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WELLNESS

GOLDEN HOUR, CITY PARK, AND THE KIDS WHO NEVER WANT TO GO HOME

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Kids, Pets, and 150 Years of Home

There's a particular kind of chaos that comes with August in Denver, and I mean that in the best way. It's kids squeezing in the last weeks of summer before school starts, dogs dragging their people around the block one more time before the heat breaks, and everybody trying to soak up every bit of sunshine we've got left. This issue is all about that energy, the ones who keep our homes loud and our hearts full.

We start on Tennyson Street, where the Pet Parade takes over for an afternoon and half the neighborhood shows up in costume, leash in hand, dog included. We also sat down with Ben Kinning from Woofies Denver East, who talks about what it actually takes to run a business built around loving other people's pets like your own.

On the kid side of things, Trey and Katie Kennedy shared their story with us, and it's the kind of conversation that reminds you why we do this magazine in the first place. We also caught up with Bernadette Luna from Lifewave, who has spent years thinking about wellness in a way that includes the whole family, pets and all.

If you or someone you know is expecting, don't skip the piece on The Birth Squad. It's a look at the kind of support system every new parent deserves and not enough people know exists right here in our own zip codes.

And because no issue feels complete without something to make in your own kitchen, Jacqui Gabel is back with a recipe that's perfect for those last lazy weekends before fall creeps in.

One more thing worth raising a glass to this month. Colorado turns 150 this year, and there is something fitting about celebrating that milestone in an issue about the next generation, both the two legged and four legged kind. This state has always been about the people and creatures who call it home, and August feels like the right time to say thank you for being part of that story with us.

As always, thanks for reading, thanks for supporting the local folks who make this neighborhood what it is, and I'll see you around the block.

NATE THOMAS, PUBLISHER

@MILEHIGHCITYLIFESTYLE_MAGAZINE

August 2026

PUBLISHER

Nate Thomas | nate.thomas@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Valerie Bianculli, Meredith Cole, Bernadette Luna, Jacqui Gabel

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Regan Rouse, Michael Ryno, Professional Storytelling, Amber and Aaron Hendrick, Ryan Cox, Coxitron Studio

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

Proverbs 3:5-6

With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.

Photography: Regen Rouse

Mobile Pet Spa

Sitting

Walking

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1-3: There’s something about the North Green on a summer evening that just works. Someone’s always got a blanket claimed too early, kids are weaving between the food truck lines with popsicles dripping down their hands, and by the second song half the crowd is up dancing even though nobody planned to. You show up thinking you’ll stay for one set and end up staying till the sun’s all the way down, because you ran into your neighbor, then your kid’s teacher, then somebody you keep meaning to grab coffee with. It’s not a big production. It’s just people showing up for each other, week after week, and somehow that ends up being the whole point.

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business monthly

Where the West Was Never Lost

Five Points has a new heartbeat, and it twangs. Broken Bow Western opened this spring at 2201 Lawrence St. in the former Mile High Spirits space, and it is not your average cowboy bar. Founder Colton Patterson, all of 19 years old, built something deliberately unhurried: red dirt acts, Americana walls, a kitchen turning out honest food, and a retail shop you won't find anywhere else. This is country music the way it was meant to feel. Pull up a stool.

Ride Wealth Partners

From our hometown of Golden, Ride Wealth Partners is celebrating a successful first year built on trusted relationships and community. We specialize in helping business owners, high-net-worth families, and pilots navigate retirement planning, tax-aware strategies, and market uncertainty. Our mission is to protect what’s important, help clients maximize what they've earned, and give back through local partnerships and volunteer efforts. When it comes to your financial future, who picks up matters.

