Cherry Creek, CO January 2023

“Haley Custom Homes was able to get us in touch with an architect who turned our vision into a plan. From there, the Haley team took over. We had an aggressive timeline and the team beat it by more than a month. The transformation that occurred was incredible. We are so happy with the end product. The Haley Site Supervisor was personable, kind, and patient. He was knowledgeable about construction and managed the subs well. Haley Custom Homes constantly checked in with us to make sure that we understood the process and were happy with the results. They always encouraged us to take time to make the right decision, and to point out anything that we wanted changed. We are so happy with our incredible home”.

Jason Timian

“Fantastic Frank’s Model puts them ahead of their competitors”

colorado stockholm copenhagen berlin palma barcelona ibiza lisbon

Bloom Cherry Creek North 3170 E 2nd Avenue Denver, CO 80206

Bloom at Union Station 1701 Wynkoop Street, Suite 140 Denver, CO 80202

bloom@bloomdenver.com 720-941-2862

Ages ago I made one small positive change that triggered hundreds more— instead of taking in the 10 o’clock nightly news, I watched a late-night talk show instead. This was before streaming and DVRs. Not a conscious “healthy” choice, but rather more of a tipping point. Later it became clearer: choose laughter over worry.

Several weeks later I couldn’t help but notice how much lighter I felt each morning—buoyant, really. I retraced my steps and marveled at how one teeny-tiny choice the night before set my next day up for success, realizing each morning isn’t necessarily a reset but more of a jumping-off point for the domino effect from the day before.

That revelation laid the foundation for hundreds more. Each Sunday, I opted-in to something new, a mini goal for the following week: drink more water, set aside time to finally stop into that new restaurant, drink my morning coffee outside or incorporate a new ingredient to my shopping list.

Food for thought when the new year kicks in and we get overcome with the desire to overhaul our life; it doesn’t have to be accomplished at breakneck speed. One small change per week adds up to 52 per year. Just keep opting in and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the good pushes out the bad.

Be well,

Photo by Nicola O'Brien

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @cherrycreeklifestyle

1-7: In November, Element 79 Jewelry’s grand opening celebration with over 50 guests met renowned designer Todd Reed at their more elegant location in Cherry Creek North. Gratitude to Distillery 291 and chef Dane’s Kitchen for the gourmet bites.

Photography by Poppy & Co. By Kelsey Huffer

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

WinterWonderGrass Celebrates 10 years in Colorado with 2023 Steamboat Springs Reunion

Bursting with hope, inspiration and gratitude, WinterWonderGrass Festival announces its 2023 lineup and will celebrate its 10-year Colorado anniversary on March 3-5, 2023 in Steamboat Springs. Shaped over the last decade, this critically acclaimed, boutique music festival brings together some of the best in bluegrass and Americana, a spectacular mountain backdrop, inspired community, sustainable awareness and world-class craft beer.

Photography by Tobin Voggesser

Denver Art Museum presents Rugged Beauty: Antique Carpets from Western Asia

This exhibition opens a window into the artistic and utilitarian innovations of weavers, domestic consumption and the cross-cultural exchanges between present-day Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) from the 1500s to the 1900s.

On view through May 28, 2023, Rugged Beauty will be presented in the Avenir Textile Art and Fashion galleries on the 6th floor of the Martin Building and included in general admission, which is free for everyone 18 and under every day, as well as museum members.

COLORADO EYE CONSULTANTS NOW OFFERS FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

Colorado Eye Consultants welcomes facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Whitney Pafford Dr. Pafford specializes in medical and cosmetic procedures of the lids, brows, face, nose, lips, chin, ears, as well as reconstructive surgery following facial trauma and Mohs surgery. Additionally she performs a wide range of non-surgical procedures for facial rejuvenation and anti-aging treatments. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (303) 730-0404. 1501 West Mineral Avenue Suite 100, Littleton, CO 80120 ColoradoEyeConsultants.com

