Greeley, CO June 2024

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Thank you to the Men

It is time to celebrate the men in our lives!  Our community is full of amazing male leaders. There is no shortage of men who are doing great things, including raising their children with love and values, supporting their families with businesses and careers that give back to the community and volunteering and supporting non-profit organizations that look out for the less fortunate.

This month, we get to know Coach Ed Lamb, the head coach for UNC’s football team. He gives us a peek into his world outside of coaching and helps us learn more about his experience moving his family to Greeley. We also meet the Larson family—sixth generation farmers of a large Greeley ranch who embody the family values that Greeley was founded on.

While we will all celebrate Father’s on June 16th, you don’t have to be a father to find something to enjoy in this issue. Thank you to all of the hard working, good men in Greeley that help make our community a great place to be. Take this month as the perfect opportunity to tell the men in your life how much you love and appreciate them.

Sincerely Yours,

TARA RASMUSON, PUBLISHER @GREELEYLIFESTYLE

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Tara Rasmuson | tara.rasmuson@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Mathew Klickstein mathew.klickstein@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Caitlyn Olson | caitlyn.olson@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Caitlyn Olson | caitlyn.olson@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mathew Klickstein, Dana Olson, Aaron Fongers

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Taryn Ashlee Photography, Patrick Aspinall, UNC Athletics, Photos by Diandra, Dyenamic Media Concepts

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

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Single Implants

Full Mouth Reconstruction with All-on-4

UNC

Greeley's

Syrcuit

Old Dominion 7/6/24

SuperStars+ Concert Package

Colorado’s Best Concert Deal! $180-210 ($240-330 value) Noco’s Best concert deal!

Includes one ticket to ALL six arena concerts! Featuring:

Old Dominion with Greylan James | Chris Young with Hailey Whitters

T.I. with Waka Flocka Flame | Cheap Trick with Romero

Shane Smith & The Saints with Zach Top

We The Kingdom with Colton Dixon

For a complete list of events, tickets, and more, visit

6/26 × PRCA Xtreme Bulls $25-30

6/27 × PRCA ProRodeo $20-35 First Responders Night

6/28 × T.I. with Waka Flocka Flame $45-60

6/29 × PRCA ProRodeo $20-35 × Chris Young with Hailey Whitters $45-60

6/30 × PRCA ProRodeo $20-35 × We the Kingdom with Colton Dixon $45-60

7/1 × PRCA ProRodeo $20-35 Stampede Out Cancer Night

7/2 × PRCA ProRodeo $20-35 Military Appreciation Night

7/3 × PRCA ProRodeo - Finals $20-35

7/4 × American Bull Fighting $20-25 × Cheap Trick with Romero $45-60

7/5 × Shane Smith & The Saints $45-60 with Zach Top

7/6 × Heritage of Mexico Rodeo $25-35 × Old Dominion with Greylan James $45-60

7/7 × Demolition Derby $25-40

1: Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new campus! 2: Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy celebrated Under the Big Top Casino Night. 3: Better Business Bureau Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming hosted their 2024 BBB Celebration of Ethics.

business monthly

Colorado GRIT Brings on New Assistant General Manager

Colorado GRIT welcomed Jesse Predhomme as its new Assistant General Manager. Jesse joins the GRIT family with an impressive twelve years of coaching experience along with a two-year tenure as a scout. Jesse will work alongside General Manager Gaven Bickford in their efforts to continue growing the GRIT and hockey throughout the Northern Colorado community.

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NOCO Healthcare Now Offering Advanced Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Sheree Montoya and NOCO Healthcare are excited to further enhance their patients' lives with the addition of Advanced Bioidentical Hormone Therapy. For those suffering from trouble with sleeping, a decreased libido, unknown weight gain, fatigue, brain fog or who have simply felt their zest for life has left their body, this new hormone therapy may be able to help. NOCO Healthcare is available for consultations now to get their patients feeling better the same day.

