THE VOICE OF NORTHERN COLORADO FOR
30 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 w w w. m e d i c a l a n d w e l l n e s s . c o m PUBLISHER Lydia Dody | lydia@stylemedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Angeline Grenz angie@stylemedia.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Prosser SENIOR DESIGNER Lisa Gould DIGITAL DIRECTOR / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Austin Lamb | austin@stylemedia.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES Jon Ainslie (970) 219-9226 Lydia Dody (970) 227-6400 David Knight (970) 619-9846 Saundra Skrove (970) 217-9932 OFFICE MANAGER/ABOUT TOWN EDITOR Ina Szwec | ina@stylemedia.com ACCOUNTING MANAGER Karla Vigil CIRCULATION MANAGER Trisha Milton COPY EDITOR Corey Radman PHOTOGRAPHER Marcus Edwards Photography CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bridget Eldridge, Fairy Good Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Emily Hutto, Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer, Corey Radman, Kay Rios, Michelle Venus AFFILIATIONS Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Greeley Chamber of Commerce 2014 STYLE MAGAZINES January-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness Magazine and McKee Medical Center & North Colorado Medical Center Medical Directory February-Style March-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness April-Style May-Style June-Style July-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness August-Style September-Women’s Health & Breast Cancer October-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness November-Holiday Style December-Best Of & Winter Activities 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/year. Free magazines are available at more than 275 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) 2266400, ext. 208. Fax (970) 226-6427. E-Mail: ina@StyleMedia.com ©2014 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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Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Style 2014
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on the cover The Lindgren design team, with Tim Lindgren at the helm, is creating stellar, award winning landscapes in Northern Colorado and beyond. Read about their business success on page 18. Cover photo by Marcus Edwards Photography.
40 TRAVEL: BEHIND THE SCENES IN BRECKENRIDGE . . . . . . . . . 44 FAMILY FOCUS: TEACHING KIDS ABOUT MONEY . . . . . . . . . .
22 32 features
44 FEBRUARY 2014 :: STYLE
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about town
A PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS . . . . . . . . 51 Celebrating Women Be the Difference
LINDGREN LANDSCAPE: DESIGNING OUTDOOR DREAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
STYLE FILES: WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH . . . . . . . .12
BBB Center Launch
GROWTH DRIVES REAL ESTATE EXPANSIONS . . . . . . . 22
BUSINESS PROFILES: HIGH POINT FINANCIAL . . . . . . 14
McKee Presents
COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL RENTAL MARKETS HOT, HOT, HOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
BUSINESS PROFILES: NORTHERN COLORADO CPAS.16
THE HEALTHY HOUSE . . . . . . . 32
departments PUBLISHER’S LETTER . . . . . .10
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EAT: NORTHERN COLORADO LEADS NATIONAL CIDER TREND . . . . 40 EAT: BEST WINES UNDER $20 . . . . 43
Hoopla for Hope
Fall into Jewels Crossroads Safehouse Gala Respite Care Ball NightLights Gingerbread Home New Year’s Eve/First Night FC Loveland Valentine Unveil
WWW.STYLEMAGAZINECOLORADO.COM Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Style 2014
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Publisher’s Letter
30 Amazing Years! The start of 2014 is an exciting milestone for Style Magazine. This year we celebrate 30 years of publishing in Northern Colorado. Little did I know that when I began sending out that small newsletter from my store in 1984 it would evolve into a regional magazine and a new career. Of course, it wouldn’t have happened without the input of many talented people along the way and the advertisers who have
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supported us all these years. To each I extend a heartfelt thank you for their partnership and contributions. Each year we evaluate our magazines and examine how we can be an even greater reflection of our communities. This year we will retitle our May issue to be a family focused Style issue. We are also adding a December issue with its exciting content soon to be revealed. Our goal with these additional Style Magazines and increased distribution is to better serve our Northern Colorado readers and advertisers. Over the past 30 years we have certainly seen huge changes in the landscape of Northern Colorado. The growth of our area has been phenomenal and we are once again on an economic upswing. The status of residential housing has improved significantly and some of the key commercial projects under way in the area are quite impressive. Read “Growth Drives Real Estate Expansions” for an interesting overview of our population growth and its impact on the real estate market. Another result of our growth is the tight residential, commercial and industrial rental market. This challenge presents opportunity for growth to fill the needs and future economic stability for our region. “Commercial, Residential Rental Market Hot, Hot, Hot” explains how shortages are driving rents. Recently I had the opportunity to meet contractor Barry Schram of Lamar Valley Craftsman. In our conversations, Barry spoke about a Healthy Home he built and I quickly learned it
was for long-time residents Veronica and Andy Miscio. Andy had been involved in local real estate for years and is well known in our community, but perhaps, like me, you didn’t know that Veronica lives with a chemical sensitivity. This poses a number of challenges for her and her experience building a chemical free home is enlightening. Read “The Healthy House” to learn more about this challenge. One of our most popular sections of Style is our About Town social photos of events in the region. You’ve asked us for this and we listened. We will be expanding this department in the magazine. Be sure to check out our website, www.stylemagazinecolorado. com, to see additional photos of these events. February is the sweetheart month. If you happen to be fixing dinner for your special someone, check out the wine recommendations in this issue from RJ’s Wines in Front Range Village. Pick up one of their recommended wines and tell Tom Landi and his team that you saw the selection in Style. It is with an enormous sense of gratitude I am able to have such a great job in an amazing community. Thank you for allowing us to inform and entertain you these past 30 years. It has been an honor and a privilege! Thank you so very much,
lydia@stylemedia.com
Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
BUILDING & LANDSCAPING NORTHERN COLORADO
Special Advertising Section
AN OUTDOOR WEDDING TRANSFORMATION Homeowners Rhys and Judy Christensen approached Alpine Gardens early last spring with the goal of remodeling a section of their acreage in Fort Collins. This remodel was special because it was to prepare for an outdoor wedding to take place in the late summer months. After several consultations and design concepts, the decision was made to remodel an existing hillside walkway and terraced flagstone patio that encompassed cherished views. To make way for new concepts, existing hardscape materials were removed and staged onsite and then incorporated back into paths and natural stone retention walls in the new design. Existing plant material was also staged and transplanted around the property with much help from the homeowner who shares a passion for gardening. This particular type of project took careful consideration during the construction phase in order to minimize the disruption of the surrounding landscape. Proper planning and management assured disturbed areas had ample time to recover for a wedding date that was right around the corner. During a custom project like this, the building phase really takes on a life of its own and is very exciting for everyone involved. Artistic freedom was given to foreman, Brandon Vannest, and his crew who delivered with key boulder placement, meandering stone slab steps and intricate flagstone radial patterns. At the end of the project, the homeowners had all they needed to pull off the very special day and an enduring landscape to enhance their outdoor environment for years to come.
www.alpinelandscaping.com
970.226.2296
Files DON’T MISS
Loveland Belly Belles, shown dancing at the Rialto Theater, will perform at “Night for the Museum.”
Night for the Museum Event, Benefitting the Global Village Museum Beautiful belly dancers and live music of the Andes, Spain and Europe will entertain guests at the “Second Annual Night for the Museum” event on Saturday, February 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Fort Collins Country Club. This ultimate evening of intercultural delights features art, international food and a silent and live auction with exciting offerings, such as gourmet dinners, trips to exotic places, a loft tour and art for sale. Proceeds from reservations and sales directly benefit the nonprofit Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, the only international museum in Colorado. Entertainment with an international flair includes the award-winning Loveland Belly Belles dance troupe
performing to Middle Eastern and Indian music, Andean flute music by Marie Louise Borak, European folk music by accordion player Martin Limbird, and Spanish romantic and classical guitar music by Piatro. Open to the public, the evening starts with early bidder purchasing and a VIP reception from 5 to 6 p.m. General admission to the event is from 6 to 9 p.m. Reservations are $50 for general admission and $75 for the VIP reception and can be made at the Museum, 200 West Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, or online at www.globalvillagemuseum.org. For more information, please call (970) 221-4600 or visit www. globalvillagemuseum.org.
SUPPORT LOCAL
Support a true local gem, KRFC Radio. KRFC’s 11th annual Birthday Bash is a big, happy celebration of their decade-plus of music programming (with a special focus on local talent) and community affairs segments. The Birthday Bash will highlight two Colorado bands – one of international renown, but they’re not saying who the mystery guest is just yet. There will be a contest with free VIP tickets to the lucky winner who can guess who the headlining act will be. The Birthday Bash takes place March 29th at the Lincoln Center. The party starts at 7:00 p.m. Co-presented by the Fort Collins Downtown Business Association. Visit www.krfcfm.org for more information.
on the
web now
Starry Starry Night By Corey Radman
Fewer and fewer urban dwellers have witnessed the Milky Way snaking across the sky. Only 5 percent of people today have ever seen Mercury playing tag with the rising or setting sun. Because of light pollution and indoor distractions, people are less interested and less able to explore the skies that our ancestors regularly enjoyed. Local astronomical societies would like to change that… both to share the awe they feel so frequently, and to help plant seeds for future advocacy. After all, a well-educated citizenry is the best defense against shrinking science budgets at our nation’s research institutions. So, get thee to a star party. Your nation is depending on you. Read the whole story at www.stylemagazinecolorado.com. Photo courtesy of Robert Arn, www.astroarn.com
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Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Style 2014
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business profile
High Point Financial
Results-Driven Planning
The High Point Financial team at a strategy session.
By Kay Rios
In this age of expanded opportunities, new technology and the information superhighway’s growth, financial planning is more important than ever. And planning is not just for the wealthy. In order to survive and thrive financially, everyone should plan, say the experts. While do-it-yourselfers who have the time and resources to filter through all of the options can do it, most of us run from obligation to obligation and would rather spend off time in leisure activities. So, for many people, professional planning advisors are a boon. High Point Financial Group is a perfect example of the helpful resources available. While founders Doug Wills and Darryl Hudspeth are predominately in the Lakewood office, associates Ryan Behm, Matt Fries, Bud Litchfield and Barry Eastman operate fulltime out of the Fort Collins office. Through their various backgrounds, they have access to new products, enhanced product features and proven technologies. They are also New York Life agents and registered representatives of NYLIFE Securities with expertise ranging from life insurance to various types of annuities, investments and long term care insurance. “Being affiliated with New York Life also allows us to create our own DBA (doing business as) so we control how we serve our clients,” Behm
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says. “We proudly offer New York Life but can also offer other investment options.” “The combined resources with what we have here and with Denver and what New York Life brings to the party gives our clients a large advantage,” Litchfield says. “If I don’t have the answer, I have the resources to get the answer. To hoodwink the client into believing you know everything is a disservice. It’s a sign of strength to admit you don’t have the answer and know that it’s in the client’s best interest to get counsel.” Hudspeth says services are very personalized. “We treat all our clients with respect. It doesn’t matter if it’s someone who doesn’t have much money or has $30 million. We treat them the same and we never use a cookie cutter plan. We make it individual.” “We help our clients sleep better at night,” Behm adds. “We help them to create more financially than they consume and feel secure in their future.” Everyone can benefit from using a financial
advisor. “It doesn’t matter how much you make because everyone has to start somewhere,” Hudspeth says. “The only thing that matters is that you have a desire to improve your financial situation.” Financial planning is for all ages, too. “Young families may not have a lot of wealth but that’s really when you need our services,” Fries says. “The younger you start disciplining yourself, the closer you get to the purpose of the money and working toward retirement.” Financial planning is important in every phase of life, he says. “If every wife knew what every widow knows, no family would go without adequate financial planning. It also applies to business planning.” A financial advisor can help businesses establish a business succession plan so the company can continue even with a drastic change such as the death of an owner. Eastman says financial advisors are necessary now more than ever. “Things are not getting simpler with financial matters; they’re getting more complex.” Litchfield adds, “The Internet Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts the sails.”
