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Boulder is truly a special place; and I can help you understand the dynamics of Boulder on multiple levels and to find the property that best meets your needs.” – Dave Scott
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Welcome to the latest issue of Travel Boulder magazine.
Amid the turbulent times around us, we’re finding solace in the wonderful community we call home. We are thrilled that the Sundance Film Festival has chosen Boulder as its home for the next 10 years, arriving in 2027. The festival’s presence will only add to the creativity that makes Boulder so special.
This issue is full of adventures and things to do. To get you started, “Beat the Heat,” our popular bucket list feature, has some amazing ideas for ways you can cool off when temperatures start rising this summer.
Explore interior design with Kate Moore, the founder of Kimball Modern. Specializing in modern and mid-century modern residential design, Moore has transformed many Boulder-area homes.
Treat yourself to a meal at Marigold, where chef Theo Adley is stepping into his culinary identity and bringing world-class food and drinks to the tiny mountain town of Lyons. Want to enjoy the great outdoors, but don’t feel like roughing it? Check our round-up of scenic glamping destinations throughout the state. Or, if you’re looking for an even bigger adventure, consider some of the global destinations we spotlight in “Near and Far.”
Many parts of Colorado have inky-black skies and very little light pollution. Admire the cosmos while exploring a new part of the state, with a little help from our round-up of stargazing destinations around the state.
We also spent time with Katie Ellott, the founder and choreographer of 3rd Law Dance/Theater. She shares her artistic vision and explains that dance can help foster a sense of community.
The Front Range culinary community offers a little something for everyone. For the committed carnivores, we’ve got a list of the best barbeque joints in Boulder County.
If you’re trying to eat plant-based, you may want to order some delicious instant lentils from Broomfield-based startup Lentiful. And if you’re an East Coast transplant (or just someone who appreciates a good bagel), stop by Fleishman’s Bagel and Delicatessen, a bright yellow food truck helmed by Danna Fleishman. Meanwhile, on the drinks front, mixologists are turning to some unexpected ingredients to create delicious boozy concoctions that are anything but sweet. I hope you enjoy reading our magazine as much as we enjoyed creating it. Have a wonderful summer and fall, and hopefully our magazine will inspire you to create new memories with your friends and family.
— John R. Brice
Publisher and Co-Founder of Travel Boulder
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Inspired Architecture | Elevated Design | Modern Sophistication
Presenting a rare chance to own one of Boulder’s most distinguished luxury homes—an architectural marvel that exemplifies casual elegance and masterful craftsmanship. Located in the exclusive Carolyn Heights neighborhood, conveniently near Boulder’s vibrant downtown, this custom-built residence is a stunning fusion of natural materials—wood, glass, stone, and steel—each chosen for their timeless sophistication. The open floor plan living area seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a glimpse of the splendid living experience that awaits.
Chill out with these bucket-list adventures in Colorado
Courtesy of Todd Powell
By Molly O’Brien
When visitors think of Colorado, they typically imagine snowy ski slopes and breezy alpine lakes. But locals know that summers can actually get pretty toasty in the Centennial State, especially at lower elevations.
Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to beat the heat and enjoy a quintessential Colorado day. For inspiration, here are some unique ways to chill out when the temperature skyrockets this summer.
Go Sailing on Lake Dillon
Colorado may technically be landlocked, but the state has plenty of lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs for a refreshing day on the water. Sailing on Lake Dillon—the picturesque Summit County reservoir surrounded by Frisco, Silverthorne and Dillon—can be an exhilarating way to learn a new skill and cool off at the same time. You can sign up for group or individual lessons—with stunning views of the mountains to boot—through the Town of Dillon’s “Sailing School.” Or, if you’d rather kick back and let someone else do all the hard work, book a daytime or sunset sailing excursion.
Sip Crisp Wines in Palisade
Plan a road trip to Palisade and cool down by sipping chilled white and sparkling selections at local Colorado wineries. Visit Sauvage Spectrum’s funky, industrial tasting room to try refreshing choices like gruner veltliner, pinot gris and albariño. At Carboy Winery at Mt. Garfield Estate, sit on the shady, covered deck overlooking the Book Cliffs and sip favorites like the Grand Blanc de Blanc (featuring chardonnay grapes) or the Blanco White Blend (featuring a balanced mix of cayuga white, roussanne and traminette grapes). Or, head over to Restoration Vineyards to bask in the beauty of the 10-acre property, which includes lush peach and cherry orchards. While there, sample their wide selection of refreshing wines like riesling, fumé blanc, gewurztraminer and rosé of grenache.
Keep Your Cool on a Flight Simulator in Colorado Springs
Can you keep cool under pressure, like Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (aka Tom Cruise) in “Top Gun?” See how you stack up while “flying” an F-16 or a 737 MAX at Hotel
Polaris, a brand new hotel that opened in November at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. This is no ordinary property: It’s the first hotel in America to have its own flight simulators. Choose between three planes, two F-16s and one 737 MAX, which include a full cockpit with working controls and switches— so you’ll feel like you’re really soaring through the skies. Afterward, retreat back to your sleek, contemporary guest room or grab a drink at The Aviator, the hotel’s on-site cocktail bar.
Go Dog Sledding in Breckenridge
Dog sled teams don’t stop “sleighing” just because the fluffy white stuff has melted. Pretend you’re dashing through the snow by booking a summer dog sledding experience with Good Times Adventures Kennel just outside of Breckenridge, which is home to more than 100 enthusiastic Siberian huskies. The warm-weather experience, offered from June through September, includes a 2-mile trail ride through the scenic Swan River Valley, plus a tour of the dog yard to meet the pups. You’ll learn about how these four-legged athletes stay fit and healthy year-round—and get some great photo opportunities.
TOP: Courtesy of Carboy Winery; BOTTOM LEFT: Courtesy of Sauvage Spectrum; MIDDLE, BOTTOM RIGHT: Courtesy of Hotel Polaris
TOP LEFT: Courtesy of Harrison Warters Photography; BOTTOM LEFT: Courtesy of Breckenridge Tourism Office; BOTTOM RIGHT: Courtesy of Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Take a Cold Plunge at Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Iron Mountain Hot Springs might be best known for its 16 pools filled with warm, toasty, geothermal mineral water. But this Glenwood Springs destination also has a cold plunge pool, where you can submerge yourself in the frigid-but-refreshing 55-degree waters.
Cold-plunging is super trendy right now, thanks to purported benefits like reducing inflammation and improved circulation. Want to try this wellness hack a little closer to home? Book a session at the Recovery Lab at PR Labs in Boulder, which not only has a cold plunge pool, but also an infrared sauna and compression devices for your legs and hips.
Travel Back in Time at a Historic Mine
One of the best ways to beat the heat? Head underground. You can do just that when you visit one of the many historic mines across the state, which also offer a glimpse into Colorado’s past.
Country Boy Mine in Breckenridge, for example, dates back to 1887 and produced large amounts of gold, silver, lead and zinc. On a guided tour of the mine, you’ll venture 1,000 feet into the mountain to experience what life was like for Colorado’s miners more than a century ago. (It’s so brisk inside the mine that
organizers encourage visitors to dress warmly!) Afterward, you’ll re-emerge into the sunlight and go gold-panning in the adjacent Eureka Creek.
Or, head over to Idaho Springs and check out The Phoenix Gold Mine, which also offers guided underground tours and gold panning. Established in 1871, this mine produced more than 100,000 troy ounces of gold.
Catch a Breeze—and Enjoy the Views—at a Rooftop Bar
What’s better than sitting outside, feeling the breeze, and admiring the views from a rooftop bar on a balmy summer day?
There are many elevated spots across the Centennial State to sit and sip a refreshing drink while beating the heat. At one of Denver’s buzziest new hotels, Populus, take the elevator up to Stellar Jay to grab a bite and a beverage while gazing out over the city’s skyline and the Denver Capitol.
If you’re up for a road trip, head to Grand Junction, where Hotel Maverick’s Devil’s Kitchen showcases striking views of the high desert landscape. It’s a fabulous place to catch
a colorful sunset or dine underneath the starry sky. And over in the Vail Valley, the new Lookout Bar—located on the fifth floor of the One Riverfront development— pairs innovative mixology paired with panoramic Rocky Mountain views. When the weather is warm, the massive windows can be folded back to create an open-air ambiance.
Jam Out at Planet Bluegrass
Planet Bluegrass, the iconic music festival producer based in Lyons, has been a Colorado staple for more than three decades. If it’s been a while since you attended one of their signature events, make this the summer you snag tickets to RockyGrass (July 25-27) or Folks Festival (August 8-10). Splash around in the refreshing waters of St. Vrain Creek while swaying to the music and basking in the vibes of the peaceful community atmosphere at Planet Bluegrass Ranch.
