo courtesy Rioja

09 THE RUNDOWN

A quick tour of what’s got the Denver Hotel Magazine staff buzzing right now.

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52 THE SCENE

Denver’s cultural events span varieties that suit every visitor’s taste. Mark your calendar with the best of Mile High’s offerings.

65 DINING

Denver’s innovative restaurants and talented chefs mine flavors from all over the globe. Check out this guide before planning your next culinary adventure.

73 SHOPPING

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From high-end boutiques and malls to trendy vintage shops, DHM shows you Denver’s top spots to shop.

77 ATTRACTIONS

Spending time in the Mile High City is always a trip less ordinary.

Learn about local attractions that make for unique experiences and excellent adventures.

80 OUR PARTING SHOT

Union Station gets a breathtaking overhaul, preparing it for the next 100 years and beyond.

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Sometimes the best views are closer than you think. This is Dallas, where the possibilities are endless and every moment is BIG. From exciting nightlife and unforgettable performances, to a restaurant scene that rivals New York City’s, you’re in for the experience of a lifetime. It all starts at visitdallas.com.

ISSUE 03: SUMMER 2013

WELCOME PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Catherine Adcock

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chris Hanchey

COPY EDITOR Farah Fleurima

CONTRIBUTORS Julie Piotraschke Katie Shapiro Amy Speer

DESIGN INTERN William Merkel

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Dave Muscari

CORE PUBLISHING PUBLISHER, PRESIDENT Pete Northway T:10.875”

B:11.125”

S:10.375”

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE, PUBLISHERS Ellen Gray Bill Secor

VICE PRESIDENT, SALES & MARKETING Shelly Northway

PRODUCTION production@denverhotelmagazine.com

WEB DEVELOPMENT Kevin Ulrich

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE 9609 S. University Blvd., #631282 Littleton, Colorado 80163-1282 Tel: 303.952.0485 Fax: 303.952.0489

Here in Colorado, we’re spoiled by more than 300 days of sunshine. Even when one of those welcome snowstorms hits the state, making for an epic ski day, the sun usually makes an appearance, bathing the Rockies in a shower of light and enticing locals to come out to play.

Now that spring is here, it seems as though everyone wants to enjoy Colorado’s beautiful outdoors, whether biking, running or hiking a trail, hitting the golf course or enjoying any other number of activities. On weekends, people ditch their cars in favor of two-legged transport, allowing them to soak up the beauty and fresh air that is unique to this state.

Whether you’re planning to stay in Denver, where there are multitudes of great activities, shops and restaurants, or you’re headed to one of the state’s fabulous mountain destinations, Denver Hotel Magazine showcases the best of the best, telling you what’s hot, what’s happening and what not to miss.

We want you to feel like you belong here and hope the stories in this magazine help you feel like a local through our insider’s glimpse into the pulse of the city, where there’s always something new, fun and memorable taking place.

So what’s fun to do on a beautiful spring or summer day?

Golfers will love playing for par on one of the many public courses that abound in the city or on one of the gorgeous mountain courses around the state. Spend some time browsing the fabulous boutiques and malls, where fashion-

forward is the word of the day, but friendly is the mantra. Dine al fresco in a delicious outdoor café or cool, shaded patio, maybe sipping on a Colorado-brewed beer or crisp chardonnay made right here in Colorado’s burgeoning wine country.

If you are an outdoors enthusiast, early summer is the time to head up to the high country, where you can ride the rapids at their peak on a professionally guided raft adventure, or test your mettle on a zipline, mountain bike or fly-fishing outing.

We love all things Colorado, and once you visit, you’ll be hooked.

Whether it’s a festive street fair, where artists from around the globe showcase their works, a food and wine festival, or a hike up a cliff, you will never be bored — discovery awaits you at every turn.

Savor the spring and summer while in Colorado — it’s a large slice of paradise that lasts a lifetime!

Ellen Gray and Bill Secor Co-publishers, Denver Hotel Magazine

DenverHotelMagazine.com Reproduction without permission from publisher is prohibited. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the publication, the publisher cannot accept liability for errors and omissions.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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>>

THE ORIGINAL COOL

SM

SINCE 1926

1672 Lawrence Street | 303.825.7256 | thepalm.com/Denver Lunch Served: Monday – Friday, 11:00 am– 3:00 pm Dinner Served: Monday – Thursday, 3:00–10:00 pm; Friday, 3:00–10:30 pm; Saturday, 5:00– 10:30 pm; Sunday, 5:00– 9:30 pm PrimeTime at Palm Bar: Monday – Friday, 5:00–7:00 pm and 9:00 pm – Close Private Dining Rooms Available

A quick tour through what’s got the Denver Hotel Magazine staff buzzing right now.

>>>>>>>>>>>Inside Scoop>>

Insiders Guide to LoHi Live like a local for a day and explore the many independent boutiques, eateries, bars, coffee shops and galleries that make Denver’s many diverse neighborhoods thrive. Lower Highlands (LoHi) is seriously happening, with a new opening seemingly every week. You can happily wander its streets for hours, discovering something unique on every block. Conveniently located on the Platte River, LoHi even offers easy access to bike and running trails surrounding the spacious Commons Park.

— KATIE SHAPIRO

We like to slip in for a seat at the bar where you can watch the chefs in action.

2215 W. 32nd Ave. 303.433.3263 uncledenver.tumblr.com

Little Man Ice Cream A giant metal milk jug marks the spot to this haven on a hot day.

Park your bike out front and step right up for exclusive scoops, sorbet and gelato handmade from local ingredients. The line gets a little long, but the patio is one of our favorite spots for spending a lazy summer afternoon.

2620 16th St. 303.455.3811 littlemanicecream.com

Uncle Take your taste buds to the Far East at this authentic noodle bar.

Uncle offers a sleek and intimate 40-seat space that locals love for contemporary pan-Asian comfort food such as kimchi, steamed buns and ramen noodle bowls.

Start your day by unlocking a bright red bike (basket included!) at a Denver B-cycle bike-sharing station in LoHi. It’s $8 for a 24hour day pass, and you can return it at any one of the 52 stations scattered throughout the city. On a sunny summer day, there’s no better way to get around.

Multiple locations 303.825.3325 denver.bcycle.com

Black Eye Coffee Coffee addicts will find much to love at Black Eye, one of the newest kids on the LoHi block.

It takes coffee to new levels by brewing a single cup at a time with local beans from Boxcar Coffee Roasters. The minimalist operation is housed in an old building with a roll-up garagedoor front and communal distressed wood tables. Get there

Sara Ford

B-Cycle Little Man Ice Cream offers savory non-frozen options like the Bobos Savory mac ’n’ cheese.

Black Eye Coffee also has a selection of local organic produce and teas.

early to snag a cold-pressed juice, made fresh daily.

3408 Navajo St. 720.287.0546 drinkblackeye.com

Common Era Funky finds line the shelves at this favorite among the hipster set. Owner Debra Mazur buys her inventory of high-waisted jeans, big belts, frilly frocks and bold jewelry from up-and-coming designers who produce limitededition runs. The affordable pricing makes it that much easier to take a fashion risk.

1543 Platte St. 303.433.4633 mycommonera.com

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Workout>>

Have Fitness, Will Travel

Photos courtesy CrossFit Denver

The Payoffs of CrossFit

For the avid fitness buff, travel means a disruption to normal workout routines at best, a complete cessation of all muscle-toning activities at worst.

If the limited offerings of a hotel gym or a pair of running shoes

leave you wanting for the rigors of workouts at home, perhaps its time to consider CrossFit. CrossFit gyms, or boxes, often welcome out-of-town drop-ins for intense group workouts focused on functional, full-body fitness.

But don’t show up to a CrossFit gym in a new town without some time under your belt. “I don’t let people join our class unless

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DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

they have one or two months of CrossFit experience at a gym,” says Denver CrossFit owner Steve Paul.

CrossFit workouts draw from gymnastics, plyometrics, conditioning and even Olympic weightlifting — many of these exercises demand proper form. “Olympic weightlifting takes several movements, which can take time to learn,” says Paul.

So you may be an avid gymrat up to your eyeballs in athletic accolades, but still not have the proper form, strength and conditioning needed to finish a CrossFit workout safely and effectively. “I would equate it to a golf swing or maybe skiing,” says Paul. “You can’t just go out, put skis on your feet and off you go down the hill.”

According to Steve and many CrossFit experts, it takes about eight weeks or more of focused instruction for a beginner to

condition the muscles and form the muscle memory necessary to support proper form and proper mechanics. “We always run classes where there’s an instructor in charge, monitoring and teaching technique, but you need to be able to perform the movements on your own without risking your safety and having an effective workout.”

CrossFit workouts vary by day and often consist of a sequence of exercises, with set amounts of reps or time per movement. The exercises themselves consist of anything from burpees to deadlifts and beyond. The goal of it all is to develop a full-body fitness that is adaptable to any kind of setting or situation. It’s useful to athletes, to firemen, even to a traveling salesman, because sometimes you’ve got to get out of that conference room — fast!

Perhaps the most appealing aspect of CrossFit would be the sense of community that surrounds it — and the reason you are likely to find a friendly

CrossFit gym open to drop-ins in any city you travel to. Be sure to call and ask about rules and prices for drop-ins before you show up.

As for Steve’s gym? Well, they love having out-of-towners over.

“It’s fun to have someone from somewhere else and see what they have to add,” he says. Paul adds that he always drops in at other boxes when he’s on the road. “For a traveler, it’s really cool to train at different boxes. You have access to different implements and different training philosophies.

Every trainer has a different vibe.”

“It’s a lot of fun. You’re in a different city and you get to meet new people,” says Paul. So go, work out and make some new pals and let your post-workout glow do the bragging for you. crossfitdenver.com — CATHERINE ADCOCK

Photo Works / Shutterstock.com

Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Steve Thompson

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

SPOTLIGHT

ARTS & CULTURE

ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

ENTERTAINMENT

Sissy Spacek

March Fourth Marching Band

Drew Carey

Andy McKee

Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Bluebird Theater

Comedy Works (Landmark)

Colorado Rockies vs.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Enjoy sensational stories and serious life lessons from the award-winning actress with a movie career that includes an Oscar for Coal Miner’s Daughter.

Step inside a kaleidoscope of musical and visual energy of band-themed costumes, a five-piece percussion corps and seven-part brass section.

The host of TV’s The Price Is Right started his career as a stand-up comic, and today, few do it any better.

Coors Field

His guitar approximates the complexities of an entire percussion ensemble, the sweep of a string section and the hot licks of a bluegrass duo.

MAY 14

JUNE 4

JUNE 21–22

JULY 4

JULY 20

Boulder Theater

Enjoy one of the West’s great baseball rivalries and celebrate America’s birthday, all on the same night.

More CAlendAr on pAGE 52>>

420 E. 11TH AVE., DENVER, CO RESERVATIONS 303-955-5142

WWW.PATTERSONINN.COM

Style>>

Images courtesy Goldyn Boutique

Striking Gold at Goldyn

Colorado-born Vanessa Barcus is Denver’s conduit to the fashion world. Her high-end boutique, Goldyn, is nestled in the historic Olinger building, a former mortuary renovated into a trendy hotspot in the up-and-coming lower Highlands neighborhood.

With designer labels Helmut Lang, See by Chloé, Current/ Elliott and Rebecca Minkoff, you would think Barcus discovered a couture pipeline running under the 123-year-old space.

Founded in 2007, Goldyn started out as an online boutique through which Barcus curated a perfect assortment of “downtown cool meets uptown chic” labels.

The brick-and-mortar store opened in 2011.

Although Goldyn’s contemporary fashion roster includes designers from all over, it gets a little Colorado couture flare as Barcus sprinkles in hand-picked local designers. This store is your Goldyn ticket to Denver’s hottest looks, and since we’re partial to Colorado, here’s a glimpse at a handful of local designers.

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CLOTHES

JEWELRY

ACCESSORIES

Zoe Twitt: Say hello to Zoe Twitt, a part-time Denver resident.

Twitt, an actress, was inspired to create clothing that made her feel comfortable. Her etherealmeets-edgy label led WWD to name her among the world’s top emerging designers. Twitt also has a collection of handmade, rock-crystal jewelry.

Franklin and Swann: Nothing says Colorado like a Franklin and Swann crystal bullet necklace.

Designer Lauren Starrett combines traditionally feminine crystals with classically masculine bullets to create a cohesive design. Interestingly, both elements in her jewelry come from passions she shared with her father — sharp shooting and gem collecting.

Grey Sunshine: From Westerninspired clutches to Coloradocasual handbags, Grey Sunshine delivers rugged appeal and chic design. Colorado native Dana Van Daele uses only Colorado leathers to create these clutchworthy designs.

Gabriel Conroy: From black-satin vests to draped-collar jackets, Conroy brings a certain edginess to classic designs in organic materials. Conroy began his career as a Denver Center for Performing Arts costume tailor; now, he designs couture gowns for clients. His background and degrees in art and fashion make him a master tailor and fit expert.

CarolAnn Wachter: Drawing from her background in painting and sculpture, Boulderbased designer Wachter is known for her wearable, elegant silhouettes. She blends quality craftsmanship and classic forms with nostalgia and romance, using nature to inspire her.

Reliquiae: A fossil is arguably one of nature’s most unique statements — certainly a oneof-a-kind find — which is why Reliquiae designer Lisa Wells uses the remains of sea, animal and plant life to create her alluring jewelry.

Kir Collection: Boulder-based designer Kirsten Boedecker brings together a stunning feminine line of statement rings, chandelier earrings, layered necklaces and chic bracelets.

The collection combines sterling silver, 18-karat gold and semiprecious stones with handcarved mother-of-pearl.

JJ Scholl: Refined commuters will want to make their trip with a JJ Scholl. Jenny Lee Walsh, a highly regarded freelance stylist and branding consultant, created these versatile cases for the fashion-conscious, practicalmodern traveler.

Elc Mens: This Colorado label delivers “swagger with a tip of the hat to the men of a bygone era.”

Simply put, this lineup turns men into heartthrobs. Combine Elc’s supercasual clothing with brown roper gloves, a Humbolt pipe or an Ellingwood keychain and you might have the next Marlboro Man. — AMY SPEER

Zei Gesund>>

the local Jewish community as a producer strictly supervised by the Va’ad Hakashrus of Denver.

3910 W. Colfax Ave. 303.534.4772 arcpac.net

The Bagel Store For more than 30 years, the Denver bakery has churned out bagels, boiled and baked on wood planks, as well as challahs, breads and pastries. Try the knishes and delicious chicken soup. They deliver their products to area hotels, restaurants, cafés and caterers.

942 S. Monaco Pkwy.

303.388.2648 denverbagelstore.com

Keep Kosher in Denver From cozy bagel stops, ice cream parlors and pizza shops to full-service delis and supermarkets, Denver boasts a variety of kosher restaurants, caterers, groceries and liquor stores. Some have a full-time mashgiach on site. There are also a number of liquor stores that specialize in wide selections of kosher wine and beer. The following is a short list of available options in Denver and surrounding areas.

Arctic Pacific Fisheries Founded around 1907, this venerable Mile High business supplies the finest in smoked fish delicacies including salmon, trout, whitefish, sable and herring. Long known throughout

Bonnie Brae Ice Cream All of this little retro Washington Park ice cream shop’s favorite flavors are made in the store.

Since 1986, they’ve served cones, sundaes, banana splits, shakes and other treats. Try the Cappuccino Crunch or Amaretto Peach ice cream.

799 S. University Blvd.

303.777.0808 bonniebraeicecream.com

Dish Gourmet Located on the east end of Pearl Street, this bistro offers a variety of fresh sandwiches and prepared foods to eat in or takeout. It also features catering services, box lunches, sandwich platters and specialty foods such as cured meats, cheeses and natural food products. The meats come from area farmers and are roasted inhouse daily.

1918 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 720.565.5933 dishgourmet.com

East Side Kosher Deli This eclectic, one-stop shop features a takeout deli, grocery store, meat market and catering.

The restaurant menu includes beef, lamb, veal, chicken, fish, pasta, sandwiches and salads. The blintzes, knishes from the bakery, chopped liver and beef short ribs are delicious.

499 S. Elm St. 303.322.9862 eastsidekosherdeli.com

Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli Ciabatta, pumpernickel, Italian, sourdough and other breads are baked fresh daily in this Denver deli that is now a successful franchise. New York–style sandwiches include lox, pastrami, corned beef, prime rib and more, plus wraps, salads and smoothies.

1225 17th St. 720.214.4728 heidisbrooklyndeli.com

King Soopers Supermarkets 1725 Sheridan Blvd.

303.237.4988

America’s premier fast-casual vegan restaurant groups. Enjoy made-from-scratch, chef-crafted cuisine for vegans and nonvegans alike, with seasonal updates of dishes, desserts and homemade beverages.

1675 29th St. Boulder, CO 80301 303.442.0213 nativefoods.com

New York Deli News For over 20 years, this Denver deli has specialized in New York City– inspired meals. The rye bread, bagels, bialys are par baked and trucked in from New York. Deli meats are even made by the same company that provides for the famous Stage in New York and trucked in as well, with desserts baked in their own kitchen. Party trays, box lunches and catering for corporate events are also available.

7105 E. Hampden Ave. 303.759.4741

Zaidy’s Deli

kingsoopers.com

Boasting menus filled with traditional foods including chicken matzo-ball soup, homemade gefilte fish, chopped liver, charoset, herring and more, this Cherry Creek deli also provides catering services. Serving breakfast, brunch and dinner.

La Vie Catering

121 Adams St. 303.333.5336

890 S. Monaco Pkwy.

303.333.1535 4910 S. Yosemite St. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.793.9080

Innovative cuisine is the hallmark of this catering company. Kosher menus are available with the strictest certification under the supervision of the Va’ad Hakashrus of Denver upon request. La Vie specializes in catering for a Mitzvah, wedding, bris or any social event.

260 S. Locust St. 303.242.5912 laviecatering.com

Native Foods Café

Liquor Stores

JPAD Discount Liquor 560 S. Holly St. 303.321.5385 Fortune Liquor 560 S. Holly St. 303.321.5385 Grapevine Wine & Liquors 900 S. Monaco Pkwy.

