Thirst Colorado -- Winter 2025-2026

RIDING HIGH

Maddy Shaffrick’s wild path to elite snowboarding

Plus

Ice sculptures brighten up Cripple Creek

Perfect nights in and around the Sand Dunes

Non-alcoholic craft scene grows

Reward yourself this winter with rich flavors and cozy escapes at Monarch. From fine dining to favorite bites, you’ll find indulgence around every corner. With Monarch Rewards, you earn more all season long. Your winter getaway starts at MonarchBlackHawk.com . More than you imagine is closer than you think.

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Oh, SHELL NO

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Wintertime

CONTRIBUTORS

WILLIAM J. DAGENDESH

Dagendesh is an author, writer and retired U.S. Navy Chief Journalist and public affairs officer. He holds a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication-Journalism from Colorado State University-Pueblo, and an Associate’s in Visual Communications and an Associate in Education from Pueblo Community College. Currently, he is a freelance writer for The Colorado Gazette-owned Pikes Peak Newspapers and the Colorado Catholic Herald. He and his wife, Peggy, a cat care volunteer, live in Colorado Springs.

KRISTEN RICHARD

MALENA LARSEN

Larsen is a writer and Minnesota-to-Colorado transplant. Her favorite subjects to write about are craft beer, outdoor adventures, and any topic where she gets to learn something new. In her free time, she enjoys trail running, taking photos of mountain goats, and checking out breweries with her pals.

Richard is a drink and food freelance writer based in Denver. Her fascination with beverage history and the science of drinks act as a guiding force in her work. When she’s not traveling down a rabbit hole of random esoteric booze knowledge, you can usually find her camping, hiking, hanging with her dog, reading or rocking out to metal bands.

JOHN GARVEY

JAY MCKINNEY

McKinney is a Colorado native who grew up south of Denver in Sedalia. In 2020, he graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Shortly after, he began contributing to Thirst Colorado. He is passionate about promoting the Colorado lifestyle and the independent craft businesses that make the state a magnet for creative people. During his free time, he enjoys playing golf, shooting pool and hiking throughout Colorado and neighboring Utah.

Garvey is a storyteller, freelance writer, illustrator and nerd. He has written for dozens of lifestyle magazines, business publications, and blogs, including Entrepreneur, ColoradoBiz, InnovatioNews, and Thirst Colorado. A Northern Colorado resident, dad, and artist, one of John’s strangest and most notable accomplishments is completing a drawing a day for the entire year of 2023. That creative practice that taught him far more about the human mind than he had expected. You can see John’s writing at clippings.me/johngarvey. His art is at CreativeFollies.com and @CreativeFollies.

CHASING AN OLYMPIC (HALF) PIPE DREAM

The ups and downs of Maddy Shaffrick’s unconventional snowboard career

Photo by The Snow League/Adam Moran

By Malena Larsen

Plumbing. A boxing studio. A decade-long hiatus. This is the unlikely recipe for extreme sport greatness for Maddy Shaffrick. Shaffrick is a professional halfpipe snowboarder from Steamboat Springs, home of the famous “champagne powder” and jutting aspen groves. Her snow sports journey can be traced back to when she was about two years old and was plopped on skis for the first time, in classic Colorado fashion.

Her attention shifted from skiing to snowboarding the moment she saw two-time Olympian Gretchen Bleiler on TV in 2006. From then on, she knew she wanted to compete in the Olympics with a drive so intense, it’s almost like it was in her DNA.

“I was only seven years old when I learned how to snowboard,” Shaffrick reminisces. “I put all of myself into it. I remember in second grade, all of my school papers were about it.”

Seven years later, her dedication, drive and school papers all paid off, and Shaffrick joined the U.S. Snowboard Team at 14.

BIG DREAMS LED TO HALFPIPE HEARTBREAK

From age 14 to 20, Shaffrick’s career flourished. She competed in the X Games and World Cups; she found herself at the same competitions as the athletes who had inspired her to pursue snowboarding.

“Being on the same team as Gretchen Bleiler was so surreal,” Shaffrick shares. “It felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.”

Despite competing with her idols and achieving long-time goals, her experience wasn’t all stoke and pow days. The weight of expectations were heavy, both her own and the industry’s. The pressure chipped away at Shaffrick slowly and she experienced injury after injury. The sport that used to feel like an escape was starting to feel like an all-consuming job.

“Honestly, I started to hate the sport and resent the industry,” she admits, adding that she felt like she was “going through the motions” for a year. Then in 2015, she put away her snowboard for what she thought was for good.

WHAT IS THE HALFPIPE EVENT?

Snowboarders and skiers ride a U-shaped snow structure (called the halfpipe), where they perform a series of aerial tricks from one side to the other. Judges score runs based on amplitude (height above the pipe), difficulty of tricks, execution and overall flow.

FROM HALFPIPE TO PVC PIPE

When Shaffrick retired, she was living in Salt Lake City where she had a short stint of working at a boxing studio. Then, she felt called to move back to Steamboat Springs where she made another career switch and worked for a friend who owned a plumbing company.

“It was a good paying job,” Shaffrick describes. “I was learning a lot and I really liked it at the beginning. It was challenging, I got to move around a lot, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do with my time.”

During this period, she was grieving a breakup with a sport that once brought her joy and purpose. She had to discover new ways to fill her time, to feel motivated again, and to figure out what she wanted her next path to look like.

THOSE WHO CAN DO, COACH

As Shaffrick reconnected with her Steamboat Springs’ friends, there was talk of getting ski passes for the season. For the first time in years, she thought about snowboarding “just for fun.”

“The problem was that I didn’t really have money,” Shaffrick explains. This led her to reach out to a friend, the director of snowboarding at the Steamboat Winter Sports Club. What started as a way to score a free ski pass ended up becoming her entry back to a sport she loves.

“Coaching helped me see snowboarding differently,” she says. “It’s so fun to see that we’re all humans with different paths to passion. It was great getting to be that supporting character in their lives to help them find their passion.”

For the next seven years, Shaffrick poured herself into coaching and eventually became the snowboard program director at the sports club. In helping her students navigate nerves, pressures, and roadblocks, she found herself slowly healing. She began to remember what mattered most to kids: having fun.

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK, SHE’S BEEN HERE FOR YEARS

As Shaffrick started to fall in love again with the not-so-serious parts of the sport, she couldn’t get the thought of competing out of her mind.

“Deciding to come back was about more than results,” she says. “I just knew there was more left in my soul to do. Getting back into it was for that four-year-old that dreamed of being in the Olympics.”

Shaffrick admits she made some questionable choices during her teen years in the sport. “Part of me felt like I sabotaged it,” she shares. “Physically, I was capable — even more so than I am now — but mentally, I lacked the tools. Emotionally, I didn’t have the maturity. Spiritually, I had no connection.”

But this time, she had the tools to approach things differently. “I started snowboarding a bit more, then dropping into the halfpipe, then doing a couple of my tricks.”

DROPPING IN AFTER A DECADE

Despite results not being the focus for Shaffrick, great results are what she got. In December 2024, she dropped into her first World Cup in nearly a decade at the Secret Garden Resort in China. She walked away with a bronze podium finish.

The Snow League/Andrew Arthur

The Snow League/Dasha Nosova

She is also competing in Shaun White’s Snow League.

Her success went beyond the physical. Much of it came from the mental work she’d been doing, including sessions with sports psychologists and even her childhood idol, Gretchen Bleiler, now a transformational coach and spiritual psychology practitioner.

Shaffrick knew the season would be challenging due to getting in shape, taking hard falls, competing with nerves, and managing a “bum knee.” What she didn’t expect was confronting her own selfdoubt, unlearning old patterns, and relearning confidence.

She reframed competition nerves, turning them into fuel. “That day (World Cup) I landed the best run of my year,” she remembers. “It validated everything. Coming back wasn’t just a wild idea. It was shocking and so cool.”

CARVING AN OLYMPIC PATH

Now, at 31 years old, Shaffrick’s focus is on the 2026 Olympics. The difference this time? She’s not chasing it for the results and medals. She’s chasing it for herself – that four-year-old who watched Bleiler fly out of the halfpipe and the second grader who wrote about it in her school papers.

“We’ll find out the Olympic team in January and then the opening ceremony is in February. My parents already have their flights and Airbnb booked,” she says with a laugh.

Shaffrick has gone from a child with a massive dream to fierce competitor, from a burnt-out teen to a passionate coach, and is now a new version of herself – an athlete standing on the brink of her Olympic dream. Snowboarding, like sports for many, has been a profound teacher for her. It showed Shaffrick that growth is not linear, joy ebbs and flows, and having fun should always remain essential.

“Seeing what I’m truly capable of has reminded me that we’re all more capable than we realize,” Shaffrick says. “It’s all about stepping into a space of belief, testing boundaries, and pushing myself in ways I never have before.”

If you want to support this Colorado native, follow her journey on Instagram. She’s also seeking sponsors to help support her road to the 2026 Olympics. ■

MADDY SHAFFRICK’S UPCOMING ROAD TO THE 2026 OLYMPICS

December 2025: First Olympic Qualifier at Copper Mountain

● December 18th: Qualifiers

● December 20th: Finals

January 2026: Second Olympic Qualifier in Aspen

● January 7th: Qualifiers

● January 9th: Finals

January 2026: Team Decisions

● January 16-17: Official team selection for the 2026 Olympics

February 2026: Olympics

● Feb 7: Opening ceremony

● Feb 11–13: Competition in Livigno Snow Park, Italy

● Feb 12: Women’s halfpipe finals

The Snow League/Dasha Nosova

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CARVING UP CRIPPLE CREEK

Annual ice festival offers the best in snow

By William J. Dagendesh

Photos courtesy of Cripple Creek Ice Festival

It’s that time of the season when Colorado weather changes before your very eyes and a popular winter event that offers the best in snow returns to Cripple Creek.

The Cripple Creek Ice Festival in Colorado’s famous historic mining town is a celebration of ice, chisels and chainsaws. For many visitors, the free event – boasting carving competitions, large-scale ice sculptures, and numerous interactive ice castles and other frosty attractions – is the ultimate winter experience.

Each year, hordes of visitors flock to the festival where icy treasures – like impeccably wrapped, multi-colored parcels tucked beneath the Christmas tree – await curious cold-weather enthusiasts. And that’s not all. Attendees will experience new and vintage pop music standards, a heated kiddy arcade and lots of mouthwatering food during the festival, which is scheduled from Feb. 14-22 on Bennett Avenue downtown.

Intricately carved ice sculptures crafted by artists from throughout the country inspire spectators to embrace the joy of winter. For many, this live competition is the festival’s showstopper because it provides insight into how sculptors are inspired to carve exquisite works of art from a block of frozen H2O.

Sculptors spend hours in the winter weather creating what they hope will leave an impression with visitors and art lovers. Also, spectators can vote for their favorite artist in the People’s Choice Awards, in which the winning sculptor will earn a moment of notoriety and walk away with a $5,000 cash prize.

A walk through the frozen ice castles can take 45 minutes to an hour or more, depending on guests’ speed and interest in the castles’ slides, tunnels and other attractions. All ice sculptures usually are viewable throughout the festival’s duration, with specific times for competitions and vendors provided closer to event time.

Marie Rieger, director of marketing and events, said she believes the festival is popular with residents because it is a “wonderful event to gather and celebrate winter.” Although not a fundraiser, Cripple Creek hopes to collect “enough to cover the cost of the event and improve next year’s (festival),” Rieger said.

When outside summer activities give way to a long winter’s slumber, a festival can brighten the spirit. For this reason, Rieger hopes visitors will take away the experience of community and collaboration, while celebrating winter in Colorado’s famous mountain mining town. “(The festival) brings business to everyone and it was slow this time of year in the past,” Rieger said.

