


HILLTOP







Modular dwellings installed in 1 day





Get $5,000 off when you use the QR code to design your dwelling www.elmntl.io Simple, configurable, obsessively designed ADUs and studios. Handcrafted in Colorado. 844-4-ELMNTL




Modular dwellings installed in 1 day
Get $5,000 off when you use the QR code to design your dwelling www.elmntl.io Simple, configurable, obsessively designed ADUs and studios. Handcrafted in Colorado. 844-4-ELMNTL
There’s a special rhythm to summer in the city. The pace shifts just enough to let us notice the details: jam-packed farmers markets, the scent of something sizzling on a backyard grill, the hum of music festivals weaving through city blocks and green spaces. June in Denver is when everything—our neighborhoods, our creativity, our connection to one another—feels alive and in full bloom.
This issue is a love letter to summer in the Mile High City. We’re shining a light on the people and places that make this season so rich—from a patio guide for any need, a tortilla company with an incredible refresh, a puppy innovation (that has been saving my life with a new puppy at home), and a new face reimagining the interior design space.
As always, this magazine is a reflection of you—your passions, your creativity, your Denver. Thank you for letting us tell your stories and celebrate the beauty of life here, one season at a time. Here’s to sunlight on city sidewalks, open windows, and a summer that stretches out with promise.
KELSEY HUFFER, EDITOR @CHERRYCREEKLIFESTYLE
PUBLISHER, SALES DIRECTOR
Andy Manz | amanz@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Kate Manz | kmanz@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Chantel Ellerington | chantel.ellerington@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR, PHOTO EDITOR
Kelsey Huffer | kelsey.huffer@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Tony Firestine | anthonyjfirestine@gmail.com
INTERN
Edson Graycar | edson.graycar@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Meredith Rowe, Linden Butrym, Edson Graycar
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Amanda Proudfit, Poppy & Co. by Kelsey Huffer, Jake Holschuh
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
Proverbs 3:5-6
by Scott James Photography
Rocky Vista University (Englewood, CO) announces the launch of its new Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program. This 36-month program prepares future Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) with advanced clinical training, leadership development, and a strong biomedical foundation. Designed to meet the growing demand for CRNAs, it offers hands-on experience in a collaborative learning environment. The program’s first cohort starts this summer, expanding RVU’s commitment to excellence in healthcare education. Learn more at RVU.edu.
Colorado Eye Consultants is committed to delivering compassionate and quality care in a safe and nurturing environment. Using the latest technologies and innovative practices, our doctors dedicate themselves to excellent outcomes…every time. For more than 40 years, the Colorado Eye Consultants team has been caring for patients and changing lives. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (303) 730-0404
COLORADO EYE CONSULTANTS 1501 West Mineral Avenue Suite 100 | Littleton, CO 80120
ColoradoEyeConsultants.com
Step into Bastille ParisDenver for a curated selection of French-inspired fashion and lifestyle pieces. From elegant clothing to bags and beautiful jewelry, every item brings a touch of Parisian style to Denver. Perfect for anyone who loves timeless design with a modern twist, Bastille ParisDenver makes French sophistication effortlessly accessible. This brand-new boutique is the perfect stop for your spring wardrobe: effortless, chic, and French. For more information, follow @Bastille_parisdenver on Instagram.
Resorts will offer scenic lift rides, mountain biking, and activities for the whole family. Epic Discovery at Vail and Breckenridge will feature coasters, tubing (Vail), ropes courses (Breck), trampolines, and more. Keystone and Crested Butte Bike Parks are returning this summer, while Beaver Creek and Keystone golf courses offer world-class golf with stunning views. 2025/26 Epic Pass Holders get free scenic lift access and 20% off food, lodging, bike rentals, and summer activities at EpicPass.com
93 LOTS | MILES OF TRAILS | MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Build your dream home 15 minutes from downtown Golden in Denver Metro’s newest custom home community.
