The Zach Zeldner Team is your team of distinguished Realtors ® , delivering exceptional results through market expertise, concierge-level service, and relentless client advocacy.
If you’re looking to buy a home, there might be inventory that you’re missing.
Many sellers choose to not publicly market their homes. Scan the QR code to learn more, or contact us to discover these homes.
Boulder’s #1 Real Estate Team
Zach Zeldner – Team Lead, Realtor ®
William Greig – Realtor ®
Ethan Bullock – Realtor ®
Amanda Salzman – Realtor ®
Hillary Harris – Field Director, Realtor ®
Lauren O’Neil – Ops Director, Realtor ®
Chelsea Hopkins – Marketing Director
Photos by: Daniel Jenkins
MARYBETH EMERSON
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ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
EXPERIENCE ISN’T OPTIONAL. IT’S STRATEGIC.
When buying or selling in one of Colorado’s most competitive and nuanced markets, precision matters.
For more than two decades and after 33 years of living in Boulder, Patrick Brown has built his reputation as a top agent on disciplined pricing strategy, measured negotiation, and a deep understanding of how Boulder’s neighborhoods perform over time. Today, he pairs that experience with cutting-edge AI and the latest marketing technology to deliver a more strategic advantage for his clients.
Patrick approaches every transaction with clear objectives: Maximize value. Reduce friction. Deliver results that outperform the market.
Top 3 Individual Agent by Sales Volume, three years running.
$1.5B Career Sales Volume #1 Small Team at Compass Boulder Patrick Brown 303.242.6012 patrick@patrickbrowngroup.com
Scan to explore a curated selection of Boulder’s finest listings
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Advanced Lasers • Injectables • Skin Rejuvenation
Book your consultation today and discover why clients trust Vasu for real results.
At Vasu Skin Solutions, we combine advanced laser technology, expert injectors, and customized treatment plans to help you achieve healthy, radiant skin.
Whether you are considering CoolPeel ® , laser rejuvenation, or injectables, our highly skilled technicians provide honest advice and treatments backed by science and experience.
Photos
Rolling with the Summer Storms
The summer months here just beg for us to spend as much time outside as possible, and one of my top outdoor activities happens to be tending to my garden. Each year, as the plants from last year come out from winter hibernation, my garden begins to take shape and show off for these summer months while I add new baby plants to join the growing club.
This year, as I placed my last squash plant into my garden, I heard some rumbling begin and retreated back inside after feeling one giant raindrop, and then another, and another. I opened the windows to let in the fresh smell of rain, and before I knew it, golf ball-sized hail began hurling from the sky.
I watched from the window as each leaf from my veggies, herbs, and flowers just stripped right off of the plants within five minutes from planting that last zucchini. And before I knew it, the yard was so covered in white hail, it had looked as if it had snowed, and the sun was already back and beaming over the destruction.
In total shock, my sidekick Lil’ Ricky and I set out for a neighborhood walk for a little distraction. What we found felt like Whoville when all of the Whos came out and held hands, singing around the empty Christmas Tree after the Grinch Stole Christmas, as everyone was out chatting with a side of commiseration with their neighbors.
Knowing the neighborhood was in it together to rebuild our gardens, some hope returned, and I have now spent the weeks following watching plants heal and grow stronger than they even were before. So, now as an afternoon storm rolls in, I open up the windows again and enjoy the smell, sounds, and reminders that even if our leaves get a little bruised, an opportunity opens to grow stronger following the hail.
Avery Young, Meredith Rowe, Emily O'Brien, Edson Graycar, Tony Firestine, Jeff Schwing
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Amanda Proudfit, Chris Singer, Craig Gorkiewicz, Titilayo Ayangade, Cindy McTee, E.F. Marton Productions, Benjamin Ealovega, Victoria Cadisch, Michelle Christiance, Lucky Tang, Geremy Korenreich, Eric Berlin, Nico Caballero, Jennifer Koskinen, Jamie Kraus, Dean Fidelman, Andy Anderson, Beat Kammerlander, Annie Alpine Photography
Corporate
Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
milehimodern — the coolest homes in town
city scene
WHERE
1-7: On April 10, Intercambio celebrated its annual spring fundraiser, Cambio, bringing together a vibrant community of supporters to raise critical funding for English programming and to strengthen cross-cultural connections across Boulder County. (Student speakers Ana González and Hernando Insfran, along with his parents Altavina Insfran and Andrés Insfran) 2: Intercambio’s English Programs Team: Norma Fuentes Gallo, Andrea Rodriguez, Yoli Chavez, Alma Chavez, and Vilma Ardon 3: Chimbangle Band Members, Tomas Bello and Daniel Castillo 4: Guests Kristy Gray, Kiplyn Dickson, and Jillian Lakritz 5: CEO John Lopez, and Board Member Morgan McMillan 6: Guests Audrey Franklin, Nicky Wolman, and Marcela Shainis 7: Guests Pati Frey and Madavi Shirman
Photography by Kate Danis and Taylor Fahey
1-7: “Front Row to the Flatirons” Launch Party brought Boulder’s VIPs and top agents together at Marybeth Emerson’s stunning new listing at 1750 Sunset Blvd (Lucy Conklin, Tim Goodacre, Dan Drury) 2: Muriel Angot, Marybeth Emerson, Jordan Pederson, Lizzie Harandi 3: Taylor Vonderach, Matt Wing 4: Jay Hebb, Jacque Mitchell, Colleen Miller, Ashley Jefferies 5: Tori Taylor, Anne Wells, Connor McCullick 6: Ashley Stringer, Jordan Pederson, Colleen Miller 7: TR Swanwick, Jay Hebb, Kim Payes
1-7: “Mack and the Muse” Gala brought the Mackintosh Academy community together for a joyful evening celebrating the educators who inspire our students every day. Alumni honored beloved teachers reciting a collaboratively written poem, families raised extraordinary support for the future of Mack, and incoming Head, Bo Adams, joined the festivities. Filled with creativity, generosity, and the unmistakable spirit (and costumes!) of Mack, the evening was a powerful reminder of what makes this community so special.
JULY 2026
business monthly
Cinq à Sept Brings Paris to North Boulder This Summer
Chef Samuel McCandless and restaurateur Bryan Dayton of Half Eaten Cookie Hospitality (Corrida, Oak at Fourteenth, CBar, CBurger) are readying to debut Cinq à Sept, a new Parisian-inspired bistro. For the menu, McCandless draws on his deep love for French gastronomy and his years studying French cooking alongside such legends as three-Michelin-starred chef Laurent Gras. Expect classics such as Steak Frites and Sole Meunière complemented by a fine selection of wines and craft cocktails.
Photography by Kalli Wilkins
WATERSHED SCHOOL
Limited space remaining for the 26-27 school year! More than a classroom—an education in the real world. Apply today.
To learn more about Watershed for your student, please contact admissions@watershedschool.org. Visit www.watershedschool.org to sign up for upcoming events or to schedule a tour.
Progressive Independent School for Grades 6-12 • 5405 Spine Rd | Boulder, CO
From Boulder To Game Day—This One’s For the Buffs
Colorado Athletics and Boulder-based Suerte Tequila announced a limited-edition co-branded tequila celebrating Buffs pride and craftsmanship. The custom Suerte Blanco CU Edition blends Colorado Athletics branding with premium tequila production. “As a brand born and raised in Boulder, we’re proud to be the official tequila of the CU Buffs,” said Suerte Tequila Co-founder and President Laurence Spiewak, calling the partnership a hometown collaboration fueled by shared passion, local grit, and fan celebration—Sko Buffs! Available locally and on DrinkSuerte.com/Shop/Suerte-CU-Blanco
At RMRM, our Thrive program is built around you: we listen to your concerns, honor your experience, and guide you with evidence-based care tailored to your unique journey. Our personalized care and shared-decision making help you to regain energy, enhance your quality of life, and proactively prevent diseases commonly associated with aging.