Ryan Behm Behm derives the most enjoyment from his 13-year financial advising career in listening to the client and providing strategies in line with what they want to accomplish. “This really helped me in developing a plan that is client-centric.” Behm received a bachelor’s degree for business administration in finance from Concordia University Saint Paul, MN. He is a third generation advisor focusing on the Christian market and is experienced in solving complex financial issues for families and businesses. He is an Investment Advisor Representative with Eagle Strategies. His hobbies include volunteering, church activities, and fishing, camping and snow skiing with his family. He and his wife, Taneal, live in Windsor with their three children.
– William Arthur Ward. This quote defines their practice, says the High Point Financial team. For more information about High Point Financial, visit www. highpointgrp.com. is a wonderful tool but I’ve found that many people who surf the Net become more confused and then come to us to get clarification. We help them understand the terminology and redefine it in an understandable way.” Advisors can help at any point, Behm says. “It can be as basic as ‘Budget 101’ or as complicated as how to set up full estate planning. We offer a full spectrum.” The client-based mission has been in place since the beginning when Hudspeth, Wills and Tom Post started the Lakewood company in June 2003. “After my first five years in the business, I found there was too much in the industry, technology and knowledge to do alone so I started to add people,” Wills says. Hudspeth and Wills were working out of Denver but spending several days a week in Fort Collins and, with their community connection to Colorado State University, they felt a Northern Colorado branch would be beneficial. It was a simple thing to bring the others on board. “Through our affiliation with New York Life, the four of us saw something working well in Lakewood. We decided it would be great to affiliate with High Point,” says Fries. “We all have strengths in different areas and we also overlap,” Wills says. “That’s helpful for the client and for me because it’s too hard to master all of those things alone.” For Eastman, one of the draws to joining High Point was how much everyone cared about the clients. “And we also impact the community.” Litchfield agrees. “We believe in giving back and have been involved with Hope Lives, with Colorado State University, the Count on Me golf tournament benefiting the PVH Cancer Center and NOCOShares. There’s a sense of humanity at High Point.” To contact High Point Financial, call (970) 2661700. Their office is located on 3003 E. Harmony Rd., Suite 120, Fort Collins.
Barry Eastman “I believe in the Give First philosophy and I enjoy knowing that I have made their lives better now and in the long term,” Eastman says. Eastman is a native of Loveland and graduated valedictorian from Thompson Valley High School. He received a bachelor of science from CSU. He has been a financial service professional for New York Life since 2010. His specialties are business planning, asset management, tax efficiency strategies and overall financial planning. His interests include technology and computers; fishing, camping, outdoors; playing sports including soccer, football and fitness; and travel. He and wife, Tammy, have three children. Barry will be joining High Point after April 1, 2014.
Matt Fries “The greatest feeling in the world to me is when I have earned my clients’ trust,” Fries says. “When complete trust is established in the relationship, solutions to specific issues become possible and results become realistic.” Fries graduated from Fort Collins High in 1985. After many years in business and a stint as a school development administrator, he joined New York Life in July 2010. Fries specializes in working with business owners and professionals, which includes the owners/principals, their families, their employees and their families. Fries enjoys horseback riding and anything outdoors with his family, especially in the mountains. He and his wife, Suzanne, have three children and two grandchildren.
Bud Litchfield Litchfield enjoys helping people. “It’s seeing that, through the work they do with me, they reach their goals and objectives.” Litchfield and his wife moved to Colorado in 1986 as owners and operators of Litchfield Associates, a manufacturer’s representative for a high-end furniture line. The job kept him away from home 50 to 60 percent of the time and that brought the realization that maybe another line of work was in order. In 1992, he became an agent and registered representative with New York Life and NY Life Securities. His specialty is the retirement market and all of the components of estate planning. His hobbies include travel, golf, woodworking and sailing. He and his wife, Carol, have four children and five grandchildren.
Kay Rios is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins. Style 2014
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business profile
Shannon Spangler and Leasa Magnuson, Northern Colorado CPAs
Accounting. With a Smile By Michelle Venus
Who says accounting isn’t fun? Certainly not Shannon Spangler and Leasa Magnuson. The two women, both CPAs, founded their business, Northern Colorado CPAs, on the principle that accounting doesn’t have to be dry and boring. The jokes featured on their website are a testament to their collective sense of humor and lightheartedness. But that doesn’t mean they don’t take their jobs seriously. When it comes to the financial side of their clients’ businesses, these ladies are all business. “We listen, really listen, to what our clients tell us about their business and personal goals,” says Magnuson. “We strive to understand what they want to achieve and then help them, from a tax and financial planning standpoint, to get there.” Northern Colorado CPAs specializes in working with small business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals. The two-woman shop was founded five years ago. Magnuson and Spangler cut their teeth at large corporate firms where they built their strong foundational skills and expertise. In fact, they met while working for a well-known regional firm. And it was there that they realized a smaller, more personal business model was what suited them best. In turn, that’s what suits their clients best, too. “We have a policy to respond to clients as quickly as we possibly can,” Magnuson explains. “Even during the height of tax season, I will try to answer their questions right away if I can do so off the top of my head. Shannon, too. If we have to research the answer, we’ll do our best to return the call within 24 hours.”
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Magnuson and Spangler take pride in their responsiveness, knowing it is something their clients value and appreciate. Add planning and strategic approaches to the equation and the solutions often save their clients time and money. “If I were to offer one tip, it’s to call your accountant whenever you’re ready to make an important decision. We can evaluate the situation and present options that can provide tax savings,” Magnuson states. “Make sure you call in October, too. That’s a good time for business owners to decide if they need to make purchases, give employee bonuses or move funds. Proper planning can make a huge difference with tax liability.” With some of their clients, their appreciation of Magnuson and Spangler’s go-the-extra-mile attitude extends far beyond the business relationship and into fast friendships. Both of them have attended weddings and other significant events in their clients’ lives. They’ve helped them celebrate milestones like graduations and babies, as well as new businesses and product launches. Touching their clients’ lives in such a personal way rounds the hard edges of numbers. But more than that, it gives them a keener insight into their clients’ needs and gives them the opportunity to share a laugh or two. By the way, did you hear the one about why God invented economists? It’s so accountants can have someone to laugh at. Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins. Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
We can help you with all your real estate needs!
Kelly Milton 970-286-8511
Tracie Milton 970-227-8097
Wendy Sparks 970-691-4243 2803 E Harmony Rd. Fort Collins, CO (970) 229-0700 401 W Mulberry St Fort Collins, CO (970) 221-0700
www.thegroupinc.com Style 2014
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Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
LINDGREN LANDSCAPING
D E S I G N I N G
OUTDOOR DREAMS By Michelle Venus
A home is much more than your castle. It’s where families grow, traditions are created and memories are made. It’s where dreams begin.
L
indgren Landscaping is in the business of making those dreams come true. That’s what makes Tim Lindgren, founder and owner of Fort Collins-based landscape design and construction company, tick. When he started the business nearly 20 years ago, Tim did it all: estimating, designing and installing. While he was out in the field, his wife, Ami, was in the office handling the administrative responsibilities. Today, the couple has a staff of 40 people, including nine landscape architects and designers as well as specialists in operations, business administration and landscape management. “The face of our firm is design,” says Tim, quickly pointing out that the team includes a construction group with excellent project managers, foreman and construction crews. “Our philosophy is to design something unique, something that won’t be seen on any other property, and then build it according to the designers’ intent.” And that philosophy is why Lindgren Landscaping is the recipient of numerous regional
Style 2014
and national awards. In October, the firm won the Belgard Design Challenge for Best Patio Application. The national award was presented at the Hardscape North America trade show in Louisville, Kentucky. “Our designs have been featured in national magazines, newspapers and web articles,” says Tim. “We really enjoy going back to the projects over several years and taking pictures of the progress. The recognition makes the team proud of all their hard work, and the clients are excited to see their homes in magazines.”
In the beginning
It starts with design and a strong practice of solid planning during this phase that saves clients time, money and headaches over the life of the project. Putting everything on paper allows the designers and the clients the ability to explore different options and make changes easily. Move the spa over here? Sure, no problem. A secluded and private enclave off the master bedroom suite? Of course. A kitchen garden steps away from the back door? Yes. “This is the fun part,” says Tim. “The designers sit down with the clients and really listen
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Lindgren’s staff is young and energetic, and dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind landscapes for every one of their clients.
to what they want. While there is a strong focus on what the project will ultimately look like during the design phase, structural and underlying components are planned here as well. A properlygraded landscape makes it more water-wise, directing water flow to needed areas and preserving expensive plantings. It creates different spaces with different functions. Efficient irrigation systems are planned so they can grow along with the garden. Hardscapes, the areas of a landscape that are permanent, and constructed elements such as patios, walkways and trellises – even putting greens – are sketched out. Phased approaches are planned so that homeowners can build their dream designs over time, not in one fell swoop. Lindgren’s design team doesn’t overlook lighting, which is crucial to a successful landscape design. Well-designed lighting highlights important features and adds drama. It also makes the outdoor space more functional — you can’t fully enjoy an outdoor space in the dark.
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Getting dirty
Once the design has been finalized, the real work begins. Construction teams transform what’s on paper to a functional landscape that meets the clients’ needs and brings their dreams to life. From pulling permits to laying sod, setting perennials and potting annuals, every detail is put in place. Team Lindgren takes care of everything. Installing a landscape is messy. There’s no getting around that. Lindgren strives to make it as easy and painless as possible. After the rakes and spades have been stowed and the construction equipment has driven away, the homeowner is left to enjoy a beautiful and thriving landscape. Even a xeriscaped design requires maintenance. Not everyone has a green thumb or an inclination to spend weekends mowing and trimming and weeding. Never fear! Like caped super-heroes (OK, maybe they don’t wear capes), Lindgren has turf, landscape and plant experts who manage and service properties for many clients. These professionals keep lawns green, velvety and trimmed. They ensure costly irrigation systems are functioning at an
optimal level, because it’s not just the cost of repairing a system that has impact on a client’s budget, it’s the cost of water usage, as well. Garden beds are top-dressed with fresh mulch. Water features, hardscapes and lighting designs are kept in tip-top condition.
Behind the scenes
These are the outward philosophies of Lindgren Landscaping. But it’s the internal practices and structures that helped the upscale design firm weather the recession. “Landscaping projects are often put on hold during tough times,” admits Tim. “I learned a very important lesson from my Dad when I worked for him: never take on debt.” Tim firmly believes that is what enabled his company to not just survive, but thrive, while other firms struggled. “Construction companies are asset-heavy. It takes a lot of trucks and equipment to build and maintain landscapes,” he explains. “We have always kept our debt to a minimum, relying on borrowed money to run a business is a gamble that I’m not willing to take.” Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
What’s Trending in
The team: (Top) Landscape Architects Mitch Benshoof and David Schmidt; (Bottom Left) Senior Designer Georgia Perry and Landscape Designer Kristen Whitehead; (Bottom Right) President and Owner Tim Lindgren.