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/the-best-places-to-swim-in-and-near-boulder
Kimball Modern
By Laura Beausire
Boulder interior designer Kate Moore embraces the “clean simplicity” of modern residential design
Even as a kid growing up in California, Kate Moore had strong feelings about interior design.
“We had a 1970s ranch-style home, and I always loved it when I was little, and I was jealous of my brother’s bedroom with wood paneling, and he even had a ‘70s mural on the wall,” she recalls.
Moore moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, where she focused on ceramics and photography. Following a stint working for an artist in Denver, she made the decision to study interior design at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.
“It was a blend of pure creativity and also it had construction drawings, codes, all sorts of technical information—I love the blend of the two,” she says.
After working at a couple of Boulder-based architecture firms, Moore decided to take a leap and open her own business, Kimball Modern, in 2016. (In case you’re wondering, “Kimball” is Moore’s middle name.)
Here, she shares a behind-the-design look at some of her latest projects.
Why did you decide to launch your own interior design business?
I love modern and mid-century modern design. I had done residential work, I had done some more commercial stuff, and I just knew my niche was modern residential. I really wanted to work more directly with the clients.
RIGHT: Courtesy of Will Moore; ALL OTHER PHOTOS: Courtesy of Dane Cronin
What services do you offer at Kimball Modern?
There are all sorts of directions people can take interior design, and I call mine full-service. If people want a remodel versus new construction, I provide all the construction drawings for that, and lighting plans, moving walls, working with structural engineers, and then all the specifications for the fixtures and finishes, which includes everything that will go into a home—paint, lighting, plumbing, hardware, cabinetry, countertops, you name it. And then I also work closely with contractors, to coordinate everything on site with your subs.
How would you describe your signature look?
Definitely, the modern esthetic and sometimes mid-century modern as well, or a blend of the two. I think one thing that people say when they look at my portfolio is they all notice it’s very clean, livable, modern. It’s accomplishing simplicity and also the modern aesthetic without it being cold and unapproachable. I love natural materials, working with natural woods. And again, because of my ceramics background, the handmade tile component. I love handcrafted tiles with the glazes that someone has put on themselves.
What’s special about modern interiors?
It’s funny, because they seem simple, but I think in order to get that simplicity it takes a lot of details. Again, it’s sort of
Kate Moore's Favorite COLORADO CREATIVES
Particular Tile particulartile.com
“They create tiles from local materials in a sustainable way, and they have unique glazes and options for customizing,” says Moore.
Ceramics by Liz Quan lizquan.com
“Liz Quan makes sculptural porcelain installations, from big to small, to fit a variety of spaces. The organic quality of her work connects to the Boulder landscape,” she says.
Artist Kristen Abbott
kristenabbott.com
“Kristen Abbott not only creates beautiful artwork, but she has events at her studio to engage the community in meaningful conversation,” says Moore
Arianna Floral Design ariannafloral.com
“Her arrangements are whimsical and unique, and she can create something custom that ties in with the interiors of clients’ homes,” says Moore.
Furniture by Housefish housefish.com
“Their Key Storage Modules are a favorite for bringing life into a space while providing extra storage, and they can also be customized for your space,” she says.
the blend of design and then the technical aspect of it, to get the clean simplicity. And I love the connection to the outdoors that’s really clear in modern design. I love the light-filled spaces and the natural materials, like wood and tiles.
Why live and work in Boulder?
It was really just a lifestyle here—outdoors, nature, the art community, the design community. I really felt like I was able to explore art and creativity, and then also just get together with friends and hike and just be outside.
What’s your approach to outdoor living spaces?
In Colorado, we have extreme weather sometimes, and it’s finding the right materials that homeowners don’t have to worry about. And then also entertaining and lounge furniture, making it as comfortable as the interior. We’re definitely doing a lot more built-in outdoor kitchens, with grills, sinks, refrigerators. Sometimes we’ll have a kitchen window that’s a pass-through or a bar on the other side as well, so the person inside the kitchen can feel connected to the people outside.
Is there a Boulder style for interiors?
Because of the nature of Boulder and how many artists live here, I love incorporating that into people’s homes. Also, there are so many local people who make their own furniture, and homeowners really love working with
local craftspeople. The other thing that I’m actually really excited about is the movement toward unique interiors. For a while, a lot of people were concerned about resale and they were kind of afraid to put their own stamp on a home. We’re definitely moving away from that, which I think is so great, because we can be so much more creative and really express a client’s unique style and individuality. And then they get to really enjoy the home that’s specific for them for many years.
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/meet-the-architects
Whether
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse Gifted to Boulder from its sister city in Tajikistan, this hand-carved architectural marvel serves globally inspired cuisine, award-winning teas, and a cultural experience unlike any other in North America.
The Chautauqua Dining Hall Nestled at the base of the Flatirons, the historic Chautauqua Dining Hall offers classic American fare and breathtaking views from its wraparound porch - perfect after a hike or for sunset dining
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant
Creative, locally sourced, and entirely vegetarian,Leaf is a celebration of Colorado-grown ingredients and seasonal elegance. With an ever-evolving menu and sustainable philosophy, it’s a must for conscious foodies.
Marigold
By Allyson Reedy
“We picked each other.”
That’s how chef Theo Adley describes opening Marigold—the little restaurant that has garnered unexpected recognition from titans like the James Beard Foundation and Wine Enthusiast—in Lyons, a town of 2,200 that hadn’t exactly been known as a culinary destination.
In his two decades in Colorado, Adley has cooked all over the state, starting at a “socio-anarchic breakfast joint” in Boulder before moving on to the not-so-anarchic Flagstaff House and Frasca Food and Wine.
He worked in the mountains at Aspen’s Little Nell and Dunton Hot Springs, and he cheffed in Denver at The Squeaky Bean and The Populist. More than a decade ago Adley opened—and then closed—his first restaurant, The Pinyon, in Boulder.
He’s done delicious things at prestigious places. But, with Marigold, it feels like Adley is fully stepping into his culinary identity. Where his only confines are what’s fresh that day and how weird he wants to get. Because that’s the thing with the daily changing menu at Marigold: It’s a little weird.
Take the standard-sounding Caesar salad, for example. Except, at Marigold, it’s anything but standard: It’s now a handheld bite topped with puffed rice for crunch and bonito flakes standing in for the
classic anchovies. Or a recent raw scallop dish, paired with foie gras consommé, some mushrooms and pomelo. There’s fried chicken, but— surprise!—it’s guinea fowl, and let’s top it with shaved truffles. There’s pretty much always a fresh pasta option on the dinner menu—some coated in a long-simmered beef ragu, others dotted with prawns and chile crisp, bobbing in lobster stock.
“We want it to be interesting,” says Adley. “Draw that line between having something taste almost familiar, but have a quiet hominess, a comfortable deliciousness. But also just a little weird.”
And Lyons is the perfect place for weird. The little town is known for its arts and music scene, its outdoor opportunities and its many funky local businesses. Lyons residents are quirky and creative, and they most certainly support their own. Adley didn’t plan on opening Mari-
In the tiny, tight-knit community of Lyons, chef Theo Adley is garnering unexpected recognition for his unique approach to food and drink
gold there—he got priced out of Boulder and had been browsing the surrounding towns of Lafayette, Longmont and Louisville—but now he can’t imagine his restaurant being anywhere else.
“It’s been such a crazy, long road to get to this place. The ethos of Marigold, my wife and I have talked about this exact restaurant for so long now, well over a decade. We spent a lot of time meditating about the community we wanted to be in and support … Then my wife came across this listing, this cute little space with all the infrastructure we needed, in a town we love. It all gelled and made sense,” he says.
After Marigold opened in the summer of 2022, Lyons locals immediately began supporting it. Then, the Boulderites started making the drive up U.S. 36. Then, people from Estes Park and Longmont came, too. Word spread quickly and, soon, diners were making the hour-long drive up from Denver, just to have dinner in this tiny restaurant in Lyons.
That kind of pressure might be grueling for some. But for Adley and his team, it’s a fun challenge. They know that those Denver diners have high expectations, so they’d better knock it out of the park. “You can get a lot of negative Yelps done in that hour drive home,” Adley jokes. Really, though, the Marigold team is cooking for themselves and
their neighbors. They’re combining flavors that they want to eat, using ingredients they’re proud to source. Adley and his kitchen staff are pushing themselves to master different techniques and think creatively and differently about food. And little Lyons is just the place for it.
“It’s a tiny town, but Lyons has a huge heart to it,” Adley says. “If you wait long enough and are tenacious enough, you’ll find what fits. We love Lyons. It’s super tight-knit.”
