Jan26_lores

JANUARY 2026

AvidLifestyle.com

Winter Getaway Picturesque Brush Creek Ranch is calling

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Working to preserve and restore our landscapes

JANUARY 2026 | $8.95

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BAXTER FAIN puts personal back in banking

Aquamation fills a need in the PET INDUSTRY

HOME GYMS change more than your workouts

E L E VAT E YO U R N E X T C H A P T E R

RESIDENTIAL

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COMMERCIAL

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MORTGAGE

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INSURANCE

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WARRANTY

WWW.KENTWOOD.COM

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RENTALS

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RELOCATION

TAKE TIME FOR YOU IN THE NEW YEAR

Newsweek Best U.S. Wellness Resort

Book a luxurious wellness escape and experience all that Garden of the Gods Resort & Club has to offer. From yoga classes, luxurious massages, and facials, to nutrition coaching, IV therapy and fitness instruction, take the time to identify your goals and get the head start you’ve needed, all surrounded by panoramic mountain views. And with award-winning chefs curating nutritious meals and countless wellness activities to explore, everything you need to reach your peak potential is just a moment away.

3320 Mesa Road Colorado Springs CO 80904 | gardenofthegodsresort.com

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WELLNESS OFFERINGS

BOOK EARLY FOR SPECIAL SAVINGS

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CONTENTS January 2026 PHOTO: COURTESY THE COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE

departments

10 12 14 16 18 26

FEATURED

34

The Rise of Sustainable Tourism in Colorado

Each footstep on this delicate ecosystem can damage plants that took decades to establish, in an environment where recovery happens significantly slower than in the forests below. Yet, as Colorado’s tourism industry continues its remarkable growth, a powerful movement is reshaping how the state welcomes travelers while protecting its most precious natural assets.

By Lexi Marshall

42 46 52

ON THE COVER: The Rise of Sustainable Tourism in Colorado, page 34 PHOTO: HUGH - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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SETTING THE STAGE Meaningful Choices

By Heather Shoning

local flavors A CHEF’S KISS FOR COLORE Fine Italian dining in south Denver

By Jay McKinney

healthy living TACKLING FOOD INSECURITY ONE TEEN AT A TIME Young men team up with their moms for service projects in Douglas County

By Harper Thomas

healthy living A GENTLER WAY TO SAY GOODBYE Water Bridge Aquamation fills a need in the pet industry

By Kastle Waserman

stylish living MODERN MEDITERRANEAN A full renovation gives a classic home a striking new identity

By Heather Shoning STYLE FILES What’s trending for home and fashion

wayfarers A PERFECT WINTER GETAWAY Picturesque Brush Creek Ranch is calling

By Lexi Marshall

society & culture WHEN LOOKING BACK FEELS GOOD Baxter Fain is on a mission to put the “personal” back into banking in an era of apps and faceless online lenders

By Lexi Marshall

can’t-miss events ON THE AGENDA The Music Fest at Steamboat, National Western Stock Show, X Games, and more

January 2026 // vol. 7 // no. 10 PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER Allen J. Walters SALES, MARKETING & ADVERTISING VP OF SALES & MARKETING Lori Perry ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS Brad Butler Minda Carmann CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chris DeConna VP OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND GOLF OPERATIONS Michael T. Colander ART & EDITORIAL EDITOR Heather Shoning ART DIRECTOR Michelle M. Gutierrez COLORADO AVIDGOLFER EDITOR Jim Bebbington DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT Carson Griggs ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Nikki Bell CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Lacey Lexi Marshall Jay McKinney Harper Thomas Kastle Waserman CONTACT Advertising Inquiries: allen@coloradoavidgolfer.com Editorial Inquiries and Letters: heather@avidlifestyle.com Customer Service: 720.493.1729 Mailing Address: 9350 E. Arapahoe Road, #210 Greenwood Village, CO, 80112 AvidLifestyle (ISSN 2642-0562) is published twelve times a year

by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC, and printed by Publication Printers Inc. Volume six, number two. 9350 E. Arapahoe Road, #210, Greenwood Village, CO 80112. Order your personal subscription to AvidLifestyle at avidlifestyle.com or by calling 720.493.1729.

Subscriptions are available at the rate of $12 per year. Copyright © 2023 by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to AvidLifestyle, 9350 E. Arapahoe Road, #210, Greenwood Village, CO 80112. The magazine welcomes editorial submissions but assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material.

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

SETTING THE STAGE

PHOTO: BY VANESSA MIRANDA

// editor’s letter

TALK OF THE TOWN

KNOW SOMEONE who should be featured in AvidLifestyle?

Tell me about them at heather@avidlifestyle.com

MEANINGFUL CHOICES A NEW YEAR has a way of shifting our focus. The calendar flips, the snow settles in, and suddenly we’re thinking differently about what matters—where we spend our time, who we connect with, and how we move through the world. This issue leans into that idea with stories about meaningful choices.

One example of values in action comes from Baxter Fain (When Looking Back Feels Good, page 46). His career took him from Wall Street to Denver Tech Center, but what really stands out is the full-circle way he’s leading a bank built on personal connection. He wants banking to feel human again—and he’s proving that approach still has power in a digital, swipe-andscroll era. You can feel the sincerity in his story—not just growth numbers, but community investment, genuine relationships, and a belief that service isn’t a sales pitch.

If your idea of winter is all slopes and speed, Brush Creek Ranch has another take. Writer Lexi Marshall take us to the Wyoming destination in A Perfect Winter Getaway (page 42) while it’s at its most enchanting. Things slow down—the landscape going quiet while the inside world comes alive with wellness rituals, deeply thoughtful cuisine, and wine experiences that feel curated for the season.

Closer to home, Colorado is rethinking how tourism works at scale (The Rise of Sustainable Tourism in Colorado, page 34). Our mountains have never been more popular, but popularity comes with a footprint. The state is responding with real strategy: destination stewardship, education campaigns, partnerships with Leave No Trace, and grants that build and repair trails on the peaks everyone loves to climb. Stewardship isn’t a tagline here—it’s the blueprint.

The story inside this issue shows the work, and the people, making sure Colorado remains wild, beautiful, and accessible for the long haul.

WRITERS WANTED

Kastle Waserman highlights innovation in a quieter corner of life: pet aftercare (A Gentler Way to Say Goodbye, page 16). For anyone who’s ever lost a dog or cat, you know the grief feels big. Water Bridge Aquamation introduces a gentler, AvidLifestyle is a lifestyle more eco-conscious approach—a water-based cremamagazine serving Dention that honors both the animal and the planet. ver’s south suburbs. And This issue is full of ideas like that—ways people are we’re excited to add new, building businesses, experiences, and services that experienced writers to our go deeper than the brochure version. Pour a cup of growing list of contribusomething warm, settle in, and take a slower lap tors. Do you have magazine through these pages. There’s inspiration in seeing writing experience? Do you how a single choice can ripple outward. Here’s to the know Denver’s south subyear ahead, and to choosing with intention. urbs? Can you dig deep for Happy New Year! Wishing the best to you and yours the unique story about the in 2026! people, places and events that make our community special? If so, we want you!

Please email heather@ avidlifestyle.com with basic info about yourself and at least three published clips Heather Shoning (links are fine).

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

LOCAL FLAVORS

// fine dining

A CHEF’S KISS FOR COLORE FINE ITALIAN DINING in south Denver

By Jay McKinney Photos Courtesy of Colore

IF THERE’S ONE COUNTRY that is universally revered for its culinary excellence, it has to be Italy. With fresh bread, cheese galore, fantastic wine, and pasta sauces ranging from hearty marinara to creamy alfredo, Italian food is delicious in every way. While it can be fun preparing the country’s cuisine at home, nothing beats dining at a fine Italian restaurant.