ARTICLE BY MEREDITH ROWE | PHOTOGRAPHY
It’s not often that co-founders are cross-species, but in the case of Daniel Haarburger and his beloved dog, Milo, it took both man and man’s best friend to create what has since become the fastest-growing pet brand in the US.
Before Haarburger adopted Milo, he spent years inventing and licensing products for other companies. He first began doing so while pursuing his computer science degree and was successful enough to pay his way through college as a student.
As much as he loved receiving the royalty checks, Haarburger realized he didn’t like handing over all of his good ideas and wanted to fully manufacture and market one for himself.
Soon after Haarburger adopted Milo, his beloved puppy needed knee surgery and wasn’t able to walk for several months. As a half-husky,
half-cattle dog mix, he also very much needed to be entertained, and Haarburger didn’t want to give him a calorically dense bone or a jar of peanut butter.
He started tinkering in his garage and eventually invented what his company, Woof, now calls The Pupsicle. This treat-dispensing toy can be refilled with homemade recipes, giving even the pickiest pup exactly what they like. Haarburger started using the vessel multiple times a day and realized this was the scalable product he’d been looking for.
The Pupsicle was not Haarburger’s first attempt at creating pet products. He’d been attempting to manufacture and sell leashes, collars, and harnesses, and his plan was to capitalize on baggie refills for repeat purchases. He kept running into production issues, as well as bottom-line issues, and it was becoming apparent that this idea wasn’t going to be profitable enough to work long-term. Even amidst all the issues, he knew he was on to something by focusing on solutions for his beloved Milo.
“There are few relationships as pure as the one with your dog,” says Haarburger. “You love me? I love you too!”
He knew he wasn’t alone in feeling this way about his buddy, especially here in Colorado. When he was at a trade show, he found the right partner to manufacture his product, and together they were able to make revisions and samples until the product was to both Haarburger and Milo’s liking.
It’s easy now, for the success of The Pupsicle and the company seems obvious, but there was a moment right as Haarburger was producing that first batch where it seemingly could’ve gone either way.
“If this works, great! I’ll keep on going, says Haarburger. “If it doesn’t, I probably won’t have a company in two months.”
“There are few relationships as pure as the one with your dog.”
They sold out of the first order in two weeks, and for several cycles, Haarburger dumped all the profits back into inventory until he was able to hire more people, including a partner with pet industry experience who has been able to turbocharge what they’re working on.
Today, Woof is over 50 people and is expanding into wellness products, specifically dental hygiene, for pets. According to Inc., it’s the fastest growing company in the Rocky Mountain Region and one of the fastest growing CPG companies in the country.
After years of tinkering alone, Haarburger relishes in being able to collaborate with his team and with other interesting people and brands. He still speaks very fondly of the days when he’d prove out ideas by gluing foam core together and wants every person interested in invention to know they don’t need a university research facility or all the right tools to get started. Most of his best work came from a sketchpad and the drive to solve real problems.
“Building a business is about solving a problem and problem and problem and problem…day in and day out," says Haarburger. “The upside? You make something really beautiful.”
To learn more about Woof and to pitch a collaboration with Haarburger and Milo, head to MyWoof.com
Get in touch with Gina and Kara to benefit from 5 decades of combined experience with over $1 billion in sales in Denver Metro. This dynamic mother-daughter team offers a highly personalized approach to client service with unrivaled market knowledge and the ability to navigate the ever-changing real estate market.
With Timeless Flavors and Bold Creations, This Denver Tortilla Factory Keeps Us Coming Back for More
ARTICLE BY
Over the years, as crowds continued showing up at Raquelitas to plead for the ability to buy the brand’s savory tortillas, Ben Williamson knew his family’s business had to give the people what they wanted. “The answer was always, ‘Only restaurants, sorry,’” he says. “But the demand was there. We needed something that reflected the uniqueness of our products.”