Comprehensive
90
Personalized HRT
Ongoing support & monitoring
Educational video series
Ride the Free Weekend Shuttle to Eldorado Canyon State Park
Ride the free weekend shuttle to Eldorado Canyon State Park this summer! Catch the Eldo shuttle from multiple stops in Boulder or at the US 36 and McCaslin Park-n-Ride in Superior. Shuttles run every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. A Colorado State Parks pass or daily pass purchase is required to enter the park. View more at EldoShuttle.com
Sanctuary for Young People’s Humanity
At Tara Performing Arts High School, immersive academics, world travel, and live theater come together in a profound educational journey.
With our 3-to-1 student-teacher ratio and Waldorf-rooted curriculum, every student is known, challenged, and empowered to meet the complexity of today’s world. A
From Boulder, with Love
We are really proud to source locally, cook seasonally, and tell the story of this place on every plate — because great food starts long before it reaches our back door. Our farmers, ranchers, and craft food producers show up every day and make something from nothing. That’s what we’re doing too — running on good ingredients, good people, and playing good music.
“A car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.”
—Hunter S. Thompson
Kenya Sweeps Team Titles as Kiprop, Mwangi Win at 2026 BOLDERBoulder 10k
With 53,801 participants, the 2026 BOLDERBoulder once again transformed Boulder into one of the nation’s largest road races. After 96 waves, Kenya swept the International Team Challenge as Patrick Kiptoo Kiprop—who lives and trains in Boulder with the On Athletics Club—delivered a dominant hometown victory, and Rebecca Mwangi won the women’s race. Kendall Gretsch and Josh Cassidy won wheelchair titles, while Elise Cranny and Nikolas Scudder claimed citizen victories.
S ing is Believing
At Mackintosh Academy, gifted learners grow into confident young people ready to make their mark on the world. Through our inquiry-driven IB program and student-led community action projects, students learn to think deeply, lead with empathy, and create meaningful changein high school and beyond.
Schedule a tour and discover where gifted children thrive.
Photo of Patrick Kiptoo Kiprop
- CHRIS SOMMERS, VICE PRESIDENT
COTTONWOOD CUSTOM BUILDERS
World Cup at Mister Oso Boulder
Mister Oso Boulder’s cozy yet energetic atmosphere makes it the ideal destination for World Cup watching. With ample TV screens and delicious Latin fare— plus daily happy hour from 3-6 p.m.—there’s nowhere better in Boulder to catch a game. Bonus: Free valet parking at the Boulder Moxy Hotel.
Photography Courtesy of Stephanie Kelly Photography
Findlay Way, Boulder
Periwinkle Dr, Boulder
Kalmia Ave, Boulder
Ginkgo & Co. Unveils New Small-Batch Kimchi Varieties
Boulder-based Ginkgo & Co., founded by herbalist and author Grace Yoon, is unveiling new small-batch kimchi varieties rooted in traditional Korean fermentation. Made with locally sourced ingredients, the new offerings deliver bold flavor while supporting gut health and wellness. The expanded collection reflects the company's mission to share authentic Korean food traditions and the philosophy that food is medicine. Available at select farmers' markets, specialty retailers, and online at GinkgoAndCo.com
25 YEARS OF OUTDOOR LIVING
BUILT BEAUTIFULLY
Thank you Boulder County for trusting us with your sacred spaces for the past 25 years. Invest in your future with a luxury outdoor living space certain to inspire gatherings that will create healthier, happier families.
Tres Voces, Un Corazón Now Through September 13 at BMoCA
Tres Voces, Un Corazón brings together distinct practices by three members of one family—Sylvia Montero, Tony Ortega, and their son, Cipriano Ortega. Celebrating both their collaborations and individual perspectives, the exhibition explores how identity, cultural memory, and artistic language are formed, challenged, and carried forward within a shared but evolving lineage. Guestcurated by Maruca Salazar.
Cipriano Ortega, Beautiful Boracho in a Concrete Jungle (detail), 2024. Acrylic, 36” x 48”. Image courtesy of the artist.
Crafting custom homes in Boulder for 45 years.
Local Hospitality Veteran Launches Reciprocity Travel
Kate Lacroix has spent two decades shaping the food scene in Boulder (First Bite Restaurant Week, The Kitchen, Bramble & Hare, Black Cat, BRF Restaurants, Boxcar Coffee) and the hotel circuit in North America, including the boutique hotel scene in Baja, Tulum, and Nicaragua. Now, she's launched Reciprocity Travel for "moments that return the favor." Aligned with her cohort FORA (named 2026 TIME 100 Most Influential Companies), she's now crafting accessible luxury excursions for families and multi-gen travelers. @reciprocitytravel
Photography by Kate Lacroix
7/23 – 8/2 SAVOY DENVER 8/6 – 8/23 DAIRY ARTS CENTER BOULDER
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards
GET YOUR SUBSCRIPTION & TICKETS AT BETC.ORG
"A devilishly clever, deliciously laugh-packed look at gender, class, and the future of life as we know it."
— HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
The devil arrives in a small village to recruit souls, and business has never been better. Everyone is scrambling to bargain for something. Love, riches, and personal validation top the list.
But one woman is having none of it, and she happens to be the woman whom everyone thinks is the town witch.
Jen Silverman’s reworking of the 1621 drama, The Witch of Edmonton, is wickedly funny, surprisingly moving and dangerously entertaining.
The play poses the question, “How much is a soul worth in a world where hope is increasingly hard to come by?”
An Emerging Voice in Indie Folk
Blending weathered folk textures with stark, reflective songwriting, Randy Miles crafts intimate and anthemic songs that connect with the human experience while maintaining curiosity and humor—albeit sometimes dark. His debut album, Chaos & Commotion, explores the current state of the world, his upbringing, and his relationship with nature—pairing earthy instrumentation with lyrical imagery pulled from life in blue-collar, rural New England. Fans of Ben Howard and Gregory Alan Isakov should feel at home here.
BOULDER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
BUILT TO LAST
ARTICLE BY TONY FIRESTINE
In an industry where top producers often come and go, the Dolan Team has achieved something rare: sustained success over multiple decades. For more than 35 years, the team has remained a leader in Boulder County real estate, building a reputation not only for production but also for consistency, collaboration, and client service.
In 2025, the Dolan Team surpassed $100 million in sales volume while completing nearly 100 transactions. That level of production has become the norm, with the team consistently handling 90 to 100 transactions annually across Boulder County and surrounding communities. What makes those accomplishments even more notable is the continuity behind them. Karolyn Merrill joined Patrick Dolan’s team roughly 30 years ago, Kelly Atteridg has been with the group since the early 2000s, and Bryce Dolan, Patrick’s son, has spent the last 12 years helping grow the business. Together, they have built a collaborative culture rooted in experience and trust.
The Dolan Team’s Enduring Success in Boulder County Real Estate
Karolyn credits the team’s longevity to its market expertise and cohesiveness, while Kelly points to the relationships that have developed both within the team and with clients over the years. “We have all worked together for a very long time, so we feel more like family, rather than co-workers or teammates,” she says. “We all have a deep understanding of the local markets and have long-term client relationships.”