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New SOAR Program Coming this Summer: Elevate Dance Performance

Elevate is a SOAR program designed specifically for dancers to improve their technique, balance, stability and body awareness. This program is inspired by Monica, SOAR’s dance instructor, and was developed in a research project she conducted for her master’s degree. Elevate utilizes strength training not just to foster overall technical enhancement but also to pinpoint and address muscle imbalances and weaknesses that could potentially result in poor technique habits or injury.

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A COACHFOR ALLSEASON S

ARTICLE BY MATHEW KLICKSTEIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATRICK ASPINALL AND UNC ATHLETICS

UNC FOOTBALL COACH ED LAMB KICKS IT INTO HIGH GEAR

“The community has been so welcoming and supportive of us.”

Photography by Patrick Aspinall

University of Northern Colorado’s (UNC) new head football coach, Ed Lamb, was looking for something unique before he chose to move his family to Greeley a little more than a year ago.

There was his young daughter, still a high school sophomore in the middle of her academic year, to consider. And then there was his son, Edward, also in his teens, to think about. Edward lives with severe autism, does not communicate through conventional means, can at times be unpredictable in his behavior and requires special needs schooling and attention.

With the comfort, safety and social structure of his children foremost on his mind, Ed knew that transitioning his family to a new town from where he had been working as assistant head football coach at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah could be challenging.

But Ed is a man who actively seeks out these types of progressive moves forward. Character building is an integral part of his worldview — for himself, for his kids and for the players he has been proud to coach over the course of his nationwide travels and career.

With no previous connections to Greeley, Ed boasts that the move was — for his entire family — a “complete leap of faith,” though one they’ve ultimately been delighted to have taken.

“I was interested in the head coach job the moment it opened up,” Ed says. He noted his previous experience successfully serving as head coach at Southern Utah University for nearly a decade, punctuated by his longstanding relationship with UNC Director of Athletics Darren Dunn, helped him to secure the position.

“Much of this has been about the kindness and flexibility of people here in Greeley.”

Ed Lamb guides his son Edward in equine therapy; Photography by Patrick Aspinall

“I had been looking for not only a new head coaching opportunity but a specific one that would give me the chance to really build up a program from one that had been facing some hard times.”

Being a part of a college football program such as BYU’s, with its impressive legacy and substantial resources, was satisfying for Ed. But he felt there wasn’t much he could do to make a true impact.

“UNC is a much different situation,” Ed says. “Building the program here from where it was before is what really gets me up in the morning every day.”

Once setting his sights on his new hometown, Ed quickly realized that Greeley would be the kind of place where he and his family could not only comfortably reside . . . but flourish.

“Right away, we had people from the community come in and help us with some of our biggest concerns,” Ed recalls.

The Lambs were introduced to a myriad of resources that would help them navigate their needs, especially with ensuring Edward would be comfortable and well taken care of, thanks to the tireless efforts of the likes of Tyler Richardson and his family, the Arc of Weld County and Envision.

“The community has been so welcoming and supportive of us,” Ed says.

Ed also credits realtor Steve Baker and Roche Contractors for helping him arrange suitable acreage to continue the equine therapy that had become such an important part of both Edward’s wellbeing and the Lambs’ family lifestyle.

“So much of this has been about the kindness and the flexibility of people who have become true friends here in Greeley,” Ed says. “It was less than a year

ago that they were just strangers. It has happened that fast and easily.”

The Lambs are now doing what they can to give back to the community by expanding the weekly equine therapy sessions they’ve provided for their son to include other children with disabilities throughout the area, with an eventual goal of building a focused nonprofit foundation to grow such services even further.

In addition to being a father of a child with special needs, Ed believes that his background and education in counseling, for which he received a master’s degree, has helped him become particularly qualified for such therapeutic work.

“My training in the past has taught me the importance of listening,” Ed says. “I use that in my priorities as a husband, father, football coach and for what I do trying to offer opportunities to kids with disabilities to get up on horseback.”