Of course the grand ice displays are the biggest draw. Mythological Wonderland, Renaissance and Under the Sea are among previous event themes. The latest theme will be announced soon. So, pack up the kids, create some chilly, fun memories and embrace winter in the Rockies. To learn more, visit icecastles.com. ■

SLUMBER PARTY

Locating the perfect place to sack out for a Sand Dunes retreat

By Jay McKinney

In a state with bountiful beauty, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is an otherworldly region that Colorado is fortunate to offer. Located in southern Colorado’s vast San Luis Valley, the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo mountains serve as the backdrop for the massive swath of sand-covered land that could have easily been used as the set for the “Dune” movies. Out of the four national parks in the state, it is arguably the most unusual and fascinating to explore, especially in springtime.

Instead of fighting through hordes of people crowding popular trails in Rocky Mountain National Park or stepping back in time with a visit to Mesa Verde National Park, those who visit the dunes have freedom to explore how they wish. Visitors can meander up the tallest dunes in North America, sled down them, cool off in Medano Creek (in spring) and picnic on the cushy sand. When the sun sets, it’s time to marvel at the star-speckled sky in this designated International Dark Sky Park. Securing a reservation in

the park is difficult, so here are some places to consider staying during a trip to the dunes. Winter accommodations are sometimes limited; check with your location of choice for availability.

SAND DUNES RECREATION

Whether camping in a tent, looking for a place to park an RV or interested in booking a night in a cabin, Sand Dunes Recreation can accommodate all of the above. The recreation and lodging area is centered around a 50-foot by 100-foot pool that is geothermally heated and maintained at 98 degrees fahrenheit year-round. There is also a smaller therapy pool that can accommodate up to 25 people and stays between 105-107 degrees. Located on-site is the Mile Deep Grille with an assortment of tasty dishes. There is also a 21-plus area available in the Greenhouse. The 10,000-square-foot Greenhouse offers guests a small bites menu, beer and wine, four soaking pools, and a sauna all set among tropical plants that create a relaxing environment.

GREAT SAND DUNES LODGE

Located at the national park’s only vehicle entrance, the Great Sand Dunes Lodge has varying rooms and amenities, as well as campers and geodesic domes available for guests. Due to its proximity to the dunes and breathtaking views, photographers, bikers and hikers regularly stay at the lodge when visiting the park. Another attraction located nearby is Zapata Falls. During the summer months, hikers can cool off in the shaded, rocky crevice where the water falls more than 25 feet and sprays mist into the warm high-altitude desert air. In the wintertime, hikers will visit the falls to get a glimpse of the unusual frozen formations.

RAMBLE CAMPGROUND

The Ramble Campground is a desirable destination for those who want to camp with access to some additional amenities. It is available for tenters, van-lifers and off-grid trailers and RVs with different sized campsites that can accommodate 1-20 people and

their furry friends. Each site has up to 1 acre of designated space and there is a community bathhouse that includes hot showers, flushing toilets and a QR code kiosk with necessities and treats for sale. The campground also has access to hiking and biking trails and a disc golf course. For the culinary enthusiasts who struggle preparing meals over a fire, each campsite has a dual-burner gas stove and a grill. The upgraded campsites also include a sink and counter space to make cleanup easier.

RUSTIC ROOK RESORT

With a variety of glamping options available at Rustic Rook Resort, the grain bin villas are especially fun. There are five of them that were purchased from a farm auction in 2022 and brought to the property to be converted into lodging spaces. Rustic Rook currently has two available for booking with the other three in different stages of construction. The uninviting corrugated steel exterior is contrasted by the wood paneled interior that is

comforting and charming. Each villa has a loft bedroom with a kingsize bed, a pullout couch and windows looking out on the dunes in the distance. First floor amenities include a kitchen, dining area, and bathroom, while the patio outside offers a picnic table and charcoal grill. The founders of Rustic Rook are thrilled to up-cycle these grain bins and create memorable lodging destinations for those visiting the San Luis Valley.

KOSMOS STARGAZING RESORT

The light pollution of metropolitan areas can make star-lit skyscapes invisible. But in the vast San Luis Valley where people are sparse, the stars are not. Those who want to treat themselves to a luxurious, stargazing retreat should consider booking a night (or two) at the Kosmos Stargazing Villa. When Chilean software developer Gamal Jadue Zalaquett visited the region in 2020, he was surprised that this International Dark Sky Park that sees hundreds of

thousands of visitors each year, had such limited lodging options. He was inspired to create the Kosmos Resort and five years later, the first of 20 Kosmos villas opened in April of 2025 with three more expected to open soon.

The Stargazing Villa is 1,200 square feet with a maximum capacity of four people. It features a modern design with an abundance of windows that makes stargazing great inside or outside. Another design, the Galaxy Villa, will have a maximum capacity of eight and comes with two master bedrooms, a jacuzzi, sauna and ice tub.

Those in search of a weekend of wellness and majestic night sky views should get on the waiting list. Kosmos Resort plans to have its 20 villas completed this winter, with other offerings such as a spa, gym, tennis courts and a restaurant planned by the end of 2026. By the end of 2027, Kosmos plans include an observatory and educational center, making it a premier stargazing destination. ■

Photo courtesy of Kosmos Stargazing Resort

Photo courtesy of Ramble Campground by Sam Starr

Photo courtesy of Rustic Rook Resort

COZY COLORADO WINTER DINING

Escaping the day-to-day grind for delicious food is a challenge worth accepting, especially when the reward is a warm, satisfying meal on a cold winter day.

As the temps fall along the Front Range and the mountain towns begin to measure snow in feet rather than inches, dining becomes more important than ever. Enjoying carefully crafted comfort food with friends and family is always a highlight regardless of the reason for gathering.

Throughout Colorado, rooftop patios are often traded for firelit interiors, and menus begin to shift. Think slow-braised short ribs served over creamy mashed

potatoes, bowls of roasted squash soup infused with sage and freshly baked bread. Local chefs lean heavily on Colorado’s root vegetables, hearty grains and game meats.

Families tend to seek out intimate settings this time of year. Dim lighting, exposed brick, and the crackle of a nearby fireplace can set the tone for a fun afternoon or evening.

Because the craft scene is second to none, an abundance of alcoholic beverages is available. The Western Slope’s red wines have come a long way, and the craft beer and whiskey crowd doesn’t have to go far to find a barrel-aged stout or smoky cocktail that explodes with flavor. But don’t think

twice about ordering a mocktail that has all the ingredients and flavor to satisfy most palates. Pairing great food with the perfect drinks makes the meal.

In the high country dining takes on a distinctly alpine character. After a day on the slopes at Winter Park or a snowshoe adventure deep in the backcountry at Golden Gate State Park, hearty food is imperative. Elk steak, pulled pork, roasted chicken or mushroom risotto will meet the need. And the vegan and vegetarian menus have never been more abundant, especially in Colorado.Think tempeh or tofu that can provide a base for a variety of veggies, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Even casual spots take on a certain

JKQ BBQ

Located in Black Hawk, CO, JKQ BBQ delivers authentic Memphis-style barbeque with bold flavors and generous portions. This local favorite features slow-smoked ribs, tender brisket, and juicy pulled pork. Every bite reflects a deep love of barbeque and a dedication to quality. Guests love the casual, welcoming vibe. It’s perfect after a day of exploring the nearby shops in the HARD District, hiking trails, or just stopping by to listen to local musicians on Friday and Saturday. Whether you are grabbing a hearty lunch, ordering family meals to go, or enjoying a cold beer in the historic bar, JKQ delivers comfort and flavor in every bite.

Beyond food, JKQ takes pride in being part of the community, supporting local events, and welcoming guests like family, making everyone feel at home.

For a true taste of barbeque with a small-town heart, JKQ BBQ is the spot to savor.

200 Gregory St Black Hawk, CO 80422 (720) 316-1361

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JkqBbq/

charm—perhaps a small café serving steaming mugs of cocoa and housemade pastries.

Whether on the Front Range, in the high country or on the Western Slope, Colorado’s winter dining culture thrives on a shared appreciation for warmth, connection and comfort. It’s a season that invites people to gather around tables and firesides, to linger longer, and to indulge a little more. In Colorado, winter meals aren’t just about feeding hunger—they’re about embracing the season itself.

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED?

Escaping to Black Hawk for a day or two is a favorite pastime for those willing to risk a few bucks for big gains. However, there’s no risk when it comes to finding a great meal in the historic mining town.

One sure-fire stop is JKQ BBQ at Crook’s Palace. Although you won’t find any gambling, you will find great food in a setting that feels a bit like the Old West - only clean and efficient. The building retains much of its 19th-century charm, while the kitchen produces Memphis-style barbecue. The proprietor learned to smoke meats in Memphis, Tennessee. The brisket is hand-trimmed, the pulled pork shoulder is hand-shredded and it’s all made from scratch.

Not sure what sounds good? Try the Wagyu New York steak sandwich, topped with melted cheddar and grilled onions, or the French dip with provolone—a comforting nod to classic Americana. Their BLTA on Texas toast is another favorite, proving that even the simplest sandwiches can feel indulgent when made with care. And for dessert? The lineup reads like a sweet-tooth’s dream: chocolate peanut butter cup cheesecake, pineapple upsidedown cake, German chocolate cake, and even cinnamon roll cheesecake.

While in Denver, the northside has traditionally been known for incredible Italian cuisine and authentic Mexican restaurants. But the barbecue bug also arrived a few years back and there are a few to seek out.

Post Oak Barbecue on Tennyson Street is known for authentic Central Texas-style brisket and house-made sausage. The wings are also meaty and perfectly done. If whiskey is your jam, there are dozens to try, both local and beyond.

Ragin’ Hog BBQ on Lowell Boulevard serves its hearty southern barbecue with spicy Cajun flair - but only until they sell out each day. The homemade desserts are over the top. Did somebody say buttermilk pie?

One is more likely to end the day with barbecue, but what about breakfast, lunch or brunch? Tangerine has you covered with a lighter menu that will keep your day moving forward.

With three locations in Boulder, Lafayette and Longmont, the restaurants have been turning mornings into celebrations since 2011.

Founded by Chef Alec Schuler, Tangerine is built around a simple idea:

Whether on the Front Range, in the high country or on the Western Slope, Colorado’s winter dining culture thrives on a shared appreciation for warmth, connection and comfort.

TANGERINE RESTAURANTS

At Tangerine Restaurants, fresh flavors and creative dishes take center stage. From hearty breakfasts to vibrant lunch options, the menu features thoughtfully prepared meals made from high-quality ingredients. The inviting, modern space encourages guests to relax, connect, and savor every bite. Whether stopping in for a quick meal, catching up with friends, or celebrating a small occasion, Tangerine Restaurants delivers dishes that are both healthy and indulgent. With a focus on flavor, presentation, and quality, it’s more than just a meal — it’s an experience that delights the senses and leaves diners feeling nourished. We are locally owned and operated.

2777 Iris Ave, Boulder 80304

300 S. Public Road, Lafayette 80026

3 Boulder County Locations TangerineEats.com

379 Main Street, Longmont 80501

Elk steak, pulled pork, roasted chicken or mushroom risotto will meet the need. And the vegan and vegetarian menus have never been more abundant, especially in Colorado.

Think tempeh or tofu that can provide a base for a variety of veggies, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

healthy food should be vibrant, satisfying and full of flavor. The menus are inspired by American and Mediterranean cuisines, featuring plenty of options for those who are vegetarian, vegan or gluten-conscious.

The Tangerine décor is bright and cheerful. Expect local artwork, as well as the warm aroma of Salto coffee being prepared at the espresso bar.

The menu reflects a devotion to flavor and integrity. Most of the food is made from scratch: the oils are extra virgin olive and non-GMO rice bran; the flours are unbleached and organic; and the salt comes from the Mediterranean.

For brunch lovers, the options are

irresistible. Think Mediterranean omelets with feta and roasted vegetables, Tex-Mex inspired scrambles, and big salads with seasonal ingredients. The gluten-free pancakes are a local favorite, as are the breakfast tacos and brunch cocktails that bring a little weekend celebration to any weekday.

Every dish is clearly labeled as glutenfree or vegetarian, and most can be adjusted to meet specific dietary needs. The restaurant’s philosophy is rooted in the Mediterranean way of life—fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and good fats like olive oil—creating meals that are both nourishing and indulgent. It’s the kind of

food that makes you feel good not only while eating it, but long after.