The result is a snug yet charming retail experience within the Larimer Street factory. It mirrors a wine tasting, but in place of grape varietals, we learn about local ingredients; instead of sipping chardonnay and pinot noir, we sample tortillas and chips in flavors ranging from classic butter to the unconventional cinnamon roll, bison tallow, and caramelized onion. “The tortilla is the foundation to infinite possibilities,” Ben says. “We are nearing 200 flavors. There’s almost no limit to what we’ll try.”
Raquelitas is a Denver institution. Founded by Sal De La Torre in 1960, the company makes fresh corn and flour tortillas for some of Colorado’s biggest event venues and restaurants, including Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant. Today, Sal’s sons Raul De La Torre and Rich Schneider remain as owner and "tortilla savant," respectively, while Ben, their nephew, manages the brand’s marketing efforts. As the retail shop celebrates a year in business, Ben reveals a few new flavors, his favorite Mexican food meals, and the secret to Raquelitas’ enduring legacy.
YOUR RETAIL SPACE IS SUCH A FUN CONCEPT. WHAT CAN GUESTS EXPECT?
Everyone is given the option to go on a tasting tour, where I guide them through our inspiration, ingredients, and recipes. We usually have 20 different flavors each weekend, so there’s always something new. People come back with friends and family to do the tour again. I had a feeling it could be good, but I had no idea the response would be as overwhelming as it has been.
DOES
We partner with local farmers to ensure that our ingredients taste better and support Colorado's agricultural economy. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for heirloom corn, the Uhland family in Lamar for Colorado Mills sunflower oil, the Cooksey family farm in Roggen for flour, Musso Farms in Pueblo for our chile ... They share a similar mission in helping preserve the land we live on and wanting to inspire others to do the same.
“THE TORTILLA IS THE FOUNDATION TO INFINITE POSSIBILITIES. WE ARE NEARING 200 FLAVORS. THERE’S ALMOST NO LIMIT TO WHAT WE’LL TRY.”
2,000+ Colorado bars, restaurants, hotels, and stadiums offering Raquelitas tortillas
170,000 tortillas a day are made during the peak summer season
840 acres of corn are harvested every year
900,000 pounds of chips are made and shipped annually
4.6 million YouTube views on a clip from a 2019 Sesame Street episode, where the Raquelitas team teaches Cookie Monster how to make taco shells
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO ENJOY TORTILLAS AT HOME?
Frying up fresh chips from our hibiscus corn tortillas for ahi tuna nachos has been a fun one. I love picadillo tacos; I make mine with a blend of beef and chorizo, slow-cooked with potatoes in a rich sauce and just about everything in my spice drawer.
HOW DO YOU STAY CONSISTENT OVER THE YEARS WHILE STILL EVOLVING?
It’s the easiest part. We’ve always been the weird ones, the funky crew who doesn’t care to be traditional in the sense that there’s only one way to make something. Taste and quality in tortillas is synonymous with Raquelitas. It’s been the same since 1960, long before I was here.
HOW HAS RAQUELITAS INFLUENCED THE MEXICAN FOOD SCENE IN DENVER AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE?
Rich and Raul truly helped usher tortillas and Mexican food into Colorado. Rich now sits on a variety of boards—the Colorado Restaurant Association, Colorado Restaurant Foundation, and Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association—and helps fight for a more vibrant and flavorful food scene in Colorado every day.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE NEXT? ANY NEW FLAVORS YOU CAN TEASE?
Chili Fig, Everything Tortilla (like the bagel), Buffalo, Apple Pie, and Chimichurri are some of our upcoming tortilla flavors. We’ve been fortunate to find success in our little niche. Outside of a few goals in reshaping production to keep up with demand, we want to keep doing what we’re doing. We’ll be a Colorado-first company forever.
For more on Raquelitas tortillas, visit Raquelitas.com.