What’s the toughest part of running his business? “The biggest hurdle we face today is finding good help,” muses Tim. “That’s across the board in the landscape industry. When I started the business 20 years ago, it was easy to find someone who had grown up farming, ranching or doing chores for their parents. Now it seems that so many of our youth are accustomed to playing video games and on the computer — they just don’t know what it’s like to work hard outside.” At the heart of Lindgren Landscaping is a commitment to community. For Tim and Ami, it’s giving back to a community that has been so generous to them as business owners. In 2013, the company sponsored a hole at the Front Range Energy golf tournament, where Tim and trio of colleagues teamed up and shot a round to raise money to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. In May of last year, Team Lindgren fought wind and rain in another golf tournament, this time to support Young Life, an organization whose mission is dear to Tim and Ami’s hearts. A Style 2014
team of volunteers worked with the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado to build the Sustainable Backyard at The Gardens on Spring Creek in a single day. And in March Ami will travel to Haiti for the third time, delivering care packages to an orphanage in the town of Desire, where she and their daughter will also spend time working with children to improve their English language skills. Unemployment rates in Haiti top 80 percent. English speakers are more employable. When children are taught English, life-long opportunities are created for them. What’s in the future for Lindgren Landscaping? Only good things, according to Tim. “We have a good, strong team that takes pride in their work,” he says. “We put the same care in every project, whether it’s a small courtyard or patio or a $1 million project. Our clients know this and appreciate it.” And this makes 2014 look to be a very, very good year. Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins.
“2014 is going to be a another good year. There is a lot of growth in the green industry,” says Georgia Perry, Lindgren Landscape’s senior designer. “Especially here in Colorado, where people are so outdoor oriented, there is the trend where people want to spend more time enjoying their outdoor living spaces and patios.” Patios are on the top of wish lists as musthaves. When features like fireplaces or fire pits and outdoor kitchens and living room-like seating areas are added, they can actually be used almost all year round, not just on warm summer evenings. “These make the shoulder seasons — earlier in the spring and later in the fall — very comfortable to be outdoors.” Designing a landscape that fits the homeowner’s lifestyle is an important consideration. While one might like the look of an English garden, is there a willingness (and time) to spend several hours each week deadheading plants? Georgia and her team listen carefully to understand how the space will be used and later maintained. Maybe there needs to be a large grassy area for playing games with kids and fetch with Rover. It’s all about designing a space that complements the home’s architectural style and becomes an extension of the house. Kitchen gardens are top on the list, too. More than 47 million American gardeners are planning to grow food this year — that’s up 3 percent from last year. Why do they grow their own? For better taste, quality and nutrition, say 73 percent of respondents to Garden Writers Association Foundation 2013 April Gardening Trends Research Report. Super foods like kale and blueberries are finding their way into more and more gardens. What about chickens? With more suburban and urban dwellers wanting to have chickens, how can they be incorporated into the design beautifully and functionally? “I’ve been asked a couple of times to research and plan chicken spaces,” says Georgia. “It really depends on where the property is located, because a lot of neighborhoods are not in favor of chickens being in the mix. They have special needs, with exposure (think harsh Colorado winters) and making sure they’re not front and center or making a lot of noise near sleeping areas.” And the last word in landscape design? Xeriscape. “Xeriscaping is not rocks and cacti,” states Georgia. “That is not the case. It’s a low water use landscape design that can be just as beautiful as one that uses a lot of water.”
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The Bucking Horse development on Timberline and Drake Roads.
Growth Drives Real Estate Expansions By Corey Radman
Northern Colorado is in the middle of a “We’re not in Kansas, anymore” moment. Communities like Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor and Greeley are experiencing a development rebound not seen since pre-recession years. The difference between now and 2007 is that building has expanded beyond the boundaries of larger towns like Fort Collins, exploding into the rural communities. And the buffer between all the Northern Colorado towns is growing smaller and smaller.
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e don’t yet know exactly what the flavor or finished product will look like. Many of these large plots of land will take up to 30 years to build out. Speaking with the stakeholders and leaders across the region, the outlook seems to point toward a regional identity that continues to emphasize jobs, environmental sustainability and our special brand of healthy, outdoor-oriented lifestyles. What’s driving all this change? Simply put, population growth. In 2010, the Larimer County population sat at just over 250,000 people. In 2012 (the most
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recently available data year), it was 310,487. Some natural increases in population are expected, but net migration is the larger force at work in Northern Colorado. In the next five years, Larimer County will add over 35,000 more citizens, 75 percent of whom will be coming from somewhere else. By the end of 2030, Colorado Department of Local Affairs estimates that the county’s population will be just under 425,000 people.
Housing Cost Increasing
Why here? “Well...” says, John Simmons, broker/co-founder of C3 Real Estate Solutions, “This is a great place to live. Why wouldn’t you want to be here?” C3 broker/co-founder, Jesse Laner, elaborates. “In Fort Collins, specifically, demand for housing
continues to be strong while supply remains low, especially for single family detached homes. Regionally, we are seeing new construction make a comeback [from the die-off in the recession years of 2008-2009], but rising construction costs are driving prices up. Material costs are going up and framing costs have jumped. The skilled labor force is depleted, drawn away by oil and gas jobs in North Dakota. So the cost of framing a house has now tripled. Add to that rising interest rates, appreciation and higher energy costs. All those factors are making homes here more expensive. And it will continue to be so.” Laner suggests potential buyers start looking now. “It’s not getting any cheaper,” he says. President of The Group Inc. Real Estate, Eric Thompson, explains that rising prices shouldn’t preclude buyers from making a move. Mid-range Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Eric Thompson, President of The Group Inc.
Jesse Laner and John Simmons, Founders of C3 Real Estate Solutions
homeowners are in an unusual situation, he says. “Supply and demand have created an interesting opportunity for mid-range move-up buyers.” First, he explains a bit about supply and demand. “A market is in balance when there is six months of inventory available for sale. Less than six months of inventory is a seller’s market and over six is a buyer’s market because there is more demand than supply.” He says, “In today’s market, there is an opportunity for move-up buyers to sell in a seller’s market and buy in a buyer’s market. For example, today in Fort Collins someone could sell a home for $400,000 and buy a home for $600,000 and have favorable conditions on both transactions.”
Investment buyers
Laner says the market for buying rental homes got pretty tight this year. “We saw the amount of investor interest really pick up as soon as word got out back when prices were low, interest rates were low and vacancy rates were low. We’ve definitely seen investment purchases fall off this year. There aren’t nearly as many deals to be found now.” Laner says there are still deals out there, but because foreclosures have dropped off and so many families are also looking, it’s much more difficult to find a good investment property. Style 2014
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Drive till you qualify
With all those homeowners looking in Fort Collins, combined with net migration, finding an affordable house in Fort Collins is tough. Thompson says, “It’s unfortunately becoming unattainable for some people to buy here. So that’s fueling some demand in other places like Greeley, Wellington and Johnstown at the lower price points of $250,000 and under.” First-time homebuyers are moving east and south to find comparable homes for much less money. Laner agrees. “There used to be somewhat of a stigma against moving east of Interstate Highway 25. That’s not the case so much any more. Partially because of beautiful developments like Water Valley in Windsor and... partially people may not have a choice. But when buyers do go out there, they see nice houses that cost $60,000 to $70,000 less than the same product in Fort Collins. Also, Weld County towns like Milliken are receiving huge tax revenue from oil and gas companies like Anadarko, which gives them great ability to make improvements in the town.” Both Laner and Thompson agree that the outof-state transplants moving here are bringing a more relaxed attitude about long commutes. Thompson says, “Those of us who live in Fort Collins think of Denver as a separate place, but it’s only an hour away. People coming here from other cities like Houston or Atlanta are very much accustomed to an hour commute.” This is another reason communities in close proximity to the interstate are seeing growth.
Future regional epicenter
Centerra in Loveland is one of those communities that commuters are going to be taking a second look at in coming months. It is well positioned to offer the amenities Northern Coloradan’s love with easy access to the interstate commute their jobs may require. To be clear, Centerra is much more than the Promenade Shops at Centerra. Though many people assume that’s all there is, the McWhinney-owned property called Centerra extends for 1,500 acres on either side of I-25, extending from roughly Crossroads Blvd. to US Highway 34. Jay Hardy is a McWhinney VP and general manager of Centerra who previously served as the executive director of the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority in the late ‘90s. He says, speaking regionally, that large landholders like the McWhinneys are taking the role of land stewards seriously. “I think the people that do a really good job [of developing sustainably] are those in large landholding positions.” Case in point, the newest Centerra housing development to break ground is 300 acres with 768 homes along Boyd Lake Avenue in Loveland. Called The Lakes, it will blend townhomes, single family homes and luxury patio homes at price points ranging from $250,000-$550,000 and up. Models will begin construction in April following infrastructure improvements along Boyd Lake Avenue late this winter. Grand opening is expected around August 1, 2014. Hardy says, “We have long believed that this location will be successful because it sits at the epicenter of Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor.
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It has healthcare, it’s close to the interstate and will be home to the High Plains Environmental Center. Oftentimes people pit environmentalists against developers, but we fund the center, habitat protection and open space through our development activities.” The new neighborhood will host 27 miles of walking trails. Add to that, The Lakes is adjacent to a planned Thompson School District K-8 public school (tentatively using the name, High Plains Academy). Why build all these houses? Hardy replies, “Northern Colorado continues to add jobs. Apartment vacancy rates continue to be incredibly low. This will drive more buying. So the housing market has now come back to life.” According to Hardy, currently there are 8,000 jobs (at Centerra) and 6,000 people calling the intersection of I-25 and Highway 34 home. But change is on its way. The state demographer predicts that by 2025 (11 years from now), there will be 44,000 jobs and 25,000 people living at the intersection of Highway 34 and I-25. This more than any other reason is driving the growth of Loveland, Windsor and the communities that surround it.
Watch Spots Post-recession, new construction has officially returned. While there is development and new building all across the region (you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a crane these days), these specific locations will likely transform their immediate neighborhoods.
What are we going to be?
To return to the initial question of Northern Colorado’s changing identity, certainly the rapid increase in population is forcing an explosion of building. Who better to ask about regional trends than Hardy, who was a key player in developing chunks of Old Town Fort Collins, The Ranch and now Centerra. Hardy outlines the observations he has garnered across 20 years in the business. “I would say, Northern Colorado continues to deliver. Though the sales tax revenue continues to be the piece that communities live and die by [and compete fiercely for], I’m starting to see cities working together more. We’ll get great mileage in connecting the trails between Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley and Windsor. This project is creating great cooperation between the communities. I see that barrier and competition breaking down to create a connected region. And that connected region is really the thing that will make Northern Colorado great as a whole.” Embracing connectivity will be a must since the footprint of the expanding communities is steadily creeping together. From Fort Collins to Timnath, and Loveland to Windsor, the boundaries of the region are becoming less delineated. But, unlike other U.S. metropolitan areas, Northern Colorado leaders seem to be committed to keeping some open spaces open. Thompson says, “It’s not really a matter of stopping development, but asking what do we want it to look like? Will we retain that small town feel? We’ll see. That all comes down to vision and leadership. But personally, I believe yes. Just looking at the people here and the commitments they have, this will continue to be a special place.” Corey Radman is a regular contributor to Style Magazine. Contact her at www.fortcollinswriter.com.