Art & Love Collide: Series 2 | February 9, 2023 | Black Lab Sports, Boulder, CO

There With Care invites you to Art & Love Collide: Series 2. This free event showcases the talent of eight artists challenged with examining the crossroads between convention, functionality, creativity, and elegance. Using iconic Louis Vuitton pieces, their one-of-a-kind creations will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefitting There With Care. Join, mingle, enjoy refreshments, and bid for aworthycause.Registerathttps://bit.ly/artlovecollide.NoaffiliationwithLVMH.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/CherryCreek

Repurposed Designer Fabric

Catbird Hotel

This Avant-Garde, Art-Forward Hotel Is a Breath of Fresh Air for Design Lovers

While there’s nothing quite like sleeping in your own bed, there’s also something to be said for living it up a little. When life feels like it’s becoming colorless, which happens to some of us around this time of year, fend off the doldrums with a short stintatthechic,soulfulboutiqueCatbirdHotel.

The off-beat play-and-stay hotel rests at the corner of Walnut andNorthMarionStreets,tuckedinsideoneofDenver’smostthrivingartdistricts,RiNo.AnodtoRiNo'sflourishingartscene,this165roomhotelopenedinAugust2021asanindependentestablishment by Sage Hospitality Group with high-spirited works of art adorning the walls, curated by Nine Dot Arts. Its secret sauce (and motto) is thattheymakestayingatahotelfeelmorelikehome—butevenbetter.

Throughitscreativeuseofadaptablespaces,likemulti-usefurniturein thelobbyandguestrooms,toitsplantrentalprogram,whereyoucan borrowacutepottedplanttoenhanceyourroom,thankstoitspartnershipwithlocalplantboutiqueReRoot,youtrulywillfeelrightat home. You can even borrow a book to curl up with from its library, curatedbyTatteredCoverBookStore.

The Catbird Playroom offers gear rentals that will leave you torn between wanting to stay and exploring the city through play. From Vespastobikesandskateboardstomusicalinstruments,camerasand games,onethingisforcertain:ifyougetbored,it’syourownfault.

It’s the perfect place to refresh for a couple of nights as it’s designed to accommodate long-term travelers with rooms

featuring hip accommodations and fully-functional kitchens stocked

with high-end housewares. There are even coveted all-in-one pans, teakettlesandpre-measuredspices.(Instantpots,airfryers.paninipresses and Vitamix blenders are also available upon request.) Rooms feature

plenty of hooks to toss your gear and jackets and playful, high-rise platformbedswithdigitalprojectors. Chill out on the rooftop deck and admire the panoramic view ofDenver’sskylineorkickbackandlistentolivemusic,hitthehottubor playaroundononeofitslife-sizedgames.Popinthelobbyforacomplimentaryhappyhourbeverage(withorwithoutalcohol)anddrop backinthemorningforabreakfastentreeandacoffee(onthehouse)

after a go in its fitness center on a Peloton or water rower. theGrab-and-gokitchenitemscankeepyousatiateduntillaterin daywhenyoucanhaveamealatthehotel’ssignatureroof-topbarandrestaurant,TheRedBarber.

and Coors Field, you can easily get to nearby neighbors to

continue your exploration or a lively night out. Make the most

of your night by wandering through the neighborhood's vibrant CONTINUED > 25 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/CHERRYCREEK JANUARY 2023

galleries and boutiques. Pet parents are welcome to bring their four-leggedfriends;there’sevenadogrunonthepremises. CatbirdHotel.com

ARTICLE BY KATHERINE OWEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY GINA DODGE

With the Front Range as a Backyard, a Winter Playground Is Waiting To Be Explored

Temperatures are dropping, but your time outside doesn’t have to. The Norwegian have a saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Colorado is already known for its gorgeous weather year-round (“It’s a dry cold!”), but for some, winter tends to put the chill on outdoor fun. Take heart: with warm layers and a good attitude (and some rented gear), winter just may become your favorite season. Here’s how to take the first snowy step.

BY FOOT

Hiking and Snowshoeing

Swap fields of wildflowers for breathtaking vistas of snowcapped mountains and you’ll find winter hikes to be just as glorious (if not more so!). The key? Bundling up in synthetic and wool layers, proper footwear (with the addition of gaiters and microspikes), and always the 10 essentials in your bag. (Think: food, water, first aid, fire starter, light source, extra layers, sun protection, a navigation system, repair tools and emergency shelter.) Check sources like Cotrex or AllTrails for recent trip reports.