With Marigold, Adley has manifested the community restaurant he always wanted. He’s having fun and keeping it weird. Whoever picked who, it’s clear that Marigold and Lyons are a delicious match. “It’s a fun time,” he says. “We just get to do our thing in the woods.”
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/cozy-cocktail-bars-for-a-romantic-date-night
TOP RIGHT: Courtesy of M. Thurk; MIDDLE LEFT: Courtesy of Marigold; MIDDLE, and MIDDLE RIGHT: Courtesy of Eric Bronson
LEFT: Courtesy of Vail Local Marketing District; TOP RIGHT: Courtesy of CampV
Escape to these 7 scenic spots in Colorado—where you can spend time in nature without roughing it
By Abigail Bliss
GLORIOUS GLAMPING
There’s nothing like gathering around the bonfire, toasting marshmallows and snoozing under the stars. However, while some camp chores are novel and fun (like cooking over an open flame and pitching a tent), others are just plain work (like origami-folding said tent back into its teeny-tiny bag).
Skip the exhaustive gear checklist and the eerie nighttime noises—or, worse, wandering into the woods with a trowel and TP—and go glamping instead.
Glamping is a mash-up of “glamorous” and “camping”— and the name says it all. Rather than roughing it, you can relax in a posh bell tent, a stove-heated yurt, or a spacious cabin close to endless activities. These are a few of our favorite glamping spots in Colorado.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Though you could just book a day pass to Joyful Journey Hot Springs in Moffat, an overnight stay offers so much more. The experience is like an all-inclusive wellness retreat: Soak in the mineral-rich pools while enjoying views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, breathe deeply in the sauna and reinvigorate yourself under the spray of the cold outdoor shower.
Wander among the meditative labyrinth and check out the geodesic dome greenhouse, which is full of homegrown herbs and greens. Then, retreat back to your fully
furnished heated yurt, your tipi or the Casita, a private two-bedroom home on the property. (And if you need a few more creature comforts, Joyful Journey also has a cozy lodge. You can also bring your RV or pitch a tent.) Your stay includes guided yoga classes, as well as nutritious meals for breakfast and dinner. For an additional fee, this wellness-oriented destination also provides a range of spa services. Book a therapeutic massage, body scrub and more during your restorative getaway. joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com
Piney River Ranch
Though it’s just 12 miles north of Vail, Piney River Ranch feels far removed from the rest of the world. Journey along a winding dirt road to reach this 40-acre retreat, where lakefront accommodations offer views of the dramatic Gore Range.
Here, you’ll find six fully-furnished cabins with convenient amenities like fire pits, picnic tables and grills, plus indoor kitchenettes. Piney River Ranch also has three glamping tents with wood-burning stoves and full bedding—but it’s a good idea to bring an extra blanket or two. Even in the summer, the nights can be chilly at 9,350 feet above sea level.
During the day, you can hike among wildflowers and keep an eye out for creatures like moose, marmots, foxes and
deer. Down at Piney Lake, a private body of water on the property, fly fishers cast for trout while guests on paddle boards and canoes float past. Watercraft rentals are available on-site, as are hearty meals from the lodge restaurant and bar. The ranch is open to small groups and private events from late June to late September. pineyriverranch.com
Puma Hills Mountain Retreat
Puma Hills Mountain Retreat encompasses 37 acres in a remote region of Lake George, not far from Eleven Mile State Park. Its main lodge and brand-new private cabins are open year-round, while its glamping village is open from mid-May through mid-November. Choose from furnished tents, custom tipis and Conestoga wagons, plus geodesic domes that provide clear views of the twinkling night sky. Guests can marvel at the cosmos using the four on-site telescopes, borrow musical instruments for campfire jam sessions, play disc golf course, hit up the archery range, go hiking and more.
Although Puma Hills welcomes a variety of guests, its philanthropic mission centers on combat veterans, first responders and their families. By partnering with nonprofit organizations like Challenge America, Puma Hills offers these individuals opportunities to experience the resort and specialized programming at no charge. pumahills.com
Ramble
Although you have to pitch your own tent at Ramble, the property handles most of the other arduous aspects of camping. Spacious sites feature custom-made kitchens, complete with two-burner gas stoves, pump sinks and shaded picnic tables.
Settle into an Adirondack chair around your private fire pit and start a cozy fire using bundles of wood from the camp store. This self-service kiosk also offers essentials like sunscreen and instant coffee, plus free backpack and trekking pole rentals.
You can also borrow a mountain bike when you stay at this 640-acre “glampground,” which is located near Great Sand Dunes National Park. Pedal along Ramble’s 2.5-mile trail, navigating obstacles and
MIDDLE: Courtesy of Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa
THIS PAGE, OPPOSITE PAGE: Courtesy of Puma Hills Mountain Retreat
taking in expansive views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the San Luis Valley.
Ramble also has another location outside of Mesa Verde National Park, which provides access to the iconic Phil’s World mountain bike trail.It also boasts an outdoor movie theater with screenings every Friday. Both campgrounds, which are open from May through October, offer hot showers, flush toilets and Starlink internet. ramble.camp
Frontier Drive-Inn
Located just north of Monte Vista, Frontier Drive-Inn combines glamping with an outdoor movie theater experience.
Over the past few years, Born Hospitality Group has restored this historic San Luis Valley drive-in to its former glory. The original neon sign now shines brightly, as does the 40-foot movie screen that’s stood tall since 1955. Even the vintage snack bar is back up and running.
Though films are limited to Thursday through Saturday from May to October, lodging is available year-round. Steelmaster sheds have been retrofitted with wood-paneled interiors, en suite bathrooms and in-floor heating, as well as WiFi. Meanwhile, the Colorado-made yurts feature pellet stoves, outdoor gas firepits and access to a spa-like bathhouse. Renovated Airstream trailers, along with tent and RV sites, are slated to be added to the property in the near future. frontierdriveinn.com
YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain Ranch
In addition to its popular Estes Park Center, YMCA of the Rockies also oversees Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby. Year-round cabins feature two to eight bedrooms, as well as fully-equipped kitchens, restrooms, fireplaces and spacious decks with mountain views.
From June to October, guests can also stay in its yurt village, which features huts that can accommodate up to six guests. Each yurt is equipped with its own picnic table and fire ring, while a nearby shared
THIS PAGE, LEFT, RIGHT, MIDDLE, and OPPOSITE PAGE: Courtesy of Sophie Kuller/Frontier Drive-Inn; BOTTOM: Courtesy of YMCA of the Rockies
bath house offers hot showers and flush toilets.
In addition to roomy accommodations, families will love the ranch’s on-site dining options and numerous activities. Spend the day horseback riding, canoeing on Gaylord Reservoir and exploring mountain bike trails. The 5,100-acre property also features an indoor rock climbing wall, an aerial challenge course, archery, swimming and plenty of children’s programming. ymcarockies.org
CampV
CampV is located in Naturita, an International Dark Sky Community near the Utah border. While stargazing is an obvious draw, the art installations at this 120-acre retreat are an unexpected surprise.
Electric Dandelions by artist Abram Santa Cruz puts on a firework-like show each night. Brooke Einbender’s The Unknown Zone beckons visitors to peer through vibrant doorways and Robert Hoehn’s Prairie Wind Chapel, an iconic work known by Burning Man-goers, is simply a sight to behold.
Rest will come easy after a day of swimming, paddling and hiking through the high desert. Stay in a furnished bell or safari tent, a renovated Airstream or a futuristic Jupe—a solar-powered supertent with device charging, air conditioning and an angular design that might remind you of a Cybertruck. (For good reason: These unique structures were designed by a team formerly employed by Tesla and SpaceX.)
CampV also invites guests to stay in its two, lovingly restored historic cabins. Built in 1942, they now feature full bathrooms, kitchenettes and modern furnishings, including record players and vinyl collections. campv.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/go-camping-without-tent-2
THIS PAGE: Courtesy of CampV; OPPOSITE PAGE: Courtesy of Sophie Kuller/Frontier Drive-Inn
Moving Intention
3rd Law Dance/Theater’s classes and performances have inspired connection and community for nearly 25 years
By Patricia Kaowthumrong
with
When Katie Elliott and her late husband, Jim LaVita, founded 3rd Law Dance/Theater in Boulder in 2001, she had no idea that their passion project would evolve into what it is today.
Nearly 25 years later, the nonprofit contemporary dance company is a beloved community staple. According to Elliott, 3rd Law has grown from random rehearsal schedules for project-based artists to consistent class schedules and a company of dancers who rehearse for full seasons of boundary-pushing performances.
