Cheryl Firby
Where Colorado expertise meets the expectations of Boulder County .
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Meet The Team
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Firby Cheryl
Ahead of Her Game
IBY ELIZABETH MCCABE
PHOTOS BY GABRIELA G PHOTOGRAPHY
n 2005, her first listing on 6th & Evergreen drew 10 offers and sold $200,000 over asking. Right out of the gate, Cheryl Firby proved something that would define her career: she doesn’t sit back and wait for opportunity—she creates it.
“I very quickly learned that real estate in Boulder moves fast and is not for the faint of heart. I was up for the challenge,” she says.
More than two decades later, that instinct hasn’t changed. Now in her 22nd year in real estate and the Broker/Owner of Alpine Realty, Cheryl has built a reputation for being highly organized, deeply strategic, and—according to her clients—consistently “two steps ahead,” anticipating challenges before they arise.
As a full-service REALTOR®, she has her finger on the pulse
of the market, with a business that is both investor-savvy and committed to her sellers. She genuinely loves marketing and preparing a home for sale— bringing out its best features and making sure it shines. A natural perfectionist, Cheryl pays close attention to detail, knowing a buyer’s first impression is often the most important.
That ability to think ahead didn’t just show up overnight. It was built over time through a willingness to lean in when others pulled back.
Midwest Roots
Originally from the Detroit area, Cheryl moved to Boulder in 1997 and never looked back. “I grew up as a competitive ski racer. The mountains were what drew me to Colorado.” Cheryl started on the developmental ski team at the University of Colorado.
I look at the whole picture and want to set my clients up for success.”
“I realized after a few months that I didn’t want my entire college career to revolve around racing.”
So she joined the Wednesday night “Nighthawks” racing program at Eldora instead. “It was me and a bunch of guys with long hair, which was more my vibe,” she laughs.
In the process, she fell in love with Boulder. “It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful this place is.” Even now, driving up 9th Street and seeing the Flatirons at Chautauqua still stops her. “It gets me every time.”
Cheryl earned two degrees from the University of Colorado— Environmental Studies and Business with an Information Systems focus—and interned at IBM before stepping into a corporate role. But something didn’t click.
“I was looking for more creativity, autonomy, and I wanted to help people,” she says. Real estate offered all of that. A mentor in Boulder helped solidify her decision and gave her the confidence to make the leap.
Driven By Purpose
Around the same time, she became interested in wealth building—how people can create financial independence without relying on family wealth or external advantages. A pivotal moment came when a friend gifted her Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, introducing her to the principles of building wealth through assets. “Real estate was the answer,” she says. “I wanted to apply those principles in my life and help others do the same.”
She didn’t just study it—she acted on it. In 2007, Cheryl founded Alpine Realty just as the market shifted into the Great Recession. When others hesitated, she pivoted into investing and identifying undervalued opportunities in the Denver Metro market. With a mentor’s guidance, she scaled her development business. “I learned how to evaluate everything—renovation costs, after-repair value, and
profit potential,” she says. “That experience shaped how I approach every transaction.”
Today, Cheryl is known for bringing an investor-minded lens into every deal. Whether working with seasoned investors or first-time buyers, she helps clients think beyond the surface. “I want people to understand what they’re buying,” she says. “I’m not easily wowed by pretty finishes—I look at the whole picture and want to set my clients up for success.”
That mindset carries into every part of her business. Even when working with sellers—something she particularly enjoys—Cheryl takes a thoughtful, strategic approach. She’s direct, honest, and detail-oriented. “I don’t overinflate a property’s value
Giving an older dog a wonderful
last
chapter is incredibly rewarding.”
just to get a listing,” she says. “I’d rather be upfront and set people up for success.”
Today, she does exactly that— using real estate as a tool to help clients achieve their goals and long-term dreams. Her passion for helping others is evident and inspiring. “When people are starting out in real estate investing, I ask them, ‘What is your ‘why’?’” Cheryl explores what is driving their vision beyond enhancing their own lifestyle. “It’s different for
everyone,” she notes. “Identifying that ‘why’ can ignite a passion, help things unfold and manifest into reality.”