Bucking Horse/ Jessup Farm Artisan Village Northeast corner of Drake Road and Timberline Drive, Fort Collins Developer: Bellisimo Inc., founded by Gino Campana Amenities: Emphasis on health and sustainability, pocket parks, a working farm on-site next to an artisan village. Timeline: Building of dwellings is half done now. The artisan village opens summer 2014. Farm operational by end of 2014. Bucking Horse, developed on the historic Johnson Farm in Fort Collins, is changing the way we think about density. Developer, Gino Campana, says, “Lot sizes in Fort Collins have dropped steadily from 18,000 to 15,000 to 6,000. Our lots are 3,000 square feet.” But cozy doesn’t need to feel claustrophobic. “The way neighborhoods are built now, it’s like inviting six people for dinner and facing their chairs all out away from the table, the food and each other. If you take down the fences, share the green spaces and design a neighborhood that all faces the pocket parks, it feels like a community.” Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Banner Fort Collins Medical Center Harmony Road and Lady Moon Drive, Fort Collins
Hospital includes acute care, 24 in-patient beds, surgical, labs, labor and delivery unit. Timeline: Currently under construction. Scheduled to open April 2015. Banner Health spokesperson, Paul Matthews says, “We are building the hospital in Fort Collins in order to serve our growing patient base close to where they live. We considered a number of factors regarding the location, including its proximity to Interstate 25, projected population growth and available space for future expansion. We look forward to providing an excellent patient experience that is comprehensive, coordinated and convenient for residents in Fort Collins and the surrounding area.”
New Woodward, Inc. Site Southwest corner of Lincoln and Lemay Aves., Fort Collins
New construction includes new manufacturing facility and (eventually) Woodward headquarters offices. Changes to the other Woodward Northern Colorado sites remain undetermined. Total Woodward headcount in Northern Colorado: 1,400 to 1,700 jobs
Centerra
3,000 acres between Crossroads Blvd and U.S. Highway 34, Loveland Developer: McWhinney Newest projects: 768-house neighborhood, The Lakes (see article). Plus a Bass Pro Shop and Courtyard by Marriott hotel south of the Promenade Shops at Centerra. Of the 26 acres by BassPro, the sporting goods store will occupy 14. Marriott will share the remaining 12 with mixed retail (possibly a bank, 4 restaurants, and small stores). Timeline: Marriott opens early 2015. BassPro opens in Q2 of 2015. Jay Hardy, McWhinney VP and General Manager at Centerra, says the vacancy rates in Greeley and Loveland are fueling the need for more hotels (Marriott will be the fourth at this development). Oil and gas employees are literally living in hotels at this point because they can’t find apartments, he says. “Plus, proximity to the new BassPro shop will drive need.” Since Centerra is still only 30 percent developed, the dreamers at McWhinney are just getting started. Style 2014
Timeline: First occupancy of manufacturing facility in fall 2015. Further construction will continue after that. Woodward spokesperson, Karl Johnson, says, “Everyone recognizes that a healthy Old Town is good for Fort Collins. We know our investment in this new facility can help attract other investment, and we think of Lincoln Ave. becoming much like Harmony Road where there is a good balance of businesses and residence. “The Lincoln Ave. facility reflects our desire to remain in Northern Colorado as we prepare to accommodate our current work and the work to be won.” Woodward is a manufacturer and innovator for energy and aerospace markets.
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Max Flats, on the corner of Mulberry and Mason Streets, is a student housing development projected to be complete by August 2014.
Commercial, Residential Rental Market Hot, Hot, Hot By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Real estate is an industry with specific lingo and layers of complexity that can take a lifetime to learn. Within the real estate market, there are brokers who specialize in a variety of areas, but the most common are residential and commercial.
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he term commercial real estate refers to industrial, office and retail space, while residential real estate covers the buildings that house people; homes, apartments, condominiums, duplexes, etc. In a regional economy like Northern Colorado, both sides of the industry are connected, although on the ground each looks very different. The rental market, both commercial and residential, is influenced greatly by the overall real estate market. Today we’re seeing that reflected in different ways throughout Northern Colorado. With a lack of single family homes available for purchase on the market, rental prices on single
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family homes continue to rise. On the commercial real estate front, the desirability of places like Fort Collins continues to drive up retail rents, forcing some businesses to relocate or call it quits. In Greeley and Loveland, industrial space is difficult to nearly impossible to find, leading to the potential for new construction in the near future. These challenges in the rental market also represent opportunity; opportunity for growth and future financial stability for the region.
Greeley’s rental challenge
Northern Colorado has recovered from the recent recession at a faster rate than most places around the country. Greeley was recently listed as number 10, right behind Boulder, as one of the
best performing cities as ranked by the Milken Institute. This outcomes-based ranking takes into account both short and long-term growth in job numbers, wages and salary, and the concentration and size of high-tech industries. Economic success is a good thing, but it’s not without hurdles to be crossed, and in Greeley that is the lack of available commercial and residential real estate. “Quite frankly, we are in dire need of industrial ground at this point in time,” says Bruce Biggi, economic development manager for the City of Greeley. “Most industrial ground has already been leased and new development is absolutely necessary.” According to Wheeler Management, rates on Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
industrial leases in Greeley have crept up to the $6.50 range from a low of $5. These are triple net rates, meaning the tenant must pay additional money for taxes, insurance and maintenance on the property. Most commercial rents are triple net leases. As an example, if a property is listed at $7 a square foot, that number does not include the “three nets” that will also be owed. While industrial space is virtually impossible to find in Greeley, office space is available, partly due to the consolidations taking place in the healthcare industry across Colorado. Doctors who owned their own clinics have now gone to work for Banner, Kaiser or University of Colorado Health, and those doctors’ buildings are now on the market. “That’s both a positive and a negative,” says Jim Vetting, a broker with Wheeler Management. “People are moving into the area to fill these positions for Kaiser and Banner.” Those people referred to by Vetting need homes. Greeley has seen a tremendous amount of activity on the residential development front. There is a series of projects planned in response to the city’s 1.4 percent vacancy rates in multi-family housing. In fact, nearly 1,000 multi-family units are scheduled to be built or are currently under construction. Downtown Greeley has seen several new restaurants come in, plus new retail and even some residential space. Restaurant property runs between $8.50 per square foot to a high of $11, and with a new downtown hotel and convention center on the horizon, the future for the area continues to look bright.
Old Town is the place to be
The story in Fort Collins continues to be the draw of Old Town. It appears that everyone wants to be there including restaurants, retail, small and large companies, and perhaps most importantly, people want to live there. “We have 300 living units in downtown occupied by permanent residents and that’s a whole new thing that’s been occurring over the last decade,” says Steve Kawulok, managing director at Sperry Van Ness. The Downtown Business Association has been a big driver in Old Town, providing entertainment and other reasons to be in downtown. The always-expanding Colorado State University is an undisputable draw to Fort Collins, and of course, the national media attention the city receives from magazines and newspapers naming it as a top place to live doesn’t hurt either. There’s also the tourism draw of the brewery scene. All of these things are driving the economy in Fort Collins and driving up rents, especially in Old Town. “Three years back, the Old Town market got really hot, and rates that were lower during the recession are coming back to pre-recession rates, maybe even higher in some cases because of scarcity,” says Kawulok. Scarcity is at an all-time high. Even downtown basements are rented out, as in the case of the new bar, Social, located in the basement of 1 Old Town Square. When the Goodwill space finally sold to Illegal Pete’s after being on the market for three years, there were three back up offers pending should the sale to Illegal Pete’s fall through, a huge indicator of the desirability of the area. Style 2014
Today, spaces formerly commanding $18 to $20 per square foot has quickly escalated to $25 per foot plus triple net. Today, people like Kawulok believe that Fort Collins is undergoing a transition. While in the past the city has been a tertiary market, today major purchases in the area are being made by out-of-state equity funds and well-heeled investors. “What this tells me is that the rest of the United States sees Fort Collins as a good play for long term investors. Typically, companies from New York would never consider a town the size of Fort Collins, but now they want to be here,” says Kawulok. “Good quality, well-financed businesses locating in our area will provide strength and vitality for the future.”
Beyond Old Town
Outside of Old Town, Front Range Village on Harmony, anchored by the Super Target, is a hot area. A lot of progress has been made here over the last three to four years. Thanks to the owners working with individual tenants on creative lease plans, the Village is near full occupancy. Other hot spots for growth have been the Drake and Shields area and Drake and Timberline, an area boosted by nearby residential development. Only time will tell how the new Foothills Mall redevelopment will affect the market. Malls are an entirely different animal, often setting their own lease rates and frequently, as in the case of the Promenade at Centerra in Loveland, they will not publically disclose those rates. Malls depend on big box stores to bring in shoppers, and will give these stores lower rent in order to attract other national chains that will pay top dollar lease rates, and a mall’s model normally only allocates 10 to 15 percent of the mall space to local retailers. It may seem that as rents rise in Old Town, some businesses may consider relocating in Loveland, but Kevin Klein, of Loveland Commercial, isn’t seeing this happen. With different cultural climates in each of the cities’ individual downtowns, it’s not necessarily always a clear fit for a business to move from Old Town Fort Collins to downtown Loveland, however, Loveland is seeing their own commercial growth.
Contrasts define Loveland’s market
While Loveland is still facing some challenges, especially with newer buildings in downtown asking drastically higher rents than some of the other spaces available, the Centerra area is thriving. The Marketplace at Centerra, featuring Target as the anchor store, is nearly at full capacity and is achieving high $20 to low $30 triple net rents, according to Klein. “They were really patient,” says Klein. “They’ve done a pretty good job at getting a good mix there, and it has its own appeal out there.” Office and retail space in Loveland is still relatively easy to find, but if the Agilent Building is cut out of the equation, industrial vacancies are 2 to 2 ½ percent. Finding a traditional 2,000 to 2,500 square foot industrial unit will prove difficult, especially a quality space. “It’s truly an interesting time,” says Klein. ”Rents aren’t high enough to support new construction. So the question is, how bad does this shortage have
to get before the rents bump up so significantly that we can start having a conversation again about building new? Right now we’re still 30 to 40 percent below what it would probably take to start justifying new construction.”
Residential rents continue to rise
Residential rents have been on the rise for about five years, and although some stabilization is predicted, renters can still expect to pay top dollar in the coming year. New construction is taking place across Colorado and in Fort Collins there are new complexes being built geared towards students as well as young professionals. “New construction means nice granite counter tops, etc. So, of course, newer construction is going to demand a higher rent price,” says Nicole Hanson, owner of KEVCO, a real estate, investments and property management company in Fort Collins. “So while new construction can relieve some of the pressure off the rental market, a lot of this new construction is going to be priced quite high, so that’s why I don’t think the rents will decrease, because the competition isn’t apples to apples.” While more housing is being built, people keep moving to Fort Collins and Colorado State University continues to expand their enrollment. As long as Fort Collins continues to be a quality place to live, people will continue to come. Hanson believes some stabilization in the rental market is on the horizon, thanks in part to the fact that banks are loaning money again and people who previously couldn’t buy a home are now qualified. However, home prices are still high due to a lack of properties for sale. Therefore, not every renter can run out and buy a home. So while the rental market may even out a bit in 2014, there will still be some price increases, especially on single family homes. “We’re still increasing the price on some of those, because a lot of the new construction that’s happening is going to accommodate the student population,” says Hanson. “We’re still seeing increases in prices on single family homes and duplexes, although not at the same rate they have been in the last few years.”