Snowshoeing is a great way to expand your winter hiking, allowing you to see favorite trails in a new light, find solitude in areas that are otherwise crowded all summer and venture out further into fresher, deeper snow. With a much lower entry price than skiing or snowboarding, all you’ll need in addition to winter hiking essentials is the snowshoes themselves and possibly poles. Front range shops like Crystal Ski Shop in Boulder (CrystalSkiShop. com), FERAL Denver ( LiveFeral.com) and certain REI Co-op locations ( Rei.com/Stores/Rentals) offer daily snowshoe rentals so you can try before you buy.

BY SKI

Cross-Country Skiing

Advanced enthusiasts will make this sport look effortlessly graceful, but cross-country skiing will get your heart pumping, quick. Also known as XC skiing, or sometimes called by the umbrella term “Nordic skiing,” this popular way to hit the trails uses skinnier, specific skis to travel across hilly or flat, groomed or off-trail terrain. There are two disciplines: classic and skate, which call for different skis. Classic is the best bet for beginners and calls on a walking-like motion to glide; skate skiing uses a technique more similar to ice skating. If you’re headed to one of the popular ski resorts near Denver or Boulder like Eldora, Keystone or Breckenridge, many are home to a Nordic center where you can get outfitted and take a lesson. See a full map of destinations and find helpful resources at ColoradoCrossCountry.com

BY TIRE

Fat Biking

Hop on one of these hefty bikes to see popular trails in a whole new season. Able to traverse snow (and mud and sand!), this oversized, mountain bike-adjacent ride lets cycling enthusiasts hit the trails year-round, even when covered in packed snow. Fat bikes have oversized tires 3-5 inches wide with hefty tread, but otherwise operate much like mountain bikes. Take one out for a spin on low-key local paths or dial it up at destinations like Devil’s Thumb Ranch or Brainard Lake Recreation Area off of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. You can rent fat bikes at local shops like University Bicycles in Boulder ( UBikes.com) or book a guided half-day or full-day tour with Front Range Ride Guides ( FrontRangeRideGuides.com), which offers guided trips for all skill levels and includes a certified guide, the bike, skills coaching, gear and a custom tailored ride.

LUNCHTIME (AND BEYOND)

HERO

ARTICLE BY ALLYSON REEDY PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER

The story of Leven Deli Co. can be told in two sandwiches: the Pastrami Reuben and the Smashed Chickpea. The former is the deli’s best-seller, and it was created by Leven’s unlikely chef, Luke Hendricks. Luke was a fine dining chef, not a high-volume sandwich shop chef, and when Leven owner Anthony Lygizos first met Luke—while working at one of Denver’s top restaurants, Potager—he wasn’t sure he could convince him to trade maple miso reductions for mustard, or table for counter service.

But Luke hopped on the deli train with Anthony—in part because of Leven’s fundamental principles of creating a better work environment for restaurant industry folk by not staying open too late and paying fair wages—and the two got to work revamping the menu, including creating that epic pastrami. With his background of working with top-quality ingredients using refined techniques, Luke developed a 12-day aging system for Leven’s pastrami. First, he marinates the meat in a wet brine of pickling spices, including coriander, garlic, Aleppo chiles and paprika. Over the 12 days, those flavors penetrate the meat, seasoning every cell (and in turn, every bite).

Next, the meat is dried and coated in salt, pepper, brown sugar and a couple other secret spices before being smoked over hickory for six to eight hours. At this point, it’s ready to be sliced thin and hit the flattop for a quick grill, where it’s then piled thick on house-made rye bread with baby Swiss cheese, pickled cabbage and Russian dressing. “It’s a pound and a half when all is said and done,” Anthony says. “Hands down the Reuben is the best seller. For the longest time, we couldn’t keep it in stock—we’d sell out every day for about two years.”

While the Pastrami Reuben reflects the care Leven takes with its ingredients, the Smashed Chickpea sandwich evokes the part of the deli’s name that means lightness. “Our menu is fifty-fifty veggie and meat options,” Anthony says. “It’s a better fit for today.”