And for those who truly enjoy a little Tex-Mex spice, there are plenty of additional restaurants to consider. Chuy’s, Los Carboncitos, and Dos Santos are known for Tex-Mex flavors that are savory.

While on the Mediterranean side, Ochag Bar & Grill and Rioja, both shine through with creative, seasonal dishes where health and flavor mix it up.

So this winter, take the challenge –escape the grind, follow your appetite, and discover why in Colorado, the best meals are often the ones that warm more than just your stomach. ♦

WINTER EVENTS GUIDE

DECEMBER

“DINNER WITH FRIENDS,” Bas Bleu Theater, Fort Collins, through Dec. 21

COLORADO BALLET: “THE NUTCRACKER,” Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, through Dec 28

“ANNIE,” Town Hall Arts Center, Littleton, through Dec 28

BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT, Denver Botanic Gardens, through Jan 11

THE BROADWAY HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY SONGBOOK, Lakewood Cultural Center, Dec 3

JAKE SHIMABUKURO: “HOLIDAYS IN HAWAII,” Lone Tree Arts Center, Dec 3

VAIL FILM FESTIVAL, Grand Hyatt and Chasing Rabbits, Dec 3-6

“HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Dec 3-7

CELTIC WOMEN WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Dec 4

METAL AND BEER FESTIVAL, Summit Music Hall, Denver, Dec 5-6

OLDE FASHIONED CHRISTMAS, Palisade, Dec 5-6

CU BOULDER’S HOLIDAY FESTIVAL, Macky Auditorium, Dec 5-7

“DEFINING SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL,” Longmont Theater Company, Dec 5-14

“MURDER FOR TWO,” Theatre Silco, Silverthorne, Dec 5-21

“EVERY BRILLIANT THING” BY THE BOULDER ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY, The Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, Dec 5-28

WORLD BALLET CO.: “THE NUTCRACKER,” Newman Center, Denver, Dec 6

LIGHTING OF BRECKENRIDGE AND RACE OF THE SANTAS, Breckenridge, Dec 6

THUMBS UP VERTICAL CHALLENGE RUNNING EVENT, Estes Park, Dec 6

LONE TREE SYMPHONY: “LET IT GLOW,” Lone Tree Arts Center, Dec 6-7

COLORADO SYMPHONY: “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE,” Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Dec 6-7

ROCKY MOUNTAIN STOCKING STUFFERS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, Lakewood Cultural Center, Dec 6-7

KT TUNSTALL, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Dec 7

WET LEG, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Dec 7

HOLIDAY DOG PARADE

The Lighting of Breckenridge festival on Dec. 6 includes a holiday dog parade, carolers, the Race of the Santas

HOLIDAYS ARE FOR PHAMALY AND THE COLORADO SYMPHONY, Lone Tree Arts Center, Dec 9

BRIA SKONBERG, Newman Center, Denver, Dec 10

NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Dec 10-11

BEAUSOLEIL: “A CAJUN CHRISTMAS,” Lone Tree Arts Center, Dec 11

HOME FREE, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Dec 11

BRIA SKONBERG: JINGLE BELL SWING, Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Dec 11

BIG AIR QUALIFIERS FOR 2026 OLYMPICS, Steamboat Ski Resort, Dec 11-12

HOLIDAYS AT THE HIDEAWAY HOTEL, Wonderbound Dance, Denver, Dec 11-21

MAIN STREET LIVE: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, Main Street, Trinidad, Dec 12

BLUE VIOLIN CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA, Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, Dec 12

STATE STREET BALLET’S “NUTCRACKER,” W/ THE SAN JUAN SYMPHONY, Community Concert Hall, Durango, Dec 12-14

BALLET ARIEL: “LITTLE WOMEN AND THE NUTCRACKER SUITE,” Lakewood Cultural Center, Dec 12-14

WINTERSKÖL FESTIVAL, Aspen, Dec 12-14

and a children’s moose march, leading up to switching on 250,000 holiday lights. gobreck.com

COLORADO SYMPHONY: A COLORADO CHRISTMAS, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Dec 12-14

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE,” Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Dec 12-21

A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS, Boulder Theatre, Dec 14

LINDSEY STIRLING, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Dec 15

RAIN: A BEATLES CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE, The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Dec 16

COLORADO SYMPHONY: HOLIDAY BRASS, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Dec 16

A COLORADO NUTCRACKER, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Dec 16-17

“THE NOTEBOOK,” The Buell Theatre, Denver, Dec 16-28

COLORADO DANCE CENTER: “TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,” Lakewood Cultural Center, Dec 17

JAY & SILENT BOB, Community Concert Hall, Durango, Dec 17

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A PARTICIPATION PLAY,” Town Hall Arts Center, Littleton, Dec 17-20

THE UGLY SEASONAL SWEATER SOIREE, Lone Tree Arts Center, Dec 17-21

A JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Dec 18

Photo courtesy of GoBreck

WINTER EVENTS GUIDE

SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS, The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Dec 18

ULLR FEST, Main Street, Breckenridge, Dec 18-20

BRECKENRIDGE OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, Dec 19-20

ROCKSTAR ENERGY OPEN SNOWBOARDING EVENT, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Dec 19-21

“MARY POPPINS” BY THE THEATRE PROJECT, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Dec 19-21

COLORADO SYMPHONY: HANDEL’S MESSIAH – AWAKENING, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Dec 19-21

ROCKSTAR ENERGY OPEN SNOWBOARDING, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Dec 19-21

BALLET MELANGE: “THE NUTCRACKER,” Lakewood Cultural Center, Dec 19-21

YULE FEST, MeadKrieger Meadery, Loveland, Dec 20

THE BAR-D WRANGLERS CHRISTMAS JUBILEE, Community Concert Hall, Durango, Dec 20

SANTA SKI DAY, Crested Butte, Dec 20

BOULDER PHILHARMONIC: “FOUR SEASONS: VIVALDI AND PIAZZOLLA,” Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Dec 20

UGLY SWEATY SWEATER 5K WALK/RUN AND OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, Pagosa Springs, Dec 20

SANTA SADDLES UP, Steamboat Ski Resort, Dec 20

CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Dec 20-21

DENVER BRASS: SPIRIT OF THE SEASON, Armstrong Center, Lakewood, Dec 20-21

CIRQUE MUSICA HOLIDAY WONDERLAND, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Dec 22

COLORADO SYMPHONY: “ELF” IN CONCERT, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Dec 22-23

CIRQUE MUSICA HOLIDAY WONDERLAND, Blue Arena, Loveland, Dec 23

CHRISTMAS EVE TORCHLIGHT PARADE, Telluride, Dec 24

AARON BLUNCK RAIL JAM, Crested Butte, Dec 27

BOOMBASSADOR (THE POLISH AMBASSADOR & BOOMBOX), Mission Ballroom, Denver, Dec 27

AUDI AJAX CUP SKI RACING, Aspen Mountain, Dec 30

COLORADO SYMPHONY: A NIGHT IN VIENNA, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Dec 31

MAGDALENA BAY, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Dec 31

JANUARY

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 2

NORA EN PURE, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 3

COLORADO SYMPHONY PERFORMS DOLLY PARTON’S THREADS: MY SONGS IN SYMPHONY, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 3-4

THE BRONX WANDERERS, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Jan 4

THE MUSICFEST, Steamboat Springs, Jan 5-10

US GRAND PRIX SKI AND SNOWBOARD COMPETITION, Buttermilk Mountain, Aspen, Jan 7-10

“SIX,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Jan 7-11

CHARLEY CROCKETT, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 9-10

COLORADO SYMPHONY: RACHMANINOFF WITH JUN MÄRKL, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 9-11

ALL IN INCLUSIVE ICE CLIMBING FEST, Ouray Ice Park, Jan 9-11

“KINKY BOOTS,” The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 9-11

“SOUTH PACIFIC,” Lakewood Cultural Center, Jan 9-25

“THE MOUSETRAP” BY OPENSTAGE THEATRE, The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 9-Feb 7

ALEX CUBA, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 10

“SWAN LAKE,” Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Jan 10

NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW, Denver, Jan 10-25

“BAD BOOKS,” Curious Theatre, Denver, Jan 10-Feb 1

ORCHID SHOWCASE, Denver Botanic Gardens, Jan 10-Feb 16

BOULDER PHILHARMONIC: SCHUMANN & FRANCK WITH CELLIST RAINER EUDEIKIS, Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Jan 11

TAKÁCS QUARTET, Grusin Music Hall, Boulder, Jan 11-12

ASPEN GAY SKI WEEK, various locations, Jan 11-17

COLORADO SYMPHONY: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. TRIBUTE AND HUMANITARIAN AWARDS, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 13

WINTER EVENTS GUIDE

BRAXTON KEITH & RANDALL KING, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 15

CHRIS THILE, Newman Center, Denver, Jan 15

AILEY II, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 16

HANNAH BERNER, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Jan 16

BRAD WILLIAMS, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Jan 16

“THE CHOIR OF MAN,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Jan 16-17

WINTERFEST, Pagosa Springs, Jan 16-18

COLORADO SYMPHONY: “HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE” IN CONCERT, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 16-18

“COWBOYS AND EAST INDIANS,” Singleton Theatre, Denver, Jan 16-March 1

HAIRBALL, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Jan 17

BRAD WILLIAMS, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Jan 17

COWBOY DOWNHILL, Steamboat Resort, Steamboat Springs, Jan 19

OURAY ICE FESTIVAL, Ouray Ice Park, Jan 22-25

LA SANTA CECILIA, Newman Center, Denver, Jan 23

RUCKUS AND KEIR GOGWILT: THE SCOTTISH CORELLI, Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Jan 23

COLORADO SYMPHONY: MOZART & NOW WITH PETER OUNDJIAN, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 23-25

X GAMES, Buttermilk Base, Aspen, Jan 23-25

SNOWDOWN FESTIVAL, various venues, Durango, Jan 23-Feb 1

MONTY PYTHON’S “SPAMALOT,” Town Hall Arts Center, Littleton, Jan 23-Feb 22

DENVER WINTER WHISKEY TASTING FESTIVAL, downtown Denver, Jan 24

KITCHEN DWELLERS, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 24

“THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Jan 24-25

COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC: BRAHMS/TCHAIKOVSKY, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Jan 24-25

RIO FRIO ICE FEST, Alamosa, Jan 24-26

DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, JCC Denver, Jan 24-Feb 1

INTERNATIONAL SNOW SCULPTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS, Breckenridge, Jan 24-Feb 3

THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS, Newman Center, Denver, Jan 25

BACKCOUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL

The 21st Annual Backcountry Film Festival showcases short movies about winter adventures, activities and travel, and raises money for local recreation and conservation efforts. The touring festival stops in:

COLORADO SYMPHONY: NEW YORK CITY TOUR SENDOFF CONCERT, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 27

STEP AFRIKA!, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Feb 27

BRIT STUEVEN PRESENTS “NOT TIL NOW” (STORYTELLING AND COMEDY), Lakewood Cultural Center, Jan 28

FOREIGNER, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Feb 28

DON WAS AND THE PAN-DETROIT ENSEMBLE, Newman Center, Denver, Jan 29

SCOTT MCCREERY, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Jan 29

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE: WILD CATS REVEALED WITH SANDESH KADUR, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 30

ULLRGRASS, Parfet Park, Golden, Jan 30-Feb 1

COLORADO BALLET: “THE GREAT GATSBY,” Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, Jan 30-Feb 8

“BROOKLYN LAUNDRY” BY THE BOULDER ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY, The Savoy Denver, Jan 30-Feb 15

“GODSPEED,” Kilstrom Theatre, Denver, Jan 30-Feb 22

RAY VOLPE, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 31

Golden, Dec 11 and 12

Breckenridge, Dec 12

Gunnison and Salida, Jan 15

Several more Colorado stops are scheduled, with dates to be announced soon. winterwildlands.org

MARY LOUISE LEE BAND: TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 31

COLORADO SYMPHONY: THE PHILIP GLASS ENSEMBLE PERFORMING “KOYAANISQATSI,” Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 31

SAL VULCANO, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Jan 31

LAKEWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: “PETER AND THE WOLF” FAMILY CONCERT, Lakewood Cultural Center, Jan 31

“MARK TWAIN TONIGHT,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Jan 31

POND HOCKEY CLASSIC, Grand Lake, Jan 31Feb 1

FEBRUARY

LEE RITENOUR, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 1

THE SHE GEES, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Feb 2

“DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Feb 4

PEKING ACROBATS, Community Concert Hall, Durango, Feb 4

STEAMBOAT WINTER CARNIVAL, Steamboat Springs, Feb 4-7

Photo courtesy of Backcountry Film Festival

EVENTS

BIG TROUT BREWING is a family-run brewpub in downtown Winter Park, serving award-winning craft beer, house-made meals and pizzas, and handselected wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. Join us for Monday and Thursday Happy Hours, live music, and favorite events like the Fly Fishing Film Tour — where mountain-town spirit and community come together.