“As I met each week with the Haley Custom Home Team, I always walk away confident that not only am I getting a very high quality home, but one that every detail is discussed and analyzed, as if it was a home that they were building for themselves. As I reviewed other builders’ commitments, one attraction to Haley was their trademarked “Accelerated Precision Build” system (APB). We were in the house a month early. This is my third time building a custome home and I have never been more satisfied.”
Michael and Jane McDonald
EVERY DAY FROM 3 TO 5 PM
American Tapas Every Day 4-CL
Happy Hour Every day 3-5:00pm
Brunch Saturday - Sunday 10-2:30pm
1210 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO
*Park free in the parking garage in our building
ARTICLE BY EDSON GRAYCAR
With one of the largest patios in Denver, Improper City is the perfect space for dog owners to relax, socialize, and hang out. The sprawling RiNo space has off-leash areas, food trucks, and a rotating craft beer list. Perfect for pups and their people!
This laid-back LoDo cafe is ideal for your morning or midday recharge in the city. Grab a latte or seasonal drink and head to the cozy patio, where you can soak up the sun and get some work done. The warm, inviting patio pairs perfectly with their standout coffee selection, and if you stick around long enough, their cocktail menu makes it just as great for unwinding as it is for fueling up.
54thirty offers skyline views, late-night bites, and a cocktail menu worth staying up for. It’s a sleek downtown rooftop perfect for postdinner drinks or a golden hour escape. Whether you’re winding down or starting the night, this rooftop delivers the perfect atmosphere.
Located inside The Art Hotel, Fire’s patio is a hidden gem sitting right above Broadway. With contemporary design, city views, and seasonal share plates, it’s a stylish spot to enjoy the beautiful skyline Denver has to offer.
ARTICLE BY MEREDITH ROWE
BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER
Back in 2020, a lot of people found new hobbies, but Allie Sutterer found a whole new career. What began as reselling secondhand furniture on Instagram has since turned into a dual role as a content creator and interior decorator.
As part of her strategy to sell on Instagram, Sutterer would curate a full collection of pieces and then she’d stage it all together, initially just creating content to market it. Then, she jumped on Reels when it hit the platform, and one viral video led to another, which began to give her a following. “I wouldn’t have a penny to my name if it weren’t for the internet,” says Sutterer.
A modern Renaissance woman, she began making videos around different design styles. That’s when she really started to take off—creating a voice, perspective, and style all her own. Some of her recent, popular videos in this series explain Medieval Modern and Refined Rusticism for her audience, tapping into existing styles and giving them her unique twist.
Through a combination of the furniture posts and these new style videos, Sutterer says that people found her, liked her style, and just started asking if she’d redesign their spaces to match her aesthetic.
CONTINUED >
Sutterer’s design sense doesn’t just tap into one style or trend. In fact, she’s especially adept at bringing two competing ideas together and having them flow seamlessly, as shown with Medieval Modern. She describes her style as tailored, chic, and eclectic.
“Art deco is a big inspiration for me,” says Sutterer. “But I love a crisp white slip cover, a skirted furniture piece, and a clean modern line.”
Because of the nature of social media, Sutterer’s followers are all over the country, not just in Colorado. As such, she had to develop her own process and does digital consultations that follow a slightly different format than your typical interior design project.
Instead of buying all the products and materials for her clients and doing a big install day and reveal, she truly brings them into the process. Sutterer and her clients begin by taking inventory of what the client has and how they want or need the space to function. They’ll use inspiration to establish an overarching style and vision for the space, but that’s where the paths truly diverge.
Rather than holding onto the reins, Sutterer packages up that overarching vision, complete with visuals and links, and then encourages clients to execute the plan on their own. She believes that in order for homes to feel personal and collected, they should evolve with us. Her clients receive sourcing for those larger elements like paint colors, sofas, lighting, etc. Then, she will give size and placement suggestions on art and accessories, but encourages them to collect those small, unique pieces that speak to them personally over time.
Because of her expertise in Facebook Marketplace and other vintage sites, plenty of the furniture and pieces are second-hand, which helps keep the service affordable and ensures unique pieces for her clients. She loves the thrill of the hunt from back in her furniture resale days and finds that it can be a really impactful way to source pieces she and her clients will cherish.