In Denver, Colore has been dishing up incredible Italian fare since it first opened on South Broadway in 2009. Chris Millette owns Colore with his wife Sarah and sees the restaurant as an extension of a home dining room with an emphasis on quality ingredients, good portion sizes, and identifiable comfort food that people love. Spaghetti and meatballs is a 12

January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

tried-and-true entree but there are also some higher-end Italian recipes that make Colore a versatile restaurant. “We want to be the place where you can come in after doing yard work, and a place where you can come for your thirtieth anniversary,” Chris Millette says.

The most popular menu items include the Caesar salad, shrimp fra diavolo, and chicken saltimbocca made with pan-seared chicken breast, prosciutto, provolone, garlic spinach, a Marsala sage-butter reduction, and potato gnocchi. An Italian citizen would advise pairing any of the entrees with a tasty wine from the country. Thankfully, Chris Millette is a sommelier and can offer his opinion on pairings.

Some of his favorites include the house red

LOCAL FLAVORS

barbera, a Nebbiolo, and a grüner veltliner.

As far as cocktails go, the black Manhattan, basil mojito, and Rockslide are some of the standout choices. The latter is rightfully on the dessert menu with its mouthwatering mix of Cantera Negra Café coffee liqueur, Coole Swan Irish cream liqueur, and The Family Jones vodka. For those craving a traditional dessert, some favorites are the tiramisu and peach bread pudding made with French bread, warm caramel, peaches, and fresh berries.

Food and drinks aside, Colore is not a stereotypical Italian restaurant adorned with red and white tablecloths and soft lighting that inspires intimate conversation. Instead, the restaurant has a modern aesthetic with

an open kitchen, butcher block tables, and ample natural light pouring in from the large windows. The cozy booths could serve as a napping location after scarfing down a bowl of fettuccine and shrimp alfredo. There’s also an enclosed patio equipped with heaters that stays open year-round as long as temperatures are above 35 degrees.

With great food and a versatile vibe that has made the South Broadway location so successful, Colore expanded into Littleton with the opening of a second location in June 2025.

While the restaurant has been in the neighborhood for less than a year, it’s been well received as it provides an upscale casual dining experience to a market that was in need.

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

COLORE 2700 S. Broadway Englewood 303.761.4332 5950 S. Platte Canyon Rd. Littleton 720.572.4442 coloreitalian.com

// fine dining

HOLISTIC LIVING

// spirit PHOTO: COURTESY YOUNG MEN'S SERVICE LEAGUE

Tackling Food Insecurity One Teen at a Time

Young men team up with their moms for service projects in Douglas County

By Harper Thomas

MORE THAN 100 teen boys and their moms recently spent three weekends doing something most people never see: the unglamorous, un-Instagrammed work that keeps local nonprofits running smoothly. They’re part of the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) DougCo Chapter, and their annual “Ultimate Gift” project has quickly become one of Douglas County’s quiet engines of service.

In 2025, that effort zeroed in on food insecurity—an issue that continues to hit local families hard. Volunteers logged more than 300 hours tackling wish-list projects for two nonprofits that feed thousands: SECORCares and Project

Angel Heart. The work wasn’t flashy—stocking a mobile market truck, painting interior spaces, refreshing signage, installing a flower display, washing windows, scrubbing tile, and handling yardwork—but it was exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes labor these organizations rarely have the budget, staff, or time to address.

For SECORCares, which provides groceries and essentials to families in crisis, the mother-son teams help clear a backlog of long-delayed improvements so staff can stay focused on direct services. Many of the projects had been stuck on the “someday” list, overshadowed by the immediate demands of serving clients. Project Angel Heart, known for delivering medically tailored meals to people facing serious illnesses, expressed similar gratitude.

A clean, safe, welcoming environment isn’t just nice to have—it’s part of the dignity the organization strives to offer its community.

What sets YMSL DougCo apart isn’t just the 14

January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

manpower; it’s the model. Mothers and sons work side by side, building empathy and leadership through hands-on service rather than check-writing or résumé padding. The chapter is only in its second year, but the momentum is undeniable: since May 2025, members have contributed more than 2,300 hours throughout the county, supporting more than 20 local nonprofits as part of a four-year program that pairs service with leadership training.

The Ultimate Gift tradition is a reminder that impact shows up in fresh paint, tidy garden beds, and a mobile food truck ready for its next neighborhood stop. It shows up in teens learning to show up for others—and enjoying it enough to keep coming back. And as YMSL DougCo heads into a new year and welcomes prospective members, that ripple is only growing.

For more information, visit chapters.ymsl.org/ chapter/dougco.

SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR STEAK & SEAFOOD

OPENING TO THE PUBLIC JANUARY 6TH Lunch 11:30am–4pm, Happy Hour 3–5:30pm, Dinner 4pm–Close Reservations available December 18th at jacksonpearldenver.com or Open Table

I N LO N E T R E E

// spirit

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK / АЛЕКС РЕНКО

HOLISTIC LIVING

A Gentler Way to Say Goodbye WATER BRIDGE AQUAMATION fills a need in the pet industry

By Kastle Waserman

THE LOSS OF A PET is always heartbreaking but determining what to do with their remains is often just as difficult. Pet owners in Denver have limited options: fire cremation, two pet cemeteries or a backyard burial if local regulations allow it. Owners often opt for cremation, but the idea of burning your beloved pet’s body can be upsetting. Now there is another choice: water cremation.

Soaking a body in a solution that breaks it down organically is a relatively new player in the death industry, though the process has been around for more than 100 years. In the early 2000s, water cremations started gaining popularity for humans. Now, Water Bridge Aquamation offers it in Denver for pets.

Founded by John Moody, who spent 15 years as a funeral director and nine years as a funeral home manager, pet water cremation was a way 16

January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

to bring his experience to the pet industry, which he felt lacked understanding and empathy for grieving pet owners.

“I wanted to offer something transparent, more planet-friendly, and allow pet families to feel supported and partake in the process,” he said.

The aquamation process involves placing the pet in its own chamber within a vessel filled with 95 percent water and 5 percent alkali. The vessel is then heated and gently circulates the solution for 20 hours to allow a natural process of decomposition.

What remains is the skeletal system, which Moody blends into a powder similar to ash and returns to the owner along with a gallon of the solution containing the pet’s organic matter.

The rest of the solution is donated to farms as a fertilizer called Earth Glow. Owners also receive

HOLISTIC LIVING

// spirit PHOTO: COURTESY WATER BRIDGE AQUAMATION PHOTO: COURTESY WATER BRIDGE AQUAMATION

a clay paw print, two nose prints, a fur clipping in a glass jar, and a choice of a bamboo or biodegradable urn.

Water Bridge Aquamation prices its services competitively to match fire cremation. They also offer on-site euthanasia or pickup from a home or vet. Moody strives to make the location a comforting space for pet owners to say goodbye. “They can have as much time as they need,” he says.

Studies suggest that grieving the loss of a pet can be as traumatic—if not more so—than the loss of a human loved one. Moody agrees. He says he’s not immune to the difficulties of these moments. While he is strong for pet parents, he occasionally goes behind a closed door to have a cry. “Hearing the stories of these pets can be really emotional,” he says. Moody’s own animal companion is a 13-year-old chihuahua terrier

named Ramone, who serves as house greeter and comfort support for people who come in.

In addition to considering the needs of pet families, Moody feels planetary health is also a priority. Water cremation has a small environmental footprint, using only about 10 percent of the energy of fire cremation, produces no greenhouse gas emissions, and creates a safe liquid byproduct farmers can use in agriculture. Moody plans to go solar so it will use no electricity at all.

While he admits it can be difficult to deal with the emotions of grief-stricken pet parents as well as his own, Moody feels it’s empowering to be a guiding light for people going through a tough time. “I think any funeral director will tell you it’s one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world. It just feels good to help people.”

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

John Moody

WATER BRIDGE AQUAMATION 2364 S. Broadway Denver 720.343.3838 waterbridgeaquamation.com

STYLISH LIVING

// feature home

MODERN MEDITERRANEAN A full renovation gives a classic home a striking new identity

By Heather Shoning

A HOUSE CAN HOLD two truths at once: the memory of what it was, and the promise of what it could become. This traditional Mediterranean home came with an expansive lot, a pool set into stone terraces, and a classic architectural silhouette defined by tiled rooflines and arched window forms.