HIGH PLAINS SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL, Lamar, Feb 5-8

COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY: “HELLO, DOLLY!,” Lakewood Cultural Center, Feb 5-8

ADVENTURE CLUB, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 6

COLORADO SYMPHONY: TCHAIKOVSKY AND SHOSTAKOVICH, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Feb 6-8

“THE ODD COUPLE,” Longmont Theater Company, Feb 6-21

STELLA COLE WITH THE BOULDER PHILHARMONIC, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 7

FIRST FRIDAY WISH LANTERN FESTIVAL, Silverthorne Pavilion, Feb 7

CHRIS LORENZO, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 7

LAKE CITY ICE FEST, Lake City Ice Park, Feb 7

CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, various venues, Colorado Springs, Feb 7

DENVER BRASS: RHYTHMS OF THE COSMOS, Newman Center, Denver, Feb 7

VERSA-STYLE STREET DANCE, Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Feb 11

“WATER FOR ELEPHANTS,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Feb 11-22

MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Feb 12

MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO: “NO MORE WATER - THE GOSPEL OF JAMES BALDWIN,” Newman Center, Denver, Feb 13

DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND’S MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 13

“JURASSIC PARK” IN CONCERT, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Feb 13-14

COLORADO SYMPHONY WITH PINK MARTINI, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Feb 13-14

“RABBIT HOLE,” Bas Bleu Theater, Fort Collins, Feb 13-March 8

LOVELAND SWEETHEART FESTIVAL, downtown Loveland, Feb 14

WRECKNO & SUPER FUTURE, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 14

WINTER EVENTS GUIDE

MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRESENTS “THE SECRET GARDEN,” Lakewood Cultural Center, Feb 14

COLORADO NEW PLAY SUMMIT, Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, Denver, Feb 14-15

SILVERTON SKIJORING, Feb 14-15

BALOURDET QUARTET, Grusin Music Hall, Boulder, Feb 15-16

THE SURVIVORS’ WAY, Community Concert Hall, Feb 17

OPETH, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Feb 18

EPHRAT ASHERIE DANCE WITH ARTURO O’FARRILL: SHADOW CITIES, Newman Center, Denver, Feb 19

KINGS RETURN (A CAPELLA R&B MUSIC), Lakewood Cultural Center, Feb 19

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS: GREAT AMERICAN CROONERS, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 20

PAUL REISER, The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Feb 20

SOYEON KATE LEE, The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Feb 21

COLORADO SYMPHONY: SHOSTAKOVICH AND RACHMANINOFF WITH OLGA KERN, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Feb 20-22

COLORADO ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL, Green Center, Golden, Feb 20-22

“BROOKLYN LAUNDRY” BY THE BOULDER ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY, Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, Feb 20-March 15

THE PETTY NICKS EXPERIENCE, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 21

AUDI POWER OF FOUR SKI RACE SERIES, Snowmass Base Village, Feb 21

COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC: CARMEN/ARANJUEZ, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Feb 21-22

VITAMIN STRING QUARTET, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Feb 23

PLAYSTATION: THE CONCERT, Buell Theatre, Denver, Feb 24

COLORADO SYMPHONY WITH SUTTON FOSTER AND KELLI O’HARA, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Feb 26

DECADENT DESIRES, Wonderbound Dance, Denver, Feb 26-March 8

MANDY PATINKIN, Newman Center, Denver, Feb 27

THE TEN TENORS, The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Feb 27

The Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs returns with a diverse lineup of winter concerts:

Sam Grisman Project, Jan 9

Mat Kearney’s Acoustic Trio Tour, Jan 16

Yonder Mountain String Band, Jan 22

Tank And The Bangas, (pictured above), Jan 25

LONE TREE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS “WINDS OF DESTINY,” Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 27

MEREDITH WILLSON’S “THE MUSIC MAN,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Feb 27-March 1

THE SNOW LEAGUE SNOWBOARDING COMPETITIONS, Buttermilk Mountain, Aspen, Feb 27-March 1

THE LANGSTON HUGHES PROJECT: “ASK YOUR MAMA - 12 MOODS OF JAZZ,” Lakewood Cultural Center, Feb 28

MADDY O’NEAL, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 28

BRUCE HORNSBY WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Feb 28

INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 28

NEEDTOBREATHE, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Feb 28

MARCH

FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC PRESENTS OWLS, A STRING QUARTET, Lakewood Cultural Center, March 1

Justin Roberts And The Not Ready For Naptime Players, Jan 31

Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, Feb 5

John Craigie, Feb 15

David Koechner, March 6

Yacht Rock Revue, March 7

Eddie 9V, March 22 stringsmusicfestival.com

COLORADO SYMPHONY: “PEPPA PIG - MY FIRST CONCERT,” Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, March 1

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE: UNCOVERING OUR CONCRETE JUNGLE WITH CHRIS SCHELL, Lone Tree Arts Center, March 1

DURANGO INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL, three venues, March 4-8

LAKEWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: “1812,” Lakewood Cultural Center, March 5

BAROQUE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF COLORADO: “HEARTBEAT,” Lakewood Cultural Center, March 6

CIRQUE MECHANICS: “TILT!,” Lone Tree Arts Center, March 6

“OKLAHOMA,” Macky Auditorium, Boulder, March 6-8

COLORADO BALLET: “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM,” Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, March 6-15

THE COLORADO SYMPHONY: “MINI MÚSICA: THE STORY OF PETER RABBIT,” Lakewood Cultural Center, March 7

HUU BAC QUINTET, Lakewood Cultural Center, March 7

Photo courtesy of Strings Music Festival

STEPPING OUT IN GRAND JUNCTION

There’s no shortage of places to explore by foot, rope or raft

By Kristen Richard

Colorado’s westernmost towns and experiences are decidedly more relaxed than the Front Range, or especially the Denver metropolitan area.

Visit Grand Junction reports the town is surrounded by more than 1.5 million acres of public land that is perfect most of the year for hiking, fishing, climbing, camping, and beyond. The Western Slope’s largest city is about 4,500 feet in elevation, so mild winters with less than 20 inches of snow are common.

“If you spend a day on the trails, you’re likely to make a friend that you could have for the rest of your life,” says river rat and outdoorsman Ethan Ball of Grand Junction.

And if your idea of enjoying the great outdoors includes finishing up on a patio with an ice-cold beverage, there’s plenty of that too.

Here are some ideas to help get you started in a geographical area that is recreation friendly year round.

HIKING AND FISHING

“We have so many mountain ranges that surround us,” says Rebecca McKenna of Colorado West Slope Fly Fishing, which she co-owns with her husband, Jake. “You can start in the high desert, and then drive 45 minutes and you’re in pine trees surrounded by bodies of water with moose, bear and elk. Grand Junction is a great location for exploring all different types of terrain and climate.”

Perhaps the most famous nearby example, and located about 30 minutes from downtown, is the Colorado National Monument.

“It’s like the red rocks of Moab,” says McKenna, a Grand Junction native.

Indeed, the Colorado National Monument is home to trails ranging from a quarter of a mile to 14 miles. Or take the 23-mile drive throughout the park,

where, along with its striking red rocks, one might spot bighorn sheep and plenty of other high-desert critters. If you want to stay in the park and enjoy the stargazing, check out the Saddlehorn Campground.

In town, people can take advantage of the 28-mile paved Grand Junction Riverfront trail, perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride. There’s also Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world and home to miles of trails as well as skiing in the wintertime.

Or, check out over 50 species of protected animals and plant life at Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) area is home to 210,172 acres and, of course, miles of hiking trails.

For those who want to take a load off and try their luck fishing, a rafting adventure might be in order.

“We offer float trips on the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers as well as trips on various lakes and reservoirs, including in the Grand Mesa,” says McKenna. They have been guiding all over the Western Slope since 2022. “We also have permits to state parks like Harvey Gap and Rifle Gap, as well as access to a private ranch that has good lakes and fishing.”

As for what you could expect to catch? McKenna notes there are rainbow trout, brown trout, cutbows (a mix between a rainbow and cutthroat trout), blue head suckers, carp, and other fish in the many bodies of water that are available.

Additionally, the Gunnison River is “home to some gold medal fishing waters,” according to Ball, who serves as director of communications for The Gear Junction in Grand Junction.

Along with guided trips from West Slope Fly Fishing, you can also look for options from companies like Western Anglers, which offer everything from fly fishing casting classes to full-day float trips.

Or, purchase a fishing license through Colorado Parks and Wildlife and explore the nearby rivers and reservoirs on your own.

RAFTING AND FLOATING

Depending on the time of year, it gets hot in Grand Junction. And so finding a way to cool off is an absolute must.

Thankfully, “the Colorado River runs right through the heart of Grand Junction,” says Ball. “It’s a lovely, easy little day float. You can do anything from one hour to eight.”

There’s also Ruby Horsethief Canyon, which Ball notes is a well-known stretch of river located about 40 minutes from downtown and has calm Class 1 and 2 rapids.

“It’s one of the biggest draws to our area as far as rafting is concerned,” Ball says. “ It’s very mellow water, very family friendly.”

Always check river conditions before heading out.

CLIMBING

“We’ve got some incredible rock climbing right around here,” Ball says. “If you drive an hour up to Rifle, you have got some world-class stuff. I know Alex Honnold (rock climber in the film “Free Solo”) has been seen climbing in Rifle Mountain Park.”

Mike Schneiter, founder of Glenwood Climbing Guides, and outdoor education adjunct faculty at Colorado Mountain College, echoes this sentiment.

“Grand Junction is such a great area for rock climbing because you can climb all year,” Schneiter says. “In the summer, you can find cooler spots at a higher altitude. And in the winter, you can climb in the desert. There are just so many places to go.”

He is currently working on a climbing guide for the area. And one of his biggest challenges is narrowing down the sheer amount of options people have for climbing on the Western Slope.

As far as getting to know the climbing scene, Schneiter recommends Unaweep Canyon.

“It has a wide variety of climbing for everyone from beginners and novices to experienced climbers,” he says. “It’s also the only canyon in the world where water flows in two different directions. There’s a creek that comes in at the top, and then it splits and goes two different directions. It’s pretty unique.”

WHERE TO STAY AND HANG IN TOWN

Hotel Maverick, which is located at Colorado Mesa University, has welcomed guests since 2020. Naturally, after a long day, you’ll want to relax with a glass of something. Which is where Maverick’s Devil’s Kitchen comes in handy, with options from local wineries such as Peachfork Orchard & Vineyards, Plum Creek Cellars and Colterris Winery. Additionally, you’ll find some non-alcoholic options like Mesa Lavender Refresher and San Juan Sunset. Options from nearby Snow Capped Cider also are available.

Hotel Maverick also partners with JR’s Carriages to offer a Wine & Wildlife tour, which is a guided horseback ride through Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Reserve, giving guests a chance to see wild horses. It also comes with a picnic lunch and a bottle of Devil’s Kitchen wine made in collaboration with Sauvage Spectrum winery and vineyard in Palisade.

Another stop to consider? Mafia Princess. The little winery on the edge of town is as welcoming as the sun in January.