If you’re interested in her services, Sutterer offers both a Mini Decorating Package and a Full Sourcing Package. The former is a one-hour conversation, like an office hour, and is perfect for talking through a specific space and asking questions. Clients get a mood board and links to help bring their vision to life.
She loves the thrill of the hunt from back in her furniture resale days and finds that it can be a really impactful way to source pieces she and her clients will cherish .
The Full Sourcing Package involves more in-depth calls, and the client will walk away with a style guide that includes in-depth moodboards, install instructions, a budget tracking spreadsheet, to-scale floor plans, and 3D photo mockups to help them envision the final product. It can be multiple rooms or one, and Sutterer spends more time on the back end with budget tracking, product links, and delivery estimates.
In addition to her virtual business, Sutterer is also exploring more in-person options. To get inspired or get on her calendar, head to SilleStudio.com or @sillestudiohome on Instagram or TikTok.
MAKING HOME AFTER THE MARSHALL FIRE
ARTICLE BY MEREDITH ROWE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA PROUDFIT
On December 30, 2021, a brush fire broke out at the intersection of Colorado 93 and Marshall Road. It went on to destroy 990+ structures and evacuate 37,000+ people, becoming the most destructive fire in Colorado history.
This spring, Boulder Country residents displaced by the Marshall Fire are finally moving back into their new homes, but it was a long journey to get here. Rebuilding after a disaster takes a great toll, as homeowners have to work through code, permitting, and insurance claims. They need to rebuild differently to help mitigate future risk. And once they finally do build, they have to face the place they once had to flee from, trying to make it feel like home once again.
To do this takes a cast of characters and expert craftsmen, so we’re going to take you room by room and trade by trade for one of the newest homes on Panorama Drive.
In his experience in construction and design, Nicholas Fiore knows how cathartic it can be to make something from scratch—especially when you’re trying to rebuild something you’ve lost. He was prepared for this to be a delicate process and was immediately struck by the owners’ resilience, ready to jump right into the design and the details.
“They were ready, willing, and able to dive into the design process,” says Fiore. “They knew the feel they wanted and all the good things about their previous house that they wanted to bring into the new home.”
While not 100% “form follows function,” Fiore carefully designed the home for a big family who needs a mudroom, a rec room, and spaces to make noise and messes.
RYAN WITHER, BUILDWELL
Raised in Steamboat Springs, Ryan got his logical side from his accountant mother and his irreverent side from his artistic father. He taps into both as he combines craftsmanship, engineering, and a precise eye for detail to bring together the whole team to create a project like this, combining custom features and beautiful style with important fire mitigation features. “I think the home owners vibe permeated through the project and help create a very collaborative, creative, and productive atmosphere that produced an amazing home. From the architect, to the project manager, to the concrete sub’s wife who brought homemade pudding, to Kate’s refreshing style, everyone played an important part in the project that was not only fun to work on but very fulfilling,” says Wither.
KATE MANZ, DESIGNER
Known for her chic designs at Sweep Salons, this project was Kate Manz’s first new construction home. She treated each space and room as its own story and concept, imbuing warmth and love into every corner of the home.
Manz spoke highly of the team and the opportunity to collaborate with all the different disciplines throughout the project as they created something new from the ground up.
“I TRULY LOVED WORKING WITH EVERY PERSON ON THIS PROJECT,” SAYS MANZ. “THE TEAM WAS A++, AND IT SHOWS AND IS FELT IN EVERY LITTLE DETAIL.”
“In a new build, it can sometimes take years to feel lived in, especially having to buy everything new post-fire,” says Kate Manz. “The goal was to help give the home a heartbeat that you can feel through each space.”
In addition to creating a new thought out lush fortress around the home, Ashley is known to show up to every job site with her bright smile, expertise and creative ideas.