303.388.4369 Lowry Liquors 200 Quebec St. 303.344.9500

Founded in the ’90s in Palm Springs, this has become one of DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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BARBER LOUNGE

PERSONAL BRANDING FOR MEN

• • • • •

Classic Haircuts Massage Shaves Hands, Feet, Face Luxury Grooming Gear

www.GQBARBERLOUNGE.com

M- F 8:30 -7:00 pm Sat - Sun 9:00 - 6:00 pm P. 303.991.1010 F. 303.991.1015 1605 17TH ST. DENVER, CO 80202

LocAtion>>

Denver’s Rankings: No. 1 U.S. city into which 25- to 34-yearolds are moving (Brookings Institute) No. 1 fittest city in the country (Newsweek) No. 3 city for start-up companies (Venture Beat) No. 5 most attractive city (Travel & Leisure) No. 5 safest city (Travel & Leisure) No. 5 greenest city (Siemens) America’s favorite airport (DIA) (Executive Travel Magazine) Nation’s best microbrew (Travel & Leisure)

Time to Buy In: Denver’s Brisk Real-Estate Market Denver residents enjoy the local weather through all four seasons (more than 300 days of sunshine every year). Our winter is typically far gentler than that of the East Coast, the summers are always delightful (rarely touching 100 degrees, with minimal humidity), and spring and fall act as a constant reminder to simply appreciate being outside.

But the weather is just one bonus when it comes to Denver’s unique features: a vibrant downtown, robust economic health, major public transportation improvements, enviable urban neighborhood walkability, beautiful city parks, environmental sustainability, everpopular tourism, big-city cultural and entertainment venues, all four major sports…and we haven’t even touched on the beloved, nearby mountain communities.

In real estate, Denver has

emerged as one of the major cities leading our nation into economic recovery. The future of our real estate market is bright — projections continue to be solid, bordering on exciting. Making a noticeable difference in 2013 is a much stronger consumer confidence level.

The metropolitan Denver areas enjoyed an 11 percent rise in home values in 2012. Like many other areas of the country, Denver’s available housing inventory in 2012 was 35 percent lower, while closed sales volume was 16 percent higher than in 2011 — that’s a very uplifting story.

People are feeling more confident in real estate as a safe investment.

As of the first quarter this year, prices in Denver have climbed back to prerecession levels.

This promising economic upswing has inspired consumers to investigate Denver’s

increasing housing options.

Denver provides a multitude of lifestyle options that are continually growing. With many urban neighborhoods, Denver boasts everything from highrises (with spectacular mountain views), lofts, townhomes and patio homes to a large variety of single-family home alternatives.

In the last six months, national and local builders alike have already begun taking reservations for homes not yet built. Senior living options have expanded severalfold and are growing city- and statewide.

Looking specifically at Colorado’s mountain communities, the high country is showing positive signs that an economic rebound is already well under way. The reported prices of six of Colorado’s seven resort areas are showing an increase of 3 percent in 2012 over 2011.

There are many reasons metro Denver’s population has grown 77 percent from 1980 through 2012, and the downtown Denver area enjoyed residential growth of 86 percent from 2000 until the end of 2012.

Enjoy your visit, and welcome to Denver!

Steve Blank is a managing broker at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty.

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TrAvel Tech>> Suffering from frequent-flier fatigue? DHM recommends these travel-friendly gadgets to ease the troubles of your trip.

Y-CAM HOMEMONITOR Keep an eye on your dog walker, housesitter or lonely cat with Y-Cam Solution’s newest Home Monitor security system. The camera connects to your home network via Wi-Fi or cable.

Then, with an account set up, you can view your home day or night while on the road via smartphone, tablet, computer or TV. Particularly useful is the ability to record short clips when people near your front door. $200 to $350, y-cam.com

POCKETCELL

MICRO WIRELESS SPEAKER

NOISE-CANCELING EARPHONES SPAREONE

This universal rechargeable mobile battery bank provides power when you need it the most.

The PocketCell is compatible with over 10,000 devices, according to the retailer, so chances are it can handle your tablet, smartphone, mp3 player, portable game console and more.

A full charge can power up not one, but two smartphones. $80, myinnergie.com

Less than 2 inches thick, this lightweight wireless speaker takes its big bass sound and goes just about anywhere. Wirelessly connect it to your iPhone or tablet and enjoy five hours of uninterrupted crystal-clear sound from its Li-ion battery, rechargeable through a microUSB port. $60, jbl.com

Noise-canceling used to mean bulky headphones that were awkward to travel with. Try Logitech’s new earphones instead, which come with two detachable, braided cables, one with a mic and volume control, one without. Listen to your tunes in studio-grade sound, omitting any background chatter. $400, logitech.com

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Ever returned from overseas travel to find an astronomical mobile bill in your mailbox?

Enjoy the freedom of cellular calls without the enormous fees with SpareOne. Plug in one AA battery and a local SIM card, and SpareOne can make and receive calls with 10 hours of talk time.

With plenty of emergency-related features, SpareOne is sure to come in handy should you ever find yourself stranded. $100, spareone.com — CATHERINE ADCOCK

Artfully uniting extraordinary properties with extraordinary lives.

* Regatta at Argenteuil, used with permission.

456 WEST COLORADO AVENUE, TELLURIDE

126 LODGES LANE, MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Modern Victorian masterpiece that is unmatched in its sophistication. This 4 bedroom, 4 full bath, 2,880 sf home on a 2,938 sf lot was completely remodeled in 2007 with chic, contemporary interiors. Fully furnished, with spectacular views of Ajax, Ingram Falls, and the ski area. $3,200,000

Majestic 4 bed, 3-1/2 bath log home with a loft and attached 2-car garage. This ski-in/ski-out duplex is fully furnished and has expansive views of the San Sophia Ridge.

The home’s exible oor plan makes it perfect as a family home, to accomodate large groups, or as a rental unit. $1,595,000

HERITAGE CROSSING #7, MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

195 OLD TOLL ROAD, TELLURIDE

Outstanding 3,556 sf fully-furnished penthouse in the Mountain Village core with 4 bedrooms and 4-1/2 baths.

Just steps to the gondola, skiing, and access to Telluride.

Awesome views of the Village core, ski area, and the San Sophias. Exquisitely appointed and meticulouly maintained. $3,675,000

Magnicent new 4 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath, 6,837 sf fully furnished home on 3 acres. Incorporated into the home’s design is an antique barn transported from NE Ohio. Its rustic grandeur marries perfectly with agstone oors and custom ironwork. Fantastic views of the Wilson range. $4,375,000

Michael J. Ward,Vice President • 970.708.0932

Lynn K. Ward, Broker • 970.708.0968

Telluride Sotheby’s International Realty 119 West Colorado Avenue • Telluride • Colorado • Telluride-Colorado.com Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each Ofce Is Independently Owned And Operated.

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The townspeople of Telluride protect and celebrate the area’s rich history full of tall tales through the tradition of oral storytelling.

WRITTEN BY JULIE PIOTRASCHKE

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Telluride Colorado Avenue, better known as Main Street, circa 1900 (inset) and present (left).

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n any given morning in the shadow of the San Juan Mountains, you can find Telluride resident Ashley Boling at home getting ready for his day in town.

He pulls on a rugged pair of blue jeans, snaps the buttons close on a heavy cotton work shirt and ties a red bandanna around his neck. He even slips on leather work boots — similar to those the miners in the nearby peaks used to wear over a hundred years ago. And he adds the last detail — a dusty cowboy hat perched on his head.

Boling’s outfit isn’t too out-of-the-ordinary for the mountain town of Telluride. But in this case, his accessories are necessary for his trip back in time as one of Telluride’s oral storytellers.

His destination is the San Miguel County Courthouse in downtown Telluride. The red brick building with its three-story clock tower rises above all else on West Colorado Avenue, commonly known as Telluride’s Main Street.

“Whether you are sharing a gondola at the ski resort or having coffee on Main Street, people here love to share the history of the town.”

—Lauren Bloemsma, former Telluride Historical Museum director

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That’s where he starts his storytelling. A group of tourists, students and residents gathered learn that behind Telluride’s well-kept Victorian facades are rich stories of Southern Ute Indians who roamed the surrounding hills, a boomand-bust mining town with accompanying Wild West tales and a city that made major contributions to the country’s emerging industrial scene.

“Our town is significant in our nation’s history just like any battlefield in the South, or like the old part of Boston,” George Greenbank will tell you.

Greenbank has lived in Telluride for 42 years, is a practicing architect and a student of history, he likes to say.

Greenbank and other storytellers will take you on a journey back to much quieter times — a stark contrast to the friendly bustle that now greets visitors who come for the worldrenowned ski resort and popular summer festivals.

The town, nestled below the peaks of the Uncompahgre National Forest, was uninhabited

until the winter of 1872. The Ute Indians had used the area as their seasonal hunting grounds but found the weather at 8,750 feet too harsh.

“They couldn’t get things to grow here,” Boling explains.

Telluride’s average temperature in the winter hovers around the 20s with yearly snowfall piling up around 300 inches.

So the valley remained quiet until 1875 when the first gold was found in the nearby mountains.

The discovery sparked a small mining settlement. They called it Telluride, named for the eagerly anticipated tellurium elements to be mined from the mountains.

Ironically, tellurium would never be found in the area.

Like most mining towns, there were wild boom times. At the turn of the century, more millionaires per capita lived in Telluride than in New York City. The town’s population had soared from just a few dozen to 5,000 as more than $360 million of gold was pulled out of the surrounding mountains. Zinc, lead, copper and silver were also in abundant supply. The new

Denver Public Library

Denver Public Library

Left: Six-ton locomotive hauler in Smuggler Mine, circa 1900 Below: San Miguel County Courthouse, 1964 Far Below: Bank of Telluride, 1928

Denver Public Library

Rio Grande Southern Railroad established a depot in Telluride, offering efficiency and replacing slow burros that had to zig-zag up the steep mountains with supplies. Trains quickly followed, full of immigrants from Western European countries claiming to be experienced hard-rock miners hoping to snatch up some muchneeded, plentiful work.

Good times were so abundant that a young Butch Cassidy took notice. Along with a sidekick, Cassidy robbed his first bank in Telluride in 1889 — the San Miguel County Bank Main Street.

He made away with $22,000 in cash, designated for the mining payroll. No guns were fired; no one was hurt. The money was never recovered.

Harsh conditions and increasing demands led to labor disputes between the mineworkers and owners. Unions were formed — most notably a local chapter of the Western Federation of Miners — and workers went on strike demanding to be paid $3 for an eight-hour day. Not all mine owners agreed to the pay increase.

Tensions between the miners

and owners rose until the leader of the local union, Vincent St. John, disappeared. The turmoil escalated until the Colorado governor sent in carloads of state militia to drive out the strikers.

The men were dumped into a neighboring town and told not to come back. The back-and-forth struggle, replete with gunfights, bloody battles and casualties, went down in the state’s history as the Colorado Labor Wars.

“You could say the town lost its spirit during that time,” Greenbank says.

Still, the mining town continued to thrive, quickly emerging on the national scene fated to play a major role in the development of electricity.

The manager of the Gold King Mine, Lucien L. Nunn, needed to reduce the mine’s operation costs. He saw the mine’s monthly coal bill of $2,500 and decided to replace coal with a new alternative source of power — electricity.

He looked to electrify his mine at the same time Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla were locked in their now-famous “Battle of DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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Left: George Greenbank conducting a tour at the Sheridan Opera House. Inset: The exterior of the Opera House circa 1950.

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the Currents.” Edison promoted direct-current electricity, which cannot travel long distances; Tesla supported the alternating current he developed, which could. Both believed their method superior for widespread use.

Nunn’s involvement and Telluride’s geography decided it.

The needed power had to travel a few miles between the jagged mountainside and the mine, making Tesla’s alternating current preferable.

He built what would be known as the Ames Power Plant, the first alternating-current plant, near Telluride. A sight new to many appeared: powerlines, the first built in the nation.

The Ames Power Plant brought power to the Gold King Mine in 1891 and provided the first transmission in the world of longdistance, high-voltage alternating current for commercial purposes.

It also gave Tesla and his partners the success they needed. Invited to demonstrate alternating current at the World Fair in 1893, they literally lit up the

“I really try and raise our history and what we’re doing here to a level of celebration.”

— George Greenback, Telluride storyteller and tour guide

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fairgrounds — and the future.

Today, electricity is transmitted to our buildings and houses through alternating current.

While the lights never dimmed on Telluride’s power plant — it remains a working plant — they did in the mines, and eventually in the town.

“In the ’60s, we were nearly inducted into the official Colorado Ghost Town Hall of Fame,” Boling says.

You wouldn’t know that today by looking at the picturesque, thriving community.

But the residents of Telluride are working to make sure that those who do make it to this Southwest hub know the stories that have created its richness.

In 1964, the town worked tirelessly to get the downtown core of Telluride designated a National Historic Landmark District. Designated by the Secretary of the Interior, Telluride’s downtown joined the fewer than 2,500 historic places with the distinction. It also is one of Colorado’s 20 National Historic Landmarks.

That designation comes

with strict building guidelines regarding the preservation of historical structures. It has imbued the community with an understanding of the importance of the town’s history and the difficulties that preserving it entails. Just the approval of construction plans can require years of revisions and plenty of investment.

“Our town accepts the responsibility and stewardship of our historical district,” Greenbank says. “We know it’s important, and it’s part of our culture. When we go out of our way to preserve the buildings, we need to celebrate that. I really try and raise our history and what we’re doing here to a level of celebration.”

In addition to the ongoing walking history, architectural and cemetery tours, the Telluride Historical Museum offers educational sessions throughout the year focusing on different aspects of the town’s past.

They have five self-guided tours available for purchase and download and have placed plaques throughout town that offer insight into the importance

ry Denver Public Libra

Right: Ashley Boling conducting a Ski into History tour.

Inset: A bird’s-eye view of Telluride in 1905.

of Telluride in world history. The storytelling tradition even travels up the mountain. Up at the Telluride Ski Resort, one can find Boling leading Ski into History Tours that take off from the Peaks Resort and Spa during the winter.

Fireside chats featuring writers, historians and scientists discussing Telluride’s past are held by the Historical Museum regularly.

“Sharing our history is a pretty integral effort,” says Lauren Bloemsma, who worked as the director of the Telluride Historical Museum for seven years.

Or you can wait for Telluride’s history to find you.

“Whether you are sharing a gondola at the ski resort or having coffee on Main Street, people here love to share the history of the town,” says Bloemsma. “People here are very passionate, and that includes being passionate about their sense of history.”

Business owners such as Michael Gibson of the Appaloosa Trading Company will gladly point out Popcorn Alley, where the brothels in the Red Light District were. He will tell

you the New Sheridan Hotel has its original 1895 fixtures and that the Sheridan Opera House — built in 1913 — was the last commercial structure built in Telluride until 1973.

When Boling is finished with his tour, he heads home and sheds his cowboy gear.

And he revels in the thought of doing it all over again. And again.

“I always feel really good after a tour,” he says. “I feel that I’m sharing knowledge and providing an understanding of what’s happened here.”

And with a tip of his hat, he says he’s hoping that the next tour is as soon as tomorrow.

VISITING TELLURIDE? For more information on historical tours and programs, contact the Telluride Historical Museum. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Thursday.

201 W. Gregory Telluride, CO 81435 970.728.8344 telluridemuseum.org

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Long Live The Oxford The Oxford Hotel continues to shine as a beacon of luxury and hospitality greeting all of Denver’s visitors.

BY CATHERINE ADCOCK

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ecessions, Depressions, World Wars — through it all, the Oxford Hotel has unfailingly greeted Denver’s guests arriving through the Welcome Arch, providing a beacon of luxury, opulence and first-rate hospitality throughout the years, just as it did when it opened in 1891.

In the years prior to the Oxford’s opening, Denver underwent a major transformation, making a firstrate hotel a necessity. Railroads arrived in 1870, bringing new residents who would transform the small mining town into a bustling regional metropolis. The city’s maturation commanded attention from the larger country, drawing visitors from all over. Now the third-largest city in the West, Denver needed a hotel accessible to Union Station, the arrival point for all coming to the city.

Adolph Zang — a beer magnate whose Zang Brewing Company was the biggest pre-Prohibition producer in the Rockies — invested in the idea, and the hotel opened on Oct. 3, 1891.

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At that time, the Oxford boasted the latest in technology.

A “vertical railway,” a novelty now better known as an elevator, ferried passengers between floors.

The hotel’s very own power plant provided steam heating and electric lighting, another new invention. But the opulence did not stop with gadgets. The hotel’s classic façade humbly concealed overwhelming luxury inside. The finest in custom-made engraved glassware and Haviland China topped dinner tables. Guests enjoyed light and air throughout all the rooms, which had been wrapped around a light well.

Antique oak furniture, stained glass, marble and silver adorned the interior, greeting every guest with simplicity and beauty.

What truly set the hotel apart, however, was its ability to meet every guest’s needs conveniently.

The hotel housed dining rooms, a barber shop, a library, a pharmacy, a Western Union office, stables and a saloon — serving Zang brews, of course. A guest could check in and never have to leave the building.

Photo courtesy of the Oxford Hotel

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Photo courtesy the Denver Public Library

Photo courtesy the Denver Public Library

Photo courtesy the Denver Public Library

Right: The Oxford Hotel’s original signage circa 1894.

Below: The Oxford Hotel’s entrance circa 1912, visible through Union Station’s Welcome Arch.

Responding to increasing demand, the Oxford Hotel opened an annex on 17th Street in 1912.

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Built just two years shy of the Silver Panic of 1893, the hotel faced an uncertain future as Denver suffered through the ensuing economic recession. But the Oxford didn’t just survive the troubled time, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 1901, the opulent building actually thrived.

By 1902, manager Calvin Morese reported that the hotel hosted 35,000 guests per year and often had to turn away guests — no wonder a new annex on Wazee Street opened in 1903.

The year 1906 brought with it plenty of changes as directed by new managers Charles B Hamilton and James L. Brookes.

The hotel’s mezzanine, still recognizable today, with its monogrammed OH iron banister and marble wainscoting, dates to this time. Responding to increasing demand, the hotel opened a five-story annex on 17th Street in 1912 In the 1930s, the Oxford enjoyed a remodel giving it the latest in art deco designs. In the Cruise Room, Denver’s first postProhibition bar, one could find hand-carved art deco panels by artist Alley Henson toasting the repeal of Prohibition. One can still see these panels, beautifully restored, today.

Crowds flooded the streets in front of the hotel to greet President Herbert Hoover as his train pulled in to Union Station in 1932. War arrived again, and the Oxford opened its doors to trainloads of soldiers.

In the ensuing years, Denver enjoyed a renaissance; it became a Sun Plain boom town, home to tourism, federal offices and energy firms.

The only thing the Oxford could not withstand, given its proximity to Union Station, was a decline in train travel, which occurred in the 1960s. The hotel stayed open, however, catering to the needs of working-class truckers and pensioners rather than business travelers and families on vacation. The larger downtown area fell into a state of disuse and disrepair. Denver began tearing down old 19th-century buildings downtown, leaving only a few, to make way for new edifices.

Fortunately, Dana Crawford, an award-winning preservationist, had the foresight to stand up for the preservation of the area’s history. In 1963, she fought to prevent the demolition of Larimer Square, pioneering the languishing area’s redevelopment as a historical landmark and lively shopping center. Her success led

to similar reinventions all over downtown, bringing new life into a forgotten area of Denver. The Oxford began to beam again, this time as a cultural locus for jazz, folk music and theater.

