September 21, 2016 :: Transformation Denver

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 | OUTFRONTONLINE .COM | FREE

T r a n s f o r m a t i o n

D e n v e r

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 VOL40 NO10

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06 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 10 SCREAM QUEENS: 7 CAN’T-MISS LGBT FILM FESTIVALS TO VISIT THIS FALL 18 CHERRY CREEK ON TOP

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26 GENTRIFICATION, HOUSING, AND GIANT BURRITOS 32 IS THE AEROTROPOLIS FINALLY TAKING FLIGHT? 38 CALENDAR 42 HEINZESIGHT 45 HIDE AND ZIKA 50 ASK A SLUT

ON THE COVER

Illustration by Trisha Himmler; Elements in part by freepik.com

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Ryan Howe

IN CASE YOU

MISSED IT THE HOTTEST STORIES ON OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

KAEPERNICK AND RAPINOE STAND FOR EQUALITY, NOT THE AMERICAN FLAG If you don’t follow professional football — guilty — then you probably hadn’t heard the name Colin Kaepernick before last month. But since August 26, his name has been headlining at every major news organization, not for domestic violence or sexual assault, but for an act of nonviolent protest.

Kaepernick is the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and has refused to stand for the national anthem before games to protest police brutality and inequality in the US. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he told NFL Media after the 49ers’ preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. “There

are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Now National Women’s Soccer midfielder Megan Rapinoe is kneeling in solidarity with Kaepernick and his message.

Rapinoe is the first white, American pro-athlete to protest the national anthem.

She’s been an activist for as long as she’s been in the soccer spotlight, and it’s important to note that she is protesting not just out of solidarity for people of color, but because of her experiences as a gay woman.

“Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties,” she told American Soccer Now after the September 4 game.

BE WARY OF STI RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS The World Health Organization issued new treatment guidelines last week for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis as the STIs have become more resistant to antibiotics.

The WHO credits misuse and overuse of antibiotics and late diagnoses for the drug-resistant strains. They are “calling on countries to start using the updated guidelines immediately,” as these STIs can cause infertility, miscarriage, or stillbirth for pregnant women, not to mention death. People infected with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis are also 2–3 times more likely to become infected with HIV. While STIs are becoming immune to medication, health officials are also seeing an increase in the number of cases per year.

Officials in Las Vegas declared an outbreak of syphilis in February of this year after documenting a 128-percent increase in cases since 2012.

See the rest of the stories at OutFrontOnline.com

Have you ever said a word so frequently that you started to second guess whether or not the word is even real? Have you ever experienced that while listening to someone else talk? We did recently, and that word was “butthole.”

The notoriously anti-queer pastor of New York’s ATLAH Worldwide Missionary Church, James David Manning, released a new video, saying that anyone who has gay sex will get a fiery cancer in their 6 \\ S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

butthole. The self-proclaimed ‘Sodomite Slayer’ — which is the best Halloween costume ever — released the video as part of his online sermon series against homosexuality.

In addition to repeating the word “butthole” dozens of times, the pastor warns that sex between two men will inevitably result in flames and cancer.

“God is gonna put a cancer in the butthole of every sodomite,” he warns. “There

will be people all over America walking around with flames coming out of their butthole.”

He flame-boyantly adds: “Everyone who has a penis injected in his butthole, when his penis comes out, the flames will start burning ’cause ain’t nobody gonna stick no penis in that flame. That flame will be an eternal flame coming out of the butthole of every sodomite.”

My, how the lady doth protest.

PHOTO // THEARON W. HENDERSON / GETTY IMAGES

TV PREACHER WISHES CANCER ON GAY PEOPLE: ‘A BURNING IN THE BUTTHOLE!’

LEGAL DIRECTORY

THE 5 OF THE 7 DEADLY DUI SINS Everyone’s heard of the seven deadly sins — there’s even been a movie about them — but did you know there are also seven deadly sins you can commit when dealing with a DUI in Colorado?

NOT REQUESTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING: You, the accused, literally have but a few days to request a hearing that will protect your driving privilege and license. If an attorney doesn’t tell you about this hearing, says it’s a waste of time, and/or predicts that you can’t win the hearing, that attorney is either trying to take legal shortcuts or is simply not competent to represent you.

THINKING A DUI IS NO BIG DEAL: A DUI conviction can affect you in every area of your life, and for the rest of your life if not handled properly.

It’s a serious charge and a big deal.

HIRING THE CHEAPEST ATTORNEY: We’ve all heard the old adage: You get what you pay for.

With low-fee attorneys, it may seem like you’re paying less on the front-end, but there are unavoidable hidden fees on the back-end. Aim to fulfill the other adage: It’s wise advice not to look for bargains in brain surgery, parachutes, or DUI defense attorneys.

THINKING ANY ATTORNEY WILL DO: DUI defense is a complex and specialized field. It involves physical, mental, emotional, scientific, technical, and factual issues that are unique to each case. You should seek out the best, most qualified attorney whose primary speciality is in this area of law.

ACCEPTING A QUICK PLEA AGREEMENT: The first offer is never a deal. An attorney who takes the first offer is not representing your best interest. You’ll never get to argue your case or make the state prove its charges. It’s not legal defense if the attorney takes the first offer to settle your case.

THE ORR LAW FIRM

303-818-2448 • OrrLawFirm.com 720 S Colorado Blvd • Denver, CO DUI • Criminal Traffic Felony • Marijuana Defense

THE SAWAYA LAW FIRM

303-GOOD-LAW • SawayaLaw.com 1600 Ogden St • Denver, CO Auto Accidents • Personal Injury Worker’s Comp. • Social Security

THE O’CONNELL LAW FIRM, PC 303-759-4000 • OConnellLegal.com 910 13th St, Ste 300 • Golden, CO Personal Injury • Estate Planning Wills • Trusts • Marijuana Business

LAW OFFICE OF BYRON K. HAMMOND, LLC

303-501-1812 • BKH-Law.com 3900 E. Mexico Ave • Denver, CO Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning Probate • Elder Law

BLOCH & CHAPLEAU, LLC

303-331-1700 • BlochChapleau.com 1725 Gaylord St • Denver, CO Family Law • Civil Union Dissolutions Pre-Union Agreements • Auto Accidents

The remaining 2 deadly sins of DUI can be found online at Goo.gl/AuNeg1 The opinions expressed in this article are general in nature. For specific legal advice about your particular situation, please contact an attorney.

outfrontonline.com/legal-directory | To advertise here, please call 303-477-4000.

FACING A DUI? YOUR “CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS” WILL NOT PROTECT YOU!

Rhidian Orr

SENIOR PARTNER

DUI DEFENSE CRIMINAL LAW FELONY DEFENSE MARIJUANA DEFENSE

CODUI.COM 720 S. COLORADO BLVD. SUITE 1110-N, DENVER FOR A FREE CONSULTATION CALL 720.744.3046 OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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THE SMALLEST OF CIRCLES SHE WAS 11 YEARS OLD THE FIRST TIME SHE WAS RAPED. A stranger grabbed her in an alley and pulled her into an abandoned car. At 13, a family friend began molesting her in her own home. At 17, she was raped by a bus driver — twice.

Nicole McBride is a member of one of the LGBT community’s most vulnerable groups. She is a woman. She is a lesbian. She is developmentally disabled.

But Nicole is also a badass. When I offered to use a pseudonym to protect her identity she said, “Why? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Studies show as many as 83 percent of women with an intellectual disability are the victims of sexual assault. Think about that for a minute. (83 percent!)

Guess how many are reported? Less than 3 percent.

I first met Nicole when she was 20 years old and in foster care. She says the people the state paid to care for her were forcing her to “pray away the gay.”

Driven to a fundamentalist church every week, she was told she would burn in hell. She was called an “abomination,” and an alarm on her bedroom door prevented her from spending time with other women in the house.