Scan to read more

Risica: Big Flavor, Small Price Tag

Chef Andrea Frizzi, the talent behind Il Posto and Vero Italian, is opening Risica in RiNo's Edit building this August. The concept strips Italian dining down to its essentials: pizzas, charcuterie, and small plates all priced at $20 or less, letting diners build a meal that fits their appetite and budget. The standout may be the portafoglio, pizza dough folded and cooked, then stuffed with mortadella, stracciatella, and pistachios.

the CITY LIST

Animal Focused Volunteering

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter maxfund.org | 303.595.4917

Denver Zoo denverzoo.org | 720.337.1400

Denver Animal Shelter https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/ Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Animal-Shelter | 720.913.1311

Urban Wildlife Rescue urbanwildliferescue.org | 303.340.4911

Humane Colorado humanecolorado.org/volunteer | 303.751.5772

Best Play Space

Play Street Museum – Lowry lowry.playstreetmuseum.com | 720.379.2067

Tumble Haus tumblehaus.com | 720.379.3470

Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park urbanair.com/colorado-denver-east | 303.536.1951

Denver Museum of Nature & Science dmns.org | 303.370.6000

Baby University babyuniversity.net | 720.766.6907

A Smarter Approach to Wellness

Keeping

ARTICLE BY VALERIE BIANCULLI PHOTOGRAPHY BY PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING

How one pet owner’s personal journey inspired a business focused on comfort, trust, and convenience

Tails Wagging

For many pet owners, grooming is another item on the to-do list—a routine appointment to keep your pet looking clean and tidy. But for Ben Kinning, owner of Woofies Denver East, grooming is about something much deeper: trust, comfort, and the emotional well-being of every animal in his care.

His perspective wasn’t shaped by business school or market research. It came from two rescue dogs who carried the scars of a traumatic past.

“My family adopted a mother and daughter,” Kinning recalls. “They had grown up in an environment where the large dogs were kept outside because they would attack the small dogs inside. They thought other dogs were a threat.”

Every trip to a traditional grooming salon became an ordeal.

“They would be shaking, crying all the way to the groomer. They would have accidents in the car. They didn’t want to go inside. They were terrified of the loud noises, the other dogs, everything about the experience.”

Like many pet owners facing anxious pets, Kinning found himself delaying appointments as long as possible.

“We would wait until the very last second because every grooming appointment was so traumatic. Their coats would become matted, and we’d end up having to shave them down.”

Everything changed when one of his dogs finally experienced mobile grooming.

“It was night and day,” he says. “She actually came out smiling and happy. There was no car ride, no crowded salon, no chaos. She received gentle, individualized care, and seeing that difference made me want to become an advocate for this type of service.”

That personal experience ultimately inspired Kinning to open Woofies Denver East, where mobile grooming, pet sitting, dog walking, and drop-in visits are all built around one philosophy: every pet deserves individualized attention.

Unlike traditional salons that often operate on tight schedules, Woofies slows the process down when needed.

“A lot of grooming salons have turned into an assembly line,” Kinning explains. “Dogs are handed off to multiple people, multiple dogs are being groomed at once, and many places use crate drying, where a cold, wet dog sits alone in a kennel.”

Woofies takes a different approach.

“It’s one-on-one the entire time. We monitor the dog’s behavior, their skin and coat, and if they’re struggling, we don’t rush the appointment. We spend extra time with them because making sure they have the safest, most comfortable experience possible is what’s important.”

Sometimes that even means inviting pet parents into the grooming van.

“If a dog struggles with nail trims or the dryer, we’ll let mom or dad come in and comfort them. Having a familiar person there is something you simply can’t do in a traditional salon.”

CONTINUED

“IT’S ONE-ON-ONE THE ENTIRE TIME. WE MONITOR THE DOG’S BEHAVIOR, THEIR SKIN AND COAT, AND IF THEY’RE STRUGGLING, WE DON’T RUSH THE APPOINTMENT. WE SPEND EXTRA TIME WITH THEM BECAUSE MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THE SAFEST, MOST COMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE IS WHAT’S IMPORTANT.”

That same philosophy extends beyond grooming.

Kinning says he expanded Woofies’ services because he understood firsthand how stressful it can be to leave pets behind while traveling.

“My own dogs couldn’t go to daycare because they were reactive around other dogs,” he says. “Finding someone trustworthy who could care for them in a home environment wasn’t always easy.”

He also witnessed another common challenge among pet owners.

“I’ve heard so many horror stories about sitters canceling at the last minute. That’s why we built a team. If one sitter isn’t available, we have backup support. We want to be the first place families think of whenever they need someone they trust to care for their pets.”

Trust, Kinning says, begins long before the first appointment.

