THE VOICE OF NORTHERN COLORADO FOR
33 YEARS.
s t y le me d ia a n d d es i g n , i n c .
| 970.226.6400 |
w w w. s t y l e m a g a z i n e c o l o r a d o . c o m PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR Lydia Dody lydia@stylemedia.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Prosser scott@stylemedia.com SENIOR DESIGNER Lisa Gould lisa@stylemedia.com DIGITAL DIRECTOR / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Austin Lamb | austin@stylemedia.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES Jon Ainslie (970) 219-9226 Debra Davis (917) 334-6912 Lydia Dody (970) 227-6400 OFFICE MANAGER/ABOUT TOWN EDITOR Ina Szwec | ina@stylemedia.com ACCOUNTING MANAGER Julie Spencer CIRCULATION MANAGER BJ Uribe-Bell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rob Pentico, Pentico Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Malini Bartels, Lynette Chilcoat, Kyle Eustice, Angeline Grenz, Kris Nylander, Kay Rios Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer, Brad Shannon, Michelle Venus AFFILIATIONS Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Loveland Chamber of Commerce Greeley Chamber of Commerce 2017 STYLE MAGAZINES January-Style February-Style March-NOCO Wellness April-Style May-Style June-Style July-NOCO Wellness August-Style September-Women’s Health & Breast Cancer Style October-NOCO Wellness November-Holiday Style December-Best Of Style Style Media and Design, Inc. magazines are free monthly publications direct-mailed to homes and businesses in Northern Colorado. Elsewhere, a one-year subscription is $25/year and a two-year subscription is $45. Free magazines are available at more than 300 locations throughout Northern Colorado. For ad rates, subscription information, change of address, or correspondence, contact Style Media and Design Inc., 211 W. Myrtle St., Suite 200, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. Phone (970) 226-6400, ext. 208. Fax (970) 2266427. Email ina@stylemedia.com. ©2017 Style Media and Design Inc. All rights reserved. The entire contents of Style Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Style Media and Design Inc. is not responsible for unsolicited material. All manuscripts, artwork, and photography must be accompanied by a SASE. The views and opinions of any contributing writers are not necessarily those of Style Media & Design, Inc.
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Landscape
NORTHERN COLORADO
PRAIRIE LANDSCAPE When Gary and Jan finished their dream home on the plains northeast of Fort Collins they wanted to make their yard an evolving project where they could recreate and learn to work the land as “gentlemen and women gardeners.” They knew enough from their upbringing to know that the climate in the area where their home was located would limit the kinds of plant material used. They approached the designers at Alpine Gardens and challenged them to create a landscape that could handle the tough weather conditions, yet still be colorful and easy to take care of year round. Other considerations included leaving areas for tractor access and snow piling from Colorado’s infrequent, but occasionally large, snowstorms. Also a population of rabbits, snakes and coyotes live in the area and make Gary and Jan’s prairie landscape their home. A combination of blue rabbitbrush, Winnepeg Park Shrub Rose, Blue Avena Grass and redleaf shrub rose were used to add interest to evergreen windbreaks. A raised planter was constructed surrounding the back patio so a perennial garden could be installed to add color in an area where it could be enjoyed close up. A flagstone area was left for future artwork, which will have the wonderful mountain views as a backdrop. This was the first phase of a project for these STYLE 2017freshly minted urban farmers.
970.226-2296 www.alpinelandscaping.com
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS. SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO:
lydia@stylemedia.com Phone: 970.226.6400, ext.201 Fax: 970.226.6427 www.stylemedia.com
BIG THANKS!
We hope this reaches you in splendid spirits and health! We just wanted to pass along our sincere appreciation for having been nominated and selected “Best Of ” for acupuncture in your reader’s poll. And we wish you an amazing and peaceful 2017! Blessings, Robert and Nancy Evans, Fort Collins CommUnity Acupuncture I wanted you to know that I really liked the January article, “People With a Passion!” Thank you for including me and showing my hobby of knitting lace; I appreciate you thinking of me. Several people have
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mentioned to me that they saw the article in Style. Thanks again. Ivy Sipes, Livermore Thank you so much for the article on Storytime in the Dome at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, in your January Style. It's wonderful and you both (Lydia Dody and Elissa Tivona) totally rock my world. I appreciate your support for this program and all you do for the businesses and families of Northern Colorado. Thanks so much! Cathy Morrison Studio With A View, Fort Collins
Good morning, Lydia. Thank you for the magazines, the boards, and your work for the article in the January issue of Style. I have a showing Saturday of Brownes on Howes already from the article! Thank you, Brandon Tompkins, Realtor RE/MAX Alliance, Fort Collins A big thank you to your staff for a nice job done on the recent article "Fitter Fort Collins Health & Wellness Tips for 2017". I've received such positive feedback from the article. People report they appreciated the health tips they can easily integrate into their daily regimen. As always we appreciate the special
STYLEMEDIA.COM
We sell Exquisite Jewelry... ...and by the way, we are a TATTOO & PIERCING studio too!
"STYLE" way you put your ideas and articles together. Nancy Stilson-Herzog Fitter Fort Collins Health & Wellness
Huge selection of gold jewelry from designers like B.V.L.A, Venus by Maria Tash, and Body Gems.
WHY I LIKE STYLE!
What I like about Style is how every month you connect us to our community. Whether for health care, senior living, art, fashion, or just something to do on the weekend, Style shows us the best of our community. Being in the hobbies article in the January issue was exciting, and I enjoyed learning about others and how they spend their precious free time. What I didn't expect was how Style tied these hobbies to a positive healthy activity. The article is right - it is a powerful stress reliever. Again, the hobbies article connects us to our community by taking the article topic and featuring local residents engaged in those activities. Quite often reading your magazine I know one of the models, the persons being interviewed, or the companies you feature. It's great to see all these community members featured in Style. So thanks for keeping it local. ...and one more thing please. I didn't mention in the article one of the most enjoyable parts of having a hobby where you create something is being able to give your creations away as gifts to friends, colleagues or family. Or, such as in your case Lydia, crochet or knitting yields great gifts, such as the one I received from some caring hospital volunteer who knitted the baby cap for my newborn son Benjamin years ago. I have on many occasions built models with custom logos such as the Style helicopter I gave you. To the Style readers: try a new hobby. It can bring you great pleasure and relaxation.
Best Tattoo Parlor
628 S. College Ave. | 970.221.9712 | www.TribalRitesTattoo.com
John Sinnett, Fort Collins
John's newest model, Maleficent. STYLE 2017
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FEBRUARY 2017
CONTENTS
features 22
8
Northern Colorado's Growth Drives Planning Efforts
32
NOCO Real Estate Update
43
Top Dollar For Your Home
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STYLE 2017
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FEBRUARY 2017
CONTENTS 30
55
36
around town
14 Style Files
52 Wedding Planner Extraordinaire
Spotlight 16 Business Allen Service
Magic of Della Terra 55 The Mountain Chateau
noco style
Living 18 Healthy Is a Life Coach for You?
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Wedding Day to Remember at Fort 57 ACollins Country Club
60 Blissful Weddings at Ellis Ranch
How to Hire a Professional for Your 30 Landscape Next Outdoor Project 62 Let Them Eat Cake 36 Renovate 64 Like Heaven... Only Smaller Reinvent, Refresh, Remodel
46 Travel Can't Miss Winter Festivals 2017 wedding guide
Dream Wedding - Style Magazine 49 Your Wedding Guide 2017
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departments
12 Publisher's Letter 66 About Town
Loveland Chamber 2017 Annual Dinner STYLEMEDIA.COM
Nelsen’s... Servicing vehicles in Fort Collins since 1947!! Throughout 2017 Nelsen’s will be running monthly SPECIALS.
ANNIVERSARY!
CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!
361 1⁄2 East Mountain Ave, | Fort Collins | 970-484-0834 | www.nelsensauto.com
STYLE 2017
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
NORTHERN COLORADO ON THE MOVE
Our February issue always features an update on real estate and this past year it has once again been a very lively marketplace for buyers and sellers. In fact, our region is in the top 15 metro areas in the country for price appreciation at rates of 10%, and as a whole, Colorado is 4th in the nation and saw a rate of 10.03%. We interviewed four leading real estate professionals and they agreed that rates are still good, there is a strong demand and inventory is more balanced. Read “NoCo Real Estate Update” to get a great overview of this past year and learn more about expected appreciation in
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2017 and where buyers are looking for homes if they are priced out of the market. Our brisk growth poses many concerns and challenges for our communities. Over the past several years we have certainly seen lots of changes in the landscape of Northern Colorado. As planners look towards the next ten years, they took some time to share with us their goals, plans, and their limitations in “Northern Colorado’s Growth Drives Planning Efforts.” On the topic of real estate, everyone interested in selling their property wants to know how to get the maximum amount for their home. Read about appraisals, what is behind a market appraisal, and what can be done to maximize your selling price. Five leading real estate professionals share their expertise in “Top Dollar for Your Home.” Speaking of homes, some people decide that remodeling a home in a good location is more practical then looking to find that ideal one. And, that is exactly what Ian and Lynnette Struggles did. They took a beautiful deep toned traditional home in Linden Lake and transformed it into a slick light contemporary showpiece. Be sure to read “Reinvent, Refresh, Remodel” to see some of the dramatic changes they made by hiring a team of professional sub-contractors. Their finished product is truly exquisite. One of my favorite sections in this issue is the “Wedding Section.” Did you notice the cake on the cover? The reason I’m particularly interested in this theme is because my youngest daughter, Ali, has recently gotten engaged. She and Scott will be getting married in November and I’m now realizing the enormous number of details that need to be worked out for the wedding,
and there isn’t much time to do it. We researched to find a venue and learned that many dates were already taken. In fact, some venues were practically sold out a year in advance. For this issue we selected three different types of venues to write about since each has a unique special character. Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park caters to only weddings, while the Fort Collins Country Club and Ellis Ranch Event Center host weddings and many other kinds of events. Be sure to learn about what they offer in the “Wedding Section.” What could be more beautiful then a bride in a gorgeous gown? Ali and I went shopping for her gown at Dora Grace Bridal and she found the perfect one. She said, “yes to the dress,” and when she walked out of the dressing room I couldn’t help but tear up. My baby had grown up and was going to be a beautiful bride. Be sure you see the three gorgeous gowns in “Your Dream Wedding,” to view three trending styles for today’s brides. Enjoy reading about trends in beautiful wedding cakes in “Let Them Eat Cake,” and about the everpopular wedding cupcakes in “Like Heaven…Only Smaller.” In closing, I want to share how grateful I am to have such a wonderful fulfilling job in such an amazing community. Thank you for allowing me to inform and entertain you with Style magazines these past 33 years. It continues to be an honor and a privilege. With gratitude, lydia@stylemedia.com
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files HOT: Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix)
not: Homeland (Showtime)
not: Vikings (History)
HOT: New Girl (Netflix & Fox)
not: Schitt's Creek (Netflix & CBC)
HOT: Zendoodle & Zentangles
not: Adult Coloring Books
HOT: Train a girl a bottle a boat
not: John Mayer the Search For Everything
HOT: Facebook Marketplace
not: Craigslist
HOT: New Balance Fresh Foam
not: Nike
HOT: The Crown (Netflix)
The Hot or Not List Style Magazine staff members tell you what they are into right now...