The Oxford Hotel underwent a major remodel in 1979, when the hotel closed its doors for three years while a hand-selected group of people undertook the process of restoring the hotel to its former glory. New Owner Charles Callaway was joined Crawford — by then Larimer Square’s president — and William Muchow and Associates, an architecture firm known for its preservation work. For firm partner Bill Muchow, the work took a familial note — his father worked as a tile mason on the Annex built in 1912.

While teams worked to modernize the stately hotel, others got to work uncovering features hearkening back to the hotel’s earliest days. The glory of the hotel’s first years hid behind false ceilings, closets and alcoves.

Original blueprints were unearthed, enabling the teams to duplicate exact details. Art deco panels, dating to the 1930s, were lovingly restored. The group ordered carpets woven to match the last layers uncovered;

Photo courtesy of the Oxford Hotel

Photo courtesy of the Oxford Hotel

they stripped chandeliers of layer upon layer of paint only to find gleaming sterling silver.

The Cruise Room returned to its halcyon days of art deco greatness.

After three years and $12 million, the Oxford reopened in 1983 and received landmark status on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Oxford Hotel of today, though, owes much to the Sage Group, which bought the building in 2009. It undertook a $1.3 million seven-year roomby-room renovation of the hotel masterminded by Chief Engineer Mike Michna. An iron artist was commissioned to create a replica of the original doorway arch, a throwback to the hotel’s first years before vertical signage replaced the arch on the exterior of the building. The hotel’s impressive Western art collection continues to attract visitors. Its award-winning spa has earned its own landmark status as the first terra-cotta building in Denver.

Guests can bask in the warm glow of the only indoor woodburning fireplace in Denver, and then take the vertical railway up to their private rooms, riding in original elevator cars that date to the building’s opening. Each room pays tribute to history in

its own way, sporting Victorian, French or Art Deco designs.

“That’s largely due to our chief architect, Mike Michna,” notes Oxford Director of Sales and Marketing Amy Stansbery. “He has done all the renovations himself and has been here for 30 years.

He really, truly designs all of the rooms, the layouts, himself.”

The Sage Group continues the Oxford’s commitment to technological advances, particularly when it comes to caring for the environment.

During the 2009 renovations, Sage installed a heating and cooling system so efficient, it won a Leader in Energy Efficiency in Lodging award from Trane manufacturers. The hotel uses a system to treat water with UV rays and other technology, so no harsh chemicals are used that could eventually leach into the larger water supply or environment. As Stansbery notes, “We are a very old building, but we have a very efficient hotel.”

Business travelers tied to tablets and smartphones will be pleased to know that no other hotel in Denver uses the same next-generation internet cabling — the WiFi doesn’t just seem lightning-fast, it is. The Oxford Hotel is planning for

the future, currently building a sister property within Union Station itself during the station’s renovation — the new hotel will open sometime in 2014. “Since it’s a brand-new hotel within the station, it will be very modern and unique,” notes Stansbery.

The Sage Group continues to stay true to the hotel’s history, preserving its historical details while continuing to offer guests every modern convenience.

Guests are greeted in the lobby by the sight of antique furniture, sourced from the hotel’s own collection, and the sounds of a live canary singing a tribute to the miners who first built Denver and this hotel. The Oxford offers travelers a chance to step back in time while still enjoying the comforts of 21st-century living, making it Denver’s most luxurious landmark.

Says Stansbery, “It’s not just laying your head somewhere and spending the night. It truly is a beautiful experience; there’s no other hotel like it.”

Photo courtesy of the Oxford Hotel

Left: The Oxford’s lobby was lovingly and painstakingly restored in 1979 and again in 2009. Above: Guests enjoy touches of hospitality throughout the Oxford, such as fresh flowers placed on towels.

The present-day view of Downtown Denver through the Oxford’s arch.

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Photo courtesy Infinite Monkey Theorem

Let the tourists have the wine country. Denver has its own laboratory genius cooking up barrels of Colorado’s most buzzed-about wines.

BY AMY SPEER

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backlit sign stenciled with black lettering hangs over the door of a nearly windowless building. The sign reads, “Wine Lab,” and unless you’re looking for it, you might miss it entirely.

Unknown to most who pass by, this cinder-block building in Denver’s up-and-coming River North neighborhood contains the production facilities for some

of Colorado’s top-rated wines.

Welcome to Infinite Monkey Theorem. If you can’t already tell, it’s no ordinary winery.

When Ben Parsons started Infinite Monkey Theorem in 2008, he decided to nestle his business in the heart of Denver, where his winery could embrace the flavors of the city, and where Denver could embrace the flavors of his wines. Needless to say, his “gritty DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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Photo courtesy Infinite Monkey Theorem

Above: Barrels of wine sit in a humidity-controlled room in the winery, located in Denver’s River North neighborhood.

Previous spread: Infinite Monkey Theorem is one of only two wineries in the nation that puts wine in a can, catering to the outdoorsy needs of Coloradans.

corner” location goes against the norm of most Colorado wineries, which typically establish themselves on the Western Slope near rolling vineyards backed by picturesque mountains.

At Parsons’ winery, you won’t find marble floors — or for

with hypnotizing eyes.

But there’s a method to Parsons’ Infinite Monkey madness — hence, the “Wine Lab” announcement hanging outside the door. Infinite Monkey Theorem’s name comes from the idea that if a monkey is given an infinite amount of time with a typewriter, it will eventually create the work of Shakespeare. Parsons’ winemaking process bears some similarity, so the winery took the name of the theorem. “It’s the that matter, wines with Italian whole idea of creating order out names that roll off the tongue. of a chaotic system,” he says.

Instead, the concrete floors sport In Colorado, shorter seasons windshield-like fissures. Wines, and unpredictable weather can like the 100th Monkey and throw a monkey wrench into The Blind Watchmaker, feature winemaking, creating a whole names that tell a story. And the batch of new variables to consider. labels themselves boast the same “There are so many choices edgy graffiti-like chimpanzee and so many possible outcomes,

People are really embracing his wine.

It’s like he put Denver in a bottle. >> Aaron Forman Owner, Table 6 Restaurant

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Photo courtesy Infinite Monkey Theorem

but somehow we end up with a work of art in a bottle,” Parsons says. “It’s part manufacturing, part science and part art.”

Aaron Forman, owner of Table 6, the first Denver restaurant to carry the label more than four years ago, says Parsons has mastered winemaking.

“A lot of people are shocked to find out Infinite Monkey Theorem is a Colorado wine,” Forman says. “It’s definitely some of the best wine from Colorado.”

In fact, five Infinite Monkey Theorem wines made Wine Spectator’s top wine list. The niche magazine reviews over 100,000 wines with only 5 percent of those making the printed list. Infinite Monkey Theorem received Colorado’s highest score for its 100th Monkey, a dark and brooding wine with Cabernet

Franc, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Malbec grapes. The wine scored an 89. Meanwhile, Details magazine named Ben Parsons one of five urban winemakers to know.

So how does Parsons create wines that garner rave reviews?

The 36-year-old, who received a degree in oenology, the chemistry of winemaking, focuses on the variables he believes to be most important — from picking the best Palisade grapes to selecting the right yeast from among 10,000 different strains — and ignoring the details that don’t — the vineyard location or the marble tasting room. During harvest, Parsons might make a hundred different decisions in one day.

Still, the smartest choice he ever made seems to be opening his winery in Denver.

By establishing it here, Parsons

SEE FOR YOURSELF The ultrahip tasting room boasts wine on tap from 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Tours are available by appointment.

INFINITE MONKEY THEOREM 3200 Larimer St. 303.736.8376 theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com

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Photo courtesy Infinite Monkey Theorem

Ninety-five percent of the fruit used in Infinite Monkey Theorem’s wines comes from Palisade, Colo.

Photo courtesy Infinite Monkey Theorem

INFINITE MONKEY THEOREM

FACTS THAT’LL WET YOUR PALATE

Photo courtesy Infinite Monkey Theorem

AT DENVER’S FINEST HOTELS Select bottles are available at: • Panzano Italian Restaurant, adjacent to Hotel Monaco Denver • Restaurant Kevin Taylor at the Hotel Teatro • Randolph’s at the Warwick Denver Hotel • EDGE Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel • 220 other Denver restaurants

scientists on the island of Koshima observed a macaque monkey who learned how to improve the taste of sweet potatoes by washing them in the ocean. Over time, the monkey taught others its washing technique. By the 100th monkey, the behavior instantly spread. Parsons’ wine seems to be having a similar effect on Denver.

WINE IN A CAN

The Infinite Monkey Theorem is one of only two wineries in the nation that puts wine in a can. The $6.99 95% of the fruit used in the Infinite Sparkling Black Muscat, available in Monkey’s bottled wines comes from a 250-ml can, is ideal for music Palisade, Colo.; the other 5% comes venues and sporting events (even at from out-of-state vineyards to make up Invesco Field at Mile High). The for any inconsistencies with local crops. Muscat is the only Infinite Monkey Theorem wine not made from Colorado grapes.

So how did Parsons’ highest-ranking wine get its name? Well, in 1952,

COLORADO GRAPES

THE STORY BEHIND THE 100TH MONKEY

Ben Parsons’ winemaking formula netted him $1 million in sales, turning his 2,000-case business into a 12,000-case success in four short years.

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built a loyal customer base, while Western Slope wineries battle a lack of off-season tourist traffic.

“If you think about it, 85 percent of Colorado’s population is living on the Front Range, so we really wanted to embrace the community, and we’ve been very successful at doing that,” says Parsons, who even packages some of his wine in skinny aluminum cans to meet the demands of Coloradans who hit the slopes, jam out at concerts and take in outdoor adventures.

“People are really embracing his wine,” Forman says. “It’s like he put Denver in a bottle.”

Parsons’ formula is working.

Last year, the winery raked in $1 million in sales, turning his 2,000-case business into a 12,000case success in four years.

An observant wine enthusiast,

AN ULTRAHIP LABEL Infamous album graphic artist Zach Larner designed Infinite Monkey Theorem’s counter-culture wine label. Larner, who garnered a Grammy nomination for best packaging design with his Chester French Trojan condom album cover, has designed album covers for Blink 182 and Tom Petty.

WINERY HAPPENINGS On the first Friday of every month, the winery treats wine enthusiasts to a live band and a mobile pizza oven.

The winery also sponsors events such as the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass. In collaboration with the winery, a “swine, wine and seafood” restaurant, the Old Major, opened its doors at 33rd and Tate Streets in early 2013.

though, might wonder why Parsons’ successful winery isn’t listed on the Colorado Wine Industry registry. He’ll tell you the reason is quite simple. He chose not be on that list.

“I wanted to distance my winery,” he says.

And that’s exactly what he’s been doing for four years now on a gritty lot in the heart of Denver.

Welcome to Colorado wine country.

Yep, you read that right. There is such a thing here. It’s nestled in the warm valleys of Colorado’s Western Slope, and more than 100 vineyards call it home. With more than 300 days of sunshine, an infusion of mountain runoff and Colorado’s persistently low humidity, some of the best vineyards are arguably found here.

Don’t let Colorado wine critics fool you. While winemakers are forced to overcome Colorado’s short growing seasons, Western Slope vineyards have a few things going for them.

Let’s start with Colorado’s famed amount of sunshine and the fact that its vineyards are among some of the highest in the world. All these lofty vineyards, peaking at 7,000 feet, are planted in one of the nation’s sunniest states, meaning just one thing — long days and intense light allow Colorado growers to overcome the short season.

Meanwhile, refreshing mountain breezes make for cool nights, helping grapes retain the vital acids needed in premium winemaking. And, surprisingly, with less than 10 inches of annual rainfall, Western Slope vineyards thrive thanks to irrigation and the control it provides growers.

Plus, with less humidity, Colorado vineyards yield pest-free results.

But we’ll let Colorado wines speak for themselves. Here are four wineries brewing up Colorado accolades.

Boulder Creek Known for Old World–style wines, including some of the state’s best chardonnays, the Boulder Creek

family winery is producing top-notch, awardwinning wines. Winemaker Jackie Thompson likes to use vinifera grapes, known for growing well in Colorado’s rich alkaline soil, similar to soil found in French vineyards. Thompson likes to combine these grapes with French oak barrels and oldfashioned European techniques to create Boulder Creek’s distinctive wines.

doesn’t pose an issue, allowing Sutcliffe to grow its grapes on natural roots, like European grapes were grown in the early 1800s. Additionally, Sutcliffe never bottles more than 360 cases at a time, equating to some seriously small batches of the best organic wines. Plus, there are two tasting rooms in which you can get your sip on — one right here in Denver and another in Durango.

6440 Odell Pl. Boulder, CO 80301 303.516.9031 bouldercreekwine.com

VINEYARD: 12174 Rd. G, Cortez, CO 81321 970.565.0825

Canyon Wind Cellars

DENVER SHANGRI-LA TASTING ROOM: 1575 Boulder St. 725.855.7585

A 16-year-old winery, Canyon Wind Cellars produces three distinct groups of wine, including Colorado’s first $100 wine. In recent years, the seasoned vintner introduced its newest wine brand, Anemoi, named after the Greek wind gods and touted as the “second generation of Colorado wines.” Anemoi wines break from the traditional, single-varietal approach of Canyon Wind, focusing on riper fruit.

VINEYARD: 3907 N. River Rd. Palisade, CO 81526 970.464.0888 TASTING ROOM: 1500 Argentine St. Georgetown, CO 80449 970.464.0888 canyonwindcellars.com

Sutcliffe Vineyards An estate vineyard located in Cortez, Sutcliffe is known for growing grapes on natural rootstock, a rarity in the industry, since most of the nation’s vineyards graft European fabled vines to the rootstock of native American grapes to resist phylloxera, a tiny bug that feasts on the roots.

In the high desert climate of Cortez, phylloxera

DURANGO TASTING ROOM: College & Main Ave. 970.749.8918 sutcliffewines.com

Garfield Estates Vineyard & Winery A decade-old, 13-acre vineyard, Garfield Estates produces one of Colorado’s driest lineups, a rarity on the Western Slope, where tourists typically favor sweet wines. The award-winning winery bottles nine wines, including a $30 Malbec, in a picturesque, historical setting. In recent years, Garfield became one of four Western Slope wineries to join ranks, opening a satellite tasting room in Denver, called Colorado Winery Row. The urban wine tasting destination also features Cottonwood Cellars (Olathe), Verso Cellars (Winter Park) and Denver’s Bonacquisti Wine Co. GARFIELD ESTATES: 3572 G Rd. Palisade, CO 81526 970.464.0941 garfieldestates.com COLORADO WINERY ROW: 4640 Pecos St. coloradowineryrow.com

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Besting the Best Of

I loved the city of Denver. Its size was perfect, with tons of arts and music and a great outdoors community.

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All photos courtesy Rioja

This Wolfgang Puck acolyte brings home boatloads of accolades from culinary critics the country over — all the while running things behind the kitchen doors at three top Mile High restaurants.

BY DAVE MUSCARI

T

he story goes something like this: A prestigious chef starts her career in the family kitchen, cooking out of necessity.

Growing up in a one-parent household, she was one of three children, two girls and one boy; all took turns preparing meals.

Over time, the youngest stood out, fine-tuning her repertoire until she ruled the roost and cooked all the family meals. So begins the culinary legend of Jennifer Jasinski.

Since those salad days in Southern California, Chef Jen, as she’s known, has made quite a reputation both in Colorado and nationally. In 2011, Jasinski was a James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist. She was a finalist last year and again this year competing against top chefs in Austin, Houston and Cave Creek, Arizona. At an awards ceremony in May, Jasinski will learn if she will be named best chef in the Southwest.

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I have had the same philosophy I always had since moving here, which is to buy the best product you can. If it happens to be local, that’s even better.

Rioja picnic appetizer with artisan meats, warm pine nut–crusted goat cheese, Italian mountain Gorgonzola, olives, truffle fennel salad, orange confit and almonds.

Previous spread: Four-cheese pea ravioli with morels, spring peas and garlic purée.

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Back in 2004, she took the plunge, along with business partner Beth Gruitch, and opened Rioja (1431 Larimer St.), a lovely Mediterraneaninfluenced restaurant just a few blocks from the city’s Performing Arts District. Later, the pair purchased Bistro Vendôme (1420 Larimer St.), and four years later, opened Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen (1317 14th St.). These days, all three restaurants enjoy critical acclaim, making routine appearances on “best of” lists all over the city.

This is to say nothing of Jasinski’s stellar reputation within the culinary community itself.

Author and PBS television host Christy Rost counts herself a big fan. “There are several [Colorado chefs] that just do amazing work,” she told the magazine. “One of

Grilled Colorado peaches, cabrales crostini and PX sherry reduction.

them is Jennifer Jasinski. She’s cooked at the Snowmass Festival — that’s when I first met her. She is a supercreative and wonderful chef, besides being a really nice lady.”

After some food service training in high school and a gig at a local Taco Bell, Jasinski got serious. She studied at Santa Barbara City College in her hometown, then moved to New York City, enrolling in the Culinary Institute of America.

She waited tables on campus. She worked at the venerable Rainbow Room on weekends. When she graduated, she signed on fulltime at the landmark restaurant and was exposed to top culinary figures including the legendary Wolfgang Puck.

In time, Jasinski tired of the sizzling pace in New York and returned to her home

Seared Muscovy duck breast, baklava with stuffed dates, crispy phyllo, saffron Manchego risotto and citrus honey reduction.

state armed with an ambitious job-hunting strategy: apply for positions at L.A.’s top 10 restaurants. She landed a gig at the Hotel Bel Air where, coincidentally, Puck was consulting. They soon renewed their acquaintance, and for the next decade Puck took Jasinski under his culinary wing. She says he treated her well during a time when the industry wasn’t exactly flooded with female chefs.

She traveled across America helping Puck develop and open a series of restaurants. Her credits include an assortment of positions at restaurants: Postrio in San Francisco; Spago in Chicago and Las Vegas; and Granita in Malibu.

In 2000, Jasinski landed at Denver’s Panzano. Colorado Springs native Gruitch was the

restaurant’s general manager at the time, and the pair became fast friends. In time, the two women helped turn the Italian ristorante into a lights-out destination, which paved the way for them to open their own place.

The rest is history.

At Rioja, Jasinski’s signature Denver restaurant, sample homemade pastas include saffron-rapini ravioli, artichoke tortelloni and Spanish octopus farfalle. The menu boasts inspired entrees such as grilled tea-brined Snake River sturgeon; tender Colorado lamb; panroasted venison; and smoked Duroc pork tenderloin. Pastries are also creatively delicious, especially the white and black cheesecake, beignets, a chocolatecaramel napoleon and handmade ice creams and sorbets.