Wrap up
Steep rents may seem disheartening to some, but the reality is that Northern Colorado is economically healthy, and from an economic standpoint what’s happening in towns and cities across Northern Colorado is exciting. Outside interests are investing in the region, and longtime local players like Woodward continue to stay in town and expand. Perhaps Kawulok said it best: “We have people from all over the country coming here. They are bringing good ideas, capital and vibrancy. I don’t think people who have been here for a long time should be scared of this. They will rise with the tide and this will only make their businesses that much more valuable and their jobs that much more secure.”
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and the Mayor of HeidiTown.com, the place for information on Colorado festivals and travel.
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BUILDING & LANDSCAPING NORTHERN COLORADO
BUILDING & LANDSCAPING NORTHERN COLORADO
Special Advertising Section
www.lindgrenlandscape.com
Ph: 970.226.5677
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Custom water feature bubbles from Vietnamese clay pots, through clay pipes down into a channel basin at patio level
Old World pavers have a tumbled finish to compliment the stone on the house, while an integrated snowmelt system maintains safety for the owners and their guests year round
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Eclectic annual containers add greenery with automated drip irrigation
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Cafe´ Lights installed by the builder in addition to landscape and underwater lights by Lindgren Landscape add casual ambiance and a whimsical twist
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BUILDING & LANDSCAPING NORTHERN COLORADO
Special Advertising Section
TUSCAN RETREAT This courtyard offered an opportunity to stimulate the senses while complementing the Tuscan appeal of the home. Each feature was designed to create an exterior space, which is as comfortable and intentional as the stunning interior of the home. Although it’s elegant enough for entertaining, the kids love splashing their toys in the channel style basin of the water feature.
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Builder Barry Schram lounges in the chemical free kitchen he built for the Miscios, visiting with Veronica and Andy.
The Healthy House by Angeline Grenz
Veronica Miscio has become accustomed to delayed gratification. When she buys a pair of shoes, often ordered via a catalogue or website, they must sit in her third car garage or covered sun porch for three to four months. Ditto for husband Andy’s books, which he collects regularly from thrift stores and used bookstores.
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he items, no matter how eagerly awaited, have to spend their time exiled out of the home while they off-gas, slowly releasing the chemicals used to produce, manufacture, dye or otherwise get them ready for use. This process is one that Veronica repeats for all new possessions unless they come from a handful of stores she can trust, and when she ventures out into the public realm, she is often masked to protect her from the chemical smells emanating from other people and products.
Living with Chemical Sensitivity
It is difficult to live in the beautiful state of Colorado and not prioritize your health and entertain green dreams of sustainability. Coloradans are surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural resources in the U.S. and we mean to enjoy them. But for the Miscios these matters are far greater than simple lifestyle choice.
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Veronica’s exposure started at an early age. Her mother worked in the office of the family body shop where she was exposed to lacquer thinner and paints. “That set me up to not be able to detoxify like other people because of my liver,” recalls Veronica. “During one of my pregnancies, I had complications, had to have a blood transfusion and got hepatitis from the tainted blood.” These health problems were further complicated by a career as a beautician and florist, surrounded by the respective chemical, pesticides and herbicides common to those professions. “You put that all in the mix and my bucket is basically full,” says Veronica. After being diagnosed with MCS, multiple chemical sensitivity, she struggled with her health for another decade. Two years ago she began to finally get some relief as the condition began to be better understood and health systems created protocols for treating people with MCS. Multiple chemical sensitivity has also been called “environmental illness” or “sick building
syndrome.” Some resources estimate that as many as one in 10 people suffer from MCS. Many may go undiagnosed, and it is estimated that thousands of chemicals are introduced into the environment each day. “There is a large spectrum of what happens to a person who has MCS,” says Jacqueline Fields, M.D. at Healing Gardens in Fort Collins. She explains the difficulty of diagnosing and treating this syndrome. “MCS can be so varied in how it presents itself, there is no one diagnosis. However, patients with MCS usually have detoxification problems. It is not one thing but the result of bioaccumulation and individual processing and detoxifying systems.” But Dr. Fields adds that the occurrence of MCS is likely to continue to grow. “We all present with some concerns because we are all holding more [chemicals in our bodies] than grandma did, and so there are more conditions that present themselves because of environmental exposure.” She cites the increase in asthma, allergies and sinusitis to increased pollution and evironmental chemicals. Dr. Fields advocates that consumers make get Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
educated about the products we buy for our everyday lives. “Our best first line of defense is to become educated, smart shoppers.” For Veronica, a mild reaction to an environmental contaminant may be as simple as some dizziness or a headache. “That’s if I catch just a whiff.” A serious reaction will cause a heart arrhythmia and the tissue of her brain to swell. She must be constantly vigilant to avoid chemical triggers. Because of her sensitivity, Veronica cannot fly so the Miscios travel via a camper – and the camper has its own air filtration system to prevent the exhaust from aggravating her condition. Once Veronica had identified the cause of her poor health, she realized their 12 acres outside of town was exposing her to a great deal of agricultural fumes. At the same time, the retired grandparents wanted to simplify their lives to better enjoy their retired years.
The Challenge of a Healthy Home
After an extensive time spent looking for an appropriate existing home, and realizing that remediating an existing home to be chemical free is expensive and next to impossible, the Miscios decided to build. “A house built with today’s materials is constantly off-gassing,” says Andy, “There is always some residual. You are never completely toxin free unless you build a new house to be chemical free.” New homes built by today’s construction standards can be more toxic than existing homes, he adds. The Miscios cite commonplace chemicals used in air fresheners, fabric softeners, paints and stains
that exist and embed themselves into the walls of a home. This never-ending litany of products cost Veronica a high price in the quality of her health and building became their best option. The Miscios found their lot north of Fort Collins. But finding an appropriate builder proved to be something of a challenge. “We interviewed seven or eight different builders. We knew we would need a hands-on builder who would personally watch over the project. Then developer Byron Collins (at Harmony Club) recommended Barry.” Barry Schram is owner of Lamar Valley Craftsman. Schram listened to the Miscios concerns and found a project that resonated with his personal philosophies. He had already built several green homes, but Veronica and Andy’s new haven would be his first chemical-free home. The Miscios provided a guidebook, Prescriptions for a Healthy House by Paula Baker Laporte. The book, along with some consulting with Baker Laporte, helped Schram plan a home that was chemical and toxin free, largely green and infinitely livable for Veronica. “Barry took the book very seriously,” says Veronica, “because he knew if this wasn’t right, I was going to be without a place to live. It was life and death for me.” Though the project did have a handful of bumps along the road, like the instance when a subcontractor used a glue that was not on the recommended list and Veronica had a reaction, by and far the process was a success. But what is entailed in building a chemical free home? The book provided recommendations for
Top: Veronica and Andy smiling in their newly built chemical free home. Middle: A kill switch allows Veronica to turn off the electric in her bedroom while they sleep. Bottom: The home’s value for Veronica and Andy is largely in what is unseen: the entire home was built without chemical contaminants. Style 2014
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Left: Andy standing in his study with his extensive book collection. Right: Veronica selected this vanity to be replicated from a Pottery Barn catalogue; her version is built with approved adhesives and natural materials.
products that were created in a chemical free nature. All materials from the concrete slab to the final coat of paint on the walls were specifically chosen. Insulation proved to be a challenge. Schram sourced a material that claimed to be chemicalfree but came dyed pink, an indicator that it was not what it was purported to be. The insulation had to be removed and a replacement found. The 2,170 sq. ft. home features hydronic heat floors (radiant heat floors), exterior grade real wood plywood and traditional wood framing for all walls and floor systems with no engineered products that contain formaldehyde, water-based glues and adhesives. Schram used no or low VOC paints and stains, NAUF (no added urea formaldehyde) cabinet and shelving, a metal roof as opposed to asphalt tiles, formaldehydefree insulation, pre-finished hardwood floors with water-based sealants, an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for fresh air exchange with HEPA filtration, whole house water filtration, and mini splits for air conditioning. Even the concrete foundation was chemical-free. An exhaust fan in the garage pulls out any gas fumes so that they do not enter the home. A kill switch in the master bedroom allows Veronica and Andy to completely turn off electricity in their sleeping area – people who have MCS have also been found to experience sensitivity to electromagnetic fields. Some of the materials that Schram used in the project were actually old-school products that have been around for quite a while such as the drywall mud he used. They were viable products that often just required a little more time or finesse to use successfully. Some of the
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chemical free products cost little more than the standard chemical-laden versions popular today. While aesthetics were important, they were far overshadowed by Veronica’s health concerns. However, the home was created to be bright and open with lots of natural light that takes advantage of the countryside views. Veronica even had the cabinet supplier make her a custom bathroom vanity based on a design she fell in love with in a Pottery Barn catalogue. He was able to recreate the furniture-inspired piece at the same price as the original but without the normal chemical contaminants. They also had a challenge during construction – they couldn’t just rent a temporary home or apartment. So they had the initial part of their home constructed so they could live there while the remainder of the home was built. An off-gassing room, the third bay of the garage, is an essential room for the Miscios to transition new items into the home. It now serves as guest quarters when they need extra space.
Healthy Home Cost Analysis
While initial assumptions may be that this sort of healthy home is ultra-expensive and time consuming to build, but that would be a faulty conclusion. Schram estimates that the home took approximately one month longer than a normal custom home project – largely so that the Miscios could approve every step of the project. Cost was not a significant factor, either. While Schram estimates that a tract home might cost 20 to 30 percent more to be chemical free, a custom home project cost only about 15 to 20 percent more to build (“but every project and client is very different that there are no hard and fast rules,”
reminds Schram) – a worthwhile investment for anyone who is seeking to eliminate from their living environment the chemicals and toxins so prevalent in construction materials today. However, for the Miscios who moved into the home in May 2013, the cost analysis is pure benefit to them. “Thank God for this house because it has been an incredible blessing,” says Veronica. The entire family embraced the project. Her son built the fireplace mantle with toxin-free materials and her daughter and son-in-law helped her make design choices and decorate the home. “And Andy was a rock. He supported this project unfailingly. I can’t say enough about how he supported me.” Andy, a retired commercial real estate broker, describes it this way, “This is a safe place for Veronica, and me, with my asthma. We look forward to coming home; it is healthier here than a hospital room. Emotionally, psychologically and physically, this house is a safe haven for us.” Schram also wants others to understand that a healthy home is not out of reach. “The important thing is to educate and build awareness around the fact that a healthy home can be done. My wife and I were already down this road but not to the extent that the Miscios were. But from a health standpoint and how we want to live, it ties in with building the types of high-performance homes that I typically do.” He has been motivated to update his website and add a section about healthy construction and what that is all about. Visit www.lamarvalleycraftsman.com to learn more. Angeline Grenz is managing editor for Lydia’s Style Magazine. Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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Healthy Home C O N T R A C T O R S
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Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Healthy Home C O N T R A C T O R S
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Healthy Home
CONTRACTORS Lamar Valley Homes 2620 Brush Creek Drive, Fort Collins (970) 690-8526 | www.lamarvalleycraftsman.com
Getting to know Andy and Veronica Miscio was such a great experience personally and professionally. It all started with getting to know them and really listening to their needs in terms of chemical issues, space requirements, finish details, etc. It is so nice to go back to their home after completion, now that they have been there for a few months and hear both of them, especially Veronica, say, “We couldn’t be happier.”
