Long-time Boulder Resident “I came to Boulder as a CU student, based my working life in Boulder, and raised my family here. I have seen Boulder over the years from multiple perspectives - as a student, as a corporate employee, as a business owner and as a parent. I understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the community and surrounding area.
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
Photo
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.
ALEX SEPKUS
WINTER-SPRING 2025/2026
With the crazy world we live in, we need to focus on staying active and escaping the same boring old routine. We are lucky to live in beautiful Boulder, where the changing of the seasons brings us new adventures and experiences every few months.
Our latest issue of Travel Boulder magazine brings you insights on how to make the most of your time this winter and spring. We start with our favorite “bucket list,” providing soul-soothing suggestions ranging from forest bathing to skinning dipping and so much more.
We chat with ceramic artist Liz Quan, who creates masterpieces in her North Boulder studio, and we explore Fire & Ice, a brand new wellness destination in Longmont. Whether you’re a car lover or not, check out the Shelby American Collection in Gunbarrel, which recently expanded its footprint.
If you’re hoping to get out of town for a quick getaway, writer Brittany Anas offers a few suggestions—from Cancun to Maui. No passport? No problem. Head to Le French Café in Boulder, where Agnes and Quentin Garrigou dish out cozy French comfort food in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
If you fancy a staycation, book a stay at the new Limelight Boulder, which is still celebrating its opening on University Hill in August 2025. Spend the day shopping for well-made, gently loved furniture and accessories at Curio Consignment, then enjoy dinner at one of our favorite sushi restaurants in Boulder County.
The Sundance Film Festival will be relocating to Boulder in January 2027, so we’ve rounded up a few famous filming locations throughout Colorado. And if you can’t wait until then, check out our list of other film festivals happening across the state in 2026.
When the weather outside is frightful, head indoors to a “makerspace” to get your creative juices flowing. Or, breathe new life into your home with one of Ted Bradley’s artistic “light sculptures,” which are handcrafted with care right here in Boulder.
However you choose to spend this winter and spring, we hope you enjoy this issue of Travel Boulder.
— John R. Brice
Publisher and Co-Founder of Travel Boulder
PUBLISHER/FOUNDER
JOHN R. BRICE
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/FOUNDER
JILL NAGEL-BRICE
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-COPY MANAGER
SARAH KUTA
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
SARAH KUTA
BRITTANY ANAS
PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG
ALLYSON REEDY
LAURA BEAUSIRE
RIANE MENARDI MORRISON
CALLIE SUMLIN
ART DIRECTOR
DAISY BAUER
ADVERTISING SALES
JOHN R. BRICE
DIGITAL TEAM
DEVELOPER
DREW BARON
On the cover: Photo courtesy of Zyanya Citlalli
Copyright 2025 by Go Visit Media Co. & Travel Boulder. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of the material in this magazine or Travel Boulder website is strictly prohibited without publisher’s permission, including original editorial, graphics, design, photography, advertising and sponsored content. Travelboulder.com and Travel Boulder magazine are published by Go Visit Media Co., Boulder CO 80304 | Phone: 720-708-6803
Email: customerservice@travelboulder.com
Sales: john@travelboulder.com
Travelboulder.com
Traveldenver.com
Facebook.com/travelboulder
Instagram.com/travel boulder
Courtesy of Benjamin Buren
Courtesy of Japango
SOUL Soothe Your
Quiet moments, restorative escapes and playful ways to recharge in Colorado this winter
By Riane Menardi Morrison
Winter in Colorado doesn't just mean powder days and après-ski hot toddies. The Centennial State also has endless opportunities for quiet moments, restorative escapes and playful ways to recharge when the snow starts to pile high. Whether you're craving a restorative spa treatment, a dance floor release or just a hot bowl of soup on a cold afternoon, nurture your body and mind with these nine unique and soul-soothing experiences.
Try Forest Bathing in the Snow Forest bathing—known as shinrin-yoku in Japan—is a meditative practice of immersing oneself in nature to promote physical and mental wellbeing. In winter, the experience can be even more profound, with a quiet stillness that’s hard to find in other seasons. While you can forest bathe at your nearest park or trailhead, point toward a destination like Pagosa Springs, where guides at The Springs Resort lead snowy river contemplation walks, encouraging participants to slow their steps, deepen their breathing and awaken their senses to the beauty of the season. Afterward, you can slip into the area’s famous hot springs for an added dose of renewal. pagosahotsprings.com
Treat Yourself to an In-Room Altitude Restoration Treatment in Telluride
Perched at nearly 9,000 feet, Telluride is breathtaking in every sense of the word. Luckily, wellness is on the menu at Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, which offers an in-room altitude restoration
treatment to soothe sore muscles, calm the nervous system and help you acclimate to (or recover from) the alpine air. You and up to three friends can book a private therapy session featuring a stint in Therabody compression pants, a Theragun percussion massage, plus oxygen and electrolyte treatments—all of which leave you ready to savor whatever adventure comes next. aubergeresorts. com/madeline
Get Your (Motherly) Groove On with Moms Feeling Themselves
Sometimes self-care means getting out of your head and into your body. Moms Feeling Themselves is a Denver dance party created for women—especially mothers—who want to ease their stress, sweat it out and rediscover joy on the dance floor. There’s no choreography and no pressure; just music that makes you want to move and a supportive community of women busting a move alongside you. Winter can feel isolating, but here you’ll find warmth, laughter and freedom to shake off even the most intense winter blues. momsfeelinthemselves.com
Go on a Citywide Soup Crawl
Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most restorative. Boulder’s restaurant scene is brimming with steaming bowls of comfort—from Tibetan thukpa noodle soup at Sherpa’s to spicy miso ramen at Osaka’s and Italian beef & vegetable soup at The Sink to homemade tomato soup at Blackbelly. Rally a few friends and design your own soup crawl, hopping from one spot to the next to sample flavors from around the globe. Slurp and repeat for any city you find yourself cozied up in this winter. sherparestaurantboulder.com; osakasrestaurant.com; thesink.com; blackbelly.com
Go Hot Springs Skinny Dipping Under the Stars in Steamboat
Few things are as liberating as soaking in natural hot springs on a crisp winter evening—especially if you have the chance to dip in the buff. At Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, the pools become clothing-optional after dark, inviting guests to shed not only their layers, but also their worries, and the mineral-rich
Courtesy of the Brown Palace
Courtesy of the Brown Palace
Courtesy of Three Leaf Concepts/Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Courtesy of Scobey Photography
water soothes body and soul. Plus, these springs are seven miles from Steamboat’s city lights, so the stars shine extra bright. strawberryhotsprings.com
Sip on Afternoon Tea at a Colorado Classic
When the cold creeps in, there’s no salve quite like a steaming pot of tea in one of Colorado’s iconic tea houses. At the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, a gift from Boulder’s sister city in Tajikistan, every corner is adorned with traditional art, such as hand-carved wood, painted ceilings and vibrant mosaics. In Denver, the Brown Palace has been pouring afternoon tea for more than 100 years, offering elegant tiers of scones, finger sandwiches and clotted cream in its grand atrium. Each experience invites you to slow down and savor the moment—a ritual that’s worth making time for. boulderteahouse.com; brownpalace.com
Ride a Hot Air Balloon in Grand County
Experience serenity with a view with Grand Adventures Balloon Tours, which offers year-round flights and sweeping views of Grand County’s snow-draped valleys, frozen lakes and jagged mountain ranges. Flights depart at sunrise, when the atmosphere is most stable and the peaks burn pink and purple with alpenglow. Since warm air rises, temperatures are 30 to 40 degrees warmer in flight than on the ground, so peel off a layer, let your
Courtesy of Three Leaf
Concepts/Boulder
Dushanbe Teahouse
Courtesy of the Colorado Chautauqua
Courtesy of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
THINGS TO DO BUCKET
worries drift away and head for coffee and breakfast afterward. grandadventureballoon.com
Take a Snowy Scenic Train Ride
Step into a living snow globe aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on the Cascade Canyon Winter Train, which runs from late November to early May. This stunning tour winds its way along the Animas River while offering views of the surrounding snow-clad peaks and the San Juan National Forest. Inside the heated cars, you can sip hot cocoa and watch the winter wonderland unfold at a leisurely pace. durangotrain.com
Stay at Colorado Chautauqua
Nestled at the foot of the snowcapped Flatirons, the Colorado Chautauqua has been welcoming guests for more than a century to its historic cottages layered with rustic charm. Think: wooden floors, vintage details and screened-in porches perfect for sipping cocoa after a snowy hike. Booking a stay here means stepping into another time—quiet, simple and cozy, but updated with fully equipped kitchens and pet-friendly accommodations. From November to April, guests not only enjoy the property’s lowest rates of the year, but also experience a special winter concert series and a chance to explore the area’s surrounding trails at their most peaceful. chautauqua.com
travelboulder.com/winter-activities-for-kids
Matthildur • Porto
Brodie • Velvet • AG
Vilagallo • The Great Daniella Lehavi
Courtesy of Grand County Tourism
The Sublime Ceramics of Liz Quan
By Laura Beausire
You never know where creative exploration will lead. Liz Quan grew up in Connecticut and built a successful career in the New York publishing scene, working as a graphic designer and art director for magazines and catalogs like Town & Country, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure and J. Crew.