It’s also the only sandwich that ever outsells that Reuben. A sort of deconstructed hummus, the Smashed Chickpea features a rough-chopped marinated chickpea salad, tahini lemon sauce, smashed avocado, pickled onions and radish, all grilled on sourdough flatbread. A vegetarian sandwich may be a strange thing for a deli to be known for, but it’s illustrative of Leven’s mission to update and improve upon what we think a deli can be.

Here's another thing a deli can be: a wine bar. Because yes, Leven is part European-style wine bar. Anthony worked as a sommelier at Aspen’s famed Little Nell, a property well-known for its wine program, and he wanted to bring his passion for wine to a casual, neighborhood setting.

Whether you walk into Leven looking for a sandwich or a glass of wine, you’ll find consistently great hospitality. “We strive to provide that five-star service,” Anthony says. “We love it when people say that it wasn’t a deli experience; that we gave that extra level of service. We pride ourselves on that. It’s people first in all shapes and forms.”

tell the story of your home

BE INSPIRED

ARTICLE BY JESSICA MORDACQ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE MIKULS

“I’ve always been a fitness nut,” Eric says. “I’m one of those people who needs to exercise to be in a good mood, be pleasant to the people around me and have energy.”

CrossFit was founded in California by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai a decade before Eric heard of it. The fitness regimen includes high-intensity strength and aerobic exercises derived from interval training, weightlifting and calisthenics.

“I had never done any of that stuff, but somehow I was attracted to it,” Eric says. Today, CrossFit boasts around 12,000 locations, nearly half of which are in the United States.

When one of Eric’s colleagues at Datalogix—a data company in Westminster, where Eric was chief executive—asked him to attend a CrossFit session with him, “it was love at first sight,” Eric says. “I was humbled by the first workout. It was like nothing I’d experienced before.”

With Datalogix’s fitness initiative budget, Eric invited CrossFit trainers to the office twice a week to improve workplace morale and productivity.

“People quit smoking. One person lost 80 pounds,” Eric says. Some of these employees had rarely worked out previously, and their CrossFit trainers adjusted workouts to their abilities. “I quickly sensed that CrossFit was a couple things: It built a great community, and it was authentically aligned with my values of helping people be healthy and happy.”

So in January 2013, Eric founded CrossFit Sanitas in Boulder at 2525 Arapahoe Avenue. CrossFit licenses their name to gyms after an initial $1,000, two-day certification process, followed by a $3,000 annual fee.

In addition to owning CrossFit Sanitas, Eric is a Level 2 CrossFit Trainer, which, naturally, follows Level 1 training. (Eric estimates there are more than 100,000 Level 1 CrossFit trainers worldwide.) Eric became a Level 2 Trainer after taking Level 1 and Level 2 CrossFit courses, where participants learn how to improve others’ movements in their coached classes,

regardless of fitness level or infirmity. At Boulder’s CrossFit location, Eric has seen participants from ages 5 to 75 working out.

“I’ve never seen that anywhere else,” Eric says. CrossFit is, “by nature, non-hierarchical. You can find people from different cultures, education levels, socioeconomic statuses, ages and fitness levels all working out together.”

In June 2020, CrossFit’s CEO Greg Glassman resigned, following a controversial tweet and Zoom call. This led to hundreds of CrossFit gyms threatening disaffiliation, on top of gym bankruptcies and closings caused by the pandemic. Half of the leading professional CrossFit athletes boycotted the annual CrossFit Games, the sport’s version of the Olympics.

“CrossFit was in need of a new direction,” Eric says. Having sold Datalogix to Oracle in 2014 for a reported $1.2 billion, Eric was contemplating his future when this opportunity arose. Glassman agreed to sell him the company, which Eric moved to Boulder, and brought in investment firm Berkshire Partners as his financial partner.

“There’s a lot of diversity in the CrossFit community—millions of people in 155 countries—and they all have different views,” Eric says. “The challenge was: How can we make it clear that we are first and foremost about inclusivity and welcoming everyone?”

In February of this year, Eric announced his transition from CrossFit’s CEO to board chairman. This move aligned with Eric’s initial intention to work through the turnaround and move on.

