Summer Scene 2024

Save Our Soil

Hey Boulder,

We’re counting on composters like you to help us make healthy soils full of life and nutrients for our local ecosystem. Healthy soil holds onto water, absorbs carbon, increases biodiversity and supports our food systems. These are all things we need to fight climate change. But, we have a problem.

COMPOST BREAKDO WN

Our region’s only commercial compost processor has been finding tons (literally) of non-compostable items in our residential and commercial compost. Without a way to sort compostable materials from non-compostable ones, they are sending compost trucks straight to the landfill.

So here’s the plan. We’ve streamlined guidelines to help people compost correctly. Only food and plants should go in your bin. Are you in?

Twig Hair Salon, where we embrace the profound impact of a fantastic hairstyle

Step into Twig and experience a salon that not only celebrates your individuality but also fosters a sense of community and acceptance.

Summer Events At Rendezvo u s Ev ent Center

High-Note Thursday Free Concert Series

Presented by John Sanderson - Sanderson Real Estate at RE/MA X Peak to Peak

June 20.............The Samples

June 27..............Dragondeer

July 4.................Buckstein & DJ Jen G

July 11................Hazel Miller & The Collective

July 18...............Talking Swifty Heads

July 25...............Drunken Hearts

August 1.............Dead Phish Orchestra

August 8............Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts

August 15...........Grand Concerst Presents: Rocky Mountain Brassworks

August 22..........Runaway Grooms

August 29..........*NEW* Sunset over Summer ft. The Hip Abduction, Big Richard & Hunker Down

Fitness in the Park

July 7

July 14

July 21

July 28 August 4 August 11 August 18 August 25

September 1

5Point Adventure Film Festival

Saturday, June 22

Blues From The Top

Presented by the Grand County Blues Society

Friday, June 28

Big Head Todd & The Monsters

Eddie 9V

Saturday, June 29

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals

Charlie Musselwhite

Ally Venable Band

GA-20

Taj Farrant

Sunday, June 29

Eric Gales

Canned Heat

Tommy Castro & the Painkillers ft. Deanna Bogart Toronzo Cannon

th

4 of July Celebration ft. Red, White, & Buckstein

Free Lightshow After Dark

Thursday July 4

Buckstein

DJ Jen G

Winter Park Alpine ArtA air

June 6 & 7

Crooked Gravel Bike Race

Presented by Gemini Adventures

Saturday, July 13 - Free Concert

Selasee & The Fafa Family

Winter Park Jazz Festival

Presented by Xcel Energy

Saturday, July 20

Anthony Hamilton Stokley

Average White Band

Eric Darius and Rebecca Jade

Nathan Mitchell

Sunday, July 21

Bony James Lalah Hathaway

Pieces of a Dream

Nichola Cole/Lin Rountree/Julian Vaughn

Such

SolShine Concert

Saturday, July 27

Special Headliner - Go To PlayWinterPark.com

The Lil Smokies

Two Runner

Winter Park Brew Fest

An afternoon of beer and spirits tasting

Benefitting the Grand Foundations G.A.P. Fund for Youth

Saturday, August 3

That Eighties Band Hunker Down

Country at the Park

Saturday, August 10

Justin Moore

A Thousand Horses

Ray Wiley Hubbard Blood Sugar

Winter Park Uncorked

An afternoon of beer and spirits tasting

Presented by Rendezvous Colorado

Saturday, August 17

SawatchLand

Andy Hackbarth Band

Plein Air @ Altitude

August 31 & September 1

Grand Kids Fall Festival

September 14

All events are subject to change

There’s even more this summer! Scan to see whats happening in Grand County

PRESENTS A SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT

Penner’s 75-minute tour de force is spine-tingling, fierce and un-blinking.

TICKETS at BETC.ORG July 11 - 21

SUMMER SCENE 2024

COVER ILLUSTRATION: Chris Sawyer

PUBLISHER: Francis J. Zankowski

EDITORIAL

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER: Carter Ferryman

EDITORS: Jezy J. Gray, Shay Castle

REPORTERS: Kaylee Harter, Will Matuska

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Emma Athena, Lauren Hill, John Lehndorff, Toni Tresca

SALES AND MARKETING

MARKET DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Kellie Robinson

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE:

Matthew Fischer

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Chris Allred, Holden Hauke

MRS. BOULDER WEEKLY: Mari Nevar

PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Erik Wogen

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER:

Mark Goodman

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Chris Sawyer

CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Cal Winn

CIRCULATION TEAM:

Sue Butcher, Ken Rott, Chris Bauer

BUSINESS OFFICE

BOOKKEEPER/ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Austen Lopp

FOUNDER / CEO: Stewart Sallo

As Boulder County’s only independently owned newspaper, Boulder Weekly is dedicated to illuminating truth, advancing justice and protecting the First Amendment through ethical, no-holdsbarred journalism and thought-provoking opinion writing. Free every Thursday since 1993, the Weekly also offers the county’s most comprehensive arts and entertainment coverage. Read the print version, or visit boulderweekly.com. Boulder Weekly does not accept unsolicited editorial submissions. If you’re interested in writing for the paper, please send queries to: editorial@boulderweekly.com. Any materials sent to Boulder Weekly become the property of the newspaper. 690 South Lashley Lane, Boulder, CO 80305 Phone: 303.494.5511, FAX: 303.494.2585 editorial@boulderweekly.com www.boulderweekly.com

Boulder Weekly is published every Thursday. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. ©2024 Boulder Weekly, Inc., all rights reserved.

Boulder Weekly welcomes your correspondence via email (letters@boulderweekly.com). Preference will be given to short letters (under 300 words) that deal with recent stories or local issues, and letters may be edited for style, length and libel. Letters should include your name, address and telephone number for verification. We do not publish anonymous letters or those signed with pseudonyms. Letters become the property of Boulder Weekly and will be published on our website.

SUMMER SCENE 2024

Winter gets a lot of the shine in Colorado. We get it — snowsports are synonymous with the state, but there’s plenty to love about the warmer months, too. For proof, look no further than this year’s edition of Summer Scene. In these pages is an ode to our slept-on season, in all its weird and wondrous glory.

First, Will Matuska dives into one of the Centennial State’s many quirked-up sports oddities: pack burro racing. Next, with the Summer Olympics right around the corner, Kaylee Harter follows a few local elite athletes to see how they spend their summers in Boulder County.

If your spirit isn’t summer-ready, we’ve got you covered. You need a soundtrack, so check out our annual Summer Sonics roundup of homegrown musicians and their favorite

hot-weather bops. You probably need some swag too, so flip over to Emma Athena’s expansive gear guide with everything you need for road trips, workouts, leisure and more.

Next up, Toni Tresca draws back the curtain on what it takes to run a summer festival, and Carter Ferryman puts together all the local ingredients you need for that perfect cookout. John Lehndorff highlights

the best in outdoor dining, from rooftops to gardens. Last but not least, we’ve got a trove of festivals for you to plan your next three months around.

As poet William Carlos Williams once wrote, “In the summer, the song sings itself.” It’s our hope that, by the time you’re finished with Summer Scene 2024, you’ll feel inclined to join in on the tune. — Boulder Weekly staff

‘IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ASS’

Colorado’s official summer heritage sport clops into gear

BY WILL MATUSKA

Iwas walking down Bill Lee’s driveway at Laughing Valley Ranch in Clear Creek County when he said he wanted me to try something.

We’d been spending the last few hours brushing, saddling and walking two of Lee’s burros, Jack and Mr. Ziffel, up and down his property high above Idaho Springs.

Halfway down the hill on the way back to his house, he tells me to bring the rope I’ve been using to guide the 30-year-old, 500-pound Mr. Ziffel behind the animal’s keister.

“Get ready to run fast,” he says. “And try to hold on.”

A moment later, Lee yells “hee-ya!”

Before I knew it, I was getting yanked forward at an unmatchable pace by an open-throttled donkey. The speed, power and control of Mr. Ziffel

galloping next to my thrashing limbs was impressive and intimidating. I dropped the rope to keep from tumbling down the hillside, and Mr. Ziffel sped away without a care in the world.

This was my first glimpse into the art of pack burro racing, an extreme sport that involves running alongside your hairy and hooved teammate in a mashup of historic mining tradition, fearless endurance running and skilled equine care and handling.

After 75 years of official races, the sport is seeing an uptick in popularity as new events spring up around the Mountain West and established races gain more participants and thousands of attendees.

Lee, who is somewhat of a legend in the sport and still racing at 75 years old, is preparing me for the eight-mile, “beginner friendly” burro race in Georgetown the following day.

I’m just hoping to keep up.

THE WAY OF THE BURRO

The first thing a veteran burro racer will tell you is that it’s a donkey’s race.

“If anybody tells you it’s not 80%

donkey, they’re lying to you,” says Tracy Loughlin, who has won the women’s division Triple Crown the last two years.

The fastest runners in burro races aren’t always the most competitive. What matters is the relationship between teammates — a bond that takes time and commitment.