But, eventually, Quan began looking for a hands-on alternative to computer-based design work, so she enrolled in wood-turning and jewelry-making classes while also taking workshops in ceramics. “I love the tactile connection of building and creating with my hands,” she says. “I enjoyed all the mediums, but ceramics just stuck. Perhaps it’s the versatility of it. It’s endless what you can do with clay.”
Quan’s artistic journey brought her to Boulder to study ceramics at the University of Colorado in 2005, and she’s been here ever since. She mixed in art director and design projects with Gaiam, Interweave Press and Shambala Publications before switching to ceramics full-time in 2019.
Courtesy of Matthew Staver
Today, Quan works from a studio in North Boulder, dreaming up creations ranging from necklaces to pendant lamps to bud vases, plus a fascinating variety of objects and wall-mounted sculptures. She also accepts commissions for custom pieces.
We chatted with Quan to learn more about how she creates her sculptural ceramics, where she finds inspiration and more.
Tell me about the range of pieces you create.
Years ago, I started with functional pieces on the wheel. There’s always something special about drinking from a handmade cup and eating from handcrafted bowls. I still make these on occasion, but my temperament is not that of a production potter. Most recently, I’ve been making wall pieces and tabletop sculptures. I like the exploration that sculpture leads to.
You’ve said that your artwork is influenced by the memory of kindergarten curiosity and exploration. What do you mean by that?
Kindergarten is all about play, thanks to Friedrich Froebel, who was the creator of kindergarten. His premise was that free activity and the impulse to explore is motivated by intellectual curiosity and is an essential part of learning. There are 20 “gifts” that Froebel invented to guide the children toward discovery and invention. These principles even influenced Frank Lloyd Wright’s and Buckminster Fuller’s design concepts. I love the concept of play as the basis of learning and that simple objects can be used to initiate big ideas.
Courtesy of Liz Quan
Courtesy of Liz Quan
Courtesy of Liz Quan
Courtesy of Liz Quan
Why do you like working with porcelain?
Porcelain has a smooth, pure aesthetic. It’s like starting with a blank sheet of white paper. The tactile quality of the clay is softer on the hands and results in smooth forms.
Could you explain your process?
All pieces are formed by hand—slip cast, thrown and/ or altered. Slip casting is traditionally a way of making multiples. A plaster mold is made from the positive form you want to make. Then you pour slip, a liquid clay, into the molds. It sits in the mold for a few minutes and then you pour out the excess slip. The plaster absorbs the water from the slip and it allows the clay to be released after about 40 minutes, depending on the size. Oftentimes, I’ll alter the form after it comes out of the mold and is leather-hard. I also pour the slip free-form onto plaster blocks. It requires lots of clean-up of the edges before it dries and goes into the kiln.
Why do you encourage people to touch and listen to your surface pieces?
Porcelain has connotations of being fragile and delicate, but it’s actually quite strong. Most of the dishes in our kitchen cabinet are porcelain. With the Flora sculptures, I invite folks to handle and experience them. They have a soft sound quality and gentle feel. The piece is always changing and you can create your own arrangements. They are intimate in scale. Engaging with it brings us back to our senses. In this modern age, we are so removed from these sensations. I hope to extend this play and curiosity to the viewer.
There’s a timeless quality to the shapes and forms you create. Why is that?
I love that my work feels timeless. It’s not a conscious approach, but I like that the work can be universal and unique at the same time. I resist trends and lean toward traditional approaches. I appreciate well-made and considered objects. Perhaps the forms feel timeless because they reference forms in our natural world instead of the actual representational form. The organic characteristics are familiar in our subconsciousness.
What do you hope to express through your work?
I like an organic aesthetic that tends to rest between a space of pattern and randomness. The work shows an exploration, and calm curiosity of material and form. Appreciation of craft. There’s a sense of contemplation.
Are there any places you like to go when you need inspiration?
Hiking the many trails in Boulder helps clear my mind. Just being in nature recenters me. Denver’s museums and galleries also offer great inspiration: Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, Robischon, David B. Smith. lizquan.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/how-art-parts-is-sparking-creativity-in-boulder/
Courtesy of Liz Quan
Courtesy
Courtesy of Joe Hancock
Bonjour!
by arh Lee
Le French Café serves up casual French fare in a colorful, familyfriendly setting
By Sarah Kuta
Photo by Sarah Kuta
It’s a sunny Saturday afternoon, and Agnes Garrigou is working the cash register at Le French Café in Boulder.
“Bonjour! Hello!” she calls out cheerily to the family walking through the front door.
A few minutes later, a mother and her young daughter enter the restaurant, and Agnes rushes out from behind the counter to greet them, enveloping the little girl in a tight hug. “How are you?” she asks. Moments like these are exactly why Agnes and her husband Quentin opened Le French Café. It’s a laid-back, family-friendly eatery, without so much as a whiff of the pretension you might find at a fine-dining French restaurant.
“Because I am not fancy,” says Garrigou. “I’m someone who is really casual, and I take up a lot of space, I make a lot of noise, so casual is better for me. And we just wanted families with babies to feel comfortable and not stressed. You don’t have to dress up, you come as you are. That was really important for us, to make French food more approachable.”