HOT: Dying Laughing (VUDU)
not: The Young Pope (HBO)
HOT: Trolls Soundtrack
not: Grace Vanderwaal Perfectly Imperfect
HOT: Apple News (iOS)
not: Flipboard News (iOS & Android)
HOT: Target Popcorn & Beverage Combo
not: Costco Samples
HOT: Waterproof Bluetooth Shower Speaker $8.99 Amazon
not: Bose Soundlink Speaker
HOT: Anna Faris (Podcast)
not: WTF with Marc Maron (Podcast)
HOT: The Trail (iOS Game)
not: Super Mario Run (iOS Game)
HOT: Apple AirPods
not: Jaybird X2 Premium
HOT: Garmin Vivoactive HR
not: Nike Fuel Band
Agree to DISagree? We would love to know what you think. Email us at info@stylemedia.com 14
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HOT: StarTalk Neil deGrasse Tyson (Podcast)
not: Nerdist with Chris Hardwick (Podcast)
HOT: QuizUp (iOS & Android)
not: Candy Crush Saga (iOS Game)
HOT: Snapseed (iOS & Android)
not: Adobe Photoshop Express (iOS & Android)
HOT: Jillian Michaels Training (iOS)
not: Lifesum Health (iOS)
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Mike Allen
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Jeff Allen
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Settling into its 55th year, Allen Service has continued to show its customer focus and technical expertise as it has redefined itself with the needs of the industry. “We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years and our company has gone through changes to meet the needs,” says President Mike Allen. Its history began when Marion and June Allen opened the business on April 1, 1962 as a residential plumbing contractor. When residential growth slowed in the 80s, commercial construction work was offered. More recently, again looking at industry fluctuations, Allen Service refocused all of its energy on residential customer service. The company, still family owned and operated, has not only survived, it has thrived by adapting to the times. “The home service profession continues to evolve at a fast pace and we’ve stayed on top of that by investing in training for our staff and focusing on the customers,” CEO Jeff Allen says. But there’s more to the story.
ON THE JOB
Allen Service offers a wide variety of residential services including the range in plumbing needs from repair to water heaters to pipeline inspection to kitchen and bath remodels. In the heating realm, Allen’s expertise includes furnace and boiler installation and repair, as well as energy efficiency options. It also provides air conditioning options, trenchless sewer repair, drain cleaning and water jetting.
REASONS TO HIRE
They know what they are doing. The high level of training they provide their employees has put them at the top of their field. “We probably provide more training several times over any service company in the area,” Jeff says. Mike adds, “We absolutely believe the best investment we make above anything, above trucks, above the building - is good continual training of our team members and that’s not required by any regulation.” “What we are really trying to do is to give world class customer service.” Jeff says. “It’s hard to describe but when you see it you know it. We are trying to raise the bar on customer service. Our brand promise is that you deserve service this good. It’s a bold statement and takes a lot of energy to fulfill that promise.” Training is ongoing with daily coaching, customer service and technical training two days every week. Service meeting discussions also help up the quality. “When we have issues in the field, we bring them into our meetings and discuss them so we can come up with ideas,” Jeff says. “It improves our service and cuts down on call backs and complaints. And 90 percent of complaints come from a miscommunication. So, we look at how we can listen better to our customers and communicate with them.”
CLAIM TO FAME
Allen Service has a reason to boast. First, it was Northern Colorado’s first green plumber. “We were green before it was fashionable,” Mike says. “We’ve been using the right approach for years with things like low water consumption, fixtures and faucets. We were using them before there were government mandates.” Allen’s claim to fame is also witnessed by well over 700 favorable reviews on Yahoo, Yelp, Google, ReviewBuzz, and BBB. It was also designated as the Best Plumbing Service in the 2016 Best of Style Magazine (the third year in a row Allen has received that distinction).
HOW TO FIND THEM
Call them at (970) 716-1897 to make an appointment Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Service is also available 24/7 for heating, plumbing and air conditioning emergencies. Check out the website (www.allenservice.com) for the full array of options provided.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Inside Allen Service’s front door, a sign instructs its employees with three simple rules: “Be on time. Be willing to learn new things. Do the best you can.” That provides the foundation for the company, Jeff says. “That’s what we are about. Our Mission is to provide such excellent service that all our customers become raving fans and brag about using our company.” Customer service is at the heart of the company, he adds. “Our first thought in every decision we make in our business is about doing right by the customer. It’s in our culture to be that way. We have found those decisions end up being the best business decisions. It ends up being the best for the employees because they feel good about what they are doing, and it’s good for the customer because we provide options but they are put in control of making the choice that’s right for them.” Options always exist, Mike adds. “There’s usually more than one option so we provide that information and then, based on what the customer feels is best for them, we respond accordingly.” “It’s all about empathy, respect for the property, and really listening to what the owner is saying,” Jeff adds.
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CLOSING THOUGHTS “We have a great company culture,” Jeff says. “We don’t act like bosses. People here say, ‘there’s my home family and there’s my work family.’” Allen Service is always looking for the right team members to join the work family. “We have great opportunities because of the training we provide and we’re quickly becoming the destination employer. This is a place you want to work and that you’re proud of the work because of the ethics. It’s also a place where what you do, and what you say really matters.”
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healthy living
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Is A Life Coach For You? By Michelle Venus
It’s a new year. Along with the flip of a calendar page come resolutions to lose those extra pounds, get a new job, build your business, start a business, find love, be a better parent. You name it, it’s on somebody’s list somewhere. Nearly 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions and only 8 percent of them achieve them. That’s a lot of failure. No one makes a resolution planning for it to go south. How can all those good intentions get turned into realized goals? One possibility is to hire a life coach to work with you to actualize your resolutions and intentions. But how do you go about finding the right person? What can you expect from a life or business coach? What are your commitments, both in time and financially? And finally, what the heck is a life coach, anyway? Let’s start with the last question first. A life coach is a professional who works with clients to help them reach their goals or change their lives when they feel that they’re just not making progress. Some call themselves life coaches, but there are all manners of coaching niches. You can find business coaches, happiness coaches, executive/ leadership, and health coaches. There are even love coaches who claim they can help you find that meaningful and lasting relationship you’ve been pining for. This is the part where most people roll their eyes and say, “Life coach? Seriously?” Skepticism is understandable. Coaching is an unregulated industry, and the STYLE 2017
business is booming, too. More and more people are adding this title to their curricula vitae. According to a study commissioned by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), approximately 47,500 professional coaches are now in business worldwide (bringing cumulative annual revenue close to $2 billion) as compared to 2,100 professional coaches in 1999. While many coaches undergo training, some don’t. Some coaches have their own coaches. Some don’t. The industry is as varied as the people who hang their shingles and the people who seek their services. "But that variety is something you want," advises Lisa Wilson, owner of Truly Rise Coaching. She’s a Cheyennebased coach-in-training who has worked with coaches herself. Coaching isn't a one-size-fits all endeavor, so different modalities and approaches are to be expected. Much like an athletic coach, a personal coach trains you to reach optimal performance in whatever area you’re looking to improve. (Though you may want to steer clear of love coaches that offer optimal performance training. Just saying.) He or she helps you break through the barriers that stand in your way, to release harmful patterns, and take the necessary steps to effect forward movement. Celebrities
such as Oprah, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, Leonardo DiCaprio, and even the heavy metal band Metallica have pointed to their life coaches as integral partners in helping them work through roadblocks that stand in the way of getting to the next level. There are coaches out there just as famous as these A-List clients. Tony Robbins is a household name and coaches individuals. He counts Bill Clinton and Melissa Etheridge among his clients. He is most well known for his high energy, dynamic large-group seminars that attract thousands worldwide. Martha Beck, Oprah’s coach, is hosting a few intimate retreats at the Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa this year. At $12,960 - $19,440 a pop, it’s not an insignificant investment. But coaching doesn’t have to take place in an arena with 20,000 of your best friends or in an exotic locale. You can find a coach close to home, and more affordably too. Most life coaches working with individuals charge about $200 to $1,000 per month for a 30- to 60-minute call three or four times a month. Online and group coaching can tally in at a lower cost. Michelle Vos is a Fort Collins-based coach specializing in working with
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Michelle Vos, coach, trainer and speaker. women (though she has clients of the other gender persuasion as well), guiding them to “authentically communicate and embody their value, which allows them to make the money and impact they want.” With clients in 13 countries, she coaches people in person, over the phone, and via online workshops. When asked why she became a coach, she’s quick to answer. “The core of all the work I’ve ever done has always been about authentic visibility,” she explains. “Everything I’ve ever touched has been about that, and I've found that coaching is a necessary tool for people to be fully expressed.” Her careers as an interior designer and fashion stylist helped her clients authentically express themselves and evolved over time to include peer coaching and speaking. When she realized that coaching was her life’s work and passion, she embarked upon rigorous training. Michelle is a Certified Professional Coach, having received her year-long training through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), that offers training in Denver. The training provided her with the tools necessary to start this phase of her career, but also stressed the ethical guidelines of her newly chosen profession. People can be excellent coaches without certification— there are coaches who come by the skills naturally—but the training provides a solid base of knowledge. It’s important to understand what coaching is, and why you might want/ need one before going out to find a coach, Michelle says. Sometimes people equate coaching to therapy. The two are
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not the same; therapy focuses on the past whereas the focus of coaching is on the present, but more importantly, the future. “Therapy is about helping a person who is operating at a dysfunctional level and getting them to functional. Coaching is not about taking dysfunctional to functional. It’s about taking functional to optimal. It’s about getting the right tools and understanding yourself better so you can have a new paradigm to creating the reality that you want.” Now that you’ve decided that you need a coach and not a therapist, how do you go about knowing which coach is right for you? “Trust,” states Franklin Taggart. The Loveland coach and consultant works primarily with people pursuing creative aspirations. He can tell within a half hour if he and a potential client are right for each other and would rather turn someone away than establish a relationship that isn’t based in trust. The intimacy of the coach/client relationship makes it paramount. “If you can’t trust your coach, you won't reach your goals,” he explains. Ronda Renée, founder of Divine Navigation, echoes that sentiment. Once trust has been established and you’ve started down your path to greatness, make sure your expectations are realistic and aligned with your goals. • Expect your coach to be curious about you and to foster your own curiosity. Together, you should seek meaningful answers to provocative questions.