“With the help from The Refinery, a consignment store that sells lived in furnishings, unique objects and one of a kind vintage artifacts, visions of warmth and love came to life,” says Manz.
“IN A NEW BUILD, IT CAN SOMETIMES TAKE YEARS TO FEEL LIVED IN, ESPECIALLY HAVING TO BUY EVERYTHING NEW POST-FIRE.
ARCHITECT: FLOWER ARCHITECTURE
BUILDER: BUILDWELL
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:DB ENGINEERING
KITCHEN/BUILT-INS: VONMOD
INSTALLERS/TRIM: ICS
CONCRETE: ARAPAHOE CONCRETE
FLATWORK: METRO CONCRETE
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: EVOKE OUTSIDE
LANDSCAPE: GREEN, IDLEWILD
POOL: MR. POOL
TILE: DECORATIVE MATERIALS
FURNISHINGS: FORMA FURNITURE, THE REFINERY
MILL WORK: NORTH TABLE WOODWORKS
RUGS: ARTISAN RUG SHOP
FLOORING: WD FLOORING, MCDONALD CARPET
WINDOWS: SIERRA PACIFIC
WINDOW TREATMENT: HARRISON HOME SYSTEMS, WINDOW VANGO
FABRICATION: MOROS
GALLERIA OF STONE
SLADE GLASS
SOLAR REVOLUTION
Sundays
June - August
ROOT TO RISE SUMMER YOGA SERIES
Find your flow this summer at The Ramble Hotel’s Garden with the Root to Rise Summer Yoga Series. Every Sunday morning, enjoy an outdoor yoga class designed for all levels, followed by a complimentary coffee, mimosa, or Sunshine Shot from Death & Co. To sign up, go to TheRambleHotel.com.
May 31st - June 1st
PARK HILL ART FESTIVAL
Celebrate creativity at the 12th Annual Park Hill Art Festival, a juried outdoor show featuring up to 90 talented artists. Held in Denver’s historic Park Hill neighborhood, this event showcases fine art, crafts, and a vibrant community spirit. For more information, go to ColoradoArtShows.com.
5th - 29th
D’ART GALLERY: DWELLING IN POSSIBILITIES
D’art Gallery presents Dwelling in Possibilities, featuring concurrent solo exhibitions by Laura Brenton, Katelyn Odenheimer, Emily Oldak, and Vicky Smith. Hosted in the Santa Fe Art District, the show brings together four distinct perspectives exploring space, identity, and creative potential.
6th - 8th
DENVER GREEK FESTIVAL
Opa! Celebrate Greek culture, food, music, and dance at the Denver Greek Festival, one of the city’s most beloved summer traditions. From homemade baklava to lively performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend. For tickets and more information, go to TheGreekFestival.com.
7th - 8th
CHALK ART FESTIVAL
Watch the streets come alive with color at the annual Chalk Art Festival! Stroll through Cherry Creek North as
local artists transform the sidewalks into stunning works of art, creating everything from playful scenes to intricate masterpieces right before your eyes. For more information, go to DenverChalk.Art.
DAIRY BLOCK AFTER DARK: EVENING BAZAAR
Celebrate summer nights in LoDo at the Dairy Block After Dark: Evening Bazaar. The curated nighttime market features 15+ local vendors, DJ sets, immersive art, and food and drink specials. Stop by before or after the Rockies game and enjoy a lively evening in Denver’s only activated alley.
JACK PAUL PICKLEBALL OPENING
Serve up a difference in the fight against childhood cancer at the Jack Paul Pickleball Open. This tournament raises funds for research to prevent Graft versus Host Disease, bringing players together for a great cause. For more information and to register, go to MorganAdamsFoundation.org.
Our charmingly compac t trailer offers great versatility, fitting into tighter spaces and accommodating more intimate gatherings without sacrificing quality or ser vice.
When you reser ve The Crudo Car t, we will set up in any venue, backyard or side street to make your par ty or event stand out with cold seafood!