Must Love Dogs
Ask Cheryl what her purpose is and her answer is simple: “Animals,” she says. She has rescued numerous dogs, with a special place in her heart for seniors and special needs animals—the ones most people overlook.
“Everyone wants the younger dogs,” she says. “But giving an
older dog a wonderful last chapter is incredibly rewarding.”
One of the dogs she recently adopted, a deaf 12-year-old border collie named Margie, left a lasting imprint. “It’s an honor to care for them,” Cheryl says. “Even if it’s for a shorter time.”
Her compassion doesn’t stop there. Cheryl has volunteered at Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, helping care for orphaned and injured squirrels, raccoons, and birds. She also is a former volunteer with Longmont Humane Society, and continues to support animal rights organizations.
Her long-term dream is to open an animal rescue, which she has preliminary plans for.
And then there’s the side of Cheryl most people don’t expect: music. A lot of it. She has attended over 425 Phish concerts since the mid-’90s, traveling across the country and building a tight-knit community along the way.
“The music is powerful and it’s a beautiful thing to be a part of.” she says. “It’s also about connection and self-expression.”
And maybe that’s the thread that ties it all together: connection, intention, and forward motion. Cheryl is grounded, thoughtful, and always thinking ahead—not just for herself, but for the people she serves. Two steps ahead. Right where she’s always been.
Cheryl Firby cheryl@alpinerealty.co (303) 956-5470 alpinerealty.co CONTACT US!
SCHAFFER
IS FULL STEAM AHEAD IN REAL ESTATE
HIS VANITY PLATE SAYS “HUSTLE”
“My wife, Jessica, asks if there is an off switch,” jokes Jared Schaffer. So far, the answer is a definitive no. This go-getter operates at full speed, recently crushing his 1,100th class at F45. “I got addicted to it during COVID,” he laughs. The hustle is not just a mindset; it’s a lifestyle choice.
BY ELIZABETH MCCABE PHOTOS BY NICOLE TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
But that relentless drive isn’t reserved for the gym. As a dedicated REALTOR®, passionate investor, and project manager for client remodels, Jared brings unparalleled energy to the Boulder real estate market. “It’s a full-service shop,” he says of his thriving business, which is built on a foundation of executing high-quality remodels driven by smart choices. “We focus on modern style and exceptionally clean builds,” Jared points out. “Clients know that when we manage a project, the result will be both beautiful and built to hold value, appreciate over time, and bring equity to their real estate goals.”
From Tech Startups to Real Estate Innovator Growing up in New York, Jared learned the value of passive income early. His father, who owned several rental properties, would bring him along to check on things and collect coins from the laundry machines. “He’d let me keep the change,” Jared recalls. “That’s when I learned what passive income was: we get to collect rent… and charge for laundry. I was baffled by this business model.”
That early lesson stuck. Initially bound for dental school, the dawn of the internet sparked a pivot to Computer Science, bringing him to Boulder after 9/11. When his father suggested buying real estate in the beautiful college town, Jared agreed and said, “Can you help me?” His father stepped up with a generous gift toward that initial purchase, a foundational gesture that Jared remains deeply grateful
If it doesn’t check all the boxes, I’ll tell them.
EVEN IF IT MEANS WALKING AWAY.
for to this day. That first property in Boulder proved to be a secure investment, launching his entire real estate journey. Working in tech startups, Jared aggressively saved his commission checks to purchase properties every summer, eventually accumulating half a dozen rental homes and flipping others.
The next step from startups was obvious: real estate. He secured his license and joined one of the big firms in town, leveraging his tech background to help the brokerage reevaluate its technological advancements. In doing so, he noticed a massive missed opportunity: the industry wasn’t fully monetizing its relationships or connecting buyers with off-market inventory.
The Investor Lens and Unshakable Integrity
“I became the guy who loved off-market deals,” Jared says. By identifying hidden opportunities before they hit the market, he quickly became the go-to agent for investors, first-time buyers, and those looking for an agent who was creative in getting their goals met.