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Take Jen’s Bites Home!

Jennifer Jasinski’s devoted fans can read all about her exquisite cuisine in precise fashion. The chef released her first book in 2012. The 182-page hardcover cookbook, The Perfect Bite, is a stunningly photographed trip through some of her signature recipes. The magnificent cover shot of her artichoke and white-truffle tortelloni sets a perfect tone for the rich portfolio of text and pictures inside. The recipes for her signature dishes and tasting menu are elaborately detailed, but even seasoned home chefs might find them challenging to replicate. However, it is beautifully written, and a feast of images to enjoy over a glass of wine The superbusy chef carved out time to write the book but its publication proved difficult. After months of excuses from a dodgy publisher, Jasinski ultimately published the book herself, only to be plagued by a year of problems that trapped the book in customs. The book finally arrived and is now available at local bookstores such as The Tattered Cover in Denver and at Peppercorn in Boulder, which specializes in home, kitchen and bath accessories. It is also available for $35 at riojadenver.com.

Pomeginger cocktail.

Denver Hotel Magazine checked in with the ultrabusy chef to chat about her influences, cuisine philosophies and being married to another local top chef, Max MacKissock, a James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist this year.

DHM: After years of traveling and opening restaurants with Wolfgang Puck, you made a conscious decision to put down roots in Denver. What about it appealed to you?

JJ: I loved the city of Denver. Its size was perfect, with tons of arts and music and a great outdoors community. I also felt, at the time, that there was room to grow as a chef and restaurateur.

DHM: Are you still in touch with Wolfgang?

JJ: We see each other maybe once a year at a special event or 38

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something. He was in town a few years ago and made a special effort to stop by Rioja and eat.

DHM: Your three restaurants all feature different types of cuisine. How does the variety help keep you on your game?

JJ: It’s an avenue to really do almost everything and anything we want…we have a venue for it. If I think of something that does not fit into Rioja’s menu, it probably would fit somewhere else.

DHM: We hear so much about the farm-to-table emphasis in restaurants these days. In an area such as Denver that is a bit geographically isolated, how does that work for you?

JJ: I have had the same philosophy I always had since moving here, which is to buy the best product you can. If it happens to be local, that’s even

Clockwise from top left: seared sea scallops; Loca Hot cocktail; beignets.

Tortelloni stuffed with goat cheese and artichoke mousse in artichoke broth, truffle essence, queso de mano cheese, chervil.

better. But if I feel that Liberty Farms ducks are the best (which I do), I do not just buy from a local source just to be local. As produce goes, we have tons of great stuff for four to five months out of the year, and I buy as much as possible during that time.

DHM: You have been both a James Beard Foundation Award finalist and semifinalist. That’s rock-star stuff. How do designations like that impact a chef’s career?

JJ: It is awesome to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation.

It is great that people around the country have heard of what we do…. It makes me feel great.

Everyone likes to be noticed. I think notoriety can help any career because more people are likely to try out your restaurant.

DHM: Congratulations on your recent marriage to Max MacKissock, executive chef at the Squeaky Bean.

Two cooks in one family: How does that work? Do you critique each other’s cuisine in helpful ways?

JJ: Max and I really help each other with food and flavors. We are so different in our cooking style, it is great to get another very different perspective. I feel that since we have been together, I have gotten better as a chef and grown more than I would have if we had not been together.

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BY AMY SPEER

Once a local boy who stared at model planes hanging from his ceiling, Tim Allen opens up to DHM on his Denver childhood, his real-life role as Dad and being a Dick.

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Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

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Photo courtesy ABC.

Left: Allen with more of the Baxter clan, wife Vanessa (Nancy Travis), daughter Kristin (Amanda Fuller) and grandson Boyd (Flynn Morrison).

M

odel airplanes dangle from the ceiling. A few lay on the ground, melted from the heat of combat.

The infamous Johnny 7 — a sevenin-one toy gun — is propped in the corner, at the ready.

The scent of yesterday’s Spam casserole and last night’s aerial combat linger in the air of a Denver home near 3rd and Marion Streets. The house looks upon a stunning view of snowcapped mountains, bathed in morning light.

The powdered caps mean just one thing for Tim Dick — it’s going to be a cold walk to school.

But the young boy can’t help but

Meet Tim Dick — once Denver native, now Hollywood star.

You might know him better as Tim Allen, the star of Home Improvement, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, the face of Santa Claus.

Here in Denver, though, a lucky few know him as Tim Dick, the neighborhood boy who shared the same birthday as the twins down the street. Almost 50 years later, a part of him is still Tim Dick — and that part comes home every now and then.

TIM DICK: THE BOY Tim Allen always wanted to see the words I’m a Dick in print.

That’s because Allen will tell you with sincere honesty: “But my true love — my first love — will always “I’m a Dick.”

“In fact,” he says, be stand-up comedy. It’s just you, a microphone “my brothers are and an audience. It’s such a pure form.” Dicks, my cousins are Dicks, and relish the sight from his bedroom my sister — before she was window — or inhale one last whiff married — was a Dick. My dad? of melted plastic. There’s nothing One incredible Dick and the Dick responsible for me being a Dick.” like the smell of burnt Styrene in There’s even Uncle Richard — the morning.

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Above: Allen in character as Mike Baxter in Last Man Standing with TV daughter Eve Baxter played by Kaitlyn Dever.

“a double Dick” — but let’s not stray too far off topic.

Back to Timothy Alan Dick, born June 13, 1953, in our Mile High City.

Allen says he believes his name helped create his life — or at least the sense of humor needed to cope with being the punch line of childhood jokes. Those low blows, pun intended, taught him an important lesson. “We have the power over words. Not the other way around,” Allen writes in his autobiography, I’m Not Really Here.

So Allen began making his own punch lines. Still, it would be a long time before he would belt out a series of animal-like grunts that would help America define manliness.

Back then, Mrs. Boyle — Mom of the Neighborhood Twins — was still reading him stories. It was those fanciful stories, told at the Boyle cabin, that helped deepen Allen’s love for words.

“She used to read us stories that really sparked the

Paul Smith/Featureflash

Photo courtesy ABC

Allen celebrates a win for favorite actor in a comedy for Home Improvement at the TV Guide Awards on Feb. 1, 1999.

Allen appears on Good Morning America with George Stephanopoulos to promote Last Man Standing on Jan. 31, 2013.

imagination,” Allen says in a Denver Hotel Magazine interview.

“Her stories were wonderful and scary and unforgettable.”

Then, suddenly, Allen’s own childhood story shifted tragically.

On Nov. 23, 1964, Allen’s father, Gene Dick, was killed in an auto collision with a drunk driver.

Allen was just 11.

The Denver chapter of Tim’s life came to an end when his mother remarried, wedding her high-school sweetheart, Bill. She packed up her six children to join his three in Birmingham, Mich., a Detroit suburb. The only thing missing from the Brady Bunch equation was a maid named Alice and a very huge chunk of Allen’s heart.

“I wonder where I’d be in life if he’d stayed around,” Allen wrote in I’m Not Really Here.

Maybe he’d still be Tim Dick.

TIM ALLEN: THE MAN Allen’s life on stage started out as a dare.

After graduating from Western

Michigan University, Allen could wield colored pencils and paintbrushes just as impressively as he could a punch line. Following graduation, Allen took a job as a creative director for a Detroit advertising firm. There, a friend challenged him to make his first stand-up appearance at Detroit’s Comedy Castle in 1979. He still hangs on to a tile he chipped out of the comedy room floor.

Shortly after, Allen received a spot on a local talk show. “The producers came up to me and carefully said, ‘Um, we don’t feel comfortable flashing your name on screen. Surely, you understand. You know, Tim — Dick? People will think you made it up to be funny,’ ” Allen recalls on his website, timallen.com.

He wanted to be a comedian so much, he removed Dick right then and there. In that instant, Tim Allen was born.

Comedic acts turned into commercials; commercials turned into sitcoms; sitcoms turned into movies. Allen even penned two

books. (What can we say — he’s a man of many talents.)

His sitcom career took off in 1991 when he starred in his own hit TV series, Home Improvement.

Allen played Tim Taylor, a mishapprone host of a home repair show.

During its first season, the sitcom broke into the Nielsen Top 10, moving up to No. 1 in 1993.

Allen then appeared on the big screen, starring in top-grossing Disney movie The Santa Clause.

Following that, he lent his voice to Toy Story, Disney/Pixar’s computer-animated hit.

Somehow during all that, Allen managed to find time to write his first book, Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, a revealing look into male behavior. The book topped The New York Times’ best-seller list in 1994, propelling him to an unprecedented trifecta with the No. 1 rated TV show, the No. 1 box-office movie and the No. 1 best-selling book — all in the same week.

We asked Allen, after tapping into so many mediums, does

he have a favorite? “Truthfully, each different job has its own attraction,” Allen says. “I really enjoy voiceover work, like Buzz Lightyear. It demands a lot of imagination.”

Thanks, Mrs. Boyle.

“I love doing sitcoms because you get to build a character over time. There’s an evolution to it. Besides, nothing beats the intimacy of receiving laughter and feedback from a studio audience.”

Plus, it’s a 9-to-5 job. Hello, family every night.

“And I really like the pace and focus of movie acting. There’s an intensity packed into just a few months. It’s kind of like going to summer camp. It’s a new location away from home. You form bonds with friends, and it’s kind of sad when it’s over.

“But my true love — my first love, will always be standup comedy. It’s just you, a microphone and an audience. It’s such a pure form, I don’t even consider it a medium. It’s a large.

Maybe even an extra large.”

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s_bukley / Shutterstock.com Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Allen with wife Jane Hajduk at the world premiere of Wild Hogs on Feb. 27, 2007.

Allen at the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 15, 2007.

MIKE BAXTER: OUTDOORSMAN Now, Allen is back in evolution mode with his latest ABC sitcom, Last Man Standing. In the sitcom, which wrapped up its second season in March, Allen stars as Mike Baxter, the marketing director of a Denver sportinggoods store. The sitcom marks his

obsesses over things like hunting gear and four-wheelers. (Insert manly grunt here.)

“There is definitely a lot of Mike Baxter in me,” Allen tells the magazine. “I like outdoor machines — 4x4s, snowmobiles, motorcycles and wood boats.

Come on — what guy doesn’t love outdoor equipment?”

The Mike Baxter “In many ways, work and activities define men in Allen loves taking hikes, while the Tim as men, but it’s the interaction with women that Dick in Allen loves define us as something quite deeper.” mountain views from his Grand Lake cabin most recent creative return to the — another Colorado connection.

But don’t let all this smog-free Mile High City. air fool you — there’s still a part Allen revisited Denver’s of Allen, a big part, that relates Cranmer Park, modeling some best to Tim Taylor and his love of the Last Man Standing sets for exhaust. Allen finds solace in after the very park where he played Little League football as a the garage, dubbing it “a creative center” in his second book, I’m Wolfpack Ranger.

While Allen’s character, Mike, Not Really Here.

“Some of today’s greatest is the king at work, he’s the odd companies began in the garage,” man out at home in a houseful Allen writes. “The Ford Motor of women. Instead of obsessing over power tools, like Tim Taylor Company, Delta Airplanes, Apple Computers and more than a few on Home Improvement, Allen

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great rock-and-roll bands. There’s something spiritual about this place. Maybe it’s the size of the door or all the machines inside.

Maybe it’s the work area or the tools or the smell of grease.”

One of the first cars Allen worked on was a VW-based dune buggy. Since then, Tim has done everything from building hotrods from the frame up to designing fancy Cadillacs with enough horsepower to make even young Tim Dick belt out a manly grunt.

If it’s on wheels, it’s worth souping up, and wheelchairs are no exception. In 2002, Allen helped create the Dragonfly wheelchair for his niece, Megan, who is unable to walk unassisted because she has cerebral palsy.

“When she was young, I promised I would help design and build a new wheelchair for her,” Allen says on his website.

“And kids remember promises.”

So Allen kept his promise, delivering the Dragonfly, a metallic orange wheelchair complete with anodized

Jorg Hackemann / Shutterstock.com Photo courtesy ABC

Left: Allen appears on Good Morning America on Jan. 31, 2013, promoting Last Man Standing.

Right: Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 24, 2012.

aluminum foot pads, black perforated leather upholstery and four-wheel engineering designed to negotiate sand, snow and mud.

Think four-wheel drive on a rocky summit in the backcountry of Colorado.

TIM ALLEN: THE DAD There’s something else the reallife Allen shares with Mike Baxter — and Tim Taylor, for that matter.

Allen goes by the name Dad. In real life, he has two daughters, a 23-year-old, Kady, from his first marriage, and a 3-year-old, Elizabeth, with wife Jane Hajduk. On the TV set, he’s managed to father six kids altogether — fictional ones, of course.

“Being an on-screen father is a much safer proposition,” Allen tells Denver Hotel Magazine. “I get to offer sage words of advice to my on-screen kids, carefully driven by a great writing staff. At home, the writers seem to be on

a coffee break — can’t find them anywhere — so I have to wing it on my own. It’s often a hit-or-miss process but always driven by love.”

So much love, in fact, he once ate a dog treat — a red one — in hopes of soliciting a giggle out of his oldest daughter.

“I told her I could eat a dog bone. She didn’t believe me,” Allen recalls in I’m Not Really Here. “So I bit off a hunk, chewed and swallowed. Her eyes lit up, she grinned, then flipped out and started crying. So I did the only thing I could do — I licked the tears from Kady’s face, nuzzled up against her and everything was fine.”

Had Kady been a boy, Allen might have predicted her reaction a little better — most boys would have asked to sample the treat, too. Since then, though, the father of two has realized something important about the female kind.

“Men are outwardly gaseous and happy to be so,” Allen tells the magazine. “Women, not so much.”

Meanwhile, after playing Tim

Dick, Tim Taylor, Mike Baxter and plain-old Dad, Allen has discovered the secret ingredient to true manliness.

“I seem to be surrounded by women at home, in my job, in my world,” Allen says. “In many ways, work and activities define men as men, but it’s the interaction with women that define us as something quite deeper.”

Maybe that explains some of his newest passions in life — growing tomatoes, tea parties (with his daughter) and dress shopping (for his wife).

Hey, salt and peppering your own homegrown tomatoes is manly. You just have to do it with a grunt.

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’ n ti ’ n t i i tt i H H r d a H d r Ha Denver’s Rocky Mountain Rollergirls don’t pull punches on or off the track.

Photographer Dave Wood captures the league’s intense competitive spirit.

WRITTEN BY AMY SPEER PHOTOS BY DAVE WOOD

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Rocky Mountain Rollergirl’s “Whipity Pow” crouches down in preparation for a bout.

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sing rich blacks and stark whites, photographer Dave Wood captures the blur of bodies, the cry of victory, the look of determination. With the click of his camera and the aid of some strategically placed studio lights, Wood crouches daringly close to the action. Ten charging women surge past him, hungrily staring down victory.

Welcome to Denver, a city that has produced two of the top 10 flat-track roller-derby leagues in the world — the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls and the Denver Roller Dolls.

This will be Wood’s fourth year photographing roller derby. What started out as a hobby turned into an art — much like the sport he captures with his camera.

His black-and-white photos are empowering — a stunning mix of action, emotion and booty shorts.

Wood showcased his work, The Art of Roller Derby Photography, in a spring exhibit featuring Denver photography at Herman’s Hideaway, a trendy concert venue on south Broadway. The photo exhibit flaunted a fleet of powerful women — a new breed of Denver athlete.

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HEELS TO WHEELS Meagan Griesel beams a friendly smile in her company portrait.

She’s the director of marketing at Fuller Sotherby’s International Realty and the perfect picture of professionalism, sporting pixielike bangs, a 100-watt smile and a smart business suit.

But come evening, the 36-yearold is known to trade in her pumps for skates, her panty hose for knee-highs and her kneelength skirt for bottom-hugging shorts. Griesel has a little bit of an alter-ego when it comes to roller derby. She doesn’t change in a phone booth or anything like that — but goes by “Poison Divey,” the league’s “red-headed super villain.”

Don’t let roller derby stereotypes fool you, though. You won’t catch Griesel in a pink tutu.

Pink fluff is almost taboo among the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls, a league made up of uniform-wearing, practiceattending, die-hard athletes. In fact, the Denver league beat out 158 other leagues for a 2010 national title in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

“If you wear a tutu, you don’t look intimidating,” Griesel says.

Photographer Dave Wood captures the fast-paced action of Rocky Mountain Rollergirl jammer “Ho J Simpson.”

“Besides, tutus seem like they would get in the way.”

A lack of pink isn’t all that makes these women intimidating.

MEET THE UNDERTAKER’S DAUGHTER Meghan Dougherty, known on the track as the “Undertaker’s Daughter,” is a self-described 5'5", curvy woman who likes to hit extremely hard. “It’s exhilarating knocking people down,” Dougherty says. “And I’m not easy to knock down, either.”

Roller derby is a contact sport in which both teams designate a scoring player — the jammer — who tries to score points by lapping opposing players. The teams assist their own jammer while hindering the opposing jammer. In short, it’s like a cat fight on wheels.

“We skate fast. We hit hard.

There’s something about watching a female sport that is so physical,” Dougherty says — one that gives the 46-year-old soccer mom a little edge when it comes to running her own public relations company.

With roller derby, there’s a lot of contact. It’s a lot like football, or hockey, and that’s why I like photographing it.

— Dave Wood, photographer

“There are advantages to letting clients know I have a competitive nature,” Dougherty says. “Roller derby requires aggressiveness and sportsmanship — and a certain amount of risk taking. There are definitely elements of competition that have their place in business.”

When it comes to this group of women, though, the track unleashes a whole new level of competitiveness.

“With roller derby, there’s a lot of contact. It’s a lot like football, or hockey, and that’s why I like photographing it,” Wood says.

“With roller derby, though, I can get right up there with my camera and light the track just like I would a portrait. In the end, I get something that’s very artistic.”

Study the photos long enough, and you’ll see it, too. There’s something beautiful in their hunger for victory. But don’t tell that to any of these Rollergirls.

You might as well slap a pink tutu on yourself and ask one of them to knock you down.

Rocky Mountain’s “Urrk’n Jerk’n” jams at the 2010 WFTDA Championship Tournament in Chicago.

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Rocky Mountain’s “Sweet Mary Pain” gets an assist from the jersey of “Frida Beater” as she tries to pass Oly’s “Sassy” at the 2012 WFTDA West Region Playoffs.

It’s exhilarating knocking people down.

And I’m not easy to knock down, either.

— Meghan Dougherty, A.K .A. Undertaker’s Daughter

“Alpha Q. Up”

“Poison Divey”

“Eve L Genius”

“QuaranTina”

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Skaters warm up at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver for a June 2012 bout in which the Rollergirls beat Kansas City.