Every new pet sitting client receives a complimentary meet-and-greet to discuss routines, medications, and preferences, while grooming appointments begin with a detailed consultation.

“We really believe in listening first,” he says. “Every pet is different, every family is different, and understanding what works best is incredibly important.”

When hiring staff, technical skills aren’t the first qualification he looks for.

“The number one thing is love and care for the pet,” Kinning says. “When our groomers and sitters finish their day, they don’t talk about schedules— they talk about the relationships they’ve built. They get excited when they see repeat clients on the calendar because they genuinely love those pets.”

Although many owners think grooming is simply cosmetic, Kinning believes regular grooming is essential for a pet’s overall health.

“Even dogs that don’t need haircuts benefit from professional grooming,” he explains. “Bathing, nail

trims, ear cleaning, teeth cleaning, skin checks, undercoat maintenance—those all contribute to a healthier dog.”

He also encourages owners not to wait until coats become severely matted.

“Mats are extremely painful,” he says. “I’ve heard it compared to wearing a really tight ponytail all day long. When those mats come out, there’s relief. Waiting too long doesn’t just affect how they look, it affects how they feel.”

For owners unsure how often their dog should be groomed, Kinning recommends consulting breed-specific guidance from the American Kennel Club and working with a trusted groomer to establish a regular schedule.

Above all, he hopes owners carefully consider who they trust with their pets.

“Think about them as family members,” he says. “Do your homework. Make sure the people caring for your pet are treating them with the same love and respect that you would.”

For Kinning, that’s the heart of Woofies.

TREY & KATIE KENNEDY

ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE

Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.

Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.

Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”

Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.

After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”

The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.

FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY

Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.

Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE

light in the darkness

Born & raised in the heart of Colorado — Denver

“Something about the merriment of the city, blended with the stillness of the mountains. Colorado is a place I am proud to call home. Living proof that love is all around us.”

-Bernadette Luna

We are going to take a deeper look at the girl behind the patch. She is so much more than an elite developer. She is a pioneer trailblazing with her community. Her heart and drive are anchored in one thing: impact that does the impossible, making dreams reality. She saw a need, for genuine value to be delivered — to the people that need it most. That became her foundation. From there, she built something rooted in purpose: a business designed to nurture, to support, and to lift people up. Because for her, being part of that kind of change doesn't just look different — it feels different. It calls for a different level of commitment, a different quality of presence, and a willingness to show up fully for the people counting on you. Her vision is clear: people healthy, people well, and communities genuinely growing together. Transforming the things that have been over complicated, made simple.

ARTICLE BY BERNADETTE LUNA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL RYNO

What If Optimal Wellness is achievable?

Discovering LIFEWAVE, changed her life in ways she describes as nothing short of miraculous. At the center of this change is the X39 patch — a completely natural, safe, drug/chemical-free approach to rejuvenating your health. Simple to use and backed by results and patented proven science. Giving people the chance to live life the way it was meant to. Taking leaps in the health and wellness world. She and countless others describe it as ‘The major shift’ — as though the patch is hitting a reset button on the way the body feels and functions. This product is not intended to make medical claims, but the stories speak for themselves. People are feeling better. They have a renewed sense of what is possible, and that deserves to be shared. Getting the chance to live again.

And that, for Bernadette, is everything. That belief has taken her further than she could imagine. Bernadette represents LIFEWAVE at the forefront and has partnered with local teams and organizations. Relationships built on shared values: pushing performance, maximizing potential, and helping people live life to the fullest. Creating community and partnerships that define how she operates — showing up where people are and bringing something real to the table.

For Bernadette, the path she's walking has support built into it, a proven system behind her, and plenty of room for people to grow along the way. Her goal is to be a beacon of hope in a time that could use more of it, measured simply by how many lives get touched along the way. Legacy building, for her, isn't some far off aspiration. It's already happening. She's not just building a business. She's building a movement.

It starts with taking care of the people closest to us, our own community, creating unity through synergy.

"I am excited to keep showing up for this community and creating change that actually matters. Uniting neighbors and unlocking what is possible together. Here's to us, growing and building in the power of connection."