For Bryce Dolan, consistency has been one of the defining factors behind the team’s success. “Consistency in marketing, relationships, treating clients how we would like to be treated,” he says. That philosophy has helped build a business largely on repeat clients and referrals, creating connections that often span multiple transactions and family generations.
Maintaining that level of production requires far more than market knowledge. Behind the scenes, the team relies on disciplined systems, constant communication, and clearly defined processes. Weekly meetings keep every listing and contract on track, while office manager and transaction coordinator Meredith Hammer helps ensure no detail is overlooked. “It requires a tremendous amount of hard work, teamwork, organizational skills, and systems,” Kelly says.
One of the team's greatest strengths is its collective approach. Rather than operating as individual agents under a shared brand, team members actively collaborate throughout the buying and selling process.
That collaborative structure is especially valuable in a market as nuanced as Boulder County. Each team member brings expertise in specific neighborhoods and communities, allowing clients to benefit from a broader perspective and a deeper network than a single agent could provide.
Despite Boulder County’s growth and changing market conditions over the years, the team’s philosophy has remained remarkably consistent. Karolyn describes real estate as a service business first and foremost, while the entire team shares a commitment to making the process as smooth and transparent as possible.
That commitment extends beyond individual transactions. The team hosts client appreciation events throughout the year, including, for over 30 years, its annual holiday gathering and toy drive benefiting Toys for Tots. Monthly newsletters keep clients informed about local events, market trends, featured listings, and team updates, helping maintain relationships long after a transaction has closed.
At the center of it all is Patrick Dolan, whose client-first mindset helped establish the culture that continues to guide the team today. “I get tremendous satisfaction out of helping people accomplish their real estate goals,” Patrick says. “That’s what it’s always been about.”
After more than three decades, the Dolan Team continues to prove that sustained success is built on far more than numbers. While $100 million in annual sales and nearly 100 transactions a year are impressive benchmarks, the foundation of the team’s longevity remains the same as it was 35 years ago: experience, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to serving clients. As Bryce puts it, the goal is simple: “That we have their best interests at heart, low pressure, and informed decisions.”
Those principles have carried the Dolan Team through decades of market cycles and continue to position them as one of Boulder County’s most trusted names in real estate.
To learn more, visit Patrick-Dolan.com
The Dolan Difference
Numbers tell one story, but the true measure of a real estate team is the experience it creates for clients. The following client testimonials offer a firsthand look at what it’s like to work with the Dolan Team, while the featured properties offer a glimpse at some of the exceptional homes they are currently representing across the region.
“We had a great experience listing a house in Gunbarrel with Patrick; his expertise, knowledge of the market, and negotiating skills really paid off for us. He and his team are professional and very responsive, and their advice and recommendations for staging and pre-sale remodeling worked out very well.” -Carl S.
“Thank you to Patrick, Kelly, Karolyn, Bryce, and Meredith! Our family cannot thank you enough for the excellent service and care you provided through this entire transaction. Our family home of 50 years was handled in the best way possible… Your professionalism and superb service are much appreciated, and we would not hesitate to use the Dolan Team in the future!” - Patty H.
Our team has decades of combined experience providing high-quality legal services while working closely with our clients to achieve their specific goals and objectives. We serve individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses of all sizes, public entities, and government officials across a wide range of practice areas and industries nationwide.
Thank You for the Music
50 Years of the Colorado Music Festival
ARTICLE BY AVERY YOUNG
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CMF
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Colorado Music Festival. With Music Director Peter Oundjian serving at the helm for his eighth season, the festival features a variety of talented performers such as pianist Yuja Wang, violinist Njioma Grevious, trumpeter Maximilian Morel, the Danish String Quartet, and many more.
Photo by Michelle Christiance
Photo by Geremy Korenreich
Photo by Geremy Korenreich
Photo by Geremy Korenreich
Photo by Geremy Korenreich
Photo by Titilayo Ayangade
Although the stage is set in Chautauqua Auditorium, the music performed there has origins from around the world: Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, Mahler 3 and The Soldier’s Tale are just a few of the many pieces annotating the festival’s figurative passport. There are also musicians and compositions commemorating local legends and talent such as the Boulder Children’s Chorus and Composer Carter Pann’s new piece in memoriam of Ralph “Chris” Christofferson, a stalwart supporter of the festival. Carter is also a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music and the chair of its composition department.
Chris passed away in September of last year, and those who knew him believed he should be honored by way of one of his favorite passions: music. “He had this sort of insatiable interest to be around the arts and artists, and it just translated into music,” says Carter. Peter also knew Chris well, describing him as “creative,” “brilliant,” and “generous.”
Carter’s piece I Remember Chris—which serves as the festival’s opener—showcases Chris’ enduring legacy while emphasizing the tones and accents of the music he championed. Carter made sure to include a quartet in the piece, an homage to Chris’ love
Everyone who is a part of the Colorado Music Festival has a great passion for what they do, celebrating the art of music and the community that forms when people come together to celebrate it.
Photo by Benjamin Ealovega
for the Boulder-based Takács Quartet. The experience of writing I Remember Chris for Carter was cathartic: “I only have incredibly wonderful memories of Chris and so that’s how I wanted to feel while writing this piece.”
Everyone who is a part of the Colorado Music Festival has a great passion for what they do, celebrating the art of music and the community that forms when people come together to celebrate it. Both Peter and Carter have made indelible marks on the music industry, the former a music director for orchestras across the globe, the latter a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Music.
This talent and care for the craft reverberates through the halls of Chautauqua Auditorium. “Conducting is a fascinating art form,” says Peter. Everyone has a role to play—literally. In describing the amalgamation of musicians and sounds on a stage, Peter stresses the importance of unity. “They [orchestra] need to be able to express themselves in one voice. And that’s what a conductor’s job is… kind of live the music in such a way that everybody knows how to make the gestures.”
The Colorado Music Festival is being held this year from July 9 to August 9. You can learn more by visiting their website at ColoradoMusicFestival.org.
Photo by Geremy Korenreich
Photo by Nico Caballero
RODWIN SKYCASTLE
design.build.green
FROM FOUND TO FORM
A Kid-Led Summer Art Project Using Found Materials, Creative Choice, and Plenty of Imagination
ARTICLE BY EDSON GRAYCAR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER
At Art Parts, the creative process begins with the search. Kids can wander through bins of materials, sorting through wood scraps, bottle caps, shells, yarn, cardboard, gems, and whatever else catches their eye.
For Christie Hubley, founder of Tinker Art Studio & Clay Hub, that sense of discovery is exactly what makes the project work. For this feature, she invites families to create assemblage sculptures with found materials from Art Parts Creative Reuse Center.
Assemblage sculptures are made by gluing objects into a 3-D form. The project is intentionally open-ended, giving kids room to choose, build, rearrange, problem-solve, and follow their own ideas as the piece takes shape.
CONTINUED >
START WITH THE SEARCH
At Art Parts, the hunt is part of the process. Begin by looking for a strong base: something sturdy, flat, and large enough to build on. This piece helps direct the rest of the sculpture and gives kids a good starting point.
From there, look for medium-sized pieces that can create structure, like assorted wood scraps, cardboard shapes, lids, corks, or other interesting recycled materials. Then gather smaller details, or what Christie calls “bits and bobs,” to add texture, dimension, and personality.