Melisa Kraai works with people who are developmentally disabled (DD) and she says a lot has changed since she started 20 years ago. Right now, she knows a person who is transitioning and says when peers found out, they were curious at first. “We called a group together,” she says, “and each shared something that made them feel different from other people.” When Melisa explained why and how a person transitions, she says they welcomed the transgender person with open arms. “It’s a really accepting community.”

But the problem isn’t the people in the system — it’s often the people who work in it. Most live in state-funded host homes that function like adult foster care. Even though caregivers are paid to provide room and board, they’re still allowed to have house rules that prohibit people from having overnight guests.

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“I was 20 years old and wasn’t allowed to have anyone in my room,” says Nicole. People may leave host homes if they don’t agree with the rules, but they often don’t know their rights. “It’s really easy for providers to manipulate people with intellectual disabilities,” says Melisa.

Nicole is no longer easily manipulated. “I know my rights” she says. She’s 4’11, but looks much taller as she sits up, pushes back her curly brown hair, and looks at me intensely with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. When we first met, she whispered because she was embarrassed by her speech impediment.

Today she loudly declares, “Don’t ever intimate me!” I know she means to say, “Don’t underestimate me,” but I like it pronounced her way. I also like the ferocious woman she’s become. “I have a job, I have friends, I have a nice place to live,” but she says there’s still one very important thing missing: “I wish I had a girlfriend.”

Yvonne Wright

“I know a lot of people who identify as LGBT within my community, and I can’t think of one of them that’s in a relationship.”

This, Melisa continues, “is a failure on the part of service providers and the LGBT community itself.”

Being a lesbian herself, Melisa is particularly upset. “We have mentors, we have youth groups, we have groups for older people, but we don’t have anything for people with disabilities. How are they supposed to meet someone?”

She’s not alone. “I know a lot of people who identify as LGBT within the community, and I can’t think of one of them that’s in a relationship.” This, Melisa continues, “is a failure on the part of service providers and the LGBT community itself.” As a lesbian, Melisa is particularly upset. “We have mentors, we have

“Our circles are already small. If you identify as LGBT, your circle gets even smaller. If you also have an intellectual disability, the circle is extremely small.”

youth groups, we have groups for older people, but we don’t have anything for people with disabilities.

How are they supposed to meet someone?”

It’s even more difficult if a person lives with parents or providers who don’t approve of their lifestyle. Melisa is frustrated “there’s such barriers and limitations for people with disabilities ... they can’t drive, they don’t have money for dates” and, if they live with their parents, “they [often] can’t have privacy in their own rooms.”

Nicole tells me it’s not for lack of trying. “I used to go to Charlie’s every Friday,” she says. “I would sit at the bar and try to meet people, but there were never other disabled people there.” Once, a woman gave Nicole her phone number. “I called her right after the bar closed to make sure I got the right number and she got mad,” Nicole says. “A person with a disability like mine wouldn’t get mad.” There are monthly dances for people within the DD community to meet each other, but she’s also struck out there.

10/1 10/6 10/15 10/24 11/18 11/20 12/17-18

Trevor Noah Magic Men Festival of Laughs Together Tour Anthony Bourdain Wild Kratts Live PAW Patrol Live!

10/29 La Arrolladora Banda El Limon 11/4-6 Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo 11/18-20 Holiday Food & Gift Festival

“Do you know how hard it is to find a gay person who’s also disabled?” Nicole asks.

Melisa describes it as circles getting smaller and smaller. “Our circles are already small,” she says. “If you identify as LGBT, your circle gets even smaller.

If you also have an intellectual disability, the circle is extremely small.” That, she says, is why both caregivers and the LGBT community need to do more to bring people within this circle together

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As for Nicole, she’s a survivor. “I’ve been through a lot” she says. “I deserve someone to share my life with.” She stops and thinks about it for a second, then adds: “She’s out there somewhere. I’ll find her.”

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SCREEN QUEENS: 7 CAN’TMISS LGBT FILM FESTIVALS TO VISIT THIS FALL BORED WITH THE WEEKLY INFLUX OF BOX-OFFICE BOMBS at your local mega-theater? Skip the overblown-butunderwhelming Hollywood productions and support local filmmakers. Plan a getaway and hit the road to visit these fresh LGBT film festivals scattered about the country.

Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning Transparent), a benefit art exhibition, and beauty pageant to support transgender health and human rights.

TransNationFestival.org

OUT ON FILM // Sept. 29 to Oct. 6

Oct. 20 to 25 More than 100 films, panels, and parties shine a light on the LGBT experience at New York City’s 28th annual NewFest, sponsored by HBO. This year’s six-day program will feature a collection of narratives, documentaries, and shorts screening compelling stories from across the LGBT spectrum, plus post-film talkbacks with cast and crew and the occasional celebrity sighting.

NewFest.org

Atlanta’s eight-day cinematic journey into LGBT lives, culture, and identity will offer a diverse slate of screenings (naturally) from full-length features, like Miles, starring Molly Shannon and Paul Reiser, to focused short films, including Scares Galore, a program of gay-themed thrillers like PYOTR495, about a 16-year-old boy in Moscow who’s baited online by an anti-gay ultranationalist group, and Sauna the Dead, a zombie-takeover tale set in a London bathhouse. OutOnFilm.org

TWIST: SEATTLE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL // Oct. 13 to 23 Twist, the largest lesbian and gay film festival in the Pacific Northwest, celebrates its 21st annual event showcasing the latest and greatest in queer film, from major motion pictures to emerging talent. More than 10,000 cinephiles will converge on the Emerald City to enjoy a full schedule of screenings, live performances, special guests, panel discussions, and new programs to be announced soon. Twist kicks off Oct. 13 and runs for 11 days. ThreeDollarBillCinema.org

TRANSNATION FESTIVAL // Oct. 20, 21, & 23 A three-day celebration of transgender artistic and cultural achievements at St. John’s Well Child & Family Center in Los Angeles, TransNation Festival will include a film-screening portion guest-curated

by Zackary Drucker (co-producer on Amazon’s 1 0 \\ S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

NEWFEST LGBT FILM FESTIVAL //

QCINEMA LGBT FILM FESTIVAL // Nov. 10 to 12 Details for Fo r t Worth’s 18th annual international film festival are tightly under wraps — so much so that its current Q18 logo asks “Are You Curious?” (of

Mikey Rox

course we are!) — but based on past years’ success, it won’t let you down. Q17’s Best Dramatic feature Sex, Death and Bowling, starring Adrian Grenier and Selma Blair, got props on Entertainment Tonight, and it’s still a flick to catch if you haven’t seen it yet.

QCinema.org

3RD STREET LGBT FILM FESTIVAL // Nov. 14 & 15 Heroin use in the United States is rearing its vicious head again — and with a vengeance — and an early-submission preview of Imperfect Sky at the inaugural 3rd Street LGBT Film Festival in Santa Monica provides a documentary-like view of lives spent half living, half dead in South Central Los Angeles. Ultimately a story of love and family (and shooting up), this tale of two brothers on different paths will strike a chord with anyone affected by addiction. 3rdStreetFilmFestival.com

SAN FRANCISCO TRANSGENDER FILM FESTIVAL // Nov. 10 to 13 Billed as the nation’s first transgender film festival, SFTFF (as it’s so called by those in the know) was founded in 1997 with a dedication to exhibit groundbreaking, provocative, outrageous, and courageous works that accurate depicts the complexity of living transgender. This year’s program will feature films cultivated from local, national, and international filmmakers who identify as transgender or gender variant, scheduled according to theme.

Last year’s themes included TransSex, Against the Grain!, and Beyond Classifications. SFTFF.org OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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SPONSORED

The Path to Parenthood

ISN’T ALWAYS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

The modern family

takes many forms and thanks to reproductive advances, more male same-sex couples are embracing gestational surrogacy to have a biological child. As gay intended parents, third party reproduction offers a parenting option to build families.

The majority of male same-sex couples choose to grow their family through gestational surrogacy. This is when one partner’s sperm and a donor’s egg are used to create an embryo. Then, through in vitro fertilization (IVF), the embryo is implanted in and carried by a genetically unrelated female. Since the woman has no biological ties to the baby they’re carrying, it’s often less emotionally complicated.