Ed’s daughter, Summer, has meanwhile found her tribe at Greeley West High School (GWHS). Ed modestly defers to the teachers at GWHS and administration at District 6 for the ease at which both Summer and Edward have found their place in their new community.

In addition to being involved in the school’s theater program, Ed observes that Summer has found a “really good group of friends who really care about each other, their academics and their future. So, it’s been really good for all of us here.”

With what (very) little spare time Ed and his busy family have, he says they’ve grown to look forward to the Greeley Stampede every year — “the music, the CONTINUED >

Photography by Patrick Aspinall

rodeos, the food; what a blast!” – along with the many offerings for live performance, culinary delights and vibrant energy offered by their weekend outings downtown.

“People have reached out with so much friendship and inclusion,” Ed concludes. “They really have put my family, which had our concerns as mentioned before, at ease with this move. It has been even better than we could’ve hoped.”

On the Sidelines

Though soccer was Ed’s first athletic passion, along with his youthful interest in baseball, football was where he early on found his most viable opportunities for college scholarships. From there, it was a relatively smooth transition into the field of coaching.

“I had always had really great experiences coaching, from my dad who had also been a coach when I was really young, to the coaches I had in high school,” Ed says.

What has been something of a welcomed surprise from his original life plan was his ending up coaching at the coveted university level.

“I had wanted to be a head football coach and English teacher at a high school,” Ed says, adding, “and possibly a counselor there, as well.”

Photography by Patrick Aspinall

The COWBOY WAY

GREELEY'S TRADITIONAL ROOTS IN THE "AG LIFE" LIVES ON, AS SEEN THROUGH ONE MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY

ARTICLE BY MATHEW KLICKSTEIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TARYN ASHLEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Four generations of the Larson family (l-r): Jack, Jack (kneeling), Luke, Lelyn and John

Greeley Hat Works' Trent Johnson at Larson Farms with Lelyn Larson

Greeley Hat Works head honcho Trent Johnson calls it “hatisfaction.”

A colorful hybrid of, well . . . “hat” and “satisfaction.” Ostensibly, he means that particular satisfaction one garners from wearing a hat — not to be confused with a baseball cap, as Trent likes to declare — that fits the bill perfectly.

For Trent, “hatisfaction” and its complementary “hatitude” are about more than mere style or clever branding. He works as hard as he does because he knows his clients often need his hats to

properly get their work done day in and day out, too.

A prolific globetrotter fitting dignitaries, politicians, musicians and the cast of popular television shows and movies such as Yellowstone and Jeremy Renner starrer Wind River, Trent also makes hats for our men and women working out on the range, helping to keep Greeley connected to its proud agrarian legacy.

“That’s my number one customer,” Trent says. “People that really use the hats. For me, Greeley Hat Works is truly part of Weld County’s western way of life.”

Larson Farms & Feeding LLC facilitates a diversified ranching operation based

on the eastern outskirts of town whose dynasty of such Greeley Hat Works patrons have been tirelessly working their land in Weld County for six generations.

Four of those six generations, from stolid great-grandfather Jack, straight through to his tiny tyke great-grandchildren Luke and namesake Jack, together oversee more than 4,000 irrigated acres of forage crops.

They also operate a 10,000 head feedlot and maintain a 750 head cow herd that spend their summers in Wyoming when not grazing and calving during the winter on cover crops planted across the ever-growing family’s harvested fields.