HOW ONE NONPROFIT IS REBUILDING THE VILLAGE EVERY PARENT DESERVES, ONE FAMILY AND ONE CONNECTION AT A TIME.

THE VILLAGE PARENTS NEED

There’s a moment after bringing home a new baby when the excitement begins to quiet. Friends return to their routines. The flowers fade. The meals left by thoughtful neighbors become less frequent. The house is suddenly still—except for the cries, the feedings, and the endless cycle of wondering if you’re getting any of it right.

For many new parents, that’s when the real work begins.

The early weeks of parenthood are often portrayed as joyful and instinctive. While those moments certainly exist, so do exhaustion, uncertainty, and loneliness. Between recovering from birth, adjusting to an entirely new routine, and caring for a tiny human who depends on you for everything, it's easy to feel untethered.

In Denver, that experience can be even more pronounced. As one of the country's fastest-growing cities, many families have relocated here for work, adventure, or opportunity, often leaving grandparents, lifelong friends, and familiar support systems behind. The phrase "it takes a village" has become a familiar one, but for many parents today, finding that village isn't always easy.

That's where organizations like The Birth Squad are quietly making a difference.

A program of the Colorado Perinatal Mental Health Project, The Birth Squad helps Denver-area families build community before and after birth through free support groups, educational classes, peer gatherings, and access to perinatal mental health resources. Rather than focusing on perfection, the organization creates spaces where parents can ask honest questions, share difficult moments, celebrate small victories, and realize they're far from alone.

That sense of belonging can be transformative.

Perinatal mental health concerns affect countless families, yet many parents still hesitate to talk openly about anxiety, depression, overwhelm, or the emotional complexity that often accompanies pregnancy and the postpartum period. At the same time, social media often presents polished snapshots of parenthood that leave little room for the messy, vulnerable realities most families experience.

The Birth Squad offers something refreshingly different: permission to be human.

Parents gather without worrying about having all the answers. They find licensed professionals, peer support, and conversations grounded in empathy instead of judgment. Some come looking for practical advice. Others simply need someone to say, "I've felt that too."

People find the kind of connection that isn't just comforting; it's essential.

Research consistently shows that strong social support benefits both parents and children, improving emotional wellbeing while reducing feelings of isolation. Feeling seen, heard, and understood can make an enormous difference during one of life's biggest transitions.

As Denver continues to grow, so does the opportunity to rethink what community looks like. Families may not always have relatives living around the corner, but they can still build networks of neighbors, fellow parents, healthcare providers, and local organizations that understand the realities of raising children today.

The Birth Squad is helping make that possible, one conversation at a time. Its work is a reminder that supporting parents isn't simply about offering advice after a baby arrives. It's about creating spaces where people feel safe enough to ask for help, honest enough to share their experiences, and connected enough to know they don't have to navigate parenthood alone.

Because while babies are born every day, parents are, too. And every parent deserves the kind of village that reminds them they were never meant to do it alone.

For more information visit https://www.copmhp.org/

SAVORING late summer

A Case for Grilling Pizza

ARTICLE BY JACQUI GABEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBER AND AARON HENDRICK

Summer is for grilling, and out of its short, sun-drenched burst, August is my favorite month for it. We’re lucky in Denver for our late summer evenings that cool down just enough to make cooking, eating, and lingering outdoors a genuine pleasure. I believe almost any food can go on the grill, and this threshold season is the perfect reason to gather and savor: when growth turns toward harvest, just before the school year begins, and when things feel ripe and ephemeral. Late summer invites us to decelerate, pay attention, and accept change.

Grilled pizza is easy to pull off, and it doubles as the perfect creative project for kids and adults alike. If you have a garden, let young ones pick vegetables as toppings. No garden? Local produce is abundant right now. Take a trip to your local farmers market to let kids select ingredients: some that are familiar and some that are new. For choosier artists, curate several options yourself, then ask them to pick two they already like and two they're willing to try. Cheese sweetens the deal, and there are many store-bought, dairyfree options if anyone in the family is lactose intolerant.

Kids are far more likely to try new foods when they have some agency in choosing them, when they can touch, chop, and experience the ingredients themselves, and contribute to the final dish. Let them tear the mozzarella, spoon on the sauce, and chop or tear the veggies and herbs.