‘We Love the Community Here’
Agnes and Quentin are French. Agnes hails from the mountainous Haute-Savoie region in far eastern France, along the border with Italy and Switzerland, while Quentin comes from the Loire Valley in the center of the country.
“He got the good wine, I got the good cheese,” Agnes jokes. “We are a great team, I think that’s why. Cheese and wine, they work really great together.”
Courtesy of Le French Café
Photo
They met while working at the same restaurant in France—she was a waitress and he was a chef. “It’s a classical story,” Agnes says.
Right away, they started talking about someday opening a restaurant together. Two years later, they made the move to America, first settling in Florida before eventually making their way to Colorado.
“We love the community here,” says Agnes. “Boulder, it’s a community. People are really close to each other and that’s something that totally matches our personality and the way we see life. I love that I have regular customers that I am able to see growing up in the restaurant. That’s what we wanted when we opened the place. And… Boulder is beautiful.”
Tasty French Food
Open for breakfast and lunch, Le French Café serves up a delicious assortment of French fare, with many of the recipes coming from Quentin and Agnes’ families back in France. “We both grew up cooking with grandma, cooking with dad,” says Agnes.
Craving something sweet? Order one of the flaky pastries gleaming in the display case at the front counter, with options ranging from pain au chocolat and fresh fruit tarts to almond croissants and blackberry and raspberry clafoutis. There’s also a selection of sweet crêpes, served with tasty inclusions like Nutella or butter salted caramel, to name a few.
If you’re leaning more savory, you may have a difficult time choosing between all the different variations of paninis, omelettes, salads, crêpes, quiches and baguette or croissant sandwiches. Or, order one of “Les Frenchies,” like the croque monsieur, a decadent toasted ham and
cheese croissant with béchamel sauce.
For a heartier meal, be sure to peruse the “Brasserie Corner” of the menu, featuring dishes like homemade beef stew served atop a pile of French fries or a lobster crêpe made with tarragon cream sauce, a poached egg and black truffle.
One of the most popular dishes is the ratatouille bowl—a vegetable stew topped with a sunny-side-up egg and served with a baguette for mopping up all the flavorful goodness. “That has real earthy, countryside French flavors,” says Agnes.
Le French Café also offers a selection of espresso drinks, wine, beer, cider and flavored iced teas, making it the perfect spot for catching up with a friend, even if you’re not all that hungry.
Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere
Next time you visit, don’t be afraid to say a few words in French, says Agnes, even if it’s just “Bonjour!” and “Merci beaucoup!”
Even if you mess up the pronunciation a bit, Agnes and Quentin will still welcome you with a wide smile, an affectionate greeting, a buttery croissant, maybe even a hug. That warm, welcoming atmosphere—like being invited into your French friend’s cozy home for the afternoon—is a big reason why Boulderites keep coming back again and again.
“My personality fits much better here than in France, that’s for sure. I’m too outgoing for French people,” says Agnes. “I’m a little bit much and I’m fine with it, it’s who I am. I’m too much—but I’m not too much for America.” lefrenchcafeboulder.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/7-restaurants-that-will-transport-you-to-another-place
Photo by Sarah Kuta
Courtesy of Le French Café
Fire Ice&
From cold plunges to red light therapy, Fire & Ice Wellness can help restore balance, relieve pain and revitalize your mind and body
By Sarah Kuta
Jim Davis and Danielle Kitson are on a mission to improve their community’s health and wellbeing, one cell at a time.
The husband-and-wife duo are the founders of Fire & Ice Wellness, a Boulder County destination offering cutting-edge therapies designed to help restore balance, relieve pain and revitalize your mind and body. The new wellness hub, which celebrated its grand opening in July 2025, is located at the Village at the Peaks shopping and entertainment hub in the heart of Longmont.
'Biohacker Bungalow’
The inspiration behind Fire & Ice dates back to June 2022, when the Kitson-Davis family was rocked by a scary diagnosis: Danielle had early-stage breast cancer.
“It was a huge shock because there’s no history of cancer in my family,” says Kitson.
She pursued traditional treatments, including a lumpectomy, plus radiation and chemotherapy. But she also began to explore other therapies that might help give her body a boost as it fought off the invading cancer cells.
“I felt so helpless,” she says. “It was a horrible feeling. I felt so out of control, so I started listening to podcasts about how to more effectively undergo cancer treatments.” They rented a hyperbaric chamber—an enclosed capsule with higher-than-normal air pressure that produces pure oxygen—and put it in their bedroom. Kitson also ate a fasting-mimicking diet, and got an infrared sauna and a whole-body vibration plate.
Today, Kitson is cancer-free. Not only that, but the whole family has embarked on a health journey, which has led to Kitson, Davis and Kitson’s mom losing a combined 150 pounds. They’ve also improved their blood markers and overall health.
Now, with Fire & Ice, they’re hoping to spread the word about science-backed therapies—and, perhaps more importantly, democratize them.
“We started learning about all of these biohacking modalities, and we just thought more people should have access to these,” says Kitson. “People don’t even know about these. We would have never known if not for the cancer diagnosis. But it’s so helpful, and we feel amazing. We feel better than we have ever felt. We were just joking that we needed to open our own little biohacker bungalow and that’s where this all started.”
Helping People Is a ‘Personal Joy’
Kitson and Davis don’t consider themselves entrepreneurial. And, yet, they felt compelled to start their own business—one that would ultimately help make a difference in people’s lives.
“It feels like something was just driving us to do this and it still feels that way,” says Kitson. “It’s so fulfilling to help people.”
When it came time to choose a location for Fire & Ice, Longmont felt like the perfect fit. The city already has numerous active, fitness-forward businesses—from Shoes and Brews and the Longmont Climbing Collective to 3rd
Courtesy of Fire & Ice
Courtesy of Fire & Ice Wellness
Shot Pickleball—and many Longmonsters were already driving to Boulder for wellness therapy.
“Longmont was really, really ready,” says Davis. “It’s amazing to be at the center of the community and the center of the conversation. We want to be Longmont’s wellness living room.”
So far, residents have embraced Fire & Ice. Clients run the gamut from high-level athletes to elderly individuals who are battling inflammation, as well as people with chronic health conditions and self-described “biohackers” who want to optimize their bodies and minds.
“The real, true driving force behind it all is people. How can we help people, how can we help our community?” says Davis. “Getting people to a point where they’re really feeling better in life is such a personal joy.”
Cellular Health in Focus
Fire & Ice offers a variety of services designed to help people look and feel their best, from nutrition coaching and body composition analysis to facials and mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy. There’s also an infrared sauna, a cold plunge tub, a whole-body red light therapy bed, a salt red light therapy booth, a cryotherapy chamber and compression therapy sleeves.
Kitson and Davis view all of these different offerings as forms of preventative care.
“As we get sick, there’s a tendency to start taking one medication, then we start taking another medication to offset the side effects of the first one and, next thing, you
know it just balloons,” says Davis. “People are really waking up to the fact that this is not the type of life they really want. What can we do so that we don’t have to go to the doctor in the first place?”
One of the most popular combinations is available in the aptly named “Fire & Ice Room.” Here, visitors can alternate between the cold plunge tub and the infrared sauna for hot-cold contrast therapy.