It also arrived with the potential for a new interpretation. The homeowners jumped on the Greenwood Village property as a way to better accommodate a growing family. The

goal was a full renovation that shifted the home’s traditional Mediterranean style toward a modern expression—one centered on open, functional spaces and a strong emphasis on art and edited material contrast.

The homeowner grew up immersed in the construction industry and now owns the family’s construction company. He employed his background and assembled a team including Kathy Siple of JRG Design, Inspire

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

Kitchen Design Studio, and Elite Builders.

Rather than remove what existed, the renovation would build on it. The original architecture provided scale, volume, and connection to the outdoors. The renovation would refine those strengths, opening major areas of the home to increase usability and flow while preserving the essential structure.

The result is a dialogue between past and present—Mediterranean forms simplified into cleaner planes, contemporary finishes, and a

STYLISH LIVING

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

// feature home

STYLISH LIVING

// feature home

quiet confidence expressed through proportion rather than ornamentation.

The entry immediately establishes this shift. Natural light filters through clerestory windows, drawing attention to the depth of the interior and the view extending through large glass doors to the outdoor living space. A round black table sits at the center of the travertine flooring, which runs continuously through the home and creates a seamless, grounded surface. The railing introduces a precise line of black metal, defining the stair opening without interrupting the visual field. On the wall, a large-format black-and-white photograph anchors the space and signals the role art plays in the home’s identity.

Rather than overt decoration, it becomes a focal point that frames the transition into the rest of the interior.

In the dining room, the renovation heightens the existing architecture. A soaring fireplace wall in a deep, matte custom plaster finish rises beneath a vaulted ceiling lined with limewashed brick in a repeating herringbone pattern. The texture overhead creates a rhythm that draws the eye upward, while the dark central plane establishes a strong vertical axis.

Light walls on either side emphasize the contrast, and a monochromatic artwork centered above the fireplace introduces a sculptural presence. Another large piece leans into a warmer palette nearby, creating balance through scale rather than color repetition. A long dining table in a dark finish extends the line of the space, while simple chairs with clean silhouettes maintain the pared-back

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

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STYLISH LIVING

// feature home

modern language. The composition relies on proportion—the mass of the fireplace, the span of the table, and the height of the ceiling—to create visual impact.

The kitchen uses a similar approach, translating the Mediterranean structure into restrained, contemporary geometry. A substantial island with a quartzite surface forms the center of the room, offering seating and workspace within a single volume. Cabinetry combines rich walnut with cold-rolled steel panels, creating a quiet tonal contrast that complements the flooring beneath. A vertical window above the sink frames the landscape outside, reinforcing the home’s emphasis on connection between indoors and outdoors. Open metal shelving near a second window introduces repetition of the black lines seen at the entry, offering space for small objects and greenery without crowding the surfaces. Pendant lighting adds a sculptural element overhead, drawing the eye to the height of the ceiling. The layout remains disciplined and functional, relying on material contrast and symmetry for visual strength.

In the adjacent living area, the design allows for a more expressive layer. The architecture remains understated: a dark fireplace wall with a custom plaster finish, arched brick surround, and stone floors. Against this restrained backdrop, the furnishings introduce color and pattern in a deliberate counterpoint. A large Mah Jong sectional with Missoni fabric spans the room in saturated tones and varied textile patterns, creating a vivid contrast to the deep finish of the fireplace wall. An original David Yarrow photograph, expansive in scale, stretches above the seating and reintroduces the monochromatic language seen at the entry and dining room. The pairing of quiet architecture and bold upholstery creates a balanced tension that defines the space.

The private rooms echo the same restrained architectural tone, interpreted through softer forms. In the primary bedroom, a Sacha Lakic for Roche Bobois bubble bed in deep blue

The pairing of quiet architecture and bold upholstery creates a balanced tension that defines the space.

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

STYLISH LIVING

// feature home

of the house stay intact. The change lies in the quiet simplicity of the finishes and the openness of the rear elevation, where glass doors extend the interior out with the travertine flowing from inside to the terrace that steps down to the pool. The visual connection between inside and out is immediate, and the continuous stone surfaces create a unified plane from living spaces to the water’s edge.

The renovation reframes rather than replaces.

The home’s traditional Mediterranean foundation remains visible, but it now supports a modern interpretation defined by openness, clarity, and an emphasis on art. By preserving the integrity of the original footprint and refining the interiors through proportion, contrast, and material restraint, the design achieves a cohesive new identity—modern Mediterranean, distilled to its essentials and reimagined for a contemporary way of living.

JRG DESIGN

303.601.9544 jrgdesignllc.com curves into the room as a singular sculptural piece. Neutral bedding and pale walls allow the bed’s form to become the focal element.

A second Yarrow photo spans the wall above the bed, continuing the visual language of scale and contrast found throughout the house. The window wall frames an exterior terrace, extending the room outward and reinforcing the continuity of indoor and outdoor spaces. A separate sitting area includes a matching bubble sofa, paired with modern artwork and simple furnishings to maintain the cohesive material palette.

The primary bath uses geometry and repetition to create a composed environment within the wet room area. Large-scale tile define the walls surrounding a freestanding tub. A recessed niche introduces a subtle architectural gesture, and the pebble flooring provides texture beneath the smooth planes surrounding it.

The vanity area features an island cabinet and integrated seating, offering generous storage within a clean, symmetrical arrangement.

The home’s exterior is subtle and disciplined.

The original rooflines remain, and the forms 24

January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

INSPIRE KITCHEN DESIGN STUDIO

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720.442.2471 elitebuilderscolorado.com

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84 80 Upland Drive, S uit e 200 Parker, CO 801 1 2

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STYLISH LIVING

// style files

Q:

INTERIOR DESIGN, MEET AI AI IS SHOWING UP in every corner of the design world. But while some see it as a threat to artistry, Devon Tobin, principal at Duet Design Group, sees something else entirely: creative opportunity. By integrating intelligent tools into the studio’s workflow, she’s expanding what clients can see, understand, and imagine—without losing the emotional intelligence that defines her approach. Here, she explains how AI fits into her process and why the human touch still leads.

Q:

AI IS CHANGING EVERYTHING FROM HOW WE SHOP TO HOW WE SEARCH. HOW DO YOU SEE ITS ROLE IN INTERIOR DESIGN?

A: If you’ve opened the news lately, you’ve seen it: AI is everywhere. It’s in the way we search, the way we work, and even the way we shop. At Duet Design, we don’t see that as a threat to creativity — we see it as an opportunity to design smarter, serve our clients better, and continue raising the bar on what “full-service interior design” means.

Q:

Q:

A: For me, design has always been about clarity and vision. And while AI can’t (and shouldn’t) replace the human touch, it can give us sharper tools to get there. I believe in using technology where it adds value — freeing our team to focus on the craft, relationships, and decision-making that truly require human expertise.

A: We’re able to look at trends in past projects — like furnishings investment per square foot — and present that information clearly to clients at the start of a project. It takes the guesswork out of budgeting.

WHY ARE YOU EMBRACING AI INSIDE YOUR STUDIO?

Q:

HOW DOES AI HELP YOU RESEARCH AND CURATE DESIGN OPTIONS? A: Instead of losing hours tracking down product specifications or inspiration, AI tools allow us to sift through options quickly — so we can spend more time curating the right choices for each client.

CAN AI IMPROVE HOW YOU TALK TO CLIENTS ABOUT BUDGETS?

Q:

HOW DOES AI CHANGE THE WAY CLIENTS VISUALIZE DESIGN IDEAS?

A: This is one of my favorite uses. With AI, we can take a flat, two-dimensional elevation and generate a rendering that looks almost as real as a photograph. We can apply a specific fabric to the exact furniture piece being proposed, or even take a client’s existing piece and show how it would look reimagined in their new design. It takes something that used to feel abstract and makes it instantly tangible.