“It’s truly a partnership,” says Loughlin, who’s been running with a donkey named Mary Margaret for 12 years. “I can see when her ears go, what she’s gonna do. I can tell if she’s going to jump over a rock or she’s going to take a wide turn because she sees something in the bushes. And if you can’t anticipate those things … you’ll get passed in a race.”

But it’s not always that easy. Donkeys can rear, kick and even run loose off the track altogether. Sometimes donkeys lose motivation mid-race and won’t budge. The beginning can be particularly chaotic because they all take off together in a herd after the starting gun.

“I think people who’ve never been to a burro race sometimes come and think

they’re cute, petting zoo donkeys. These are athletes,” says Loughlin. “We’ve trained these donkeys to run really fast and it can be dangerous. They don’t stand around all calm just waiting for the gun to go off. They know this is a race.”

Another part of the challenge is figuring out a donkey’s strengths, weaknesses and quirks. Most burros don’t like shadows. Some don’t like bushes — others like eating them. Mary Margaret has sensitive feet.

Once runners begin to understand what makes their partner tick, then they’re really ready to haul ass.

“There’s no relationship or bond like it,” Loughlin says. “It’s super cool to learn her and figure her out, and I’m still figuring her out. I still don’t know her exactly, but then to put her in a race and see it all come together is super fun.”

‘BRINGING HISTORY ALIVE’

People have bonded with donkeys long before the first burro race. These critters were integral in helping miners carry loads of equipment and ore up

Tracy Loughlin and her donkey Mary Margaret after winning the pack burro race in Georgetown on May 25. Loughlin calls her partner “the Unicorn.”

Credit: Judi Manutes

PACK BURRO RACES TO CHECK OUT THIS SUMMER

CREEDE’S BURRO RACE: THE DONKEY DASH 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8, Creede

INAUGURAL RATON (NM) TO TRINIDAD (CO) BURRO RACE.

10 a.m. Saturday, June 22, Raton, New Mexico

GREENLAND PACK BURRO RACE

10 a.m. Sunday, July 14, Larkspur

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PACK BURRO RACE. 10:15 a.m. Sunday, July 28, Fairplay. First leg of the Triple Crown series. “If you finish that race the sun’s still up, you did pretty darn good.” – Tracy Loughlin

LEADVILLE PACK BURRO RACE

10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, Leadville. Second leg of the Triple Crown series

BUENA VISTA PACK BURRO RACE 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, Buena Vista. Third leg of the Triple Crown series

SOUTH FORK PACK BURRO RACE

10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, South Fork

VICTOR PACK BURRO RACE. Noon. Saturday, Sept. 7, Victor

FREDERICK PACK BURRO RACE

10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, Frederick

and down mountains in the early days of the Centennial State. The development of familiar mountain towns, and greater Colorado, followed.

“Burros are special animals — this state was built on the backs of burros,” says Bill Lee, who is referred to as a godfather of the sport and teaches the history of Colorado’s frontier days by dressing up as a character known as Red Tail the Mountain Man at town festivals.

When mining prospects dwindled, Lee says burro racing breathed new life into struggling mountain towns, and in essence saved them by drawing racers and watchers alike. It’s not exactly clear how it first started, but legend has it that two miners raced into town to claim gold they found at the same location. Because the burros were loaded down with supplies, the miners ran alongside them.

That history is still acknowledged in today’s races. For example, donkeys are required to carry a few essential miner tools: a pickaxe, a shovel and a gold pan.

“We’re bringing history alive,” says Lee. “We’re bringing traditions back.”

DONKEY DYNAMICS

People who interact with them find favorites and quickly become attached to these humble animals. In Georgetown, one woman approached Mr. Ziffel with homemade treats she knew he liked, saying he was her “first donkey love.”

Those emotions extend to the racers. Bob Sweeney, a leader in the sport, describes the feeling of eupho-

ria he experiences running next to Yukon.

“There’ll be no tension on the rope at all and we’ll just be running stride for stride together,” he says. “You’re both running at a speed where you both feel good, and everything is in sync. There’s just something magical about that.”

Lee wants to give domestic livestock “purposeful and productive lives.” He raises all kinds of animals, from donkeys and horses to reindeer and alpacas, and brings them to schools, pageants and senior centers. Although he’s lost a step since his ultra-marathon days, racing burros gives him a purpose, too.

of Mosquito Pass (13,185 feet).

Like with other donkey-centric events across the state, it’s a celebration of both the community and the burro’s role in the town’s past.

“It’s like doing 100-milers — it’s just a challenge,” he says. “Why did a blind man climb Mount Everest? Because the challenge of being the first blind man to ever do it. This is part of the challenges people take on to make life a little fuller.”

There are whole mountain festivals that rally communities around donkeys, like Fairplay’s annual Burro Days. The weekend-long affair has gold panning, Cowboy Church, a parade and more, but one of the premier attractions is the World Championship Pack Burro Race that takes burro-runner teams on a 29-mile out-and-back race to the top

“Burro racing, surrounded by the Burro Days event, is instrumental in our community for keeping that history alive,” says Julie Bullock, events coordinator for the Town of Fairplay. “And also for bringing economic development into our area.”

LAST ASS

For Steve Indrehus, an organizer of the Georgetown race, it’s less about winning races than it is about having a good day running with burros in the mountains. As the sport gets more popular, he hopes people remember that “it’s all about the ass.”

“I could go do one of these runs

The Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation has been “haulin’ ass” since 1949. Courtesy: Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation

Yukon, who runs with Bob Sweeney, rearing up before a race in Leadville. Credit: Jennifer Mewes

Bill Lee at his property with burros Mr. Ziffel (right) and Jack. Credit: Will Matuska

any day of the week without a burro, and I’d be bored pretty dang quick,” he says. “But put a burro in my hand — it makes the run interesting.”

Marching alongside Mr. Ziffel had a similar effect. I spent most of the Georgetown race jostling with him for position, keeping him close and staying ahead on downhills to not repeat what happened going down Lee’s driveway the day before. While having a 500-pound animal snort on your calves halfway up a mountain is a surreal experience, by the end of the race it felt like there was at least some level of mutual understanding between us.

As we crossed the finish line after nearly two hours on trail, I got a glimpse into the camaraderie and connection that attracts people to the sport.

The Georgetown event has come and gone, but the burro racing season is only just beginning. The biggest competitions of the summer, those that make up the Triple Crown (Fairplay, Leadville and Buena Vista), are all smashed into three consecutive weekends starting July 28. Other

events are sprinkled throughout the upcoming months until mid-September.

Loughlin says she wouldn’t be competitive running on her own against other participants who are faster than her, but “the donkey is the great equalizer.” Even though burro race winners are sometimes separated by gender divisions, like in the Triple Crown, her eyes are set on winning each competition this summer outright.

“My goal is to beat the men,” she says. “My goal is to show little girls that women can do everything that a man could do, especially in a sport like this where you don’t have to segregate the genders. So that’s, to me, the coolest part about the sport.”

WHAT IS A BURRO?

Burro is Spanish for donkey, and they were first introduced to the Southwest by Spaniards in the 1500s. You can spot them by their trademark long ears and short mane. They can be a variety of colors, like brown, gray or white, reaching heights between 2.5 to 5 feet at the shoulder. Some of the taller burros are the size of horses.

After finishing as the overall winner of the Georgetown race, Loughlin is well on track to achieve that goal. Although he has some wins under his belt, Lee hasn’t always finished on the podium over the last four decades raising, handling and running burros. More importantly, he says he continues to learn important life lessons from them.

“We learn from our mistakes, we learn from the past, we learn from history,” he says. “Life will not be easy. And even if you just lead a normal life, it won’t always be easy. You have to face life’s challenges … and you learn to adapt.”

Sweeney (left) and Loughlin at the top of Mosquito Pass during last year’s 29-mile World Championship. Credit: Brian Wanke

Mr. Ziffel and Will Matuska pre-race. Credit: Sam Young

SUMMER LIKE AN OLYMPIAN

BoCo’s elite athletes on their favorite spots of the season

BY KAYLEE HARTER

Boulder County is home to a deep roster of Olympic athletes past and present, from homegrown heroes like long-distance runner Elise Cranny to relative BoCo newcomers like marathon runner Jake Riley.

With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games right around the corner, Boulder Weekly asked four elite athletes how they like to spend their summers, so you can train, eat and relax like an Olympian.

Cranny says growing up in Boulder County’s active and outdoor-centric environment played a major role on her path to becoming an Olympian.

“I think the community inspired a work ethic and just seeing from a young age of like, ‘OK, this is what it means to work hard,’” she says. “And how energizing and important health, exercise and wellness are ... I just feel lucky that is something I was exposed to so young. I feel like it will always be a big part of my life.”

While Cranny and Olympic triathlete Gwen Jorgensen are still vying for spots in Paris, Riley and cyclist Maddie Godby have retired from Olympic pursuit.

“[Retirement] is really fun because you get to explore,” Godby says. “Even though being an elite athlete is so cool and it is such a privilege, that lifestyle can be very restrictive in order to do your sport well. Getting to get out and do activities you haven’t been able to do and kind of explore a little bit more has been really, really fun.”