This isn’t just for kids: making pizza is fun for all ages. Spread butcher paper on an outdoor table and turn the whole thing into a shared art project. Go classic with red tomato sauce, or get creative with pesto, alfredo, buffalo, or barbecue. Slice toppings thin, or chop them to bite-sized. When adding meat: make sure it’s fully cooked before it hits the pizza. Arrange everything buffet-style and within reach. Go lighter with toppings at first, depending on the strength and thickness of your crust.

CONTINUED >

Whether you're starting with raw or cooked dough, it all works beautifully on the grill.

For a raw crust: Brush any old char off the grill grates and oil them well to prevent sticking. Preheat grill to 450 degrees F. Spread flour on your work surface and stretch out the dough by hand. Don't worry about a perfect circle, especially with kids involved; let the dough take a natural shape. Lightly coat the stretched dough with olive oil and season with salt, then carefully transfer it to the grill. Close the lid and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the underside is lightly charred and the dough has puffed and set enough to hold its shape. Move the cooked dough to your work surface. Turn the flames down to cool the grill to around 300 to 325 F. Layer the sauce, toppings, and cheese, then transfer the pizza back to the grill. Close the lid and let cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the pizza looks done to you.

For a store-bought, already-cooked crust: Preheat your grill to 350 F. Brush the crust lightly with olive oil on both sides, then build it with sauce, cheese, and toppings right on your work surface. Slide the topped pizza onto the grill, close the lid, and cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, checking partway through, until the cheese is bubbling. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning the bottom.

DRESS IT UP WITH GARNISHES:

No rules here. Use edible flowers, fresh chives, arugula, or basil, microgreens, grated parmesan, crunchy sea salt, cracked black pepper, or a finishing drizzle of balsamic, honey, or olive oil. Let it all rest a minute before slicing so the cheese has time to set. If you don’t have a roller blade, a sharp pair of scissors works well. Pizza is a handheld food, and I like the idea of spreading fresh butcher paper over the table, pulling up chairs, and skipping plates and forks altogether. I like the idea of a communal mess, and a communal cleanup, too.

Jacqui Gabel

Jacqui Gabel is passionate about guiding others toward vitality and lasting health by encouraging them to recognize and cook with whole foods. Through handson classes, she teaches kids and adults alike to slow down, savor, get messy, stay curious, and play with food again, making cooking feel accessible and genuinely fun. She believes the kitchen is one of the surest places to reconnect with the natural world, and that the more we understand what we're eating, the more vibrant our lives become. Above all, she aims to draw people to the beauty of the Earth, connecting them to their own innate wisdom and the thread of aliveness that weaves us together. Connect with Jacqui at realfooddesire.com.

Denver’s Best Pet Parade

DENVER NOOK’S ANNUAL TRADITION RETURNS FOR THE 9TH YEAR

ARTICLE BY VALERIE BIANCULLI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN COX, COXITRON STUDIO

Every October, before Tennyson Street Fall Fest officially begins, another tradition brings North Denver together. Hundreds of pet lovers gather with dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens—and even the occasional pig—for the Denver Nook Pet Parade, an event that has become one of the neighborhood’s most anticipated annual celebrations.

Now in its ninth year, the parade has grown from a small gathering into the official kickoff to Tennyson Street Fall Fest while raising funds for Colorado Pet Pantry.

For Denver Nook’s Broker Owner Liz Rossof, the idea started with a simple question.

“WE’VE HAD PIGS, CHICKENS, RABBITS, FERRETS, BIRDS— EVEN A CAT WON THE GRAND PRIZE ONE YEAR.”

There was already this longstanding event on Tennyson called Trick or Treat Street,” Rossof said. “Kids came to flaunt their halloween costumes get candy at the retail shops, and I remember thinking, ‘What about the pet parents?’”

Armed with a handful of flyers and an idea for a costume contest, Rossof organized the first event. About 40 people attended. Today, the parade welcomes more than 400 registered participants, along with thousands of spectators who line the streets to cheer on creatively costumed pets.

It’s become a widely anticipated community event,” Rossof said. “I start planning for next year’s Parade about two days after it ends. It’s my favorite day of the year!”