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

BEYOND TRADITIONAL INSPIRATION, HOW DOES AI INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS? A: In the past, design “inspiration” often came from what was already out there — images on Instagram, magazines, or the portfolios of other firms. While that has its place, I’ve never believed the best work comes from replicating someone else’s vision.

What excites me about AI is that it lets us create our own imagery. Instead of relying on someone else’s project to spark ideas, we can generate visuals that are truly unique to our clients, their homes, and our design vision.

AI stretches the unimaginable into something imaginable. A bold fabric concept can be shown on the actual chair we’re proposing. A custom cabinet detail can be visualized as if it already exists.

Entire rooms can be rendered in a way that feels as real as a photo — but unlike inspiration pulled from Pinterest, these images reflect our creativity and our client’s home.

For me, that’s where AI becomes magical.

It’s not about replacing design — it’s about expanding what’s possible, so clients can see and feel the originality of their project long before installation day.

Q:

WHAT ROLE DOES AI PLAY IN PLANNING AND LOGISTICS? A: From organizing meeting notes to mapping out schedules, AI helps us streamline logistics. That means fewer missed details and more bandwidth for design.

Q:

WHAT DOES THIS INTEGRATED APPROACH MEAN FOR CLIENTS?

A: The benefit for our clients is simple: you get the best of both worlds. A team that uses the smartest tools available to work efficiently and clearly, while still designing homes that feel deeply personal, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind.

AI helps us cut through the noise, visualize design in ways that feel real, and clarify complex ideas. But it’s our vision — and your story — that guide the design.

Valley Country Club is where timeless tradition meets today’s modern lifestyle. Our members enjoy much more than championship golf. They find a home for wellness, recreation, and friendship - whether on the courts, in the fitness center, or at one of our vibrant social events.

With experiences designed for every age and interest, Valley is more than a membership - it’s a community that feels like family Interested in Membership information?

Connect directly with Saige DiBella, Director of Membership 720.630.2465 || saige@valleycountryclub.org

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STYLISH LIVING

// style files

Q:

BEYOND TRADITIONAL INSPIRATION, HOW DOES AI INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS? A: In the past, design “inspiration” often came from what was already out there — images on Instagram, magazines, or the portfolios of other firms. While that has its place, I’ve never believed the best work comes from replicating someone else’s vision.

What excites me about AI is that it lets us create our own imagery.

Instead of relying on someone else’s project to spark ideas, we can generate visuals that are truly unique to our clients, their homes, and our design vision.

AI stretches the unimaginable into something imaginable.

A bold fabric concept can be shown on the actual chair we’re proposing. A custom cabinet detail can be visualized as if it already exists. Entire rooms can be rendered in a way that feels as real as a photo — but unlike inspiration pulled from Pinterest, these images reflect our creativity and our client’s home.

For me, that’s where AI becomes magical. It’s not about replacing design — it’s about expanding what’s possible, so clients can see and feel the originality of their project long before installation day.

Q:

Q:

A: AI will never replace the cornerstone tools of our trade — programs like Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and InDesign.

These remain the foundation of how we draft, document, and execute projects with precision.

A: We’re not chasing every trend, and we’re certainly not handing over the reins to technology. But we are leaning into AI where it enhances our process, clarifies our communication, and even unlocks new ways to help our clients “see” their home before it’s built.

ARE THERE AREAS WHERE AI WILL NEVER REPLACE HUMAN EXPERTISE?

And more importantly, AI will never replace what our clients trust us for: the emotional intelligence of design.

AI can’t walk into your home and sense how you want it to feel.

AI can’t read the nervous energy when a client worries about budget.

AI can’t stand in a room and imagine the way light will move across the walls at different times of day.

That’s our job. The artistry, restraint, and emotional intelligence that define Duet Design will always come from humans — not algorithms.

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WHAT’S YOUR TAKEAWAY ON AI IN INTERIOR DESIGN?

For us, “intelligence” in design means more than just AI — it means using every tool available, human and digital, to create homes that are livable, lasting, and uniquely yours.

DUET DESIGN GROUP 720.712.2020 duetdesigngroup.com

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STYLISH LIVING

// style files

WINTER WEAR WINTER IS HERE, and she’s not subtle about it. Think frosty mornings, slushy sidewalks, and the eternal battle of looking cute while staying warm. That’s where your coldweather dream team comes in: a Fair Isle cardigan knit from a merino-wool blend that’s soft enough to make you cancel plans, duck boots rugged enough to survive whatever the weather throws at you, and an invisible gel sunscreen that quietly keeps your glow protected beneath it all.

The cardigan layers effortlessly over a tee or under a coat, adding instant warmth, texture, and that timeless Fair Isle charm. It’s cozy without feeling fussy, elegant in a down-to-earth kind of way, and ready for lazy mornings or layered evenings. On the ground, waterproof duck boots bring full-grain leather, a durable rubber shell, and plush lining together for a no-nonsense winter staple — built for slush, light snow, and everything in between. And because UV rays don’t take a season off, a clear, lightweight SPF keeps your skin shielded from the elements while staying totally invisible, even under makeup.

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STYLISH LIVING

// style files

STRONGER AT HOME How a home gym changes more than your workouts

By Heather Shoning

or perfect timing—just twenty minutes and a willingness to stack small wins.

Movement makes everything better. Stronger body, clearer mind, better sleep, steadier mood.

In a world full of distractions, a home gym isn’t a luxury. It’s a quiet commitment to yourself.

PICTURE THIS: sunrise brushing the mountains outside your window, silence except for your breath, and a barbell waiting like a promise. No commute. No crowd. No excuses. That’s the power of a home gym—and it goes far beyond a rack and a mat. It builds a habit into your life, a daily reminder that your health matters, not just on Monday mornings or before vacation panic sets in.

Strength doesn’t start with the weight you lift.

It starts the second you walk through that door.

And no, it’s not just about muscles. A home gym reshapes your routine and your mindset.

You stop negotiating with yourself. The gym isn’t across town; it’s ten steps from the coffee maker. That changes everything.

Routine reshapes itself.

You start waking up earlier—not because you have to rush to a class—but because you like who you are after you move your body. That version of you is sharper. More patient. A little calmer in traffic. A little more confident when you say no to things that drain you.

The beauty is that it can look however you want. Maybe it’s a power rack and rubber flooring with a view that makes every rep feel cinematic. Or it’s a folding bench, adjustable dumbbells, and a sunny window. Sleek or scrappy, minimalist or loaded—it doesn’t matter. The intention does. It becomes an anchor point in your day, not an afterthought.

The hardest part of fitness is starting. A home gym clears the friction so the only question left is whether you show up. That simplicity is its real power. You don’t need permission

FITNESS BLEEDS INTO EVERYTHING ELSE Work out at home long enough and something shifts. Sure, your arms get stronger and your endurance improves—but more interesting changes happen in the quiet corners of your life.

Food choices follow suit.

You shift from “I should eat better” to “What would make tomorrow’s workout feel amazing?” Suddenly dinner looks a little smarter—not restrictive, but intentional.

Mental space expands.

Sweat is a pressure valve. Even a 20-minute workout releases tension no bath bomb can touch. Thoughts get quieter. Creativity wakes up. Stress feels smaller.

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DESIGNING YOUR HOME GYM (WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND) A great home gym isn’t built by maxing out your credit card. Focus on essentials that get used—not equipment that gathers dust while mocking you from the corner.

Start with basics: •F looring: Your joints will thank you.

•O ne anchor piece: A rack, bench, or quality mat.

•W eights: Dumbbells or kettlebells go a long way.

•S torage: If it looks chaotic, it’ll feel chaotic.

•M usic: Your own playlist, your own volume. Bliss.

Make the space inspiring enough that you want to be there. Add light. A plant. A speaker. A window that makes the room feel open. If all you have is a corner? Design the heck out of that corner.