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• Focus on your strengths, values, and potential. Your coach will help you past obstacles like fear or doubt while looking toward the future. By exploring your values and beliefs, your coach will help you find the courage to move through your current state to the change you want to make. • Expect your coach to challenge you. Expect pushback when you’re trying to get comfortable in your rut. We all have the ability to hold on to concepts and behavioral patterns that are holding us back, often without even realizing it. Your coach, by virtue of paying close attention, can help identify inconsistencies that are getting in the way of progress. • Expect optimism about your future—especially if you’re stuck in the mud. Count on your coach to reveal possibilities you never thought existed and pull you out of the swamp. • Don’t expect fast and easy answers. Working with a coach requires taking a good, hard look at yourself. And sometimes you won’t like what you see. That just means it’s time to dig deeper and look harder. If you can’t do that, maybe this isn’t the right time for coaching. • Do not expect your coach to do all the work. No, this is your baby. If you want to reach goals and achieve your full potential, you’re going to have to invest time and energy. The coach is there to guide you, shine a flashlight into the dark corners, and give you a push when you need it. You do all the rest. Engaging a coach can be a life changing decision. In order for it to be successful, you need to trust yourself and your coach. You need to commit time, financial resources, and energy. You need to believe that you can accomplish—or exceed—your goals. You just may surprise yourself with the outcome. Michelle Venus is the Development Director at KRFC 88.9 FM. She lives in a teeny, tiny Old Town bungalow, is the mother of two brilliant and beautiful children and frequently bounces concepts off an old, floppy Basset. STYLE 2017
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Northern Colorado’s Growth DRIVES PLANNING EFFORTS By Kay Rios
Based on population projections, planning for the Northern Colorado region is on the move as municipalities and counties look at addressing the upcoming needs.
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“We’ve experienced a three percent annual growth since 2012… and if we project out ten years… it could be (population) at 240,000.”
CAMERON GLOSS AICP
Planning Manager City of Fort Collins
Fort Collins downtown aerial view
A report released by the U.S. Census Bureau in March of 2015 showed that both Larimer and Weld counties were among the dozen fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation from 2013 to 2014. The 2015 estimated population figures registered at 333,577 for Larimer County and 285,174 for Weld County. With concerns the trend will continue, the NoCo Housing Now group was created by the Fort Collins Board of Realtors (FCBR), says Clint Skutchan, FCBR Chief Executive Officer. “It was established to encourage local elected officials to join in the dialogue as to how housing affordability can be addressed. This is not just about affordable housing. It’s about housing affordability for all wage earners.” Members from 13 municipalities and a variety of other interest areas have joined the effort so far. After an on-line survey last June and several meetings, task groups were created to look at a number of factors including state legislative STYLE 2017
policies that affect housing affordability, and the possibility of regional land trusts. Additionally, members will work with the Colorado Land Institute and conduct focus groups on strategies to meet the housing affordability needs. Aside from being involved in the regional perspective, cities and towns continue to work on their individual needs for the future. The following are examples of those efforts. Fort Collins Fort Collins population estimate from the U.S. Census bureau shows 2015 figures at 161,175. That will likely grow, says Cameron Gloss department head for the City’s Planning Department. “We’ve experienced a three percent annual growth since 2012. Over the last 20 years, it’s been ebb and flow but we’ve still seen about a 2.3 percent actual growth rate over on average. We’ve had this growth spurt since 2012, and if we project out ten years at that rate, it could be
at 240,000.” In any case, Gloss says, there are challenges ahead. “The biggest challenge facing Fort Collins is housing affordability. We’ve got incomes that have barely kept pace with the cost of living, so with cost of housing increasing, we’re seeing the gap widening. The prices have gone up substantially and if you look at our numbers for the region, there are a lot of folks getting priced out of the market.” The type of housing adds to the gap. “It’s not the middle housing such as a condo, townhome or smaller single family house that’s being built. That portion of the market is shrinking. We’re building multifamily at a great rate and also in the upper market, but we have this missing middle.” Land availability is another challenge, Gloss says. “We have less land available in a development ready state.” Fort Collins Growth Management Area (GMA) is 78 square miles and provides a boundary for
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“If I look out ten years… I see us having a population of around 130,000.”
JOHN BARNETT PLA, AICP
Long Range Planning City of Greeley
Greeley aerial northward from UNC
the City. “We are, in essence, land locked with Timnath to the east, the Fort CollinsLoveland separator on the south, the foothills on the west and then where the GMA meets Laporte and also meets Wellington with a separator to the north.” The City is already working on how to address the challenges. “The last City Plan was adopted in 1997 and we’ve seen so many changes in the community since then. A third of our population didn’t live in Fort Collins when that plan was adopted so we’re getting ready to embark on a major update.” That, he says, will involve an exhaustive public process that will kick off in April this year. “The Transportation Master Plan and the Transit Plan will also be reevaluated simultaneously.” Greeley Greeley’s 2015 population estimate
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registered at 100,883. John Barnett, long range planner for the City of Greeley, says “If I look out ten years into the future, I see us having a population of around 130,000.” That increase will, of course, generate housing needs, which Barnett sees as translating to 9,000 more housing units. “The rising cost of housing is one of the major issues for Northern Colorado. Most people define affordable housing as housing available to 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or lower, and often have to be subsidized. But I’m talking about the next increments from 80 to 120% of AMI. It’s housing for the average wage income earner and includes occupations such as teachers, firefighters and policemen.” Greeley infrastructure is not as limiting as some of the other areas. “We’re in pretty good shape from an overall perspective, but that can change. We require that
the number of public facilities and the infrastructure concerns are adequate at the time of development as they come on line. That includes access to major streets, water rights or requirements, adequate water and sewer lines, and fire protection. All major arterials and collectors must meet city standards. And for residential development, that includes neighborhood parks. If those aren’t all in place, then we’re looking at impact fees charged at the time of the building permit to provide for those facilities.” Raw water costs add to the challenges, he says. “That water has to be brought in at one acre-foot per single family household, which is about what a single family household requires for a year. That price tripled two or three years ago and was a huge hit on the price of housing.” Greeley’s 91 square mile GMA has STYLEMEDIA.COM
TROY BLISS
“For Loveland, infrastructure concerns hit the top of the challenge list.”
Senior Planner City of Loveland
Aerial of Loveland
several intergovernmental agreements involved. “The City is landlocked to the south,” Barnett says. “We have agreements with Evans as to how far south we can annex and how far north they can annex. We’re not landlocked at all to the northeast and to the north for quite a ways, but we have an intergovernmental agreement with Windsor to our west and a bit to the northwest. We also have an agreement with Severance to the north.” Loveland Loveland’s population hit 75,182 in 2015. Between 2000 and 2014, it grew by 39 percent and, according to Create Loveland, the City’s comprehensive plan for growth and development decisions, the population is forecasted to double by 2040. For Loveland, infrastructure concerns hit the top of the challenge list, says Troy STYLE 2017
Bliss, Senior Planner, City of Loveland. “Loveland has a lot of growth potential and we haven’t come close to meeting the GMA (currently 61 square miles). In terms of getting to the outer lying areas, it will be a challenge in terms of water and sewer. We’re now seeing a lot of activity northwest of Loveland with a lot of residential development interest. And the area around Highway 402 is becoming another potential area for development. “As that interest progresses, we’ll need to address those infrastructure challenges.” Challenges aren’t only physical, he says. “We need to pay attention to our citizens in terms of how they want to see Loveland developed. There are pro-development folks who want to see Loveland expand but there are others who share a different view and are concerned with traffic along our streets and the densities being built around
them. Balancing those needs and concerns is an important consideration as we move forward. We also don’t want to miss out on competitive business opportunities. We want to be positioned in a way to be marketable and to attract businesses and job opportunities but still retain that level of quality of life that folks in Loveland expect.” Development, for the most part, pays its own way in terms of balancing infrastructure needs. “We may participate in some of those challenges. It’s also about collaboration and cooperation.” Loveland with its 61 square mile GMA is somewhat landlocked, Bliss says. “For the most part, we have reached our western limits in the GMA as well our northern limits. There are a few exceptions with regard to potential entitlements on properties. From Highway 287 to I25, there is Cont. Pg. 29
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OUR BUSINESS IS BUILT ON REL ATIONSHIPS AND TRUST
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“…we are challenged with preserving the ‘small town charm’ that Windsor residents value as we continue to grow at a rapid pace.”
SCOTT BALLSTADT AICP
Director Town of Windsor | Planning
Aerial of Windsor looking at Water Valley Cont. from Pg. 25
some development potential, but it will be a situation where the infrastructure needs to catch up before development is viable.” Windsor Windsor’s 2015 population estimate is recorded at 21,751. “Over the next ten years, Windsor’s population is projected to increase by approximately 9,000 residents, surpassing 34,000 residents by mid-2027,” says Scott Ballstadt, Town of Windsor’s Planning Department director. “We anticipate our current rate of development will continue over the next two to three years and gradually slow to a more conservative annual growth rate of 2.5 to 3.0 percent.” The challenges ahead are not unique to Windsor, Ballstadt says. “Housing affordability, transportation and water are challenges that the entire region faces. Additionally, we are challenged with preserving the ‘small town charm’ that Windsor residents value as we continue to grow at a rapid pace. It will come down to development patterns and one of the things that STYLE 2017
lends itself to small town charm is predominately single family detached homes. We have to address competing interests where we need the diversity in housing types and are able to integrate those in the community.” Windsor’s plan to address the challenges is witnessed by the initiatives in the 2016-18 Strategic Plan adopted by the Town Board. “It includes a review of our current housing policies to identify gaps and needs in existing housing options and that’s underway. We’re currently reviewing our existing workforce, housing policies and incentives for potential improvements,” he says. Ballstadt also sees the cost and availability of raw water is a limitation. “Windsor requires developers to dedicate raw water rights to the Town to serve their projects and subdivisions. Given the arid climate in which we live, those water rights are in high demand and becoming harder to find at an ever-increasing cost. We are participating in the Northern Integrated Supply
Project (NISP) to provide a source of 3,300 acre-feet of water. And the Engineering Department is also overseeing a multijurisdiction effort to study the feasibility of a water treatment facility that would complement existing treatment plants.” With its 43 square mile GMA, Windsor shares contiguous boundaries with its neighboring communities, Ballstadt says. “But there’s plenty of room to grow in all directions within the Town’s GMA. We currently have active development projects underway from north of Harmony Road, south of Crossroads Boulevard, east in the industrial park and west near Fairgrounds Avenue, and we have ample opportunities for infill development in between.”