WATCH THE ACTION

It takes more than just a pair of skates to become a Rocky Mountain Rollergirl. There are camps, tryouts, practices, scrimmages, team bouts — and then finally — you might just get to play in one of five big Fillmore bouts.

The 100-player league is made up of five home teams and two travel teams with a 10-month season that extends into November.

Rollergirls practice Monday through Thursday, and players are required to attend a minimum of eight practices a month.

On Sundays, there are league scrimmages. So in short, if you decide to watch a bout, get ready to watch some serious skaters with one very serious schedule.

UPCOMING BOUT JUNE 1 The Fillmore Auditorium 1510 Clarkson St.

5280 Fight Club vs.

Mile High Club BOUT 1:

Contenders vs.

Bruising Altitude BOUT 2:

Fillmore bout tickets are available at rockymountainrollergirls.com.

Adult ticket prices range from $17 to $24.

SUNDAY BLOOD SUNDAY

EVERY SUNDAY, 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M. 5725 E. 39th Ave.

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?

You can order 2x3" prints from Dave’s Roller Derby Printette collection. Each printette is printed on paper three times the thickness of a normal business card, making each print a miniature piece of art. Signed by Wood, each image is assigned a unique number with no duplicates in the first collection. The first collection is nearly sold out, but additional collections are planned for the future. To learn more about the collection, or to order full-sized prints, visit davewoodphotography.com.

To check out a laid-back scrimmage, fans are invited to attend Sunday scrimmages, dubbed Sunday Blood Sunday by the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls.

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Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

CALENDAR

JUNE 5

Sting

Red Rocks Amphitheatre From his early hits with The Police (“Roxanne,” “Message in a Bottle”) to a rich catalog of his solo material (“If I Ever Lose My Faith in You”), the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer never stops. He brings his amazing music back to Denver for an early summer show.

The Who, What and Where

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TDC Photography / Shutterstock.com

Denver’s cornucopia of cultural events spans varieties that suit every visitor’s taste. DHM whittles it down to the best of Mile High’s offerings.

ENTERTAINMENT

saluted through his music as heard in films such as E.T., Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, Schindler’s List and more.

MAY 1–5

Mary Poppins Buell Theatre

are spotlighted on their latest tour with Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

Daniels Hall

The allure of Spain blends with the excitement of genuine Gypsy flamenco dance, music and wardrobe changes in this gorgeous performance. The concert is Stevie Nicks produced and choreographed by the internationally known JUNE 2 flamenco guitarist.

Taylor Swift Pepsi Center

Béla Fleck

Boettcher Concert Hall The native New Yorker received his first banjo at age 15 and today is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most pioneering and technically proficient players.

The Grammy-winning Fleck’s inventive melding of bluegrass, improvisational jazz, pop and rock is in a class all by itself.

MAY 4

Birth of Rock and Roll Ballet

Prince

Ogden Theater The songwriter, musician and actor has produced 10 platinum albums and sold 80 million releases worldwide during his show business career. Few artists have crossed so many genres as effortlessly and for as many years as the talented international icon.

Pepsi Center

She was a huge hit on the Lilith Fair tours, and her songs dot the landscape of movies (Vanilla Sky) and TV (Grey’s Anatomy). The English singer brings her unique folktronica style of music and acoustic songs to the stage.

As one of the world’s preeminent film composers of the past half-century, Williams is

What’s up, Doc? Bugs and friends are back in Denver by popular demand. Enjoy classic Looney Tunes projected on the big screen while exhilarating, unforgettable original scores are played live.

MAY 27

It’s the story of the music and cultural shift that occurred from swing to boogie-woogie to early R&B to the birth of rock and roll told through the eyes of a young musician seeking fame and fortune with dancing and live music by Gossamer Winds and Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.

Pikes Peak Center (Colorado Springs)

Boettcher Concert Hall

JUNE 5

Parker Arts, Culture & Events Center

An Evening of John Williams, Colorado Springs Philharmonic

Warner Bros. presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

Prince

Beth Orton

MAY 10

JUNE 2

Bluebird Theater

JUNE 1

Fleetwood Mac Pepsi Center

What began as a standard ’60s British blues outfit blossomed into one of the world’s top rock groups. The Mac’s megahits span five decades; many of the songs

Tim McGraw

JUNE 18–19

Tony Bennett

Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street Pop songs, jazz standards, show tunes and more, few people on the planet can own a song quite like the native New Yorker. Since he hit the scene in 1951, he’s won 17 Grammys and a pair of Emmys, and sold 50 millions records worldwide. Tony Bennett is an American treasure.

JUNE 21

Bill O’Reilly & Dennis Miller Buell Theater

Political feathers will fly! Little is off limits when the conservative Fox News talk show host and the former SNL player take the stage with their firebrand observations and swipes on politics.

Andrea Bocelli The bearded tenor with a heavenly voice comes to Denver for a tour-de-force concert event.

As the biggest-selling solo artist in the history of classical music, the Italian singer has attained international acclaim for his performances.

JUNE 15

Tim McGraw

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre (Englewood) The talented man in the omnipresent cowboy hat has had 11 consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard albums charts and 21 hit singles. “Don’t

Charles Edwards / Shutterstock.com

MAY 3

The sassy young singer has firmly established herself as one of the biggest names in the country.

With 25 million albums and seven Grammys, the 23-year-old star continues to skyrocket.

Northfoto / Shutterstock.com

Photo Deen Van Meer

MAY 12–13

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

René Heredia

Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com

MAY 11

One of Walt Disney’s most beloved movies is also a Broadway musical touring the country.

Experience an enchanting mixture of unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing staging that makes the evening soar. It’s nothing short of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Mary Poppins

Take the Girl,” “I Like It, I Love It,” and “Grown Men Don’t Cry” are all country standards.

Dennis Miller

JUNE 21–22

Dan Fogelberg Tribute Boulder Theater

Crackerjack musicians Kenny Luna, John DeCrenza and Sheldon Felich join forces to perform the music of the late soft rocker for two concerts benefiting the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

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accomplished banjo player.

Martin and his crack band push the boundaries of folk.

Justin Bieber

JULY 12

Steve Earle

Boulder Theater The Texas-born songwriter helped define outlaw music, grinding out edgy songs including “Copperhead Road” and “Guitar Town.” Earle continues to influence artists with his poetic lyrics and country sound.

JULY 18

jo Crebbin / Shutterstock.com

This pop star is enjoying huge success on a blockbuster tour. His new music signals a shift from tween to young adult with strong beats and dazzling rhythms.

Concerts feature early hits like “Baby” to current tracks such as “All Around the World.”

Steve Martin

ARTS AND CULTURE THROUGH JUNE 30

Edgar Degas, Beyond the Ballerinas Foothills Art Center (Golden)

Enjoy this extraordinary and rarely viewed exhibition, which presents a unique selection of drawings, prints and photographs by the illustrious French artist.

Exhibit includes workshops and family activities as well.

Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna Pepsi Center

Welcome to a mysterious island ruled by goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. In classic Cirque du Soleil fashion, this new creation features incredible costumes, stirring music and acrobatic feats to tingle the senses.

Kenny Chesney, Eric Church & Eli Young Band Sports Authority Field at Mile High

This monster lineup features some of country music’s reigning superstars. Fourteen out of Chesney’s 15 albums have gone gold. Church’s “Drink in My Hand” and “Springsteen” are both No. 1 hits.

JULY 20

Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers

Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield Before he was a wild and crazy guy, the Texas native was an 54

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Colorado MahlerFest XXVI

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

One hundred-plus musicians come together from all over the world for a week of music making, drawn together by their passion for Gustav Mahler’s legendary music. It’s a tradition for Colorado’s classical-music lovers.

MAY 18

U.S. Army Chorus with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Boettcher Concert Hall

coloradoshakes.org

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Richard II, Women of Will and more compose this summer’s exciting schedule of performance.

JUNE 9–SEPTEMBER 22

Nick Cave: Sojourn Denver Art Museum

Taking visitors on a magical journey, approximately 40 new works and more than 20 new Soundsuits will be shown.

Cave’s multisensory, immersive installation transports viewers to a different world of color, texture, sound and movement.

America’s professional men’s military chorus presents everything from classical masterpieces to popular favorites. JUNE 26–JULY 14 Joined by the Colorado Symphony Traces Orchestra and Chorus, they will Buell Theater hit many patriotic chords.

Combining acrobatics with infectious energy, this modern circus is infused with the energy of street performance. The artists employ dance, skateboarding, basketball and high-risk gymnastics in a heart-stopping show that brings audiences to the edge of their seats.

JUNE 28–JULY 26

Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival Les Misérables Heads of a Man and Woman, Edgar Degas

JULY 20

JUNE 7–AUGUST 11

Macky Auditorium, CU Boulder mahlerfest.org

JUNE 30 Pepsi Center

MAY 15–19

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 8

Rocky Mountain Majesty: The Paintings of Charles Partridge Adams Denver Art Museum

The renowned landscape painter was active during the late 1800s and early 1900s. This marks the first time that Adams’ paintings will be displayed together at a major art museum; the DAM will be the sole venue for this exhibition that highlights some of the greatest paintings of Colorado.

MAY 22–26

Les Misérables Buell Theatre

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (Vail) vailmusicfestival.org

This festival aims to foster public appreciation of the performing arts. This season’s classical concerts include: Dallas Symphony Orchestra (June 28–July 4); Philadelphia Orchestra (July 5–13); New York Philharmonic (July–19-26).

Based on Victor Hugo’s sweeping novel set in early 19th-century France, it tells the story of peasant Jean Valjean and his quest for redemption after serving nearly 20 years in jail for having stolen a loaf JUNE 30 of bread to feed a starving family.

Colorado Symphony Orchestra, MAY 31–JUNE 1

OZ The Wonderful Wizard Broomfield Auditorium

Danse Etoile Ballet’s take on the classic story is both original and colorful. This beautifully choreographed rendition brings new energy to the beloved tale by author L. Frank Baum.

Sounds of Summer

Salida Steamplant, Riverside Park Get a full symphonic experience with over 80 musicians playing a concert to delight all ages. The special performance includes everything from patriotic numbers to songs of summertime and other all-American favorites.

JULY 7

Josh Groban, Colorado Symphony Orchestra Red Rocks Amphitheatre

With his blissful voice and rockstar good looks, the performer is one of the world’s best-known pop and classical singers. Groban’s versions of seasonal carols and stirring duets with artists ranging from Faith Hill to Brian McKnight have become classics.

FESTIVALS, PARADES AND EXPOS Mile High Beer Festival

Colorado Convention Center This beer-bonding experience features dozens of brands from some of the best brewers in the nation. All general admission tickets include a taster cup, unlimited tastings, live music and more all within Denver’s Theater District.

FOOD, BEER & WINE

JULY 12–14

JUNE 8

River Run Village (Keystone Resort) keystoneresort.com

Festival Plaza at Infinity Park (Glendale) winecolorado.org More than three dozen Colorado wineries will get together for the grand tasting of Colorado Wine Week, serving up samples alongside the best flavors of the Denver restaurant scene.

JUNE 8–9

Taste of Fort Collins Civic Center Park tasteoffortcollins.com

Fun family entertainment, fabulous foods and kid-friendly attractions happen at this event just north of the Denver area.

JUNE 22–23

Colorado Brewers’ Festival Downtown Fort Collins downtownfortcollins.com

This event brings the community together to celebrate and sample over 60 Colorado beers representing 40 breweries from all over the state. Meet the brewers and enjoy two stages of top-notch Colorado music.

MAY 25

Cinco de Mayo Festival &Parade

Day of Rock

Downtown Denver denverdayofrock.com

Civic Center Park cincodemayodenver.com

Five sensational stages feature live music throughout the downtown area. It’s a one-of-a-kind music event designed to raise awareness for a variety of children’s issues in the Denver community.

Spice up your weekend with this Cinco de Mayo celebration. There are arts and crafts, mariachi bands and colorfully costumed dancers on various stages. Enjoy traditional and contemporary entertainment plus a delicious variety of culinary delights.

MAY 31–JUNE 2

Denver Comic Con

Keystone Wine & Jazz Festival Wines, seminars and jazz ensembles fuel this annual event in the heart of Keystone. Learn about different regions and nuances of flavors. Enrich your knowledge, discover which wines and foods harmonize with your selections, and enjoy live music from national jazz musicians.

JULY 13

Breckenridge Beer Festival Downtown Breckenridge breckenridgebeerfestival.com

Attendance has grown every year for this seventh-annual sampling event. It also features live music and draws a wide range of people, from beer aficionados to families enjoying the brews and the spectacular views.

JULY 25–27

Snowmass Culinary & Arts Festival

Snowmass Village snowmassculinaryandarts.com Foodies, wine connoisseurs and art lovers unite for this culinary feast. Celebrity chefs, a juried art

Colorado Convention Center denvercomiccon.com miker / Shutterstock.com

Colorado Urban Winefest

MAY 4–5

Join the annual showcase for comic books, science fiction, fantasy, film, TV and pop arts.

Guests include Spider-Man creator Stan Lee and actor Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation).

MAY 18–19

Jazz Fest and Art Walk Estes Park estesparkcvb.com

Artwork on display is complemented by sounds of breezy jazz. The festival features stellar lineups presenting music with historic roots and contemporary sounds. Eight jazz groups with two headlining acts perform over the two-day event.

Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

JUNE 27–30

Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

Josh Groban

photobank.ch / Shutterstock.com

exhibit, food and presentation expert panels, specialty foods paired with wines and spirits, all set in the scenic splendor of the Rocky Mountains.

Stan Lee

MAY 24–26

Downtown Denver Arts Festival Denver Performing Arts Complex denvercenter.org

Since ’99, this annual arts and crafts festival has been dedicated to supporting Colorado artists while also showcasing national talent. The free event welcomes some 150,000 people each year.

JUNE 1

Capitol Hill People’s Fair Civic Center Park chundenver.com

This free summer festival began in 1971 and is sponsored by the Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods. It features arts and crafts, live music and foodand-drink vendors.

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Do at the Zoo Denver Zoo

The evening highlights Denver’s best restaurants and entertainment at one of its wildest local venues. Be ready to get your green on for this eco event and help raise funds to support the zoo’s sustainable practices.

JUNE 1–2

Denver Chalk Festival Larimer Square denverchalkart.com

Talented artists compete each year in this street festival. Witness the next Picasso or Van Gogh hard at work when more than 200 area artists occupy Larimer Square to create temporary masterpieces on local sidewalks.

JULY 5–7

Breckenridge July Art Festival Main Street Station (Breckenridge)

JUNE 22

Westword Music Showcase Golden Triangle Neighborhood

Listen to 150 local bands on 13 stages including acts Dada Life, Trampled by Turtles, Nick Waterhouse, P.O.S., My Body Sings Electric and more. dashingstock / Shutterstock.com

Denver Chalk Festival

entertainment, cuisine, arts and crafts, plus exhibits and demonstrations. The festival culminates with the traditional Obon odori danced outside amid Denver’s glittering cityscape.

JUNE 22–23

Cherry Blossom Festival Sakura Matsuri (LoDo)

Since 1972, the festival has celebrated Japanese-American heritage and culture with live

JULY 3

Independence Eve Celebration Civic Center Park

Enjoy a free concert by The Colorado Symphony, an innovative light show set against the City and County Building and a stunning fireworks finale.

The event is ranked one of the top art shows in the country.

It offers a wide range of art mediums such as painting, metal, wood, glass, ceramics, sculpture, photography and jewelry.

JULY 18–21

Underground Music Showcase Baker Neighborhood

This unique event features bands, DJs, comedians and singer-songwriters, all within a few blocks along Broadway. It’s a place to not only hear established

JULY 20–21

performers, but also enjoy those who are about to break.

Past performers include The Lumineers, DeVotchKa and Isaac Slade of The Fray.

Summerfest

Mat Hayward / Shutterstock.com

Bergen Park (Evergreen)

The Lumineers

JULY 19–21

Mid Summer Festival Bond Park (Estes Park)

Hear local bands while sampling food and beverages from various booths. Plus: see local arts and crafts and enjoy activities for the kids including a dunk tank, games, jumping castle and more.

live music, a car show, a golf tournament, food and vendors and more.

The two-day festival features a selection of gallery-quality fineart and crafts chosen by a jury process. There is also a Global Children’s Village to engage younger visitors, performances by local favorites and a beer and wine garden to complement the selections of cuisine.

JULY 24–28

Buffalo Bill Days Golden buffalobilldays.com

This community event dates back to the 1940s when it consisted of a trail ride up Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill’s grave.

Today, it remains the largest community festival in Golden.

Activities include the Best of the West Parade, Muttin’ Bustin’,

JULY 27–28

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Sloan’s Lake Park

Build bridges of awareness, knowledge and understanding between Asian American communities and the public. This annual event offers visual, culinary and performing arts, crafts, cultural education and athletic competition.

JULY 26–28

Evergreen Jazz Festival Evergreen evergreenjazz.org

Enjoy jazz in five distinctive, intimate venues ranging from a church to a bar and grill, which each gives audiences a delightful variety of up-close-and-personal listening experiences. Top-notch musicians perform in the 13thannual edition of the festival.

RECREATION & THE GREAT OUTDOORS MAY 11

The Barkin’ Dog Duathalon Cherry Creek State Park racingunderground.com

This race serves as the unofficial season opener for Colorado multisport athletes and as the first race in the 2013 Mile High Duathalon Series. It attracts top pros as well as first-time multisport athletes.

CALENDAR

Coming Soon!

Memorial Day

Weekend

MAY 12

Mother’s Day 5K Denver’s City Park mothersday5k.com

Celebrate Mom at this annual event. Ladies can run, walk, or stroll during a day of activity the entire family will enjoy. All participants receive admission to the Denver Zoo on Mother’s Day and enjoy a post-race party.

Friday, May 24 through

Monday, May 27 100% Colorado Art, Music & Style

Glenarm Place & the 16th Street Mall

Downtown Denver

MAY 18

$10,000 Trout Tournament Aurora Reservoir

Guaranteed big bucks to the angler who catches the largest trout (by weight) during the contest. Other prizes will be awarded including one for first fish caught.

MAY 31–JUNE 2

Elephant Rock Cycling Festival

JUNE 15

Midnight Bicycle Ride

Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs) trailsandopenspaces.org Wild costumes, blinking bike lights and other flashy, latenight add-ons make this ride an exercise in pure fun. With 14- to 22-mile routes through downtown and neighboring Colorado City, including plenty of pit stops, this race is less about gutting out a first-place finish and more about just having a good time.

JUNE 22

Night Fishing at Aurora Reservoir Anglers have asked for it, and now the opportunity to fish by the light of the full moon under a star-filled sky is here. The $30 cost also includes dinner.