As far as cold beers and comfortable patios, there are plenty of options too. Check out Trail Life Brewing, which opened its doors in 2022; Base Camp Beer Works, which offers a refreshing ale, dubbed watermelon sugar, hi; and of course, Kannah Creek Brewing Company that offers the Broken Oar IPA, among its award-winning beers. ■

Photo courtesy of Visit Grand Junction

Photo courtesy of Visit Grand Junction

Photo courtesy of Visit Grand Junction

Photo courtesy

Age: 33

What do you love about your job? I love that my education director position allows me to get out into the community and meet all kinds of people. I especially love presenting at schools and getting the opportunity to introduce opera, sometimes for the first time, to the next generation.

What is the hardest part of your job? The most challenging part of my work is securing ongoing funding so we can bring our programs to the communities that would enjoy and benefit from them most. The demand and enthusiasm are there – it’s the logistics and resources that take constant creativity and persistence.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Arts education is more than just a job for me, it’s a passion. I love getting to be a part of people’s journey with the arts. There is so much healing and excitement that is possible through singing, and getting to

contribute to someone’s personal growth is unbelievably rewarding.

What’s one thing about yourself that most people in your circle wouldn’t know? I’m an enthusiastic rock climber. I still have a long way to go before I would call myself a great climber, but I really enjoy getting to the gym or outside to push myself out of my comfort zone.

What would be your favorite Colorado staycation destination? Why? Steamboat holds a special place for me. I got engaged on a hike there and my husband and I love to take a weekend trip to enjoy the trails whenever we can.

What’s one of your favorite places to eat or drink in Colorado? Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant in Boulder is one of my favorite places to go for a special occasion.

Age: 16,436 days old

What do you love about your job? That it never gets old. I’ve been brewing for more than 19 years and I still enjoy creating new beers and sharing them with people.

What is the hardest part of your job? Running a business is a whole new beast for me. It feels good that I’m comfortable in the brewhouse and can spend more bandwidth learning the ins and outs of running a small business.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Two kids. Being a dad is the greatest job I do. Having the motivation to give them the best life gets me excited each day to get out of bed and support them.

What’s one thing about yourself that most people in your circle wouldn’t know? Well, most people that know me, know that I’m an open book and I wear my heart on my sleeve. Reverence has provided me a space to share my experiences and stories and I try to facilitate a space of openness and sharing.

What would be your favorite Colorado staycation destination? Why? Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater – last weekend in June. That’s my staycation every year so I can get down with some WSMFP (aka Widespread Panic).

What’s one of your favorite places to eat or drink in Colorado? Drinking at Red Rocks never lets me down.

What do you love about your job? The details. The fact that we care about everything. Using all Colorado ingredients. Fresh grain from Alamosa. Pure water from our deep water well. Getting to create something special out of these things that we hold a reverence for. Really caring about making an exceptional spirit every time.

What is the hardest part of your job? Time away from family. When you love what you do, you really are driven to be the best at it. To make yourself available and open to every situation. To be selfless in all things related. I look forward to every summer, when I take some time off and head straight for some quality family time. What gets you out of bed in the morning? The raw opportunity to be part of people’s lasting memories of a special moment. To be the creator of a spirit they shared with a friend, a colleague, or a loved one at a time that will forever remain with them. To share a drink with them that will be imbued upon them, unchanged and timeless. To be there ‘in spirit’ to share one of their most fond times.

What’s one thing about yourself that most people in your circle wouldn’t know? How enthralled by the beauty of the world I am. Whether in art, literature, nature, or even simple human interaction, I often marvel at the little things.

What would be your favorite Colorado staycation destination? Why? Glenwood Springs. Multiple hot springs resorts, world-class dining, old school Colorado charm. The mountains, the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers, the hot springs, all make this little mountain town where I go to recharge my batteries.

What’s one of your favorite places to eat or drink in Colorado? It’s gotta be Someplace Else Brewery in Arvada. It’s fun, they have tons of pinball games and they tap a fresh flavor of brew every Friday. They donate to charities, invite everyone’s dogs, have game nights and craft nights. They really make everyone feel welcome and bring the community together.

Theodore Smith Master Distiller, Branch & Barrel Distilling

Alice Del Simone Education Director, Boulder Opera Company

Nate McAlpine Brewer/Owner , Reverence Brewing Company

HOLD THE ALCOHOL

The non-alcoholic craft drink scene in Colorado is growing. Here are some options for flavorful grownup drinks without the booze.

SPIRITS

Abbott & Wallace, Denver, Jasper gin alternative and Ember whiskey alternative

Breckenridge Distillery, Breckenridge, Mock One NA whiskey, gin, rum and tequila alternatives

Locke + Co., Denver (no tasting room), Headwater Zero-Proof Whiskey

Rubber Ducky Drink Co., Englewood (no tasting room), Classic Margarita

Strongwater, Denver (no tasting room), ready-to-drink mocktails (also cocktail syrups, mixers and bitters)

Tweedle Botanicals, Boulder (no tasting room), flavored hemp spirit

Wisetails, Denver (no tasting room), mojito / margarita

3 Kings NA Beverages, Denver (no tasting room), kombucha and yerba mate

Grüvi, Denver (no tasting room), red wines and sparkling wines

Hoplark, Boulder (no tasting room), hop waters and hop teas

Stem Ciders, Lafayette, blueberry lime and apricot haze cider

Summit Cultures, Silverthorne (no tasting room), kombucha

BEERS

4 Noses Brewing, Broomfield and Denver, Camp Zero (various)

Bootstrap Brewing, Longmont, Strapless IPA / Strapless Gold

Ceria Brewing, Denver (no taproom), Grainwave White Ale / Indiewave Ipa

Comma Brewing, Salida (no taproom), Summer Pale Ale

Grüvi Beverages, Denver (no taproom), Juicy IPA / Golden Brew / Dark Brew

Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont, Designated Dale’s NA Pils

Prost Brewing, 4 Front Range locations, NA Pilsner

Station 26 Brewing, Denver, Tangerine Cream

Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, Blood Orange IPA

Tres Litros Beer Co., Salida, Nope Pale Ale

Upslope Brewing, Boulder, Craft Light

Wackadoo Brewing, Colorado Springs, Aztec Blood Red Ale

WeldWerks Brewing, Greeley, Itsy Bits Hazy IPA

Eddyline Brewery, Buena Vista, NA Crank Yanker IPA

THE SWEET REWARDS OF WINTER STARGAZING IN COLORADO

By John Garvey

Summer is popularly considered stargazing season in Colorado for some obvious reasons: peak Milky Way visibility, warm (or tolerably cool) evenings, the annual Perseid meteor shower each August, and a number of well-attended stargazing festivals. But when you think about it, the idea of stargazing as a seasonal indulgence is odd, like choosing to only appreciate clouds or classical music three months out of the year.

Stars actually twinkle less in the winter, but if this makes stargazing sound less enchanting, think again.

“As far as the general conditions of stargazing, you have … crisper, steadier skies because there’s less moisture, less warm air moving to create atmospheric disturbance,” says astronomy guide Mark Laurin. “So it’s cleaner, clearer and steadier so the objects are sharper.”

Laurin runs a stargazing business in Summit County and also works as a dark sky mentor for DarkSky Colorado, assisting municipalities and parks to successfully complete the rigorous Dark Sky Certification process. He has assisted four communities pursuing Dark Sky Certification, including Breckenridge, which last August became the first mountain ski resort community in Colorado to achieve certification.

A word of warning before we delve further into the beauty of the winter night sky: Stargazing is not skiing.

“Probably the most important thing for winter stargazing is trying to dress warmly enough,” notes astronomer Greg Halac, outreach coordinator for Northern Colorado Astronomical Society (NoCo Astro) in Fort Collins. “People think, ‘Oh, it’s 20 degrees out, it’s not bad.’ Well, it’s brutal when you’re just standing there and not generating any body heat.”

As far as convenience goes, however, it’s a bit of a draw between winter and summer stargazing.

“On the plus side, it gets dark early,” Halac says. “In the summer, it’s not truly dark until about 10:30 at night,” but in midwinter, it gets dark enough for stargazing well before bedtime.

CONJUNCTION JUNCTION: THE PLANETS

Halac reckons that the planets and winter constellations are the best reasons for midwinter stargazing. “This year, one of the highlights is going to be Jupiter,” he says. “It’s going to be nice and high in the sky … into late spring.”

While Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus (a.k.a., The Morning Star) are all easily visible and impressive throughout the winter, there will be several dates in February when two or more planets or major stars will appear strikingly close together—a rewarding sight called a conjunction.

A non-literal definition of a conjunction is when two or more large celestial objects are close enough together that you can hold a lime out at arm’s length and cover them.

Some of the best opportunities for stargazing and astronomical observation present themselves in the early morning hours before sunrise. So first, stargazing isn’t just a summer thing; and just as importantly, it’s for larks as well as owls.

CONSTELLATIONS, NEBULAE, AND ASTERISMS – OH MY!

“There’s no other area in the night sky where it’s so easy and accessible to see where stars are formed than the Orion Nebula, which is a winter occurrence,” Laurin says.

The Orion Nebula – a star nursery in the approximate location of Orion’s right knee – is visible with the naked eye throughout the winter and early spring. (A star nursery is an area of space where stars form. Cute mental imagery, mindblowing reality.)

“The nebula in Orion is definitely worth seeing,” agrees Halac. “Even in a small telescope, it looks pretty nice.”

Finally, the Winter Hexagon is an amazing and comparatively easy asterism (or pattern of stars) to identify. This giant hexagon, which spreads like a blanket over the majority of the night sky, is made up of the six alpha stars in six constellations: Rigel (from the constellation Orion), Capella (Auriga constellation), Pollux (Gemini), Procyon (Canis Minor) Sirius (Canus Major), and Aldebaran (Taurus).

Basically, look for the 10 or so most outrageously large stars, eliminate Betelgeuse and Orion’s Belt, and you’ve got your Winter Hexagon.

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE!

If you forget everything else, mark your calendar for March 2. The biggest astronomical event of the first quarter of 2026 will be a total lunar eclipse on March 2-3. Halac says this will start around 10 p.m. and will phase out in the early morning hours of March 3.

DO LOOK UP

Finally, don’t be daunted by the idea that you have to wear 17 layers to stargaze in the winter months. The night sky (setting aside the rampant and underregulated light pollution along Colorado’s Front Range) is always accessible.

“When it comes to stargazing in the winter and the spring …, it doesn’t matter if you walk outside for five minutes, for 15 minutes, for 30 minutes or an hour,” states Laurin. “The minute you walk out there and look up and be still, the universe will captivate you.”

There is perhaps no better way to reassure yourself that the sky is not going to fall on you than to spend 15 minutes under the spell of a starry sky.

“I’ve spent a lot of time under the night sky with a lot of people,” Laurin continues. “And people are different when they’re under a dark sky staring up. They ask meaningful questions. They let down their guards.

“And I think that shared experience – whether it’s in storytelling, whether it’s in prayers, whether it’s in music, dance –you know, we share that experience throughout humanity, with shepherds, poets, astronomers, dreamers, forlorn lovers.

“I think that’s why we gotta get people to go out and look up.” ■

PEAK

NIGHT SKY EVENTS

WINTER/SPRING 2026:

Feb 16: Saturn and Neptune conjunction, visible around 8:30-9 p.m., though you’ll need a telescope to see Neptune

Feb 28: Six planets – Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune, Venus and Mercury – will align in the night sky an hour or two after sunset. With only two exceptions – Uranus and Neptune – the planets will be visible to the naked eye.

March 2-3: Total Lunar eclipse

March 7-8: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn

April 15-29: Lyrids meteor shower, peaking around April 22.

April 22: Conjunction of Jupiter and the Moon

June 8-9: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter (this one is particularly striking and worthwhile)

OTHER NOTES AND EXTENDED VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES:

Orion: The most prominent constellation in the sky, Orion is easily visible with the naked eye –but only in the winter.

Casiopea: The Casiopea constellation is visible throughout the winter, as are the Pleiades and many other winter star clusters.

For those unable to view the planetary alignment when it peaks on Feb. 28, dates leading up to and following the peak will provide many opportunities to view multiple planets at once. There will also be several worthwhile conjunctions, as noted above.