“I built this investor lens,” he explains. He never cuts corners; he is the agent who will literally crawl under a house and inspect every nook for structural cracks. This meticulous approach ensures clients secure safe equity and sound investments. “If it doesn’t check all the boxes, I’ll tell them,” Jared explains. “Even if it means walking away.”
That radical transparency has forged deep trust. In a remarkable testament to his integrity, Jared offers a guarantee you rarely hear elsewhere: if a client ever regrets a purchase he guided them into, he will buy it back. It isn’t a sales tactic; it’s a reflection of how deeply he values his fiduciary role.
Maven Group Design Build: Beyond the Transaction What truly elevates Jared’s practice is what happens after the closing table. Through Maven Group Design Build, he manages seamless home transformations, ranging from single-room upgrades to full-scale renovations. Last year alone, Maven Group managed 15 client remodels, encompassing everything from kitchens and bathrooms to entire homes.
“I’m not a contractor,” he clarifies. “I’m a project
manager, and my team and I know what we’re doing. We have all the right people, from engineers and architects to artisans.” Partnering with fellow New York native and best friend Howie Rubin, Jared leverages a dedicated network of flexible subcontractors to turn houses into dream homes.
His project management translates to massive savings and reduced stress. When a friend received a staggering $47,000 quote for a bathroom remodel, Maven Group put their team on the job and cut the cost to almost $20,000. “I’m trying to bring back quality and calm to the Boulder chaos and costs,” he notes. He credits his sharp
eye for design and market awareness to his longtime mentor, Cheryl Firby of Alpine Realty. “I wouldn’t be where I am without her guidance,” he says. They still collaborate closely, with Jared even consulting her on his own investments because, as he notes, “she might catch something I miss.” Each year, Jared and Howie flip two to three high-quality Boulder gems of their own, bringing fresh, revitalized properties to the market.
The Fuel Behind the Fire
At home, the energy remains high. Jared and Jessica (a Boulder native, well-known sleep coach, and play therapist) are raising their two children. Alongside their adorable American
Staffordshire Terrier Louie, the family stays active and adventurous. “Every summer, we try to take the family somewhere international,” Jared says, with Spain, Italy, and France recently checked off their growing list. When winter hits, you’ll likely find him carving up the mountains on his snowboard.
Hustle and Heart
With a vanity plate that reads “HUSTLE,” Jared isn’t slowing down. Navigating a shifting market, an increasing demand for major remodels, and a steady stream of clients, Maven Group Realty and Design Build is thriving exactly where they want to be: right in the thick of it all. “We actually love doing this,” he says. And looking at their track record, it absolutely shows.
If you or someone you know is looking to buy, sell, invest, or remodel in Boulder and the surrounding areas, point them to DreamBigBoulder. com and watch the Maven Group turn their realty dreams into reality.
Jared Schaffer
Maven Group Realty
Maven Group Design Build
CLARITY
Is Your Competitive Edge
The In-Between Season
BY EMILY BOSSERT
Have you noticed that by the time spring and then summer arrive, something subtle starts to happen in your business?
The energy of the new year has worn off. The goals have been set, and the plans have been put into place. And now, you’re in it.
For some of you, there’s momentum in your business right now. Deals are moving along. Pipelines are active and lively. Things feel like they’re working.
And for others, you are having a different experience. Maybe things feel slower than you expected. Maybe the consistency isn’t there yet. Maybe you’ve been
Where do I focus my time and energy?
What actually deserves my attention?
This is where we, as agents, can start looking outward towards more strategies, more tactics, more information. You know, all of the shiny objects? How many of them have your attention right now?
But the real shift doesn’t start there. It starts internally.
The Real Work of Leadership
When we talk about leadership in real estate, we tend to think about how we show up for others. Leading clients through decisions, guiding pricing conversations, navigating negotiations, managing a team, growing a business. All of that matters. But the most important leadership happens before any of those moments. It’s self-leadership. The ability to lead your own focus, your own standards, your own energy, and your own actions. Because if you’re not leading yourself first, it becomes incredibly difficult to consistently lead anything or anyone else.
busy, but not necessarily moving the needle in the way you want.
In this particular moment, the question may be shifting for you.
t’s no longer, What do I want to do this year?