(Young) Jack Larson with grandson of longtime employee of Larson Farms

(Senior) Jack and Lelyn Larson walking the feedlot

The next generation of Larson Farms: brothers Luke and Jack Larson

“My son first started doing this, and now my grandsons do it like nobody else can do it. It’s important work. It really gets me a little emotional how much they can do it themselves now.” — Lelyn Larson

“Everything has changed so much. There’s a real science to everything now. We do miss a lot more of the manual handling we used to do back then. But, it’s also more efficient now. There’s memories I have that are good, but we’re real happy with the way we do things now.” — (Older) Jack Larson

“I’ve been doing it for a few years now. My favorite part is wrestling the calves. And I like showing my friends how it’s done, too. It’s just fun in general.” — (Young) Jack Larson

The future of Larson Farms already taking the driver's seat

“That’s my number one customer,” Trent says. “People that really use the hats. For me, Greeley Hat Works is truly part of Weld County’s western way of life.”

A Good Cowboy Needs a Good Hat

Zealously adhering to the Larson Farms’ motto of “our core values run deep and true,” the Larsons strive to keep the way of the cowboy alive while always looking to the future for continued progress and adaptation to the changing times.

One thing that hasn’t changed since the first Larson immigrated from Sweden to the area in 1905 (a mere four years before Greeley Hat Works started up) is the need for a good, comfortable and sturdy hat.

“We’ve been working with Greeley Hat Works since before Trent bought it,” the senior Jack says. “Trent was still in college at that time, just working there. But now he’s running the show, and we all get our hats there to this day.”

To Jack’s son Lelyn, the Larson family continues depending on Trent as their hatter due to one word: “quality.” In clarifying his notion, Lelyn points to the “quality” of the material used.

“It’s about craftsmanship and durability,” Lelyn says. “The fact that Trent’s hats hold their shape even if you get into some rain or something like that. All of our hats are hats he has made, and they definitely are always of that higher quality we need to be out there and working as hard as we do.”

“It means a lot to me to go out and see people who get so much out of the hats that we make for them,” Trent says. “Whether it’s bright as can be out, raining, snowing or whatever, our hats are, in the end, made to protect the cowboys so they can do what they need to do to get the job done right.”

for

Landowner Charlie Kingsbury, with Craig Rasmuson and Matt Lauer

EVOLVING ENERGY

Syrcuit Energy Solutions Invests in Ever-Growing Energy Demand with a Focus on Local Values

It is undeniable that reliable, affordable and abundant energy is the foundation for a thriving economy and society, yet the threat of climate change has challenged our use of the cheapest and most affordable energy sources: fossil fuels. The search for renewable, cleaner energy sources to power our homes, our cars and our lives well into the future has proven to bring challenges and opportunity to the energy sector. Syrcuit Energy Solutions, a local Northern Colorado startup, was formed with the goal of providing the solutions needed to meet Colorado’s ambitious decarbonization standards while bringing opportunity and revenue to its local community.

“No matter how you feel about the energy transition, evidence that the movement is here to stay permeates Colorado,” shares Matt Lauer, Syrcuit’s Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder. “Society continues to demand a more carbon-free, renewable platform for their future. Our desire is to create sources of new clean renewable energy while helping residents in Northern Colorado to be a part of that change in a mutually beneficial and prosperous way.”

Syrcuit Energy Solutions was born in 2021 from the collaborations of Craig Rasmuson and Matt Lauer, former executives with deep ties to Weld County and

ARTICLE BY AARON FONGERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DYENAMIC MEDIA CONCEPTS

the energy industry. From 2008 to 2020, Craig worked diligently to build Synergy, a Weld County-based oil and gas company focused on developing strong relationships with partners, competitors, landowners and investors. The experience at Synergy left Craig with a great appreciation for the value of a team of individuals dedicated to investing in, improving and strengthening their community. After an eleven-year run that saw great success for Synergy, Craig and Matt decided to launch a new venture – pursuing cleaner, renewable energy sources through solar energy. In early 2022, Matt and Craig were able to officially fund and form Syrcuit – the unique spelling pays homage to the values, lessons and successes of Synergy.

“Our team loved what we were able to do at Synergy and felt that in many ways we wanted to do something similar in the clean energy space,” Craig, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Syrcuit, shares. “We built a company from the ground up, took it to a very healthy place and our team specialized in developing close, trusting relationships with investors and landowners that put us in a successful position to move into new opportunities with renewable energy.”