Venus: Venus, nicknamed “The Morning Star,” will be visible after sunset this time of year. It is the brightest planet viewed from Earth.

NoCo Astro remains active throughout the winter, with at least two public events a months. These typically include at least one “moon night” with full or nearly full moon, and one new moon night event with greater star visibility.

Check out their calendar: nocoastro.org/calendar-events

RIDE THROUGH TIME

Idaho Springs gondola brings history and recreation

By Joe Ross

Hopping onto a gondola bound for the mountaintop is about to get a whole lot easier for 3 million people in the Denver area.

The Mighty Argo Cable Car system will be finished in spring 2026 in Idaho Springs – “at the intersection of history and outdoor recreation,” according to Mary Jane Loevlie, who grew up in the small town about 40 minutes west of downtown Denver.

Many folks have seen the red-colored Argo Mill while driving through the town of 1,700 along I-70 on their way to or from the high country. Loevlie and a group of investors planned the gondola system adjacent to the historic mill over the past seven years. Despite a variety of setbacks during the pandemic, the adventure will unfold this spring. Think hiking, biking, an intimate concert venue with views of fourteeners – or simply some snacks and drinks while gazing at not-so-distant mountainsides of pine and aspen.

“We will have 22 passenger cabins and five dedicated bike cabins,” Loevlie said.

“We’re planning on 400,000 to 500,000 riders per year.”

The 22 Doppelmayr passenger cars will hold 10 people per cabin and will be ADA compliant. Although pricing is still being finalized, gondola rides will likely start at $40-$45, she said.

After visitors ride the 1.25 miles up to Miners Point, they will jump off some 1,300 feet above town and have access to a 300-seat amphitheater that will host a variety of bands and other events. Walkways and a trestled observation deck will surround the venue. Local food and beverages will be available.

And to answer the most obvious question of Coloradans, yes, “all well-behaved pooches will be welcomed,” Loevlie said.

ADVENTURE AND HISTORY

The loading area at the base, and Miners Point at the top, are mostly inside the Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, which will feature 28 miles of hiking and biking trails, accessible in summer and winter for fat-tire enthusiasts and trekkers.

Granted, most people aren’t cut out to hike or climb 14ers even though they’d appreciate a great view of a few. Once riders reach Miners Point, views of Mount Blue Sky, Grays Peak, Torreys Peak and Mount Bierstadt will be part of the vista to the south and west.

Idaho Springs, founded in 1859, owns Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, and Loevlie’s team has worked closely with officials to pull together the $71 million history-meets-adventure destination.

Loevlie, who owns or partly owns several businesses around Idaho Springs, hopes to increase the number of tourists who think of the town as a destination, rather than a quick stop for pizza and beers.

The mountain park shares its name and terrain with the Virginia Canyon Scenic Drive, which drops down to Idaho Springs from Gilpin County - the road is also known as Oh-My-God Road because the narrow dirt path is really steep.

Adjacent to the gondola launch is the Argo Mill, which has offered tours for years and features an authentic look into the gold rush days. Dirt floors, huge metal gears, leeching tubs, and mind-boggling gadgets are found under giant wood beams and other supports holding the earth at bay. Visitors shouldn’t expect amusement park shenanigans. Rather, they will get an unnerving idea of what it took to process millions of tons of rock into gold.

In his book “The Great Argo Project,” historian Terry Cox described the mill as “a big box that holds a collection of crazylooking contraptions that seem to make no sense. They are contrivances that most people have never seen before and will likely never encounter anywhere else.”

The custom mill began operating in 1913 and served the towns of Central City and Black Hawk, as well as Empire, Georgetown and Silver Plume, according to Cox. ■

CONVENIENCE MEETS FLAVOR

RTD cocktails make mixology easy

By Jay McKinney

Mixing up a cocktail at home is the drinker’s equivalent to making a big home cooked meal. It involves shopping for all of the different ingredients, following the specified measurement instructions and it always seems to leave more dirty dishes than desired. In recent years, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails have revolutionized the home mixology game, winning favor with consumers because of the convenience and delicious flavors. RTDs might take the fun out of shaking an espresso martini until your hands feel frostbitten or smelling freshly chopped mint for a mojito, but after a long day, sometimes it’s easier to just pour over ice and sit back. Keep an eye out for these producers that are concocting flavorful RTDs fit for any occasion.

UNCLE TIM’S

Since it was founded in 2022, Uncle Tim’s Cocktails has been steadily making noise in the RTD realm. The company produces 10 cocktails for its regular lineup while offering three or four seasonal ones as well. The classic Old Fashioned and Espresso Martini reign supreme in the regular lineup, but come November, customers start scurrying to secure a bottle of the seasonal Black Walnut Manhattan that normally sells out within weeks.

“I’ve been making and even bottling cocktails for a long time, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I tried a lot

Photo courtesy of Uncle Tim’s Cocktails/Werk Creative

of what was available on the market and thought I could do better,” says co-founder of Uncle Tim’s Cocktails, Tim Felkner. “The inspiration was to make a bottled cocktail that was just as good as any craft cocktail bar, but instead of going out and paying $15 or more for a cocktail, you can pour one at home for about $5 per cocktail.”

While Uncle Tim’s may be targeting the consumer that wants convenience and great flavor when mixing a cocktail at home, the company’s new tasting room in the Washington Park neighborhood of Denver is worth a visit. Located on Gaylord Street, Felkner was happy to secure this location because the company had done pop-up events in the area and always drew huge crowds. Now, Uncle Tim’s Cocktails are a staple of the community.

SHELTER DISTILLING

Located in Montrose, Shelter Distilling has a diverse lineup of products that will please most tastes. It brews beer, distills spirits and offers four delicious RTD cocktails in cans that were made to be enjoyed outdoors on an exciting adventure. Whether it’s fly fishing in the summer or trekking through fresh powder on snowshoes, each RTD cocktail is a delightful reward that quenches thirst with bar-quality flavor.

The Mountain Huckleberry and Strawberry Lemonade are made with fresh ingredients and Shelter Glass Creek Vodka is distilled with 100 percent white wheat. For agave lovers, consider grabbing a pack of the Spicy Paloma made with Shelter Blue Agave, jalapeño, grapefruit juice, lime juice and salt. It’s refreshing and fruity with just enough spice to wake up your taste buds. Lastly, there is the Sierra Sunrise, a popular Shelter cocktail that has made its way into a can. Made with Shelter Storm Rider Rum, passion fruit, pineapple juice, lime juice and coconut, this cocktail might mentally transport you to a tropical island with just one sip. All of Shelter’s RTD cocktails are sold in 12-ounce four-packs and have 8 percent ABV.

BRECKENRIDGE DISTILLERY

The mountain town distillery is well known for both its spirits and exotic cocktails (thanks to in-house liquid chef Billie Keithley) so there is no surprise it’s connected to some creative RTD possibilities. The first is the Broncos Creamsicle Vodka Seltzer, which comes in orange cans (duh) and has a large #7 denoting

its ABV. Breck is an official sponsor of the Denver Broncos and has worked with the football team for five years.

The distillery also provides its spirits to RIKI spirits, a Colorado company that produces ready-to-drink beverages. Offered in 24-ounce cans, Breck’s vodka is mixed with fruity flavors that include cranberry, lemon, lime and black cherry.

THE FAMILY JONES

The Family Jones Spirit House located in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver is a must visit for anyone who appreciates a meticulously crafted cocktail in the comfort of an intimate bar setting. Those who visit may leave wondering, “I wish I could make cocktails like this at home.” Thanks to the Automatic Jones lineup, that wish is granted. The ready-to-pour cocktails include an Earl Grey Negroni, a smoked Old Fashioned, Rock & Rye and an Espresso Martini. Each one is fantastic and the bottles will stand out on any home bar with the eye-catching images of Denver photographer Jack Ludlam on the labels.

DRY DOCK DOCKTAILS

Released in February of 2022, Docktails are the cleverly named canned cocktails made by Dry Dock Brewing Co. The brewery branched out into the RTD space to provide consumers a tasty canned alternative that could be purchased through grocery stores because spirits-based canned cocktails cannot be. In the time they’ve been on the market, Docktails have become popular within Colorado and the 9.5% ABV beverages can be enjoyed over ice and served in a glass or sipped straight from the can. While they are currently available only in Colorado, Dry Dock co-founder, Kevin DeLange says the company is considering expanding the popular cocktails into other states. ■

Photo courtesy of Dry Dock

Photo courtesy of Shelter Distilling

COLORADO CRAFT

DENVER

BAKER/SOUTH BROADWAY

Baere Brewing Co ●

Denver Beer Co ●

Monolith Brewing ●

Novel Strand Brewing Co ●

Platt Park Brewing Co ● The Post Chicken and Beer ●

Public Offering Brewing ●

Ratio Beerworks ●

CAPITOL HILL/E COLFAX/ PARK HILL

4 Noses Brewing Co ●

Bruz Off Fax ● ●

Cerebral Brewing ● ●

Crazy Mountain Brewery

Fiction Beer Co ●

Long Table Brewhouse ●

Pints Pub ●

Renegade Brewing Co ●

Reverence Brewing Co

Station 26 Brewing Co ● ● Vine Street Pub & Brewery ●

DENVER INT’L AIRPORT

Boulder Beer Tap House ● Denver Chophouse & Brewery ●

Great Divide Brewhouse and Kitchen ● New Belgium Brewing ●

Tivoli Taphouse ●

FIVE POINTS

Odell Brewing Co

Spangalang Brewery ● Woods Boss Brewing ● ●

LODO / BALLPARK

Denver Beer Co ● Denver Chophouse & Brewery ● Full Frame Beer

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew ● ●

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery ● Sandlot Brewery

Westbound & Down Brewing Co

Wynkoop Brewing Co ●

LOHI / AURARIA

Briar Common Brewery + Eatery ●

Degree Brewbup (at MSU) ● Little Machine Beer ●

Odell Brewing Sloan’s Lake ●

Seedstock Brewery ● ● Strange Craft Beer Co ● ●

Zuni St. Brewing Co ● ●

NORTHEAST DENVER

Danico Brewing ● FlyteCo Tower ● River North Wash. St. Taproom ● Wanderment Brewing

NORTHWEST DENVER

Alley Brews

Amalgam Brewing Bruz Beers ● ● Call to Arms Brewing Co ● Cerebral Brewing

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

Diebolt Brewing Co ● ● The Empourium Brewing Co

Goldspot Brewing Co

The Grateful Gnome

Hogshead Brewery ● Prost Brewing Co. & Biergarten

RINO

Bierstadt Lagerhaus ● Black Shirt Brewing Co ● ● BrewDog Denver ● Cohesion Brewing Co ●

Great Divide RiNo Taproom ● ● Left Hand Brewing Co ●

New Belgium - The Woods at the Source

Our Mutual Friend

Ratio Beerworks ● River North Brewery

SOUTHEAST DENVER

Bull and Bush Brewery ● ● Comrade Brewing ● comradebrewing.com

Copper Kettle Brewing

SOUTHWEST DENVER

Black Sky Brewery ● Chain Reaction Brewing Co ●

DENVER SUBURBS

ARVADA

Denver Beer Co

LUKI Brewery

New Image Brewing ● Odyssey Beerwerks ● ●

Resolute Brewing Tap & Cellar ●

SomePlace Else Brewery

Spice Trade Brewing at Yak & Yeti ● Stay Tuned Brewing

AURORA

A Bit Twisted Brewpub ● Bent Barley Brewing Co

BJ’s ●

Cerebral Brewing

Cheluna Brewing Co

Dry Dock Brewing Co

Launch Pad Brewery

Mileau Fermentation

Second Dawn Brewing

Six Capital Brewing & BBQ

BRIGHTON

Big Choice Brewing

Floodstage Ale Works

Brewery

BROOMFIELD

4 Noses Brewing Co

Rails End Beer Co

Brewing Co

CASTLE ROCK

105 West Brewing Co ●

Alidade Brewing ●

The Elizabeth Brewing Co ●

Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse ●

Iron Mule Brewery ● ● Los Dos Potrillos Cerveceria ●

Rockyard Brewing Co ●

Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co ●

CENTENNIAL

Bent Barley Brewing Co

Los Dos Potrillos Cerveceria ●

Resolute Brewing Co

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery ●

Two22 Brew ●

Wild Sky Brewery ● ●

EDGEWATER

Barquentine Brewing Co

Joyride Brewing Co ●

ENGLEWOOD AREA

Breckenridge Brewery Ale & Games ●

Brewability Lab ● ●

Lady Justice Brewing

Sanitas Brewing II ●

FREDERICK

Mirror Image Brewing Co ●

GOLDEN

Barrels and Bottles Brewery ●

Cannonball Creek Brewing Co ●

Coda Brewing

Coors Brewing Co

Golden City Brewery ●

Holidaily Brewing Co ● Holidailybrewing.com 303.278.BEER 801 Brickyard Cir., Golden