Gems, shells, yarn, bottle caps, beads, and other small finds can become eyes, windows, patterns, decorations, or something else entirely. Art Parts often has “fill-a-bag” options for smaller pieces, which can be especially useful for this kind of project.
Christie recommends picking up tacky glue as well. Elmer's glue can work, but tacky glue dries faster, is sticky right out of the bottle, and has a little flexibility as it dries, making pieces less likely to fall apart.
SETTING UP
Before kids begin building, take a few minutes to set up the workspace. Christie recommends working on an art tray, such as an old baking sheet. The tray gives the project a clear boundary, helps contain the mess, and supports independence by giving kids a defined space to work on their own.
Next, sort materials into small bowls, cups, or containers by type, size, shape, or color. This simple step can become part of the creative process. It also helps children slow down, notice what they have, and make more intentional choices.
Christie describes this kind of setup as an “invitation to create.” When materials are organized and presented thoughtfully, children are often more engaged and more independent in the process.
For younger kids, try introducing materials in stages. Start with the base and larger pieces, then bring out smaller details later. Too many options at once can be distracting, while a slower reveal keeps the project focused and playful.
LET THE CHILD LEAD
The heart of this project is not the finished sculpture. It is the decision-making that happens along the way.
“So much is out of kids’ control,” Christie says. “Giving children access to open-ended creative opportunities provides a safe space for them to take the reins.”
That can be the hardest part for adults. Instead of directing the project toward a specific outcome, parents can support the process by staying curious rather than taking over. Simple questions like “What are you thinking of adding next? ” or “Tell me more about this part right here ” help kids talk through their choices while still feeling a sense of ownership over the project.
At Tinker, Christie often reminds kids, “You are the artist. You get to decide.”
MATERIALS
• A sturdy base, such as a piece of wood, a lid, a metal tin or tray, or another flat object
• Medium-sized found objects, such as wood scraps, corks, yarn spools, small containers, or whatever catches your eye
• Small detail pieces, such as gems, shells, buttons, beads, yarn, bottle caps, or other bits and bobs
• Tacky glue (or Elmer's with extra drying time or a low-temp hot glue gun)
• Small bowls, cups, or containers for sorting
• An art tray or an old baking sheet to work on
PROCESS
• Set up your art tray as your workspace.
• Choose a sturdy base that sits flat. This should be your largest piece.
• Sort your finds into small bowls or containers by type.
• Arrange your larger and medium-sized pieces on the base to plan your design.
• Start gluing! Glue pieces into place, building upward or outward.
• Add smaller details, textures, and finishing touches.
• Let the sculpture dry fully.
• Display it!
Inspired by Louise Nevelson
For families who want to give the sculpture a more unified look, Christie suggests looking at the work of Louise Nevelson, an artist known for assemblage sculptures often painted in one solid color, such as black, white, or gold.
If the child is interested, painting the finished sculpture one color can help all the different materials feel connected and create a striking piece to display. But that step is only an option. The real value of the project is in the process: choosing, building, adjusting, and discovering that ordinary found materials can become something entirely new.
To learn more, visit TinkerArtStudio.com and ArtPartsBoulder.org
DESIGNER JACKIE JOHNSON MARRIES
CLEAN LINES WITH HISTORIC TOUCHES TO CREATE HER DREAM HOME
APE ACE FUL OASIS
ARTICLE BY LINDEN BUTRYM PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIE SOFER
Tucked away on three verdant acres in Cherry Hills, an English Tudor-style estate caught the eye of interior designer Jackie Johnson and her husband Erik in 2022. The couple lived in it for a year before Jackie, who designs luxurious modern interiors for her clients, opted to do the same with a full renovation of her own home.
“The interior of the main house was dated and needed a little facelift,” she says. “The kitchen was traditional French country, which is not particularly my style, and it was pretty dark.”
To bring in natural light, she added a sunroom with bifold doors off the kitchen. A wool rug atop antique stone tile provides a layered base for custom furniture crafted with John Brooks performance fabric—the perfect indoor-outdoor lounging area for morning coffee with the couple’s dogs. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows were incorporated in living areas; in the kitchen, taller windows above the kitchen sink maximize sunlight while giving the illusion of height. Jackie relied on tonal shades in a neutral color palette to infuse the home with a sense of serenity. In the kitchen, Thomas Hayes Studio
leather and shearling stools surround a massive slab of Dolomite Odyssey stone. In the adjacent living room, a fireplace by Denverbased Cast Limestone Creations is bordered by tree landscape Papier mural wallpaper sourced from Denver boutique WallTawk.
“My design style is clean and sophisticated,” Jackie says. “I don't do much color, and I didn't want too much going on for the eye to be distracted.”
One room with a distinctly different vibe than the rest of the house is the dining room and martini lounge. Dark Roman clay on the walls and ceiling warmly embraces guests whether seated at the Calacatta Viola marble dining table or cozied up on the nearby alpaca wool and mohair sofa. Sconces from 1stDibs and a sculptural brass and alabaster
chandelier by Randy Zieber provide ambient lighting throughout the space, while a cigarette photograph by local artist Jack Ludlam adds a pop of contemporary character.
Perhaps the room’s coolest features are the wood paneling and built-ins from a 15th-century English church, carved with the crest of King Henry VI and Queen Consort Margaret of Anjou. The home’s previous owner scored them at auction.
“It’s all of this beautiful hand-carved scrolling, but it was a light orange color before,” Jackie says. “Everyone was telling me to rip them out, but I said no, I love it. I think it’s so cool.” There were also doors, which a carpenter then cut and adhered together to form the base of the dining table. Every piece was expertly
stained a darker hue by Denver restoration firm Kin Furniture Co. “They did an incredible job,” Jackie says. “This is one of our favorite rooms, a fun gathering space.”
Separate master bathrooms reflect feminine and masculine aesthetics, with Phillip Jeffries bouclé wallpaper and fluted terrazzo tile for her, and Ann Sacks shower tile, marble, and dark gray terrazzo tile for him. In the master sitting room, a Slim Aarons photograph depicting a fun winter scene is suspended above a blue custom sectional where the Johnsons’ pups often relax.
During the home’s transformation, Jackie never lost sight of her goal: to create luxurious yet durable
spaces that made indoor-outdoor living effortless and felt like a sanctuary, especially for Erik, a former Colorado Avalanche player who still travels as an ESPN analyst.
Design Details
Interior Design: Jackie Johnson Design
Architect: Alvarez Morris
Builder: Jones Custom Builders
Art Procurement: Kate Finds Art JackieJohnsonDesign.com
“HE
RE ALLY W ANTED THE HOUSE TO BE THIS PL ACE OF REFUGE AWAY FROM HOTELS. A SPACE WHERE HE FELT LIKE HE NEVER HAD TO LE AVE. WE JUST LOVE BEING AT OUR HOUSE.”
— JACKIE JOHNSON
WHETHER IT'S A PRE-DAWN
RIDE UP GREEN MOUNTAIN OR A BACKYARD
DINNER WITH FRIENDS, THESE CURATED ITINERARIES
CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF A BOULDER
SUMMER DAY
SUNRISE SUNSET BOULDER IN TO
Davide Giardini
Italian-born and raised, Davide Giardini is a former professional triathlete (10x podiums; Team USA top 10 at the Long Distance Triathlon World Championships) and a longtime fixture of Boulder's endurance sports community. When he isn't on a bike or on the patio at Lolita's, he's usually plotting how to get someone else outside.
DAVIDE'S PERFECT BOULDER DAY
6:00 a.m. Out the door early. Quick espresso at home, then onto the bike before traffic, up Green Mountain for a trail run.