Carson Design Studio 413 Cormorant Court, Fort Collins (970) 481-3366 With the Miscio’s, we took some time to get to know them and understand their lifestyle. We took note of what was important to them. We also studied the site, the views that it presented, the slope and lay of the land, the prevailing wind and the solar orientation. We took all of this into consideration with our collaborative design approach.
Colorado Fine Woodworks (970) 402-1648 www.ColoradoFineWoodWorks.com For the Miscio residence, Colorado Fine Woodworks used LEED compliant plywood, adhesives and finishes to achieve a clean, simple look in the kitchen and a more traditional feel on the double master bath vanity, which was built to replicate a piece found in a popular home furnishings catalog. We were pleased with the results, and look forward to designing and building many more projects that are people and environmentally friendly! Fort Collins Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. 208 Commerce Drive #4, Fort Collins (970) 484-4552 | www.fortcollinsheating.com Fort Collins Heating and Air Conditioning provided the design and installation of the home’s cooling, ventilation and filtration systems. The systems were designed with the overall concept of the home in mind, targeting specific areas for comfort and indoor air quality and the installation was completed using materials and techniques consistent with the homeowners’ requirements.
Liebl Landscape 1022 Willows Bend Dr., Fort Collins (970) 215-9937 | www.liebllandscape.com The Miscio’s came to us needing landscape design and landscape construction services. They envisioned a landscape that would complement the unique style of their home and blend with the surrounding rural neighborhood. They were looking for a yard that would be aesthetically pleasing and still low maintenance, water efficient and sustainable for their climate. After a couple of weeks, the dream became a reality with the completion on schedule and on budget.
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The Light Center 2725 S. College Ave., Fort Collins (970) 226-3430 | www.lightcenterinc.com The Light Center was privileged to provide chandeliers and living room, dining room, master bedroom and stair sconces… as well as all ceiling fans, rope lighting in the living room cove (indirect lighting) and all bath vanity lights. We furnished ceiling fans and track lighting for Andy’s office and Veronica’s den. Xenon undercabinet and puk lights provided accent and work light. The finishing touch was beautiful fixtures on the exterior of their home. A beautiful home for some beautiful people! Siena Wood Floors 4562 Denrose Ct., #3, Fort Collins (970) 484-1688 | www.sienawoodfloors.com We installed a prefinished Red Oak floor over radiant floor heat in the back entry, kitchen, dining room, family room, study, and master and guest bedrooms. The floors consisted of a 3-, 4- and 5” random pattern. We also supplied the treads and risers for the project. To suit the Miscio’s needs for a chemical free home, we used a low VOC glue.
Thermal Shields & Shades 2518 Midpoint Dr., Fort Collins (970) 224-5716 | www.thermalshields.com We installed thermal shades on all the windows, except the master bedroom, at the Miscio home. The shades help to prevent heat loss and heat gain without losing the view. In the Miscio’s case, we used fabrics that are chemical free due to Veronica’s multiple chemical sensitivity. Thousands of people suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity and their environment must be free of all chemicals. Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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A selection of cider and perry tap handles at Scrumpy’s in Fort Collins.
Northern Colorado Leads National Cider Trend By Emily Hutto
It’s exciting time in the cider industry, especially in Northern Colorado. “Production doubles almost every year,” says Jennifer Siewald, who owns Fort Collins’ cider bar Scrumpy’s that opened last spring. She is referring to production in the U.S., where cider has become the newest trend after craft beer and artisan distilleries.
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here’s a lot of room for growth [in the U.S.] when you consider the cider market in England, it’s birthplace, is about 14 to 17 percent,” she adds. “Most places in Europe are about 12 to 14 percent. Cider is only about .3 to 1 percent of the American alcoholic beverage market.” Those numbers are in reference to percentage of cider consumption in comparison to wine, beer, spirits and other booze. They’re the product of Siewald’s constant reading about the international cider industry, and reports from associations like the Washington State Extension Office. Siewald makes it a point to be well-versed
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about cider – she attended the Cider and Perry Academy in Hartpury, England, and studied under Peter Mitchell, an internationally acclaimed cider authority who has consulted on new cider projects across the globe. Scrumpy’s is a narrow tavern where guests can choose from 16 ciders, perrys and meads on tap and a menu full of sandwiches and sweets. (Perrys are alcoholic beverages made from pear and mead is an alcoholic beverage made from honey.) At the bar and at each table is a book of information about all of the ciders on tap and in bottles, facts about each cider producer and the history of the beverage. Scrumpy’s is one of a number of cider-focused bars in the United States, and connoisseurs would be hard-pressed to find a more eclectic, diverse group of ciders on tap – including
Siewald’s house-made ciders under the label Summit Hard Cider and Perry Company. Some of her funky fermentations have included seasonals like this winter’s peach cobbler brewed with fresh peach juice, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon, as well as a tart cherry cider and a chocolate covered cherry cider. Next up: raspberry habanero Serrano pepper cider. “We’re having fun with the flavors, and we’ll eventually get serious about doing a basic cider,” she says. “But the big boys do wonderful basic ciders and I don’t really know if I want to compete in that market.” The many local cider companies that have recently sprouted up in Northern Colorado and beyond largely fuel Scrumpy’s tap lineup. Branch Out Cider, owned by longtime Fort Collins residents Matt Fater and Aaron Fodge, Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
makes cider from apples collected from local residents’ lawns. Neighbors are invited to register their trees in the program to produce ciders like the Perennial, a crisp, dry cider with a hint of honey and fresh melon. Perennial and other offerings from Branch Out can be found on tap at Scrumpy’s, Pinot’s Palette, and The Forge Publick House in Fort Collins, and Brix in Loveland. In Firestone, Rocky Mountain Wild Cider sits on a 14-acre orchard, where 1,300 apple trees of specific varieties were planted to make seasonal ciders like the apple, berry, pineapple and spiced apple pie ciders. The owner, David Tegtmeier, went to cider school with Jennifer Siewald. In Loveland, Blown Spoke Hard Cider Co. is crafting traditional hard cider from cold pressed organic apples that were grown on the Western Slope. The bicycle-themed cidery will serve a variety of ciders and seasonally released mead, Colorado wines and cheeses, and gluten free snacks in the tasting room. Brad Page, the owner of Colorado Cider Co. in Denver, says cider’s trendiness comes on the heels of the thriving craft beer industry surrounding it. “With all the locavore scene, and interest in foods, it’s a logical thing for cider to be in the mix. This demographic of young craft beer drinkers are really into experimentation, they don’t have preconceived notions, they are open to new things, and they don’t judge anything until they try it.” Northern Coloradans can try the company’s flagship Glider Cider on tap at venues such as Patrick’s Irish Pub in Greeley, and Cranknstein, Tap & Handle, Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop, William Oliver’s Publick House, and Fish in Fort Collins, among many others. Colorado Cider Co. also makes specialty varieties like the Grasshop-ah, a dry-hopped cider, and the popular Pearsnickety perry. “We all went with a different take on our business models,” says Page about the many new cider-makers within the region. “I think we’ll all have plenty of room to be successful.” Newest on the cider scene is Compass Cider directly across the street from Scrumpy’s, in the former home of Lloyd’s Framing and Heinsight Solutions. The company, whose open date was January 31 at press time, plans a larger-scale production with three 35-barrel fermenters (in comparison to Scrumpy’s, which has two, seven-barrel fermentation tanks) and a whiskey
A taster flight of some of the 16 ciders, perrys and meads at Scrumpy’s.
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Top Left: Jennifer Siewald, owner of Scrumpy’s. Top Right: Hopricot, one of Siewald’s creations. Bottom Left: Thirty-five barrel fermenters at Compass Cider. Bottom Right: The team at Fort Collins’ newest cider establishment, Compass Cider: Toby Osborn, Tim Lang, Elizabeth Woodworth and Bob Blythe.
barrel-aged cider program. Their facility will include a Cider House where they ferment their ciders and perry, a 129-yearold aging cellar that will be used for barrel aging and the Cider Lounge, their tasting room that includes an adjacent outdoor patio with a firepit. In addition to their ciders, they will carry Blossomwood Cidery in their tasting room and feature a chef prepared pairing menu of small plates by Executive Chef Dave Daggett of Tastebuds. They plan to locally distribute in draft and bottles. “We use as much fruit from the Western Slope of Colorado as possible to produce our premium craft and super premium limited
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reserve products, and we make our products from 100 percent not-from-concentrate freshly pressed apple and pear juice,” according to Bob Blythe, founder and co-owner. “The breadth of styles of ciders and perry we produce allow our Executive Chef to create some amazing food pairings to help introduce our customers to the adventurous world of cider and perry.” Emily Hutto is a Colorado-born travel writer with an affinity for fermented beverages. She’s the author of Colorado’s Top Brewers and a regular contributor at the Denver Eater website. Find her ethnography at emilyhutto.com. Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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Make your Valentine’s Day, or any other occasion for that matter, extra special with these fabulous wines for under $20. The staff at RJ’s Wine & Spirits shares their top wine picks for romance. Josh Landi, Russ Bullamore and Tom Landi RJ’s Wine, Liquor & Spirits 4321 Corbett Dr., Fort Collins (970) 204-6792 www.rjswineandspirits.com
Style 2014
Joel Gott 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 100 percent cabernet sauvignon grapes from several regions of California including Napa and Paso Robles, which helps to create the aromas of cherry, blackberry, cinnamon spice and vanilla toast. On the front of the palate the wine has silky yet robust tannins, ending with a soft finish and lingering minerality. Pair this with a nice steak and some blue cheese crumbles and you will have a memorable Valentine’s Day.
The Immortal Zin is an Old Vine Zinfandel from Peirano Estates in Lodi, Calif., where the cool summer nights have given the fruit a chance to develop layers of flavor starting with subtle aromas of black cherries and other red fruits with slightly spicy characters. Once past the aromas, your palate is bathed with a layered mix of sweet red cherry and cocoa that has a smooth velvety finish. This is a great stand alone wine or it pairs well with beef or pork – and let’s not forget about dark chocolate.
Dead Bolt Winemakers Red Blend from Philip Laffer has quickly become a favorite for many because of the elegance and bold flavor of the cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes that is complemented by the smooth finish of the varietal grapes of zinfandel, petite syrah and syrah. This combination of fruit pleasures both the forward and back of your palate, and goes well with a nice steak or even a burger or pizza.
J Pinot Gris represents some of the best of California’s pinot gris with its enticing aromas of apricot and t ro p i c a l / p i n e a p p l e fruit. As you begin sipping, your mouth bursts with flavors of lemon and lime and finishes with a hint of kiwi and sweet orange blossom honey – a complementary balance of fruit and acid on your palate. This wine pairs well with seafood like grilled salmon topped with a spicy mango salsa.