Outside of CrossFit’s board of directors, Eric works for private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, where he serves as an operating managing director. He also remains committed to building fitness in the Boulder community and just renewed the CrossFit Sanitas lease for another five years.

“I love the Boulder lifestyle,” Eric says of his affinity for skiing, hiking and mountain biking, plus doing CrossFit at his very own location.

A l

f o r m a t o n d e e m e d r e a b l e b u t n o t g u a r a n t e e d a n d s h o u l d b e n d e p e n d e n t y v e r i f e d e s p e c i a y a n y r e f e r e n c e t o s q u a r e f o o t a g e b e d r o o m s a n d b a t h r o o m s A l l p r o p e r t e s a r e s u b j e c t t o p r i o r s a l e c h a n g e o r w i t h d r a w a l N e t h e r l i s t i n g b r o k e r ( s n o r K e n t w o o d R e a l E s t a t e s h a l l b e r e s p o n s b e f o r a n y t y p o g r a p h c a l e r r o r s m s i n f o r m a t o n m i s p r i n t s a n d s h a l l b e h e l d t o t a l l y h a r m l e s s

ARTICLE BY TONY FIRESTINE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE BRAND

DYNAMIC

When you step into Dynamic Fitness Co. you can feel the underlying sense of community. On a recent visit to a Thursday Community Class, the camaraderie that’s been built over the course of the past eight years is evident in the unassuming space at Champa and 25th in Denver.

The natural brick building integrates right into the neighborhood; just passing by you might not recognize it as a fitness center other than the words encouraging you to LIVE LIKE YOU TRAINED FOR IT emblazoned on a red garage door that opens into the main workout space. Arriving members greet each other as friends, and some coach latecomers on the first step of the workout that has been built for the day. In between directing the class on how to get started, Jeff Vaden, Dynamic Fitness’ founder and head trainer, shares the tools he provides to improve his clients’ overall lifestyle while working with their specific needs and goals.

Jeff explains that he wants his clients and community to be able to make life choices without the confidence in their level of fitness being a factor. He gives an example of the potential conundrum of being invited to hike a fourteener.

“The question should be: Do I want to do it? Not: Can I do it? ” he says.

Jeff’s experience as a Division I college football and track and field athlete and his tens of thousands of hours coaching at gyms and studios in the Denver area are evident in the sense of teamwork that has been built at Dynamic Fitness Co. He brags about his trainers and the diversity of skills they have to offer: Barron focuses on strength conditioning and sports performance, Jamiliya is an herbalist and brings an international perspective and Oliver is a strong allaround coach that specializes in group training. In addition to group and community classes, Dynamic also offers customized personal training sessions, including individual nutrition coaching.

Dynamic Fitness Co. also focuses intently on the importance of nutrition and how it goes together with training in order for you to live your best life. The Dynamic Nutrition Program is a 44-day comprehensive plan of action in five phases that focuses

on eating whole foods and includes a daily email newsletter filled with tools for nutritional success, including e-books, video tutorials and recipes.

Phase One is a 28-day process that focuses on gut health and reducing inflammation by eliminating foods like dairy, grains, sugar and oils that cause gut dysfunction. After the elimination process, Phase Two reintroduces food categories and focuses on how to source and properly prepare ingredients in order to maximize nutritional value. Phases Three through Five concentrate on maintaining a longterm, robust lifestyle through the addition and benefits of supplements and healthy weight management.

“Everything works; nothing works forever,” Jeff states, referencing anyone’s individual fitness journey and the importance of staying nimble. The range of comprehensive programs that Dynamic Fitness Co. has to offer, coupled with the sense of community that’s been built there, makes it the right choice for someone who is taking their dedication to a healthy lifestyle seriously.

DynamicFitness.co

DNP

GRANOLA

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Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine coconut flakes, almonds, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine.

• Melt coconut oil. Add vanilla.

• Pour coconut oil/vanilla over mixture in bowl to coat. Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Bake for 15-20 minutes at 300 degrees until golden brown. Granola will crisp once it starts to cool.

• Let it cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Good for 3-4 days.

*Can be served with coconut yogurt, coconut/ almond/cashew milk or full-fat coconut milk and a dash of honey, or just eat it by itself!