Many women who choose to become surrogates have finished their own child-rearing and are mothers who’ve had healthy pregnancies and enjoy being pregnant.

Egg donors can be a family member, friend, or anonymous volunteer. Since fertility declines with age, the ideal egg donor candidates are under the age of 33. Once a donor is selected, they will undergo an intensive screening that includes medical, psychological, genetic, and infectious disease tests, and they will also meet with a reproductive attorney.

“The pregnancy rates for couples that use donor eggs and gestational surrogacy are some of the highest available in assisted reproduction,” says Dr. Sara Barton, a physician at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM).

“The high success rates are due to the young age of the egg donors and the healthy uterine environment provided by the gestational carriers.”

A Surrogate’s Perspective

Stacey Phillips wanted to become a gestational surrogate after watching close friends struggle with infertility. “Giving the gift of a baby to another couple was just something we knew we wanted to do as a family,” she says. At the age of 30, after the birth of her second child, Stacey decided the timing was finally right.

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Blush & Blu • 1526 E Colfax Ave • 6–8pm An information session, hosted by a panel of specialists, will provide an opportunity to learn about LGBT family-building options and includes gestational surrogacy, sperm/egg donation, adoption, and foster parenting. Bit.ly/2cRswiW Sponsored by the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine + OUT FRONT.

“By working through a surrogacy agency, we were matched up with a gay couple that was interested in adding a second child to their family.

Together, we were able to decide how little or how much we would be involved in each other’s lives. Each family going through this process has unique circumstances,” she says. “We’ve had a great relationship and at this point, we speak every other week and they share pictures of their baby with us. In many ways, they’re like our extended family. Overall, it’s been a very special experience for both of our families.”

As one of the leading fertility treatment centers in the nation, CCRM has all of the resources to help

same-sex couples start a family, including referrals to egg donors, referrals to gestational surrogacy agencies, and referrals to legal counsel. Thanks to the availability of effective fertility procedures, samesex couples have an excellent chance of getting pregnant.

“Gay men face more challenges in becoming parents than any other group, so it’s important to choose a fertility clinic that has the experience and compassion to have a positive journey,” says CCRM physician Dr. Robert Gustofson. “At CCRM, we’re committed to helping all individuals who desire to become parents, regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation.”

CCRM is located at 4600 Hale Pkwy in Denver. Contact them by phone at 303.788.8300 or online at CCRMIVF.com.

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Ryan Howe

180 in the Highlands 0

Not long after the attempted kidnapping, the family’s home, located on 34th Avenue and Lowell, was broken into, which only furthered the concern for their safety.

Highlands — bound by West 38th on the north, Interstate 25 on the east, South Platte River on the southeast, Speer Boulevard and West 29th on the south, and Sheridan on the west — is one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods.

Although the first steps to revitalizing this once-undesirable neighborhood began in the 1990s, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that the popularity gained traction. In 2003, Paul Tamburello — who is sometimes referred to as the father of Lower Highlands, or LoHi — and then-partner Stephanie Garcia teamed up on the redevelopment of the old Olinger Mortuary complex, transforming it into two restaurants, Vita and Lola, and Little Man ice-cream shop.

While the neighborhood itself may be old, it’s now home to some of the hippest, safest places to settle down. The area is overflowing with art galleries, breweries, restaurants, historic districts, and all-new housing with both renovated old homes and a slew of new condos and townhouses popping up like dandelions out of the ground overnight.

Suddenly, the Highlands was open for redevelopment. And the trend of businesses striking up restaurants and retail stores arose. Soon came the renovation of historic homes and the new projects of luxury homes just a skip over the interstate from downtown Denver.

These two incidents pushed the Pender family to leave Denver, moving out of their house like bandits in the dead of night.

Today, Lynn works at one of the top-producing real estate firms in the city, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate of the Rockies, which is located two blocks from her childhood home in the Highlands.

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“When you look at the current atmosphere of the Highlands, there is no doubt that it is one of the most transformed neighborhoods in Denver,” Lynn says. “It’s hard to imagine that 40 years ago, my family was fleeing the neighborhood that so many families are flocking to now.”

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

Today, local shops, bars, and good eats keep the Highlands at the top of everyone’s minds even as nearly every neighborhood in Denver continues to transform. This, alongside the sense of community, the improving schools, and easily accessible transportation continue to make this one of the best neighborhoods in Denver.

“Had you told me in my pre-teen years that my neighborhood would one day be one of Denver’s best, I would have never believed you,” Lynn says as she sips on a chai tea at her local Starbucks in Lone Tree. “It’s a prime example of how much Denver has improved, and a good indication of how the city will continue to grow.”

PHOTOS // COURTESY OF THE DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

I

n 1973, Lynn Pender was nearly kidnapped. Twelve at the time, Pender was walking through her neighborhood when gang members grabbed her from behind and wrapped a rope around her neck.

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CHRIS ARNESON

STOMPING GROUNDS 2.0 You haven’t been back to town since

just for gay men.” Get out and strip

last Pride, huh? And you haven’t been

down on Thursday’s for the weekly

checking in with us either? (Shaaaade.)

Underwear Night.

Don’t worry, we still got you.

THE A-TRAIN

Oh yeah, that’s the new name of

You might’ve heard about this one;

Hamburger Mary’s. They didn’t close.

it’s a huge deal. For only $9, you can

Not much else has changed, though.

make it from Denver International

You might notice a few different

Airport to downtown. THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING.

things on the menu (peep the new and hilarious drink selections) and some of

THE EAGLE’S GONE

the shows are tweaked a bit.

Yeah, it shut down just a few months

CHARLIE’S GOT A NEW ENTRANCE

ago. There’s been a ton of closings over the past year, so prepare yourself.

THE CROWN SOCIAL IS CLOSED, TOO The former Black Crown Lounge allegedly had some messy ownership issues and ended up shutting its doors back in March. So long, classy piano

You’ve probably seen this bar evolve a lot over the last few years. The new entrance is on the west side now, and it feels less shady. According to general manager Brendan Sullivan, this is the time and place where you don’t have to enter in the back door anymore.

antique shop.

(Oh, shut up.)

THE BARKER LOUNGE ALSO HAD TO GO

THE WRANGLER MOVED

There are plenty of dog-friendly patios around, but most don’t compare to what the Barker offered.

TRADE

It’s now across the city and into Five Points on the corner of 31st and Downing. The new space offers both a front and back patio, multiple bars, a dance floor, giant televisions, a projection screen, pool tables, and still

Like some majestic fate, Trade (similar

quenches the thirst of our dehydrated

to the Eagle) opened up in the Barker

community at their weekly Beer Bust.

Lounge’s old spot. According to owners

Oh yeah, they also attached a Mary Jane’s Pizza to the building. Go forth and ravage, bears!

Ray Hurtado and Chris Newell, they want to “harbor a gay community not 1 6 \\ S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

M UPTOWN

PHOTOS // RICKY KHARAWALA

RECENT TRANSFORMATIONS OF DENVER’S LGBT BARS

Creating and sustaining a positive business environment and providing experiences you can’t find anywhere else! www.aurorachamber.org 303-344-1500

14305 E. Alameda Ave., Suite 300 Aurora, CO 80012

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Ryan Howe

Cherry Creek on Top

O

ne of the most important — if not the most important — factors of realty is location, location, location.

Of course, this makes sense. Why move to an area that you utterly despise, or that you feel unsafe in? You wouldn’t. You stake your ground in the area that makes the most sense for you.

It should be no surprise that cities are placed for this same exact reason. Way back when settlers invaded what is now Colorado, the best places to set up towns were around water, naturally.

Enter the Cherry Creek Reservoir, a natural prairie environment with an 880-acre reservoir in the center. Back in 1886, Cherry Creek belonged to a town by the name of Harmon, which was named after confederate officer Edwin Preston Harmon who owned the 320 acres that stretch between University Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, and First Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

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SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

INDOOR

PRIVATE POOL ONE-ON-ONE LESSONS

8 MOS +

In 1894, after most of Harmon’s citizens went

bankrupt, the city was annexed into Denver. Today, Cherry Creek can be summed up in most people’s minds with one word: money.