It becomes, What actually matters right now? What do I need to focus on in order for this year to be successful for me?
And if you’re honest with yourself, that question can feel uncomfortable.
Because this season has a way of revealing the gap between intention and execution.
The Cost of Unclear Direction
What I often see in the absence of clarity isn’t a lack of ambition. It’s something else. Agents who are busy all day but by the end of the day, they feel like nothing truly moved forward. The important conversations get delayed. Follow-up doesn’t happen one day, and then before you know it, follow-up hasn’t happened for a week. Decisions can get softened or avoided. Sometimes it can even look productive on the surface, such as researching, organizing, consuming more information, etc, but there’s very little action behind it. Over time, that creates a subtle frustration. Not because you don’t care, but because you know you’re capable of more.
At the root of that experience is a lack of clarity. And the good news is, clarity is not something you either have or don’t have. It’s a skill. It can be practiced.
A Simpler Way to Think About Clarity
I think of clarity in three parts.
Focus
The first is clarity of focus. This is where leadership begins for us. It’s the discipline of asking, what actually does deserve my attention right now? Because not everything does. Not what feels urgent. Not what’s easiest to react to. What actually matters for you this month, this week, today? When your focus is clear, your energy has direction.
Standards
The second is clarity of standards. This is where consistency is built. It’s the decision around how you expect yourself to show up, regardless of circumstances. When standards are unclear, you find yourself renegotiating with yourself daily. You wait for motivation. You adjust based on how you feel. You lower the bar without realizing it. Clear standards remove that negotiation. They allow you to show up the same way whether the market is fast or slow, whether you feel inspired or not. That’s where real confidence is built.
Action
The third is clarity of the next action. This is where clarity turns into movement. Instead of trying to map out everything, you focus on this one question: What is the next right action? Not the perfect plan, just the next step that actually moves something forward for your business. Remember, momentum doesn’t come from knowing everything, but rather it comes from taking one clear action at a time, consistently.
The Client Experience of Clarity
What’s important to understand is that your clients feel this. Whether you realize it or not, they experience your level of clarity. When you’re clear, your conversations will feel steady. You will set expectations earlier on, and in turn, trust deepens naturally. When you’re unclear, things feel more uncertain. Decisions get delayed. Energy feels scattered. In a market where clients already feel unsure, they’re looking for someone who can create a sense of steadiness. Someone who knows what matters next.
A Practice to Come Back To
This is why self-leadership matters so much in our lives. It’s not just about personal productivity, but it also directly impacts how you show up in every client interaction.
If you’re looking for a way to bring this into your day, it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s more powerful when it’s simple. Take a few minutes at the start of your day and reconnect to the bigger picture. Why are you doing this work? What are you building toward? Then bring it back to today and ask yourself three questions. What matters most today? What deserves my best energy today? And what action, if completed, would make today a win?
That’s it. You don’t have to overthink this. Just clarity and action.
The Leadership That Changes Everything
You already lead a business. The real work is learning to lead yourself with the same level of clarity. Because when you do, you don’t wait for the market to shift or for motivation to show up. You create the forward movement, regardless of the conditions. And from that place, you can lead your clients, your business, and your life with far more intention.
Emily Bossert BUSINESS COACH 720 470 3198 Emily.Bossert@milehimodern.com milehimodern.com
Brandon
Rearick
Isn’t Just Closing Deals, He’s Raising the Bar (and Two Incredible Sons)
BY ELIZABETH MCCABE
PHOTOS BY NICOLE TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Difference Maker. Game Changer.
“This
world is too big to try to tackle by yourself. Have people who love you and give you purpose. That’s what it’s all about,” says Brandon Rearick. He doesn’t say that lightly. It’s a conviction. The kind that gets built over time, through loss, grit, growth, and a whole lot of life in between.
Because Brandon’s story? It’s not polished. It’s real.
Raised by a deeply introspective, holistic mother after his father left when he was just a year old, Brandon learned early in Lompoc, California, that life doesn’t wait for you to catch up. You either rise to meet it, or you get stuck in it.