10:00 a.m. Breakfast (after, never before). A Spruce espresso and a Lolita's burrito on the patio, with the Flatirons keeping watch.
Noon to 2:00 p.m. La siesta. The part Boulder forgets about. A long lunch, a book, a nap, no agenda. (Lolita's patio counts.)
3:00 p.m. A second loop, but easy: an unhurried spin on the B360 paths, finding a corner of town you haven't visited in a while.
6:00 p.m. A swim at Spruce Pool, then a stretch in the grass.
7:30 p.m. Mountain Sun for nachos and a pint with whoever's around.
9:30 p.m. Home, tired in the good way. Tomorrow you do it again. CONTINUED >
Kate Manz
& Kelsey Huffer
Kate Manz and Kelsey Huffer—the team behind Boulder Lifestyle’s editorial each month—take a day away from the office to reconnect and enjoy some of their favorite parts of Boulder, while inevitably dreaming up new stories and creative projects to bring to the page.
EDITORS' DAY OUT IN BOULDER
8:00 a.m. The best mornings start with a leisurely cappuccino and a pastry on the patio of Alpine Modern, watching the passersby before setting out for an adventure.
9:00 a.m. Get out on the trails at NCAR for one of our favorite hikes. Hopefully we are early enough to beat the heat!
11:30 a.m. Perfectly placed at the base of NCAR, Southern Sun is a must for a quick lunch stop for a quick burger and beer on the patio.
1:00 p.m. Nothing better than a little West End shopping. The trifecta: Cedar and Hyde, Trident for a mid day espresso, and Beatrice the Divine.
3:00 p.m. Make a last-minute call for a post-shopping happy hour—rooftop gin & tonic at Corrida or oysters and a pint at Jax—or hey, maybe both!
5:00 p.m. Pit stop to grab fresh flowers at Fiori as we prep for a lowkey backyard hang.
5:30 p.m. Might as well pop into Persona Wine for some bottles fit for our evening.
6:00 p.m. Heading down Arapahoe and throw in one impromptu stop at TRU Hospice Thrift Store just in case there is an unforgettable find (inevitably there will be something you never knew your life was missing).
7:00 p.m. Last stop: Il Pastaio for the best fresh homemade pasta to bring home to complete our backyard evening.
7:30 p.m. Settle in, pop open the wine, get the pasta going, and then sit back and enjoy the late summer sun, watching the light disappear behind the Flatirons, surrounded by friends.
AUGUST'S PERFECT BOULDER DAY
August Manz, a Niwot High student, mountain biker, and allaround adventurer, would rather be outside than anywhere else. His perfect day runs on no polish and total freedom. The only plan is to keep moving and see who's around.
6:30 a.m. Early start, but the good kind. Grab my buddy Maddoc and hit the Sanitas trailhead while it's still cool and quiet, the trail mostly empty before anyone else shows up.
9:00 a.m. Back down to Boulder for the only breakfast that matters, a Lolita's breakfast sammy, eaten fast because the day's already calling.
10:00 a.m. Cruise Pearl Street. Pop into Disco Apocalypse and Paradise Found, no agenda, just seeing what turns up.
11:30 a.m. Roll over to Scott Carpenter Park to meet up with your buddies and sac, our version of hacky sack, standing in a circle, keeping it off the ground, talking trash. The whole point is there's no point.
1:00 p.m. Somewhere in here the day throws you a curveball. Stop and fix your flat tire on the side of the road, because that's just part of it. Patch it, pump it, and keep rolling.
1:30 p.m. Hit The Spot. Meet up with the group, boulder and climb until your arms are toast and somebody's calling the next thing.
3:00 p.m. Thrift stores, or if it's a Saturday, garage sales, which are better. The thrill is never knowing what you'll find.
5:00 p.m. Head home for Mom's cooking (and, let's be honest, to save your money for tomorrow).
7:00 p.m. Get out on the Davidson Mesa bike trail for an evening XC ride, the Flatirons going gold behind you.
8:30 p.m. End the day on the rooftop, yours or a buddy's, with some Sweet Cow. Tired in the good way. Tomorrow you start the day bouldering in Wild Basin, RMNP.
A rule for any day: if you pass a cold body of water, a lake, a creek, a reservoir, you jump in. Boulder's finest water waits for no one.
August Manz
THE NEXT POUR
PATTERN BREAK BREWING
AIMS TO BRING FRESH ENERGY
TO BOULDER’S BEER SCENE THROUGH CREATIVITY, HOSPITALITY, AND A WILLINGNESS TO TAKE RISKS
ARTICLE BY TONY FIRESTINE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PATTERN BREAK BREWING
In a town with no shortage of craft beer credentials, opening a new brewery in Boulder requires more than great beer. It requires a point of view.
That is precisely what co-owners Dean Eberhardt and Michael Memsic set out to create with Pattern Break Brewing, the new venture occupying the former Sanitas Brewing space. While Boulder’s brewing scene has long been one of the most respected in the country, Eberhardt saw an opportunity to challenge some of the assumptions that have quietly settled into the industry over the past decade.
The brewery’s name is a deliberate statement. “I think craft beer became more conservative over the last decade,” Eberhardt says. “Everyone got really good at repeating proven formulas, but somewhere along the way much of the curiosity, surprise, and fun disappeared.”
For Eberhardt, whose entrepreneurial background includes co-founding the innovative non-alcoholic beverage company Hoplark, Pattern Break is an attempt to bring that spirit of experimentation back to brewing. The goal is not to abandon tradition but to pair world-class execution with a willingness to take creative risks.
That philosophy is visible throughout the brewery’s beer program. Traditional styles, including pilsners, lagers, pale ales, and IPAs, form the foundation. But alongside them sits the brewery’s aptly named Mischief menu, a rotating collection of experimental offerings that serve as a laboratory for new ideas, including a Horchata Lager and a Negroni IPA.
“We’re willing to make beers that are polarizing,” Eberhardt says. “Not because we want shock value, but because exploration is inherently messy. If every beer appeals equally to everyone, you’re probably not taking enough real creative swings.” The approach reflects a broader belief that consumers are more adventurous than many breweries assume. That willingness to explore beyond established boundaries extends well beyond the beer itself.
One of Pattern Break’s most distinctive features is its robust low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverage program. While many breweries offer a token alternative for non-drinkers, Pattern Break has made inclusivity a central part of its identity from day one.
“A lot of people want a more balanced relationship with alcohol, but they still want flavor, ritual, atmosphere, and connection,” Eberhardt says. “Most places still compromise heavily on that experience. We didn’t want to.” The result is a beverage menu designed to meet guests wherever they are, whether they want a full-strength IPA, a lower-alcohol beer, a sophisticated non-alcoholic option, or simply a great meal with friends.
Eberhardt believes the future of breweries depends as much on the experience surrounding the beer as the beer itself. “You can build the coolest space in the world, but if the beer is forgettable, people won’t come back,” he says. “On the other hand, you can make incredible beer, but if the environment feels cold, transactional, or generic, people won’t stay.”
Every aspect of Pattern Break reflects that thinking. The team invested heavily not only in brewing innovation but also in creating an atmosphere that encourages people to settle in and stay awhile. The expansive patio, formerly established by Sanitas Brewing, remains one of the most inviting outdoor gathering spaces in Boulder, while an elevated food program and thoughtfully designed interior help create an environment that feels equally welcoming to beer enthusiasts, families, cyclists, remote workers, and first-time visitors.