Home to one of the best shopping malls in Denver, more than 320 galleries, boutiques, spas, and restaurants, a library, a bike path, two parks, and the original Tattered Cover bookstore, Cherry Creek is a metropolis for those able and willing to dish out some major cash.

For more than 60 years, the elite neighborhood has housed some of Denver’s most affluent families and individuals thanks to Temple Buell. Buell bought huge chunks of land in late 1920s and sat them for more than two decades before starting construction on a high-end shopping center, which was converted into the Cherry Creek Mall in 1990.

It is worth noting, however, that when the town of Harmon was founded in 1886, it was originally annexed to keep ‘undesirables’ out of the neighborhood, and designed to give protections against ‘tramps, bums, bummers, and the liquor traffic.’

Over the past three years, Cherry Creek has seen one of its biggest construction booms in decades, with 2015 alone bringing in approximately 125,000 square feet of new retail, 250,000 square feet of office space, and 800 new residential units.

Although Cherry Creek has already undergone major changes, it doesn’t mean that the prestigious neighborhood is going to stop anytime soon.

PHOTOS // COURTESY OF THE DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

One of the largest additions coming to the neighborhood is the Civica Cherry Creek. The seven-story office building will include 100,500 square feet of office space, 11,500 square feet of retail, and a four-story parking garage.

Seattle-based developer Schnitzer West, along with joint venture partner J.P. Morgan Asset Management, have broken ground at 250 Fillmore St., a strip previously home to the Wizard’s Chest and a number of small retailers.

Tenant amenities include a rooftop terrace with outdoor meeting space, private upscale library, concierge service, a street-level outdoor lounge, and locker rooms. A “great room” on the first floor will offer flexible, communal work space for individuals, one-onone meetings, and small groups.

There is no doubting that Cherry Creek is prime location, but with the average home priced at nearly three quarters of a million dollars, you better be making them tips, girl.

FRIENDLY FOR EVERY FAMILY. AQUASTARSWIMLESSONS.COM

MONTALDO FAMILY REUNION The House of Montaldo Family Reunion 2 was held at Li’l Devils on September 10th.

A capacity crowd came out to enjoy the show, have a few drinks, and help raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire.

Photos by Charles Broshous

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BE OUR

GUEst OCTOBER 15

2016 IN THE GRAND BALLROOM AT THE SHERATON DOWNTOWN DENVER

SPECIAL GUESTS

TY HERNDON + SPINPHONY

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// 2 1

THE

RISE ,

AND

FALL , RISE AGAIN

OF FIVE POINTS Anna Biscay

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ONCE known as the Harlem of the West, Five Points is one of the oldest neighborhoods this city has to offer.

Situated at the spot where the downtown city grid meets the first ’burbs of Denver, it’s steeped in a rich history, as well.

Picture it: Denver, 1860s. In large houses that cast great shade throughout the neighborhood of Five Points resides the town’s aristocracy. The governor, the mayor, the well-to-do businessman — all of them enjoy the comforts of convenience near the intersections of 26th, 27th, Welton, and Washington. As the nation regrew itself after the Civil War, so did Denver. The introduction of the freed slaves proved a new day was on the horizon, and among the gold and land prospectors were the first African-American settlers of the west. After the tension of the next “great war” — WWI — the Roaring 20s brought a freedom and joie de vivre to the state, with Five Points being the most notable of neighborhoods for the good stuff.

Jazz was upon us. It’s estimated that 50+ bars speckled Welton Street with life never before seen.

Because segregation was still very much in place, visiting jazz artists — think Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, and the likes — booked rooms and gigs at the blackfriendly Rossonian Hotel. The African-American population in Five Points were the majority in the 1920s, bringing a vibrant scene to the Queen City — hence, the Harlem of the West.

Known for its diversity by the end of WWII, many Japanese-Americans moved into the neighborhood that, by now, was also well-settled by a large Jewish population. Out were the richer families of a Denver era gone by, leaving to join those in Capitol Hill’s newly established prominence.

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BUT FAST-FORWARD to the 1950s, where decay began a slow-creep throughout the area. What was once a bustling area for both commerce and residents found itself in a steepening decline. In a matter of four short decades, the neighborhood was wracked by urban flight, followed by drugs and crime. By the 1990s, Denver’s Harlem was a veritable ghost town.

Before too long, the light rail expanded from downtown to Five Points and a steady thrum of business, though quiet at first, meandered its way through the neighborhood.

Today, Five Points is thriving, and most of the deserted parking lots are being turned into much-needed housing for current and future residents of the city.

In Arapahoe Square, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has provided Denver with transitional housing for the downtown area. (See: Off Broadway Lofts, Renaissance Riverfront Lofts, Renaissance Uptown Lofts, Renaissance Stout Street Lofts, and soon, the Renaissance Downtown Lofts.)

PHOTOS // COURTESY OF THE DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

Curtis Park is now home to the Mile High United Way, The Wheatley, and a head-spinning number of upcoming, high-rise housing projects along the Welton Corridor that’ll replace gravel yards and unkempt lots.

The River North (RiNo) district is making room for neighbors with the Broadstone RiNo and the Modera River North (to name a few). The Source, an artisan food market, is getting an expansion with The Source Hotel and Market Hall slated for late 2017. Ballpark has given rise to 2020 Lawrence, Broadstone Blake Street, Point 21, The Douglas, and other brand-new options for stylish city-dwellers.

Even the Rossonian is getting herself a rebuild! While incorporating the original building itself, builders plan for the finished product to house 105 guestrooms, two restaurants, a fitness center, 60,000 square feet of collaborative office space, 152 public parking spaces, and (what else?) a jazz club. Will a taste of Harlem return to the Mile High?

Only if we’re lucky.

Many thanks to DenverInfill.com for keeping the city up to date on what’s up and coming with Denver’s transformation.

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BILLIE HOLIDAY, MILES DAVIS, DUKE ELLINGTON, NAT KING COLE, DIZZY GILLESPIE, AND MANY OTHER JAZZ NOTABLES USED TO JAM IN FIVE POINTS.

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Addison Herron-Wheeler

Gentrification, Housing, and Giant Burritos

B

eing young and living in the city, the term “gentrification” is nothing new. As a former resident of Richmond, Virginia, I’m used to the idea that all the privileged, often white, college kids are driving up rent prices and changing the landscape of the city, making it harder for families — often AfricanAmerican ones that have been in the city for decades — to get by. However, the thriving college is also changing bad neighborhoods to hip hotspots and making sure an otherwise washed-up city doesn’t go completely bankrupt.

Here in Denver, and especially in my neighborhood of the Lower Highlands, a similar thing is happening. The influx of transplants to the city and the booming nature of Denver’s current economy are replacing run-down or modest homes and local restaurants with fancy brunch places and upscale homes. While much of the original charm of the neighborhood remains, it’s impossible to walk a block in the Lower Highlands without seeing a fancy place to eat or modern and expensive houses with for sale signs out front.

26

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

As usual, this conjures up mixed emotions. As a transplant in a city

that can often be hostile about the influx of new people, it’s hard not to sometimes feel unwelcome. However, I constantly remind myself that I did not move here just for legal weed, but because there were no jobs in my home state. And because I am a white person, I also sometimes feel as though my presence in a historically Hispanic neighborhood is some type of transgression. But as someone who grew up lower middle class, I’ve always looked to cities as a place where I can find cheap housing or live communally to make rent; I’m certainly not one of the people moving to LoHi to buy up one of the premium homes.

PHOTOS // COURTESY IN PART OF THE DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

And despite the changes that the Lower Highlands is undoubtedly facing, much of its original character remains. One of the best restaurants near my house is Los Carboncitos, a Mexican restaurant with delicious and affordable entrees featuring giant burritos and tasty tacos, and offering authentic options like tripe and tongue. Every time I visit, I notice that many of the other patrons are Hispanic families or individuals speaking Spanish, while many are other young people who look as though they moved to LoHi for the great location and quiet neighborhoods. In other words, this business seems to be benefitting from gentrification, and by doing so it is still able to serve those who might have been coming in for years. Similarly, the fast-food Mexican restaurant Chubby’s is expanding its location to better serve the LoHi community, and staying open while they expand.