Mad Macks Brewing

Mountain Toad Brewing ● New Terrain Brewing ● ●

GREENWOOD VILLAGE

Downhill Brewing Co

Spice Trade Brewing Co ●

HIGHLANDS RANCH

3 Freaks Brewery ●

Living the Dream Brewing Co ● Los Dos Potrillos Cerveceria ●

Prost Brewing Co & Biergarten

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery ●

LAKEWOOD

6 and 40 Brewery

BJ’s

Green Mountain Beer Co ● Landlocked Ales ● Old 121 Brewhouse ● Westfax Brewing Co ●

LITTLETON AREA

Breckenridge Brewery ●

Coal Mine Ave. Brewing Co

Comet Brews ● Denver Beer Co ● Lariat Lodge Brewing ● Littleton Brewing ● ●

Living the Dream Brewing Co ● Locavore Beer Works

Los Dos Potrillos Cerveceria ● Wild Sky Brewery ● ●

Zymos Brewing

LONE TREE

Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse ● Lone Tree Brewing Co ●

NORTHGLENN

Prost Brewing Co & Biergarten

PARKER

Bodega Beer Co

Downhill Brewing Co ● Lone Tree Brewing ● ● Los Dos Potrillos Cerveceria ●

THORNTON

Satire Brewing Co ● ●

WESTMINSTER

BJ’s ●

Frolic Brewing Co ● Kokopelli Beer Co ● ● Westminster Brewing Co ● Windfall Brewing Co

WHEAT RIDGE

BOULDER COUNTY

Bambei Brewing - Superior ●

Fritz Family Brewers - Niwot

Howlin Wind Brewing and Blending -

Rollinsville

BOULDER

Asher Brewing Co

Avery Brewing ●

BJ’s ●

Boulder Social ●

MainStage Brewing ●

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery ●

The Post Chicken and Beer ●

Rocks & Hops Brewing

Sanitas Brewing Co ● ●

Southern Sun ● ●

Twisted Pine Brewing ● ●

Upslope Brewing Co ● ●

Vision Quest Brewing Co ●

Wild Provisions Beer Project

ERIE

Cellar West Artisan Ales ● Echo Brewing Co ●

LAFAYETTE

Cellar West Artisan Ales ● Liquid Mechanics ● Odd 13 Brewing Inc ● ● The Post Brewing Co ● ●

Sanitas Brewing Co ● ●

Westbound and Down Brewing Co

LONGMONT

300 Suns Brewing ●

Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales ●

Bootstrap Brewing ● ●

Collision Brewing Co ●

Großen Bart Brewery ● ●

Knuckle Puck Brewing

Left Hand Brewing Co ●

Longs Peak Pub & Taphouse ●

Oskar Blues Brewing ● The Post Chicken and Beer

Pumphouse Brewery ● Rock N Roll Brewery

Shoes and Brews

Wibby Brewing ●

LOUISVILLE

12Degree Brewing ●

Crystal Springs Brewing Co

Brewery Rickoli ● Colorado Plus Brew Pub ● Mestizo Brew Cantina ● New Image Brewing

Gravity Brewing ● ● ● LYONS

MainStage Brewing ● Oskar Blues Grill & Brew ●

NEDERLAND

Busey Brews ● ●

Knotted Root Brewing Co

LIBATIONS LISTINGS

S. FRONT RANGE

Ascent Brewery - Peyton ●

BierWerks Brewery - Woodland Park ● ●

Black Forest Brewing Co - Black Forest ●

Black Forest Brewing Co East - Peyton ●

Crafty Canary Brewery - Walsenburg

Florence Brewing - Florence

Funky Town Brewing - Florissant ● Manitou Brewing - Manitou Springs ●

Mountain Merman Brewing - La Veta ●

Paradox Beer Co - Divide ●

World’s End Brewing Co - Cañon City

COLORADO SPRINGS

Atrevida Beer Co ●

BJ’s ● Bristol Brewing ●

Cerberus Brewing Co ● Cogstone Brewing Co ● ●

Colorado Mountain Brewery ●

Dueces Wild Brewery ● Father & Sons Brewery ● Fossil Craft Beer Co ●

Goat Patch Brewing Co ● Gunslinger Brewing ●

JAKs Brewing Co ●

Local Relic Artisan Ales ●

Lost Friend Brewing ●

Mash Mechanix Brewing ● Nano 108 Brewing Co ●

OCC Brewing

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew ● ●

Peaks N Pines Brewing Co ●

Phantom Canyon ● ●

Pikes Peak Brewing Co ● ●

Red Leg Brewing ●

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery ●

South Park Brewing Co ●

Storybook Brewing ●

Trinity Brewing ●

Urban Animal Beer Co

Voodoo Brewing Co ● Wackadoo Brewing

Westfax Springs

Whistle Pig Brewing Co ● ●

PUEBLO

Brues Alehouse Brewing Co ● ●

Reservoir Brewing Co ● Shamrock Brewing ●

Walter’s Brewery & Taproom ●

N. FRONT RANGE

Bulzomi Brewing - Eaton

Timnath Beerwerks - Timnath ●

BERTHOUD

Berthoud Brewing Co

City Star Brewing ●

ESTES PARK

Avant Garde Aleworks

Estes Park Brewery ● Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co

The Post Chicken and Beer ● Rock Cut Brewing Co

FORT COLLINS

Anheuser-Busch

BJ’s ● Breckenridge Brewery

Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing ● DC Oakes Brewhouse & Eatery ● Equinox Brewing ● Funkwerks

Gilded Goat Brewing Co ● Hello Brewing Co

Horse & Dragon Brewing Co

Intersect Brewing ● ●

Jessup Farm Barrel House ●

Konstruct Brewing ● Maxline Brewing ● ● Mythmaker Brewing ● New Belgium Brewing Co ● ● Odell Brewing Co ● ●

Peculier Ales

Pitchers Brewery ● Prost Brewing Co

Purpose Brewing Rally King Brewing

Ramskeller Brewery ● Salt Road Brewing

Stodgy Brewing Co ● ●

Timnath Beerwerks Fort Collins

Verboten Brewing Co ●

Zwei Brewing Co ● ●

GREELEY

Crabtree Brewing ● ●

Northern Colorado Brewhouse (at UNC)

Rule 105 Brewing Co ●

Tightknit Brewing Co ● ●

WeldWerks Brewing Co ●

Wiley Roots Brewing Co ●

Yetters Brewing

LOVELAND

Berthoud Brewing Co

Big Beaver Brewing Co ●

Big Thompson Brewery ●

Crooked Beech Brewing Co ●

Grimm Brothers Brewhouse ●

Loveland Aleworks ●

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery ●

Rock Coast Brewery ●

Sky Bear Brewery and Pub ●

Verboten Brewing Co

WELLINGTON

Deppen Brewing ●

Old Colorado Brewing ● ●

Soul Squared Brewing ●

The Well ● ●

WINDSOR

High Hops Brewery ● ●

Mash Lab Brewing ●

Mighty River Brewing ● ●

Peculier Ales ● ●

CENTRAL COLORADO

Craft Mountain Brewing Co - Bailey

Elevation Beer Co - Poncha Springs ●

Herks Werks - Poncha Springs ●

Two Mile Brewing Co - Leadville ●

BUENA VISTA

Browns Canyon Brewing ●

Eddyline Brewery ●

Strange Craft Beer Co

FAIRPLAY

HighSide Brewing ● ●

SALIDA

Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub ●

Salida Brewing Co

Soulcraft Brewing ●

Tres Litros Beer Co ●

SOUTHWEST

Bottom Shelf Brewery - Bayfield ●

Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beer - Paonia ●

Dolores River Brewery - Dolores ● ●

Golden Block Brewery - Silverton ●

Mancos Brewing Co - Mancos ●

Spare Keg Brewers - Creede

Three Barrel Brewing Co - Del Norte ●

ALAMOSA

The Colorado Farm Brewery

San Luis Valley Brewing ●

Spare Keg Brewers

CORTEZ

J. Fargo’s Dining & Microbrewery ●

Main Street Brewery & Restaurant ● ●

WildEdge Brewing Collective ● ●

DURANGO

Anarchy Brewing

Animas Brewing Co ●

Carver Brewing Co ●

Durango Beer and Ice Company ● ●

Ska Brewing Co ● ●

Steamworks Brewing Co ●

GUNNISON/CRESTED BUTTE

The Eldo Brewpub & Venue ● ●

High Alpine Brewing Co ●

Irwin Brewing Co

Zuni West Brewing ●

MONTROSE

Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery

Horsefly Brewing Co ● ●

Pomona Brewing Co

Shelter Distilling & Brewing

Silver Basin Brewing ●

OURAY

Colorado Boy Southwest Pub ● Ouray Brewery ●

PAGOSA SPRINGS

The Break Room Brewing Co ● ●

Riff Raff Brewing ● ● RIDGWAY

Colorado Boy Brewery

Floating Lotus Brewery ● TELLURIDE

Smuggler’s Union Brewpub ● Stronghouse Brew Pub

Telluride Brewing Co ●

EASTERN PLAINS

The Horse and Frog - Holyoke ● Kukaro Brewing - Fort Morgan ● Launch Pad Brewery - Bennett ●

Parts & Labor Brewing Co - Sterling ●

NORTHWEST

Never Summer Brewing Co - Granby ● Smoking River Brewing Co - Meeker

World’s End Brewpub - Grand Lake ● Yampa Valley Brewing - Craig

FRASER

Camber Brewing Co ●

Fraser River Beer Co

Vicious Cycle Brewing ● STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

Mountain Tap Brewery ● Storm Peak Brewing Co

Yampa Valley Taproom

WINTER PARK

Big Trout Brewing ● ● bigtroutbrewing.com

970.363.7362

50 Vasquez Rd Winter Park

Hideaway Park Brewery

I-70 CORRIDOR

ASPEN AREA

Aspen Brewing Co - Aspen ● Carbondale Beer Works - Aspen ● Mountain Heart Brewing - Carbondale ● ●

Mountain Heart Taproom - Basalt ● ● Westy's Tap & Tavern - Aspen ●

BRECKENRIDGE

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub ●

Broken Compass Brewing ● HighSide Brewing ●

CENTRAL CITY AREA

Dostal Alley Saloon & Gambling

Emporium - Central City ●

Very Nice Brewing Co - Gilpin County ● ●

EAGLE COUNTY

Craftsman Brew Co- Edwards ●

Eagle River Brewing Co - Gypsum ● ●

Vail Brewing Co - Vail ● ●

EVERGREEN

Evergreen Brewery ● ●

Lariat Lodge Brewing ● ●

FRUITA

Base Camp Provisions ● Reckless Roadhouse Brewing ●

GLENWOOD SPRINGS AREA

Brewzone Rifle - Rifle, Silt

Carbondale Beer Works Garage

Casey Brewing and Blending

Down Valley Brewing - New Castle

Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub ●

GRAND JUNCTION AREA

Base Camp Beer Works

Gemini Beer Co

Kannah Creek Brewing Co ●

Mama Ree’s Pizza and Brewhouse ● ●

Palisade Brewing Co ● ●

Ramblebine Brewing Co ● The Rockslide Restaurant and Brewery ● Trail Life Brewing