Since 2018, 3rd Law has also offered dance classes for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The initiative started with one class per week, but has since blossomed into a robust schedule of three in-person and three online classes per week (plus one offering in Spanish). Despite all this growth, the organization is still rooted in Elliott and LaVita’s founding principles.
“We are known for blending movement with intellectual ideas—our work often engages with science, philosophy and social themes, making it more than just performance,” Elliott says.
A SHARED VISION
Elliott and LaVita met in Boulder in the late 1990s, when they bonded over their shared love of different dance styles. Classically trained, Elliott started her ballet career under the tutelage of late local dance legend Barbara Demaree at Boulder’s Ballet Arts. She performed and trained in Chicago, London and New York before returning to the Front Range. Meanwhile, LaVita was a mathematician and anthropologist who also studied dance ethnology. They became partners in life and art.
On January 1, 2001—the first day of the new millennium—they founded 3rd Law to bring to life their shared vision for contemporary dance performances that unite individual and collective movements while often spotlighting issues that are important to the Boulder community. (Written numerically, the date is 01/01/01, which is a meaningful code in mathematics, Elliott says). Through the company, the couple created a lineup of original multimedia performances featuring classical, modern, theatrical, historical, and traditional dance.
“[Jim] was primarily a folk dancer, which I found really interesting, and he found my contemporary classical dance background very inter-
RIGHT: Courtesy of Heather Gray Photography
THIS PAGE, TOP RIGHT: Courtesy of Amanda Tipton; BOTTOM RIGHT: Courtesy of Heather Gray Photography
esting,” Elliott says. “So all of our collaborations were really about an idea that needed to be expressed in a certain way rather than a specific technique that was being honored.”
In 2016, the Carson Brierly Giffin Dance Library—a Denverbased entity dedicated to the documentation and representation of the world of dance in the Rocky Mountain region—honored the pair with the Legends of Dance award for their contributions to the arts in Colorado. When LaVita died in 2017, 3rd Law’s supportive dance community helped Elliott continue to fulfill their original mission of providing a welcoming space for artists to come together.
COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY
3rd Law offers a regular schedule of technique classes, which are open to the community but geared toward intermediate/advanced professional dancers. Held at either Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Studio in Boulder or at the Colorado Conservatory of Dance in Broomfield, the classes are taught by Elliott or by company members Page Jenkins and Jamie Schuler. 3rd Law is funded by grants, so there’s a suggested fee of $15, but attendees are welcome to pay what they can.
Classes and rehearsals are collaborative, which is a nod to the company’s name and ethos. Its name was inspired by English physicist Isaac Newton’s third law of motion: “For every action, there is
ARTS & CULTURE
3RD LAW DANCE/THEATER
an equal and opposite reaction.”
“The third law speaks to our broader philosophy—art doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it is shaped by everyone who is involved in the creative process of art making,” Elliott says.
One example of 3rd Law’s synergistic process is how Elliott works with the dancers. The company currently consists of 10 artists, most of whom have been with 3rd Law for a decade, but some performances involve larger casts. In rehearsals and classes, she’s dedicated to giving participants prompts rather than ultra-specific directions. “All our work is original—it’s either my choreography or my choreographic direction,” she says. “But I always think people are going to do their movements more organically than they’re going to do mine … If you’re doing it perfectly, then you’re doing it wrong. Because some of the best choreography comes from a mistake— a beautiful error.”
Elliott sees 3rd Law as a way to not only create thought-provoking artistic work, but also to foster a sense of community. She wants the company to be inclusive, and for dance to be a vessel for well-being and connection. While professional dancers are typically on the younger side, 3rd Law’s artists range in age from 23 to 50. “One of our guiding principles is to create a multigenerational social structure
to support and honor a body dancing in all stages of life,” she says. “The artistic body is neither young nor old and comes in varying degrees of mobility. Creativity, by definition, has no boundaries.”
A BODY IN MOTION STAYS IN MOTION
Today, the company’s Dance for Parkinson’s program is one of the primary ways it supports dancers from all walks of life. The movement classes, which are designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, are an offshoot of the research-backed “Dance for PD” model developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group in New York City. The program, which is offered in more than 300 communities around the world, was brought to Boulder by Viki Bromberg Psihoyos, a former New York City-based ballet dancer whose father lived with Parkinson’s disease.
When Elliott first watched one of Psihoyos’ Dance for Parkinson’s classes, she was immediately captivated. She began assisting Psihoyos and, in 2018, the classes came under the 3rd Law umbrella. Now, the company’s Dance for Parkinson’s instructors are trained in the “Dance for PD” method, which they pair with their backgrounds in ballet, jazz, samba, yoga, folk, tap and other dance forms to produce engaging— and impactful—classes for participants.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance and coordination. Individuals with the disease experience symptoms such as stiffness, tremors and slower movements, which can cause them to
lose their ability to move independently. As a result, many often lose their sense of community, too, Elliott says. The free classes not only give them an opportunity to improve their mobility, but also connect with individuals who may be grappling with similar challenges. Some participants even accidentally leave their walking canes behind after class because they’re moving so well, Elliott says.
Participants don’t need to have any previous dance experience to attend the one-hour classes, and their friends, family members and caretakers are also invited to join. Instructors encourage participants not to worry about how they look doing the various moves and to instead focus on having fun and moving their bodies through space. It’s an upbeat, positive, communal experience that brings people together.
“When you walk into these classes, you’re walking into a room of vulnerability, where people are there to help each other, rather than a room where people are having to prove themselves and it is so beautiful,” she says. “We’re trying to get them to identify themselves as dancers, not just people with Parkinson’s.”
Elliott hopes to gain more support and funding for 3rd Law so it can offer more community classes, including Dance for Parkinson’s. “It’s a beautiful example of how dance can enhance quality of life,” she says.
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/arts-and-culture-bucket-list
TOP LEFT, BOTTOM LEFT: Courtesy of Heather Gray Photography; TOP RIGHT: Courtesy of Grace Creative Studios
Near
& Far
Trip ideas to help you make the most of summer
By Sarah Kuta
The world feels like a scary place right now.
But travel can still be a rare bright spot. It’s one of the best ways to connect with people from other cultures, religions, backgrounds and upbringings—and see just how similar we really are. So, if you’re feeling disheartened or downtrodden, stop scrolling, set down your phone and hit the road. Venture far from home and share a laugh with a stranger, try a new food, take a dance lesson, play a new sport or immerse yourself in nature.
Whether you want to jet-set around the world or would prefer to stay a little closer to home, these getaways will help you make the most of your summer.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Long popular among vacationing Midwesterners, Mackinac Island is situated in Lake Huron just east of the Mackinac Bridge. This small, tree-covered island has been car-free since 1901—meaning the only way to get around is to walk, bike or climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage. This unique rule gives Mackinac Island a quaint, charming vibe—and the expansive lake views, fudge shops and boutiques don’t hurt, either.
Check into the historic Grand Hotel, which has been welcoming visitors to Mackinac Island since 1887. With its iconic front porch (the longest in the world!), eclectic decor (every room is decorated differently), legendary guest list (multiple American presidents have stayed here) and old-world hospitality, the Grand Hotel makes the perfect home base for a week on Mackinac Island.
While you’re here, lace up your hiking shoes and explore the more than 70 miles of trails and roads inside Mackinac Island
State Park. Learn about the island’s Native American history and significance by wandering through the Biddle House, a new museum that tells the story of the Anishinaabek people of northern Michigan. And if you’re feeling adventurous, book a guided kayak or standup paddleboard excursion on the waters surrounding Mackinac Island with Great Turtle Kayak Tours. mackinacisland.org
The Broadmoor’s Fly Fishing Camp in Park County
You’re likely familiar with the Broadmoor, the historic Colorado Springs resort founded in 1918 by Julie and Spencer Penrose. But did you know this iconic hotel has several outposts, including a ruggedly beautiful fly fishing camp in South Park?
Whether you’re an experienced angler or have always been curious about fly fishing, the Broadmoor’s knowledgeable (and patient!) guides will help you make the most of your time on the Broadmoor’s private 5-mile stretch of the Tarryall Creek. Each day, you can spend as much or as little time fishing as you like—and throw in some hiking, cornhole, horseshoes, bird-watching or napping, depending on your mood.
Situated in a remote area of Park County, the camp has seven restored cabins—including some that date back to the 1920s—for guests to retreat to each night. The cozy main
THINGS TO DO SUMMER
lodge serves as a gathering place for gourmet meals prepared by a classically trained, live-in chef. You can also sip “après-fish” drinks on the lodge’s wraparound porch while watching broad-tailed hummingbirds flit around. When darkness falls, head to the outdoor fire pit for smores and stargazing—there’s a good chance you’ll spot the Milky Way. broadmoor.com
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Made famous by British naturalist Charles Darwin, the Galápagos Islands are a truly bucket-list destination off the coast of Ecuador. The unusual and highly specialized creatures that thrive on this volcanic archipelago famously inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution when he visited while sailing around the world aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835.