It is certainly true that gentrification and neighborhood growth is not all bad. After all, the alternative is a city like Detroit that experienced so much stagnation and loss of jobs that people were leaving in droves. But why does gentrification necessarily have to mean multi-million dollar homes and brunch bars so fancy that the burgers come with goat cheese and a balsamic reduction? People are complaining left and right about the rising rent in Denver, so are more expensive houses and restaurants no one can afford really the answer? It seems as though the Lower Highlands could use a few more newly built homes that are modestly priced or for rent, or that they could roll some of that building money into preserving historic buildings.

Additionally, to get to the grocery store in LoHi, you either have to venture further into the Highlands and away from downtown, or you have to cross the bridge to get to King Soopers in the Little Raven area. This isn’t a super-friendly route for those who are on foot or bikes or trying to trek home with a ton of groceries. It seems like before we build yet another brunch place, we should put a grocery store in this neighborhood so that those without cars can walk in.

To get on the light rail, you have to make the same trek. Going to Union Station or Sports Authority Field to catch the Light Rail isn’t super convenient. If you work downtown, you’ve already made half the trek by bus or bike or foot once you get to those stations, so you might as well just finish the trip that way. If you work further away, you have to go out of the way to get on a train. While bus service is great in this neighborhood, it would be helpful to have more public transportation options.

In short, this writer believes that gentrification and neighborhood change are somewhat unavoidable.

It’s not always possible to keep things the same forever without a neighborhood stagnating and suffering. But it is possible to make positive changes more in line with creating an amazing neighborhood than with catering to those who can afford super-fancy new homes and eating out every day. Let’s get a grocery store, light rail station, community garden, and affordable eateries into the Highlands alongside these other innovations, and restore or build affordable housing. This way, everyone can truly benefit from the amazing neighborhood that is LoHi.

Denver Does Digits

10%

Percent by which the Denver metro population grew from 2010 to 2015

2.8

People living in the Denver metro area as of 2015’s MILLION PEOPLE census Los Angeles County, CA

Where are they from, highest to lowest?

Cook County, IL (Chicago) Dallas County, TX Maricopa County, AZ (Phoenix) San Diego County, CA Orange County, CA Suffolk County, MA (Boston) El Paso County, TX

64%

Clark County, NV Multnomah County, OR

Denver County transplants that are from other Colorado counties, while the rest are from out of state

Where’d they go?

Chicago is the top city where people are likely to be moving to Denver from, followed by Dallas and Los Angeles

Info compiled from Denver moving trends on SpareFoot.com.

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27

YVONNE WRIGHT

NEW LIFE IN OLDE TOWN IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, IT’S IN WITH THE OLD AND WITH THE NEW. WHILE WESTMINSTER BREAKS GROUND ON A MASSIVE MIXED-USE CITY CENTER, NEW LIFE IS BEING BREATHED INTO ARVADA’S OLDE TOWN.

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“Downtown Westminster

Just 10 years ago, many

is located on the former

of Olde Town’s historic

Westminster mall site,” says

buildings were boarded up.

Sarah Nurmela, the Real

Now, they are bursting at the

Estate and Development

seams with new businesses

Manager for Downtown

and trendy restaurants. Next

Westminster. She tells OUT

month, a new light rail opens

FRONT the 105-acre site

here that will take people

at 88th and Sheridan “will

between Olde Town and

become a major destination

Denver. This is expected to

in the city and region, offering

bring even more people to

a diverse environment for

the historic center.

living, working, shopping and

The growth is great for shop

dining, and culture.”

owners, but Ashley Rice,

WHEN SHE SAYS “DIVERSE,” SHE’S NOT KIDDING. This area will include a little bit of everything.

A Central Plaza is at the heart of the project and will be surrounded by parks, walking trails, new businesses, townhomes, one of the country’s largest movie theaters, and an entire floor of luxury salon suites.

Construction

is

already underway for a 900space parking garage and longtime tenant, J.C. Penney, is investing $3 million dollars in updates that will include an in-store Sephora.

Ironically, when Arvada city planners began mapping out their city center in the late 1800s, they had a very similar plan. Main Street is at the heart of Olde Town Arvada and is also surrounded by numerous parks, walking trails, and buildings that house shops, galleries, restaurants, and

who’s lived here for 13 years says there is also a downside.

“We’ve almost lost our house multiple times because of rent [increases],” she says.

“Our rent skyrocketed and my mom didn’t understand why — it was because of all the new stuff in Olde Town.

Our neighbors that lived next door for years left because of rent prices.”

If the trend continues, Jefferson County’s boom will likely drive out more people who can no longer afford to live here.

Sarah says Westminster’s new city center will address this by designating “over 25 percent of residential units as affordable and workforce housing.”

Ashley says despite higher rent in Olde Town, more

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2016 IN THE GRAND BALLROOM AT THE SHERATON DOWNTOWN DENVER CELEBRATING BUSINESSES + INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY

growth does equal more fun. “It has been good,” she says because “there’s lots to do down there.” She laughs and points out the

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new game Pokémon Go. “There’s Pokestops literally

breweries. The city grew out

everywhere in Olde Town.”

of Colorado’s very first gold

Now that’s something city

strike. Like most of Jefferson

founders certainly did not

County, it’s seen its share of

anticipate when planning

booms and busts.

the city center.

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SPONSORED

INNOVATION & TRANSPARENCY ARE THE

UNDERPINNINGS

I

of E5 Events’ Success

nnovate or die is the name of the game in Denver today. With the city experiencing record-breaking growth and expansion, those looking to break ground are turning to new and improved business models and philosophies that can outdo and outlive those of their rivals. For E5 Events — Epicurean Caterer’s large-scale events company that’s taken off like a bamboo shoot — catering to the ambitious, corporate types or simply being those groundbreakers is no different.

E5 Vice President Wesley Guzman hands me a business card that almost isn’t there.

It’s modern, completely unique, and cleverly transparent — a reflection of the company’s philosophy.

“There’s no wall, no curtain between E5 and our vendors,” he says, speaking of the company’s aim to give clients as much communication and reach within the team E5 creates specifically for their needs. He says the company charges a flat fee that goes toward the entire experience. “You’ll meet all your vendors and get invoices directly. All the contacts and costs are shared, so you know exactly what’s going into product and what’s going into labor.”

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Talk about transforming an industry.

So what do you get for the flat fee?

“We coordinate the best team for you, and sometimes that means you’re not even using us as your caterer; we might refer you to a different caterer,” he tells OUT FRONT, reminding me of the simplicity of the flat fee. “It sounds weird because it’s so easy.” It’s just one of many business practices that’s kept Epicurean’s 35-year legacy a favorite among vendors.

“With smaller events such as weddings,” Wesley tells us, “there’s already an idea, a theme that clients have in mind.

With larger events, E5 takes the wheel, and instead of just one person saying they know everything and to trust them that the party will be fine, clients get an entire team they can contact if

e5-events.com

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they need.” The company utilizes its expertise in business to make sure the focus is on branding and getting clients a ROO — a return on objective. “Everyone in attendance knows why [the client] is having the party and what they’re supposed to be taking away from it, whether it’s a corporate message or just a good time.”

For example, after a recent event, E5 wanted to keep the excitement going even after the party, so they held a raffle for a customized longboard while everyone was in town. A week later, they did the

drawing. “When people went back to work a week later, motivated from the great party, they got another touch. We want to show Epicurean’s hospitality weeks after the party ends.”

But on the day of our interview, Wesley was taking a break from planning an event for 35,000 people. That’s no small feat, but for 13-year veteran of Epicurean Group who’s acclimated to handling the X Games and the Democratic National Committee, it’s yet another event they can knock out of the park.