“My mom taught me we’re responsible for how we respond,” he says. “You can’t control what happens to you, but you
can control what you do next.” That mindset followed him everywhere, including when he moved from Lompoc to Estes Park in 1980. Onto the field, where he played baseball at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, where he got a degree in Advertising and Marketing and a minor in Coaching. Into adulthood, where he learned how to compete without losing himself. And eventually into business, where that same internal drive would set him apart.
“Baseball teaches you how to fail and keep going,” he says. “That translates into everything.”
After college, Brandon spent eight years in outside sales with iHeartMedia, mastering the art of connection by reading people, understanding needs, building trust. Then came the pivot that changed everything.
A friend told him he should become a mortgage lender.
“I said, ‘I don’t know anything about that,’” Brandon laughs.
“He said, ‘You’ll figure it out.’” And he did.
He entered the mortgage industry in 2003 and built a strong career grounded in hustle and straightup honesty. Years later, in 2018, he made another bold move, stepping into real estate. And here’s where Brandon becomes different. Because he doesn’t just “sell homes.” He understands the entire deal, from financing to final signature, and he knows exactly where things can fall apart if you’re not paying attention.
“I talk to every lender. I ask questions most agents don’t ask,” he says. “Because I’ve been on the other side of it.” Expect him to talk what he calls “lenderese” with mortgage loan officers to make sure everything is on the up and up. “I don’t want any hidden dynamite that can blow something up at the last second.” He keeps his bases covered.
That perspective gives his clients something rare: confidence. Fewer surprises. A steady hand in a process that can feel anything but steady.
But if you ask Brandon what really drives him, it’s not the deals. It’s people. “I believe we’re here to bring value to others,” he says. “When you put people first, everything else follows.” And that belief isn’t just something he talks about; it’s something he lives.
It shows up in small moments. A kind word. A check-in. A post that hits someone at exactly the right time. Like the call he got recently. A colleague told him someone on their team had been struggling, and something Brandon shared online made them smile.
“That meant everything to me,” he says. “More than anything I could do in business.”
You can’t stay stuck in the negative. You have to take what happens and grow from it.”
Because Brandon understands struggle. He’s walked through it. He lost his mother to brain cancer. Just months later, his father suffered a massive heart attack. Those kinds of moments don’t just shake you; they redefine you and you come out a better person on the other side.
“You can’t stay stuck in the negative,” he says. “You have to take what happens and grow from
it. There’s purpose in it, even if you don’t see it right away.” That perspective shaped not just the man he became, but the father he chose to be.
And if there’s one thing Brandon lights up about, it’s his sons: Trey and Evan. “They’re my world,” he smiles.
Trey, 25, is stepping into real estate and working toward getting licensed, possibly joining Brandon in the business. Evan, 21, is pursuing a business degree. “The thought that they are contemplating joining me in the business is huge,” says Brandon. Both are carving their own paths, but with the same grounded foundation.
Brandon didn’t just raise athletes; he raised men. “They both played sports,” he says. “But I always told them that athletics is what you do, not who you are.” It’s a lesson too
Brandon M. Rearick
many people learn the hard way. When the game ends, identity can disappear. Brandon made sure that wouldn’t happen. Instead, he focused on something deeper: character and purpose.
“If I’m gone tomorrow, I know they’ll be okay,” he says. “They can take care of themselves. They’ll bring value to people. That’s what matters.”
These days, when he’s not working with clients, Brandon spends time on the golf course, travels—often to Cabo—and cheers on Colorado sports as a season ticket holder. But even in those moments, he’s still evolving.
“There’s always another level,” he says. “As a person.” And that’s the thread that runs through everything. Brandon Rearick isn’t chasing attention. He’s not trying to impress anyone. He’s just doing the work. Showing up. Being consistent. Being real. His authenticity and vulnerability resonate with people. And along the way, he’s building something bigger than a business. He’s building a life his sons can look at and say, “That’s how it’s done.”
“Just go out and be good, do good,” concludes Brandon. “The rest takes care of itself.”
RODWIN ARCHITECTURE
& SKYCASTLE CONSTRUCTION
For at least the last few decades, we progressives have been sacrificing good at the altar of the perfect in the built environment.
As Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson eloquently and accurately articulated in their book “Abundance,”
our efforts to address every manner of social and environmental interest - from sustainability, resilience, ADA, and growth limits to neighborhood compatibility - resulted in such a layering on of well-intentioned rules that we’ve severely gummed up the works. The result is that
we’ve made it too hard to build the very things we say we want: housing, vibrant places, and sustainable communities.
As we have seen with our current housing crisis, eventually that has severe negative consequences for our community. We’ve
“But wait!” you may say. “What if my neighbor wants to do something I don’t like? Or worse yet, a “developer” proposes…well, anything. Shouldn’t I, or we, be able ABUNDANCE
created a system that assumes a high degree of control over nearly every outcome.
Pearl East Arts District (image credit: Burdekin English and Conscience Bay Co.)
to stop them?” Perhaps. And perhaps the assumption that we should, which is an intrinsic part of our local culture, government and the rules and processes that come out of it, has gotten out of balance.
If you have ever tried to get a building permit to do a small addition to your home, you know what I mean. It can often be a frustrating, uncertain, lengthy and expensive process. Even someone who wants to build “Missing Middle” housing meets with a wall of obstacles. Just for
perspective, know that it’s not like that everywhere. In many peer cities, projects move from concept to approval in a fraction of the time and cost.
Our current situation is a choice that has scuttled hundreds of potentially wonderful and beneficial projects over the years. Many of the places we love the most here in Boulder, like the Hotel Boulderado, would be flat-out illegal if we tried to create them today. Washington Village Cohousing, which is now seen as an example of excellent neighborhood
development, took 11 years, cost a million dollars just to navigate the bureaucratic process, and exhausted those involved in creating it. Many of us know the story of the local coffee shop that tried to get a building permit during the pandemic and it took 406 days. I cannot tell you how many local homeowners and business owners I’ve worked with over the years that have been crushed by the local requirements, costs and timelines. Why do we do this to ourselves?
Our community sits at a crossroads. There are new
proposed projects - projects that fulfill long-recognized community needs and that we are certain to celebrate long into the future - which will die or lose their special character if we fail to change our fundamental assumption about how much control we need to exert over our collective physical environment. I offer, specifically, the proposed Pearl East Arts District as the a real-world example of the kind of transit-oriented, artsanchored, mixed-use place Boulder has been planning for years. Ideally located at a major transit hub, it
Washington Village
Washington Village
proposes to take a giant aging warehouse and surface parking lot and transform the site into a vibrant mixed-use center for the arts; a desperately needed infusion of performance and rehearsal space, housing, entertainment, and public space. The proposed Pearl East Arts District project also will generate long-term tax revenue for our community, while serving as a key growth opportunity for the Sundance Film Festival.
The best summary of the input from a recent Planning Board hearing on the Pearl East Arts District: “That’s really nice, but the design doesn’t match our rules.” If the design concept is good (which Planning Board seemed to think it is) and the project is beneficial to Boulder on a host of levels, and yet our rules say the project isn’t a fit, then perhaps we should change our rules. And even more to the point, perhaps we should change the underlying mindset.
It’s time to take a comprehensive look at our rules and processes and evaluate every rule through a simple lens: does it meaningfully advance our goals, or does it stand in the way? Few issues will be purely one or the other, but on balance, let’s ask “does it harm more than it
helps? Can we either reduce, modify or remove this rule or simplify this process to better enable us to achieve more of what we want and need?” Could we consider the wisdom of evaluating each rule, not in isolation, but in their combined effect, when applied in conjunction with the other existing rules and processes?
In my line of work, architecture, I have been a fierce sustainability advocate for over thirty years and have helped create some of those rules
that made it harder to build here. I still believe just as passionately in the need to protect the planet, but I’ve also come to realize that we have to be mindful of the bigger picture. Housing has become too hard, slow and expensive to build here. As a result, much of our community now struggles with that basic life necessity. It leads to excessive commuting because folks can’t live here, and that in turn ruins our collective carbon footprint, erasing much of the good that our robust green building rules
do. It also undermines our community’s other diversity, equity and overall quality of life goals.