These days, you can spot many of the very same animals Darwin did nearly 200 years ago. That’s because most of the islands in the Galápagos have been protected within the bounds of a national park since 1959, making it a rare bright spot for conservation.
The best way to explore this magical region is on an expedition cruise, like the ones offered by HX. Sail aboard the light-filled MS Santa Cruz II with less than 90 other guests while visiting destinations like Mosquera Islet, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Fé island and more. Along the way, you’ll get to observe iconic wildlife like blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, Sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, giant tortoises and sea turtles, just to name a few. It’s the perfect trip for adventurous, wildlife-loving travelers. travelhx.com
TOP LEFT: Courtesy of HX; TOP RIGHT: Courtesy of Sammy Steen/Beyul Retreat; BOTTOM: Courtesy of the Broadmoor
Beyul Retreat in Meredith
When was the last time you truly disconnected? No phone, no laptop, no TV, no tablet.
If it’s been a while, consider planning a trip to Beyul Retreat, a ruggedly beautiful property in Meredith, about an hour outside of Basalt. This century-old guest ranch has been transformed into a creative art and nature retreat, perfect for getting off the grid for a while.
Check into one of the 15 cozy log cabins, then spend your vacation exploring the 32 private acres of forests, wildflower meadows, ponds and waterfalls. The Frying Pan River runs right through this scenic haven, which also has trails leading to the expansive White River National Forest. After getting some inspiration from the on-site art installations, enjoy a sweat session in the sauna.
The best part about this property? There’s no cell phone service anywhere, and no TVs. (There is WiFi in the main lodge, if you absolutely can’t live without it.) We’re all so frazzled by our devices lately, and Beyul Retreat presents a golden opportunity to tuck them away and just … be.
Beyul also regularly hosts public retreats, focused on yoga, meditation, food, wellness and adventure. So, if you could use a reset or you just need an opportunity to focus on yourself for a few days, consider bookmarking their calendar. beyulretreat.com
Greenville, South Carolina
Craft beer, a riverside bike path, gorgeous weather, a delicious food scene and ultra-friendly people await in Greenville, South Carolina, which is just a short nonstop flight from Denver. This former mill town has undergone a dramatic revitalization in recent years, and is now a vibrant, thriving destination that should be on your travel bucket list.
Pedal around on the 28-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail, stopping off for a bite on the sunny patio of The Commons food hall or a flight at Southernside Brewing Co. Explore the
artsy Village of West Greenville, root for the home team at Greenville Drive game (the minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox) and stroll through the Greenville Saturday Market. When it’s time to settle down for the evening, check into the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, a new hotel with views of the Reedy River and its breathtaking waterfalls. visitgreenvillesc.com
Hotel Alpenrock in Breckenridge
Once the snow melts off the slopes, Breckenridge transforms into a lush, green, wildflower-studded destination. Take it all in while staying at Hotel Alpenrock, a brand new property that opened at the beginning of this year.
Located on Peak 9, the 205-room hotel is centrally located between Breckenridge Ski resort and downtown Breck, meaning you don’t have to travel far to take advantage of all that this historic mining town has to offer. Snag one of the 24 suites, which feature kitchenettes, living and dining areas, and separate bedrooms—perfect for families and groups. For dinner, head to Edwin, the hotel’s signature restaurant and one of three on-site dining venues. It’s named after Edwin Carter, the famed 19th century Breckenridge naturalist whose collection of taxidermied animals served as the foundation for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Enjoy scratch-made dishes like cornmeal-dusted trout and artisanal pizzas. After dark, head to Canary, a speakeasy-style spot inspired by Breckenridge’s historic prohibition-era dance halls. hotelalpenrock.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/the-best-places-to-eat-stay-and-play-in-breckenridge-this-winter
TOP LEFT: Courtesy of Hotel Alpenrock; TOP RIGHT: Courtesy of the Grand Hotel; BOTTOM: Courtesy of Mackinac Island Tourism
The Best Barbecue in Boulder County and Beyond
8 delicious spots to eat smoked meats and sides
By Allyson Reedy
For many, barbecue isn’t just a meal, it’s a way of life. Whether smoked low and slow or licked by the flames, if the meat isn’t falling off the bone, you’re doing it wrong. Here are our eight favorite spots in Boulder County and beyond to indulge our carnivorous cravings for the ‘cue.
For many, barbecue isn’t just a meal, it’s a way of life. Whether smoked low and slow or licked by the flames, if the meat isn’t falling off the bone, you’re doing it wrong. Here are our eight favorite spots in Boulder County and beyond to indulge our carnivorous cravings for the ‘cue.
KT’s BBQ
Memphis-style barbecue means dry-rubbed, hickory-smoked meats in a tangy sauce—and if that doesn’t get your mouth watering, then you may want to have your salivary glands checked. The family-owned KT’s BBQ has been perfecting this style for nearly 30 years, which means they have their plates of pork spareribs and piled-high pulled pork shoulder sandwiches down to a science. Sides aren’t afterthoughts either, so be sure to grab a pint of Kirk’s killer beans and some mac-n-cheese. 7464 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder; 2660 Broadway, Boulder; ktsbbq.com
Wayne’s Smoke Shack
Straight out of central Texas, Wayne Shelnutt missed the properly rubbed and smoked ‘cue he grew up eating when he moved to Colorado. So, he decided to open his own spot to share his succulent, porky love with his new neighbors. It became a carnivorous destination upon its 2013 opening and, with the exception of the year it was
closed after suffering severe smoke damage from the Marshall Fire, it remains a mecca for meat today. Stop by to grab beef brisket, burnt end sausage, ribs, chicken quarters and turkey by the pound. 406 Center Dr., Superior, waynessmokeshack.com
Smokin’ Dave’s
While the meats are certainly no slouches here, you can’t talk about Smokin’ Dave’s without talking about the sauces. Pull open the fridge doors in home kitchens across the Front Range and you’ll likely find at least one bottle of Devil’s Spit or Rich & Sassy. But the best place to taste them is at a Smokin’ Dave’s barbecue joint, atop a Texas beef brisket sandwich or rack of St. Louis ribs. Finish it off with Kentucky bourbon pecan pie—just maybe leave the barbecue sauce off of that one. 230 Main St., Longmont; 820 Moraine Ave., Estes Park; 228 Main St., Lyons; longmont. smokindavesbbq.com and lyons.smokindavesbbq.com
Georgia Boys
It’s all about two things at Georgia Boys: the slow-smoked pig and the southern hospitality. You’ll find the standard BBQ options of brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chicken on the menu here, but you’ll also find the famous—and slightly quirky—“barnyard challenge.” Very hungry barbecue
TOP LEFT, RIGHT: Courtesy of G-Que BBQ
lovers can attempt to eat a five-pound sandwich filled with pork, brisket, chicken, bacon and cheese, plus fries topped with ribs, hot links and inferno-level-spicy ghost wings. Finish it in an hour and it’s free, and you’ll score a $50 Georgia Boys gift card to boot. 250 3rd Ave., Longmont; 141 Fifth St., Frederick; georgiaboys.com
Rang Tang Craft Barbecue
Barbecue joints aren’t usually the best for the planet, but Rang Tang does its best to make its juicy meats as environmentally friendly (and animal-friendly) as possible. That means using only regeneratively ranched beef, heritage pasture raised pork, organic veggies and locally sourced wood. Their specialty is the all-day smoked brisket, but save some stomach space for rotating specials like the peach, chevre and pulled pork sandwich. Various locations, rangtangbbq.com
LuLu’s BBQ
This may be sacrilege, but sometimes we go to LuLu’s just for the mac-n-cheese. The noodles are the creamiest and cheesiest you’ll find this side of the Rockies. The meats are pretty darn good, too, where the dry-rubbed ribs and brisket are so flavorful that you may not even need a side of Smokin’ Hot or Zesty Mustard sauce. 701 Main St., Louisville, lulusbbq.com
TOP LEFT, TOP RIGHT: Courtesy of LuLu’s BBQ; BOTTOM LEFT: Courtesy of Kaitlin Mendoza/Wayne's Smoke Shack; MIDDLE TOP: Courtesy of Eliza Earle/ Rang Tang Craft Barbecue; MIDDLE BOTTOM: Courtesy of G-Que BBQ
G-Que BBQ
G-Que BBQ is in the Rocky Mountain BBQ Association’s hall of fame so, yeah, they know what to do with some tongs and a slab of ribs. Meat master Jason Ganahl’s passion for good barbecue stems from his Missouri upbringing, and he’s been smoking brisket, pulled pork, jalapeño cheddar sausage and ribs at his Westminster restaurant since 2015. Don’t sleep on the wings, which are smoked and then flash-fried to give them a good crunch. 5160 W. 120th Ave., Westminster, gquebbq.com
Moe’s Original BBQ
It started with a small fire pit at the University of Alabama, and now it’s grown to more than 40 locations, including a longstanding spot in Boulder. Here, pit masters brush their meats with two different sauces and cook them low and slow, so the pork shoulder and chicken you order is always fallapart tender. Grab a cup of tangy sauce, a side of slaw, a slice of cornbread and some banana pudding and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Alabama. (Even if the closest you’ve been to ‘Bama is watching a college football game.) 675 30th St., Boulder, moesoriginalbbq.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/best-picnic-spots-in-boulder
POWER The of Lentils
Broomfield-based startup Lentiful is bringing quick, healthy, convenient plant-based meals to the masses
By Sarah Kuta
Ben Bacon remembers the moment he fell in love with lentils.