“We’ll have 7–8 semi trucks full of stuff that will need to go to the site,” he says with a smile that betrays what a huge task that will be, not to mention having to coordinate decor, vendors, 300 employees, security clearance, schedules, logistics, the list is head-spinning. “It’s kind of like a symphony happening,” he laughs. “It’s what we do.”

I ask him if he’s able to sleep with such an expansive to-do list, and he admits to dreaming of work constantly. “I’ll find myself waking up like, ‘Omg, the ice for the mountain wedding!’” Another laugh.

“It’s worth it.”

e5-events.com

Wesley Smith

IS THE

A E R O T R O P O L I FINALLY S TAKING FLIGHT? PENA STATION, PANASONIC, AND GAYLORD ROCKIES BRING NEXT-LEVEL LIVING TO THE GATEWAY

I recently bought a place (great deal) out “by DIA,” as friends like to put it. It’s actually a hair north of Green Valley Ranch among the skittering of prairie dog families being introduced to earth movers.

(Poor little guys.) Its little-known neighborhood name is actually The Gateway, for all you Capitol Hipsters and that “omg, you live in west Kansas?!” business.

Before I purchased, the only thing I really noticed was how much I was getting for (with Denver prices in mind) so little. Then the cranes started rolling in. Apparently, developers saw the same thing we Gatewayers did: opportunity.

Underway at present is the Gaylord Rockies, which will take up a formidable swath of land near 64th and Dunkirk. It’s a luxury resort and convention center that’ll have 1501 guest rooms, including 114 suites. That’s just the beginning. There’s a 3 2 \\ S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

BEFORE I PURCHASED, THE ONLY THING I REALLY NOTICED WAS HOW MUCH I WAS GETTING FOR (WITH DENVER PRICES IN MIND) SO LITTLE.

20,000-square-foot outdoor patio with an 800foot lazy river, a pool bar, tennis courts, a putting course, a lap pool, a basketball court, and an indoor/ outdoor recreational park complete with slides.

The expansive lawn will be replete with native vegetation and walking paths. Additionally, as many as eight dining outlets are slated including steakhouses, authentic Italian cuisine, an Asian fusion restaurant, a sports bar, and other retail shops. Honestly, I could go on but I think you get the picture. The total 1.9-million-square-mile behemoth is expected to create more than 10,000 construction jobs and 1500 permanent careers inside its rustic, Alpine walls.

Just on the other side of The Gateway’s Tower Road, Panasonic is recreating their highly successful “Sustainable Smart Town” that kicked off in Fujisawa, Japan back in 2012. Occupying about 400 acres of The Gateway’s prairie — and practically

attaching itself to the new University of Colorado A-Line rail station at 61st and Pena — the smart city is a neighborhood that essentially powers itself on solar energy. High-capacity batteries will save the energy collected from our notoriously sunny days.

On solar alone, the smart city can power itself for three full days.

Panasonic is partnering with Xcel to implement a 1.3-megawatt solar storage system — often laid out into microgrids, but some that will serve as carpark canopies and rooftops — that can sustain all 400 acres of the new city. In addition to the many homes planned — Fujisawa aims to have 1000 families living in its smart city by 2018 — are retail spaces and electric cars and bikes available on loan. Smart, indeed. “[Denver International Airport] has more opportunity for commercial development than any other airport in the United States,” says DIA CEO Kim Day. “With a new commuter rail between the airport and downtown Denver, it’s time to capitalize on this tremendous asset.”

Berlin opens its own Panasonic Sustainable Smart Town in 2018, as does Lyon, France. We’re not sure yet if Denver’s iteration will be exactly like what the Germans are anticipating but if so, this place is about to change a situation for elderly folks in need of assistance. Panasonic will be introducing refrigerators that can automatically reorder items to be delivered, and a system integrated into the home can monitor the temperature and heart rate of the individual(s) living inside. For someone who can’t get around easily and/or doesn’t often get visitors, this could literally save a life.

Tack all this onto the fact that the new Amazon.com warehouse and sorting center is a mere five miles from DIA, and with the light rail that goes from the airport to Union Station in eight stops, you’ve got just about everything you need to infuse easy travel and entry-level job sustainability into the area.

Whether or not you’re aiming to buy, Gateway is quickly proving to be Denver’s new land of opportunity. “West Kansas” or bust.

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e d d n O O d r i B 34

RYAN HOWE

Y L D D O E I V Y VE I L M E H T MA KES R I E H T R O F STR EA M LIF E If you ask Yvie Oddly what makes a drag queen stick around in people’s minds, she might go off on a loud, quick rant about how to be more than just a man in a dress, or she might quietly — uh, quieter — tell you that drag is about the transformation.

“If you’re not constantly evolving, pushing, and transforming both your style and performances, then you aren’t a queen,” Yvie says. “I could go out there and lipsync to someone else’s Top 40 song, or I can go out there and show them something they may have never seen before.”

35

Yvie, who recently turned 23, splashed onto the scene when she competed in Tracks’ Ultimate Queen in 2015.

Her innovation, passion, and drive propelled her to snatch the crown, landing her a guaranteed six-month stint in the monthly Drag Nation.

However, she didn’t let honor of holding the crown seep its way through her wig and into her ego. Instead, she used it as a stepping stool. During her time both in the competition and the following months after, Yvie had one goal: Get involved with the community and build a fanbase.

It worked.

Yvie is now hosting a few different nights at Tracks alongside popping up in shows all over town. It’s been barely more than a year, and this self-proclaimed weirdo has climbed her way up to the Denver elite — but she’s doing it on her own terms.

Thus, The Odd Hour was born.

“I had this idea to do a show where the Denver queens could come and showcase skills they might not be able to at other venues,” Yvie explains while standing in the crowded dressing room at Tracks. “This city has some pretty gifted queens, and I don’t know if they aren’t being prompted by other venues, or if it is just easy to lipsync to a pop song, but I wanted a night where ladies like Mani Queen can come and paint rather than doing another traditional drag performance.”

That was the initial idea but the night, naturally, has grown. Now, one Thursday a month, Yvie Oddly delivers one of the freshest, most innovative theme nights in the

city. The Odd Hour has blossomed into a fully immersive night complete with a range of queer performers and artists, not just drag performances.

The premise is simple: The artists and performers walk around the venue both before and after their performances to interact with the crowd. When the gong bangs signaling the Odd Hour, the next performer must stop what they are doing and perform on the spot while Keith Garcia — the mastermind behind Denver’s drag documentary The Heels Have Eyes — live streams the performance onto the main stage.

“The really hard part about Odd Hour is that is just sounds like a bunch of art kids’ fresh-out-of-college gibberish, like, ‘I want to revolutionize an artistic movement in the queer community,’” Yvie says. “But when you’re there, you get to experience all these different elements coming together and just making sense.”

Near midnight at last month’s Odd Hour, a crowd of people lined the stage, waiting on Yvie to perform. As the gong boomed its way through the club, and the start of Beyoncé’s Freedom began to drown out the gathering crowd, Yvie is hoisted upright by three scantily clad go-go boys and a giant hand throwing up the ‘shocker’ symbol.

Her body is completely wrapped in gold, and while the instrumental intro plays in the background, the go-gos and giant hand start unwrapping her, revealing a metallic, futuristic, cut-out dress. By no means does the dress wear Yvie as she stomps around the stage lipsyncing to the hard-hitting Bey track.

36 “This city has some pretty gifted queens, and I don’t know if they aren’t being prompted by other venues, or if it is just easy to lipsync to a pop song, but I wanted a night where ladies like Mani Queen can come and paint rather than doing another traditional drag performance.”

Halfway through the performance the song transitions into Major Lazer’s Be Together, and Yvie’s erratic movement halts as she approaches a hula hoop hanging from the sky.

For the remainder of the performance, the queen’s heels do not touch the floor as she continually spins above the stage, shedding pieces of clothing.

“This bitch always brings it,” says Cherry Poppins, fellow drag queen, Ultimate Queen 2016 runner up, and contestant on Ultimate Queen All Stars. “She is truly amazing.”