“The feeling we hope people have is honestly pretty simple: I want to stay,” Eberhardt says. It is a deceptively simple objective, but one that speaks to a larger vision. Five years from now, Eberhardt hopes Pattern Break will have contributed to a broader resurgence in Boulder’s beer culture. “Boulder should absolutely be one of the most exciting beer cities in the country,” he says. “The talent, creativity, outdoor culture, food culture, and adventurous consumer base are all here.”
Ultimately, Pattern Break is less interested in chasing trends than redefining what a brewery can be. It is a place where world-class beer coexists with experimentation, where non-drinkers are as welcome as hop aficionados, and where hospitality is taken as seriously as brewing. In a city known for innovation, that may be the most Boulder idea of all.
To learn more, visit PatternBreakBrewing.com.
SHAKESPEARE FOR THE MODERN ERA
Bard Classics and a World Premiere Take the Renovated Stage
ARTICLE BY MEREDITH ROWE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER KOSKINEN
When guests take their seats in the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre and turn to the stage, there’s a good chance they’ll forget all about the multi-year renovations. For seasoned Colorado Shakespeare Festival fans, that view will look relatively the same, but everything above, behind, and even underneath the seatbacks has been carefully improved to create a better experience for performers and viewers alike.
The theatre closed at the end of the 2023 season, and the team got to work restoring both the amphitheater and the building. Within the performance space, every single stone bench was removed and then placed back on a proper foundation, and there’s a new sound system and light towers, which both contribute to a beautifully atmospheric production of Twelfth Night.
The Hellems Arts and Sciences Building, which houses the theatre, also got a glow-up, including a cafe that’s open before performances and at intermission. Across the way, the Roe Green, renovated in 2023, will play home to Julius Caesar this summer.
To round out this season, they’re also doing Shakespeare in Love and Friends/ Romans/ Countrymen. These are what Tim Orr, Producing Artistic Director of Colorado Shakespeare Festival, refers to as “Shakespeare adjacent” titles.
CONTINUED >
When deciding what plays to put on, Orr is looking for a mix of plots and performances that will complement each other and bring in different audiences. They’re the second-oldest Shakespeare festival in the country and one of the only companies to put on the entire canon. They’ve been through all 38 plays twice, and Orr’s goal is to extend the time between the most popular titles and bring less-known ones to new audiences in fresh ways.
“There are nine to 10 titles that sell very well and are very popular, because they are known from high school or famous films,” says Orr. “Then there are ones that audiences are somewhat familiar with or have never heard of at all. Part of our mission is to continuously stir these titles around.”
He doesn’t pick four tragedies or four comedies but instead looks for plays that will talk to each other and even encourage fans to see the whole season. This year, Shakespeare in Love acts as a fan fiction prequel to Twelfth Night, and, as such, both inhabit a similar world. They’re also very fitting to celebrate reopening the theatre.
“These two plays seem like a beautiful, lyrical, fun love letter to theatre companies and to Shakespeare and to Shakespearean theatres and companies,” says Orr.
Friends/ Romans/ Countrymen is a world-premiere, comical-historical take on Julius Caesar, written by David Davalos and directed by Orr. Some of the casts will overlap, and Sundays are two-show days if fans are inclined to “binge watch” both back-to-back, with a break for dinner. The last three weekends of the season will have all four plays running, so fans can enjoy them all together.
In addition to selecting, planning for, and overseeing these productions, Orr and his team also spend significant time on making the full experience more enjoyable, from ticket purchase through filling out the survey after the play. Outside the theatre, a volunteer group plants a garden every season that reflects everything mentioned in the four plays, like roses, apples, and herbs. They also encourage fans to come early to picnic or take part in the prologues that professional scholars at CU Boulder write to enrich the playgoing experience and help fans get more out of the play.
This month, all four plays are officially open. Head to CUPresents.org/Shakespeare-Festival to get tickets and see what all the fuss is about!
WHEN
DECIDING WHAT PLAYS TO PUT ON, ORR IS LOOKING
A MIX OF PLOTS AND PERFORMANCES THAT WILL COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER AND BRING IN DIFFERENT AUDIENCES.
DD RABBIT
F E E L S L I K E C O M I N G H O M E
Equal Parts Sushi Bar, Neighborhood Hangout, and Culinary Memoir, Odd Rabbit Transforms Lifelong Food Memories Into Something Entirely New ARTICLE BY
Long before an expansive culinary career, including Michelin recognition, Christopher Teigland, chef and owner of Boulder’s newest food venture, Odd Rabbit, began a long and loving history with food as a young Chicago kid. His mother worked as a pastry chef, spending long hours in professional kitchens before returning home exhausted. Family dinners frequently arrived in white takeout containers rather than casserole dishes. Chinese food, neighborhood Asian restaurants, or whatever sounded exciting and good after a long shift became the formative experience that nurtured Christopher’s passion and excitement for food.
Odd Rabbit, part sushi bar, part classic American comfort food, part love letter to the culinary influences that shaped its owners, is bringing that personal story of a love and curiosity of food to Boulder, plate by plate.
For Christopher and Ariana Teigland, the husband-and-wife team behind Denver's Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Glo Noodle House, Odd Rabbit represents a return to the city where their own story began. The pair met while working at Blackbelly, just blocks from their new East Boulder restaurant, before launching Glo in Denver and earning acclaim for their inventive approach to ramen and Asian-inspired cuisine.
When the opportunity presented itself to return to Boulder, the pair's passion for home made it exactly the perfect next step.
"Food has always been how I make sense of the world," Christopher shared in advance of the restaurant's opening. That philosophy is evident throughout Odd Rabbit, where curiosity is treated as an ingredient in its own right. Christopher’s past experience is evident in the menu at Odd Rabbit. Those early meals introduced him to flavors that would stay with him for decades: savory broths, bright sauces, contrasting textures, and the sense of finding nourishment and comfort in every plate.
The result is a menu that brings its guests the beloved American classic, the chicken wing, with an asian twist of fish sauce caramel, Fresno pepper, lime, peanuts, and cilantro; and a double cheeseburger layered with miso mayo, pepper jelly, house pickles, and American cheese. Now put those menu items alongside the Negitoro
“Food
Gunkan nigiri with caviar, hand rolls, sashimi, and ramen. The sushi and chef-driven specialties are overseen by sushi chef Stephen Nguyen, whose résumé includes acclaimed Denver restaurants Temaki Den and Uncle.
The team tapped into something special with the diverse menu by capturing the beloved ways many of us eat today, through experience, memory, and curiosity.
Traditional Japanese techniques provide a foundation, and creativity the rest. The result is sophisticated without feeling formal and ambitious without taking itself too seriously.
From launching at Blackbelly to years spent building their reputation in Denver, Christopher and Ariana have finally returned to the community where they first met, bringing with them the lessons, influences, and flavors they've gathered since those childhood take-out days. I’ll say, we’re all better off for it.
Odd-Rabbit.com
Palacio Celestial—
ARTICLE BY EMILY O'BRIEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA PROUDFIT
A Mountain World of Its Own
A 230-Acre Mountain Estate Above Boulder, Assembled Over Decades and Shaped by One Singular Vision
Just ten minutes outside the city of Boulder, tucked into the foothills, lies Palacio Celestial, a 230-acre property spanning five contiguous parcels, three of them directly bordering Betasso Preserve. Its beginnings, however, were notably modest. This was not a master-planned estate, but one assembled gradually through circumstance, community, and time.