It was during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the world shut down. Bacon, his wife and their four kids were trying to eat foods they already had in the house, which meant scrounging up ingredients from the back of the pantry. One night, his wife pulled out a bag of lentils, found a recipe online and made it.
“I was a few bites in and I didn’t know what I was eating,” he says. “She said, ‘It’s lentils.’ And I had never thought twice about lentils. But I devoured it, and I ate a few servings over the next couple of days.”
He was hooked. After that, he started seeing and hearing about lentils everywhere—from celebrities’ Instagram pages to podcasts to magazine articles about healthy eating.
Then, one morning not long after he had his lentil epiphany, inspiration struck: He was in a rush and needed to make something quick for breakfast, so he grabbed a container of instant oatmeal.
“I heard that rattle,” he says. “And the thought just crossed my mind: I wonder if we could make instant lentils?”
Thus, Lentiful was born. The Broomfield-based company officially launched in November 2022 and
has been bringing quick, easy and delicious lentils to the masses ever since.
“It’s a little bit of a funny story, which is that the Bacon family started a vegan food company,” he says with a laugh.
Today, Lentiful’s flavor-packed, on-the-go lunches are available online and on grocery store shelves across the country, including The Fresh Market, Hy-Vee, Walmart, Whole Foods and more.
The lentils come in a variety of fun and modern flavors—from Mexican Green Chile to Thai Coconut Curry and more—so, no matter what type of cuisine you’re craving, you can have a tasty, convenient meal at your fingertips.
“What I love about lentils is they’re very approachable—I call them the gateway drug to plant-based eating,” says Bacon. “Lentils are flavor chameleons, they absorb whatever flavors you cook them in. There are endless combinations.”
Lentiful’s lentils are pre-cooked and then dehydrated, so all you have to do is add water, stir and microwave. Roughly a minute later, you’ve got a high-protein, high-fiber, nutrient-dense snack that’s made from plants.
“If you’re trying to eat something that fills you up and builds muscle and keeps you full for hours, you
very quickly land on lentils if you’re trying to eat more plant-based,” says Bacon. “Our hypothesis was: If you can make lentils really easy for people, they’ll eat more of them.”
So far, that hypothesis has proven true. In less than three years, Lentiful has racked up thousands of glowing reviews.
Bacon tries to read every single one.
“This is not a product people like—no, this is a product
people love and can’t live without,” he says. “We really have struck a nerve out there. We’ve kind of cracked the code for this quick, healthy, easy lunch you can eat at work or on the go.”
Lentiful started as a direct-to-consumer company, with 8-packs that customers could order online and have shipped to their homes. That helped the company grow organically, with people all over the country ordering instant lentils to add to their weekly meal rotation.
Now, the lentil cups are also available for purchase in more than 1,000 grocery stores. But Lentiful still has a loyal following of online fans, particularly among people who live in rural places.
For Bacon, being able to share a convenient, healthy, plant-based option with people from all walks of life has been one of the most rewarding parts of starting the company.
“I didn’t want to start a company to help healthy people eat healthier or to help vegan people eat more vegan-y,” he says. “I wanted to start a company to help the people who need it most—the people who live in flyover states,
in small towns, the people who don’t live near a Whole Foods but might have a health condition where they’re trying to take their diet more seriously.”
To that same end, Lentiful recently began offering low-sodium flavors, including threebean chili and tomato bolognese. They’re just as delicious as the standard flavors but, Bacon says, they make instant lentils accessible to more people—including the estimated 119.9 million American adults with high blood pressure.
“Folks are going to their doctors and they’re having hard, serious conversations about diet,” says Bacon. “People go home and google hearthealthy foods, and lentils are always at the top of the list… There are very few packaged meals that taste good that have low sodium, and I think there’s a big blind spot in our national food industry.”
But even though the company’s lentils are healthy, they don’t feel like a sacrifice. Each cup is filled with clean, simple, easy-to-identify ingredients that actually taste good—just lentils, herbs, spices and vegetables. And Bacon has been intentional about making the branding fun and inviting.
“Even though they’re full of lentils, I wanted our cups to look like ice cream,” he says “That way, they’re communicating that this is a decadent experience.”
of those lentils get dug up and shipped overseas to Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Pakistan and India,” he says.
Little by little, he hopes Lentiful can help change that.
“I have a vision to get more lentils into more pantries,” he says. “The reason Americans don’t eat more lentils is because of our crazy American lifestyle. We’re always busy and we’re always in a rush. Americans will never get less busy. So, rather than changing the way Americans operate, we want to meet them where they’re at and make lentils convenient.”
Since founding the company, Bacon has also been humbled by the amount of support he’s received from Boulder’s natural food industry. Whenever he gets stuck or could use a little
Lentils are not only good for you, they’re also good for the environment: They require very little water to grow and they sequester lots of carbon—to the point that they’re effectively carbon negative. (Later this year, Lentiful is also moving to fully compostable, plastic-free packaging.)
And, by eating lentils, consumers can feel good knowing they’re supporting American farmers. While conducting research to launch Lentiful, Bacon was surprised—and delighted—to learn that America has a “lentil belt” in Montana, Idaho and eastern Washington.
“The bittersweet thing is that the vast majority
advice, he turns to one of the many successful food and beverage entrepreneurs that live nearby.
“Boulder is crawling with people who have started very successful food and beverage companies—and they’re always so willing to help brand new companies like mine,” he says.
“We’re all trying to do the same thing, which is get healthier products into people’s pantries.”
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/best-vegan-and-vegetarian-food-in-boulder
NOW TRENDING: SAVORY COCKTAILS
Mixologists are turning to some unexpected ingredients to create delicious boozy concoctions that are anything but sweet
By Allyson Reedy
Blame it on social media, our advancing age, sustainability or our increased trust in mixologists, but we appear to be living in peak savory cocktail days. These are not the sugar-centric cocktails that you might have preferred when you were younger. But, rather, they’re complex, palate-challenging sips that hit perfectly on the not-so-sweet side.
Savory concoctions like the Caesar salad martini, the parmesan espresso martini and the In-N-Out martini (yes, you read that right) have all gone viral on TikTok recently. And while your initial reaction might be a hard pass, if you like Bloody Marys, why not give a tomato martini a go?
Mixologists are increasingly looking to food for their drink inspiration, collabing with the kitchen to reduce food waste at their restaurants and flex their creativity. Think: tomatoes, avocados and even curry as the stars of your next drink. Still skeptical? These offbeat cocktails around Boulder and Denver will convert you to the savory side.