Cherry has been to all four Odd Hours, but has only performed once — on the same night Yvie took to the air. Cherry is not just a fan of Yvie’s performances, but also the outlet she is providing through the Odd Hour.

“I’m funny, I’m not a dancer,” Cherry says while dabbing white contour on her blue face. “It’s hard for someone like me to find an outlet where I can do what I want, [even] if that involves dressing like an alien and lipsyncing to an opera song.”

Lucky for Cherry, those are the performances she’s looking for.

The Odd Hour is not amateur hour. Performers who wish to be part of the immersive night have to come with a passion for the avant-garde in fashion as well as performance, an idea for a strong, conceptual piece, and the ability to execute it with showstopping skill, talent, and perspective that would pump up a crowd at a nightclub.

“The great thing about Yvie is that she pushes people,” Cherry says. “I mean, I’m completely blue right now thanks to her support. I’m branching out from my norm.”

Staring into the mirror, Yvie’s eyes slide toward Cherry as she contours her nose, and offers her makeup advice. The room had slowly filled with other performers, each greeted with an air kiss from the host of the night, with warmth and help — and the occasional sass — as they prep for the night.

“Denver is filled with talented performers and queens,” Yvie says. “But those that are willing to change constantly and not remain stagnant are the ones who will make a lasting impression. They are also the ones that I’ll invite to perform at the Odd Hour.”

WRANGLER BEER BUST Despite a recent relocation, the Wrangler’s weekly beer bust continues to be a fan favorite with many in the local LGBT community. A large crowd turned out on September 11th to help support the Rocky Mountin’ Men softball team.

The Wrangler opened at its new location, 3090 Downing Street, on August 14th.

The new digs features three levels, two patios, two pool tables, and a spacious dance floor.

Photos by Charles Broshous

BUDDHA THE BELLY

Meet Buddha. This one-of-a-kind dog loves people, peanut butter, and belly rubs. His goofy personality is sure to bring laughter to your life. He walks well on a leash and was housetrained in the past.

HALEY THE WELL-ADJUSTED

Meet Haley. This playful and wellmannered girl is ready to find her forever family. She can be shy at first but warms up and makes a great companion. She has lived well with other dogs, likes car rides, and leashed walks.

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CALENDAR

Mike Halterman

SEPT 21

Welcome to autumn! As the temperatures cool, the Centennial State stays hot with lots of star power performing here over the next couple of weeks. Whether you’re in the mood for pop, rock, comedy, or a Colorado Symphony presentation, all of these options are available for you to see in the coming weeks.

Without further ado, here are a few of those shows.

Follow me on Twitter @ Mike_Halterman!

TEGAN + SARA Canadian indie pop duo and noted LGBT advocates — Tegan and Sara will be promoting their latest album, Love You to Death, with a tour date in the Mile High City at the Ogden Theatre on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:30pm. The talented sisters will be performing their greatest hits and also songs from their current offering, such as Boyfriend and Stop Desire. Tickets start at $36. AEGLive.com

SEPT 24

COLORADO SYMPHONY

PHOTO // COLORADO SYMPHONY

SEPT 24

There are two Colorado Symphony shows coming up! The first (Saturday, September 24 at 7:30pm) is The Second City Guide to the Symphony. The Chicago-based improv troupe will be performing sketch comedy and new music alongside classical staples as performed by the Symphony. The second (from September 30 through October 2) is An Evening of Bernstein’s Best, with Teddy Abrams as conductor and Broadway vocalist Morgan James performing from Leonard Bernstein’s songbook — including selections from On the Town and West Side Story. Both shows can be seen at Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver. Tickets start at $29. ColoradoSymphony.org

MA RQU EE

MID-LIFE 2

#WHATDIDICOMEINHEREFOR Now Playing through November 12 5501 Arapahoe Ave. • Boulder • BDTStage.com

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GAVIN DEGRAW + ANDY GRAMMER Enjoy a pop music double-header! Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer will be performing at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield on Saturday, September 24 at 7:30pm. DeGraw recently released the album Something Worth Saving, which features the Top 20 single She Sets the City on Fire. Grammer returns to Denver after starting the year on a high note — quite literally — when he performed at the AFC Championship Game at Mile High. Tickets are $35–$49.

1stBankCenter.com

SEPT 27

OCT 01

WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?

SIGUR RÓS Icelandic post-rock group Sigur Rós celebrates the 20th anniversary of their first album release next year. Celebrate with them as they return to the US with a stop at the Paramount Theater in Denver on Tuesday, September 27 at 8:30pm. The group will perform their favorite songs from their past seven albums. Tickets start at $94. Denver-Theater.com

SEPT 28

FRIDAYS

DREAMGIRLS

If you’re a fan of the improvisational comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, you’ll love Whose Live Anyway?, which will bring the excitement of The CW television series direct to us here in Colorado. Join Greg Proops, Joel Murray, Ryan Stiles, and Jeff B. Davis at the Paramount Theatre on Saturday, October 1 at 8pm. for an evening of hilarity where anything can happen! Tickets start at $35.50. AltitudeTickets.com

OCT 01

DENVER’S LONGEST RUNNING DRAG CABARET

Jackie Summers, host and face of Dreamgirls, has a juicy, meaty night of drag entertaintment tucked away for y’all! Every Friday at 10pm, M Uptown features the best that Denver’s drag scene has to offer. Reservations are important so call beforehand for a seat! M-Uptown.com

TREVOR NOAH Trevor Noah, host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, brings his one-man comedy show to the Bellco Theatre in Denver on Saturday, October 1 at 8pm. Noah performs in Denver thanks to The Zarlengo Foundation, which supports families who want to provide their learning-disabled children with the best education possible. Tickets are priced at $49$69. BellcoTheatre.com

OCT 01-02

MUMFORD + SONS

Mumford & Sons love touring — so much so that they spent the vast majority of their first six years together touring the world. Now the Grammy Award winners will be performing a massive outdoor show at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre in Greenwood Village on Wednesday, September 28 at 7pm. Welsh indie rock band Catfish and the Bottlemen will also perform. Tickets are priced from $29.50-$65. FiddlersGreenAmp.com

SUMMER SIXTEEN TOUR Rappers Drake and Future will be bringing their Summer Sixteen Tour to Denver for two nights, performing at the Pepsi Center on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2 at 6:30pm. The Hotline Bling singer has invited Roy Woods, DVSN, and other special guests to open for him. Tickets start at $49.50 per person for both dates. AltitudeTickets.com OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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H E I N Z ES I G H T

EXPLORING KINK WITHOUT CHEATING [ LEGAL ]

Brent Heinze, Senior Columnist HEY, BRENT. I’VE EXPERIMENTED WITH SOME KINKY STUFF IN THE PAST, BUT IT HASN’T BEEN PART OF MY CURRENT RELATIONSHIP. WHEN I TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE THINGS TURNING ME ON, MY BOYFRIEND CALLS ME A FREAK AND HAS NO INTEREST IN EXPERIMENTING WITH ME. HE SAID HE WOULD ABSOLUTELY CONSIDER IT CHEATING IF I DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT OUTSIDE OF THE RELATIONSHIP. I’M UPSET THAT HE WON’T EVEN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT INCORPORATING SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES INTO OUR SEX LIFE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? You’re not the first couple to struggle with adding something new. Changing things in the bedroom can be one of the most exciting and potentially threatening aspects in a relationship depending on your perspective. Whether you’re discussing inclusion of new people or activities, these topics often bring up feelings of doubt, insecurity, or fear that can be destructive to the bond you have created.

It’s not unusual for both of you to have concerns. Often, it’s healthy to have relationships evolve in a variety of ways over time. Hopefully we continue to find aspects that excite us, but any type of change can be challenging. That goes double if you’re discussing other types of intimate contact like additional partners, flogging, bondage, butt play, or another of the wide variety of other kinky types of fun.

It’s incredibly important to keep talking.