While Synergy’s focus may have been in the oil/gas field, Syrcuit’s new focus is on solar energy – utilizing the abundance of Colorado sunshine and open land to capitalize on the generation of cleaner, more renewable energy for residents in Northern Colorado and beyond. The rise of solar panels as a new source of energy over the last few years certainly isn’t news to anyone at this point. Colorado’s geographical position has made it a hot spot for solar companies in recent years.

Syrcuit’s eagerness to boost its Colorado market, however, isn’t about making a name for itself or earning top dollar. Rather, its focus has always been establishing mutually beneficial and impactful relationships with members of the community and creating value for its investors.

“From the very beginning, I saw how this team was devoted to the rights and the feelings of Colorado landowners first and foremost, and that has always been a huge selling point for me,” says Melissa Truitt, Director of Land for Syrcuit. “No matter how big or small a property is, no matter how long it has been in your family – it is still your land, and we want to steward it well so that it can make a difference in your life and in the lives of generations to come for your family.”

Putting the needs of their community first has always been a mantra for Syrcuit. As Colorado natives and longtime residents of Weld County, Craig, Matt, Melissa and the entire Syrcuit team prioritize their reputation and the trust of their fellow community

Syrcuit Numbers at a Glance

• 2021 - Syrcuit is founded

• 6 full-time employees; 4 independent directors

• 200+ years of combined energy experience

• ~35,000 acres of land acquired, to date

• 85% of shareholders live in Greeley, Colorado

• 20 - 4,500 acres are the typical leases Syrcuit signs with landowners

• 6 acres = generation of ~1 Megawatt of Energy

• 14 current projects submitted in Colorado; 10 more in the works for 2024

members through every step of their business model. “We understand who you are as an individual and as a landowner, and we respect you. We are a part of you,” Melissa shares passionately. “We are not coming in from out of state with no care or consideration for the cost of development to you. We are presenting you with an opportunity to keep yourself at the forefront of a project that will benefit your family and your community in a variety of ways.”

Syrcuit negotiates with landowners and leases their land with their needs, concerns and returns at forefront of mind. The team understands agricultural lands and accommodates these activities within their development plans. Their history and network in the energy community has allowed Syrcuit to quickly flourish.

Syrcuit’s impressive mission and growth is not only beneficial for their landowners but also their investors, most of whom are also local members of the tight-knit Northern Colorado community.

By the end of 2023, Syrcuit had compiled just shy of 30,000 acres of land for potential solar projects, in addition to working with utility companies, universities and tech companies to provide power directly to consumers for data

centers and other high energy intensity operations. For a company that endeavored into the renewable energy industry a mere two years ago, Syrcuit’s growth and portfolio is certainly impressive. The team credits this success as a testament to their deep roots in the community and their community-forward focus.

“Colorado utilities have committed to aggressive decarbonization goals that will necessitate investment in renewable energy installment,” Matt says. “With the need for renewable energy generation increasing, we know that communities will benefit from local companies developing these projects. Renewable energy facilities make big impacts on the surrounding community, as such, it is important that they are planned and constructed by someone with equal time and investment in the success of the community. We’re hoping to be the local Colorado energy group with the experience, care and trust of the community to do it right, better and first.”

As a landowner, a potential investor, business owner, or community member in Northern Colorado, you can rest assured that Syrcuit is committed to finding clean energy solutions for you, your family and your community for generations to come.