Participants have dressed their pets as everything from South Park characters and Casa Bonita divers to members of the Addams Family and circus performers. “We’ve had pigs, chickens, rabbits, ferrets, birds—even a cat won the grand prize one year,” Rossof said. “Our community is unbelievably creative.”

Each year, Rossof introduces something new. This year, she is partnering with the Mexican Cultural Center to create a Día de los Muertos altar honoring pets who have passed away. That celebration will be October 27th in the same park where the Pet Parade holds the award ceremony, at 41st and Tennyson St.

“I get emails from families telling me their pet has passed and thanking me for the memories they made at the parade,” Rossof said. “It felt like such a beautiful opportunity to celebrate our beloved pets while also sharing an important piece of Mexican heritage.”

Beyond the costumes and festivities, the parade serves a larger purpose by raising funds for Colorado Pet Pantry, helping families keep their beloved pets during times of financial hardship.

Registration is now open for the October 17 Denver Nook Pet Parade. Whether you bring a pet in costume, participate in the online fundraising contest, or simply come to cheer on your neighbors, you’ll be part of a tradition that celebrates creativity, community and the special bond between people and their pets.

To register visit https://www.denvernook.com/petparade2026

to the kids WHY AUGUST BELONGS

The evenings that make growing up in Denver feel like something worth remembering

ARTICLE BY NATE THOMAS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY REGAN ROUSE

There is a particular kind of evening that only happens here, in the last stretch of a Denver summer, when the light turns everything gold and the whole city seems to exhale. A pack of kids, arms slung around each other's shoulders, walking a big open park like they own it. The skyline sitting quiet in the distance. A lake catching the last of the sun. Somebody's dog chasing a frisbee.

This is what growing up in Denver actually looks like, and honestly, I think we forget how rare it is.

Summer as a kid means something specific. It means the days stop being scheduled and start being felt. Nobody is checking a clock. A game of tag just starts because somebody starts running and everybody else follows, no plan required, no permission needed beyond showing up. That is freedom in its purest form, the freedom to just be outside, be loud, be a little wild, and not have anyone tell you to slow down.

And watching it as a parent is its own kind of summer. You sit back on the grass, not doing much of anything, and somehow that is the whole point. You are close enough to help if someone falls, far enough to let them figure out the rest on their own. There is a particular kind of joy in watching your kid sprint full speed, hair flying, hands thrown up in the air like they just won something, and realizing they do not need you in that moment. They just need you nearby.

That is what these summer evenings give both of you. Kids get room to be kids, without an adult hovering over every step. Parents get to remember what it felt like, once, to run just because running felt good.

Ask any kid what they remember about summer, years from now, and I doubt it is one specific day. It is the feeling. A whole crew, wide open grass, and just enough daylight left to squeeze out one more game before somebody's mom calls everyone in for dinner.

AUGUST 2026

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

AUGUST 1ST - 31ST

The World’s Largest Dinosaurs at Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Denver Museum of Nature & Science 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205 | 9:00 AM

Sauropods get their due in this hands-on exhibit exploring how the biggest land animals ever to live actually worked, from breathing to reproducing. A towering Mamenchisaurus model anchors the space. With the kids and pets issue in mind, it is an easy pick for families needing an air-conditioned, kid-approved outing during the last stretch of summer.

AUGUST 2ND

City Park Jazz

City Park Pavilion, 17th Avenue & Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205

This free Sunday evening series wraps its 40th season at the City Park Pavilion by Ferril Lake. A fire took out the historic 1929 bandstand back in March, so organizers rolled in a mobile stage instead. Pack a blanket, grab something from Congress Park or Capitol Hill on the way, and settle in for jazz, funk, and Latin sounds as the sun goes down.

AUGUST 2ND

Highland Square

Farmers Market

W 32nd Ave & Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO 80211 | 9:00 AM

The Sunday morning market at 32nd and Lowell has been a West Highland staple since 2014, with produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eat breakfast alongside live music. Pets are welcome, which makes it an obvious pick for an issue built around kids and pets. Boutiques and restaurants ring the square, so the market doubles as an excuse to linger in the neighborhood.