Kay Rios, Ph.D. is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins. In high school, her summer job found her working on a farm near the corner of Prospect and College. Quite a change from today’s view.
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landscape
How to hire a professional for your
NEXT OUTDOOR PROJECT By Kristoffer Nylander With spring quickly approaching, are you considering hiring a professional to help with your new outdoor installation or remodel? There are many options when seeking professional advice or assistance but many aren’t sure where to start, or how long the process can take from planning to installation. There are two common approaches to this endeavor: hire a design-build contractor or design-bid-build. In the design-bid-build scenario, you will start by commissioning an independent landscape designer or architect to draw plans for your project. Many times the designer will have a contractor or list of contractors that they can recommend for you to contact. At this point you could send out your design for bid to one or more of the recommended contractors or a contractor you found on your own. Once a contractor has been selected, you will either act as the project manager yourself or potentially retain your landscape designer for an additional fee to act as the
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project manager to ensure the installation occurs as it was intended on the design. This option does require a bit more expertise and time commitment from the owner. A potential trouble spot of this option would be that there is the opportunity for details to slip through the cracks, and you as the owner have to communicate with multiple professionals to ensure their collaboration and coordinate the implementation. The other common option is hiring a design-build contractor, which limits your communication and focus to a single firm. In selecting a design-build contractor it is important to check references, their portfolio of completed work, and how long they have done work in your area. There are many companies set up this way, where you begin with a single company that can perform the project in its entirety from design to install. Many times these companies will charge a little less for design work with the understanding that their company will implement the construction of the project. In this
scenario, you might select a professional based on your comfort level with their design style as well as your confidence in their company’s ability to execute the project requirements with their crews and subcontractors. While this option can still take quite a bit of time it typically saves time over the designbid-build option. With everyone performing the project under the same roof, communication channels can be quicker and more accurate amongst the team and a smoother transition can be expected from the design phase to implementation. This streamlined project flow can also lead to cost savings and reduced stress for the owner. Whether you choose design-bid-build or design-build, you need to consider the project timeline. A common question is how long it should take to design a project. Most of this depends on the complexity of the project and the time of year. In Colorado, the “busy season” (March-June) is when designers have the most demand on their time. In the busy season, it can take weeks to STYLEMEDIA.COM
simply schedule an initial appointment with a designer. In winter months designers are more readily available to meet and produce a design. Most plans will require at least one review process either for HOA approval or for building permits. Each review submittal can take from two weeks to two months depending upon the entity. Please take this into account before planning that graduation party, 4th of July BBQ or summer wedding reception. If hiring a professional for your outdoor project is on the horizon this year, enjoy the process; many say it is the most rewarding and enjoyable home project they ever take on. Kristoffer Nylander is the Business Development Manager/Designer at Alpine Gardens and has enjoyed creating beautiful outdoor environments for Northern Colorado families for 20 years.
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NoCo Real Estate Update By Brad Shannon
Home prices rose at a breathtaking pace in 2015. Rents and vacancy rates saw new respective highs and lows. Then things slowed in 2016, as predicted, but not much. Brandon Wells of The Group Inc. Real Estate shared that home values were still on the fast track. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) home price index had Fort Collins/Loveland, Greeley, and Boulder/ Longmont all in the top 15 metro areas in the country for price appreciation at rates of 10%+. Colorado saw a rate of 10.03%, 4th in the nation. “Some ask about a bubble,” Wells noted, “but we feel the growth is sustainable. We don’t have the sub-prime soft spot of
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2008, interest rates are low, mortgages are affordable and buyers are spending a smaller percentage of income on mortgage costs.” Gene Vaughan of RE/MAX Alliance reported last year was “a great barometer. Our 5 Northern Colorado offices are a good sampling.” He notes ’16 transactions were down compared to ’15. “Not a lot, six to seven percent, max. We had a 10 to 11 percent price increase. But, we feel great about the fact that we helped 3,400 of our customers, clients, and families with their housing needs!" He sees more of the same in '17. “We’re encouraged by current demand. There’s a strong appetite for homes. We’re busy, and
our peers are, too. I think we’ll have a great first quarter. That can indicate how the year is likely to go. The first few months are so important.” Affordability remains challenging The two prime concerns continue to be interest rates and inventory. “The echoes of rapid appreciation are still being felt,” said Brian Trainor of C3 Real Estate. “For the last six months, folks said, ‘We feel like we’re buying at the top of the market,’ and that sticker shock is from locals as well as those coming in from Texas, Florida, and Castle Rock.” “Eight or nine years ago, folks could see STYLEMEDIA.COM
real value,” he continued. “Now I have to for a lot of growth in ’17,” Wells continued. to decline, so the outlook is bright for job prove the value of what I’m selling. An aver“1,870 homes have been approved, and projopportunities and future growth.” age of the last six houses we sold was $205/ ects have another 4,000 homes bound for sq.ft. In Old Town Fort Collins, it was that area. The location gives a central place 2017 $350/sq.ft. Most of my buyers are relocatto access Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Wells said The Group Inc. saw an uptick ing, and their gut says, ‘isn’t this the top of Loveland, which is attractive to a multiin activity in late ’16 due to the interest rate the market?’ They don’t see it as affordable direction commute household.” rise, spurring those sitting on the fence, and for the average homeowner. I feel for them. “We used to hear, ‘I don’t want to drive,’ his team expects additional rate increases In many cases the market has reached a and they would buy something a little in ’17 that should continue to drive activity point where, even if they want to, they can’t pay more than they are already paying.” January 1 – December 31, 2016 “Inventory is our biggest frustration,” said Vaughan. “Supply Chart courtesy of The Group, Inc. is starting to catch up and bring $450,000 more balance to the market. $409,095 $404,710 $392,442 One thing that will help, but $400,000 $375,490 $360,335 concerns me, is the many multi$338,315 $350,000 $326,743 family units under construction and planned. My gut says we’re $292,034 $300,000 nearly overbuilt, and I think the rental market is already soften$250,000 ing and will continue to soften. $200,000 It will give more opportunity for those seeking a rental.” $150,000 Wells acknowledges the $100,000 impact of these on the market, as well. “There are 3,000 new units $50,000 New New New New Resale Resale Resale Resale in Fort Collins, and 560 on the Construction Construction Construction Construction $0 drawing board in Greeley. Some Fort Collins Area Loveland/Berthoud Area Windsor/Severance Area Greeley Area Fort Collins Area Loveland/Berthoud Windsor/Severance Greeley Area say rents are softening, we say Area Area they’re equalizing.” Vaughan also sees the possibility that smaller, a little rougher,” Trainor shared. for those working to avoid those bumps. some of these units will eventually be con“Now, even places at that entry level are “We’re in line with some of the National verted to condominiums, with the interim $290k. We would start with ‘let’s try Fort Association of Realtor analysis and a 4.8% period as rentals being a way to work Collins,’ then look at outlying areas. Now, rate prediction. We’ll land in the 4.75% to Source: Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Northern Colorado Copyright © 2016 The Group, Inc. Real Estate. around concerns about Colorado’s construcwe start by looking elsewhere.” With Fort 5% range.” tion defects law, which still hasn’t been Collins hemmed in like Boulder, and out of For this year, Wells says his outlook is reformed like those in the industry would developable lots, he added, I25 is the area’s positive. “The market is stabilizing, we see like. Wells echoed that thought. Trainor, Main Street. Timnath prices on the east normal activity around sales and appreciawho shares an interest in his family’s roofside of I25 have reached new heights, and tion. It is more aligned, less out of balance ing company, notes that they can’t even do people are having a hard time keeping up. in supply and demand, given the recent roof work on multi-family units without “There are great opportunities to make possible future upticks in interest rates. For quadrupling their insurance cost thanks to money,” he continued, “but where will ‘normal’ growth, we look to the past. Rather the law, which still has yet to be modified. teachers live? Where will tradesmen live?” than the unusual 10 to 13% appreciation, we see it being more average, 6% to 7%.” Regional dynamics continue to Jobs and real estate Vaughan expects interest rates to come evolve “Until we see jobs and pay increase to back down a bit and settle, in the 3.75% to “There is a lot of attraction to surroundwhere people at the entry level can start to 4.25% range. “It does have an effect, it will ing small towns,” notes Wells. “But we’re be competitive in the market, we are not take some people out of the market. It’s also building up. We’ve never seen so many seeing pressure from the bottom push up,” not catastrophic, but it does make it a little cranes. Still, points east will continue to said Trainor. harder. I believe over the course of the year boom. 34 at I-25 is emerging as the retail “Jobs and wage growth are one thing we’ll probably have another rate increase or center of Northern Colorado, and we still to watch,” said Wells. “Job numbers are a two. It’s not like we don’t have great rates, have the ‘drive until you qualify’ dynamic. leading indicator by 12 to 24 months. The but people are already leveraged, and a After growth went north – Wellington impact of losing oil and gas jobs in Weld quarter point can make a difference.” home sales increased 23% last year – it County, particularly to the south, resulted in “If you’re a seller, now is a darn good became a bit less affordable, and people some retraction. That led, as Larry Kendall time. Rates are still good, strong demand is went east. The only market we have with an predicted this time last year, to oil workers out there,” notes Vaughan. “If you’re buying, average sales price below $300k is Greeley/ moving to construction. Job growth was you’ve still got good rates. Our economy Evans, and that average is $252,966.” 2.8% through the end of September, unemlooks fantastic in this region, it looks really “We see Berthoud as the new frontier ployment is historically low and continues good. I look forward to a good year that
Average Price of Home
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GENE VAUGHAN RE/MAX Alliance
BRANDON WELLS The Group Inc. Real Estate
SCOTT CHARPENTIER Fort Collins Mortgage LLC
mirrors in many ways ’16. No big jump, not leaning heavily to buyers or sellers, but a good market with more balance than the last two or three years. In fact, recently, in a marketing meeting it was pointed out that while we as agents and longtime residents of Northern Colorado are astonished by listing and sale prices, many newcomers and out of area buyers think we have great bargains! It's all in the eyes of the beholder."