TRAIN LIKE AN OLYMPIAN

Like so many other Coloradans, these world-class athletes find themselves gravitating toward the outdoors for their training.

“No matter what trail you go or where you’re running, you’re gonna see so many people of all ages, all sorts of different goals, things they’re trying to chase after,” Cranny says. “Especially this time of year, everyone just always seems so happy to be outside. You have the sun and the mountains and a great community of people wherever you go.”

Though Godby retired from elite sport last year, she still loves biking, hiking and exploring outdoors. She loves the stellar views and plethora of connectors from Marshall Mesa. As far as hiking, she loves the Flatirons Vista trail as well as hikes at Chautauqua Park with her family.

For Jorgensen, a triathlete, the Louisville Rec Center and Boulder’s

Scott Carpenter Pool are go-to spots for a swim, and Dirty Bismark on a mountain bike is her favorite ride.

“I love how there are so many races in Boulder,” she says. “In the summer I do a lot of the bike crits and the strokeand-stride events.”

Jorgensen and Riley both love Davidson Mesa and Bobolink for a run.

Riley also loves the dirt trails of Cottonwood Trail or taking Marshall Mesa to Community Ditch.

“That doesn’t sound very appealing, but you’re kind of exposed and you’re running directly towards the Flatirons,” he says. “The mountains sort of loom over you, and you’re in this big exposed space. You just get this really nice feeling of scale. It’s not a technical trail. You can kind of cruise along. It’s really really nice and then you finish Community Ditch, and you can go up into Eldorado Canyon.”

He likes Tom Watson Park on Sundays, “like every other elite athlete in Boulder” — especially the LoBo Trail.

“You get this really nice view over the valley, and you can see two or three layers of Rocky Mountains back,” he says. “When there’s snow on the peaks but there’s not down here, it’s just gorgeous. It’s a nice mix of hilly and flat trail running.”

EAT LIKE AN OLYMPIAN

Fuel is important for elite athletes, and their favorite BoCo grub spots run the gamut from burgers to brunch.

“King Dumpling in Louisville is a new restaurant I love,” says Jorgensen. “They have hand-pulled noodles and a chef hand-rolling each dumpling. I love the veggie dumplings and the Dan Dan Noodles.”

Jorgensen also favors the rice bowl and weekend specials from Skratch Labs Cafe. “I wish I lived closer to Skratch because I would go there weekly,” she says.

Dry Storage and Louisville’s Moxie Bread Co. are her go-tos for bread. If she dines in at Moxie, she orders the toast: “It’s a great deal with two huge slices of bread with butter and jam for only $2.50.”

Godby loves Moxie, too.

“Bakery rides as a cyclist are my favorite thing,” she says. “I love how they have several different locations, so you can do a ride, you can do a hike.”

“Illegal Pete’s is also a classic,” adds the cyclist who grew up grabbing burritos for a quick pre- or post-ride meal. Brunch is Cranny’s favorite meal of

Maddie Godby rides the gravel road near Boulder Reservoir. Credit: Natalie Starr

the day, especially after a run. She wants something sweet and something savory like eggs and french toast, either home-cooked or at a Boulder restaurant like The Buff or Snooze. Riley also opts for brunch after a long run.

“I want to do it big: a lot of potatoes, eggs, peppers, onions, some sort of nice breakfast meat, a bagel or biscuit,” he says.

Riley likes to hit Dot’s Diner and get the Farmer’s Eggs scrambled with ham, onions, green peppers and cheddar. Another favorite is the Olé Skillet at the Buff, chock full of chorizo, potatoes, jalapenos and cheese and topped with green chili or queso.

For a date night, Riley and his wife bike to Efrain’s. Riley orders a chimichanga with red sauce while his wife prefers the spicier green chili. They also like to walk up the bike path to the Dark Horse.

“Any bar that has Buck Hunter in it is one I will usually seek out,” he says. “I like to go up to the Dark Horse if

[I’m] kind of in an easy part of the training segment; go have a couple beers, get a burger, play some Buck Hunter.”

Cranny is currently living in Nederland, and her top pick for a bite in town is Crosscut Pizza.

She also loves coming into Boulder to go out to dinner at Avanti, Pasta Jay’s, Hapa Sushi or bartaco.

“I love going to Pearl Street, especially in the spring and summertime,” she says. “It’s always nice to feel like you’re getting away from running. It’s so nice to be outside.”

PLAY LIKE AN OLYMPIAN

Riley and his wife met while playing pub trivia at Twisted Pine, where they serve up one of his favorite beers in town: The Patio Pounder session IPA. Lately, they’ve been playing trivia at Wild Provisions, where his go-to order is the ’Bout Damn Time IPA.

“And a good Avery will always go down smooth, and you can find that everywhere,” he says.

THE OLYMPIANS NEXT DOOR

MADDIE GODBY

2020 Tokyo Olympian

Cycling Track: Keirin

Hometown: Louisville; Lives in Louisville and Colorado Springs

“I just love how much green space and open space Boulder has and just to get out and enjoy the views. I ride all over and hike all over.”

JAKE RILEY

2020 Tokyo Olympian Marathon

Hometown: Bellingham, Washington; Lives in Boulder

“I had been running professionally for a few years and so my resume wasn’t that impressive. I was like, ‘OK, we’ll go somewhere I can keep training or at least trying to train but also go to grad school.’ Boulder was that perfect mix of a place where a lot of elite athletes train, and there’s also a really good university.”

ELISE CRANNY

2020 Tokyo Olympian Track & Field: 5000m

Coming up: Track & Field Olympic team trials June 21-30

Hometown: Niwot; Lives in Nederland and Gunbarrel

“The biggest thing [in Boulder County] is just the energy and the community. It’s a place where people are so active, and that’s super inspiring and so much fun to be around.”

GWEN JORGENSEN

2012 London Olympics, 2016 Rio Olympics, 2016 Gold Medalist Triathlon

Coming up: Discretionary picks for Team USA announced early June; Lives in Boulder

“I have lived in Boulder for three years. My husband and I did a tour around the U.S. and decided Boulder was the best place to live. We love it here and can’t imagine living and raising children anywhere else.”

Left: Gwen Jorgensen won a gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Credit: Kenny Withrow.

Right: Jake Riley runs in the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Credit: Shutaro Mochizuki

Courtesy: USA Track and Field

Credit: Matt Parker

Credit: Kenny Withrow

Like so many other Boulderites, Riley says he loves a good float down Boulder Creek.

“Not the other creeks, because they have cow poop in them,” he says.

For family fun, Jorgensen, a mother of two, heads to Valmont Park.

“My youngest loves to look at and pet the dogs while my oldest loves to shred,” she says.

Her family also frequents Boulder County parks, rec centers and pools as well as the reservoir. You’ll also find them at summer events like Music in the Park and the Boulder Farmers Market.

Godby is a fan of the Boulder Creek Festival and walking classic Boulder spots like Pearl Street and the Boulder Creek path. Like Jorgensen, she also loves the farmers market.

“It’s super robust, and you can get healthy food. They also do a lot of great work promoting local food systems,” says Godby, who has a master’s in public health. “There’s so many farms in Boulder County so it’s just super cool to see that really take off.”

RECOVER LIKE AN OLYMPIAN

When it comes to recuperating, one favorite rang out loud and clear among these Olympians: a natural ice bath.

“If you want to feel like you’re doing something for your body but you’re mostly just hanging out in nature, I love taking an ice bath in Boulder Creek,” Riley says.

Godby and Cranny agree. Cranny also likes stretching out in an outdoor pool or going for an evening walk on the trails and dirt roads near her place in Nederland.

Riley and Jorgensen also give Boulder-based Roll Recovery a shoutout.

“As a busy mom, I love having tools to help me recover in my home,” Jorgensen says. The Sisu sauna in her backyard is another favorite restand-relaxation tool.

“We also have a hot tub, and our boys love when we set the temperature to 99 degrees,” she says. “We all have a great time laughing and splashing under the stars.”

Another go-to for Jorgensen is the Boulder-based Skratch Labs vegan chocolate recovery drink.

RELAX LIKE AN OLYMPIAN

When these elite athletes need to unwind, many of them turn — surprise — to Boulder’s outdoor spaces.

“We have so many paths, like you don’t have to be on infrastructure that you share with cars,” Godby says. “Taking the dogs for a walk and just kind of just sitting out enjoying the view in the mountains in the evening with a sunset — that’s also a favorite.”

Marshall Mesa, Flagstaff Road and Louisville’s Davidson Mesa are among her favorite spots to watch the sun go down.

Jorgensen heads to a park with her two boys or takes them for a treat from Sweet Cow when it’s time for a break from training.

Riley and his wife like to bike to a park, have a picnic and play board games in the summer — usually Ticket to Ride or cribbage, he says.

They frequent Scott Carpenter Park and Harlow Platts near Fairview High School.

“We’ve had some awesome sunset picnics right by the lake there,” Riley says.

For Cranny, grabbing an afternoon smoothie at Wonder or reading at a coffee shop like Creature Comforts,

Niwot’s Old Oak, Ampersand or Humankind are great ways to relax.