The most important part of this exploration is open and honest communication, both with your current partner and anyone else you would play with. Although being truthful can bring up uncomfortable feelings, push through this difficulty. Discuss what types of activities you want to add. Talk about what thrills and worries you about 4 2 \\ S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

pursuing something new. Chat about what these issues bring up emotionally.

Every relationship has its own set of expectations, strengths, and challenges.

Adding new elements such as the desire to break outside of a “vanilla” sex life to explore a variety of other flavor combinations can be a huge hazard to the stability of a relationship. It may be uncomfortable to bring up strong feelings, but take the time to openly discuss desires and apprehensions.

Sometimes people may have perspectives that are tied to a belief system that tells us what is acceptable, appropriate, and moral. There may also be a fair amount of judgement that can happen when discussing activities perceived as weird, abusive, or far outside “normal” activities. You have to admit that some kink can appear pretty extreme to some.

You may want to take a step back and realize that it may take some time for your partner to process this newly gained information from you.

Gaining the assistance of a professional counselor with experience working with couples in exploring and negotiating these types of relationship dynamics can be extremely helpful. They can support both people to ensure their concerns are being addressed and offer perspectives that are not impacted by personal feelings within the relationship. These discussions may just be the beginning of a longer process. Working together as a couple through difficult situations can strengthen your relationship and help to ensure that both of you are as comfortable with your lives together as possible. Choices in our lives can be just as modular as a shopping trip to Ikea.

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// 4 3

BAR TAB

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[ REAL ESTATE ]

SELLING, BUYING, OR

NEW

IN TOWN?

HIDE AND ZIKA

YOUR TRUSTED NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR®

Kelsey Lindsey

For centuries, these assholes have spread an array of deadly diseases, from malaria to yellow fever, and now Zika. And while you’re not likely to be infected by the particular species that carries Zika in Colorado (there are more than 2500 mosquito species in the world), consider avoiding the many areas in South America, Central America, and now Florida hit by the disease sounds bleak.

For those traveling to these regions, here are some ways to avoid mosquito bites.

Or your Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. The Centers for Disease Control recommends applying repellent with one of these four active ingredients, multiple times a day. All are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the agency even has a nifty tool on its website to help find the right one for you.

A 5 2 8 0 M A G A Z I N E® FIVE STAR REALTOR

A quick note on DEET: While there are many products using DEET in varying concentrations, those with higher concentrations aren’t any better at protecting against bites. Rather, the higher concentration of DEET means it will last longer and you won’t have to reapply as often.

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For those staying in Colorado looking to avoid scratching your skin raw, again, here are some ways to avoid mosquito bites.

Don’t break out the corset, but please cover up. Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants, preferably in lighter colors, and treat them with permethrin, another repellent and insecticide.

MORNING, DAY, AND NIGHT

WATER IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

While the multitudes of mosquito bites that appear when you step out at dusk may make you believe the little shits prefer darkness, this can be misleading.

Some mosquito species are more active at night, but the species that carry Zika, dengue, and chikungunya virus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, bite during the day. This leads to No. 2 …

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GET YOUR DEET ON

Stagnant water, that is. While bogs and still lakes are common mosquito breeding grounds, the species that spread Zika find their way into even the smallest bits of water. Think anything like flower beds, gutters, and pets’ water bowls. Search around your house for these seemingly innocuous pools and throw them out like your deadbeat ex.

[ TATTOO ]

PHOTOS // JAMES GATHANY/CDC

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND IMAGINE THE world’s deadliest animal, poised to strike.

No, it’s not Jaws, a lurking crocodile, or even a human with a gun. The world’s deadliest animal is a bit subtler, one that hits softly and randomly in almost every corner of the globe — the mosquito.

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// 4 5

H EA LT H

SUICIDE ISN’T PAINLESS I WAS 21 AND IN THE AIR FORCE. I WAS BURIED DEEP IN THE CLOSET AND LONELY. AND I’D HAD ENOUGH. WITH A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY DANGLING PRECARIOUSLY BETWEEN my fingers, I walked past my roommate late one night as he watched television in the living room.

I stumbled out into the front lawn and grabbed the garden hose, coiled up like a sleeping snake tucked up under the spigot. I unhooked the hose, dragging it through the grass toward my truck parked next to the lawn.

I then grabbed a roll of duct tape from out of my truck, securing one end of the hose to the exhaust pipe. I ran the other end of the hose to the passenger-side window, sealing it with copious layers of duct tape.

Tossing the roll of tape aside, I jumped into the cab of my truck and took a pull from the whiskey bottle. I was fully prepared to turn the engine on, fall asleep, and never wake up again.

I’ve mentioned before how the thought of suicide has always brought me much comfort. Back then, it would have ended what felt like permanent isolation borne of my self-hatred for being gay. I would no longer have to worry about being kicked out of the military under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

I would no longer be an abomination in the eyes of God and his followers. I felt I didn’t deserve any compassion or forgiveness or kindness, my depression punishment for being a heathen homo.

After wiping a few tears from my face with the back of my hand, I closed my eyes, pushed in the clutch, and turned the ignition. The truck’s 5.2 liter, V8 engine roared to life.

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But in my desperation, I forgot that my roommate had watered the lawn earlier that day, leaving residual water in the hose.

A sudden splash of frigid water smacked me hard in the face.

I went from being lonely and suicidal to being lonely and suicidal and cold.

I started to laugh. Then I cried. Then I laid myself down across the now-wet bench seat in my truck and started doing that weird, simultaneous laugh-cry. The engine was still running, pumping toxic gases into the cab. And as I lay there, waterlogged and waiting to die, my thoughts began to drift. I thought about my roommate finding me in the morning. Who would call my parents? My brother?

I remembered how my older brother protected me from bullies in high school. There was one summer he let me hang out with him and his friends when they went camping near Eleven Mile Lake. He used to read to me when I was a kid.

I’ve always found the notion that suicide is selfish to be a gross oversimplification — but I’m not blind to suicide fallout.

My death would have devastated my brother, so I reluctantly reached up and turned the ignition off. The truck shuddered a bit as the engine died. I continued to lay there and shiver.

I often ask myself what would have happened had my roommate not watered the lawn that day. (Honestly, there are still days I wish he hadn’t.) But I got to spend one night this summer hanging out with my brother, drinking beer, and playing original, 8-bit Nintendo games … and I’ve never been so thankful for my roommate’s judicious attention to lawn care.

PHOTOS // RYAN MCGUIRE

Mike Yost

My death would have devastated my brother, so I reluctantly reached up and turned the ignition off. The truck shuddered a bit as the engine died. I continued to lay there and shiver.

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O U T BAC K CLASSIFIEDS Envisioned by Boberto

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// 4 9

BAC KWO R DS

ASK A SLUT [WARNING: GRAPHIC]

If I were to trade lives with you for a single day, what’s something I’d need to know about how to conduct myself so your friends and family won’t catch on?

Latexa: Oh, that’s simple. Just remember that I have no shame and am willing to do anything in public, except dress conservative. It makes me feel so exposed and uncomfortable.

Zoey: Master the art of backhanded compliments and snarky comments.

Cookie: You’ll have to learn to swing both ways.

You must accept innies and outies. If you deny one, they’ll know.

JackLynn: Talk about skulls. Wear skulls. Be skulls.

Cherri: Learn not to breathe for the corsets to fit right.

To save money, I need to buy store brands but some sacrifice isn’t worth it. What products 5 0 \\ S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

SHOULDN’T I skimp on?

Latexa: LUBE! I only buy Crisco brand. No other will do, trust me.

Zoey: VODKA! That is all.

Cookie: LUBE. That generic stuff tastes awful.

Get the good kind that tastes good.

JackLynn: Batteries.

Cherri: Shampoo. Last time I used store-brand, my hair fell out. Why do you think I wear a wig now?

At what age do gay men stop obsessing over weight?

Latexa: The day after they die.

Zoey: The day after the marriage is finalized.

Cookie: Have you been to a bear bar?!?!

JackLynn: 30 — but we’re forever 29.

Cherri: When is the next apocalypse scheduled?

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