2016 was the fourth record year in a row for Fort Collins Mortgage, reports Scott Charpentier. “Ongoing low interest rates and high property values created a lot of volume for us,” he said. “Conditions were perfect for refinancing and purchasing.” He saw a lot of refinances because, “Yes, you can make money selling, but then you have to spend a lot buying your next home.” Refinancing allowed his clients to pay down debt or remodel. “People added a new bath, redid their kitchen, and stayed put. New
homes sold as fast as they could go, so many took this route.” In terms of interest rates, he notes that they tend not to change much in election years, and the post-election rate bump saw bond market money move to stocks. Those who want to refinance are urged to get going, but he sees less impact on purchases when it comes to the market. “Even with a quarter to a half a percent difference, property values are still going up. We live in a unique place, there’s lots of equity, and I feel
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BRIAN TRAINOR C3 Real Estate good about our future economy. Northern Colorado is an exceptional place, and we could be looking at an easy four to five years on this pace where we’ll stay above average.” Echoing others’ observations, Charpentier says he sees “a lot more rental properties now becoming available, and not old, but brand-new, bigger complexes,” and he notes there is still opportunity here. “The market is appreciating, it is a great place to speculate. Rates may be headed up, along with vacancy rates, but people are still buying investment properties. With rates still low and rents high, that evens out the cash flow, and then you add the tax benefits. They say you get rich selling and you get wealthy keeping, and some are taking that advice.” He’s glad to see the hyper competitive seller’s market cool off a bit. “For six or seven months it was insane. Homes would be under contract before they even went on the market, and buyers were paying over the asking price. It took six weeks to get an appraisal. People got frustrated, for some it was against their nature, and they didn’t want to compete let alone pay above asking price.” But even though that phase has passed for now, he cautions those on the sideline. “Some may want to wait around for prices to come back down, but I don’t know if we’ll see that here. My advice is you need to get in the game.” Brad Shannon is a freelance writer and provides public relations and marketing communications services through his Loveland-based Shannon Marketing Communications LLC.
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Ian and Lynnette Struggles
Reinvent, Refresh, Remodel By Lynette Chilcoat
Buying an existing home in order to remodel the dated features is an intriguing and sustainable way to delve into an ultimate recycle project. Just ask Ian and Lynnette Struggles, who, serving as their own contractor, took a lovely, traditional house near Linden Lake, north of Fort Collins, and transformed it into a modern abode resonating with suffused light. Going from a classic color scheme of formal dark brown and amber accents, the Struggles brought the interior of the structure into a contemporary palette that speaks of cool, crisp comfort. The fleece gray walls trimmed in white are reminiscent of the translucent quality of a winter’s walk as sunlight glistens on freshly fallen snow. Silver highlights and cut glass chandeliers throughout sparkle like brilliant stars. Airy and open with vaulted ceilings in the main living area, the atmosphere is vibrant yet cozy. Stepping away from somber and stuffy, the Struggles have added invigorating new life to the 26-year-old residence. “The floor is constructed of five-inch wide hickory planks,” notes Jay Janicki, owner of Select Wood Floors in Fort Collins, of the stable, sensible base. Light in color, the flooring sets the tone with rich, naturally variegated elements woven within the grain. An original curved staircase rising from STYLE 2017
the entryway to the second floor was replaced with linear, distinctive lines, a theme also repeated in similarly-shaped archways and transom windows. On the upper level, an inviting guest suite awaits, as does a special room just for the grandchildren — complete with a secret cubbyhole perfect for little ones to play in. There are a multitude of reasons to go to all the trouble of remodeling, instead of building brand new. According to Lynnette Struggles, “We did search and almost bought a piece of land at first, but we’d been land owners previously and knew it can be a lot of work. Plus, putting utilities in place is quite costly. As soon as I saw this house I knew that the quality was obvious. It’s a beautiful home, the neighborhood is good, with a perfect location. Old Town is only a few minutes to the south of us. Yet, there is an isolated feel here, as well.” In addition, since she and Ian are both practical, hands-on folks, doing some of the work themselves became a cost-effective way to tackle a stylish refurbish. Originally from Scotland, the Struggles moved to the states when Ian was transferred to the heart of Cajun country in
southern Louisiana. They then initially moved to Colorado nearly two decades ago, where they’ve lived off and on ever since. Now proprietors of their own business, Pro Tech International, they’re able to enjoy a refined lifestyle. “It’s the simple things that make all the difference,” says Struggles, referring to some of the amenities they’ve chosen to include within their new residence. Smart technology has been a big plus. “Control 4 is just a phenomenal system. I love music and there are speakers in all the rooms. The lamps and blinds are also remote controlled from the main hub, a computer or iPhone. The security system records who is here. I never thought I would have remote control like this. It’s nice to get to this point in life.” Shelly Endres, a certified category manager for Hunter Douglas Blinds and a lighting designer working with Imagine More, expounded on the modernized technology. “In the case of the Struggles residence, they wanted the entire main level motorized for privacy and controllability when they’re gone. The blinds we installed are Hunter Douglas PowerView Silhouettes. They have their own little brains that
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communicate with the main system,” says Endres. “It can either be hardwired, which is a little easier installation, but all run on batteries so we’re still able to integrate it without having to tear out the walls.” An example of how the high tech works is that by touching an Entertainment button, the shades drop, the music comes on and lights dim all at once. Endres’ observance of the overall enterprise is that, “the house is just gorgeous. The Struggles‘ vision was just perfectly executed with clean, elegant lines. The window coverings add that final touch.” Early on, Lynnette realized she wanted to remove the wall between the spacious kitchen and formal dining area. After consulting with experts to ensure all would be okay, she donned work gloves and knocked the partition out by herself. The end result was an expansive section ranging from the front sitting room, into the dining and kitchen space, and onto an informal eating nook. This sweeping portion of the house ends finally in a sunroom, once seasonal, but now enclosed to capture the inviting view of an outdoor courtyard. “One huge change was that we practically had the whole house rewired,” adds Struggles. The hard-won lesson she’d impart to others is to peel off the drywall first. “Then you can use whole sheets rather STYLEMEDIA.COM
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than patch. The electrical took months, as well as much patience.” “If you’re going to be your own contractor, look at all your strengths and weaknesses together as a team,” continues Struggles of the tribulations such an undertaking involves. “You are pushed to the limits, but my husband and I would bounce off each other. We’d find that balance of, if I was having a rough day, he’d take over, or vice versa. “One of our biggest challenges was going from traditional heavy and dark to light and modern. I knew I wanted white, with metal components. The design is unique here, but more common in Europe,” says Struggles. According to Natalie Lynch, of Natalie Ann Designs, who was instrumental in helping out at the beginning with a CAD program for the floor and lighting plans, “It was wonderful to help someone in this process and to make it their home. The Struggles were great clients; we did go shopping together. What made it interesting was sort of melding the bones of the house so that it appears seamless.”
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Lynette Chilcoat, owns Chilcoat Custom Literary based in Loveland. She has 20 years experience enjoying the freelancer’s lifestyle. Reach her at chilout2@q.com STYLE 2017
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Thanks to the SUBCONTRACTORS
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Thanks to the SUBCONTRACTORS A Father-Daughter Team
Helping you fulfill your homeowner dreams!
WYNN WASHLE, PH.D., CRS Certified Negotiation Expert Broker Associate/Partner 970-215-2255 wwashle@thegroupinc.com
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LAURA JO WASHLE
Certified Negotiation Expert Broker Associate/Partner 970-232-6336 ljwashle@thegroupinc.com
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Thanks to the SUBCONTRACTORS
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TOP DOLLAR
FOR YOUR HOME By Angeline Grenz
Northern Colorado’s undeniably hot real estate market means most reasonably priced homes will sell‌fast. Savvy sellers can watch their profits tick up by understanding the current market well and knowing what improvements make the difference when it comes to a market appraisal.
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BILL WEST The Group Inc. Real Estate
COLEEN LIGOTKE RE/MAX Alliance
ERIC THOMPSON Windermere Real Estate 44
Arm yourself with knowledge. Knowing the Northern Colorado market is the first step. The current market is comprised of two important facts: there is historic low inventory, and the population in Northern Colorado is continuing to expand. At his annual forecasting event in January, Eric Thompson, managing broker, Windermere Real Estate Fort Collins, said, “Inventory is a third of what it was five years ago.” At the same time, “almost 100,000 people were added to Colorado last year.” Ten percent of that number located to Larimer County. Add to that the difficulty for builders to put new homes on the market under $400,000, this means that pre-owned homes can still command a premium in 2017. In fact, though Thompson feels the rate of acceleration is slowing, he expects prices to rise 8 percent in Fort Collins and 7 percent in Loveland and Greeley in 2017. Low inventory and high prices also mean outlying communities such as Wellington, Evans, and Berthoud are especially attractive to buyers who have been priced out of Fort Collins but want to stay in Northern Colorado. But how are homes priced? Is there a formula that real estate agents rely on to determine home values? And how does the actual appraisal figure in? Get top dollar, fast. It is a sellers’ market right now. But that doesn’t mean that a homeowner doesn’t need to put their best foot forward when it comes to listing their home on the market. Several factors are important, from presentation to timing. Real estate brokers agree: there is no one-size-fits-all formula for pricing a home. It might be easy to get hung up on items such as price per square foot, but the process is more comprehensive, says our panel of experts. “There is not a formula per se,” says The Group Inc. Broker Associate Bill West.