“I like small things like that: going out to dinner or going to a coffee shop where you can kind of feel like a normal person, if that makes sense,” she says. “Like, you don’t have to think about running: You’re doing something that’s chill, and you’re relaxing.”

Whether you’re an elite athlete, an average joe or somewhere in between, Boulder County is full of mouthwatering bites and breathtaking views to discover.

Godby’s advice for homegrown Boulderites and newcomers alike?

“Explore as much as possible outside of a car,” she says. “When I started riding, just being able to explore all these corners I never would have gone to in a car was really, really fun. You can really see Boulder authentically that way.”

Maddie Godby races in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Credit: Casey Gibson

Elise Cranny loves going to Pearl Street to get away from training in the summer. Credit: Matt Parker

GEAR GUIDE 2024: ROAD TRIP EDITION

Essential, multipurpose packing items to get your gas in gear

BY EMMA ATHENA

PROTECT YOURSELF

COSTA SUNGLASSES

Lido ($292) and Seadrift ($226)

Available at REI, 1789 28th St., Boulder

These polarized sunnies are equipped with 100% UV protection, fully adjustable non-slip nose pads and a scratchresistant finish that repels water, oil and sweat for easy cleaning. Merging performance with style — run, swim, fish or drive into the sunset with the confidence that your eyes are fully protected.

OUTDOOR RESEARCH

ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Hoodie ($89)

Available at REI, 1789 28th St., Boulder

Designed for long days outside when body temperature regulation and sun protection are a priority, this lightweight and quick-drying hoodie wicks away sweat and provides UPF 50+ sun protection.

With summer upon us, nothing feels more iconic than a road trip. That’s why we’re chasing the open road — that sense of freedom found in dirt tracks, good music, spontaneous jumps in water — with the potential for adventure at each turn, and snacks galore.

These innovative, eco-friendly and locally available products will help get you to each pit stop and beyond, whether you head further into the mountains, drive out to a lake or pop into that cool motel you pass on your drive.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUNSCREEN

Sizes vary, $12-$150

Available at Rocky Mountain Sunscreen, 1360 Horizon Ave., Unit 105, Lafayette

This locally made, reef-safe sunscreen is not only fortified with the goodness of aloe and antioxidants, but also comes in lotion or spray form. With the option to buy in bulk, you can reduce packaging and ensure your skin is protected at every twist and turn.

KAVU

Organic Strapcap ($35)

Available at Backcountry, 1537 Pearl St., Unit 5432, Boulder

Never lose another hat to gusty winds again. This jacquard-banded, four-panel cap is crafted with an organic cotton canvas, offering a cool feel and moldable fit in an earth-friendly package with a low-profile 3.5-inch crown and a range of expressive colors.

PRANA

Heavana Every Day Dress ($99)

Available at Prana, 1147 Pearl St., Boulder

Incredibly soft, this dress feels like a gentle, sun-protective hug thanks to its UPF 50+ sun protection and moisturewicking properties. Stretchy in all the right places, movement is blessedly unrestricted.

GET ORGANIZED

STORAGE ITEMS

FRONT RUNNER

Slimline II Roof Rail Rack ($1,336)

Available at frontrunneroutfitters.com

This easy-to-install system uses your car’s existing factory/OEM roof rails, which means no drilling required. Made to help schlep everything from bikes and kayaks to big duffles and crash pads, this rack stays smooth and stable at highway speeds and during off-road adventures.

ARC’TERYX

Carrier 75 Duffle ($300)

Available at Arc’teryx, 1600 Pearl St., Suite 100, Boulder

Designed for multi-day trips, this durable 75-liter bag is highly weather-resistant, meaning you can schlep it everywhere the road takes you: the river, the campground, the Airbnb. Throw anything you need into its large cavity and shoulder it like a pack via the removable adjustable straps, or grab the handles like a duffle.

TAKE A DIP

SWIMWEAR

SEEA

Brasilia Bikini ($85 bottom, $85 top)

Available at Backcountry, 1537 Pearl St., Unit 5432, Boulder

California-made Seea suits strike the perfect balance between surf function and style. The deep plunge V-neck lets the sun kiss your skin, while the wider bands offer support and coverage; on the bottom, the higher leg cut is balanced by a high waist to provide all-day comfort.

SPEEDO

Redondo Edge Volley 14” ($55)

Available at Colorado Swim Swim Shop, 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder

Made from four-way stretch fabric (with UPF50+ sun protection and a durable water-repellent finish), these trunks will take you anywhere the water runs. Choose from a host of fun colors and enjoy three pockets (one is zippered!) plus a built-in brief liner.

STOP AND EAT

KITCHEN GOODS AND FOOD

STANLEY

Adventure All-in-One Boil + Brew French Press ($26)

Available at Neptune Mountaineering, 633 S. Broadway, Boulder

Nothing beats the morning’s first cup of joe. With this stainless steel pot, you can brew, boil and cook wherever you stop. Light her up, and in mere minutes you’ll be able to enjoy a piping hot pot (32 ounces) of your favorite coffee. Bonus: It’s dishwasher safe upon your return!

BACKPACKER’S PANTRY

Drunken Noodles with Chicken and White Bean, Chicken, and Green Chili Stew ($12.99)

Available at Neptune Mountaineering, 633 S. Broadway, Boulder

New flavors have hit the shelves, and our favorites include tasty, proteinpacked noodles and stews. Whether you’re at a campsite or a roadside motel, these hot (and economical) dinners never fail to hit the spot. The best part? All meals are made and distributed from Backpacker Pantry’s facility in North Boulder.

DRESS YOURSELF

CLOTHING

MSR

Titan Fork and Spoon ($34.95)

Available at Neptune Mountaineering, 633 S. Broadway, Boulder

These titanium utensils will deliver a lifetime of grub from your plate to your piehole. Ultralight and unquestionably durable, they come on a screw-locked cable so they’re easy to keep track of.

PATAGONIA

Responsibili-Tee ($45)

Available at Patagonia, 1630 Pearl St., Boulder

Patagonia’s lowest carbon footprint T-shirt — made with 100% recycled materials — utilizes fabric scraps and recycled bottles, reducing our reliance on virgin raw materials. The cottonpolyester 50/50 blend is breathable and feels super soft on the skin.

PATAGONIA

ROC Cotton Tee ($55)

Available at Patagonia, 1630 Pearl St., Boulder

A go-to tee for everyday wear. Made of 100% Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) cotton from farms working toward the highest organic standard, the production of this tee follows practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and trap more carbon than conventional agriculture.

AMUNDSEN

5Incher Field Shorts ($169)

Available at Amundsen, 2023 17th St., Unit 4, Boulder

Made with extra-strong stretch Cordura fabric from Sweden, these lightweight shorts are designed for rugged use, bolstered with waxed cotton canvas reinforcements. Take them from the trail to the lake, then out to dinner — they’ll last a lifetime if cared for properly.

AMUNDSEN

5Incher Concord G.Dyed Shorts ($169)

Available at Amundsen, 2023 17th St, Unit 4, Boulder

This stretchy, comfortable corduroy material is designed for every type of outdoor and lifestyle activity.

Fashionable enough to wear around town, the shorts give you the perfect amount of freedom for any epic adventure.

DUER

Performance Denim ($139)

Available at Duer, 2621 Larimer St., Denver

With an athletic gusset that enables full range of motion, you can move from car to trail to bar friction-free. Integrated performance fibers like Coolmax help with moisture management, ensuring you stay cool, dry and comfortable all day long.

SUMMER SONICS

Heat up your sun-soaked playlist with these Colorado acts

BY BOULDER WEEKLY STAFF

Kick out the jams — summer is back, baby! When it comes to live music during the hot months, there are few better places to be than Colorado. Acts from far and wide pass through our little slice of paradise like clockwork, tearing the roof off one legendary venue after another.

But it’s not just touring bands making noise on the Front Range this season. There’s plenty of home cooking on the menu, too. That’s why we’re back with another sampler of summer’s sonic bounty, asking local artists to reflect on what these longer days and louder nights look and sound like to them.

CHEAP PERFUME

Image courtesy: Cheap Perfume

Nine years into their reign at the top of the local punk scene, femme-punk mainstays Cheap Perfume are climbing to new heights this summer. They’re fresh off their first tour and gearing up for an August opening slot for Riot Grrrl legends Bikini Kill in Salt Lake City.

The energy at a Cheap Perfume show is electric. The band’s unrepentant lyrics make for an environment that’s as inclusive as it is rambunctious. Take the opening verse of “Slut Game Strong,” a mid-tempo punk number that thumbs its nose at the patriarchy: “Boys don’t like girls who swear / well I don’t really fucking care,” vocalist Stephanie Bryne sneers. “Cross your legs, don’t speak too loudly / I’ll speak my mind and I’ll do it proudly.”

“One thing I love about people who come to our shows — they’re really aware, they know that there are a lot of issues that need to be talked

about,” says guitarist Jane No. “But they also just want to get rowdy and care for each other.”

Cheap Perfume’s music is best experienced through speakers that shake the floors at a sweaty summer gig. You’re in the mosh pit or watching from the sides, reveling in the ruckus.