A SLOW ASCENT
When homeowner Paige acquired the first of the five parcels in the 1970s, Weaver Drive held only a handful of homes, and neighbors shared responsibilities like plowing the road and looking after one another. When nearby properties came up for sale, conversations often led back to Paige. Over the following two decades, he acquired the remaining four parcels, assembling the distinctive mountain holding now on the market.
The vision evolved organically. After renting nearby acreage, Paige says he “just fell in love with the whole Sugarloaf community.” What followed, he recalls, “was the beginning of my dream… that I wanted land and a nice home up in the mountains.”
Paige lived on the property for more than four decades and, in the early 1980s, built an 8,400-squarefoot log residence with five bedrooms and seven baths. A passionate music enthusiast who owned a record label and played in a band, he filled the home with antique radios, artwork, and personal collections amassed through years of travel and varied interests. Designed for gathering and entertaining, the main residence features a 3,000-square-foot deck extending the living space outdoors, a 44-foot lap pool, and a grotto-inspired spa retreat complete with a steam room, cold plunge, and hot tub.
The property also includes an earlier log home where Paige originally resided, an equestrian facility, a fully fenced yard with a three-acre dog run, and a garage topped with a solar array.
Despite its scale, much of the land remains largely untouched, and few estates this close to town offer such extensive acreage across multiple parcels, particularly with so much land bordering protected open space.
“It’s really a pioneer personality,” Paige says of the home, whose hand-crafted log construction evokes an earlier era. Even through substantial renovations and additions, his guiding principle remained simple: “I just wanted to preserve the integrity of the log home.”
After nearly five decades on the mountain, the transition marks the close of a long chapter. “When I moved out last summer after 47 years there,” Paige says, “I figured it was time to downsize a little bit.”
Ideally positioned with convenient access to Boulder, Nederland, Eldora Ski Resort, Denver, and DIA, the property balances mountain seclusion with regional connectivity and lends itself equally to a multigenerational retreat, equestrian estate, or legacy homestead with guest accommodations and caretaker’s quarters. Two generators provide added resilience during mountain weather.
Palacio
Celestial - 470 Weaver Drive, Boulder
The Bernardi Group
Contact: Julie Meko
C:303.931.6555 O:303.402.6000
JulieMeko.co
Mid-Century Modern Specialist
INSIDE THE VOLUNTEER SYSTEM THAT POWERS THE FESTIVAL
BACKBONE
ARTICLE BY EMILY O’BRIEN
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Long before the first Sundance Film Festival debuts in Boulder, following a more than 40-year run in Utah, a small army of volunteers will already be hard at work. Approximately 1,500 volunteers help power the festival, from managing theater lines to guiding attendees navigating the bus system.
While staff spends the year laying the groundwork, volunteers provide the energy, warmth, and human connection that bring the festival to life. They are, in practice, its circulatory system, moving audiences, information, and atmosphere from room to room.
“They are the backbone of the festival,” says Brian Marquez, Sundance Institute senior manager of talent.
Starting in August, prospective volunteers can apply to join a collective that spans professions, backgrounds, and levels of film expertise.
“Our volunteers come from so many different walks of life, too,” Brian says. “They’re in the film industry, they’re actors, they’re directors, but they’re also teachers and doctors, and people who just want to give back to their community as well.”
Four-year alumni volunteer Carlo Maldonado says, “When I finally arrived, I immediately started to see the true independent heart of the festival up close. I saw how committed the institution and staff were to lifting up great stories and filmmakers.”
While volunteers don’t receive a paycheck in exchange for their time, they do receive a range of perks depending on their level of service, including the coveted Sundance Film Festival volunteer jacket, film vouchers, tickets to volunteer-only screenings and events, meal vouchers to local restaurants, and festival swag ranging from water bottles to other surprise goodies. Past years’ jackets, designed by Kenneth Cole, have become something of a wearable badge of belonging.
There’s also something less tangible: entry into a recurring festival family of filmmakers, film lovers, and returning volunteers. After participating, volunteers become alumni members, receiving early festival updates, first notice of the following year’s application, and priority placement for future festivals.
“So once you start and take part in the festival, you really do become part of this community, and then every year becomes like a family reunion,” Brian says.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
The volunteer application launches in August, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Flexibility is a major asset. Roles vary widely, though not all are public-facing, and some—such as volunteering at panel venues—are highly competitive. Applicants should be specific about their availability, skills and strengths, preferred roles, volunteer background, and what they hope to gain.
After reviewing applications, coordinators reach out directly to applicants for conversations that help shape placement, walking through availability, interests, and potential roles in real time.
Both part-time and full-time opportunities are available. Parttime volunteers commit to a minimum of 23 service hours, and organizers say it’s perfectly fine to be clear about exactly which days and times you’re available.
“It really is kind of like a pick-your-own adventure,” says Harrison DeVoe, administrator of volunteer resources.
Once accepted, volunteers are paired with a volunteer coordinator and connected to team calls, orientation, scheduling support, and role-specific training.
CONTINUED >
“They are the backbone of the festival.”
We want y o u !
“The Sundance Film Festival wants their volunteers in roles that they are excited about and can grow in. You’ll find friends fast and learn a lot, so there is no downside to getting involved,” says 11-year alumni Denver volunteer Colleen O’Brien.
Last year, more than half of its volunteers were alumni, a reflection of the program’s unusually strong return rate. Still, organizers hope to rally as many local volunteers as possible as the Festival begins its Boulder chapter.
“I think being around people who are all there to support independent film, whether you’re volunteering or whether you’re a patron and attending, it’s really amazing to just see everybody kind of take that pause from their everyday lives and come together to help artists showcase these films,” Brian says.
The Sundance Film Festival runs January 21–31, 2027, and will take place in Boulder, Colorado. Visit Sundance.org/Volunteer to learn more.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ROBUST VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY AND APPLY NOW.
— Brian Marquez, Sundance Institute senior manager of talent
PETER MORTIMER FROM EDGE AND ART OF STORY TELLING
ARTICLE BY WILLOW KING
Photo by Dean Fidelman
Peter Mortimer arrives at meetings by bike, and there is a boyish rakishness to him that sits comfortably alongside the intense artistic ethos he applies to his life and his work. When you begin to speak to Pete, his face does something remarkable: it listens. Fully, openly, with the kind of active, unhurried attention that has become almost countercultural. It is the face of a man who has spent decades waiting for people to reveal the most important thing about themselves, because capturing that, the spirit of a person at full extension, is ultimately what every film he creates aims to do.
That quality of presence is perhaps the best key to understanding what makes his filmmaking so singular. The Boulder-based Emmy-winning filmmaker and founder of Sender Films and Reel Rock has spent more than two decades crafting documentaries about climbers who treat vertical rock faces, frozen alpine walls, and open sky as both canvas and crucible. His films: Valley Uprising , The Dawn Wall , The Alpinist, and most recently The Dark Wizard, are not simply about climbing. They are dispatches from a world where the stakes are high, and the people who inhabit it have chosen that height deliberately.
Mortimer’s perspective on storytelling begins with a deceptively simple premise: the best climbing stories are not really about climbing at all. For Mortimer, the rope and the rock are merely the grammar of a larger lexicon, one that speaks to obsession, freedom, identity, and the particular clarity that arrives only at the edge of one’s own limits. In a media landscape crowded with action-camera footage and highlight reels, this insistence on narrative originality is itself a kind of risk.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in The Alpinist, his portrait of Marc-André Leclerc, a young Canadian who solo climbed legendary routes with almost no documentation, going out and climbing purely for himself. Leclerc was famously resistant to the camera, presenting Mortimer with a fundamental tension: how do you tell the story of someone who has rejected the very act of being seen? The result is a film that becomes as much about the limits of documentary filmmaking as the limits of the human body, what Merleau-Ponty might call the body as the very site of knowledge, the place where understanding lives before language arrives.