Let us step back and ask: “Have we created a system that is naturally and easily producing the results that we want as a community?” If we’re not getting the outcomes we want—more housing, more vibrancy, lower emissions, then we don’t need more rules. We need a better system. And that starts with rethinking the assumptions behind the one we have.
Scott Rodwin, is the owner of Rodwin Architecture in Boulder and is an award-winning green architect. He is the past-President of the American Institute of Architects of Colorado and a former President of the Colorado Green Building Guild.
¹ Sopher Sparn Architecture was the architects of WV
Pearl East Arts District (image credit: Burdekin English and Conscience Bay Co.)
sunshine IN!
LET THE
BY DR. FELICIA SANTELLI
National Daylight Appreciation Day each year on June 21 recognizes the summer solstice (the longest day of daylight in the northern hemisphere) and encourages people to celebrate the many benefits of the sun.
Enjoy the summer solstice, enjoy the sunshine. Let the sunshine into your home! With the longest day of the year before us, open the windows and bask in the light. Let it flood your home with light and brighten your day.
The celebration has deep roots with feasts and joy. This is a reminder to enjoy the outdoors and the benefits daylight brings before the days shorten.
There is nothing like summer to make one feel young and alive.
Humans have lived on this earth for at least 100,000
generations and we have been dependent upon the sun for light – until Edison developed the incandescent lamp. Research has demonstrated that sunlight is important to stimulate our endocrine system and that side effects occur when spending too much time without it.
The sunlight is as important for our health as the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. For most of human existence, our ancestors lived with the natural 24-hour lightdark cycle, spending each day in natural daylight and sleeping in the dark at night. But since the widespread introduction of electric light, more than 90% of our time is spent indoors, under unhealthful and humanunfriendly electric light, which disrupts our circadian clocks and can increase the risk of disease.
Sunlight as Medicine
It’s time we reconsider the modern philosophy that sunlight is to be feared or protected against. However, for most of our history, the sun was worshipped and revered.
Sun veneration as a source of healing, energy and life was the foundation of many religions, temples, and deities. Ancient cultures understood what science is now learning: that sunlight is essential for health.
Modern research is now understanding the sun’s impact on the body. Sunlight is crucial to health! It participates in our physiology, influencing immune function, mood, metabolism, mitochondrial health and more.
Sunlight is a powerful and natural form of medicine. The
sun is not just a source of light. It is source of vitality and life, easily accessible and a potent form of medicine.
‘Vibrant living’ means embracing life with energy, enthusiasm, and purpose, focusing on holistic well-being (physical, mental, and social). It means conscious choices to nurture health, pursue passions, and maintain positive relationships. It is a state of “thriving” rather than just surviving, associated with joy, resilience, and vitality.
‘Vibrant living’ is in the rhythms of nature—sunlight, fresh air, and the nourishing presence of the outdoors. Especially, in the summertime, the sun offers more than just warmth. It provides a boost to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Sunlight can be a powerful (and free) source of renewal.
Public information has sent many messages that UV exposure is hazardous. However, recent studies are showing strong evidence that regular moderate exposure to sunlight, without sunscreen, may be one of the most powerful and natural tools we have for the immune system, to reduce inflammation, and helping with long-term disease risk.
Why Sunlight Matters
Sunlight triggers the production of Vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health, immune function, and reducing inflammation in the body. Many older adults experience low levels of Vitamin D, especially those with limited mobility or access to the outdoors. Even just 15 minutes of sunlight on your hands, face, or arms every day can help maintain healthy levels.
Beyond the physical, sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythms, which is the body’s internal clock that controls sleep and wake cycles. Exposure to natural light during the day can lead to better sleep at night, improved mood, and increased mental clarity. It’s no coincidence that spending time outside feels like a natural “reset.”
More the 90% of our vitamin D is produced through the contact of the sun on the skin. This makes sunlight the primary
physiological functions and unlike other vitamins that rely on dietary intake, vitamin D is primarily synthesized directly in the skin during UV exposure.