FITNESS RETAILERS Fitness Gallery fitnessgallery.com Push Pedal Pull pushpedalpull.com

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

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PHOTOS: COURTESY THE COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE

THE RISE OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN COLORADO

By Lexi Marshall

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HIGH ABOVE the treeline, where the air thins and peaks pierce the sky, Colorado’s alpine landscape tells a fragile story. Each footstep on this delicate ecosystem can damage plants that took decades to establish, in an environment where recovery happens significantly slower than in the forests below. Yet, as Colorado’s tourism industry continues its remarkable growth, with visitors spending $28.5 billion in 2024, a powerful movement is reshaping how the state welcomes travelers while protecting its most precious natural assets.

PHOTO: COURTESY SUSTAINABLE TOURISM / DRIVE CLEAN COLORADO

Colorado is pioneering a new approach to tourism—one that doesn’t simply minimize harm but actively works to preserve and restore the landscapes that make the state a world-class destination. From its iconic fourteeners to century-old hotels, sustainability has become more than a buzzword; it’s a guiding principle transforming every aspect of the visitor experience.

A STATEWIDE COMMITMENT TO STEWARDSHIP The Colorado Tourism Office has emerged as a national leader in sustainable destination management, becoming the first U.S. state tourism office to establish a dedicated Destination Stewardship department. In 2024, the office unveiled a landmark 10-year Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan, developed with input from more than 1,000

stakeholders across the state. This comprehensive roadmap addresses everything from visitor education to climate action, setting a bold vision for tourism as a force for good.

“Colorado is setting the standard for responsible and sustainable travel,” says Timothy Wolfe, director of the Colorado Tourism Office.

“State, regional and local partners across the state are dedicated to providing unforgettable experiences for visitors, while boosting quality of life for residents and safeguarding our natural environment and cultural heritage.”

Central to Colorado’s sustainable tourism efforts is the “Do Colorado Right” campaign, a multi-faceted education initiative that encourages responsible visitor behavior. Twentythree communities across the state, including Frisco, Breckenridge, Glenwood Springs and Steamboat, have adopted customized versions of this messaging to fit their local needs. The campaign addresses practical concerns—from proper waste disposal to wildlife interaction— in ways that resonate with visitors eager to protect the places they’ve come to enjoy.

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK / IGOR

Complementing these efforts is the “Do Colorado Right” initiative, a lighthearted but crucial program addressing human waste on public lands. Originating with the Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism and Prosperity Partnership and supported by more than 30 partners, the program has distributed over 10,000 pack-out bathroom kits at trailheads.

Recent surveys demonstrate measurable shifts in visitor behavior, proving that education can be both effective and scalable.

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Transportation is another critical component of Colorado’s sustainability landscape. Drive Clean Colorado—a nonprofit designated as a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities and Communities coalition—supports communities, fleets and travelers in adopting cleaner transportation options. Through education, technical assistance, grant support and electric-vehicle outreach, the organization works to reduce emissions and advance cleaner mobility across the state, a key factor in lowering the environmental footprint of tourism.

PARTNERING WITH LEAVE NO TRACE In 2018, Colorado became the first state to officially partner with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, creating the Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles. In 2020, the Colorado Tourism Office and Leave No Trace founded a coalition that now includes hundreds of partners committed to protecting Colorado’s environmental and cultural resources. This alliance of state and federal agencies, local governments, nonprofits and tourism businesses has become a model for collaborative conservation.

The Care for Colorado Coalition promotes seven principles designed to inspire low-impact travel: respecting public lands, exploring less-visited destinations, practicing proper waste disposal, being careful with fire, observing wildlife from a distance, being considerate

of others and planning ahead. These principles are reinforced through educational materials at all 10 Colorado Welcome Centers, animated videos and extensive social media campaigns that reach millions of visitors annually.

“That commitment to sustainability is getting noticed by visitors who value sustainability, making them more likely to visit our state,” Wolfe says.

PROTECTING COLORADO’S FOURTEENERS Colorado’s 58 peaks above 14,000 feet represent some of the most beloved—and heavily impacted—destinations in the state. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI), formed in 1994, has spent more than three decades addressing the environmental challenges created by increasing visitation through active stewardship and public education.

“CFI has long understood that, for better or worse, Colorado’s fourteeners will always call to those who love climbing mountains. We can’t—and don’t want to—control that,” says Lindsey King, CFI deputy director. “What we can control is ensuring that these peaks have sustainably built trails that minimize hiker impacts to the surrounding alpine environments so that people generations from now can enjoy these special places.”

The organization’s Sustainable Trails Program has documented an estimated 1.3 billion 38

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pounds of soil lost to erosion from alpine trails—a staggering figure considering it takes approximately 1,000 years for one inch of soil to accumulate in these extreme environments.

In response, CFI has constructed 41 sustainably located, durably built summit trails on 36 fourteener peaks, each designed to withstand heavy use while minimizing ecological damage.

In 2025, the state awarded CFI a $250,000 grant to reconstruct and restore 12 summit trails on fourteeners, including basic maintenance, intensive trail reconstruction and thousands of feet of closure and restoration work. The organization’s Nomad program has engaged volunteers for more than 22,942 days of trail stewardship since 2001, with recent years averaging roughly 1,200 volunteer days per season.

Beyond trail work, CFI educates hikers about Leave No Trace principles and sustainable recreation practices. The organization tracks hiker use to correlate on-the-ground impacts with hiking activity, providing crucial data that informs management decisions. Their most recent hiking use report estimated that 265,000 hiker use days occurred on fourteeners in 2024, down from a pandemic peak of 415,000 in 2020, suggesting hiking use not only fluctuates based on broad societal changes but also on things like land management practices and parking restrictions at trailheads.

PHOTOS: COLORADO FOURTEENERS INITIATIVE

HOTELS LEADING BY EXAMPLE While outdoor recreation captures headlines, Colorado’s hospitality sector is quietly revolutionizing sustainable practices from within.

The historic Hotel Boulderado in Boulder exemplifies how heritage properties can embrace environmental responsibility without sacrificing guest comfort or character.

“The Boulderado has been dedicated to sustainability practices for decades,” explains Laurel McKown, the hotel’s on-site historian and head of housekeeping. “The fact that this soon-to-be 117-year-old hotel has not landfilled the bricks, stonework and even furnishings by being razed for a new building is a huge factor for its sustainability status. Just think of that carbon footprint to rebuild.”

The hotel’s comprehensive sustainability program includes recycling hangers, batteries, scrap metal, glass, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, newspapers, office paper, eyeglasses and electronics. Larger items like furniture and office equipment are donated to appropriate organizations, while linens, toiletries and clothing that can no longer be used on-site are redirected to local organizations that distribute them to people who need them.

Water and energy conservation efforts extend to guest participation. “We are able to conserve both water and gas by offering not to change linens on a daily basis for most guests,”

McKown notes. “Of course, we change out linens as requested by guests, but most guests want to conserve.” The hotel also participates in the Eco Pass program, providing free bus passes that encourage employees to use public transportation rather than drive to work.

Across the state, individual properties continue to pursue renewable energy and green-building strategies. Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash documents its use of solar and geothermal systems, while The Westin Riverfront in Avon maintains a LEED Silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

MOUNTAIN RESORT COMMUNITIES SET THE STANDARD In Colorado’s high-country destinations, sustainability has shifted from aspiration to action.

Vail became the first destination certified to the Mountain IDEAL standard—an independently verified framework recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and tailored to the environmental and cultural realities of mountain communities. The certification reflects years of work on land management, resource efficiency and workforce housing. As part of this process, Vail reports that a significant portion of its defined destination area is protected from development.

Other communities have taken similar steps.

Breckenridge earned Mountain IDEAL 39

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certification in 2021, and Aspen joined the list in 2024 after completing a multi-year assessment that evaluated everything from resource planning to cultural and community considerations.

Ski-area operators have also contributed to Colorado’s broader sustainability progress.

Aspen Skiing Company reports a methane-to-electricity project launched in 2012 that captures waste methane from a former coal operation and converts it into power for the regional grid. Vail Resorts has outlined longterm goals through its “Commitment to Zero” program, which includes targets for waste reduction, emissions and habitat restoration, and publishes progress in annual reports. The company says that it is “well on its way” to achieving a zero net operating footprint by 2030.