JUNE 26–30

Douglas County Fairgrounds (Castle Rock) Crested Butte Bike Week Canon City, Buena Vista, Carbondale, elephantrockride.com Paonia, Crested Butte, Salida, Canon City Riders of all ages turn out for one bicycletourcolorado.com of the first races of the season, The world’s oldest mountain-bike which features road and dirt festival includes road biking, a courses that run from seven to cruiser bike tour and downhill 100 miles. The real fun is at the and cross-country racing. There afterparty, with a picnic lunch, are options for all levels and cycling expo, music and prizes. types of riders throughout the weekend.

JUNE 8–15

Ride the Rockies

Telluride to Colorado Springs ridetherockies.com The Denver Post sponsors this annual tour that features a trio of scenic-mountain passes and a trek over America’s highest suspension bridge over seven days and 500 miles. Cyclists begin their journey in picturesque Telluride and ascend Lizard Head, Wolf Creek and Poncha Pass before finishing in Colorado Springs.

JULY 10

Pearl Street Mile

Boulder boulderdowntown.com The signature event of the Downtown Boulder Race Series also includes a half-mile race for kids. Check out the bands on the bricks to relax, enjoy local music and bask in the glow of your fitness accomplishment.

JULY 19–21 and 26–28

appearances on Comedy Central, Morgan is one of the best comic actors around. His impressions of showbiz types, ranging from Mike Tyson and Mr. T to Star Jones and Aretha Franklin are sidesplitting.

Rocky Mountain State Games Colorado Springs coloradospringssports.org

COMEDY QUICK HITS

This multisport festival is for people of all ages and athletic abilities including those with physical disabilities or visual impairment. The games offer competition in 35 sports staged along the Front Range.

JULY 21

Double Road Race Denver City Park doubleroadracedenver.com

Participants run two road races (a 10K and a 5K) all on the same day. Events also include: Denver Road Mile Run/Walk, Bob Anderson’s Kids Cup Mile, and the Double Road Race Denver.

THE REEL DEAL

MAY 8

Aziz Ansari Macky Auditorium CU (Boulder)

MAY 9

Katie Goodman Boulder Theater

MAY 9–11

Mike Birbiglia Comedy Works (Larimer Square)

MAY 9–11

Paul Hooper Loonees (Colorado Springs)

MAY 9–11

Jay Mohr Comedy Works (Landmark)

MAY 10

Maria Bamford Oriental Theater

MAY 16–18

COMEDY

Chris D’Elia Comedy Works (Larimer Square)

MAY 17

MAY 31–JUNE 1

Ron White Buell Theater

Kevin Nealon

MAY 17–18

Comedy Works (Landmark)

Harland Williams Comedy Works (Landmark)

His characters on SNL and roles on Weeds, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Anger Management are magic.

Nealon stays in top comic shape doing stand-up around the country. His shows are hilarious.

MAY 23–25

Alysia Wood Loonees (Colorado Springs)

MAY 23–26

Anjelah Johnson Comedy Works (Downtown)

MAY 24–26 DL Hughley The Improv

Get great savings on all kinds of gear and awesome guided adventures.

• Specializing in factory closeouts and merchandise specials - on quality items!

• All kinds of fishing gear • Shop on line or in person • Fly fishing trips • Big game hunts

JUNE 1

Daniel Tosh Bellco Theater

JUNE 7–9

Lavell Crawford The Improv

Scott Dressel-Martin

JUNE 7–8

Kevin Nealon

JUNE 15

Tracy Morgan

Paramount Theater Best known for his outrageous sketches on SNL, role on NBC’s 30 Rock, and numerous

George Lopez Paramount Theater

JUNE 14–15

Jim Belushi and the Chicago Board of Comedy Comedy Works (Landmark)

Tackle Where the big one never gets away.

JUNE 21–23 Bruce Bruce The Improv

JULY 3, 5–7

Dan St. Germain Comedy Works (Larimer Square)

JULY 11–13

Kyle Kinane Comedy Works (Larimer Square)

2645 S. Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80223 Open every day at 9 a.m.

303-698-2550 (local-Denver) 1-866-367-3597 (toll-free) www.fortackle.com

JULY 26–27

Brad Wollack Comedy Works (Landmark)

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Colorado Rapids Soccer

CALENDAR

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Commerce City) coloradorapids.com May 4 May 25 June 1 June 15 July 4 July 7 July 17 July 27

vs. Toronto FC vs. Chivas USA vs. FC Dallas vs. San Jose vs. New York vs. D.C. United vs. New England vs. Los Angeles

Photo Works / Shutterstock.com

Beelde Photography / Shutterstock.com

SPORTS

NASCAR

Colorado National Speedway (Dacono) coloradospeedway.com May 4

May 11 May 18 May 25 May 26 June 1

June 8 June 15 June 16 June 22 June 29 July 5

July 6 July 13 July 20 July 21 July 27

SLM SS LEG TR Circle Drags LM GAM PS F8 SLM MC SS LEG XT LM 50 PT GAM TR SLM SPECIAL, MC LEG F8 SLM PT SS DX Circle Drags LM GAM MC F8 Car Show Jet Car & MT & Wando’s Monster Fest DX XT PT LEG 40 PS F8 SLM GAM SS SM PT 50 GAM 50 LEG F8 Circle Drags SLM SPECIAL LM LEG DX LM SS SM F8 SLM GAM MC PS TR Super Moto K & N Pro Series West 150 LM PT F8

Colorado Rockies Baseball Coors Field colorado.rockies.mlb.com

Golf Channel Am Tour CommonGround Classic CommonGround GC (Aurora)

May 3–5 vs. T.B. Devil Rays** May 7–9 vs. New York Yankees** May16–19 vs. San Francisco Giants May 29–30 vs. Houston Astros** May 31–June 2 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers June 6–9 vs. Was. Nationals June 14–16 vs. Philadelphia Phillies June 28–30 vs. San Francisco Giants July 2–4 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers July 19–21 vs. Chicago Cubs July 22–25 vs. Florida Marlins July 26–28 vs. Milwaukee Brewers ** Interleague Game

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DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

JUNE 17

7th Annual Drive for a Cure Valley CC (Arapahoe)

JUNE 18

29th Annual 1stBank Golf Tournament Omni Interlocken GC (Broomfield)

JUNE 21–23

CGA Public Links Championship Twin Peaks GC (Greenwood Village)

MAY 18

JUNE 29

Golf Channel Am Tour, Red Hawk Championship Red Hawk Ridge GC (Castle Rock)

JUNE 8

Golf Channel Am Tour, Highlands Ranch Open Highlands Ranch GC (Littleton)

Teeing off for Arapahoe House Golf Tournament Arrowhead GC (Littleton) Golf Channel Am Tour, Loveland Championship Mariana Butte GC (Loveland)

JUNE 17

Marriott CMN Golf Tournament Fossil Trace GC (Golden)

JUNE 10

JUNE 29

JUNE 10

JULY 12

Rocky Mountain USO Golf Classic Glenmoor CC (Cherry Hills Village) Hope Invitational and Ladies Hope Invitational Colorado GC (Parker)

JUNE 10

Parker Task Force 5th Annual Golf Tournament Spring Valley GC (Elizabeth) Photo Works / Shutterstock.com

U.S. Senior Open Sectional Qualifying Broadmoor GC (Colorado Springs)

JUNE 24

Golf Channel Amateur Tour, Loveland Championship Mariana Butte GC (Loveland) Art Tafoya Memorial Golf Tournament Valley Hi Golf Tournament (Colorado Springs)

JULY 13

Golf Channel Am Tour, Lone Tree Classic Lone Tree GC

JUNE 14–15

JULY 15

JUNE 15

JULY 27

CGA Senior Match Play Championship Blackstone CC (Aurora) Golf Channel Am Tour Vail Valley Open Eagle Ranch GC (Eagle)

JUNE 17

19th Annual Playing for Memory Golf Tournament Lakewood CC

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JUNE 17

MAY 18–19

Loveland Invitational The Olde Course at Loveland

Sports Authority Field at Mile High denveroutlaws.com vs. Boston Cannons vs. Rochester Rattlers vs. Hamilton Nationals vs. Ohio Machine vs. Charlotte Hounds vs. New York Lizards vs. Ches. Bayhawks

Got time to hit the links during your stay? Of course you do!

Enjoy rolling hills and moderate temps while stealing some time to enjoy one of these events, handselected by your DHM editors.

MAY 11

Denver Outlaws Lacrosse

May 18 May 31 June 8 June 22 June 29 July 4 July 27

Golf Events

Sertoma Charity Golf Event Pinehurst CC Golf Channel Am Tour, Highland Meadows Championship Highland Meadows GC (Windsor)

Come Celebrate

4th of July Weekend in Aspen, CO JULY 4 • 201R3ace & Family Walk

Boogie’s Buddy Scenic Aspen • 5 Mile Race in Certified • USATF & RRCA ic for 30 Years!

• An Aspen Class de ’s 4th of July Para • Stay for Aspen ountain Fireworks & Spectacular M

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Dance Party ogram Aspen’s Hottest efit the Buddy Pr en B to er is ra nd ants • Annual Fu en’s Top Restaur sp A y b es vr eu ’o • Hors d • Seated Dinner uctions ts today!

• Live & Silent A reserve your ticke – t ou ll se ill w t • This even

BuddyProgram.org 970.920.2130 110 East Hallam Street | Suite 125 | Aspen, Colorado 81611

Choose from a selection of more than 50 Colorado microbrews, all found under one roof.

That’s what’s great about it. If you prefer wine, we can answer that too by offering some of the region’s most unique vintages. And the fare? Perfectly designed for pairing.

So, whether it’s closing a deal or celebrating a small victory, you’ll definitely want to be here. PUB17 on Welton Street. The new stop, on your watch.

Sunset Magazine Editors’ Pick – 2013

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IntrodUCIng denver’S neWeSt PUB

concerts MAY 3 John Prine (Folk) Paramount Theatre MAY 3–4 Michael Martin Murphey, Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra (Western) Lone Tree Arts Center MAY 4 Chris Tomlin (Christian) Red Rocks Amphitheatre MAY 7 Ben Rector (Folk) Bluebird Theater MAY 8–10 Zac Brown Band (Country, Rock) Red Rocks Amphitheatre MAY 9 Jim James (of My Morning Jacket) (Rock) Ogden Theatre MAY 10–12 Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Colorado Symphony Orchestra (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall MAY 10 The Meter Men (Funk, Fusion) Ogden Theatre MAY 16 Digitalism (Electronic) Bluebird Theater MAY 17 Junior Brown (Country, Rock) Soiled Dove MAY 17 Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager (Country) Grizzly Rose MAY 18 Hot Tuna (acoustic show) (Folk, Rock) Boulder Theater MAY 18 Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Randy Houser, Joanna Smith (Country) Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre (Englewood) MAY 19 Holly Williams (Folk) Soiled Dove MAY 19 The Tenors (Pop, Classical) Paramount Theatre MAY 24–26 Colorado Symphony Orchestra, The Rite of Spring (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall MAY 24 Jonathan Butler (Gospel, Jazz) Soiled Dove

MAY 26 Randy Rogers Band, Casey Donahew Band (Country) Red Rocks Amphitheatre MAY 26 Jon Pardi (Country) Grizzly Rose MAY 28 Ludovico Einaudi and His Orchestra (Progressive) Boulder Theater MAY 30 The Postal Service (Electronic Pop) Red Rocks Amphitheatre MAY 31 Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Making of an American Symphony (Classical) Boettcher Concert Hall JUNE 6 Darius Rucker, Rodney Adkins, Jana Kramer (Country, Pop) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JUNE 7 They Might Be Giants (Rock) Ogden Theatre JUNE 7 Umphrey’s McGee (Rock) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JUNE 8 Lou Gramm (of Foreigner) (Rock) Spoiled Dove JUNE 8 Big Head Todd and the Monsters (Rock) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JUNE 9 Celtic Women (Irish) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JUNE 11 Pitbull, Ke$ha (Pop) Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre (Englewood) JUNE 13 Rachael Yamagata (Folk) Bluebird Theater JUNE 14 Peter Mulvey (Folk) Daniels Hall JUNE 14 Cory Morrow (Country) Grizzly Rose JUNE 14 DeVotchKa, Colorado Symphony Orchestra (Rock) Red Rocks Amphitheatre

JUNE 15 Greg Adams and East Bay Soul (Rock) Soiled Dove JUNE 15 Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grace Potter, JJ Grey (Rock, Blues) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JUNE 16 Firefall (Country Rock) Hudson Gardens (Littleton) JUNE 17 Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell (Country, Folk) Denver Botanic Gardens – York Street JUNE 19 Barenaked Ladies (Rock) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JUNE 21 Freddy Jones Band (Rock) Soiled Dove Underground JUNE 21 Phil Vassar (Country) Grizzly Rose JUNE 22 Woody Pines (Folk) Tuft Theatre JUNE 23 War (Rock, Funk) Hudson Gardens (Littleton) JUNE 23 Fall Out Boy (Rock) Ogden Theatre JUNE 27–30 Widespread Panic (Jam) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JUNE 30 38 Special (Rock) Hudson Gardens (Littleton) JULY 2 Todd Rundgren (Rock) Fox Theater (Boulder) JULY 3 Michael Franti and Spearhead (Reggae, Rap, Funk) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JULY 5–6 The Avett Brothers (Folk, Rock, Country) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JULY 7 Little River Band (Pop) Hudson Gardens (Littleton) JULY 12 Railroad Earth, Galactic, Greensky Bluegrass (Country, Rock) Red Rocks Amphitheatre

JULY 13 David Byrne and St. Vincent (Eclectic) Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield JULY 13 Brandi Carlile (Alt Country) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JULY 14 Arlo Guthrie (Folk) Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street JULY 15 Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls (Pop, Rock) Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre (Englewood) JULY 16 Peter Murphy (Rock) Summit Music Hall JULY 16–17 John Mayer (Pop, Rock) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JULY 18 Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers (Rock) Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street JULY 19 Tift Merritt (Folk) Daniels Hall JULY 21 Kenny Loggins (Folk, Rock) Hudson Gardens (Littleton) JULY 24 Elephant Revival, Carolina Chocolate Drops (Folk, Jazz) Denver Botanic Gardens – York Street JULY 26 Trout Fishing in America (Folk) Daniels Hall JULY 26–27 The String Cheese Incident (Folk) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JULY 28 Boz Scaggs (R&B, Rock) Hudson Gardens (Littleton) JULY 28 Rodrigo y Gabriela with the Colorado Symphony (Latin) Red Rocks Amphitheatre JULY 30 Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration featuring Warren Haynes (Rock) Red Rocks Amphitheatre

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Welcome to a food-lovers town! The Mile High City long ago found its way onto America’s culinary map with innovative restaurants and talented chefs mining flavors from all over the globe.

DINING

THE CAPITAL GRILLE

This Denver favorite features a seasonal menu showcasing authentic northern Italian dishes with locally sourced ingredients.

The spectacular wine cellar at this award-winning eatery includes a large collection of Barolo wines.

Be wined, dined and dazzled by relaxed elegance and exceptional cuisine. With an intimate dining room and sophisticated bar, this is the perfect setting for lively afternoons and relaxed evenings.

Enjoy a renowned dry-aged steak and one of 5,000 wines from the award-winning wine list.

3030 E. 6th Ave. 303.393.1040 barologrilldenver.com

1450 Larimer St. 303.539.2500 thecapitalgrille.com

BITTERSWEET

CHART HOUSE

BAROLO GRILL

This award-winning restaurant offers artisanal cuisine steeped in old-world traditions. From handmade breads, tempting pastas and creative desserts, to produce grown in on-site gardens, every aspect of its dining experience blends authentic flavors with local ingredients.

Exquisite cuisine and a spectacular view of the Denver area top the list at this longstanding local favorite. Located just half an hour from downtown Denver, it features an impressive selection of mouthwatering entrées, wines, cocktails and decadent desserts.

500 E. Alameda Ave. 303.942.0320 bittersweetdenver.com

25908 Genesee Trail Rd. Golden, CO 80401 303.526.9813 chart-house.com

BUCKHORN EXCHANGE Founded in 1893, Buckhorn Exchange boasts a colorful history reflected in its food and décor. Take in the Old West artifacts while enjoying some of Denver’s best beef steak, or get adventurous with some wild game, like elk, yak or ostrich steaks.

1000 Osage St. 303.534.9505 buckhorn.com

CHOLON MODERN ASIAN BISTRO Named after the largest market in Saigon, this historic LoDo restaurant offers a creative spin on traditional Asian dishes along with handcrafted cocktails that enhance the vibrant flavors. The large projection screen in the lounge makes ChoLon a suitable location for business meetings and presentations.

of a neighborhood restaurant that prides itself on superior food and service.

1553 Platte St., No. 120 303.477.1447 coltandgray.com

Enjoy everything from juicy burgers and beer to delectable lobster dishes complemented by vintage wines at this cozy local pub. The classic setting is augmented by the affordability Buckhorn Exchange

atmosphere and the finest in chef-driven cuisine. Enjoy the prime steaks, seafood, veal, lamb and lobster tails. Make sure to sample the exceptional wine cellar and premium cigars.

8100 E. Orchard Rd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.796.0100 delfriscos.com

DENVER CHOPHOUSE & BREWERY

Colt & Gray

COOL RIVER CAFÉ

Located downtown in the historic Union Pacific Building adjacent to Coors Field, this venerable restaurant is perfect for all occasions. It features an extensive wine collection, handcrafted beers brewed on-site, plus a weekend brunch happy hour and a celebrated menu.

With a warm, casually elegant ambiance, Cool River Café offers a dining experience that caters 1735 19th St. to all the senses. Savor American 303.296.0800 classics including sizzling steaks denverchophouse.com and tasty seafood recipes while enjoying happy hour and martini specials. Visit Cool River for lunch, dinner, cocktails or brunch.

8000 E. Belleview Ave., Ste. C10 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.771.4117 coolrivercafe.com

Duo

DUO RESTAURANT

1555 Blake St., Ste. 101 303.353.5223 cholon.com/denver

COLT & GRAY

DINING

Cool River Café

DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAK HOUSE Taking traditional cues from its Western roots, this classic steakhouse features an intimate

This farm-to-table treasure is tucked away in one of Denver’s hippest neighborhoods and offers a relaxed and unassuming environment. A word of advice: Save room for dessert. Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, Duo’s renowned pastry chef, presents magical treats to top off any meal.

2413 W. 32nd Ave. 303.477.4141 duodenver.com

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FRASCA

DINING

Named after friendly, informal gathering places in the FriuliVenezia-Giulia region of northeast Italy, Frasca features exquisitely prepared fare and a comprehensive wine list boasting more than 200 varieties. Warm, welcoming and unpretentious, it is the perfect destination for impromptu gatherings, casual dinners and special occasions.