Over 1,000 genes are influenced by Vitamin D which is vital for bone and muscular health, immune system regulation, cardiovascular health, and neurological function. Plus, calcium and phosphate metabolism which is the foundation to many organ system functions in the body, are dependent on Vitamin D.
Hippocrates wrote the first texts about the sun’s benefits on mental health and mood and named this therapy “Heliotherapy.” Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines heliotherapy as “exposure to sunlight for therapeutic purposes” and phototherapy as “exposure to sunlight or to ultraviolet light for therapeutic purposes.”
Sunlight can be a Multifaceted Healer
High blood pressure is more than a symptom. Research shows that those with the highest levels of Vitamin D are half likely to be diagnosed with hypertension. It also says that oral Vitamin D supplements don’t show the same effect. So. Something else is at work! Something only sunlight delivers!
Another clinical study found that Vitamin D triggered by UV exposure activates receptors in the gut lining that strengthens the intestinal wall. This is the barrier that keeps toxins and harmful bacteria out of the bloodstream and prevents inflammation. Oddly, these changes occurred without any dietary changes and no supplementation. Just light and a shift toward microbial balance.
Recent research is showing that sunlight is also reducing the risk of disease development in general. Therefore, it is time to shift our perspective that sun exposure is harmful and appreciate the many ways the sun supports the body, health, and longevity.
Sunlight is often associated with skin cancer, but it also offers protective benefits against some internal cancers. Sun exposure has been known to reduce the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancer. This may be due to Vitamin D, which supports healthy cell regulation, helps
to inhibit tumor growth, and encourages a natural elimination of abnormal cells.
Sunscreen
Regular, mindful sun exposure should be seen as a foundational health habit, not a risk factor! When sunlight is tightly restricted, the protective benefits it offers against internal disease can be lost. Having said that, it is important to have common sense and respect the sun’s power! And, although sunscreen can reduce or even block the above effects, when you plan on being in the sun for prolonged periods of time, it is advisable to choose a non-toxic sunscreen because the skin is sensitive to chemical absorption.
Consider using a mineral-based sunscreen that has non-toxic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These tend to sit on the surface of the skin to block UV rays without being absorbed into the body.
A Mood Booster and a Mind Opener
In addition to its physical benefits, sunlight is a natural antidepressant. Sunlight exposure increases serotonin, the brain chemical associated with elevated mood and calm focus. This is especially meaningful for older adults, who may sometimes experience loneliness, grief, or seasonal changes in mood.
Let the Sunshine In
And while sunshine can brighten your day, being outdoors invites something deeper: a chance to pause and reconnect with your spirit. Whether it’s listening to birdsong, watching the wind rustle through leaves, or simply feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, being present in nature reminds us that we are alive, connected, and growing—no matter our age.
Sunlight can be both a symbol and a source of life. It represents growth, clarity, warmth, and the truth that we are daily in a process of renewal. In our journey of life, we should not shrink away from life’s light but stand in it. Bask in it. Soak it in— mindfully, safely, and with joy.
This summer, think about opening the door, finding a spot that brings you peace, and letting the sun kiss your face!
References: https://sagecollective.org/ the-healing-power-of-sunlightembracing-the-outdoors-for-body-andspirit/#:~:text=Sunlight%20triggers%20 the%20production%20of,and%20 reconnect%20with%20your%20spirit.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/ blog/the-light-doctor/202406/why-isthe-summer-solstice-the-healthiest-dayof-the-year
https://www.nationaldaycalendar. com/national-day/national-daylightappreciation-day-june-21-2
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ daylight-appreciation-day/
https://annshippymd.com/sunlight-asmedicine-a-functional-medicine-approachto-healing-and-longevity/
FOURTH
Saturday, July 4th at 7:00 PM
Boulder Bandshell
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a thrilling Fourth of July spectacular! This festive symphonic celebration features patriotic favorites, cinematic blockbusters, and beloved American classics in a concert full of heart, excitement, and star-spangled energy. From soaring anthems to fireworks-worthy finales, it’s the perfect way to honor our nation’s past, present, and future through the power of live orchestral music.
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