Colorado’s leadership now extends beyond environmental stewardship to accessibility. In October 2025, the Colorado Tourism Office selected four new participants for its Accessible Travel Program—Snowmass Tourism (in partnership with Aspen Chamber Resort Association), the Town of Mountain Village, Visit Durango and Visit Estes Park. In collaboration with Wheel the World, the program provides accessibility assessments, staff training and tools to help destinations identify and promote verified accessible experiences across lodging, attractions, trails and transportation.

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COLORADO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM BY THE NUMBERS $28.5B 1.3B Visitor spending in 2024, underscoring the economic weight behind Colorado’s sustainability initiatives.

188K

41

53%

22,942

PHOTO: COURTESY THE COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE

Jobs supported statewide by the tourism industry.

THE PATH FORWARD Colorado’s mountain communities have shown what intentional stewardship can look like, but the broader question now is how to scale these efforts across a rapidly growing tourism landscape. The state’s tourism economy continues to expand— supporting 188,000 jobs and contributing billions to local communities—but that growth comes with mounting pressure on the very ecosystems that draw visitors in the first place. White River National Forest, home to Maroon Bells and already the busiest national forest in the country, saw visitation climb 53 percent from 2017 to 2022. Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams has been clear about the challenge: while current tourism brings in $1.6 billion in economic impact, its long-term sustainability for the forest’s ecological values is far from guaranteed.

Increase in visitation to White River National Forest between 2017 and 2022, cementing it as the busiest national forest in the country.

$1.6B

Annual economic impact generated by White River National Forest alone. education, infrastructure improvements, destination certifications and cross-agency partnerships. Together, these efforts signal a shift toward treating tourism as a shared responsibility and a mechanism for conservation, rather than solely an economic driver.

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As travelers continue to seek out Colorado’s expansive landscapes and outdoor experiences, they’re increasingly encountering destinations taking active steps to balance access with protection.

The work ahead is complex, but the trajectory is clear: Colorado aims to ensure that its alpine environments, public lands and mountain towns remain not just remarkable places to visit, but resilient places to steward for generations.

10K+

In response, Colorado has begun building a more comprehensive model for managing visitation—one that blends public 40

January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

Pounds of soil erosion documented on alpine trails, driving long-term restoration priorities.

Local communities now using customized “Do Colorado Right” visitoreducation messaging.

Pack-out bathroom kits distributed through the “Do Colorado Right” initiative to reduce human-waste impacts.

265K

Estimated hiker-use days on Colorado’s fourteeners in 2024— down significantly from the pandemic peak.

Sustainably designed summit routes built across 36 fourteeners by the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative.

Volunteer trailstewardship days logged through CFI’s Nomad program since 2001.

$250K

State funding awarded in 2025 to restore and reconstruct 12 fourteener summit trails.

3

Communities certified under the Mountain IDEAL sustainable destination standard— Vail, Breckenridge and Aspen.

4

Destinations added to Colorado’s Accessible Travel Program— Snowmass, Mountain Village, Durango, and Estes Park.

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PHOTO: JAIME MERCURIO PHOTO

WAYFARERS

// colorado getaway

A PERFECT

Winter Getaway Picturesque Brush Creek Ranch is calling

By Lexi Marshall Ice Castles 42

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// colorado getaway

PHOTO: BRUSH CREEK RANCH

PHOTO: JAIME MERCURIO PHOTO

WAYFARERS

PHOTO: BRUSH CREEK RANCH

WINTER IS WHEN Brush Creek Ranch feels most magical—a season when the 30,000-acre Wyoming property transforms into a serene, snow-draped escape devoted to indulgence, wellness, and fireside comfort. Though known for its summer adventures, the ranch may be at its finest when the crowds thin, the landscape quiets, and the focus shifts toward restoration through food, wine, and deeply immersive spa experiences.

About a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Denver, this ultra-private luxury destination blends the rugged romance of the West with refined hospitality. But while the powder skiing and snowshoe trails deliver high-altitude exhilaration, it’s the winter amenities

indoors—the ones designed for slowing down— that make it a standout seasonal retreat.

A SANCTUARY FOR WELLNESS The winter season is punctuated by experiences that lean heavily into the ranch’s wellness philosophy, with its Winter Wellness Retreat from Jan. 22–25, 2026, anchoring the spa program. From energy breakfasts and healthy cooking classes to snowga, fat-tire biking and stargazing reflections, the retreat is designed to help participants decompress, breathe deeply, and begin the new year with clarity and purpose. But even outside the event, guests can immerse themselves in a restorative world of movement, meditation, and high-touch treatments.

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The wellness team leads private yoga, mindfulness sessions, and guided breathwork tailored to each guest’s goals. One of the ranch’s most transcendent offerings is its Signature Wellness Experience housed inside a historic, candlelit schoolhouse. A deep-tissue massage and live sound healing instruments combine to create a multi-sensory, fully transportive experience. For anyone craving deeper calm in the coldest months, it’s the kind of treatment that recalibrates the nervous system and lingers long after checkout.

A CULINARY DESTINATION IN THE SNOW Winter also marks a new chapter in the ranch’s celebrated culinary program, thanks to the appointment of executive chef Nicholas Pissare at

WAYFARERS

// colorado getaway

The Farm at Brush Creek. A protégé of James Beard–recognized chefs and most recently the executive chef at Dunton Hot Springs—the only Colorado property awarded two Michelin Keys— Pissare brings an ingredient-driven philosophy and elevated technical craft to the ranch.

Winter is an ideal time to sample wines beside a crackling fire, schedule a guided tasting in the cellar, or enjoy pairings that enhance the season’s rich, comforting cuisine. Guests can also explore the property’s distillery for whiskey sampling and grain-to-glass education.

WHERE WINTER ADVENTURE MEETS INDULGENCE While there are spa and culinary offerings galore, adventure should not be pushed aside. Guests can access a private ski and snowboard mountain, complete with a heated snowcat and full

gear outfitting. Off the slopes, activities include ice fishing, winter archery, cross-country skiing, and heated indoor/outdoor gun ranges.

But it’s the balance of adventure and deep relaxation—snow-dusted mornings followed by spa rituals, cellar tastings, chef-led dinners, and late nights in the saloon—that defines a Brush Creek Ranch stay. It’s indulgent without being flashy, restorative without being rigid, and luxurious in a way that feels authentic to the West.

COZY LUXURY, ELEVATED FOR WINTER Accommodations at Brush Creek Ranch—including lodge rooms, private log cabins, and luxury suites—become especially inviting in winter. Soft throws, crackling fireplaces, and Western-inspired decor create sanctuary-like spaces perfect for après-ski relaxation or slow mornings with coffee and sweeping valley views.

PHOTO: JAIME MERCURIO PHOTO

PHOTO: BRUSH CREEK RANCH

Inside Brush Creek’s all-inclusive culinary venues, menus are inspired by what is grown, raised, or harvested onsite: vegetables from the hydroponic greenhouse; small-batch cheeses and butters from the creamery; and Wagyu cuts from the ranch’s herds. Plates lean hearty and comforting: braised meats, elegantly layered vegetable courses, and wood-fired dishes that feel at home in the season. At the award-winning Cheyenne Club, Pissare’s menus balance precision with indulgence—the kind of dining experience where every course feels intentional and unforgettable. And don’t forget to pack your favorite Western hat to dine in style.

WINE EXPERIENCES FOR THE WINTER PALATE Wine is one of Brush Creek Ranch’s quiet superpowers. Home to one of the top 10 largest wine collections in the world, the property offers rare vintages, vertical tastings, and bespoke pairings curated by expert sommeliers.