Another popular pairing is red light therapy and wholebody cryotherapy. Visitors start with roughly 15 minutes in the whole-body red light therapy bed, which uses red and near-infrared light wavelengths to promote cellular repair and regeneration. Afterward, clients spend two to three minutes in Fire & Ice’s cryotherapy chamber, an ultra-cold room with temperatures as low as -165 degrees Fahrenheit that helps reduce inflammation and improve circulation, among other benefits.
“Our mission is to improve cellular health because we believe that will make for better, stronger, longer lives for everyone,” says Kitson. “People are starting to become aware that cellular health is the foundation to everything. These things are secret weapons because they just power up your cells, and your body does everything better and more efficiently.” fireandicelongmont.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/boulder-county-personal-trainers-for-every-fitness-level
Courtesy of Fire & Ice Wellness
Courtesy of Fire & Ice Wellness
Courtesy of Fire & Ice Wellness
Full Speed Ahead
The Shelby American Collection, which celebrates 30 years in 2026, continues to celebrate the history of racing legend Carroll Shelby.
By Patricia Kaowthumrong
Tucked away outside the hustle of central Boulder in Gunbarrel, the Shelby American Collection feels less like a museum and more like a lovingly preserved time capsule. Inside, the scent of old leather and polished chrome fills the air and almost every inch of wall space is covered with signs, images, trophies, clothing and other memorabilia related to auto racing. Whether you’re a lifelong gearhead or more of a casual fan, walking past the meticulously restored Cobras and GT40s is enough to spark awe, curiosity or maybe just a touch of nostalgia for a time when American innovation roared louder than any engine.
Though Carroll Shelby—the famed American automotive designer, driver and entrepreneur—died in 2012 at the age of 89, his legacy lives on, thanks to a small but passionate team of stewards. Among them is Steve Volk, a software industry veteran who co-founded the nonprofit museum in 1996. He wants the institution to be a tribute to both fast machines and the restless spirit of the legendary man who created them.
“ We hope that [visitors to the museum] understand what Shelby did for American racing and the automotive industry in general and also are inspired by his creativity and entrepreneurialship because he started out as a chicken farmer,” says Volk, who serves as the collection’s executive director. “He had poor beginnings and he was able to create something out of nothing and created an incredible legacy.”
Carroll Shelby’s Story
Born in Leesburg, Texas, Shelby served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot and dabbled in a variety of business ventures—
including chicken farming—before discovering a passion for racing in the early 1950s. His talent quickly became apparent, and Shelby was soon recruited to be a driver for luxury British sports car manufacturer Aston Martin’s racing team, eventually winning the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans (the prestigious race in France designed to test the endurance of cars and drivers).
Just a year later, a heart condition forced Shelby to retire from racing. But that didn’t mean slowing down. In the early 1960s, Shelby shifted gears—literally. “He stopped racing but he had this vision of building an American sports car, something light and agile like the European cars he
had driven like Maseratis and Aston Martin but with an American power plant,” Volk says.
The result was the now-legendary Shelby Cobra. The vehicle had a nimble British chassis from AC Cars and a powerful American V-8 engine from Ford that could be easily serviced at any dealership or garage. The aerodynamic Cobra became popular at the track, where it won races from coast to coast, and on regular roadways across America.
“The Ford Cobra is the most copied car in the world,” says Volk. “Shelby American only made about 1,000 of the cars—but there’s an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 replicas out there.”
Courtesy of Evan Klein/Shelby American Collection
A Shrine to Speed
At Boulder’s Shelby American Collection, visitors can see the first Cobra prototype completed in 1962. The bright blue roadster, which was owned and driven by Shelby until his death, is among the more than 60 vehicles on display. You can also see a rare, unrestored 1964 FIA Cobra Roadster, the first American-powered chassis to win the 1965 Manufacturer’s World Championship, and several mid-1960s-era Shelby Mustangs. The latter are considered the first “pony cars” (known for their speed, stylish design and affordability) and were another Shelby-designed bestseller for Ford.
In 1984, Volk was racing cars around Europe and the United States, where he and Shelby met and started a friendship. In 1995, Volk proposed the idea of opening a museum dedicated to Shelby’s achievements anchored by cars and memorabilia from his personal collection, as well as items from co-founder Bill Murray (a former racer and professional restorer of Shelby Cobras himself). “[Shelby] was thrilled. He donated a lot of the race records and trophies that we have here at the museum,” Volk says. “He would come here every year for our events until his passing.”
The museum is funded by donations and a popular sweepstakes, where car enthusiasts can enter to win
Courtesy of Evan Klein/Shelby American Collection
Courtesy of Evan Klein/Shelby American Collection
Courtesy of Evan Klein/Shelby American Collection
Courtesy of Evan Klein/Shelby American Collection
a brand-new Ford vehicle by giving a cash gift to the museum. Since 2012, Shelby American Collection has given away 12 cars through the sweepstakes and raised enough cash to double its footprint from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet. Now also occupying the adjacent building next door, the museum’s recent expansion includes a gleaming vehicle showroom with floor-to-ceiling wallpaper depicting a vintage racing scene workshop along with a library, kitchen and event space available for private or corporate functions.
While many years have passed since Shelby’s death, Volk says interest in his legacy and the muscle car world has only grown. He manages a waiting list of fellow speed enthusiasts who want their cars displayed in the Shelby American Collection and is excited to educate new generations of gearheads through the museum’s expanding event lineup, which includes monthly morning “Cars & Coffee” meetups to a big annual summer car show and party.
“Our primary mission here is to teach what Shelby did for America and American racing,” Volk says. “He really put us on the map.” shelbyamericancollection.org
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/nostalgia-connection-and-community-at-the-museum-of-boulder
LEGACY IN NUMBERS
37)
Shelby’s age when he stopped racing in 1960 due to a congenital heart problem that led to chronic chest pains. He eventually received a heart transplant in 1990.
200–300)
The number of visitors to the Shelby American Collection every Saturday— the only day the museum is open.
$4,500)
The approximate price of a new Shelby GT350 Mustang in 1965, the result of Ford Motor Company recruiting Shelby to design a high-performance version of the standard vehicle. Today, the starting price for a Shelby GT350 Mustang is around $105,000.
153 mph)
The top speed of the first 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra, according to tests by Road & Track magazine. It set the foundation for future versions significantly increasing horsepower and speed.
Courtesy of Evan Klein/Shelby American Collection
Where to Travel This Winter
The best destinations for powderhounds and sunseekers
By Brittany Anas
When it comes to winter travel, you’ve got two tempting options: Embrace the chill with snowy adventures and cozy retreats or escape to warmweather bliss with pools, spas, and beaches. Both paths certainly have their appeal. To help you decide which route to take, here are our picks for standout destinations that are perfect for a winter getaway.
Prince Edward Island
For an unexpected winter vacation, head to Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province. Located off the east coast in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this destination is best-known for lobster and lighthouses in the summer— but winter brings a different kind of escape. Try ice fishing for oysters with Tranquility Cove Adventures, then shuck and enjoy the fresh, briny bivalves on a snowy bank by a crackling fire. For a cozy retreat, stay at Mysa Nordic Spa & Resort on St. Peters Bay, where you can slink into heated pools and relax in saunas, all surrounded by serene wintry views. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling round out wintertime itineraries.