EDGE RESTAURANT This steakhouse at the Four Seasons brings Colorado’s best local ingredients to the heart of downtown Denver. Enjoy a sleek dining room experience with wood-grilled steak or sample the juicy Kobe sliders at the bar.

1111 14th St. 303.389.3343 edgerestaurantdenver.com

Flagstaff House

ELWAY’S With two locations, this is the ideal setting for any occasion.

The menu boasts USDA hand-cut prime steaks, finfish, crustaceans and fresh seasonal dishes. Come for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner and enjoy an outstanding meal that is uniquely Colorado.

This 1929 cabin built into a mountainside at 6,000 feet offers breathtaking views of Boulder and surrounding wildlife. The family-owned restaurant is an excellent dining experience featuring a 12,000-bottle wine cellar, exquisite French-American cuisine and impeccable service.

ELWAY’S CHERRY CREEK 2500 E. 1st Ave., Unit 101 303.399.5353

1138 Flagstaff Rd. Boulder, CO 80302 303.442.4640 flagstaffhouse.com

ELWAY’S DOWNTOWN 1881 Curtis St. 303.312.3107

FLEMING’S STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR

elways.com

EUCLID HALL BAR & KITCHEN Located in historic Euclid Hall, this American tavern specializes in fine cocktails, craft beers and innovative, high-quality pub food from around the world. The eatery is a convenient location for Pepsi Center attendees, LoDo club-goers and Denver Center for the Performing Arts patrons.

1317 14th St. 303.595.4255 euclidhall.com

Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen 66

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FLAGSTAFF HOUSE RESTAURANT

Enjoy this exceptional dining experience, featuring the finest prime beef and 100 wines served by the glass. After work, golf or shopping, stop in for superior steaks, innovative recipes and attentive service. Open for dinner seven days a week.

FRUITION Chef Alex Siedel, named one of Food & Wine’s best new chefs of 2010, creates a seasonal menu of sophisticated comfort food using only the highest quality, local ingredients. Fruition’s symphony of mood, service and cuisine reflect a grace that elevates this dining experience to a new level.

1313 E. 6th Ave. 303.831.1962 fruitionrestaurant.com

HAPA SUSHI GRILL & SAKE BAR

Ivy at the Glenn

IVY AT THE GLENN This is south metro Denver’s newest premier restaurant. It features a new concept, developed by the founder of Footer’s Restaurant and Baur’s Ristorante, and combines classic comfort food with a warm, inviting ambiance.

6955 S. York St. Centennial, CO 80122 303.730.7200 ivyattheglenn.com

Hapa’s menu reflects a harmonious blend of Asian and American cultures. Traditional Japanese cooking fundamentals are amplified, muted or mixed with other styles to create something completely new and different.

BOULDER 1117 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 303.473.4730

THE FORT

CHERRY CREEK 2780 E. 2nd Ave. 303.322.9554

19192 Colorado 8 Morrison, CO 80465 303.697.4771 thefort.com

2011 E. 17th Ave. 303.394.0100 ilpostodenver.com

1738 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 303.442.6966 frascafoodandwine.com

191 W. Inverness Dr. Englewood, CO 80112 303.768.0827 flemingssteakhouse.com

Sample a tantalizing selection of old and new cuisine from the early West, including beef, buffalo, wild game and seafood at this awardwinning restaurant. Featured in Bon Appétit, The Fort reportedly sells more buffalo steaks than any other independently owned restaurant in the country.

sommelier selects the perfect wine for any meal. And the everchanging menu features local organic produce and meats, along with fresh seafood flown in daily.

LANDMARK 5380 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Ste. 101 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.267.8744 hapasushi.com

II POSTO Glance into the open-air kitchen as Milanese chef and owner Andrea Frizzi prepares dishes inspired from northern Italian recipes at Il Posto. The resident

Izakaya Den

IZAKAYA DEN A popular Japanese gastropub that serves global cuisine, Izakaya Den’s tapas-style menu features traditional Japanese plates and dishes inventively infused with international flavor. The creative spin on traditional sushi offers delicious rolls and refreshing cocktails in an understated, upscale ambiance.

1518 S. Pearl St. 303.777.0691 izakayaden.net

WITH

PRESENT

AND

A Grownup’s Prequel to Peter Pan

AUG 15 – SEP 1, 2013

SEP 3 – 15, 2013

SEP 24 – OCT 6, 2013

FEB 25 – MAR 9, 2014

MAY 6 – 18, 2014

BUELL THEATRE

BUELL THEATRE

ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST; PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

JAN 15 – 26, 2014

BUELL THEATRE

NS O I T C A TTR A D E D AD 4829

03.446.

3 : + 0 1 OF GROUPS

BUELL THEATRE

PHOTOS BY JOHN GANUN & CYRUS MCCRIMMON

BUELL THEATRE

JUNE 26 – JULY 14, 2013 STAGE THEATRE

DEC 10 – 22, 2013 BUELL THEATRE

Located at 14th and Curtis Streets in downtown’s Denver Performing Arts Complex

303.893.4100 TTY: 303.893.9582

DINING

The Kitchen

THE KITCHEN

LUCA D’ITALIA Zagat once named this bistro the top Italian restaurant in the western United States The food is lovingly prepared, thoughtfully served and thoroughly enjoyed.

A seasonally changing menu features Sicilian-style meats, pastas, breads and cheeses all prepared fresh in-house.

711 Grant St. 303.832.6600 lucadenver.com

Share the legendary spirit of the family kitchen in this neighborhood restaurant.

This spot serves exceptional contemporary American cuisine with local, organic ingredients.

The Kitchen is also deeply committed to environmentally friendly practices and the Denver community.

MCCORMICK’S FISH HOUSE & BAR

BOULDER 1039 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 303.544.5973

1659 Wazee St. 303.825.1107 mccormickandschmicks.com

DENVER 1530 16th St. 303.623.3127 thekitchencommunity.com

LINGER The vibrant international cuisine at Linger reflects a broad farmto-table sensibility with a spin on traditional ethnic eats. Design elements create a purposeful contradiction, featuring reclaimed boxcar floors, a Lite Brite bar top and infinity windows with incredible views of downtown Denver.

2020 W. 30th Ave. 303.993.3120 lingerdenver.com

Demonstrating culinary excellence, McCormick’s menu features seafood from the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

Products are sourced from local ranches, farms and wineries to showcase regionally inspired dishes. Stop by and enjoy awardwinning happy hour specials.

MIZUNA One of the top-rated restaurants in the country, Mizuna gives its chefs a wide creative berth when it comes to the monthly changing menu. Sample new versions of old recipes, unique food combinations and a stellar wine list for lunch and dinner.

225 E. 7th Ave. 303.832.4778 mizunadenver.com

This popular steakhouse serves the finest quality beef, fresh seafood, handpicked produce, delicious appetizers and elegant desserts. Adjacent to many of Denver’s top venues, it is the perfect destination for an exceptional dining experience or bar bites before the big game.

OCEAN PRIME

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With a passion for delivering an extraordinary experience to each guest, this restaurant serves the

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1465 Larimer St. 303.825.3663 oceanprimedenver.com

OSTERIA MARCO With classic hand-tossed Italian pizza, an extensive and accessible wine selection, housecrafted meats and cheeses and rustic elegance, this restaurant is classic osteria. This playful little brother of the high-end Luca d’Italia continues the tradition of quality and impeccable service.

1453 Larimer St. 303.534.5855 osteriamarco.com

signature cocktails and awardwinning wine list complement the menu perfectly.

1672 Lawrence St. 303.825.7256 thepalm.com/denver

PANZANO Decorated chef Elise Wiggins offers excellent contemporary northern Italian cuisine. Each handmade dish is unique and made with local, organic, sustainable ingredients. An award-winning wine list features hand-selected pairings that will please even the most discriminating palate.

909 17th St. 303.296.3525 panzano-denver.com

PALACE ARMS Located in the Brown Palace Hotel, this award-winning restaurant blends contemporary American cuisine with an exceptional wine selection.

Signature items include a tableside Caesar salad, seared Colorado bison steak and other creative, contemporary and traditional dishes.

321 17th St. 303.297.3111 brownpalace.com/dining/palace-arms

MORTON’S STEAK HOUSE

1710 Wynkoop St. 303.825.3353 mortons.com/denver

Linger

highest-quality steak and seafood, handcrafted cocktails and award-winning wines. Executive chef teams traveled, tasted and compared notes to refine a menu that surpasses expectations.

Pappadeaux

PAPPADEAUX SEAFOOD KITCHEN This restaurant is all about fresh seafood and bold New Orleans flavors. Even Louisiana natives consider this one of the best places to get Cajun cuisine away from home. With friendly service and a lively atmosphere, the only thing more authentic than the dishes is the Southern hospitality.

7520 E. Progress Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.740.9449 pappadeaux.com

POTAGER The Palm

THE PALM RESTAURANT This fashionable restaurant maintains the same standards the original Palm set so many years ago. It features honest, satisfying dishes that reflect an American heritage, from steaks and lobsters to a variety of Italian classics. The

Patrons partake in the excitement of vegetables fresh from the earth, fruit right off the branch and fish straight from the sea.

Cuisine is determined largely by the availability of ingredients that meet Potager’s high standards of quality and eco-friendliness.

1109 Ogden Ave. 303.832.5788 potagerrestaurant.com

RACINE’S This has been one of the area’s favorite dining spots for everything from breakfast to late night since opening in 1983.

Serving a tried-and-true mix of award-winning American and Mexican cuisine, Racine’s is also gluten-free. It is located between the Cherry Creek area and downtown Denver.

650 Sherman St. 303.595.0418 racinesrestaurant.com

Enjoy affordable fare in Old Hollywood–style at a restaurant featuring a heated patio and two happy hours.

934 16th St. 303.893.2233 rialtocafe.com

RIOJA Featuring a menu inspired

by Mediterranean food and influenced by local ingredients, Rioja offers pure food and bright flavors. With a wine list that offers fun, interesting varietals and a menu that features plenty of vegetarian options, this spot is consistently rated among the top restaurants in Denver.

1431 Larimer St. 303.820.2282 riojadenver.com

Restaurant Kevin Taylor

RESTAURANT KEVIN TAYLOR AT THE HOTEL TEATRO Using only the freshest ingredients, this top-rated bistro creates elegant dishes of substance, fusing French, American Southwest and Asian Rim cuisine. Sample from among 900 wines and enjoy an evening at what Zagat called one of America’s Top 25 Hotel Restaurants in 2011.

1106 14th St. 303.820.2600 ktrg.net

Rioja

SHANAHAN’S Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan’s famed Lombardi trophies are proudly displayed at Shanahan’s, but the exceptional menu of primeaged steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails is the real attraction.

5085 S. Syracuse St. 303.770.7300 shanahanssteakhouse.com

Rialto Café

RIALTO CAFÉ Taking its name from an old movie theater, Rialto Café offers diners a variety of contemporary takes on classic American dishes, expertly prepared.

Spuntino

SPUNTINO Located in the bustling Highlands area, Spuntino serves seasonal Italian-inspired

DINING cooking from executive chef John Broening and desserts from pastry chef Yasmin LozadaHissom. The menu features fresh ingredients from local farms, sustainably raised seafood, locally sourced meats and housemade pastas and breads.

2639 W. 32nd Ave. 303.433.0949 spuntinodenver.com

SUSHI DEN Regarded as one of the premier sushi and Japanese restaurants in the U.S. since the mid ’80s, this popular spot continues to set a standard for high-quality cuisine.

With its own pesticide-free farm for produce, plus seafood flown in from Japan, Sushi Den leads Denver restaurants in quality.

at a local favorite. Owned by Owners and chefs Amy Vitale and fourth-generation cattle ranchers, Trapper’s features the finest steaks Dustin Barrett transformed this spot into a cozy, eclectic restaurant around. Locals and visitors visit for all occasions, from romantic dates with personality and charm. The to business dinners. creative New American cuisine and friendly service at Tables are 19308 Cottonwood Dr. bright spots. Menus are regularly Parker, CO 80138 303.248.2132 updated to feature the freshest trapperschophouse.com seasonal ingredients.

1487 S. Pearl St. 303.777.0826 sushiden.net

2267 Kearney St. 303.388.0299 tablesonkearney.com

TABLE 6 This classic bistro offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. Chef Scott Parker prepares succulent dishes delivered with elegant style and grace. His nightly fare is complemented by a dynamic wine list created by owner and sommelier Aaron Forman.

Sushi Den

TABLES

609 Corona St. 303.831.8800 table6denver.com

Trappers

TRAPPER’S With a bird’s-eye view of the Rockies and the Denver skyline, enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience

TRINITY GRILLE Relax in this retreat tailor-made for the business traveler in downtown Denver. Located across from the Brown Palace Hotel, the Grille is a local institution with a warm, inviting atmosphere.

It offers a variety of appetizers, soups and salads and a full menu of fresh seafood, succulent steaks and sandwiches.

1801 Broadway 303.293.3228 trinitygrille.com

AT TRAPPER’S CHOP HOUSE, WE LOVE GIVING OUR CUSTOMERS DELICIOUS OPTIONS. PERHAPS A GRILLED-TO-YOUR-SPECIFICATIONS STEAK WILL PRESENT THE PERFECT TABLE CONVERSATION FOR AN IMPORTANT NIGHT OUT.

OR, CHOOSE TO ‘ROMANCE THE STONE’ WHERE YOU AND YOUR SPECIAL GUEST SEAR THE ALL NATURAL MEAT SELECTION OR AHI TUNA ON AN OIL-FREE VOLCANIC STONE RIGHT AT YOUR TABLE.

ONLY AT TRAPPER’S WILL YOU ENJOY THIS UNIQUE AND

FUN EXPERIENCE.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY SATISFYING OP-

TIONS, ALONG WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND CLASSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

CASUALLY ELEGANT. COME TO PARKER’S FINEST STEAK HOUSE® FOR A GREAT MEAL AND STAY FOR A MEMORABLE NIGHT OUT.

Call for Reservations 303.248.2132

LOCATED AT E-470 & PARKER RD. 19308 E. COTTONWOOD DR. PARKER, CO

VENICE RISTORANTE With two locations, Venice features monthly wine dinners, private dining, complete catering services and delectable five-course meals. Venice prides itself on the care they give to each guest, from impeccable service to exquisite, authentic Italian cuisine.

seasonally changing menu. This award-winning restaurant boasts a sensual ambiance, placing it at the top of Denver foodies’ lists.

1822 Blake St. 303.296.1970 vestagrill.com

specials in a comfortably chic atmosphere.

1585 Lawrence St. 303.575.9000 williegs.com

daily to ensure the freshest and best quality seafood, steaks, chops and other exquisite entrées.

8310 E. Belleview Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.741.1110 yayasbistro.com

Z CUISINE BISTROT

DENVER 1700 Wynkoop St. 303.354.2222 GREENWOOD VILLAGE 5946 Holly St. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 720.482.9191

Ya Ya’s

veniceristorante.com

VESTA DIPPING GRILL

Willie G’s

Named for the Goddess of the Hearth, Vesta features chef Matt Selby’s world-grill cuisine in the form of more than 30 housemade dipping sauces, chutneys, salsas, mojos and aiolis, as well as a

WILLIE G’S SEAFOOD & STEAKS An upscale seafood and steak restaurant with a loyal following, this downtown hotspot enjoys a national reputation. Enjoy lunch, dinner or fabulous happy hour

YA YA’S Treat your taste buds to a tour of Europe without the expensive airfare. This lovely bistro caters to the casual diner, with room for business meetings and special occasions. The menu changes

The authentic Parisian eatery is located just minutes from LoDo. It offers a daily blackboard menu featuring genuine French fare made with the best local, organic ingredients. For the full French experience, visit the authentic, on-site absinthe bar.

2239 W. 30th Ave. 303.477.1111 zcuisineonline.com

The Mile High City offers more trendy, historic and eclectic shopping destinations than most major cities. From high-end boutiques and malls to trendy vintage shops, here are Denver’s top spots to shop.

SHOPPING

FLATIRONS CROSSING

in the Denver scene. Located in the beautiful suburb of Lakewood, Belmar is a trendy escape from the busy city.

16th STREET MALL Built in 1982, the 16th Street Mall is a tree-lined, pedestrian promenade that runs through the center of downtown. Lined with outdoor cafés, shops and restaurants, the mall has a great family-friendly atmosphere and a vibrant nightlife. Free shuttle buses cruise the mile-long Mall seven days a week.

408 S. Teller St. Lakewood, CO 80226 303.742.1520 belmarcolorado.com

CHERRY CREEK NORTH

Cherry Creek Shopping Center

More than 350 businesses make up the Cherry Creek neighborhood representing local and national brands. Check out this retail and dining area just five minutes from downtown where you will find fashion, jewelry and home furnishings, spas, salons, art galleries and restaurants.

Entire length of 16th Street 303.534.6161 downtowndenver.com

DENVER PAVILIONS Located on the 16th Street Mall in the heart of downtown, this three-story, open-air shopping center has it all: 40 shops and restaurants, bowling lanes and a movie theater. Ride the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle to your favorite retailers, including Banana Republic, Express, Forever 21 and H&M.

East 1st & East 2nd Streets btwn. University Boulevard & Steel Street 303.394.2904 cherrycreeknorth.com

500 16th St. 303.260.6000 denverpavilions.com

Scott Dressel-Martin

photolaszlo.com

Located in Littleton, this petfriendly, open-air retail village is home to over 55 stores and restaurants, including Pottery Barn, The Gap, Apple, See’s Candies, Hot Mama, Ted’s Montana Grill and more.

7301 S. Santa Fe Dr. Littleton, CO 80120 303.794.0640 shopaspengrove.com

BELMAR One of the newest destinations for shopping, dining and events, Belmar is reaching new heights

Set on a rise between Boulder and Denver, Flatiron Crossing invites you to blue skies, fun restaurants and top-flight movies. Explore more than 200 fashion and specialty retailers, including Coach, Coldwater Creek, Bebe, BC Surf and Sport, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Papyrus, LOFT and many more.

One West Flatiron Crossing Broomfield, CO 80021 720.887.7467 flatironcrossing.com

GOLDEN TRIANGLE MUSEUM DISTRICT Denver’s Golden Triangle district is brimming with restaurants and culture. Within walking distance of downtown, it features more than 50 galleries, museums and specialty stores. Don’t miss free First Friday Night Art Tours every month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with complimentary shuttle service.

Bordered by Lincoln Street, Colfax Avenue & Speer Boulevard 720.253.2774 goldentriangleofdenver.com

16th Street Mall

ASPEN GROVE

SHOPPING

HIGHLANDS

Cherry Creek North

CHERRY CREEK SHOPPING CENTER The Rocky Mountain region’s premier shopping environment features over 160 shops such as Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren. Other favorites include Nordstrom, Macy’s, Apple and Coach, plus popular dining hotspots like Elway’s and Kona Grill.