PHOTO: BRUSH CREEK RANCH

WINTER EVENTS AT BRUSH CREEK RANCH Winter Photography Experience with Ilana Habib January 17, 2026 Winter Wellness Retreat January 22–25, 2026 Valentine’s Weekend February 12–15, 2026 SnowFest March 19–22, 2026

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

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// baxter fain

WHEN LOOKING BACK FEELS GOOD BAXTER FAIN is on a mission to put the “personal” back into banking in an era of apps and faceless online lenders

By Lexi Marshall

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SOCIETY & CULTURE

PHOTO: COURTESY BAXTER FAIN

// baxter fain

PHOTO: COURTESY BAXTER FAIN

THERE’S A FRAMED newspaper clipping hanging in Baxter Fain’s office that tells you everything you need to know about his relationship with Central Bank. The advertisement, published in the Jefferson City paper in 1985, features a 12-year-old Fain sporting what he now calls “a killer mullet,” promoting the bank’s kids’ checking account program.

“I’ve had an account with this bank since I was 12,” Fain says. “I bought my wife’s engagement ring with a line of credit from Central Bank. My first car loan was with Central Bank. My first home loan was with Central Bank.”

Nearly 40 years after that newspaper ad, Fain now serves as President and CEO of Central Bank’s Colorado and North Carolina markets.

He says it’s the kind of full-circle moment that still feels surreal to him.

AN UNLIKELY PATH HOME Fain’s journey to this moment wasn’t a straight line. After leaving Jefferson City, Missouri, for Southern Methodist University, he spent years working for Goldman Sachs in Dallas and New York. His world was commercial real estate and mortgage banking, working for major firms

such as JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, and CBRE. He met his wife on a blind date 26 years ago, and because she grew up in Littleton, they moved to Colorado in May 2005.

For three years, Fain worked with Sunflower Bank, his first real experience with a retail-type bank. After that, he figured his banking days were behind him.

Then came the chance encounter. Walking through the Denver Tech Center on his way to the now-shuttered Cool River Café for lunch years ago, Fain looked up and saw a familiar logo: Central Bank’s dogwood flower.

“I thought, ’Oh my god, that’s Central Bank,’” he recalls. “It’s based in my hometown—they’ve never even been in Colorado. I couldn’t believe it.”

Curious, he stepped inside. Scott Hovey, who had just been hired to do commercial loans, came out to greet him. Fain began referring loans to Central Bank, and his family soon started doing loans on their own properties as well. When COVID hit and larger banks quickly 48

January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

exhausted their PPP funds, he directed those borrowers to Central Bank too, confident— based on a lifetime of experience—that they would be well taken care of. There was never any formal arrangement, he notes; just trust.

When they asked him to do some consulting back in Missouri, he jumped at the chance. He reconnected with high school buddies working at the bank and family friends serving on the board.

Then came the offer he thought was a joke: Would he become their CEO for Colorado and North Carolina?

That’s when his mother’s timing proved prophetic. She had moved to Colorado right after COVID-19, bringing a box of mementos for Fain and his sister. Inside was that 1985 newspaper ad.

He accepted the position in February 2024.

SOCIETY & CULTURE

// baxter fain

Wheels of Dreams Charity Experience 2025 BANKING LIKE IT USED TO BE Ask most people who their banker is, and you’ll likely get a blank stare. Banking has become an app on your phone, a screen you check, a branch you avoid unless absolutely necessary.

Fain wants to change that.

“As everyone’s gotten so busy, it feels like banks have lost their way when it comes to truly being someone’s banker,” he says. “What we’re doing is bringing back high service, high touch, and a proactive approach.” The bank holds events throughout the year, inviting clients and introducing them to each other in ways that actively help grow their businesses. It’s about connection, not just transactions.

The approach is working. In the 22 months since Fain took the helm, Central Bank has more than tripled its deposit base and almost doubled its asset base in Colorado. “We’re not doing it in a risky or careless way. We’re doing it very carefully and specifically—and we’re just getting started,” he says. His vision is ambitious: adding locations every year, moving hundreds of accounts monthly, growing into a multi-billion-dollar bank in Colorado.

“People say this a lot: ‘We didn’t think banking like this existed anymore. I can talk to people again, and I feel like you care about me.’ And that’s the mission,” Fain says.

COMMUNITY AS CORE BUSINESS But the personal approach extends far beyond customer service. For Fain, community involvement isn’t a box to check or good PR. It’s central to the mission. Last year, across Central Bank’s more than 150 locations, employees logged more than 20,000 community service hours. This year, Fain is aiming for more.

The bank focuses on local groups rather than national organizations, particularly those dealing with what Fain calls “messy things.” They support women’s abuse shelters, organizations that mentor children with incarcerated parents and groups addressing addiction and neglect.

One organization holds special significance: FullCircle, which provides sobriety programs for teens struggling with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and addiction. “It’s very common in Colorado,” Fain says. “People don’t talk about it, but depression, anxiety, self-harm, addiction—especially among women—it’s brutal.”

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He knows this firsthand. Two of his three children have gone through FullCircle’s program. “My family’s messy too,” he says without hesitation.

Central Bank’s first Community Reinvestment Act loan under Fain’s leadership went to FullCircle, helping them finance a new building in Denver. The building opened for meetings this fall.

The bank also served as the title sponsor for the Wheels of Dreams charity event, which raised more than $151,000 for FullCircle.

Fain has worked to get these smaller local organizations CRA-qualified through the bank’s compliance department, enabling Central Bank to provide both financial support and volunteer hours while meeting regulatory requirements.

LEADING THROUGH EXPERIENCE Fain says his faith, his wife, and his children are the true center of his life. After facing infertility, he and his wife adopted two of their three children—an experience he describes as a profound gift. Their youngest was born with the help of a Denver fertility clinic and an egg donor. The path wasn’t always predictable, he reflects, but trust carried them through each turn and made their family what it is today.

Brinkerhoff Hospitality Renames their Iconic Mexican Restaurants

Nothing has changed but the name!

Rooted in a tradition that began over 50 years ago in the Highlands – Diamond Hill, to be exact – we begin a new chapter, one that honors our roots and the woman who inspired it all: Grandma Savina Mendoza.

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Savina’s photo has always greeted you at the door.

Now, her name does too.

Grandma Savina Mendoza

(L-R) Raquel, Chespi, David, Emilia, Tyler, Mau, Lauren,Mauricio, Julie!

The same faces ready to greet us under Grandma Savina Mendoza’s name!

Savina’s Mexican Kitchen - Castle Rock

Savina’s Mexican Kitchen - Downtown Denver 1801 Broadway Denver, CO 80202 Across From the Brown Palace

6361 Promenade Pkwy Castle Rock, CO 80108

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SOCIETY & CULTURE

// baxter fain PHOTOS: COURTESY BAXTER FAIN

The challenges Fain’s family has faced deeply inform how he leads. “We’ve been through a tremendous amount as a family, and through prayer, tenacity, and patience, we’ve made it through,” he says. “What I’ve learned in leadership is that those same things—patience, tenacity and a little prayer—go a long way in guiding your team, too.”

He says those experiences have made him more empathetic and motivated to improve his team’s lives, not just professionally, but personally. “As people, we’re all broken, we’re all messy,” Fain says. “And whenever you raise your hand to let people know they’re not alone, it resonates.”

Fain’s approach hasn’t gone unnoticed by his colleagues. “Baxter impacts his team by asking his employees what they want to do and designing their roles around that,” says Charlie Cartwright, VP and head of private banking for Colorado at Central Bank. “This has resulted in a phenomenal culture at Central Bank. He’s also a huge proponent of helping the community and encourages his employees to volunteer and give back. He leads by example in everything he does for the community.”

A LEGACY CONTINUES Fain is quick to note that his approach isn’t revolutionary for Central Bank. The bank has operated this way since the Cook family took over in 1905. Bryan Cook, who now owns the majority of the bank, continues that tradition.

“That’s how this bank has been my whole life,” Fain says. “What’s fun for me is getting to work with people from back home— they already know what Central Bank feels like.

Out here, people don’t know yet, but they’re starting to.”

For someone who never planned to return to banking, who built a career in commercial real estate, who happened to look up at just the right moment and see a dogwood flower logo, Fain has found himself exactly where he’s supposed to be.