“People are wanting to let loose and not think about all the stresses of life under capitalism,” No says. “They just want to get out and have a good time.” — Lauren Hill

Cheap Perfume’s Summer Sonics

● “No Men” by Cheap Perfume

● “Hello Hello Hello” by Remi Wolf

● “Chevrolet Van” by The Nude Party

● “Entropy” by Beach Bunny

SCAN THE QR CODE TO DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL SUMMER SONICS 2024 PLAYLIST.

ON THE BILL:

Cheap Perfume with The Mañanas, Beach Fossils and more at Underground Music Showcase. Fri.-Sun., July 26-28, South Broadway, Denver. $90+

BARBARA

Image courtesy: Jo Babb

The story of the band Barbara is one of renewal and rediscovery. The indie-rock trio met as burnt-out music students at the University of Denver, each having fallen out of love with their respective classical instruments and yearning to relight the spark. They started concurrently learning bass, drums and guitar, and wrote enough songs to fill their first LP, Escape Artist

“It truly has been a healing experience, rekindling our love for music and finding a safe space to try things none of us ever had before,” says guitarist and lead singer Camilla Vaitaitis.

Nearly two years after the release of their debut, Barbara has no plans of slowing down. The band is set to

record their second album amid a busy lineup of festivals and a latesummer Southwest tour, with the goal of expanding beyond their current psychedelic grunge sound while staying true to the band’s ethos of love, connection and friendship. — Lauren Hill

Barbara’s Summer Sonics

● “For Good Measure” by Barbara

● “Still Life (Connan Mockasin Remix)” by The Horrors

● “I Want a Break Thru” by The Hykkers

● “Sun-Kissed (feat. Moe Isaac)” by Nitty Scott

ON THE BILL:

Wax Jackets with Barbara. 7 p.m. Sunday, June 16, Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St., Denver. $25

THE MAÑANAS

Image courtesy: The Mañanas

It’s been a full year since The Mañanas released their debut LP, 3000. Since then, they have continued to cement themselves as a fixture of Denver’s music landscape. Most of the band hails from Ecuador and started playing music together shortly after moving to the Front Range in 2020. Their first EP, Cheers, swiftly followed.

In many ways, the band acts as an ode to the old, the new and the in-between. Their live shows are a straightforward celebration of their surfgarage-rock sound. Peppered into the set are various ’60s covers of tried-and-

true classics like 3000 banger “La Plaga” and tracks by legends like James Brown.

Beyond their diverse influences, The Mañanas fill a gap in a demographical-

ly monotonous music scene in a city whose population is one-third Hispanic.

“We’re just trying to make moves as a band of color,” says lead vocalist and

ALEXA WILDISH

It was the snow-choked dead of winter when Alexa Wildish rolled into her new foothills home in Lyons. The frosty scene was a new one for the Southern California native — stunning,

to be sure, but colored with an icy shade of uncertainty.

“I remember someone telling me, ‘Wait ’til the summer to make your judgment on whether or not you should stay here,’” the 35-year-old musician recalls. “I took a trip to Chicago, and when I got back you could see bits of spring coming up, the

guitarist Brandon Unpingco. “So we do want to make an impact in the scene when it comes to that.”

The Mañanas’ sound conjures images of sunlight sifting through leaves on a sweltering July afternoon. The drinks are cold, the music is loud and life feels like a timeless coming-of-age movie. That kind of summer energy is easy to enjoy. — Lauren Hill

The Mañanas’ Summer Sonics

● “OJ Sand” by The Mañanas

● “You Ought to be With Me” by Al Green

● “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield

● “Satisfacción” by Los Apson

ON THE BILL:

The Mañanas with Beach Fossils, Tkay Maidza and more at Underground Music Showcase. Fri.-Sun., July 26-28, South Broadway, Denver. $90+

start of summer, and I just felt overwhelmed by the beauty.”

The scenery wasn’t the only beautiful thing Wildish found that summer. She was soon barreled over by the rugged romance of Planet Bluegrass, the thrumming heart of Boulder County roots music where the emerging artist would win the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival songwriting competition a few years later in 2019.

But her star wasn’t done rising. Last fall, the Colorado transplant made a dazzling run to the playoff round of NBC’s The Voice, after delivering a soulful blind-audition knockout with a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” that snagged a coveted four-chair turn from judges Gwen Stefani, John Legend, Reba McEntire and her eventual coach: Niall Horan of One Direction fame.

With that life-changing moment in the rearview and more good things on

the horizon — like an upcoming cover album set for release this year, following an outdoor performance at Boulder’s inaugural Flatiron Sounds Music Festival in June — Wildish says she’ll be soaking up the sun and songs in her adopted home on the Front Range this season.

“Summer in Lyons is such a special place to be: music festivals, cool people coming through town, jamming all the time,” she says. “To me it feels like an energy of bigness and power.

When I’m in my summertime vibes, it gives me courage to keep going and do really big things.” — Jezy J. Gray

Alexa Wildish’s Summer Sonics

● “Court and Spark” by Joni Mitchell

● “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac

● “Carrie & Lowell” by Sufjan Stevens

● “The Well” by Alexa Wildish

ON THE BILL:

Alexa Wildish with Clay Street Unit, Jake Leg and more at Flatiron Sounds Festival. 1-7 p.m. Sunday, June 16, Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder. Free

Image courtesy: Jo Babb

CLAY STREET UNIT

Image courtesy: Jess Nelson Media

Alot can happen in a week — just ask guitarist and vocalist Sam Walker. In the summer of 2020, he met a banjo player named Jack Cline in Denver. Over the course of the next week, they booked their first gig and chose their band name: Clay Street Unit, an homage to the street where their paths first crossed.

It’s fitting that the band’s lineup — now six deep, with Scottie Bolin on mandolin and vocals, Jack Kotarba on bass, Brad Larrison on pedal steel and Brendan Lamb on drums — was born in the summer months. There’s something of the sultry season in their country-fusion sound, blending the high-energy strings of Appalachia and the warm embrace of Southern comfort classics.

When asked about their summertime inspirations, Walker cites the tropical soft-rock of the late Jimmy Buffett, the pop-forward twang of ’90s country and a trio of bluegrass legends: Doc Watson, Tony Rice and Larry Sparks.

“Anything that somehow meets that balance of energized but also relaxed,” Walker says.

Clay Street Unit’s entire catalog is fitting for summer, but two songs stick out in particular. “1200 Miles,” a lap steel-forward country ballad, is “about traveling across the country and remembering that where you are at this point in time is where you’re supposed to be,” says Walker.

“Weight of the World,” a banjoheavy track, paints an awestruck picture of the beautiful state we get to call home: moonlight dancing off winding creeks like a disco ball, and behemoth mountain ranges towering over stages where Clay Street Unit hone their craft — and we get to listen. — Carter Ferryman

Clay Street Unit’s Summer Sonics

● “Starting Over” by Chris Stapleton

● Anything by Jimmy Buffett, Doc Watson, Tony Rice or Larry Sparks

● “1200 Miles” and “Weight of the World” by Clay Street Unit

ON THE BILL:

Clay Street Unit with Alexa Wildish, Jake Leg and more at Flatiron Sounds Festival.

1-7 p.m. Sunday, June 16, Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder. Free

DOGTAGS

It’s summer 2021, and on a second-floor bed in a sweltering farm-style house with no AC, guitarist Michael Merola and vocalist Regi Worles are building a song. Merola hits a chord progression. Worles’ eyes light up. The rest of the pieces soon fall together.

Since that fateful day three years ago, the duo that would become DOGTAGS has staked claim as one of Denver’s most electrifying groups. Flexing a neo-Latin soul sound with flavors of jazz and bossa nova, Merola and Worles form the core of a rotating nine-person big band trafficking in even bigger rhythms.

The collective may be local, but their sound spans worlds of influence. That much is clear when you ask the founding members of this summer-born ensemble to wax on their favorite hot-weather jams.

“I love listening to Mexicana music when it gets warm out,” says Merola. “Everything from the swaying cumbias of Los Ángeles Azules to the dance-y corridos of Xavi and Eslabon Armado.”

The pair cite Omar Apollo as a definitive artist of the season — he’s soundtracked all the summers they have been together for. But to hear Worles tell it, the season is about

more than the perfect playlist.

“It’s a time to return to myself, fall in love with my friends, let myself just laugh and play and remember why I fell in love with music and art in the first place,” Worles says.