Avocado Margarita
It might seem strange to go to a Michelin-starred restaurant for a margarita, but Alma Fonda Fina’s avocado margarita has gotten so much buzz that we know people who’ve stopped in (at off hours, because trust us, dropping in on a whim at 6:30 p.m. isn’t happening here) solely for the green drink. When chef-owner Johnny Curiel opened Cozobi Fonda Fina in Boulder last summer, of course he had to bring along the famous avocado marg—a classic mix of tequila, lime and agave made not-soclassic with the addition of avocado puree. Rimmed with a house-made Tajin-y mix, you definitely won’t be missing the sweet here. 909 Walnut St., Boulder & 2556 15th St., Denver
LEFT: Courtesy of MAKfam; RIGHT: Courtesy of Jeff Fierberg/MAKfam
Tomato Martini
OAK at Fourteenth’s menu is a seasonally moving target, but if you see the tomato martini on the drink roster, order it. Here, bartenders combine cucumberand basil-tinged heirloom tomato water with vodka or gin, Lillet Blanc and a couple dashes of lemon bitters. It pretty much tastes like biting into the perfect August beefsteak tomato—except, you know, without the biting. 1400 Pearl St., Boulder
The 3 Course
There are a lot of tasty things to drink at SALT, the sixteen-year-old Pearl Street staple, but we recommend skipping your go-to Old Fashioned and instead giving a cocktail called “The 3 Course” a whirl. There’s a lot going on in this drink, which features a blend of gin, fig liqueur, Earl Grey syrup, umami bitters, smoked árbol chile oil, rosemary, lemon and a milk clarification (Don’t worry, the drink is still lactose-free.). And of course, salt. A couple sips and you’ll be a card-carrying member of Team Savory. 1047 Pearl St., Boulder
MSGin
MAKfam, Denver’s newish fine-casual Chinese restaurant, wants you to love MSG. The long-maligned but totally fine flavor enhancer is featured prominently on MAKfam’s menu, both in the food and the drinks. In fact, their “MSGin” cocktail quickly became a fan favorite. This martini features savory Chinese plum brine, gin, Shaoxing wine and, of course, the star ingredient, MSG. And that’s not the only not-so-sweet drink they’ve got: “She’s the Empress, Not the Concubine” is like sipping your favorite Thai yellow curry in a glass. And the “Mui-Mui of the Corn” combines corn two ways with rum, rice vinegar and celery. 39 W. 1st Ave., Denver
Oyster Shooter
When you’re craving oysters, you should probably head to Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar. And when you’re craving oysters sipped down with cucumber-infused vodka, lemon and Bloody Mary mix, you should probably order Jax’s “Oyster Shooter” drink. It’s fresh, it’s savory and it features a plumply briny Crackerjax oyster
plucked from the mouth of the York River, just 28 miles from Chesapeake Bay. 928 Pearl St., Boulder
El Diablo
You already know tequila and mezcal, but do you know sotol? The funky-smelling Mexican spirit comes from a shrub, not agave, giving it grassy pine notes instead of the smoky sweetness of the agave spirits. At Centro Mexican Kitchen, they use it in their “El Diablo” cocktail, along with a trio of peppers (hatch green chili, habanero and jalapeño) and a dusting of Tajin. A little fiery and a whole lot of vibrant, it’s also an Instagram-worthy bright chartreuse color. 950 Pearl St., Boulder
MycoMylk
Trade the alcohol for fungi at Myco Café, Colorado’s first mushroom-themed coffee shop and café. Infused with functional mushrooms like lion’s mane, cordyceps and reishi, you can pick from lattes, chais, smoothies and ayurvedic tea. Or really lean into the mushroom theme with the super potent “MycoMylk” shot. You might even leave the slightly psychedelic, plant-filled café healthier than when you walked in. 1629 28th St., Boulder
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/non-alcoholic-cocktails-to-make-at-home
LEFT: Courtesy of Shawn Campbell/Cozobi Fonda Fina; RIGHT: Courtesy of Centro Mexican Kitchen
Stellar Stargazing
Colorado’s clear, dark skies are ideal for marveling at the cosmos
By Molly O’Brien
Colorado is well-known for its many daytime adventures—like hiking, mountain biking and fly-fishing. But, in many destinations across the state, half the fun is after dark.
Thanks to their higher elevation, dry air and lack of light pollution, several Colorado communities offer stellar stargazing. And people are starting to take notice: Colorado is now home to an array of certified International Dark Sky Places, an official designation that recognizes their inky-black night skies.
Want to plan a stargazing-themed road trip this summer? These are a few of the best spots around the state to stay up late and marvel at the cosmos.
Westcliff
and Silver Cliff
Head to south-central Colorado’s Wet Mountain Valley and you’ll find Westcliff and Silver Cliff, two tiny towns that together were designated a Dark Sky Community in 2015.
Flanked by the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the west and the Wet Mountains to the east, this region was once a densely populated mining hub. Today, farming and ranching reign supreme, and the population is sparse—a little more than 1,000 people live here—but the stargazing is fantastic. The surrounding mountain ranges help block the “skyglow” from nearby Colorado Springs, and the rural setting means there isn’t much artificial lighting to begin with.
Be sure to visit the Smokey Jack Observatory, which has a retractable roof and a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with computer-guided pointing and tracking technology. This small building may look humble, but it hosts memorable “star parties” throughout the year. While you’re there, check out the Planet Walk, a 4 billion-to-1, true-to-scale recreation of the solar system that you can wander through to get a sense of just how small we really are.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Home to the tallest dunes in North America, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve might as well be another planet. This destination in southern Colorado is well-known for its epic sand-
Dark Sky International is a Tucson-based nonprofit that promotes dark-sky conservation and education around the globe. This organization is considered a global authority on light pollution, which is becoming increasingly problematic. Dark Sky International has certified more than 200 Dark Sky Places in 22 countries on six continents since 2001. darksky.org
boarding opportunities—gliding down the dunes on special sandboards or sleds—but it’s also a hidden gem for stargazing.
In 2019, the park was certified as an International Dark Sky Park, thanks to its crystal-clear skies and complete lack of outdoor lighting. It’s open 24 hours a day, so plan your trip late at night or early in the morning for a chance to spot the Milky Way—just be sure to bring layers, because even during the summer, nights can be chilly.
While you’re there, keep an eye out—and an ear out—for the park’s many nighttime creatures, like toads, owls, coyotes, camel crickets, kangaroo rats and more.
Crestone
Crestone is well-known for being a spiritual and religious hub. But, since 2021, this tiny village in southern Colorado has also been recognized as an International Dark Sky Community. Situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, this former mining town has been protecting its inky-black night skies for decades.
While you’re here, visit the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a 93,000-acre swath of protected land that serves as a haven for wildlife and migratory birds in the northern San Luis Valley. Snag a campsite at the North Crestone Creek Campground (available on a first come, first served basis) so you can sleep under the stars.
Ridgway
Nestled against the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, Ridgway was designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2020. This small town, home to just 1,200 residents, is also home to an International Dark Sky Park: Top of the Pines, a 175-acre recreation area just west of town, earned its certification in 2021. On a moonless night, you might be able to see the Milky Way or several meteors shooting across the sky.
Book a room at the Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa and head to the
LEFT: Courtesy of Visit Alamosa; RIGHT: Courtesy of Michael Underwood
Photography
rooftop bar just before sunset to watch the stars come out. Or, pop a tent at Orvis Hot Springs and enjoy 24-hour access to the natural hot springs—perfect for staying warm and toasty while you admire the cosmos.
Lake City
Lake City is remote—like, really remote. It’s the only town in the entire 1,123-square-mile Hinsdale County, which is itself the most remote area in the lower 48. And since 96.5 percent of the county is public land, there’s almost no light pollution to speak of.
In 2020, the region’s Lake Fork Earth and Sky Center was designated an International Dark Sky Park. This undeveloped, 58-acre property has a trail network, as well as a campground and a 30-foot yurt for TK. Other top spots to view the cosmos include Windy Point Observation Site (which is equally beautiful during daylight hours) and Wupperman Campground on the east side of Lake San Cristobal.
On your way to or from Lake City, give yourself extra time so you can drive some or all of the Alpine Loop Scenic & Historic Byway. During the summer, this gorgeous route includes meadows full of wildflowers.
Paonia
Best-known for its luscious fruit orchards and vineyards, Paonia became one of Colorado’s newest International Dark Sky Communities when it earned the certification in
2024. This rural town in Delta County is home to roughly 1,500 residents, who often have a front-row seat to the Milky Way, the planets, the stars and meteor showers.
Paonia is also surrounded by public lands—including Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, which are all certified as International Dark Sky Parks in their own right. You’ll find lots of places to sleep under the stars in this region, but a particularly special place to camp is Big B’s Delicious Orchards, where you can pitch your tent right in the orchard.
Mesa Verde National Park
Tucked in Colorado’s far southwest corner, Mesa Verde National Park is way off the beaten path—but definitely worth the roadtrip. This 52,000-acre area became an International Dark Sky Park in 2021, but humans have been admiring its night sky for millenia.
During the day, you can explore the cliff dwellings that were inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblo people roughly 1,000 years ago. (In total, Mesa Verde is home to more than 5,000 protected archaeological sites.) At night, pitch a tent or park your RV at Morefield Campground so you can stay up late to appreciate the darkness.
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/stargazing-around-boulder
Courtesy of Michael Underwood Photography
This isn’t just a place—it’s a way of life. It’s where mindfulness and adrenaline live side-by-side. Where adventure begins with the sunrise and ends with a locally brewed toast at sunset. Where farm-to-table isn’t a trend—it’s a tradition. And every sip, every bite, every ingredient tells a story. It’s where creativity thrives. Where small businesses make a big impact. And where shopping local strengthens the soul of the town. This isn’t just a place, a street, or a mall. This is where Boulder comes to life.