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travel
BEHIND THE SCENES IN
BRECKENRIDGE By Heidi Kerr-Schleafer
Breckenridge is known as a world-class skiing destination, but it was once a destination for gold and silver hunters. While the town’s colorful history sets it apart from many other Colorado ski resorts, it is also a thriving community of creative individuals who are working to make Breckenridge the best it can be for future residents and visitors.
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The Barney Ford Museum
Historic Breck
Founded in 1859, Breckenridge made its mark on the map as a town serving the men who were gold mining in the area. It provided all the necessities of mining life and was the site of the first post office between the Continental Divide and Salt Lake City, Utah. It was also where former black slave, Barney L. Ford, decided to come in search of his fortune, however, it wasn’t gold that made Ford rich; his business savvy and determination eventually made him one of the wealthiest men in Breckenridge. The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance operates many sites and buildings around town, including the home Ford built at 111 East Washington Street in 1860. This house museum takes about an hour to tour and was once one of the most lavish homes in Breckenridge. One oddity about the house is the lack of a kitchen. Ford owned the restaurant next door and his family took all their meals there. Unfortunately the museum lacks artifacts specific to when the Fords were in residence, in part because the home changed hands many times after they moved away. The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance offers a variety of historical tours and during the winter visitors can take a guided snowshoe trek to see dredge boats, tools and machinery used during mining days. Breckenridge is filled with charming Victorian architecture, some historic and some new. During the holidays, the town is postcard perfect, but
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restoration of the original buildings have all been carefully planned. Even the street lights appear to be original Victorian gas lamps, but instead burn green LED bulbs.”
Green Breck
this isn’t by chance. “Breckenridge is very lucky to have had citizens who recognized the importance of maintaining the historical significance of the town,” says Cindy Hintgen, operations manager of the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance. “The new buildings were constructed to maintain the Victorian appearance and
The citizens of Breckenridge want their future to be as bright as the town’s fascinating past, so being green is an important feature of today’s Breckenridge. SustainableBreck is a volunteerrun program designed to help businesses and organizations save money while reducing their impact on the environment. The program got underway in late 2012, and approximately 25 of business are actively participating. When it comes to living an eco-friendly lifestyle, Breckenridge’s businesses, companies like Summit Soap Company, are leading by example. They’ve created degreasers and commercial soaps, in addition to scented bar soaps, beard conditioners and more, made from recycled cooking grease. Through the use of recycled and purified plant oils from local eateries, Summit Soap Company is able to source 80 percent of their ingredients from within 100 miles of their Breckenridge factory. Breckenridge is most colorful during the summer when tourists can visit the Alpine Garden on Adams Street across from the Riverwalk Center. Owned by the Town of Breckenridge, the gardens here are supported by the Summit County Garden Club. Avid gardeners won’t want to miss the “Plant Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Select” Demonstration Garden, a collaborative effort with Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University and regional and national growers. The club reports to PlantSelect.org on the growth and survival rates of these test plants at 9,600 feet above sea level. The Breckenridge Alpine Garden is always a work in progress, but visitors are invited to sit and stay awhile. You can also visit some of the other area gardens listed on the club’s website at SummitCountyGardenClub.org.
Arty Breck
The fact that Breckenridge is a small mountain town doesn’t mean it lacks in art and culture. Luckily for locals and visitors, appreciation for the finer things in life has always been part of Breckenridge society. In 2013, the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre received four nominations for the True West Theatre Awards. Artistic director Chris Willard walked away with the award for the 2013 Outstanding Professional in a Nonprofit. The True West Awards began as the Denver Post Ovation Awards in 2001, and are the longest-running continuously administered awards program in Colorado theater. “These nominations and award are a testament to Chris Willard’s hard work and ability to create high quality professional production at the theater,” says Mark Lineaweaver, executive director of Breckenridge Backstage Theatre. Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, Backstage has quite a lineup set for 2014. This February it’s “The 10th,” a production about the
Artist Douwe Blumberg, one of Breckenridge’s many artists in residence. Photo courtesy of Town of Breckenridge soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division who were instrumental in bringing recreational skiing to the region. In March it’s “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” followed by “Monty Python’s Spamalot” and “Oz.” Later this summer they will perform, “Shrek The Musical” at Riverwalk Center. “This is a darn good theatre and something fun for visitors to take part in while they are here,” says Kim Dykstra-DiLallo, director of communications at the Town of Breckenridge. Riverwalk Center, in the heart of town, is a multifaceted, award-winning performing arts
BUILDING & LANDSCAPING NORTHERN COLORADO
center and a focal point for summer activities. It is used during the winter as well, most recently during Ullr Festival in January. “The art environment in Breckenridge is alive,” says Jenn Cram, a Town of Breckenridge city planner working in the arts district department. “There’s a lot of excitement and opportunity for observers and those who want to try a new medium.” “Our environment is so inspiring,” she adds. “Breckenridge attracts expressive people who live life to the fullest by biking, skiing, making art and more.” If you’d like to make art while in Breckenridge you’re are invited to take classes and workshops. These events are typically two to three hours and hosted by artists at the Quandary Antiques Cabin and Ceramic Studio, the Fuqua Livery Stable and the Tin Shop. Classes include painting, jewelry, drawing, textiles, ceramics and more. A full calendar of these artsy learning events can be found at BreckArts.com. After you get off the slopes or the biking trail, there are many behind-the-scenes activities awaiting you in Breckenridge. For history buffs, theater lovers or inspiring artists, it’s all waiting for you in Breck. For travel and event information and a full calendar of events for Breckenridge, go to GoBreck.com. Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and professional blogger at HeidiTown.com. Her articles have appeared in IndependentTraveler. com and EnCompass Magazine.
Special Advertising Section
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970.207.0000
sitting weather tight now, thanks to the hard working team at Affordable. No matter how big or small your roofing project, Affordable is there for you. Call them at (970) 207-0000 or visit www.AffordableRoofingInc.com for more information.
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family focus three months’ worth of living expenses in case of an emergency.” You know, the stuff we adults should know but often ignore. TheMint.org also provides educational materials to parents and teachers. The website offers the following five rules for parents when it comes to money matters (see the blog, www. mint.com/blog/): 1. Teach kids the difference between a “need” and a “want.” These lessons are most clear to children when they reach school age. Explain the difference in a relatable way: what do you need to eat to survive versus what do the want to eat because it tastes good? 2. Discuss all aspects of money. Not just spending, but saving and investing. Show them bills, how you budget, etc., allowing them to see that as parents, you don’t only use money to make a purchase at a store. 3. Give kids an allowance. Connect it to chores, the website recommends. This creates an early relationship between money and work. This can often create a more entrepreneurial child. Some sources recommend half their age in dollars each week. Threejars.com is website designed to help kids learn to manage their own money in a fun and creative way.
Teaching Kids
About Money
BY ANGELINE GRENZ
Research has shown that children as young as 3 years old begin to guide their behavior. By age 7, they can begin self-regulating their behavior. Even at young ages behaviors surrounding money can begin to be understood and acted upon. Good planning and a little help can teach your children the healthy and practical view of money that will take them into adulthood. The website moneyasyougrow.org is designed to help families, community organizations and others to teach kids lessons about how to save money, make good money choices and avoid debt. The website is broken into age groups: 3 through 5 years, 6 to 10 years, 11 to 13, 14 to 18 and 18 years and beyond. Each group is given age-appropriate information about money to learn to live financially smart lives, with activities to help cement the information.
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For instance, the 3 to 5 year olds are told, “You need money to buy things” and “You earn money by working.” Ages 11 to 13 learn, “You should save at least a dime for every dollar you receive.” Advance to the 14 to 18 year age group and ideas are introduced such as “Avoid using credit cards for things you can’t afford to pay for with cash.” And those 18+ learn the difficult truths of “You need health insurance” and “It’s important to save at least
4. Teach them the concepts of debt and credit. Understanding interest charges and fees is a great lesson that can impact children come college loan time. TheMintLife.org says to offer them a small loan with a 5 percent interest. Once they have repaid the loan, show them the amount they paid back compared to the initial loan. 5. Let them figure some things out for themselves. This is key to ensuring that a child enjoys learning about money because they are allowed the freedom of making their own decisions. Beyond these basic tips, the resource recommends parents talk about financial responsibility early and often. Use routine activities such as shopping and errands as teachable moments. Identify with your child an item that he or she wants and create a savings strategy. Devise allowance structures and other ways to accumulate money in the household. Probably most difficult of all – lead by example. Keep your own frivolous spending to a minimum and your child will mimic you. For additional information, visit these websites for more tools and information that can help turn your little spenders in to big-time savers. Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydia’s Style Magazine. Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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DowntownFortCollins.com Downtown events happen all year round, but a few big festivals coming up in early in 2014 are: Great Plates of Downtown: Over 30 fabulous downtown restaurants offer amazing evening dining specials for a full two weeks to show off their specialties! In addition to great dining experiences the event collects community donations totaling over $35,000 last year for the Food Bank for Larimer County. Lucky Joe’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade: This event is the oldest in Downtown Fort Collins. Over eighty entries each year share their community spirit and Irish flair with this traditional parade. FoCoMX: The Fort Collins Music eXperiment offers over 200 local and northern Colorado bands all in one weekend!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Feb 7 First Friday featuring Gallery Walk Feb 14 Valentine’s Day (Come downtown for that special dinner!) Feb 14 Shop Late Friday Feb 21 Fort Collins Foodie Walk March 7 First Friday featuring Gallery Walk March 1-14 Great Plates of Downtown March 14 Shop Late Friday March 21 Fort Collins Foodie Walk March 15 Lucky Joe’s St Patrick’s Day Parade April 4 First Friday featuring Gallery Walk April 25 & 26 Fort Collins Music eXperiment (FoCoMX) April 18 Shop Late Friday April 18 Fort Collins Foodie Walk
MORE INFO AT DowntownFortCollins.com
northern colorado
MEDICAL &W E L L N E S S
Proud Supporters Of Your Downtown Businesses
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October 12 :: Union Colony Civic Center :: Greeley
The 2013 Celebrating Women Gala presented by Friends of A Woman’s Place celebrated its 20th Anniversary this year. The signature evening honored seven outstanding women for their leadership and community involvement and helped to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence. The more than 400 friends and supporters that attended the event enjoyed musical entertainment by UNC’s Jazz Lab Band I and a champagne and dessert reception. Proceeds from the evening will support the safe house, A Woman’s Place and their programs for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. Photos courtesy of Shadowfax Photography.
Front-Lila Kinnick. Back-Robyn Kinnick, Christi Malnati, Brooke Payne, Devon Carr, Sara Malanti.
Roger & Jackie Johnson
Connie Berman, Enita Kearns-Hout
Celebrating Women Gala Seven Honorees Front-Connie Berman. Second Row-Lea Faulkner, Jackie Johnson. Third Row-Sally Warde, May Trujillo Bunjes, Laurie Guthmann. Back-Margaret Brown
Pete & Jean Morrell
May Trujillo Bunjes, Lea Faulkner
2ND ANNUAL BE THE DIFFERENCE LUNCHEON October 23 :: NBCE Horace Elliott Center :: Greeley
Renowned speaker and former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers delivered an inspirational message for the 100 people in attendance at this luncheon. The event spoke to the benefits of mentoring and the impact the Partners Mentoring Youth program has had in Greeley. The luncheon helped to raise over $20,000 for Partners in Weld County and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges.