Meet Some of the Syrcuit Energy team

Craig Rasmuson (CEO & Founder)

• Former COO of Synergy (2008-2020)

• 30 years of combined experience in Operations, Management and Executive Leadership

• Values how the team has transitioned from Synergy and continues to complement each other’s skills and abilities

Matt Lauer (COO & Co-Founder)

• Greeley resident for 15 years with deep ties to Weld County

• Background in Operational/Start-Up Finance

• Over a decade of experience in Power/Energy Generation

Melissa Truitt (Director of Land)

• Colorado native

• 20 years of oil & gas and solar land and regulatory experience

• Secured over 100,000 acres of land for energy projects with over 1 GW of projects secured for solar

Inspiration

Rodz & Bodz Cars & Coffee

The end of each month through September; facebook.com/RodzandBodz

Greeley Stampede Hot Rods and Horsepower

June 29th, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; greeleystampede.org/p/hotrods

Full Throttle Annual Car Show

July 13th, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.; events.aims.edu/ event/aims_14th_annual_car_show

The How We Roll for MDA Benefit Car Show

August 11th,10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; nalcbranch324.com/ how-we-roll-for-mda-car-show/

Griot’s Garage’s Colorado Nationals

September 6 – 8th; good-guys.com/cn

BUILDING LEADERS, CHANGING LIVES

NoCo Unify Board Members- Joshua Dollard, Erik Hegstad, Shane Redman, Reed Miller, Nick Galuzzo, Blas Estrada, David Finkelstein and Brent Duggar

What do you call a group of fun-loving, young, professional men dedicated to building business leaders in the spirit of philanthropy? Northern Colorado United for Youth (NoCo Unify). Having diverged from another similar organization, NoCo Unify was established in 2007 and comprises of men from various professions in their twenties and thirties. Bound together by a philanthropic spirit to support at-risk youth in Larimer and

THE STORY OF NOCO UNIFY

ARTICLE BY DANA OLSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHOTOS BY DIANDRA

events at The Grainhouse in Windsor

Weld counties, it boasts an all-volunteer membership of 40-45 men and a ten-seat board of directors.

NoCo Unify’s leadership changes annually in alignment with its mission to cultivate leaders, and it has no paid staff members. Every dollar of the $200,000 to $400,000 annually raised funds is invested into the community through grants focusing on underprivileged youth. Funds are raised through three annual events – the Down and Derby Party, the Kids Classic Golf Tournament and their flagship event, the Suitcase Party, to which attendees arrive with bags packed for a three-day getaway via private plane awarded to the

raffle winners. NoCo Unify’s fundraising events are eagerly anticipated gatherings known for providing maximum entertainment, contributing to their consistently high attendance. The running cost of these events is kept low due to sponsorships and merchant donations.

More important than these events is their mission – “to impact the lives of kids that are at risk who wouldn’t have the same chance that other kids in our community have,” says Brent Duggar. “But even beyond that is what we’re doing to help build leadership attributes and quality amongst our members and ourselves, the relationships created,” Josh Dollard shares.

"OUR MISSION IS TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF AT-RISK KIDS." - BRENT DUGGAR

The charity review committee meets at the end of each year to assess grant application submissions. Funds raised in a given year support the previous year’s grant recipients. Two grant types exist: Impact Grants surpass $25,000 for onetime capital improvements and sustaining grants that are below this threshold. The committee prioritizes applications demonstrating sustained impact, potentially benefitting more youth. Smaller sustaining grants target singular investments, excluding operational expenses

like salaries. Both grant types directly benefit youth under 20 in Larimer and/ or Weld County, requiring recipients to be 501(c)(3) organizations. NoCo Unify strives for equitable grant distribution to both counties.

Allocation considerations include housing, food insecurity, child development and mental and physical health needs. Respite Care, Inc., Realities for Children, KidsPak of Loveland, the United Way of Larimer County, La Familia Child Development Center and

the Boys and Girls Club are among the list of grant recipients.

Some of NoCo Unify’s favorite accomplishments include the purchase of a food truck bearing NoCo Unify branding for the Weld County Food Bank and the partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Jefferson High School to teach students home-building and other skills, which helps raise the graduation rate of these students from 50% to 100%, even encouraging them on to college.