Oahu, Hawaii
On Oahu, travelers can ride the waves with surf lessons at iconic Waikiki Beach, which was once a favorite retreat for Hawaiian royalty, or hike up the picturesque Diamond
Courtesy of Halekulani
Courtesy of Halekulani
Photo by Brittany Anas
Head crater at sunrise (reservations required).
For an iconic stay, book a room at Halekulani, a beachfront hotel steeped in tradition. Savor the legendary coconut cake at House Without a Key, an indoor-outdoor restaurant shaded by a 130-plus-year-old kiawe tree. Later, unwind at Lewers Lounge, where live music and Jazz Age-inspired cocktails set the mood. The on-property spa also offers zero-gravity pedicures and sound therapies that use acoustic and vibrational frequencies designed to lull you into a dream-like state or restore your energy.
Jackson, Wyoming
Surprisingly, winter is Jackson’s off-season. But don’t mistake quiet for boring. Bundle up for a sleigh ride through the 25,000-acre National Elk Refuge, then belly up at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where saddles double as barstools. For skiers, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort delivers with more than 450 inches of snow each year. Hang your hat at the Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, which is a short walk to the art galleries, shops, and restaurants in downtown Jackson. The 40-room boutique hotel has plenty of places to unwind and warm up, including a spacious hot tub and a second-floor library where fresh-baked cookies are set out each afternoon. Warm up by the fire in the Wild Sage Restaurant & Bar.
Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta
Nestled among the snow-capped Canadian Rockies, Banff and Lake Louise shine in the winter. Glide across Lake Louise on ice skates, hike to frozen waterfalls at Johnson Canyon Upper Falls, and keep your eyes peeled for the aurora borealis. New for this winter, Fairmont
Courtesy of Visit Jackson Hole
Courtesy of Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa
Courtesy of Halekulani
Chateau Lake Louise is debuting a brand new thermal wellness spa, BASIN, which offers self-guided circuits that include saunas, steam rooms, hot stone massage rooms, Himalayan salt lounges and more.
Punta Mita, Mexico
For a sun-soaked escape with plenty of luxury, Punta Mita is a standout option. Located just north of Puerto Vallarta, this exclusive enclave is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on three sides, offering a sense of seclusion and serenity. Golf lovers can tee off at the renowned Pacifico Golf Course, home to the iconic Tale of the Whale, a one-ofa-kind, bucket-list hole set on a natural island. (You’ll need to time your tee time with low tide to play it!)
For a five-star stay, check into the St. Regis Punta Mita, where you’ll find breezy Mexican-Mediterranean design, a beachfront sushi bar, quiet pools and nightly sunset rituals. And you won’t be the only one chasing the warmer weather here: Humpback whales pass through from December through March. Keep an eye on the horizon to spot their dramatic breaches and misty blows.
Cancun, Mexico
With nonstop flights from Denver, it’s easy to enjoy a long weekend in Cancun when you need a winter warmup. For a luxury vacation, slip away to Rosewood Mayakoba, which is surrounded by an emerald-green jungle and set on the shores of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Unwind at the spa, located on its own island, with signature treatments like a traditional temazcal ceremony. Led by a local shaman, this ancient ritual uses steam, heat, and sacred intention to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit.
Courtesy of St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Courtesy of St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Courtesy of Destination Canada
Courtesy of St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Courtesy of Chris Amat/Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
For an all-inclusive experience, Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe is a must. The resort’s spa is gorgeous, with an outdoor hydrotherapy circuit that’s based on Mayan healing practices. Upgrade to a Hilton Enclave room for a hotel-within-a-hotel experience. You’ll be able to hear the waves crashing out your window and take in the views of the ombre blue waters below. Upgraded guests also have access to Chala, an exclusive rooftop bar with cocktails and regional ceviches.
Maui, Hawaii
On Maui, you can scuba dive in a submerged volcanic crater or tackle the legendary Road to Hana, a winding drive with 620 curves and countless roadside stops for waterfall swims, garden strolls, banana bread, and scenic vistas. From November through April, it’s also koholā season, when humpback whales migrate through the surrounding waters.
For luxury, stay at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (which you might recognize from the debut season of “The White Lotus”). Dine at KOMO, a sushi spot with a 14-seat interactive bar, and join educational experiences like the Bee Wonders tour, where you’ll learn about local pollinators and sample honey in the Chef’s Garden. Or, set sail on a Wayfinder’s Journey—a cultural, culinary and celestial voyage led by a traditional navigator who shares the techniques ancient Polynesians used to cross open oceans.
Courtesy of Hilton Cancun Mar
Caribe
All-Inclusive Resort
Courtesy of Hilton Cancun Mar
Caribe All-Inclusive Resort
Courtesy of Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort
Checking In
Limelight Boulder opens on University Hill, offering 252 comfortable guest rooms and ample space for events
By Sarah Kuta
For more than a decade, the leaders of the University of Colorado Boulder have wanted to build a hotel and conference center on campus. Now, after years of research, planning, collaboration and construction, that dream has finally become a reality.
Limelight Boulder opened on University Hill in August 2025, adding another 252 guest rooms and an additional 26,000 square feet of event space to the city’s offerings. And with the Sundance Film Festival relocating to Boulder in January 2027, the new property couldn’t have opened at a better time.
The project was a collaborative effort between Aspen One, the Limelight Hotels brand, the university and the City of Boulder. The Boulder location joins sister properties in Aspen, Snowmass and Denver, as well as one in Ketchum, Idaho. A forthcoming hotel is slated to open in Mammoth Lakes, California, in December 2025, followed by another location in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2028.
Bright and Contemporary Design
When they started envisioning the new property, designers took inspiration from the surrounding landscape and the community. They wanted to create a space that felt on-brand for Limelight Hotels—modern, warm and inviting, without being overly fussy or elaborate—while also being firmly rooted in place, says Julie Frank, vice president of design for Aspen Hospitality. Overall, the hotel combines modern design with natural beauty.
For the exterior, they focused on ensuring the building blended seamlessly with the existing buildings on the CU Boulder campus while also framing the iconic Flatirons. Inside, they aimed to make the event spaces
Courtesy of Lowfield
and common areas “lively, open and welcoming,” to position the property as a hub for connection and collaboration, Frank adds.
Designed in collaboration between Meyer Davis and HBA San Francisco, the 252 guest rooms are decorated in a bright, contemporary style, with rich blues, vivid yellows and crisp grays accented by light wood tones. Travelers can enjoy large windows offering views of the foothills or downtown Boulder—the perfect way to wake up while sipping a cup of coffee.
“In the guest rooms, we emphasized warmth, comfort and functionality while reflecting Boulder’s bold personality,” says Frank.
Art Everywhere
The hotel’s impressive art collection—including the dramatic suspended installation in the lobby—was curated by Eaton Fine Art. The team prioritized work by Colorado-based artists, with an emphasis on pieces that were bold and bright but also contextual and relevant, says Frank.
“The artwork plays a key role in both the visual identity of the space,” she adds. “It combines storytelling at the key intersection of academia and the beauty of the landscape where the Rockies meet the sweeping Great Plains.”
The hotel’s corridors feature text-layered collages, with each floor identified by its own unique, vibrant masterpiece.
“When the elevator doors open, you know you have arrived on the right floor,” says Frank.
