March 5, 2015 VOLU M E 1 0 | I S SUE 40
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Distillery pub guidelines pass House committee Craft brew, winery operations are model By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Restaurant distilleries could be a new business choice in Colorado after a bill defining guidelines for distillery pubs passed out of its first House committee last week. Sponsored by Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver, with Senate co-sponsorship by Sen. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, the bill was unanimously approved by lawmakers, which opens doors for the state’s 73 licensed distilleries. “The distillery pub bill allows someone that does not want to be a full-blown manufacturer to open a restaurant that has a small distillery as part of the operation,” said Stephen Gould, owner of Golden Moon Distillery. A distillery pub license, approved by the state and a local government, would be similar to a brewpub or winery license, where the establishment must serve food and wholesale sales are limited. Per the bill, licensed premises could not
ferment or distill more than 2,700 liters or 300 cases per product per year on the premises, and the total limit on annual production of spirits would be 45,000 liters or 5,000 cases. “We just want to make sure we keep it small and local because that has been the model that’s made brew pubs so successful in Colorado,” Sen. Andy Kerr said. CB Potts and Ironworks are examples of popular brewpubs, similar to what House Bill 1204 would allow for distillers. The bill allows for recognition and opportunity for an industry that is normally in the shadows. “It puts the craft distilling industry more in line with what the craft brewing industry has been in Colorado,” said Sean Smiley, owner of State-38 Distilling in Golden. Smiley sits on the board of directors for the Colorado Distillers Guild, a trade organization whose members made several recommendations on the bill. “We’ve kind of been the stepchild in terms of alcohol manufacturing,” Smiley said. “But we’re growing in numbers and I feel like the distilling wave is kind of the second wave to the craft brew wave that came through.” Kevin Settles, owner of Bardenay, a res-
Jon Tewinkle, head distiller at State-38 distilling in Golden, measures the quantity of sugar in a fermentation tank on Thursday, Feb. 26. A house bill at the state capitol recently passed a house committee, which paves the way for Distillery Pubs and allows them to operate with specific guidelines similar to brew pubs such as CB Potts where craft beer and other alcohol beverages may be served in a restaurant or bar setting. Photo by Amy Woodward taurant distillery in Idaho, has been credited as the facilitator behind the bill. Settles did not comment by press time,
but several sources have said that Settles is looking to expand his businesses from Idaho to Colorado.
Arvada Science fair celebrates learning Campbell Elementary event began three decades ago By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com
Kenneth Heltibridle of Manassa, Colorado, readies his rope on a bull. Heltibridle is currently sitting in 7th place in the Bullriders’ Showdown Series held at the Jeffco Fairgrounds hosted by Newlon Rodeo Productions. Photo by Amy Woodward
Indoor bull riding set for fairgrounds Free rodeo events come to Jeffco facility By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Every bull rider approaches his ride differently. Some say a quick prayer before hopping over the metal railing to mount the seemingly tame beast — others don’t give it a second thought. “Nothing feels better than spurring one down,” said bull rider Joey Quintana of Arvada. The Jeffco Fairgrounds is hosting the Bull Riders Underground Showdown organized by Newlon Rodeo Productions, with dates set through the end of April. Held at the Livestock Arena, admission is free until the series returns in September, where tickets will sell for $5 a person. “It’s really kind of turned into this, I
UPCOMING 2015 JEFFCO JACKPOT SERIES DATES Shows start at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20 Friday, April 3 Friday, April 17 Friday, May 1 Concessions and beer will be available to purchase. think, a really cool concept that provides an incredibly unique environment for fans, but it’s really been fun to interject some life into our old Livestock Arena at the same time,” said Scott Gales, director of the Jeffco Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds hosts 1,200 different events a year, but the indoor bull riding series offers an appeal for even the most urban lifestyle. “You’re on the edge of your seat the whole time,” said Samantha Ayres of Arvada. “You have to stay on for eight sec-
onds and you don’t know who is going to make it and who’s not.” A combination of professional and amateur bull riders participate in the rodeo sport from across the state as well as a few riders from Arkansas and South Dakota. Bull riding classes will soon be offered along with opportunities for the addition of youth riders on miniature bulls. “I want people to view bull riding as entertainment,” said Mike Newlon, local promoter and former bull rider. Quintana, who was born and raised in Golden, said winning is an important factor for the riders, who are looking to collect to get them ready for the next ride. “I have a lot of respect for the people who put it on, and they used to put on really big bull ridings,” Quintana said. “When you can come somewhere like this and just have fun, then there’s nothing better.” The Friday night Jackpot series continues Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/ newlonrodeo.
With volcanoes erupting, name brand dog foods being challenged with generics and helmet crash tests highlighting the importance of bike safety, students at Campbell Elementary School celebrate a deep love for science. “For years, the historical build of what work they’ve (Campbell community) done, continues to build it each year,” said Principal Ryan Stadler. “It is something people are passionate about doing, and this is what you do at Campbell.” Started in 1985, the Campbell Elementary Science Fair encourages students in kindergarten through sixth grade to craft projects showcasing their skills, proficiency and passion for science. In the voluntary event, students work from winter break to President’s Day weekend, crafting various partner projects, research papers, demonstrations and scientific method projects. “I’m so impressed that you guys have kept it going all these years, that Campbell had kept it going,” said Jane Ensor, founder of the event. “I think it speaks to how intellectual this community really is.” The program, which teaches kids experimental design and the scientific method, encourages students to ask questions, observe various experiments, and collect and analyze data on their own, outside of the classroom. “The best scientists are people who can observe,” Ensor said, “and we’re teaching them, here, to observe very young.” Fair continues on Page 3