He calls it the “art and science” approach to value. “Many factors help to determine value,” he says. Location, age and condition of home, and nearby home sales will factor into an agent’s valuation. Coleen Ligotke, with Re/Max Alliance in Fort Collins, explains: “Rather than a formula, we go through the same process an appraiser goes through, but we also add the market knowledge [based on] the comparable properties sold.” Another important factor in determining a home’s sale price, says Thompson, is how fast the seller needs to sell. “We find out when the homeowner needs to have the closing and then work backwards. This helps drive the pricing.” Jennifer Kelly, with Keller Williams, adds that square foot price may become a factor when dealing with very unique properties or “with homes with little comparable sales.” She adds that home appraisers, who ensure that the loan price for the home matches the home’s value, rarely use a price-per-square-foot valuation for appraisals. In the same token, appraisals do not set home values…they are reactive, says Thompson. “The challenge of the appraisal is that it looks backwards in time. Appraisals only look at past comparable sales; they do not look at what is happening today or where the market is going.” John Simmons, with C3 Real Estate Solutions, says, when determining a home’s value “location is number one, and condition is number two.” But, he adds, supply and demand, functional issues such as garage size, and good marketing to sell the property all serve to add to the value. There is no correlation between larger homes valued at less per square foot—that all depends on the condition of the home and any upgrades that may have been added. The valuation process will look for comparable properties (in both size and style, and location) sold within the last six months, says West. When all the factors STYLEMEDIA.COM
are added together, the price is determined. Square footage price is a product of the process, not the instigator. “In my view, square foot cost is best used as a check to support value,” he says. The popularity of Old Town Fort Collins homes (Thompson calls it “the white hot center” of the market) has driven up the average square foot price—most homes command a premium yet their foot span is smaller. “Currently, price is a huge consideration [Downtown] and there is more competition with small homes driving the price up, especially if it is in a prime location,” according to Kelly. But there are tricks of the trade that can help homeowners make the best first impression and updates to the home that can lead to bigger returns. Our experts suggest the following for homeowners wanting to make top dollar on their sale: • Landscape makes an impact. “Most exterior improvements give a seller a return,” says Simmons. “We are an outdoor living state. Gardens, patios, decks, storage sheds, fire pits, outdoor kitchens are all important in completing an evaluation.” • Detail or stage your home. “First impressions make a difference,” says West. He advises homeowners “freshen up” their property but cautions against over-improving. Often, he says, sellers go overboard making improvements that may, or may not, have an impact on overall value. Finishing a basement, for instance— “you may not get every dollar out of the money spent there. Oftentimes, it is better just to make the home more presentable with staging than to spend thousands on improvements.” • Consider a pre-inspection. West says this is a great way to get a heads up STYLE 2017
on anything significant. This allows homeowners to make the needed corrections before the home goes on the market, rather than being forced to after the fact. The former allows them to capitalize on those improvements with the initial asking price. • Curb appeal is key. “The curb appeal of the home is really important,” says Ligotke. “So paint that front door; or even put a new door and hardware on.” • Good photography rules. “This is one of our ‘moments of truth,’ for our clients,” says Thompson. “Usually, online is the first moment someone looks at your home. World-class photography is a must.”
JENNIFER KELLY Keller Williams
• Finally, if you need to spend some money, choose the kitchen or master bath. These two areas of the home remain the areas that bring the best return for the money. If you are looking to gain more value, your dollar is best spent in the kitchen first and next in the master bath. The final word on home selling in NoCo in 2017: now is the time. According to Thompson, even small interest rate hikes can make large impacts on the market. He cites the 1%/10% rule: a 1 percent interest rate increase equals a 10 percent impact on payment—and on the home’s sale price. Interest rates are expected to top 5 percent in 2018. “Waiting is your biggest risk,” concludes Thompson.
Angeline Grenz is a writer and small business owner based in Loveland. You can reach her at angie@verbotenbrewing.com.
JOHN SIMMONS C3 Real Estate 45
travel Photo Courtesy of George Fargo
Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs.
s l a v i t s e F Winter CAN'T MISS
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Colorado’s winter festival scene has gotten better and better over the years, and you don’t have to travel to the mountains to find a fantastic wintertime fete because many happen right here on the Front Range. Whether you love birds or skiing, there’s a Colorado winter festival that’s perfect for you. Many of the winter festivals in Colorado’s mountain towns were started years ago, to combat cabin fever. Some of these
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parties are more adult-oriented, Ullr Festival in Breckenridge, for instance, but others are great for the entire family. Steamboat Springs throws great familyfriendly parties and their Winter Carnival is no exception. It combines many of the things the town is known for including champagne powder and cowboys. In addition to many on-slope activities throughout the event that runs February 8-11, 2017, one of the highlights of the
week occurs downtown on Lincoln Avenue. Several races take place on the snowcovered avenue, including street slalom, ski joring, ring and spear, donkey jump and an adult shovel race. The horse events are for children ages 6-14, and non-horse events are for children ages 1- 14. Pre-registration is required at WinterCarnivalSteamboat.com. Cripple Creek is a town mostly known as a gambling destination, but this little STYLEMEDIA.COM
Courtesy Photo Fire Performer
Fire & Ice Festival in Loveland. community likes to party, and festivals occur throughout the year here. In its tenth year, the Cripple Creek Ice Festival is February 11th-19th. This year’s theme is “Safari on Ice,” and ice sculptors will come from near and far to do their best to interpret the theme through elaborate ice sculptures in downtown Cripple Creek. This is another excellent family festival. Each year, several interactive ice sculptures are made entirely with children in mind, and they include ice slides, ice mazes and ice carnival games. Go to VisitCrippleCreek.com for more information about this chilly festival. Closer to home, Loveland’s award
winning Fire & Ice Festival is February 10th -12th. This two-and-a-half-day event takes over downtown Loveland and turns the artsy community into a magical land of ice and fire. In addition to ice sculpture and fireworks, there is live music on three stages, a food truck food court, and artisan goods for sale. Fire & Ice Festival has a family-friendly environment and there are lots of free kids’ activities available. Visit LovelandFireandIce.com for the entire schedule. Bird nerds won’t want to miss the 15th Annual High Plains Goose Festival in Lamar, Colorado on February 18 to 19, 2017. Lamar is a friendly little town in
southwest Colorado with unexpected natural beauty. There are abundant canyons in the area that provide recreational activities. At this festival, attendees can go on birding excursions with experts, enjoy presentations by esteemed lecturers and enjoy companionship of fellow bird enthusiasts. More information on this avian extravaganza can be found at HighPlainsSnowGoose.com. March festival season starts with a bang in Leadville, Colorado. Crystal Carnival Weekend, March 3rd-5th, is a particularly entertaining time to visit this authentic Wild West town. The highlight of this event is the ski joring competition that occurs on
Photo Courtesy of Chris Miller
Ski Joring in Leadville.
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downtown’s main drag, Harrison Avenue. Ski joring is a sport that involves a human on skis being pulled behind something, in this case a galloping horse. These cowboys, cowgirls and skiers aren’t fooling around. This is a real competition for real cash prizes and it’s a real treat to behold this hair-raising event in the highest incorporated city in the United States. In addition to ski joring, Crystal Carnival features other snow events such as the Mineral Belt Mayhem, a fat tire bike ride after dark on the 11-mile Mineral Belt trail
that loops around Leadville. Learn more at LeadvilleTwinLakes.com. Frozen Dead Guy Days is one of Colorado’s most famous festivals. Only Mike the Headless Chicken Festival in Fruita may have more widespread notoriety. Dead Guy Days takes place March 10th-12th in Nederland. The lineup of events reads like a list of things only crazy people would do, and yet every year, folks line up to participate in a frozen t-shirt contest, a polar plunge, coffin races and more. More than 30 local and national bands
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Wyatt
Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland. are playing at this adult-oriented event this year. Parking in the tiny village of Nederland can be difficult and event organizers encourage attendees to shuttle or Uber to the festival. Get the details at FrozenDeadGuyDays.org. Many slope side festivals take place around Colorado throughout the ski season. Copper Uncorked, however, is unlike any other ski resort festival in the state. While wine festivals aren’t rare, the combination of wine and wings at this slope side gala makes it unique, and a real treat after a long day in the powder. Chefs from around the area converge on Copper with one goal in mind: to make the best wings they’ve ever made. The best part is that guests of Copper Uncorked get to judge these wings and drink the accompanying wine pairings – and they can do all of this without changing out of their snow pants. A live band rounds out this event. This year’s Copper Uncorked is scheduled for March 25. Go to CopperColorado. com for more details. Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and expert on Colorado travel. She’s also the founder of HeidiTown.com, featuring Colorado’s best festivals and destinations.
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Designer: Stella York Ruffles take on a whole new meaning with this lace and tulle ball gown from Stella York. The lace motifs scattered throughout the skirt complement the strapless, sweetheart neckline that beautifully shows off the bride’s shoulders and collar bone for a modern twist on a classic design.
m a e r D r u o Y
g n i d Wed Style Magazine Wedding Guide 2017
Gowns courtesy of Dora Grace Bridal, Fort Collins
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Designer: Essense of Australia This exquisite and modern fit-andflare gown combines a beautifully sheer beaded bodice with a voluminous tulle skirt for added drama as the bride makes her entrance down the aisle.
Designer: Sottero and Midgley This stunning sheath styled fit-and-flare highlights everything romantic and perfectly bridal. The delicate lace, three-quarter sleeve and ruched back detail make for an elegant bridal ensemble.
Gowns courtesy of Dora Grace Bridal, Fort Collins
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STYLEMEDIA.COM
BRIDAL GOWN STYLE TIPS: • RUFFLES Ruffles have been making a serious comeback in the bridal world and we love every minute of it! Brides are falling head over heels with soft ruffled skirts paired with either a lace or beaded top. The flow of the fabric is girly, sweet, and stunning. • SHEER BODICE We can all thank Pnina Tornai for the boom in popularity of the sheer bodice!
Dora Grace Bridal has recently welcomed a beautiful collection of dresses that have completely sheer bodices that are covered in gorgeous beading. Girls love the hint of sass provided by having a sheer dress while still being a tasteful and beautiful bride. The great thing about the sheer bodied dresses is that they also ALL have the option to be lined if a bride loves the dress but not the sheer element.
• RUCHED BACK/LONG SLEEVE Ruched backs are incredibly stylish right now. The gathering of fabric is a stunning way for a bride to show off a little more of her figure, specifically accentuating her bottom. Pair the ruched detail with a delicate illusion lace long sleeve and you have a perfect combination of sexy and romantic.
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WEDDING PLANNER EXTRAORDINAIRE Let’s PLANet Creates Memories That Last A Lifetime By Kyle Eustice
Often times, future brides and grooms facing impending nuptials take on the overwhelming task of planning a wedding into their own hands, but plenty of them enlist the help of an experienced wedding planner, who (let’s face it) is a life saver. Weddings are not only expensive, but take ample amounts of meticulous planning and a smooth execution. After all, nobody wants an unhappy bride. Executive planner of Let’s PLANet event company (Letsplanet.com) in Northern Colorado, Suzanne Doles, understands the complexities of planning a wedding and has mastered the art of the ceremony as well as putting smiles on the faces of countless clients. “Many couples underestimate the amount of detail, complexity, financial budgeting, time-sensitive decision making, overall management, and challenges that come along with the wedding planning process,” Doles says. “This often puts a couple in a stressful situation as they work to juggle all of the planning details, making it difficult for them to focus on each other and their joyful season of engagement. Hiring a wedding planner is the most important and valuable decision a couple can make.”