Outside in the garden, animal sculptures add a touch of whimsy and intrigue.
“[They] look like different animals as you move around them,” she says. “They are really fun.”
Going Green
Sustainability is a key priority for Limelight Boulder, which bills itself as the largest all-electric hotel in the country. It was built to LEED Gold standards, with design decisions intended to help reduce emissions.
Outside, the property is studded with native plants in formal and natural arrangements, as well as a central courtyard featuring a Flatirons-inspired fountain. The property’s architecture and landscape architecture was designed by WATG.
Gatherings Galore
For events and conferences, the hotel offers 26,000 square feet of adaptable indoor and outdoor space designed by Bentel and Bentel.
Courtesy of Lowfield
The centerpiece is the 15,000-square-foot ballroom that can transform for any occasion, but Frank is also a big fan of the pre-function space, which she describes as “spectacular.” It has a double-height glass wall that opens up to provide outdoor access, as well as large, bold artwork.
For leisure and business travelers alike, Limelight Boulder is centrally located, providing easy access to the CU Boulder campus, the Pearl Street Mall, the Flatirons and other key Boulder destinations.
The hotel provides an “expansive meeting and event space for our faculty and community leaders to showcase the groundbreaking research and creative work taking place on our campus and throughout Boulder to peers and collaborators,” says Justin Schwartz, chancellor of CU Boulder. “We are excited to partner with a company like Limelight that shares our sustainability values and has thoughtfully incorporated design features that reflect those values.”
Thoughtful Amenities and Features
Travelers can enjoy a variety of amenities during their stay, including cozy outdoor firepits, a dedicated coworking space, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a lively game room. The heated rooftop pool is another major highlight, offering expansive views of the mountains and cheering yellow-striped umbrellas for shade.
Courtesy of Lowfield
Courtesy of Lowfield
Courtesy of Lowfield
Guest rooms, meanwhile, offer plush bathrobes, humidifiers, high-speed wireless internet access, on-demand movies and safes, ensuring that every stay is comfortable and productive.
Travelers can also take advantage of entertainment programming through the brand’s Limelight Live initiative, featuring weekly intimate performances by emerging and established musicians, as well as largescale, seasonal concerts.
The Adventure Architects program, meanwhile, includes a team of in-house local experts who can curate bespoke adventures. They can also arrange luxury transportation in the hotel’s premium Audi vehicles.
“We hope that when people spend time at Limelight Boulder, they feel both inspired and at ease,” says Frank. “The property is designed to spark connection and discovery. We aim to create a space that reflects our local community while also providing an inviting environment where people can recharge, connect and celebrate.”
Delicious Dining
Travelers won’t go hungry during their stay at Limelight Boulder.
The hotel is home to the newest outpost of Ajax Tavern, the iconic slopeside eatery famous for its truffle fries
Courtesy of Lowfield
Courtesy of Lowfield
and people-watching at the base of Aspen Mountain. (There’s another location of the iconic restaurant at Limelight Denver, too.) In addition to fan favorites like the Wagyu double cheeseburgers, diners can indulge in Boulder-inspired dishes like butternut squash ravioli and roasted half chicken. During CU Boulder home games, the Ajax Airstream will offer signature dishes to fans during tailgates.
In late 2025, award-winning Aspen-based chef and restaurateur Mawa McQueen is opening another location of Crepe Therapy Café at the hotel. The brand is an expanded and renamed version of Crepe Shack, the successful creperie McQueen established in Aspen and Snowmass. She’s building on the success of her first Boulder outpost of Crepe Therapy Café, which opened in the fall at 2273 31st St., Suite 140.
Menu highlights include the crème brûlée crêpe, made with vanilla cream custard and brown sugar brûlée, and the Boulder crêpe, featuring gruyere and Swiss cheese, rotisserie chicken, basil pesto and exotic mushrooms.
Steak Your Future
CU Boulder seniors can commemorate their final year of college with a unique — and meaty — program offered by Limelight Boulder called “Steak Your Future.” At the start of the fall semester, participants can purchase a premium Wagyu steak from Cross Creek Ranch in Durango. Then, it’ll be sent to Ajax Downtown at Limelight Denver, where it will be professionally aged for nearly a year. As the big day draws near, graduates and their families can enjoy the steak during a chef-curated graduation dinner.
Other perks include a personalized butcher’s tag, periodic “progress reports” on their steak’s journey and a free appetizer every time they dine at Ajax throughout their senior year. They can also visit Ajax Downtown’s aging room to check on their piece of meat.
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/st-julien-celebrates-20th-anniversary-as-boulders-living-room
Courtesy of Lowfield
Stellar Sushi
Indulge in your fishiest fantasies at these delicious spots around Boulder County
By Allyson Reedy
Courtesy of Japango
By now, most people probably know that you don’t need to live next to an ocean to get super fresh fish. (Air travel is kind of a thing now.) This is all very good news for us in Boulder County, where we can feast on the same quality sushi as diners in San Francisco, Miami and even Tokyo. You just need to know where to look. From traditional rolls and sashimi, here are our eight favorite sushi spots in and around Boulder to indulge our fishiest fantasies.
Japango
Located in the heart of downtown, Japango is a beloved Boulder eatery known for its inventive rolls and vibrant atmosphere. Offering a stylish blend of traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine, Japango serves everything from sashimi to signature cocktails. With its sleek interior, lively happy hour, and prime Pearl Street loca-
tion, it's a local favorite for date nights, celebrations, and casual outings. 1136 Pearl St., Boulder, japangosushi.com
Hapa Sushi
Hapa’s happy hour has been Boulder-famous for more than 25 years—and for good reason. Where else can you sip a sub-$10 yuzu margarita or large flask of raspberry-infused sake and feast on two-for-$12 rolls? Now, more people than ever can enjoy the deals at Hapa’s new home on the west end of Pearl Street. The space—nearly five times the size of the old spot—is lively, chic and even has a DJ on weekends. 1048 Pearl St., Suite 105, Boulder, hapasushi.com
Tasuki Sushi Bistro
This is not the place to go for oddly topped, made-forsocial-media sushi rolls and sake bombs. Tasuki is more traditional and, well, better than that. (Sorry, social media sushi.) The culinary team focuses on quality and simplicity,
C ourtesy of Japango
C ourtesy of Hapa
Sushi
which means that the expertly carved tuna and salmon on offer here are among the freshest you’ll find. If you’re not feeling raw, the kitchen menu is sizable and delicious. 1575 Folsom St., #201, Boulder, tasukisushibistro.com
Sakura Japanese Cuisine
Yes, some of the very best sushi in Boulder County is next to an airport. Follow the planes to Sakura, a stripmall restaurant in Longmont that will wow you with its generous portions of sashimi and tickle your fancy with Colorado-influenced rolls (for some, green chiles are involved). The service is friendly, the décor is cute, but the best part? Order multiple rolls and they’ll be delivered to your table in a giant wooden sushi boat. 600 S. Airport Road, Building B, Suite F, Longmont, sakuralongmont.com
C ourtesy of Japango
C ourtesy of Hapa Sushi
AOI Sushi & Izakaya
Part izakaya (a casual Japanese pub known for its drinks and small plates) and part sushi temple, AOI is all Japanese culinary adventure. Founded by Keizo and Yuki Aoi to showcase both the cooked and raw dishes they grew up eating in Japan, the menu here is varied, crowd-pleasing and budget-friendly. Whether you order sashimi, nigiri or rolls, wash it down with one of the well-chosen sakes. 3303 30 th St., Boulder, aoisushiandizakaya.com