Between the technical equipment, the physical demands, the dizzying heights and the specialized lingo, climbing can be an intimidating sport.
But one Boulder County gym wants to change all that. Since its inception, the Longmont Climbing Collective has set out to be a welcoming place for newcomers, families and accomplished athletes alike.
“Our gym, for a long time, has been a third space for a lot of community members—a place where you can come outside of work and home and meet like-minded people,” says Shauna Hylenski, one of the co-owners of the Longmont Climbing Collective.
What began as a humble bouldering gym has grown into a comprehensive facility, complete with all-ages educational programming, recovery-focused amenities and, of course, world-class climbing.
Taking Inspiration from Climbing Gyms Across the World
Shauna and Bryan Hylenski co-founded the Longmont Climbing Collective in 2018, along with Heeran Joe, Mack Maier, and Heather and Aaron Tellier.
For the Hylenskis, the journey to the Longmont Climbing Collective has been a long and winding one. Back in the late 1990s, the couple moved away from the East Coast and decided to make Longmont their new home. They loved Longmont’s easy access to outdoor climbing areas and took full advantage of the proximity to hone their skills.
But, wanting to explore more of the world, the Hylenskis uprooted themselves in 2003. They lived on and off throughout Asia—from Thailand and India to Japan and, eventually, South Korea, where they settled for nine years.
“There was an outdoor climbing wall not very far from our apartment in Daegu, South Korea,” says Shauna. “We absolutely loved going there on the days that we didn’t have time to go to the climbing crag. It was an opportunity for us
‘A THIRD SPACE’
By Abigail Bliss
TOP LEFT: Courtesy of Aaron Tellier; RIGHT: Courtesy of Stone Keener
Longmont Climbing
Collective offers world-class climbing, camaraderie and community
to climb, for us to be outside, for our daughter to run around in a safe environment. So when we had the goal to build our own gym, that was always at the forefront.”
They got even more inspiration after returning to Longmont in 2015. Around that time, Bryan and Mack co-founded a U.S. distribution company for Butora climbing shoes and other gear. They spent a lot of time on the road, which gave them a first-hand look at climbing gyms across the nation.
“I went to every climbing gym in the country to introduce our climbing shoes and that allowed me to not only build that business, but to see what was successful in the climbing gym business,” says Bryan, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Longmont Climbing Collective. “Talking to all those gym owners, figuring out what worked for them allowed us to do what we dreamed of, which was to build a community here in Longmont.”
Along with a vision to form community connections, Bryan had the expertise to boot. Over the years, his passion for climbing has grown into a professional career with a niche in dry tooling and ice climbing.
So, in 2018, the Hylenskis teamed up with their four co-founders and opened Longmont Climbing Collective on South Pratt Parkway in 2018. Their 13,500-square-foot bouldering gym quickly became popular among climbers of all skill levels, as well as yogis and fitness enthusiasts.
But, from the very beginning, the co-founders always knew they wanted to build a full-service gym, with both bouldering and rope climbing. To make that vision a reality, they also realized they’d likely have to build the facility themselves— there just weren’t any existing spaces in Longmont that had tall enough ceilings.
Then, at the beginning of 2020, their plans for a larger, full-service gym finally started to come together. They found 12 undeveloped acres in east Longmont and set to work designing their dream venue—taking inspiration from their travels across the country and around the globe along the way.
Constructing a brand-new facility was especially challenging during the pandemic. But they managed to weather the storm, and even purchased two additional gyms in Loveland and Greeley during this period.
The new Longmont location opened in 2023, replacing the former bouldering gym and making headlines for its 60-foot climbing walls—the tallest in Colorado. The 27,000-squarefoot space also has training walls, bouldering areas and more. Together, the gym boasts more than 100 climbing lanes with lead and top rope options, plus 10 auto belays. And even visitors who regularly climb at the gym never have a chance to get bored.
“Every six to eight weeks, every route in the gym changes over—and some more frequently than that, especially in our bouldering area,” says Shauna.
TOP, BOTTOM: Courtesy of Aaron Tellier
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Climbing, Fitness and Community
The Longmont Climbing Collective offers more than just climbing. The facility has a cardio loft and a weight training area, which members can access whenever the gym is open. Longmont Climbing Collective also offers yoga classes, fitness classes and personal training.
Amenities like a sauna and cold plunge help promote recovery, while a common space with WeldWerks and Left Hand craft beers on tap helps strengthen the sense of community.
The gym also offers comprehensive climbing courses for every skill level. Newcomers can learn the ropes—pun intended—and meet potential climbing partners, while more advanced athletes can work toward specific goals alongside an expert coach.
Kids can participate in everything from after-school clubs and themed summer camps to competition-level teams. The gym welcomes children as young as 3 years old, dubbed “little lemurs,” to participate in age- and ability-based classes.
“We’re working to ensure that our climbers are not only learning the skills of climbing, but they’re also learning skills that they can apply to their day-to-day life,” says Shauna, who has a background in education and oversees the gym’s programming. “We approach our youth programs with a growth mindset—the opportunity to make mistakes, to try hard things and to learn from those things and continue trying.”
Adults, meanwhile, can sign up for sessions in both climbing and bouldering. At the Longmont Climbing Collective, climbing is a family affair.
“A lot of kids are involved in sports, which is great,” says Shauna. “But parents are [often] on the sidelines and in a spectator role. I think that’s what makes climbing so special and a great opportunity to explore activity, health and wellness together as a family.”
Growing the Sport
The gym notched a major milestone earlier this year, when it hosted the Ice Climbing World Cup in February. It was the first time the international competition had been held in the United States since 2019.
The same weekend as the World Cup, Longmont Climbing Collective hosted its inaugural WinterFest, which featured local food trucks, a vendor village, a kids’ zone and ice climbing clinics.
The Longmont Climbing Collective will host the Ice Climbing World Cup for at least the next four years. They hope the event—and the surrounding festivities—will encourage more people to give climbing a try.
“We’re done expanding our business but, now, let’s work on expanding the sport,” says Bryan.
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/the-beginners-guide-to-rock-climbing-in-boulder
Courtesy of Aaron Tellier
Fleishman’s
Bagels and Delicatessen
By Sarah Kuta
Danna Fleishman remembers her childhood fondly. Every weekend, she and her dad would go out for bagels and schmear at various shops around New York and New Jersey.
“I would scoop the bagel so I could get more schmear and more kippered whitefish and salmon,” she says.
Bagels remained one of her favorite foods into adulthood. But when her career brought her to Colorado several years ago, she stopped eating them altogether.
“They’re just not good out here,” she says. “And I like a good bagel.”
She started dreaming: What if she could bring New York City bagels to the Centennial State? After talking about her idea for years, she finally decided to make it a reality. She quit her corporate job and found a brick-and-mortar location that seemed perfect for a bagel shop.
Then, the pandemic hit.
From her cheery yellow food truck, Danna Fleishman is bringing a taste of New York to Colorado
ALL PHOTOS:
Courtesy of Danna Fleishman
Fleishman’s
“I was signing a lease the week that every restaurant in the United States closed, so I pulled out,” she says.
Like many of us, she figured Covid-19 would only last a few months. But as the pandemic dragged on and on, she realized she needed to pivot. So, she bought a food truck instead.
In January 2023, she officially launched Fleishman’s Bagels & Delicatessen, a mobile eatery in a bright yellow truck that’s typically parked outside of Full Cycle Cafe & Bar in Boulder. From the window of her cheery vehicle, Fleishman is serving up a taste of home to the many East Coast transplants who now live along the Front Range.
Before launching the food truck, Fleishman spent ore than a year developing the recipe for her New York City-style bagels, which are proofed, boiled and then baked. It took a lot of trial and error, but she finally created a Colorado bagel that’s crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside and seeded on both sides.
“I had friends over at my house, I was dropping bagels off to people, I was flinging them out the windows trying to get people to catch them in their mouths—whatever I could do,” she says.
These days, Fleishman wakes up at 3:30 each morning to make hand-rolled bagels, slice meats like pastrami and corned beef, prepare cream cheese and put together egg, tuna and white fish salads. Many of the sandwiches on her menu are named after family members, like “The Momuskie,” which pays homage to her mom and features cream cheese, lox, tomato, onion and capers.
While she loves running a food truck, Fleishman is still hoping to open a bagel shop somewhere in Boulder—and she’s actively looking for the perfect spot.
“I love doing this because I love food and I love talking to people and I love eating,” she says.
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/best-desserts-in-boulder-county-and-beyond
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