IDAHO SPRINGS AREA

Cabin Creek Brewing - Georgetown ●

Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub ●

Westbound & Down Brewing Co ●

SILVERTHORNE AREA

Angry James Brewing - Silverthorne

Dillon Dam Brewery - Dillon ● ●

HighSide Brewing - Frisco ● ●

Outer Range Brewing Co - Frisco ●

Pug Ryan’s Brewery - Dillon ●

Steep Brewing & Coffee - Keystone ●

Syndicate Brewing Co - Silverthorne

Upslope Brewing Co - Silverthorne

DISTRIBUTION ONLY

Andiamo Brewing

Broken Hops Brewing

Ceria Brewing

Comma Brewery

Dive Bar Brewing Co

Finkel & Garf Brewing Co

Grüvi Beer

New Planet Beer

Primitive Beer

Sleeping Giant Brewing

DISTILLERIES

DENVER/BOULDER

Abbott & Wallace - Longmont ●

Ballmer Peak Distillery - Lakewood ●

Bear Creek Distillery - Denver ●

The Block Distilling Co - Denver

Boulder Spirits by Vapor DistilleryBoulder

Branch & Barrel Distilling - Centennial

Conflagration Distilling - Wheat Ridge

Deki Spirits - Lafayette

Denver Distillery - Denver ●

Deviation Distilling - Denver

Downslope Distilling - Centennial

Dry Land Distillers - Longmont ● ●

The Family Jones Spirit House - Denver ●

Gold Dirt Distillery - Rollinsville ●

Hogback Distillery - Boulder, Estes Park

Laws Whiskey House - Denver

Leopold Bros - Denver

Mad Rabbit Distillery - Westminster

Mile High Spirits - Denver

Molly Brown Spirits - Denver

moxYcello - Littleton

Rick Thomas Distillery - Black Hawk

Rocker Spirits - Littleton ●

Spirit Hound Distillers

- Denver, Lyons ● ● ●

State 38 Distilling - Golden

Stranahan’s - Denver ●

Talnua Distillery - Arvada

Tighe Brothers Distillery - Denver ● Turnbuckle Distilling - Westminster

NORTHERN COLORADO

477 Distilling - Greeley, Loveland ● ●

Elevation 5003 Distillery - Fort Collins

Elkins Distilling Co - Estes Park

Feisty Spirits - Fort Collins

Gnebriated Gnome Distillery - Fort Collins

The Heart Distillery - Windsor ●

Mobb Mountain Distillers - Fort Collins

Mythology Distillery - Steamboat Springs ● ●

NOCO Distillery - Fort Collins

Old Elk Distillery - Fort Collins ●

Overland Trail Distillery - Sterling

Seed & Spirit Distilling - Fort Collins

Spring 44 Distilling - Loveland

Syntax Distillery - Greeley ●

SOUTHERN COLORADO

1874 Distilling - Del Norte ● ●

3 Hundred Days of Shine - Monument ●

Art of the Spirits - Colorado Springs

Axe and the Oak - Colo. Springs ●

Black Bear Distillery - Green Mtn Falls

Blackhat Distillery - Colo. Springs

Deerhammer Distilling - Buena Vista ● Distillery 291 - Colo. Springs

Dune Valley Distillery - Mosca ● ●

Meridiem Spirits - Elizabeth

Snitching Lady Distillery - Fairplay ●

Wood’s High Mountain Distillery woodsdistillery.com

719.207.4315 144 W 1st Salida

WESTERN SLOPE

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits - Vail ●

Archetype Distillery - Gypsum, Vail

Breckenridge Distillery - Breckenridge●●

Clark & Co’s Distilling - Palisade ● Durango Craft Spirits - Durango

Fraser Valley Distilling ● fraservalleydistilling.com

970.363.7792 410 Zerex St Fraser

Highlands Distillery - Grand Junction ●

Honey House Distillery - Durango

Idlewild Spirits Distillery- Winter Park ●

KJ Wood Distillers - Ouray ●

Marble Distilling Co - Carbondale ● ●

Minturn Whisky - Minturn

Montanya Distillers - Crested Butte

Peach Street Distillers - Palisade ●

Peak Spirits - Hotchkiss

Pullman Distillery - Frisco ●

Shelter Distilling - Montrose

Stoneyard Distillery - Dotsero, Glenwood Springs

Storm King Distilling - Montrose

Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge - Aspen ●

Telluride Distilling Co - Telluride

Woody Creek Distillers - Basalt

DISTRIBUTION ONLY

American Woman Spirit Co.

Arta Tequila

Coyote Gold Margaritas

Deep Roots Distilling

Dirty Dill Farm and Spirit

felene Vodka

Hoot & Howl Spirits

Ironton Distillery

Kure’s Craft Beverage Co.

Larado Whiskey

Locke & Co Distilling

Mystic Mountain Distillery

Red Rocks Spirits

Ridge River Whiskey

Rubber Ducky Drink Co.

Tincup Whiskey

Tingala Spirits

Tweedle Botanicals

Uncle Tim’s Cocktails

Vanjak Vodka

Wisetails

WINERIES

GRAND JUNCTION AREA

Avant Vineyards - Palisade

The Blue Beryl Winery - Palisade

BookCliff Vineyards - Palisade ●

Carboy Winery - Palisade ●

Carlson Vineyards - Palisade

Carlson Tasting Room - Grand Junction

Centennial Cellars - Palisade

Colorado Cellars Winery - Palisade ●

Cliff Dweller Wine Co - Palisade

Colterris Winery - Palisade ●

Deroco Cellars - Palisade ● ●

Grande River Vineyards - Palisade ●

Graystone Winery - Clifton

Hermosa Vineyards - Palisade

Mafia Princess Winery - Grand Junction ●

Maison la Belle Vie Winery - Palisade ●

The Ordinary Fellow- Palisade

The Painted Vineyard - Palisade ●

Peachfork Vineyards - Palisade

Restoration Vineyards - Palisade ● ●

Sauvage Spectrum - Palisade ● ●

Shiras Winery - Grand Junction ●

Talon Winery - Palisade

Two Rivers Winery - Grand Junction ●

TWP Winery & Farmhouse - Clifton ●

Varaison Vineyards and WineryPalisade ●

Vines 79 Wine Barn - Palisade

Whitewater Hill Vineyards - Grand Junction

WESTERN SLOPE

5680' Vineyards - Paonia

Alfred Eames Cellars - Paonia ●

Berkeley Estate Cellars - Olathe

Black Bridge Winery - Paonia ●

Chill Switch Wines - Cedaredge

Cottonwood Cellars - Olathe

Jack Rabbit Hill - Hotchkiss

Lanoue DuBois Winery - Montrose

Mesa Winds Farm & Winery - Hotchkiss ●

Peony Lane Wine - Paonia

Qutori Wines - Paonia ●

Stone Cottage Cellars - Paonia ●

Stoney Mesa Winery - Cedaredge ●

The Storm Cellar Winery - Hotchkiss ●

Williams Cellars - Cedaredge

FOUR CORNERS AREA

Durango Winery - Durango ● ●

Flying T Wine - Cortez

Four Leaves Winery - Durango ● ●

Fox Fire Farms - Ignacio ●

Sauvage Spectrum - Ouray ●

Sutcliffe Vineyards - Cortez ●

Yellow Car Country Wines - Cortez

CENTRAL MOUNTAINS

Alpenglow at the Granary - Hayden ● ●

Buckel Family Wine - Crested Butte

Carboy Winery - Breckenridge ● Continental Divide WineryBreckenridge, Fairplay ●

Mountain Spirit Winery - Salida

Steamboat Winery - Steamboat Springs

Vines at Vail Winery - Wolcott

Winter Park Winery - Fraser

SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE

Brush Hollow Winery - Penrose

Bugling Elk Vineyards - Penrose ● Carbone Winery - Mosca ●

Evergood Adventure Wines - Palmer Lake

Fountain Creek Winery - Fountain ●

Latigo Winery - Black Forest

Legatum Cellars - Canon City

Manitou Winery - Manitou Springs ●

Pop’s Vineyard - Penrose ●

The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Canon City ●

CENTRAL FRONT RANGE

Allis Ranch Winery - Sedalia

Aspen Peak Winery & Bistro - Bailey ● ●

Attimo Wine - Denver

Augustina’s Winery - Nederland

Balistreri Vineyards - Denver ● Bigsby’s Folly - Denver ●

Blanchard Family Wines - Denver, Golden Bonacquisti Wine Company - Denver ● BookCliff Vineyards - Boulder ● ● Carboy Winery - Denver, Littleton ● Colorado Sake Co. - Denver ● ● Creekside Cellars - Evergreen ● Deep Roots Winery & Bistro - Golden ●●

InVINtions - Greenwood Village

Kingman Estates Winery - Denver ● Ladrón Cellars - Englewood

Purgatory Cellars Winery - Parker

Silver Vines Winery - Arvada, Boulder ● ●

Spero Winery - Denver

Taboche Winery - Broomfield

Turquoise Mesa Winery - Broomfield

Vinnie Fera - Boulder

Water 2 Wine - Littleton ●

The Wine Barrel - Parker ●

NORTHERN FRONT RA NGE

Alluvial Farm & Vineyards - Fort Collins

Bad Bitch Cellars - Ault

Blendings Winery - Fort Collins

The OBC Wine Project - Fort Collins ●

Snowy Peaks Winery - Estes Park ● ●

Sweet Heart Winery - Loveland ● Tamburi Wine - Fort Collins

Ten Bears Winery - Laporte ●PLAINS

Claremont Inn & Winery - Stratton ●

Country Road Vines and Wines - Fort

Morgan ● ●

Mummy Hill Winery - Holyoke

DISTRIBUTION ONLY

Aquila Cellars

Bluejays Winery

Fallen Mountain Wines

Grüvi

IndoVINO

Settembre Cellars

Wild Mountain Cellars

CIDERIES

13° Brix Cider Bistro - Palisade ● Apple Valley Cider Co - Penrose

Big B’s Fruit Co - Hotchkiss ● ●

Brush Hollow Winery - Penrose

Clear Fork Cider - Paonia

Climb Hard Cider Co - Distribution Only

Colorado Cider Co - Fort Collins, Lakewood ●

EsoTerra Cider - Durango, Delores ● ●

Fenceline Cider - Mancos ● ●

Happy Hollow Hard Cider - Cedaredge

Haykin Family Cider - Aurora

Locust Cider - Fort Collins, Lakewood ● Old Mine Cidery - Erie ● Snow Capped Cider - Cedaredge

St. Vrain Cidery - Longmont ●

Stem Ciders - Denver ● ●

Stem Ciders Acreage- Lafayette ● ●

Summit Hard Cider - Fort Collins ● ●

Talbott’s Cider Co - Palisade ● ●

Vanishing West Ciders - Aurora

Waldschänke Ciders - Denver ●

Wild Cider - Firestone ●

MEADERIES

Alpenglow at the Granary - Hayden ● ●

Antelope Ridge Mead - Colorado Springs

Brush Hollow Winery - Penrose

Cloud City Modern Mead - Leadville

Colorado Cellars Winery - Palisade ● Dragon Meadery - Aurora

Drekar Meadery - Colorado Springs

Honnibrook Meadery - Castle Rock, Littleton ●

Hunters Moon Meadery - Severance

Laughing Leprechaun MeaderyDistribution Only

Legends: A Meadery - Berthoud ●

Mad Marmot Meadery - Distribution

Only

Meadery of the Rockies - Palisade

Meadkrieger - Loveland ● ●

Miracle Stag Meadery - Distribution Only

Queen Bee Brews - Denver

Redstone Meadery - Boulder

Slaymaker Cellars - Idaho Springs

Yellow Car Country Wines - Cortez ●

Financial Clarity & Direction From a Team You Can Trust

Michael Mullen, CFP®, CRPS®, CRPC® Executive Financial Advisor

Osaic Institutions, Inc. mmullen.bcu nancial@bellco.org 303-367-9768

Osaic Institutions financial professionals are located at select Bellco Credit Union branches. Convenient access to a variety of investment services located right at your local branch.

Michael Mullen is located at the following branches: 120th & Huron, Clifton, Grand Junction, and Thornton