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“I feel extraordinarily blessed and fortunate,” he says. “Every day, I just ask myself, ’What am I going to do today?’”

In a world that often feels fragmented and impersonal, Fain sees his work as quietly powerful.

“One person at a time, we are helping our community in a tremendous way,” he says. “And I know it’s just going to continue to grow.”

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ON THE AGENDA

// can’t-miss events

JANUARY Ongoing through January 25 HOLIDAY AFTERNOON TEA AT THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL Celebrate the season with an enchanting Holiday Afternoon Tea, a cherished tradition that has graced The Brown Palace for more than a century. Set within the heart of the iconic Atrium Lobby—adorned with festive decor and bathed in the glow of holiday lights—guests are invited to indulge in an unforgettable tea service accompanied by the soothing sounds of live piano music.

Each table is served a pot of expertly steeped premium selection English tea, presented alongside an elegant assortment of freshly baked scones with house-made preserves and Devonshire cream, delicate tea sandwiches filled with seasonal flavors, and an array of handcrafted pastries that capture the spirit of the holidays. Reservations for this experience fill up quickly and can be made on OpenTable, by emailing diningreservations@brownpalace.com or calling 303.297.3111. DENVER

Plan ahead! March 6–8 COLORADO GOLF EXPO The Colorado Golf Expo is your premier destination for all things golf, featuring the latest equipment, innovative technology, and expert advice from industry leaders. This “golf centric” experience is perfect for spending time with your partner, golf group, or kids. Look forward to three fun-filled days where you can meet with the experts, take part in hands-on demonstrations, win prizes, and more. Hours, additional details, and tickets available online.

DENVER, coloradogolfexpo.com Ongoing through February 13 METAPHORMING TIME Calling all art lovers … This exhibition showcases a selection of Todd Siler’s paintings, sculptures, drawings, monotypes, and artist’s books—works he calls “Metaphorms.” Rooted in the creative processes of the human brain, Siler’s art fuses symbolic language, metaphor, and invention to explore time as the universal connector linking all aspects of life. Through neural-inspired textures and thought-provoking imagery, Siler examines humanity’s past, present, and future: how we confront urgent global challenges, how civilizations rise and fall, and how creativity can shape a more sustainable future. His practice, grounded in the principles of ArtScience and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), invites viewers to engage as “Metaphormers”—lifelong learners, creators, and problem-solvers.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, moaonline.org January 5–10 THE MUSICFEST AT STEAMBOAT Head up to Steamboat Springs for this one-ofa-kind music festival billed as “the Super Bowl of Texas Music.” The jam-packed schedule of

shows across six days includes more than 200 hours of live music at different venues around town, and there are special ticket packages that include lodging, skiing, swag, and a handy shuttle service. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, themusicfest.com January 8 TOTS & TUNES Tots & Tunes is a fun and engaging music program designed for young kids and their families to enjoy together. Prepare for live music, interactive activities, and plenty of opportunities to mix, mingle, and make memories. Perfect for little ones who love to sing, dance, and explore the joy of music in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. This year will feature the award-winning children’s musicians Farmer Dave and Animal Farm for an interactive blend of music, movement, and educational comedy. Their original songs explore themes of social-emotional learning, community, self-expression, and the environment through the eyes of our furry, feathered, scaly, and shell-dwelling friends. Southridge Rec Center, 10–11:30 a.m.

HIGHLANDS RANCH, hrcaonline.org January 10–25 NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW & RODEO Held every January at the National Western Complex, it’s the nation’s premier livestock, rodeo, and horse show, serving agricultural producers and consumers throughout the world. Enjoy rodeos featuring top-notch bull riders, horse shows, livestock competitions, and auctions. Make a night of it! Full schedule and list of events available online. NATIONAL WESTERN COMPLEX, nationalwestern.com 54

January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

January 14 ROOT TO RISE: A WINTER YOGA FLOW Join for an evening flow that gently clears away winter sluggishness, reconnects you with your breath, and sets a bright, intentional tone for the year ahead. This class begins with some moon salutations to get the breath flowing and then transitions to deeper stretches. All levels are welcome and advanced registration is required. Be sure to pack a mat, towel, and water. BOTANIC GARDENS YORK STREET, botanicgardens.org January 16 THE DENVER BOAT SHOW From jet skis to cabin cruisers, this annual show has just about any type of watercraft you’re looking for. Vendors will also have boat supplies, equipment, and accessories, plus other products related to outdoor recreation. Don’t miss the boat to create magical moments. COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER, denverboatshow.com January 16–February 8 SHREK THE MUSICAL “Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek … ” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and more than a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand and his name is Shrek. Based on the Oscarwinning DreamWorks Animation film, “Shrek The Musical” is a Tony Award–winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. PACE CENTER, parkerarts.org January 19 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MARADE Denver’s annual marade (march and parade) honoring civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the largest celebrations in the nation.

The event includes a big parade, a laying of the wreath, live entertainment, and a service project to help clean up Civic Center Park. 10 a.m. start at CITY PARK, drmartinlkingjrchc.org January 23–25 WINTER X GAMES X Games returns to Aspen Snowmass for the 25th consecutive year marking a major milestone in action sports history. The return of the premier winter event at Buttermilk Mountain celebrates a quarter-century of unforgettable moments, legendary runs, and boundarypushing performances in Aspen. In addition to competition, you can look forward to musical appearances each night. Tickets will be general admission, and fans will have the option to upgrade to multiple premium options that include added perks and experiences. ASPEN, xgames.com

ON THE AGENDA

// can’t-miss events

January 24–February 3 INTERNATIONAL SNOW SCULPTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS Get bundled up for this world-renowned snow sculpting competition where teams from around the world descend on Breckenridge to hand-carve 25-ton blocks of snow into enormous, intricate works of art. Artists are only allowed to use hand tools, creativity, and inspiration to bring their ideas to life. No power tools allowed. Teams sculpt countless hours across five days (totaling around 94 hours), resulting in a temporary outdoor art gallery in historic downtown Breckenridge.

BRECKENRIDGE, gobreck.com

Continuing to bring new and innovative works to Denver, Colorado Ballet presents “The Great Gatsby.” Originally scheduled to appear at The Ellie in 2021, this new ballet will make its long-anticipated premiere at Colorado Ballet, transporting you back to the Roaring Twenties through cinematic sets, an original score by Carl Davis, and dramatic choreography by Jorden Morris. Experience the decadence of history’s most carefree decade as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s great American novel unfolds through dance. ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE, coloradoballet.org January 31 MARY LOUISE LEE BAND: TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON Mary Louise Lee and her band pay tribute to one of the most iconic voices of a generation, Whitney Houston. Whether you’re dancing in your seat to “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” or holding back tears at “I Will Always Love You,” you won’t want to miss this unforgettable night of music. LONE TREE, lonetreeartscenter.org

January 30–February 8 THE GREAT GATSBY

PHOTO: WILLIAM HOLDEMAN

January 24 PASSPORT TO CULTURE: THE JUNGLE BOOK Enjoy a new theatrical adaptation of the works of Rudyard Kipling, re-imagining his classic stories through modern eyes. Immersive sound and multimedia will transport you from the urban jungle to relive Mowgli’s childhood in the jungles of India. With Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, and more, “The Jungle Book” brings beloved characters to life in a way you’ve never seen before. Eye-popping video, shadowplay, and original music make this family production like stepping inside a beautifully illustrated children’s storybook. It’s a magical experience! LONE TREE, lonetreeartscenter.org

January 24 DENVER WINTER WHISKEY TASTING FESTIVAL If you’re looking to warm up from a cold winter’s day with a delectable round of spirits (and you’re over the age of 21), the Denver Winter Whiskey Festival is your calling. Featuring more than a dozen Colorado distilleries, guests will get to try 15 to 20 different .25 oz pours of whiskey.

And in addition to being able to purchase other drinks and food, some tickets come with access to a buffet or small bites area, early access, gifts, and extra time to meet the brands. DOWNTOWN DENVER, eventbrite.com

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January 2026 // AvidLifestyle

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