Misaki Superior
Misaki may look and feel like a run-of-the-mill neighborhood sushi spot, but the ultra-fresh (and sometimes hard-to-source) fish are definitely a cut above. Black tiger prawns, baby octopus, uni and, of course, the most melt-in-your-mouth fatty tuna is imported each day, so you know you’re getting the best here. Misaki also serves
C ourtesy of Hapa Sushi
steaming bowls of tasty ramen if you can pull yourself away from the sushi list. 402 Marshall Road, Superior, misakiatsuperior.com
Sapporo Sushi & Grill
For when your family is craving mango-topped shrimp tempura rolls, generous chunks of blue fin tuna, beef udon noodles and spicy volcano ramen, Sapporo is there for you. The menu runs deep here, with everything from classic rolls to more creative chef specials, plus noodles, fried rice and teriyaki name-your-protein. It’s the kind of place you can count on for a casual weeknight dinner, a quick lunch or a takeout fix that could very well be your favorite meal of the week. 2930 Arapahoe Road, Unit 100, Erie, sapporoerie.com
Hokkaido Sushi
Five words: all you can eat sushi. Yes, you’ll want to wear your stretchiest of stretchy pants to this Lafayette sushi spot, where the AYCE deal is available for lunch and dinner. (Just maybe take a break in between?) From
tempura apps to slices of sashimi to a very, very long list of sushi rolls, why choose when you can have it all? This is a newcomer on the Boulder County sushi scene that you’ll definitely want on your “to-eat” list. 2770 Arapahoe Road, #112, Lafayette, hokkaidoco.com
Shin Yuu Izakaya
Shin Yuu is the kind of place with hanging paper lanterns and waving cats, so if you’re looking for a flashy, scene-y spot, this ain’t it. But if what you seek is friendly service with a solid (and lengthy) menu of raw and cooked dishes, then stop on in and stay a while. Choose among a literal boat full of rolls and sashimi, a bowl of ramen or curry or skewer out on yakitori. Just be sure to save room for the green tea cheesecake for dessert. 917 Front St., Suite 100, Louisville, shinyuuizakaya.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/cozy-cocktail-bars-for-a-romantic-date-night
C ourtesy of Hapa Sushi
Local Soulful & Sustainable
Discover one-of-a-kind treasures and shop sustainably at Curio Consignment Furnishings, a stylish used furniture and décor shop in Boulder
By Callie Sumlin
Whether you’re furnishing an empty place or just looking for a few new pieces to update a room, shopping for furniture and décor can be overwhelming. Big-box stores offer endless selections and inventory at the expense of soul and quality. Meanwhile, secondhand stores tend to be disorganized, requiring patience and dedication to find hidden gems.
For those who want the environmental benefits and affordability of a thrift store and the curated shopping experience of a boutique, enter Curio Consignment Furnishings.
Jane O’Herron opened Curio in May 2025. Her goal? To provide a place where Boulderites could consign their gently used pieces and accessories instead of throwing them away, while simultaneously offering a stylish showroom where shoppers can discover high-quality furnishings at a reasonable price. “I describe the mission as local, soulful and sustainable,” O’Herron says. “These items have a story but also value and use. It’s a more sustainable way of living, and these pieces are more accessible because they are gently used.”
A real estate agent with PorchLight Real Estate Group who has called Boulder home for decades, O’Herron has always loved homes and interiors. In the early 2000s, she operated a showroom at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Her inspiration for Curio came from Clutter, a furniture consignment store operated by Patty Ross in Boulder that
closed in 2021. “I missed having a place to look for fun treasures I didn’t know I needed,” O’Herron says.
She knew Boulder could use another furniture consignment store—and she had the blessing and mentorship of Ross. All she needed was the right location.
That turned out to be a historic brick building on 15th Street between Arapahoe and Canyon Boulevard. Close to Pearl Street but with ample parking, the historic building is all beautifully weathered brick, with wood beams framing the vaulted ceiling and a warm wood floor. The setting, which is flooded with natural light and spans three spacious rooms, provides the perfect backdrop for O’Herron’s vision to come to life. “When I saw that space, that’s what catapulted Curio,” she says.
For O’Herron, curating the ambience of her shop is her favorite part of the business. “I want it to be a fun, welcoming space to spend time and hang out. I want people to actually sit on the furniture,” she says.
Since the inventory rotates almost every day, customers can return frequently and always find something new— whether it’s a designer couch, an accent lamp, a mirror or glassware.
New pieces are constantly coming and going, so you never know what you’ll find at Curio—but you can rest assured that each piece has been hand-picked by O’Herron for style, functionality and quality. Expect everything from chairs and tables to desks and shelving to dressers
and benches, as well as serving pieces and glassware, lamps, rugs, art, décor and more. Recently sold pieces include beautiful and sought-after Arhaus sofas, a Natuzzi red leather sectional that didn’t even last 24 hours in the shop, Serena & Lily benches and counter stools and a gorgeous eightfoot-long French country dining table.
O’Herron makes consigning easy. While folks are welcome to bring small pieces to the store, those with heavy pieces can email over photos for her review; she can do home visit walk-throughs to say yes or no to things. She partners with a list of trusted movers who can then assist with getting the piece to Curio. Items have 60 days to sell; commission is then split 50-50. And if the piece doesn’t sell, customers can either retrieve it or O’Herron will donate it to charity.
“It goes back to our mission statement, to keep it local and sustainable,” she says. “Recycling the furniture instead of disposing of it is important
to keep it out of landfills.”
And for shoppers who do find a large piece to take home, those same trusted movers can assist with delivery—another sustainability win considering that the majority of furniture is manufactured and shipped from overseas.
So far, business has been great. “Everyone has been so supportive and enthusiastic, bringing stuff in and stopping by,” O’Herron says.
Boulder, of course, is the ideal setting for a shop like Curio. Not only is the community very environmentally conscious, but there are also lots of folks with great taste and beautiful, functional pieces. While O’Herron envisions hosting community events and gatherings at Curio in the future, for now, the shop is open Tuesday through Sunday.
curioconsignment.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/outdoor-gear-gets-second-life-atboulder-sports-recycler
NO PLAIN JANE
3 Decorating Tips from O’Herron
MIX AND MATCH
We all may need to visit a big-box store occasionally. But, beyond the basics, O’Herron recommends looking for quality vintage pieces to add soul to a room. No need to stick to one designer or era—have fun and mix old and new pieces to give your space timeless character and charm.
ADD COLOR WITHOUT COMMITMENT
Vibrantly colored sofas may be trendy, but for color without the long-term commitment, O’Herron looks to throw pillows, blankets and rugs. If your anchor pieces are neutral, swapping out accents can change the entire color palette of a room while adding a sense of coziness and comfort.
LIGHT THE WAY
Harsh overhead lights can kill the vibe in any room. O’Herron recommends adding light sources at multiple heights—table lamps, floor lamps, pendants and more—for extra dimension. Bonus: Beyond illumination, remember that lamps can also double as décor and can easily be swapped out to change the feel of your space.