As far as their own music goes, Merola and Worles say their upcoming song “Keepsake” makes for a serious summer bop. Like so much of their work, it’s a reminder of the shared moments in life, meant to be enjoyed on a park blanket with friends. Worles says it’s for letting “the emotions of the day become memories, letting them become sacred.” — Carter Ferryman

DOGTAGS’ Summer Sonics

● “Melt” by Kehlani

● “El Amor de su Vida” by Grupo Frontera y Grupo Firme

● “Keepsake” by DOGTAGS

● Anything by Beyoncé, Clairo, Omar Apollo, Brockhampton, Los Angeles Azules, Xavi and Eslabon Armado

ON THE BILL:

DOGTAGS with Thee Sacred Souls, Teddy Swims and more at Endless Sunshine Festival. 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29, Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave., Denver. $100+

Image courtesy: Jackson Davis

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Arts

leaders on what it takes to run a summer festival

BY TONI TRESCA

In the weeks leading up to the inaugural Boulder Comedy Festival, founder Zoe Rogers found herself grappling with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

“At first, I was afraid no one would come,” Rogers admits. “We were supposed to do it in 2020, but like the rest of the world, we were postponed, so we began in 2021. Fortunately, we had many of the same performers as planned for 2020, and the event was a huge success. I am grateful to be a part of the loving, supportive Colorado environment that fosters talent and provides opportunities for one another.”

Rogers’ positive experience is a testament to the many details that need to align perfectly for a festival to succeed. Across Colorado, organizers of summer arts festivals face similar challenges, combining creativity and logistics to bring their events to life.

But what exactly does it take to pull off these vibrant cultural celebrations?

To answer this question, Boulder Weekly talked to seven of the state’s top festival leaders in comedy, music and theater to learn about the delicate

balance of preparation, budgeting and community engagement.

YEAR-ROUND PLANNING

Summer festival planning is often a year-round endeavor. Hiring contractors, fundraising and resolving issues like lodging and transportation for patrons and artists requires meticulous attention to detail and proactive thinking.

“We are always trying to plan three years out with play titles,” says Tim Orr, producing artistic director at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival (CSF). “We’ve usually zeroed in on titles with directors about 15 months prior to opening night. This extended timeline allows for a thorough selection process, ensuring that each show aligns with the festival’s artistic vision and logistical capabilities.”

Leaders must consider a wide range of factors when putting together their events. Orr mentions that “a combination of timeliness, relevance, intuition, personal taste, achievability and attempts at intelligent curation” guides CSF’s selection process.

Beautiful at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre. Credit: RDG Photography

The Royale at Creede Repertory Theatre. Credit: Brooke Ashlee Photography

It also involves navigating the tension between artistic integrity and commercial viability. Megan Van De Hey, artistic director of Little Theatre of the Rockies, describes the curation process as “looking for a magical unicorn, because it needs to be something both artists and audiences are excited about.”

Michael Querio, artistic director of Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, echoes this sentiment. “It’s a complicated process,” he says. “We need to present a well-balanced season that has something for everyone — the beginner, the tourist, the savvy theatergoer and the family vacationer.”

CRAFTY FINANCING

Balancing these interests requires not only careful selection but also innovative budgeting strategies. While each festival has unique financial needs, there are common threads that connect their approaches to fundraising. For example, because ticket sales alone do not cover all expenses, most festivals rely on a combination of donations, grants, sponsorships and government support in addition to programming revenue to fund their operations.

“Our largest revenue source is donations from individuals,” says Durango PlayFest’s managing director, Mandy Mikulencak. “The next-largest category is grants, followed by sponsorships. Like many arts nonprofits, ticket sales make up the smallest part of our budget — and we plan for this. It’s always been a priority to keep ticket costs low because we believe theater should be experienced by everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status.”

Keeping things affordable is another goal for most festival organizers. Many leaders say this has become more diffi-

cult as costs rise across the board.

Elizabeth McGuire, executive director of the Colorado Music Festival, spoke extensively about the challenges her team faces in managing rising expenses without passing them on to patrons.

“The festival costs approximately $2.5 million, and expenses have been increasing exponentially,” McGuire says. “I want more people to be able to attend our festival, but I would like to see us on solid financial footing. The goal is for us to be mature as an organization and have a foundation of funding so we do not have to start from scratch every year.”

OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

Logistics can be one of the most daunting aspects of festival planning, particularly for those in remote locations.

According to Kate Berry, interim artistic director and marketing director for Creede Repertory Theatre, simply getting people and materials to Colorado’s southwestern region can be “extremely challenging.”

“The Denver airport is five hours away,” Berry says. “The closest hospital is 40 minutes away. We have random snowstorms in May and shipping is crazy. We have to order a lot of things online because we can’t just run out to Target or Walmart. The closest Walmart is 70 minutes away, and it’s a smaller Walmart, so we depend on the postal service and carriers to get us stuff.”

Staffing and lodging are additional challenges. “We typically have a seasonal group of about 50 people,” says Querio, whose festival is held in Grand Lake. “It takes time and money to get them here. Once they are here, we have to provide housing. Our theater owns housing in this active summer

tourist town for all 50 people; the costs to build and maintain the housing are enormous.”

Effective resource management is critical for ensuring that all aspects of the festival run smoothly, especially in areas where items are difficult to get quickly. These operational challenges are one of the reasons many festivals begin their planning processes early and work to build strong relationships with the locals.

ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY

Connecting with the area each festival is located in not only fosters a sense of ownership and pride but also helps ensure strong support. That’s why many festivals’ marketing goals and strategies focus on community-building and attracting diverse audiences to scenic locations throughout Colorado.

“We’re proud of the economic impact we have on the summer economy for Grand Lake,” Queiro says. “We bring nearly 20,000 people to town each season, and we know we help to pump

millions of dollars into the tourist economy of this small mountain town.”

Rogers agrees. She says focusing on grassroots efforts in addition to traditional online advertising has helped build community support for the Boulder Comedy Festival.

“I go to every farmers market and art walk, handing out cards to promote the festival,” she says. “We’d love to buy more digital ads, but ultimately, it’s tricky when you’re buying ads before any tickets have been bought, so we rely on community support.”

This hands-on approach is Rogers’ attempt to ensure the festival reaches a local audience and cultivates a devoted following.

“My philosophy has been that if you focus on delivering a quality experience, people will notice, and they will support you appropriately,” McGuire says. “It is a big, heavy lift financially, so we are working hard to grow our donor base and raise our profile nationally and internationally. We are uniquely positioned to expand, and proud to welcome visitors to the state.”

Chris Bryant at Boulder Comedy Festival. Credit: Matt Maenpaa

LET BOCO COOK

Build your perfect summer cookout with these Colorado delicacies

BY CARTER FERRYMAN

The summer cookout is a cornerstone of American culture. Like baseball and fireworks, it has stood for decades as a quintessential pastime, with each region adding their own flare to the plate. Here in Colorado, we’ve got a little bit of everything — quality cuts of meat, fresh produce and locally crafted beverages. The best part? Most of it can all be sourced in just a short drive. Before your next get-together, consider these homegrown items for the community spread.

Burgers

Grama Grass & Livestock

8266 N. 81st St., Longmont

For Grama Grass & Livestock, the quality is in the journey. Their cattle — three herds comprising roughly 88 cows — are always on the move, grazing on public and private land. This allows for the pastures they munch on to regenerate, with a goal of returning the native prairie to its full glory.

The enterprise is led by a small crew of dedicated locals, like owner Andy Breiter and director of sales Julia Wolfe, all first-generation farmers. They’ve learned that happy cows and a happy environment means happy customers.

Grama’s grass-fed/finished beef is earthy, tender and flavorful. We barely needed any seasoning to elevate this patty-perfect ground beef, which is sure to be the star at your next backyard barbecue.

Sausages

The Mountain Fountain 11809 N. 75th St., Longmont

The power of choice holds a special weight when it comes to a butcher’s counter. You’ll find plenty to choose from at Mountain Fountain, which sources their strong selection of meats from farms just miles from their homebase in Hygiene.

When it comes to sausages for your next round of dogs on the grill, let in-house butcher Yianni Tsambis be your tour guide for the vast array of glizzy goodness. That includes Polish kielbasa, German bratwurst, andouille sausage, green chile sausage, chicken sausages and — of course — hot dogs, some wrapped, some stuffed.

Sides

Three bean salad

Il Pastaio

3075 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80303

Perhaps no one has a greater claim to the “mom-and-pop” descriptor than Il Pastaio, a Boulder favorite started by Giuseppe and Marta Oreamuno in 2000. Everything from the linguine noodles to the bolognese sauce is made in-house by hand, allowing for a uniquely authentic Italian experience. Their three bean salad is a no-frills trio of garbanzo, green and red beans, tossed in a tangy dressing and offered in bulk for your next gathering.

Creamy red potato salad Deli Zone

Various locations: Boulder, Gunbarrel, Longmont and Broomfield

Potato Salad Rule No. 1: Do not overcomplicate potato salad. Potato Salad Rule No. 2: Do not overcomplicate potato salad.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about a joint that does this iconic summer side dish right: Deli Zone. It might not be the first thing you think about upon entering one of their Boulder County locations, since your gaze will almost certainly land immediately on their board of classic hot and cold sandwiches.

But if you allow your eyes to wander, you may catch a glimpse of a glorious sign: ¼-pound potato salad for $1.49. This side player punches above its weight: Always made inhouse, they leave on the red potato skins (pro move) and toss in some green onions with a bunch of the good stuff — butter, salt and fairy dust, we assume.