Jill Clark, Reggie Rivers, Mike Clark Style 2014
Ken & Perry Buck, Heather Vesgaard, Reggie Rivers, Gail Shatz
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BBB CENTER FOR FRAUD PREVENTION LAUNCH October 29 :: Budweiser Event Center :: Loveland The Better Business Bureau Institute for Marketplace Trust, formerly called BBB Foundation, launched its BBB Center for Fraud Prevention at this invitation-only event. More than 100 small business owners along with representatives from law enforcement and regulatory agencies in Northern Colorado and Wyoming attended the breakfast and a panel discussion about the consequences of consumer and business fraud and how to fight back. Photos courtesy of Superior Imaging.
Kristi Benningsdorf, Wayne Hoover, Wes Sargent
Ken DeSimone, Ross Kirk, Dominica Carstens
Shelley Polansky, Mark Driscoll
Mike Pierce, Jep Enck
Art Bavoso, Laurel Kubin
HOOPLA FOR HOPE
November 2 :: Fort Collins Country Club The ‘80s with big hair, shoulder pads, neon colors and shutter shades took center stage at the 4th annual Hoopla for Hope. For the 200 guests in attendance the highenergy evening included silent and live auctions, costume and dance contests, and even a surprise flash mob dance performance by The Matthews House staff to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” More than $22,000 was raised to benefit The Matthews House and their programs to help youth and families in transition to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. Photos courtesy of Craig Vollmer Photography Jeramie & Bridget Holt
and The Laughing Photo Booth.
Tasha Runkles, Dianna Sitzman
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Ely Marbe
Matt & Jerri Schmitz
Mary Baird, Holly Fosdick, Tatum Cochran, Sophie Yelenick
Ashley Jones, Taylor Jones
Mike Moore Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
M C K E E P R E S E N T S . . . A S I X T I E S C E L E B R AT I O N ! November 2 :: Embassy Suites :: Loveland A great evening greeted more than 250 business owners, physicians, community leaders and McKee Foundation supporters at this Sixties Celebration presented by The Friends of the Hospital. Guests enjoyed specially prepared delicacies, bingo and billiards, a live auction, a photo booth and plenty of good ‘60s music to dance to. The 2013 McKee Foundation Philanthropy Award was also presented to Lynn Matson for his volunteerism and support of McKee Foundation. More than $75,000 was raised to benefit scholarships for the Stepping Stones Adult Day Program at McKee Medical Center. Photos courtesy of Steve Glass Photography.
Sheldon Stadnyk, Tiffany Hettinger, Michelle Joy, Jeanie Gallagher, Rick Sutton, Mary McCabe, Lori Sehrt, Kelly Studer, Wendy Sparks
Leah & Mike Johnson
Diane & Kevin Foley
David & Mindy McCloughan
Lynn Matson 2013 Philanthropy Award Recipient
Angel & Mark Hoffman
Susan & Richard Harrison
Sharon & Ron Sheets
FA L L I N T O J E W E L S November 7 :: Fountains of Loveland More than 225 women enjoyed the ultimate shopping experience at the Fall into Jewels event. Women queued to be first in line to shop from thousands of displayed precious, semi precious and designer jewelry pieces as well as scarves and purses that were donated throughout the year by the community. Wine, hors ‘d oeuvres and live music added to the girls’ night out. More than $13,000 was raised at this 7th annual signature event and will benefit House of Neighborly Service and their many programs servicing the community since 1961. Photos courtesy of AMA Divine Photography.
Style 2013
Bente James, Leah Johnson, Cindy Guldy, Charlie Johnson, Glorie Magrum, Michelle Babb, Ann Hanson, Rebecca Burton Aldrich
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CROSSROADS SAFEHOUSE 33RD ANNIVERSARY GALA November 9 :: HIlton :: Fort Collins Generous sponsors, donors and guests enjoyed a magical evening of fundraising at the Crossroads Safehouse Anniversary Gala. The signature event provided nearly 475 guests a spectacular silent auction experience and a gourmet dinner to the music of a Fort Collins Symphony String Quartet, followed by several lively auctions. More than $200,000 was raised to benefit Crossroads Safehouse and their mission to provide a safe environment for victims of domestic and interpersonal abuse and violence in Larimer County, while promoting positive change through education, awareness and intervention. Photos courtesy of Photography Collaborative.
Sarah & Brett Brown, Steph & Chris Agusto
Bob & Marva Hewett
Bill & Lucia Liley
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Andrea Dawkins, Christina Dawkins
Chris Fawzy, Tom & Traci Gendron
Kathy & Don Beck, Mark Ausbrooks, Julie Singer, Pat Parker
Doug & Jeane Coleman, Myron & Mika Schneider, Suzanne McCarthy
Pat Tahan, Tori Glasser, Suzy Houser
Joanie & Matt Ebmeier
Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
R E S P I T E C A R E H O L I D AY B A L L 2 0 1 3 November 16 :: Embassy Suites :: Loveland Respite Care’s 31st Annual Holiday Ball was an evening to remember for the nearly 725 guests in attendance. The Gatsby-themed gala provided an elegant backdrop for the festivities. The celebration began with a champagne toast and silent auction. Emcee Mike Nelson welcomed guests and opened with a video presentation demonstrating Respite Care’s 31 years of service to the community. The evening included dinner, a live auction, a car raffle and much more. The event raised a record $256,000 for Respite Care and their programs to provide short-term care to children in Larimer County with developmental disabilities and respite to their families, enhancing quality of life for the entire family. Photos are courtesy of Nicholas Perea.
Terry McNeal, Letitia Frye
Jay & Jackie Witlen
Gerry & Kaye Neufeld
Eric Baumgart, Isabel & Terry Brunk, Jill & Roger Belisle, Carrie Baumgart, Heidi Whitney, Cindy & Gregg DeGroot, Erin & Justin Moomey, Athina Sweigard
Heidi Whitney - Winner of the Respite Care Holiday Ball Car Raffle and this 2013 Honda Civic LX
Maegan Duggar, Kent Obermann, Suzanne Brazil, Pete Petrone Style 2014 2013
Adam Meier, Charlie Pappas, John Ceasar, Craig Capitelli, Dave Brewer
Chris & Marcie Kay
Shauna & Todd Sledge
Susie Ewing, Amy Hoback
David Massey, Danae Hodge, LeAnn Massey
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R E A L I T I T E S F O R C H I L D R E N C H A R I T I E S N I G H T L I G H T S C E L E B R AT I O N December 1 :: First Presbyterian Church Front Lawn :: Fort Collins More than 1,000 bundled-up community members gathered to support brightening the lives of abused and neglected local children at the 16th annual Nightlights event. Scores of families came out to enjoy an evening of hot chocolate and cookies, music from The Dickens Carolers, photos with a Belgian horse and carriage, award presentations and more. The highlight of this event was the lighting of the one-of-a-kind 50-foot tree adorned with beautiful indigo LED lights and the images of children. A record $127,000 was raised for Realities for Children to help benefit abused, neglected and at-risk children in Larimer County. In December alone, Realities for Children served more than 2,000 children. Photos in part courtesy of Angela Kay Photography.
Craig Secher, Susan Beck, Gary Ricker Susan Beck 2013 Champion For Children Recipient
Glenda Shayne, Jessica Jans
Jim Rice, Troy Hall
2014 Nightlights Tree
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Jep Enck, Nancy Richardson, Jennifer Varner, Kurt Richardson The Richardson Foundation was one of the 2013 NightLights sponsors.
Dan & Amanda Falcon with Piper
Emily Alligood
Whitney Rutz with Daniel
Winner, Carver, poses with his 4’, 33-lb edible chocolate Santa.
Lyndsey Burmeister, Jeremy, Owen Burmeister
Erica Wharton
Amanda Maciel, Patti Maciel
Kelsey Kenyon, Jozelyn, Jessica Jans
Ed Osgood with John
Jennifer Hansen, Jolene, Tara Bianchi Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
2ND ANNUAL GINGERBREAD H O M E F O R T H E H O L I D AY S ! December 7 :: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish :: Fort Collins An afternoon of competition awaited 26 teams as they worked to decorate gingerbread houses in this timed event to raise awareness and funds for The Center of Family Outreach. Teams with members of up to three had two hours to create their works of art. Awards were presented to the top three decorated houses. The fun event raised $18,000 for The Center of Family Outreach and their programs offering education, intervention and support for families who are challenged by the adolescent years.
Susan Byrum-Hay, Jason Hay, Jee Hoffman She She Nail and Wax Lounge Team
Photos courtesy of David Johnson and Sue Wagner.
Kaelen Schocke, Lexy Wilson, Melanie Hanover Texas Roadhouse Team
Aisha Moreles, Holly Zorn, Amiey Janezich Timberline Church Team
Banner Green, Amanda Tate, Kristi Benningsdorf First Western Trust Bank Team
Jason Brady, Sarah Liggett, Shauna Metzo Liggett & Johnson PC Team
Celebrity judges: Lydia Dody, Sheriff Justin Smith, Rayno Seaser
Style 2014
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NEW YEAR’S EVE & FIRST NIGHT FORT COLLINS December 31 :: Old Town :: Fort Collins Thousands of people came to Downtown Fort Collins to celebrate and say goodbye to 2013 and usher in the New Year. Locals and many out-oftown guests dined at great restaurants. Participants in the 18th annual First Night Fort Collins enjoyed a wide variety of entertainment provided by both local and national talent, including more than 100 shows of
Harold & Sandi Harris
Mergo Carlock, Sherry Timmons, Sonny Cooper Gene Haffner, Julie Johnson Haffner
Wendy Poppen
dance, theater, magic, storytelling, music and more. Others came to see the huge fireworks display or just walk the beautifully lit streets. The New Year’s Eve celebration provided something for everyone. Zach Tisher, Janelle Van Houh, Layna Gaffield, Dave Gaffield
In front Madison Floyd with Brian Floyd, Rebecca Browning-Floyd
Devin Perez & Robert Linkous with Conscience the Kitty
L A U N C H O F L O V E L A N D ’ S VA L E N T I N E S E A S O N January 7 :: McKee Medical Center :: Loveland As the day of love or Valentine’s Day approaches, the Sweetheart City, as Loveland is known, officially unveiled its Valentine Season with the help of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and various representatives. Presentations of Loveland’s Valentine Card, Valentine Cachet stamp and Valentine postal stamp for the Valentine Re-mailing Program were made public as well as Loveland’s Official Valentine’s Brew, and Valentine Blend of coffee. Valentine’s Day activities as well as Date Night getaway packages were announced. Loveland is gearing up and sending a flood of love to us all.
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Cindy Mackin, Mindy McCloughan, Cindy Kinney
Miki Roth, Paul Matthews, Mary McCambridge
Dale Littlefield, Corry McDowell, Dixie Daly, John Metcalf
Nicole Yost, Savannah Hayes
Nicole Wilson 2014 Miss Loveland Valentine
Robyn Steele, Mindy McCloughan, Betty Gustafson Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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