While each membership story differs, they share a common theme. Being part of NoCo Unify enriches lives beyond measure not only through their charitable achievements but also through the lasting relationships built among members. Individual growth is experienced by members as they become aware of community needs, are exposed to the lives of those less fortunate and as men of influence, humble themselves to perform menial tasks in service to the community.

Punctuated by the fun demeanor of NoCo Unify and the comradery established through planning and executing fundraising events and their meaningful outcomes, the organization provides a win-win situation for all. Cultivating business leadership and a philanthropic mindset lies at the center of NoCo Unify’s mission. That coupled with their charitable success stories qualifies NoCo Unify as a vital organization to assist the disadvantaged youth of Northern Colorado.

Board Member, Reed Miller

Board Member, David "Fink" Finkelstein

A DAY

LIFE in The

MAYOR JOHN GATES: GUIDING THE TOWN WE LOVE WITH PRIDE

ARTICLE BY MATHEW KLICKSTEIN

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Greeley born and raised, having hardly traveled anywhere else during his productive adulthood in local public service — which includes a lengthy tenure as law enforcement officer and Chief of Safety and Security for Greeley-Evans School District 6 — Mayor John Gates finds immense satisfaction in the fact that Greeley is “growing and has all the amenities of bigger cities without any of the negatives.”

Mayor Gates presents at

Mayor Gates is well aware that Greeley’s noticeable expansion is due in part to its reasonable price of living combined with the physical room to grow. As such, he is dedicated to doing all he can to stay focused, dedicated and diligent about the community’s improvement during this time of exciting change.

“My day in the life as mayor will change substantially after July 1st because, for the entire time I’ve been an elected official, I’ve been fully employed at the school district,” Mayor Gates says. “I’ve juggled being an elected official, which is by design a parttime job, with my full-time job that I’ll be retiring from soon.”

For the time being, Mayor Gates is an “early riser,” getting to work at the school district early, reading the morning papers (particularly the Denver Post and Greeley Tribune) and tackling his emails before anyone else is up.

“Between my two jobs, I often get more than 350 emails a day, along with the morning and evening meetings I attend,” Mayor Gates reveals. “I find I have very little spare time . . . but that’s not a complaint!”

Having been elected multiple times, Mayor Gates contends that “this is what I’ve asked for,” and is more than anything appreciative of the citizens of Greeley for having faith in him to continue leading.

Mayor Gates is confident that once he retires from the school district, he’ll have more time to enjoy his life beyond his mayoral duties, including traveling beyond Greeley’s borders. All while keeping his eye firmly on the bottom-line back home.

“[Greeley's] growing and has all the amenities of bigger cities without any of the negatives.”

Mayor John Gates reads to an elementary class for Read Across America

Direct Primary Care

EVERY SATURDAY

Greeley Farmers' Market

North of Lincoln Park on 7th Street

The summer season of the Greeley Farmers' Market continues to go strong every Saturday, now at a brand new location! The summer Farmers’ Market has moved to 7th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenue, north of Lincoln Park. This new location has given the Farmers' Market more room to expand and has already brought additional vibrancy to the downtown area! 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday through October.

JUNE 1ST

Pull for Youth to Benefit

Life Stories

Colorado Clays Shooting Park, 13600 Lanewood Street, Brighton | 9:00 AM

Join Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy for their annual Pull for Youth event. Registration includes breakfast, a 15-station shooting course, lunch, prizes and awards. A traveling trophy is given to the top team of First Responders. Teams of four can register for $500, and individuals can register for $150. To learn more or become a sponsor, visit lifestoriesweld.org

JUNE 3RD

Summer Sports Performance Training at SOAR

Scientifically Oriented Athletic Regimen (SOAR), 965 59th Ave. Unit B

Starting the week of June 3rd, SOAR will be offering its Summer Sports Performance Training. Sessions will take place in the morning and throughout the day with flexibility on how many weeks and days of training take place. Spe-

cialty sessions are available for dance, basketball and a Saturday morning speed and agility camp. To sign up, visit soarathlete.com/programs

JUNE 8TH - 9TH

Rummage Sale

Store It Wise at Westmoor, 4753 W. 10th St. | 8:00 AM

Local childhood cancer fund, Zac's Legacy, is hosting their 8th annual Rummage Sale. Stop by between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to shop some amazing pieces for sale, all to benefit Zac’s Legacy Childhood Cancer Fund. For more information, visit zacslegacy.squarespace.com/events.