Snacks

Boulder Canyon Potato Chips

Available at most grocers, including King Soopers and Whole Foods

Boulder Canyon has expanded to a nationally available product, but the song remains the same 30 years after the Maggio brothers opened up shop

here in town. By using olive oil or avocado oil, these snacks are a more wholesome alternative to your average grease bomb, but they don’t compromise on taste.

Our favorite is the original avocado oil and sea salt variety. These Boulderborn bad boys are kettle-cooked (best chip style) and wavy (best chip shape). Be a hero and bring a bag or two to your next summer function.

Produce

Seasonal fruits and veggies

Various farms and market stands around Boulder County

It’s all about peak season when it comes to fruits and veggies for your cookout. Corn and watermelon are the two staples of any proper grill-and-chill — and both are at the height of their powers in July and August. Boulder’s Munson Farms on 75th and Valmont should have you covered on both, especially their sweet corn. Another go-to is Red Wagon Farm in Lafayette, whose farm store on West Baseline is impossible to miss.

Always great over an open flame, asparagus is the go-to in June. At the Boulder County Farmers Market, Kiowa Valley Organics is slinging beautiful bundles of the green stuff by way of Roggen, Colorado.

Condiments

Lucile’s Spicy Ketchup

Lucile’s Creole Cafe 2124 14th St., Boulder 518 Kimbark St., Longmont 554 Briggs St., Erie

Lucile’s has grown a creole cuisine empire in our unlikely corner of the Front Range — and if you’ve been, it’s no surprise why. Everything on the menu is a hit, and the same goes for their array of mouth-watering sauces and jams available tableside. One of the stars of the show is their housemade ketchup. It’s hardly conventional and strongly on-brand — sweet and spicy, with a perfect consistency for dipping or topping any of your cookout meats.

Honeyville Colorado Style Mustard Barbecue Dipping & Grill Sauce

Honeyville 33633 US-550, Durango

Drinks

Bootstrap Sparkalicious

Greyhound Hard Seltzer

Traditional yellow mustard will always be the benchmark of cookouts, but Honeyville’s sauces are too irresistible to not give some shine. One of Colorado’s resident “sauce bosses,” Honeyville has been serving up bottles of liquid gold since 1918.

Their newest addition to the roster is the Colorado Style Mustard Barbecue Dipping & Grill Sauce, which was practically built for this cookout guide. This tangy but subtle treat goes great on top of a slab of meat, or as a pool for snacky vegetables like carrots or celery. We don’t expect you to make the trek down to Durango for a bottle — if you do, check out our road trip gear guide on p. 20 — but luckily you can pick some up at honeyvillecolorado.com.

Red Belly Hot Sauce

Green Belly Foods

Available at local grocers, including Boulder County Farmers Markets

Green Belly is a BoCo brand whose Guatemalan roots have held true since the day Juan Ignacio Stewart shared his mother Maria’s traditional hot sauce with our community. Don’t expect any gimmicks or wacky bottles, just three kickass sauces you can put on pretty much anything.

We’re highlighting Red Belly, a beautifully smoky sauce featuring the Cobanero pepper native to the cloud forests of Guatemala. It’s packed with fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic and apple cider vinegar, giving it a little extra zip. Try it on top of other items in this list like the three-bean salad or your locally sourced burger, mixed with a little bit of mayo (a pro-tip from Green Belly GM and hot sauce hustler Logan Wolff).

Bootstrap Brewing Company

142 Pratt St., Longmont

In a world where hard seltzers have become tired and overplayed, it’s refreshing to see a local independent brewery come through with a smash hit. Bootstrap Brewing Company did just that in 2021 when they launched their Sparkalicious Hard Seltzer line, beginning with an instant fan favorite, Greyhound.

Getting a tropical punch-style drink that’s not overly sweet is rare in the seltzer game, but they nailed it. Grapefruit is the main event, but a crisp lineup of accompanying tart fruits makes these easy to crush on a hot day with friends.

Big B’s Organic Lemonade

Big B’s Fruit Company

Available at most local grocers

When it comes to summer refreshments, there’s lemonade, and then there’s everything else. (We’ll hear arguments for sweet tea, but that’s it.) It may very well be the summeriest item in this entire guide, and there are few companies doing it quite like Big B’s.

Sourced in Hotchkiss on the Western Slope, Big B’s is 100% organic and features a number of lemonade variations like pomegranate and lavender. These can be bought in 16-oz or 64-oz sizes. We recommend the latter with a bag of ice and a cold glass for your next summer get-together.

AL FRESCO PARADISE

Up on the roof or out on the patio, Boulder County boasts epic fresh-air dining options

BY JOHN LEHNDORFF

There is just something about dining in the open air that makes the food taste better, the wine sip easier and the guests glow brighter.

In Boulder County, we love eating outdoors on languid summer evenings. Some of us want to be under the stars and above it all on rooftop terraces. Others crave the people-watching from streetside patios, or the sunlight of a brewery backyard.

Here’s our curated guide to some familiar and hidden gems on local rooftops, street corners, porches, gardens and lawns — all fit for an outdoor summer feast.

ON THE ROOF

Corrida

1023 Walnut St., Boulder

An elevator ride brings you to the sophisticated Spanish restaurant and patio with a pristine, unimpeded view of the Flatirons. Take a seat during Tapas Hour on the patio for small plates or splurge on pricey gems like a 56-day, dry-aged, bone-in New York strip steak.

Rosetta Hall

1109 Walnut St., Boulder

Grab your grub before you head up to the roof for panoramic views at this food court featuring flavors from around the globe. Gracia Coffee opens at 8 a.m. daily, so morning people can enjoy a quiet latte on the rooftop patio.

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

1101 Walnut St., Boulder

The umbrella-topped tables on Rio’s rooftop have been some of Boulder’s key hideaways from the summer heat for nearly 20 years. Some come for the view of the Flatirons, other for the sizzling fajitas, but most stay for their famous margaritas.

Avanti Food and Beverage

1401 Pearl St., Boulder

Avanti offers a spectacular western vantage overlooking the Pearl Street Mall and the Rockies from its made-for-selfies rooftop. The upper level includes its own bar and New Yorkese, a pizzeria serving foldable slices, but fare can be brought up from first-floor eateries.

West End Tavern

926 Pearl St., Boulder

The West End Tavern was one of the first Boulder eateries to feature a rooftop patio with Flatiron vistas when it opened in 1987. From lunchtime through late night, pub comfort fare rules — from skillet cornbread with honey butter to barbecue platters, fish and chips and big juicy burgers.

The Roost

526 Main St., Longmont

This Longmont destination is perfectly named with its cozy rooftop oasis perched above lively Main Street. The kitchen offers palate pleasers ranging from Thai pork tacos to blistered shishitos and shrimp fritters. The bar focuses on brews crafted by award-winning local purveyors like Left Hand, Upslope, Wibby and Oskar Blues.

William Oliver’s Publick House

201 N. Public Road, Lafayette

Three things put this downtown Lafayette pub on our al fresco bucket list: aged Scotch, thick-cut bacon and bluebird skies. The shaded rooftop is the place to be at sunset, and canines are welcome on the street-level patio.

Piripi

615 Briggs St., Erie

As Piripi’s rooftop diners laugh, savor paella and sip summer wines, they could easily imagine themselves on vacation in Spain or Italy. At Piripi, chef Hugo Meyer serves casual fare ranging from spicy red shrimp tapas to gnocchi with basil pesto. Charming rooftop meals get topped with warm churros dipped in chocolate and caramel.

La Mariposa Restaurant & Margarita House

2033 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont

The recently renovated La Mariposa boasts a rooftop terrace “Botanero,” a place for tasty appetizers and cold beer

or margaritas. The most Instagramready entrée is carnitas molcajete, a steaming cauldron lined with pork, chorizo, onions, cactus, chicharrón and roasted jalapeños.

GARDENS, YARDS, HILLTOPS AND PORCHES

Left Hand Brewing Company

1245 Boston Ave., Longmont

Left Hand Brewing Company upped the outdoor ante when they opened The Garden directly east of their Longmont tasting facility. This backyard and patio is served from a bar tucked inside a former shipping container, pouring Left Hand brews along with cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Food trucks provide a changing roster of meals.

Lucky Pie Pizza & Taphouse + Sweet Cow

637 Front St., Louisville

The large and shaded backyard patio shared by a pizzeria and a scoop shop is a big draw for families, but it was designed as a place for adults to kick back. Lucky Pie provides artisan pies and appetizers alongside a full bar offering wellmixed cocktails. Sweet Cow perennially wins the Best of Boulder accolades for its ice cream. When in doubt, achieve bliss with a slice and a hot fudge sundae.

Acreage by Stem Ciders

1380 Horizon Ave., Lafayette

Many local eateries shout about their sunset view, but Acreage is literally above them all. Situated on a twoacre hilltop, the restaurant faces west toward the Front Range panorama. The always-busy yard features a shaded deck, patio picnic tables and Adirondack chairs.

Summit Tacos

237 Collyer St., Longmont

Summit Tacos features a colorfully decorated front lawn with shaded picnic tables served from a bar trailer. Traditional street tacos filled with everything from barbacoa to rajas are available along with pambazo, a spicy grilled cheese dipped in guajillo chile salsa served with a side of pozole.