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According to Doles, who has over 16 years of experience in the event business and has coordinated over 400 weddings, the right planner brings leadership, support, decisiveness, value, and organization throughout the entire process. “An early decision to bring on a professional wedding and event planning company can be the difference maker,” she explains. “It allows the soon-to-be bride and groom the freedom to live in their moment while letting the wedding planner carry the stress and burden of pulling it all together and bringing the vision of this perfect day to life.” While some people may be hesitant to take the plunge due to the perceived costs, Doles assures her clients the benefits far outweigh the financial obligations. “Let's PLANet has been able to bring budget saving options and package pricing benefits to our clients from our extensive and very selective network of recommended vendors and suppliers to the wedding industry,” she says. “In these cases, the overall fee for our service has been largely recovered for our clients through the savings we are able to secure as the result of our vendor relationships.” “Let's PLANet has proven time after
time that hiring our planning services can actually save you more money than it costs to plan your wedding on your own,” she adds. “The peace of mind in having someone directing the entire flow of the event from beginning to end is priceless.” Doles’ expert advice and guidance have helped countless families create a cherished memory that will last a lifetime, which is the sole reason she loves what she does for a living. “Bringing happiness is my main goal,” she says. “Without a doubt, my favorite part of the job is seeing the guests of honor—newlyweds—having the time of their lives and knowing that I had a part in that. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the dream of a client come to life. Our goal at Let’s PLANet is to ensure that we do everything in our power and influence to bring our clients vision to life.”
Kyle Eustice moved to Fort Collins in 2014 with her husband Paul Lukes. As a published writer for the past 10 years, she also writes for publications like Wax Poetics, Thrasher Skateboard Magazine, and The Source. STYLEMEDIA.COM
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f o c i g a M e Th
DELLA TERRA
MOUNTAIN CHATEAU
By Michelle Venus
Nestled above Estes Park, at the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park stands Della Terra Mountain Chateau. Regaled in national publications such as Travel+Leisure and Luxury Travel Magazine—and even featured on The Today Show— this majestic wedding venue and bed and breakfast is a not-quite-so hidden gem. And it’s a short drive from northern Front Range communities.
Fourteen intimate and romantic luxury suites feature soaking tubs (big enough for two) situated before two-sided fireplaces and dramatic, cascading water features. Hot tubs on private balconies, walk-through jetted showers and sitting nooks complete the amenities. On-site salon and spa services—à deux, of course— are available in The Essence Place (advance reservations are required), and an adjacent dry heat sauna completes the sybaritic experience. This is the perfect spot for a dream wedding. Della Terra started out as a dream. Brother Marty Miller and his sisters Pam STYLE 2017
Amelang, Sandy Garcia and Deanna Tompkins, along with Marty’s wife, Audrey, and Pam’s husband, Darell, had worked together in Hill Country Custom Homes, the family business. After many years of designing and building upscale, custom homes, and with a concept sparked by family weddings, the native Coloradan family’s focus shifted to another venture: building and managing a unique and breathtaking wedding venue. After a long search for the perfect property—“We knew we wanted Della Terra to be in a mountain setting, but we just didn’t know where that would be,” explains Pam Amelang—they finally found it in 2005. Fourteen pristine, tree-covered acres
surrounded by Rocky Mountain National Park with gorgeous, stop-your-heart vistas. The property was the site of an existing campground, so it already had appropriate zoning and utilities. All it needed was approval from the town. Pam laughs when she remembers the approval process. “Any new development requires a lot of back and forth between the property owner and the municipality,” says Pam. “That’s just the way it is. But we really wanted this and we persevered. And it paid off, because now we have this beautiful venue in the mountains.” All during the approval process, the sibling-spouse team was sharing their
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visions and designing a venue that would result in remarkable experiences for brides and grooms, their families and guests. Three years after purchasing the property, which continued operating as a campground, the project was approved by Estes Park and the real work commenced. In 2009, Della Terra opened its doors. The main building is grand, soaringceilinged, and inspired by old world Tuscan design. Pam says they didn't want to build another lodge-themed wedding venue, though there are features that speak to Della Terra’s Colorado roots, such as the stone and stucco exterior, and high ceilings with rustic wood beams. Right from the start, it became the go-to place for Colorado brides and destination weddings. Spectacular and majestic McGregor Mountain is the dramatic backdrop for outdoor ceremonies in late spring, summer and fall. These are Della Terra’s most popular months. (Advice for brides-to-be: book well in advance.) An arched stone bridge leads the way to a hidden gazebo and the ceremony site, where raised and tiered seating is surrounded by natural forest. This is where memories are made.
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For winter months and inclement weather, Della Terra has a romantic chapel with a vaulted ceiling and large windows on three sides that look out upon forest panoramas. This space is intimate and grand, all at the same time. The reception hall, aptly titled The Celebration Place, and Celebration Balconies accommodate up to 200 guests. Replete with arched windows overlooking mountain vistas and balconies, this area offers plenty of room for dancing to a live band or DJ. Only one wedding at a time is scheduled at Della Terra. The wedding area of the venue is exclusive to a single wedding party and guests on their special day. Bridal couples work with the caterer (who have access to a gourmet kitchen) and designers of their choice, ensuring a highly personalized, festive, and unique wedding. Since the venue only books about 150 weddings a year, highly desirable dates are booked out very quickly. But, Pam says, no matter what time of year the couple chooses for their wedding, they can expect their day to be romantic and spectacularly memorable. Every nook and cranny presents perfect photo opportunities.
Pam and her partners are always looking for ways to add even more special features to Della Terra. Recently, they built a stone gazebo that creates an enchanting entrance. It quickly became a favorite site for photographers to capture first marriedcouple kisses. In the lodging area, the Loft Bar was created for the exclusive use of overnight guests, who can choose to dine there, though they also have the option to have dinner and specialty drinks delivered to their suites. Throughout Della Terra, the attention to detail induces sighs and delight. The owners and staff strive for perfection in every way. Marriages may be made in heaven, but perfect weddings are made at Della Terra Mountain Chateau.
Michelle Venus is the Development Director at KRFC 88.9 FM. She lives in a teeny, tiny Old Town bungalow, is the mother of two brilliant and beautiful children and frequently bounces concepts off an old, floppy Basset. STYLEMEDIA.COM
A Wedding Day To Remember at Fort Collins Country Club By Kyle Eustice
Imagine hosting a wedding on the expansive property of Fort Collins Country Club (FCCC), where the beautiful grounds, lavish gazebo and barn-style building add to the magic of a modern-day ceremony. The allure of a country club wedding has captivated countless past and future brides and grooms, who flock to the idea of a private, luxurious wedding in Northern Colorado.
FCCC Event Planner Alix Bold fell into the business after years of working as a banquet server and now helps execute several weddings every season. “We are a private course so there is a small amount of exclusivity with being on property for your big day,” Bold explains. “Additionally, our service and food levels far surpass anything you’d find at the common hotel or with outside caterers as we have to maintain that level of excellence for our members daily.” Because FCCC is member-owned, Bold is able to customize every bride’s day to fit all of the criteria she lays out. There is no corporate standard of do’s and don’ts. Plus, because they only host one wedding per day, there is a broad sense of ownership on each couple’s wedding day. They have plenty of say in the planning of every detail. “While we can host wedding receptions throughout the year, our ceremony location is unheated so we push more for April to October weddings to stay within great weather months,” she explains. “For the brides booked in that time frame, we host planning meetings, tastings and days to play around with linen colors, so they are always hands-on in the process.” The popularity of FCCC’s barn-style building hits a large demographic and follows modern wedding trends. Much like STYLE 2017
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a blank canvas, each couple can dress it up or keep it simple, but the space is busting at the seams with decorative versatility. Coupled with the patio and ballroom on site, FCCC truly has it all. “The ballroom is where we host our receptions and it’s a great location to offer at any time of the year,” she says. “It’s indoor and temperature controlled, which keeps guests protected from the elements. The patio is a wonderful addition, as well. It allows guests, especially any from out-ofstate, to get a glimpse of how beautiful Colorado is. From the patio, we have a great view point of Longs Pond and the Rocky Mountains in the background.” Aside from the views, the fact most weddings are between April and October offers bridal parties a plethora of photo opportunities in the spring, and the rich colors of fall often result in breathtaking portraits, something Bold truly enjoys. “One of my favorite things about weddings going from spring to fall is you have so many different looks and photo opportunities,” she says. “Everything is lush and green throughout late spring and early summer, and then you get the beautiful fall colors in our mature trees around our property creating stunning pictures. We also have a spot by the lake with the mountains in the background that we love for brides and grooms.” Above all, FCCC aims to provide a relaxing, stress-free day the couple can enjoy and a welcoming setting to create a memory that will last a lifetime. “I am ecstatic to be in the event business,” Bold says. “I love the blessing of being involved in someone’s special day. A wedding day is something you will remember for the rest of your life and I value the opportunity to be involved with that day and make it as easy and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.” Omaha native Kyle Eustice has been a published writer for over 10 years and relocated to Colorado in 2014 with her husband Paul Lukes and chihuahua Paco. Along the way, they adopted a new puppy Petey and they all live happily together in southwest Fort Collins.
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BLISSFUL WEDDINGS AT ELLIS RANCH Article By Kyle Eustice | Photography By Van Pelt, Inc.
Located in the Sweetheart City of Loveland, Colorado, Ellis Ranch has earned its reputation as “The Wedding Ranch” due to its sweeping views of the mountainous vistas and undeniable rustic charm. With two gorgeous settings to choose from—the Event Center & Wedding Park for larger, more grandiose occasions and The Carriage House for smaller, more intimate weddings—it allows the bride and groom to custom tailor the wedding of their dreams. Family owned since 1963, the Ellis clan has been hosting ranch-style weddings since the late ’80s. Co-owner/manger Shawn Ellis runs the expansive establishment with his wife Kim, while his parents, Roxie and Terry Ellis, own it.