JUNE 10TH - 14TH

Scuba Dive into Friendship with God

Trinity Lutheran Church School Building, 3000 35th Ave. | 9:00 AM

Enroll your child to dive into a week of adventure at Trinity's Vacation Bible School (VBS)! At Scuba VBS, kids will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about. Register your child, three years old through 5th grade, at vbspro.events/p/trinityvbs24. Contact the Trinity Lutheran Church Office at 970.330.2485 for questions.

JUNE 13TH - 15TH

Ladies Stampede Shopping Days

Accessories with a FLAIR!...and Hair, 801 8th Avenue Suite 4 | 10:00 AM

Grab your ladies and stop by Accessories with a Flair!  . . . and Hair! to shop specials offered on Western Chic outfits, hats and jewelry just in time for the Greeley Stampede! Open between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

CONTINUED

JUNE 19TH

Emotion Code: How Emotions Impact the Wellness of the

Body

Balance Health, 1709 61st Ave. | 5:30 PM Kelly Stout, CECP, CBCP of Colorado Bioenergetics is partnering with Balance Health to educate the Greeley community on the impact of our emotional health and the wellness (or disease) of the rest of the body. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP to office@balanceclinics.com.

JUNE 22ND

Greeley Recreation’s Family Field Day

Lincoln Park, 800 10th Ave. | 10:00 AM Join Greeley Recreation for a Family Field Day with more than 15 interactive stations for individuals of all ages including inflatables, water games, sack races, crafts, a dessert walk and more until 2 p.m.! Pre-registration price is $3 for ages 4-12 and $5 for ages 13+. Day-of price is $5 for all ages. Ages 3 and under are free! Register at mygreeleyrec.com.

JUNE 26TH - JULY 7TH

Greeley Stampede

It’s that time of year once again! The 102nd Greeley Stampede is soon underway later this month, and they’re breaking out all the best of what the town has grown to love about this most anticipated yearly community gala. Awesome concerts, the best in local culinary delights, rodeos, all sorts of activities for all ages and so much more. greeleystampede.org/

Summer Camp Offers Hands-On Learning

Centennial Village Museum was recently designated a City Landmark by the Greeley Historic Preservation Commission. With more than 35 historical buildings on eight acres, costumed interpreters and heritage farm animals, it’s always been a great place for kids to learn about the past.

This year, History Colorado’s Hands-On History Camp will be at the museum July 15 through August 9, offering four full weeks of fun, learning and unforgettable experiences for kids 6 years and older in grade 1-5. Registration open now at HistoryColorado.org/HandsOnHistory

FATHER’S gift guide DAY

Find Something that Shows You Care, Right Here in Town

1. ROLEX FROM WEISS JEWELERS (955 52ND AVE. CT., STE 200)

With classic elegance and timeless style, it’s more than a watch: it’s a Rolex.

2. TABLETOP GAMES FROM THE NERD STORE (807 8TH ST.)

Let dad’s geek flag fly high by getting him gamed!

3. GOLF CLUBS FROM GREELEY COUNTRY CLUB (4500 W 10TH ST.)

What better way to tell dad, “You’re aces!”

4. TICKETS TO STELLA’S UNDERGROUND STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE (802 9TH ST.)

Tickle his funny bone with the gift of laughter.

5. FATHER’S DAY GIFT BOX SET FROM GREELEY HAT WORKS (2613 8TH AVE.)

Comes with everything dad needs to maintain his custom felt hats.

DEAR PIONEERS,