Summit Tacos. Courtesy: Summit Tacos

Avanti. Credit: Alex Medvick

Best Thai Restaurant & Best asian fusion

9 Years in a row

Sherpa’s Adventure Restaurant and Bar

825 Walnut St., Boulder

Diners can get back to the garden at Sherpa’s, where decades of landscaping, a fountain and Nepali statues create a refuge in the heart of Downtown Boulder. On a warm evening, diners can start with a platter of momo dumplings with a malty Indian beer.

Chautauqua Dining Hall

900 Baseline Road, Boulder

The wooden wraparound porch at Chautauqua Dining Hall has been one of Boulder’s top al fresco destinations for decades. Weekend brunch reservations are obligatory. Try visiting on a Monday morning for a quiet breakfast.

The Greenbriar Inn

8735 N. Foothills Highway, Boulder

One of Boulder’s oldest eateries hosts the best garden parties in Boulder County during the summer months. Carefully planted trees, flowering bushes, blooming flowers and herb gardens fill the grounds. The highly prized patio tables are a great place to sample wild mushroom arancini or a ground tenderloin burger with Emmethaler cheese.

Dushanbe Tea House

1770 13th St., Boulder

The terraced patio at North America’s only authentic Persian teahouse is a dreamy place to dine on summer days. Sample an international menu in the open air fragranced by more than 80 varieties of roses blooming.

Flagstaff House Restaurant

1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder

It’s hard to resist the romantic appeal of the expansive patio at this special-occasion favorite on the side of Flagstaff Mountain. As the sun sets behind you, the lights of Boulder come up while you linger over a fine dining menu and vintages from a 6,000-bottle wine cellar.

Cheese Importers

103 Main St., Longmont

A soothing surprise awaits those who approach the rear entrance to the historic building housing Colorado’s premier cheese destination. Cheese Importers is not a bis-

tro, but you can visit the huge refrigerated cooler inside to grab ripe triple crème cheese, cured meats, a baguette and a chilled beverage for a patio picnic.

STREETSIDE PATIOS

Tierra y Fuego Taqueria

4550 Broadway, Boulder

Taco Tuesday rules Boulder patio menus, but the real thing is quietly being dished in a true taqueria tucked away in the bustling North Broadway neighborhood. Don’t miss the mole poblano chicken at this calm, shaded NoBo patio.

Gemini

1115 Pearl St., Boulder

With its comfy outdoor seating and attentive service, Gemini offers a street experience without feeling overly touristy, despite its location on the Pearl Street Mall. The Spanishinfluenced menu offers by-the-glass wines to enjoy with diverse tapas and main plates of braised lamb or paella.

Alpine Modern Cafe

904 College Ave., Boulder

Blocks from the hustle and limited parking on the Hill, Alpine Modern is a peaceful corner retreat. A tree-shaded wraparound patio provides an ideal meeting place for studying, meeting and dating. Pair a well-made golden chai latte with a house cinnamon roll or a toast topped with prosciutto, avocado or a soft-boiled egg.

Pumphouse Brewery

540 Main St., Longmont

Pumphouse Brewery’s large patio (with lots of shade and cooling misters) satisfies diners on Longmont’s Main Street. The brewpub site pours a big roster of local and regional brews paired with a thirst-inducing menu of fried pickles, calamari and chicken-fried chicken.

Lulu’s BBQ

701 Main St., Louisville

This classic eatery has the best of both al fresco worlds: a street-facing patio perfect for people-gawking in Downtown Louisville, and a cozy, cool and shaded rustic backyard. Since opening 2011, Lulu’s has drawn a crowd with mouthwatering oaksmoked meats.

FEST FRIENDS FOREVER

Your guide to the summer’s can’t-miss festivals

BY BOULDER WEEKLY STAFF

If you’re summering in the Centennial State, there’s no excuse for boredom. For evidence, look no further than the following roundup of events — featuring everything from community festivals to big-time concerts, mountain-town gatherings and more. Dive in and start planning the best summer of your life.

JUNE

BOULDER COUNTY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL

Sat.-Fri., June 1-8; exhibit opens June 9. Niwot Feed & Grain Store, 291 2nd Ave. Free

THE UPSLOPE GET DOWN

Saturday, June 8, Upslope Brewing Company, 1898 S. Flatiron Court, Boulder. Free Must-see act: Pamlico Sound, a full-speed funk and jam band that’ll have the whole family dancing.

COLORADO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

June 8 to Aug. 11, various locations, CU Boulder. $22+

TASTE OF FORT COLLINS

Sat.-Sun., June 8-9, Civic Center Park, Fort Collins. $22

Must-see act: Rick Ross, the Port of Miami’s original hustler and MC extraordinaire

BOULDER JEWISH FESTIVAL

Sunday, June 9, Pearl Street Mall, in front of Boulder County Historic Courthouse, Boulder. Free

FIBARK WHITEWATER FESTIVAL

Sat.-Tues., June 13-16, Arkansas River, Downtown Salida. Free

FLATIRON SOUNDS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Sunday, June 16, Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder. Free Must-see act: Clay Street Unit, a sixpiece Colorado folk and country act

LITHA FESTIVAL

11 a.m. Sunday, June 16, Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs. Free

BOULDER COMEDY FESTIVAL

Wed.-Sun., June 19-23, various locations, Boulder. $25

Must-see act: Emma Perkins, a Denver regular whose deadpan comedy will have you in stitches

Colorado Music Festival. Credit: Michael Ensminger

COUNTRY JAM MUSIC FESTIVAL

Thurs.-Sat., June 20-22, 1065 Highway 6 & 50, Grand Junction $99+

Must-see act: Jelly Roll, a rock country cult hero and rising star

TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

Thurs.-Sun., June 20-23, Town Park, 500 E. Colorado Ave., Telluride. $130+

Must-see act: Sierra Ferrell, West Virginia’s most exciting songbird with a folky edge

JAS JUNE EXPERIENCE SUMMER MUSICAL FESTIVAL

Thurs.-Sun., June 20-23, multiple locations, Aspen. $75+

Must-see act: Cory Henry, one of the world’s most renowned organists

ON THE RISE CONCERT SERIES

Saturday, June 22, The Hill, 1221 Pennsylvania Ave., Boulder. Free Must-see act: Wrenn Van Band, an emerging and soulful local outfit

GREELEY STAMPEDE

June 26 to July 7, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley. $50+

Must-see act: Cheap Trick, the legendary ’70s power-pop institution that will no doubt have your dad going back for that fourth beer

DONKEY DERBY DAYS

Fri.-Sun., June 28-30, Cripple Creek City Hall, 337 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek. Free

JULY

COLORADO

MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 5 to Aug. 4, Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder. $10+

Must-see act: Augustin Hadelich, a revered classical violinist

BOULDER ENVIRONMENTAL/ NATURE/OUTDOORS FILM FESTIVAL

Thurs.-Sun., July 11-14, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. Free

CRESTED BUTTE WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL

July 12-21, Historic Train Depot, 716 Elk Ave., Crested Butte

PEARL STREET ARTS FEST

Fri.-Sun., July 19-21, Pearl Street, Boulder. Free

UNDERGROUND

MUSIC SHOWCASE

Fri.-Sun., July 26-28, multiple locations, Denver

Must-see act: Deeper, DIY indie and post-punk true to their Chicago roots. $90

ROCKYGRASS FESTIVAL

Fri.-Sun., July 26-28, Planet Bluegrass Ranch, 500 W. Main St., Lyons. $105+

Must-see act: Sam Bush, a master mandolinist and progressive bluegrass torchbearer

Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Credit: Jennifer Koskinen

VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL

July 26 to Aug. 5, Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, 530 S. Frontage Road, Vail. $10

Must-see act: Dance Theatre of Harlem, an organization whose globally renowned ballet is honed in the heart of the Big Apple.

GLOBAL DANCE FESTIVAL

Fri.-Sat., July 26-27, Stockyards

Event Center Grounds, 5004 National Western Drive, Denver. $120+

Must-see act: Kaytranada, a HaitianCanadian turntable whiz

AERIAL DANCE FESTIVAL

July 28 to Aug. 9, Frequent Flyers, 3022 Sterling Circle, Suite 150, Boulder. $190+

AUGUST

MOFFATT HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

Fri.-Sun., Aug. 2-4, Loudy-Simpson Park, Craig. Free

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOLKS FESTIVAL

Fri.-Sun., Aug. 9-11, Planet Bluegrass Ranch, 500 W. Main St., Lyons. $95

Must-see act: Brittany Howard, contemporary queen of soul and songwriting

BOULDER TACO FEST

Saturday, Aug. 10, Civic Area, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. $30+

Must-see act: Midnight Strange, a local marriage of outlaw country and psych-rock

MIMESIS DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

Wed.-Sun., Aug. 14-18, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder Free

COLORADO STATE FAIR

Aug. 23 to Sept. 2, Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo. $9+

Boulder Taco Fest. Courtesy: Boulder Taco Fest

Rockygrass. Credit: Tobin Voggesser

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