3000 E. 1st Ave. 303.388.3900 shopcherrycreek.com

Denver Pavilions

DOWNTOWN LODO Nestled between Coors Field and the Pepsi Center, LoDo is Denver’s prime destination for fun and trendy shops. The eclectic stores and hip, vibrant historic district offer everything from antiques and ranchwear to fine jewelry and eyewear.

1616 17th St. 303.628.5428 lodo.org

Three diverse commercial districts comprise this neighborhood: cosmopolitan Lower Highlands (LoHi), charming Highlands Square and artsy Tennyson Street. Denver’s largest neighborhood features local and national retailers, restaurants, landmarks, art galleries and entertainment.

32nd & Lowell Streets 303.892.1112 highlands-square.com

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LITTLETON Visit one of the few remaining historic shopping districts along the Front Range and experience a true hometown atmosphere DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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where people smile and take life a little slower. With more than 250 eclectic shopping, dining and entertainment options, you are certain to find just what you’re looking for.

West Main Street btwn.

Santa Fe Drive & South Rio Grande Littleton, CO 80120 303.795.5006 downtownlittleton.com

LARIMER SQUARE Located in the heart of downtown, the shops at Larimer Square offer a truly distinctive selection of fashion, jewelry, gifts and home accessories for shopping connoisseurs and fashionistas of all ages.

Larimer Street btwn.

14th & 15th Streets 303.534.2367 larimersquare.com

restaurant, this vibrant shopping district is full of treasures.

7307 Grandview Ave. Arvada, CO 80002 303.420.6100 oldetownarvada.org

PARK MEADOWS As Colorado’s only retail resort, Park Meadows features fashionable stores and delectable dining choices, along with entertainment and events. With over 165 retailers and 14 fullservice restaurants, shoppers experience the classic Colorado lifestyle while enjoying the beautiful resort setting.

8401 Park Meadows Center Dr. Lone Tree, CO 80124 303.792.5384 parkmeadows.com

OLD SOUTH GAYLORD STREET

OLD SOUTH PEARL STREET This laid-back neighborhood features an eclectic mix of shops, boutiques and restaurants.

An antidote to the modern megamall, it features seasonal events year-round, one-of-a-kind stores and some of the city’s most popular nightspots.

1569 S. Pearl St. 303.892.1112 southpearlstreet.com

OLDE TOWN ARVADA With more than 150 unique shops, Olde Town Arvada has plenty of variety. Whether you’re in the market for books, clothing, handmade jewelry, furnishings and antiques or a great

STREETS AT SOUTHGLENN This destination builds on the character of the surrounding neighborhood with a mix of retailers, restaurants, entertainment and services.

SouthGlenn is an unmatched upscale shopping, dining and entertainment experience.

South University Boulevard & E. Arapahoe Road Centennial, CO 80122 303.539.7141 shopsouthglenn.com

An outdoor lifestyle center with a community plaza and four blocks of retail shops, restaurants and entertainment options, Southlands offerings include a movie theater, Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, The Gap, Charming Charlie, McCabe’s Irish Bistro and Pub, Sports Authority and more.

Park Meadows

PEARL STREET MALL A four-block pedestrian mall in Boulder, Pearl Street is home to a number of locally owned businesses and restaurants, national chains and the Boulder County Courthouse. This popular tourist destination is loaded with charm, from the fountains and gardens to the street performers.

Btwn. the 1100 & 1400 blocks of Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302 303.892.1112 boulderdowntown.com

THE SHOPS AT NORTHFIELD STAPLETON

SHOPPING

8340 Northfield Blvd.

303.375.5475 northfieldstapleton.com

SOUTHLANDS

One of the oldest business districts in Denver, here you can find passionate business owners who offer personal service. Old South Gaylord Street offers a variety of upscale boutiques, galleries and restaurants, as well as professional services and talented regional craftsmen.

1059 S. Gaylord St. 303.733.2670 southgaylordstreet.com

pedestrian-friendly, open-air shopping district featuring specialty shops and restaurants including Macy’s, Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor World and Harkins Theatres 18.

6155 Main St. Aurora, CO 80016 303.627.5000 shopsouthlands.com

SOUTHWEST PLAZA Conveniently located in southwest metro Denver, Southwest Plaza features popular retailers and restaurants such as Forever 21, BC Surf and Sport, Express, Victoria’s Secret, Target, four department stores including a Dillard’s flagship store, Panera Bread, Tokyo Joe’s, Chili’s and other shopper favorites.

Southwest Plaza

TWENTY-NINTH STREET Twenty-Ninth Street is the premier mixed-use outdoor shopping center in Boulder.

It features local and national eateries and shops, including Anthropologie, Apple, Arthaus Furniture, lululemon athletica, Sephora, California Pizza Kitchen and Nordstrom Rack.

1710 29th St. Boulder, CO 80301 303.444.0722 twentyninth.com

VILLAGE SHOPS AT THE LANDMARK Featuring the best designers in Denver and some of the finest retailers in the world, Village Shops at the Landmark is one of the foremost shopping destinations in the city. With fabulous restaurants and the nationally renowned Landmark Theater, the Village Shops is a delight for all the senses.

Quebec Street btwn. Belleview & Orchard Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.892.1112 visitthelandmark.com/shops.htm

8501 W. Bowles Ave. Littleton, CO 80123 303.973.7062 southwestplaza.com

Located just minutes from downtown, The Shops at Northfield Stapleton is a DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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eturn to the Ice Age. In Mammoths and Mastodons, enormous life-size models, fossil tusks and skulls, touchable teeth, spear points, cave paintings, and interactive displays bring the Ice Age back to life. You will learn the story of Lyuba, the most complete and best preserved baby mammoth ever found, and enjoy a point of pride for Colorado as you relive the discovery of the exceptional Ice Age fossil site unearthed near Snowmass Village.

FEBRUARY 15 – MAY 27, 2013

This exhibition was created by The Field Museum, Chicago. Illustration by Velizar Simeonovski Š The Field Museum.

Denver is home to world-class arts, entertainment and performance venues. For a truly exceptional adventure, here is a list of some special attractions you might enjoy.

ARTS VENUES

RED ROCKS PARK & AMPHITHEATRE

ART DISTRICT ON SANTA FE

Offering tours, hiking, biking, dining and a star-studded concert series, Red Rocks Park features the world’s only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre.

Home to many artists and studios, this arts district has become a national model of success in community revitalization. The art district has cultivated a friendly, welcoming feel for both seasoned collectors and new art lovers.

801 Kalamath St. 303.868.8680 artdistrictonsantafe.com

ARVADA CENTER FOR THE ARTS With two performance venues, three galleries and a multidisciplinary arts education program, the Arvada Center can house theatrical shows, musical performances and local and touring art exhibitions.

6901 Wadsworth Blvd.

Arvada, CO 80003 720.898.7200 arvadacenter.org

18300 W. Alameda Pkwy.

Morrison, CO 80465 720.865.2494 redrocksonline.com The Colorado Symphony

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

THE COLORADO SYMPHONY

THE BUTTERFLY PAVILION

Performing traditional, modern and classical works, the Colorado Symphony offers year-round concerts featuring everything from light summer shows to performances by celebrated musicians.

1000 14th St., No. 15 303.623.7876 coloradosymphony.org

DENVER CENTER ATTRACTIONS Denver Center Attractions provides a showcase for live theater, touring Broadway shows, acting classes for the community and more, located at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

1101 13th St. 303.893.4100 denvercenter.org

Colorado Ballet

COLORADO BALLET A treat for classical and modern dance enthusiasts, the Colorado Ballet consists of 30 members from all over the world presenting a variety of exciting performances.

1278 Lincoln St. 303.837.8888 coloradoballet.org

DENVER THEATRE DISTRICT The Denver Theatre District features a high-tech mix of public performances, art and signage.

Located along the 14th Street corridor, it’s less a district and more a giant outdoor art gallery right in the heart of downtown Denver.

511 16th St., Ste. 200 denvertheatredistrict.com

ATTRACTIONS

COLORADO STATE PARKS Colorado is home to 42 breathtaking state parks, giving visitors a variety of opportunities to experience the beauty of nature. Park activities such as hiking, camping, backpacking, snowboarding and more may be enjoyed seasonally.

1313 Sherman St. 303.866.3437 parks.state.co.us

This treasure features a visually thrilling rainforest filled with 1,600 free-flying tropical butterflies, live animal exhibits and interactive fun for all ages.

6252 W. 104th Ave. 303.469.5441 butterflies.org

Denver Botanic Gardens

CHAUTAUQUA PARK

DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

The Chautauqua movement of the early 1900s promoted simple living, learning and art appreciation. The spirit of the past lives on in this scenic haven for cultural enrichment. Rental cottages are available in the park, one of 20 National Historic Landmarks in Colorado.

900 Baseline Rd. Boulder, CO 80302 303.442.3282 chautauqua.com

CHERRY CREEK RESERVOIR Seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and weekend warriors alike flock to the Cherry Creek Reservoir.

Located just outside of Denver, it boasts exceptional fishing and water recreation. Visit the surrounding state parks to enjoy outdoor pursuits all year.

4201 S. Parker Rd. Aurora, CO 80014 303.866.3437

As one of the top-ranked facilities in the United States, Denver Botanic Gardens presents a wide range of grounds and stunning collections from all corners of the world. The gardens host a popular summer concert series, water-lily competitions, tea gardens and many more attractions.

YORK STREET & MORDECAI Children’s Garden 1007 York St. 720.865.3500 CHATFIELD 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd. Littleton, CO 80128 720.865.4336 MOUNT GOLIATH Mount Evans Scenic Byway Bailey, CO 80421 720.865.3585 botanicgardens.org

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ATTRACTIONS DENVER MOUNTAIN PARKS The entire parks system contains more than 14,000 acres of parklands in the mountains and foothills just west of downtown. It also encompasses a wide variety of striking Colorado terrain, perfect for activities like hiking, dining al fresco and sightseeing.

303.987.7800 denvermountainparks.wordpress.com

FISKE PLANETARIUM What’s your sign? Test your astronomy knowledge at the University of Colorado’s popular planetarium. Check out the dazzling array of laser and star shows, live star talks and more.

From the birth of an exotic animal to the exhilaration of a world-class exhibit opening, the area’s largest zoo is an adventure for the senses. Join more than 1.6 million annual visitors and discover nearly 3,500 different animals living on 80 acres within Denver’s historic City Park.

2300 Steele St. 303.376.4800 denverzoo.org

DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM Dive into food and fun — and an underwater adventure! Enjoy the Aquarium restaurant and explore more than 1 million gallons of sea life including sharks, otters, tigers and more.

700 Water St. 303.561.4450 downtownaquarium.com

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DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

6550 Gateway Rd. Commerce City, CO 80022 303.289.0232 fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal

WASHINGTON PARK At more than 100 years old, the area known to locals as Wash Park is one of the largest parks in Denver. Located in the south central part of town, it features flower gardens, a 2.6-mile jogging trail, two lakes, a bowling green, tennis courts and more.

South Downing Street & East Louisiana Avenue 303.698.4692 washpark.com

The city’s museum offers a glimpse into the history, art and culture of a town that dates back to the 1850s Gold Rush era. The museum features two farms, a small lake, a collections center and main exhibition area.

Denver Art Museum

DENVER ART MUSEUM Founded in 1893, the city’s largest museum is one of the most storied in the state with more than 68,000 pieces of art.

With an extensive American Indian collection, the museum is a must-see for lovers of culture and art.

100 W. 14th Avenue Pkwy.

720.865.5000 denverartmuseum.org

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE For more than 100 years, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has allowed visitors to explore the cosmos and uncover brilliant gems and minerals.

Enjoy the IMAX theater and planetarium or go toe-to-toe with a T-Rex…if you dare.

2001 Colorado Blvd.

303.370.6000 dmns.org

MUSEUMS

6028 S. Gallup St. Littleton, CO 80120 303.795.3950 littletongov.org/museum

MIZEL MUSEUM A series of exhibits and programs describes the Jewish experience, ceremonies and festivals at the Mizel. With fine art, film, literature and drama fueled by interactive experiences, celebrate and honor diversity.

400 S. Kearney St. 303.647.6522 mizelmuseum.org

MOLLY BROWN MUSEUM Experience the legacy of the Unsinkable Molly Brown, a leading socialite and philanthropist best known as one of the survivors of the RMS Titanic. The beautifully preserved museum offers a unique window into the inspirational life of an American hero.

1340 Pennsylvania St. 303.832.4092 mollybrown.org

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART DENVER

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF DENVER Engage with interactive playscapes, daily educational programming and popular special

With painting, sculpture, furniture, ceramics and an eclectic hodgepodge of classic works from the past 100 years, this one-of-a-kind facility features some of the best-known designers of our time.

LITTLETON MUSEUM

Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, trail running and picnicking on the Trailhead’s 2-mile or 3-mile loop through the Ponderosa pines and meadows along the Flatirons.

This area supports more than 330 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish on a 15,000-acre expanse of shortgrass prairie. Reconnect with nature at one of the finest conservation success stories in history.

KIRKLAND MUSEUM OF FINE & CONTEMPORARY ART

1311 Pearl St. 303.832.8576 kirklandmuseum.org

FLATIRONS VISTA TRAILHEAD

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

DENVER ZOO

2121 Children’s Museum Dr. 303.433.7444 mychildrensmuseum.org

2414 Regent Dr. Boulder, CO 80305 303.492.5002 fiske.colorado.edu

3663 State Hwy. 93 Boulder, CO 80302 303.441.3440 protrails.com/trails

Denver Zoo

events. Serving children and their grown-ups, the museum provides a dynamic leaning environment to explore and discover.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Featuring regional, national and international artists, the vast array of rotating exhibits and public educational programs promotes

creative experimentation with art and ideas for visitors of all ages.

1485 Delgany St. 303.298.7554 mcadenver.org

WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES ART & SPACE MUSEUM Located on the former grounds of Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado’s Art and Space Museum offers a trip inside the state’s rich aeronautics history from distinctive aircraft nose art to stirring exhibits.

ELITCH GARDENS America’s only downtown area theme- and water-park has operated for more than 120 years. Elitch Gardens is continuously expanding, making this a go-to destination for locals and out-of-town visitors.

2000 Elitch Cir. 303.595.4386 elitchgardens.com

7711 E. Academy Blvd.

303.360.5360 wingsmuseum.org

OTHER VENUES COLORADO CAPITOL Beaming through the Denver skyline is the gold-plated dome of the capitol building. Opened in 1894, it stands as a living museum of history and an active seat of state government. See where legislation takes place in the house and senate chambers during free daily tours.

Pepsi Center

PEPSI CENTER Known locally as the The Can, this modern sports arena is home to the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Mammoth. It’s also a popular concert venue featuring appearances by megastars like Madonna and Bruce Springsteen.

200 E. Colfax Ave. 303.866.2604 colorado.gov

1000 Chopper Cir. 303.405.1111 pepsicenter.com

COORS FIELD

SPORTS AUTHORITY FIELD AT MILE HIGH

The 76-acre Coors Field stands at 20th and Blake Streets in Denver’s lower downtown/ballpark neighborhood and is home to the Colorado Rockies. Fans sitting in the first-base and right-field areas are treated to a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains.

2001 Blake St. 303.292.0200 colorado.rockies.mlb.com

DENVER COLISEUM For 60 years, the Coliseum has hosted such events as the National Western Stock Show, concerts, ice skating and auto and trade shows.

4600 Humboldt St. 720.865.2475 denvercoliseum.com

There is no shortage of Bronco fans in Denver, especially not in the team’s legendary stadium.

This is hallowed NFL ground where John Elway once ruled.

1701 Bryant St. 720.258.3000 sportsauthorityfieldatmilehigh.com

MILLERCOORS BREWERY TOUR Experience traditional beer brewing in the Rocky Mountains.

Become acquainted with malting, brewing and packaging processes, then sip a cold sample while resting on ice-cube benches in the fresh beer room.

Destination.

13th & Ford Streets Golden, CO 80401 303.277.2337 millercoors.com

www.botanicgardens.org

Photo courtesy John Forney Kiewit Building Group

OUR PARTING SHOT

All Aboard

Denver’s iconic train station gets reborn into a transit hub for commuters of today and tomorrow.

BY CATHERINE ADCOCK

O

n Dec. 1, 2012, Denver’s 120-year-old Union Station closed its doors. The time had come for the historic edifice to be reincarnated.

It’s being remade to address transportation issues of the 21st century — rather than the 19th — having become a relic of a time when travel by train was preferred by most.

“Literally, 30 years ago Union Station was a train-maintenance storage yard,” says Bill Mosher, the Denver Union Station Project Authority Owner’s Representative.

A pressing need for new transportation options led the greater Denver metro area to approve the creation of a lightrail and commuter-rail system, FasTracks, and the renovation of Union Station, which would

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become the system’s hub. The building would house a bus terminal, a light-rail station and a commuter-rail station, home to Amtrak and FasTracks lines traveling all over, including to Denver International Airport.

The ambitious project connecting these transportation systems found generous funding through a combination of voter-approved tax increases, an allocation of downtown Denver property tax revenue and a sizable grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The bill for such an overhaul: $900 million.

“It’s a complete 30-year redevelopment of the train yards,” says Mosher. “The exciting part to me is to watch this transformation and the political and civic will that’s stuck with the program to get it done.”

Alongside the transportation overhauls comes the renovation of the building itself. Union Station proper is being stripped down and rebuilt with new retail and restaurant space on the first floor and a high-end boutique hotel on the second and third floors. The 120-year-old details that have been lost through the decades are being restored, such as wrought-iron railings on staircases and enormous windows filling the space with light. Sage Group, responsible for many of the renovations done to the 110-year-old Oxford Hotel, is building the new hotel, ensuring it will be a destination in and of itself.

These changes have translated into a flurry of economic activity in downtown Denver, anticipating the massive influx of commuters come opening day in early 2014.

“It’s a very big change for downtown,” says Mosher.

“Because we’re tying all the transportation modes together, 100,000 people will be using this facility. Once the DIA lines open, it’ll be 125,000. Downtown will become a hub of the overall transportation and commuter transportation system — it brings more people into downtown and more accessibility for the system.”

Already, Mosher notes, the land near Union Station has become hot real estate. “We have today, completed or under construction, almost $600 million of private real estate development, and that will easily double within the next couple of years. The land area around Union Station is by far the most in demand property in the Metro area.”

Catherine Adcock, executive editor of Denver Hotel Magazine, loves all forms of public transit but is particularly fond of ferries. If you have a special Denver story or experience you’d like to share, we would be pleased to consider publishing it. Email your story to us at ellen@denverhotelmagazine.com.

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE

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