“It was a horse ranch for 54 years, but they did the weddings on the side,” Ellis explains. “Throughout the years, we stopped focusing on the horses, and concentrated on weddings and parties.” The ranch can accommodate over 600 guests (the Event Center can hold 450 people while The Carriage House is built for about 150) and weddings can range from casual to extremely formal, however, it always retains its barn-style atmosphere. While they offer various wedding packages, ultimately it’s up to the bride and groom how much they want the Ellis Ranch staff involved in the planning. Ellis likens the property to a “blank canvas.” “The bride can go from casual to very
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fancy, depending on what kind of decorating they want to do,” he says. “A lot of our brides will do everything with us, but they can bring in their own vendor and DJs—things like that. We have wedding packages they can choose from or I can get them rental stuff that a lot of times saves them money. We’ll help set it up and take it down. Then we have brides that want to bring in all their own stuff and that’s fine, too.” In addition to the decorating, Ellis and his team help find vendors, set up a full bar (they obtained their liquor license in 2014) and break out the magic, namely in the form of a fairy tale worthy, horse-drawn carriage ride. “We’re definitely known for our carriage,”
he says. “We bring the bride and her parents in for a big, grand entrance. After the ceremony, the bride and groom go for a ride to take their photos.” Ellis Ranch averages about 100 weddings each year and hold only one event per day. Whether it’s spring, summer, winter or fall, there is a way to customize each one to represent the month. For example, in the summer months, Hawaiian beach-themed weddings are one option while during the Christmas season, colors like red, green and gold can highlight any winter ceremony, although The Carriage House is strictly for the warmer weather. The Event Center, on the other hand, is available year round. No matter what time of year, people continue to STYLEMEDIA.COM
flock to the Ellis Ranch because of its family oriented atmosphere and the staff ’s copious amounts of experience. Countless happy memories have been created at the ranch alongside his own family, which is clearly Ellis’ favorite part of the job. “The best part of owning the ranch is the fact it’s family run,” he says. “I get to work with my wife and my kids can play here. They’ve essentially been raised on the ranch. My 6-year-old daughter has actually shown the bride around because she’s heard us do it so much. We also love meeting people, and we stay in touch with a lot of the brides and grooms. We become friends. We get to help the day they’ve been dreaming about finally come to life. There’s nothing like it.” Omaha native Kyle Eustice has been a published writer for over 10 years and relocated to Colorado in 2014 with her husband Paul Lukes and chihuahua Paco. Along the way, they adopted a new puppy Petey and they all live happily together in southwest Fort Collins. STYLE 2017
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Let Them Eat Cake!
It’s the beautiful masterpiece you can eat and the icing on any festive occasion! By Malini Bartels
Vogue trends for brides and grooms to-be can wax and wane, but one thing that will always be in style is cake. The highly anticipated pinnacle to any wedding reception is the cutting of the cake, and subsequently, the devouring of it.
Rudy and Angi Burns
Rudy and Angi Burns know this fact well. As owners of Daddy Cakes Bakery in Fort Collins, they create edible forms of art for special occasions. Rudy Burns attended culinary school in Arkansas, but his pastry skills are self-taught. The entrepreneurial couple purchased the long-time, well-established catering business, Babette’s Feast, in 2011. The bakery operated from the industrial area of Link Lane for five years before ultimately changing the name to Rudy’s affectionate nickname, “Daddy Cakes”. In August of 2016, they opened a retail store just south of Old Town at 514 South College. “We’ve been doing wedding cakes the whole time,” says Burns. “It’s a big part of the business.” The specialty store uses only the highest quality ingredients, European chocolate, and fresh fruit purees when needed; it’s no wonder the local business has remained popular for so long. The new storefront, along with online sales, has really helped the recent success of the gourmet bakery with solid bookings every weekend. The baker reveals that cake trends can be fleeting, but there is one fad that still makes an appearance every now and then. “Naked cakes or semi-naked cakes were really popular a few years ago. Sometimes, people still ask for them. These are cakes with no icing on the sides because it’s all scraped off, giving the cake a unique look,” explains Burns. “In between the layers is filling.” The vanilla genoise cake, however, is by far the most requested flavor of wedding cakes at Daddy Cakes Bakery and it is typically known as the white-wedding cake flavor. If vanilla is too banal for your celebration, the bakery offers a handful of typical flavors for wedding cakes, fillings, and icings. Occasionally a couple asks to save the top tier for an anniversary, but that trend is declining in popularity, with couples opting to purchase a fresh cake for each future festivity. Sometimes a sheet cake or cupcakes accompany the tiered cakes at weddings to more conveniently serve guests.
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“Standbys, such as fresh flowers, are forever a trend on wedding cakes,” says Burns. “Simple elegance is the key. When you don’t over do it, the result is really pretty." According to the seasoned professional, clients prefer butter cream above fondant, and only a few flavor choices. Not to worry, the bride doesn’t make all the decisions. The Groom is usually involved in the cake tasting. According to Burns, people still love to taste different kinds of cake so they know exactly what they are getting. The end result is usually a two or three tier cake consisting of two or three flavors. “We offer tastings by appointment alongside a design consultation in the form of cake shots. It’s fun and informative.” It should be noted that the professionals who decorate the cakes are referred to as cake artists. Painters paint on canvas and cake artists paint on cake; it’s just a different medium. “We are a part of the entire special occasion,” mentions Burns. “It’s an art form in itself !” Burns has several reasons why he loves what he does, but one explanation stands out above the rest. “Cake purchasing is a very happy experience,” he mentions. “That’s why our motto is We sell happiness… one bite at a time.” Visit www.daddycakesfc.com for more information and a tantalizing display of cakes to give you inspiration for your next special occasion. Malini Bartels is a Capricorn who works at The Music District. She is also a freelance writer, chef, mother, radio host, and actress. Her incorrigible Corgi occupies most of her time.
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Photo Courtesy of PHOCO, www.pho-co.com
Like Heaven… Only Smaller Attention cake lovers: Tiny cakes have swept the nation and are making an appearance at your friend’s special day! By Malini Bartels
Lately, cupcakes are becoming more common and immensely popular alongside traditional tiered cakes. When brides and grooms to-be consider the different flavors and display options available to them with tiny cakes, it’s no wonder cupcakes are making their way into formal events after being considered a kid’s birthday treat for so long. They’re cute, easy, and quick with the cleanup! Butter Cream Cupcakery (yes, that’s a made-up word) has two locations in Fort Collins, one in Old Town and their main store at 3663 South College Avenue. Both have fabulous displays of bite-size treats. The specialty bakery concentrates on the classic flavors, as well as some unconventional ones. Both locations showcase seven different flavors on any give day. There are five everyday flavors that are permutations of vanilla and chocolate and include the famous red velvet. One daily flavor is always offered, as well as a surprise flavor every day. Occasionally, the specialty bakery features a gourmet cupcake that consists of more expensive ingredients.
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Cassidy Montoya, along with his wife and wedding coordinator, Brittany, head baker and sister, Promise, and business partnerbrother, Callahan, comprise the team at Butter Cream, keeping it all in the family. Everything created in the ButterCream Cupcakery kitchen is made fresh daily, using high quality ingredients. Head baker, Promise Montoya, is constantly dreaming up new flavors and creative names for the creations. Head baker, Promise Montoya, graduated from Auguste Escoffier in Boulder, Colorado, with a pastry degree and uses her talent to constantly imagine and reimagine new flavor combinations for the already vast list of flavors. Promise worked alongside the business’ previous owners for five years before taking over the kitchen in 2015 when the Montoya family acquired the successful enterprise. When Butter Cream crafts a wedding display, the happy couple can pick the stand as well. Display is dictated by the quantity of cupcakes for the guests, but the possibilities are endless. Rustic tree trunk stands and
towers are commonly requested,” indicates Montoya. “But we can work with anyone’s budget. Stands are rentable, but we’ve also worked with existing stands that people have. We can customize colors, deliver to a wedding, drop off the cupcakes, or even have you pick them up,” says Montoya. Some of the most popular wedding flavors are The Yummy (almond poppy seed cake, raspberry jam filling, topped with almond cream cheese frosting), cookies and cream, and strawberries and champagne. “We offer gluten-free and vegan cupcakes as well. Even if just a few guests have dietary restrictions, we can accommodate for that.” As long as the wedding selections are a flavor offered for that day, they can make it! Sometimes brides want the best of both worlds, asking for a 6” or 8” traditional round cake with a topper and they request an array of cupcakes as well. “Mini cupcakes are great for kids and less mess,” mentions the entrepreneur. Two mini cupcakes are the equivalent of one regular size cupcake, but easier to eat.” STYLEMEDIA.COM
This is why Montoya recommends allotting two cakes per guest when considering mini cupcakes for your special day. “The greatest advantage to serving cupcakes on your special day is the variety of flavors that are available. They are also self-contained and allow for quick cleanup,” mentions Montoya. “It’s so easy to just walk off with a cupcake and a napkin, and just throw away the wrapper when you are done. You don’t even need utensils!” The shop offers delivery, setup, and ribbons to customize any look you need for your wedding. Montoya succinctly explained his fascination with the adorable treats, “Who doesn’t love a cupcake? There is something nostalgic about a cupcake and it lets you feel like a kid all over again. Plus, I can eat them in one bite!” A complete listing of available flavors and a weekly menu is found at www.buttercreamcupcakery.com. The establishment also offers a free cupcake for you to indulge in on your birthday! Malini Bartels is a Capricorn who works at The Music District. She is also a freelance writer, chef, mother, radio host, and actress. Her incorrigible Corgi occupies most of her time.
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about town LOVELAND CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL DINNER January 20 Embassy Suites | Loveland
The Loveland Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner welcomed Loveland’s business community as it showcased Loveland’s leaders and their contributions to the city. More than 400 attended the Rock & Roll themed event, with many in Poodle skirts, saddle shoes and lettermen jackets. The evening festivities included the Board Chair Gavel Exchange, presentation of awards including Young Professional of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Heart Award, and Best Decorated Table to name a few, a silent auction and a sock hop concluded the evening. Photos courtesy of Bill Standerfer Photography and Don Reilly, Photographer - DJRImaging.
Tracy Hogue, McKenna Dellinger, Mindy McCloughan, Debbie Davis, Harry Devereaux, Brian Cullins, Deanna Sloat, John Metcalf Guaranty Bank and Trust Company - Large Business of the Year Award recipient
Brittany Bauer, Don Reilly, Heather Glasser, Amanda Wheadon
Don Reilly - Ambassador of the Year Award recipient
Kat & David Mayhew
Beth Golden, Chris Dostal, Dixie Daly, Beth Clarken, Jacklyn Ewerdt
Mindy McCloughan, Kathi Wright, John Metcalf Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County Non-profit of the Year Award recipient
John Metcalf - Incoming Chairman of the Board, Jason Tacha - Outgoing Chairman of the Board
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Marie DeWolf, Ed Pelle, Noreen Flood
Norma Jean Goodheart - Heart Award recipient, Mindy McCloughan
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