Photo by Andy Anderson
His job—his
telos, really—is not to explain that choice, but to bear honest witness to it.
Photo by Beat Kammerlander
His most recent project, The Dark Wizard , follows climber and BASE jumper Dean Potter as he chases the edge until he falls off. Mortimer knew Potter well and had been working with him before his 2015 death in a wingsuit accident. The ethical weight of that proximity, of being both friend and filmmaker, both witness and storyteller, is central to Mortimer’s approach. He has spoken about “the accountability that comes with telling their story,” a phrase that suggests filmmaking in this arena is not merely an aesthetic act but a personal one, as well. These are real people, not characters. Their choices have real consequences. And the filmmaker who places a camera in their lives must reckon with what it means to translate a life lived in extremis into something relatable to a larger audience.
After twenty-five years of documentary work, Mortimer is now turning toward feature filmmaking. Releasing the safety net of real events to venture into the territory of the imagined. It is, in its own way, the most exposed position he has yet occupied. Documentary offers the filmmaker a kind of anchor: real lives, real places, real stakes. Fiction asks him to conjure truth rather than capture it. For a filmmaker whose entire practice has been rooted in authentic human experience at its most extreme, the leap is not incidental. It is the next logical edge. What Peter Mortimer ultimately offers is an argument, quietly and beautifully made, that to live dangerously, as Nietzsche urged, is not always recklessness but sometimes a kind of rigor. His job—his telos, really—is not to explain that choice, but to bear honest witness to it. The edge, it turns out, is where a lot of the most honest stories live. Mortimer is listening.
The edge, it turns out, is where a lot of the most honest stories live. Mortimer is listening.
Photo by Dean Fidelman
Photo by Dean Fidelman
Photo by Dean Fidelman
ENDURANCE MEETS HYROX:
Hyrox is not just another endurance race. Founded in Germany nine years ago, it has become the world’s largest race series, attracting more than 1.5 million annual participants. Each roughly two-hour event pairs 8K of running with eight demanding fitness stations designed to test strength, speed, agility, flexibility, and grit.
Now, the series comes to Denver for the first time on November 16. We spoke with CrossFit Sanitas owner Eric Roza about what’s fueling the craze.
Boulder Lifestyle: What exactly is HYROX, and how is it different from a half-marathon or a triathlon?
Eric Roza: What they all have in common is that they are endurance events that take 1.5 to 2.5 hours for most people to complete. However, they test different things. Marathons and triathlons test moving your body for long distances using 1-3 movements. HYROX is focused on testing overall fitness. It includes 8k of running, 2k of other endurance (ski erg, rowing), plus six other fitness stations focused on fullbody fitness like lunges and sled pushes.
BL: What do you like most about HYROX?
ER: I’ve been an endurance athlete longer than I’ve been a CrossFitter, so what excites me about HYROX is seeing endurance and full-body fitness come together. Compared with traditional endurance sports, HYROX emphasizes overall fitness, can be trained for in roughly 4 to 5 hours per week, and supports a more balanced approach to long-term training.
BL: How does HYROX fit w/ CrossFit?
ER: CrossFit is focused on training everyday people for everything life can throw at you.
Many CrossFitters like to test their fitness doing hard things outside the gym, and we think HYROX is a cool new way to do that. Because many HYROX movements already exist within CrossFit, the transition feels natural for experienced CrossFitters.
BL: Who is it actually targeted for? Can ordinary humans survive this race?
ER: HYROX is not easy. But living in America’s fittest city, I think we can safely say that HYROX is a really good fit for quite a few of Boulder Lifestyle’s readers! Entering as a team of two makes it even more accessible–this lets you cut your strength stations in half and also lets you rest while your partner is working. If you are a runner or cyclist and have been putting off strength work, HYROX is a great catalyst to round out your fitness.
BL: CrossFit Sanitas just launched Boulder HYROX Club. Who is this for and how does it work?
ER: Boulder HYROX Club gives endurance athletes and CrossFitters a dedicated place to train, with programming, coaching, and equipment tailored to the sport.
BL: Denver is getting its first-ever HYROX event this November. Why is that a big deal for Boulder’s endurance community?
ER: Well, it has been 30 years since I ran a marathon, and in November, I get to start competing in endurance races again, so it’s a big deal for me! I love the idea of testing endurance and overall fitness in a single event, and I think this will help the endurance capital of the world fully embrace the benefits of strength training to enhance fitness, extend longevity, and reduce injury rates.
For more info, visit CrossfitSanitas.com
If you are a runner or cyclist and have been putting off strength work, HYROX is a great catalyst to round out your fitness.
Designs By Sundown was founded in 1985 to make great homes even better with beautiful, sustainable, enjoyable landscapes. We have stayed true to our roots, with a responsive, knowledgeable staff and the highest quality materials and craftsmanship
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
July Around Town
Through July
COLORADO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
A Boulder summer tradition returns with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s 2026 season, featuring Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar, Shakespeare in Love, and Friends/ Romans/ Countrymen on the CU Boulder campus. Learn more at CUPresents.org.
Saturdays in July
BOULDER SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET
Spend a summer Saturday at the Boulder Farmers Market, where local growers, makers, and food vendors fill 13th Street with fresh produce, flowers, prepared foods, and community energy. Learn more at BCFM.org.
4th
BOULDER SYMPHONY’S JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
Celebrate Independence Day with Boulder Symphony’s July 4th concert celebration, featuring live music and a festive community gathering to mark the holiday. Learn more at BoulderSymphony.org.
July 9th - August 9th
COLORADO MUSIC FESTIVAL AT CHAUTAUQUA
Colorado Music Festival returns to Chautauqua Auditorium for a summer season of orchestral performances, guest artists, and world-class classical music in one of Boulder’s most iconic settings. Learn more at ColoradoMusicFestival.org
Rocky Mountain Paddleboard brings happy hour to the water with a relaxed sunset paddle at Boulder Reservoir, followed by a complimentary drink, lakeside social time, and a giveaway to end the evening. Learn more at RockyMtnPaddleboard.com.
12th
FREE FAMILY CONCERT AT CHAUTAUQUA
Colorado Music Festival brings music to all ages with a free family concert at Chautauqua Auditorium, offering a welcoming way for kids and families to experience live classical music together. Learn more at Chautauqua.com.
17th - 19th
PEARL STREET ARTS FEST
Pearl Street Arts Fest turns downtown Boulder into an open-air gallery, featuring a juried collection of artists working in sculpture, watercolor, oils, mixed media, jewelry, and more! Learn more at BoulderDowntown.com/Arts-Fest
July 26th - August 7th
FREQUENT FLYERS
AERIAL DANCE FESTIVAL
Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival returns with performances, classes, workshops, and community events celebrating movement, creativity, and the art of dance in the air. Learn more at FrequentFlyers.org
27th
GO OUT TO LUNCH DAY
Take a midday break and support Boulder’s local restaurant scene during Go Out to Lunch Day. Held on the last Monday of each month, the initiative encourages workers and community members to step away from their desks, gather with friends or coworkers, and enjoy lunch at a local eatery. Learn more at BoulderColoradoUSA.com/ Go-Out-To-Lunch-Day.