Photos courtesy of Curio Consignment
Lights,ColoradoCamera,
Movies and shows filmed in Boulder and beyond
By Brittany Anas
When Sundance makes its new home in Boulder in 2027, it will bring star-studded movie premieres and exclusive film screenings to town. But Colorado has long played a starring role on the silver screen.
From heartwarming hometowns to eerie sci-fi futures and chaotic holiday scenes, destinations across the state have set the stage for countless films and TV shows. Here’s a look at some of Colorado’s most iconic filming locations, proving the Centennial State has always been ready for its close-up.
“Catch and Release”
The production: This 2006 rom-com stars Jennifer Garner, who is grappling with the untimely death of her fiance.
The landmarks: Several local landmarks turn up in this movie, which was set in Boulder. They include the Pearl Street Mall; the former Daily Camera building, which is now Pearl West, home to restaurants, shops and office space; the former Silver Saddle Motel site; and The Sink, the famous pizza restaurant on the Hill that former President Barack Obama once visited. Also, one of the movie’s characters, Sam, worked at Celestial Seasonings selecting poems for the tea boxes.
Local reference: “What is it about this town? Everyone is so happy,” says Gray, Garner’s character, while walking along the Pearl Street Mall.
Fun fact: The sister of Susannah Grant, the writer and director of the movie, lives in Boulder, which is why the
city was selected as the setting for “Catch and Release,” according to the Boulder Film Commission.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
The production: This 1989 holiday classic stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a well-meaning dad determined to orchestrate the perfect Christmas for his family. But chaos unfolds at every turn, from a squirrel hiding in the Christmas tree to a blinding light display that causes a neighborhood power surge, and even an unexpected run-in with the SWAT team.
The landmarks: Although the Griswolds are based in suburban Chicago, some of the film’s most outrageous moments were actually shot in Breckenridge. The wild sledding scene—where Clark rockets down a mountain on his greased-up saucer—was filmed on Peak 8 at Breckenridge Ski Resort. As his turbo-charged sled skids off the snow and onto pavement and starts to spark, he’s flying across Summit Boulevard in Frisco. The family’s tree-cutting scene, which was more haphazard than Hallmark, took place at the Breckenridge Golf Course, which also doubles as the landing site for the family station wagon after it’s dislodged from under a logging truck and launched off the road.
Fun fact: A cover set was built on the gym floor of Summit High School in Frisco (now Summit Middle School) to film the scene where Clark Griswold watches old home movies. A massive snowstorm hit during filming,
dumping 87 inches in just five days, forcing the crew indoors and making the set a necessary backup.
“Mork and Mindy”
The production: Robin Williams plays Mork, an extraterrestrial who comes to Earth from a planet called Ork. His co-star, Mindy, was his human roommate, wife and the mother of his child. The television show ran from 1978 to 1982.
The landmarks: The Queen Annestyle home where the movie takes place is located at 1619 Pine Street in Boulder, just a few blocks from the Pearl Street Mall. Fans of the show often stop by and post selfies on Facebook, with the caption “Nanu-Nanu,” which is alien-speak for “hello” and a nod to the show. (It’s a private residence, so be respectful and keep your distance if you decide to do the same.)
Local reference: Several references to Boulder are made throughout the 90 episodes of the show, as Mork is sent to Earth to study human behavior and he picks up on the quirks of Boulderites. There are also references to Mindy going to the University of Colorado.
Fun fact: After Williams’ death in 2014, fans flocked to the Mork and Mindy house to grieve. Among them was Governor Jared Polis, who tweeted “Paying my respect to #mork, most famous fictional #boulder resident. Thank you for making us laugh, Robin Williams.”
“Sleeper”
The production: In this 1973 Woody Allen sci-fi comedy, the future takes place in Boulder, where the owner of a health food store is cryogenically frozen and defrosted 200 years later.
and north tower. Also, a dozen NCAR employees were cast as extras.
Local reference: What does a home in 2173 look like? The producers thought the unusual-looking home at 3752 Wonderland Hill Avenue, which was built by architect Charles Haertling, was a good example. Oh, and in the spirit of futurism, life seems to have imitated art: Frozen Dead Guy Days, the longtime Nederland festival that recently relocated to Estes Park, celebrates Grandpa Bredo Morstol, who is cryogenically frozen.
Fun fact : The production was casting for extras on the NCAR campus. One scientist was turned down after being told that “hairy faces were not part of Woody Allen’s vision of the future,” according to NCAR.
Bonus: Allen wasn’t the only film director courting NCAR’s Mesa Lab. The producers of “Colossus: The Forbin Project,” which was about two evil supercomputers battling one another, also considered the lab when they were scouting locations.
“The Shining” (mini-series)
The production: This three-part television mini-series, which first aired in 1997, was based on Stephen King’s novel “The Shining.”
A stay at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park inspired King to write “The Shining,” which was adapted into a film in 1980 and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The 1980 movie was filmed at hotels in Mt. Hood, Oregon, and at a hotel in Yosemite National Park—not The Stanley. However, for the 1997 television mini-series, the Stanley was the primary shooting location.
The landmarks : The National Center for Atmospheric Research campus on Table Mesa was used in a couple of the movie’s scenes. Both were exterior shots, and you’ll see NCAR’s circular drive, main entrance
The landmarks: The Stanley in Estes Park is a historic hotel. You can book a room and spend the night or, if you’re just doing a day trip, drop in for a drink or a ghost tour.
Local reference: The plot of “The Shining” involves a struggling writer who takes a job as the winter caretaker Mark Your Calendar
Boulder International Film Festival
Castle Rock Film Festival
Aspen Shortsfest
Mountainfilm
Boulder Environmental / Nature / Outdoors Film Festival
Boulder Jewish Film Festival
Telluride Film Festival
Telluride Horror Show
Vail Film Festival
Durango Independent Film Festival
5 More Movies With Colorado Cameos
“Die Hard 2: Die Harder” (1990) stars Bruce Willis reprising his role as John McClane, with scenes set at the now-closed Stapleton International Airport and featuring the historic Highlandlake Church in Mead, Colorado.
The figure-skating comedy “Blades of Glory” (2007), starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder, featured Ball Arena (formerly Pepsi Center) as the setting for some of the film’s over-the-top ice competitions.
Fans of “The Last Crusade” can slumber at the Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast in Antonito near the border with New Mexico. The historic Victorian home was featured as Indiana Jones’ boyhood home in the 1989 film directed by Steven Spielberg.
Scenes from “Dumb and Dumber” (1994) were filmed across Colorado, including Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, a Fort Morgan truck stop and the The Stanley Hotel, which was recast in the movie as the posh “Danbury Hotel.”
Denverites might recognize the Greek Amphitheater at Civic Center Park from the political thriller “In the Line of Fire,” (1993) where Clint Eastwood plays a secret service agent.
of the isolated “Overlook Hotel,” which is nestled in the Rockies. King and his wife lived in Boulder for a short time and stayed at the Stanley as it was closing down for the season. They were the only guests in the hotel and King woke up to a nightmare, which became the basis of “The Shining.”
Fun fact: Want to stay in the same room as Stephen King? Request room 217. But know this: It books up quickly, especially around Halloween.
“The Glenn Miller Story”
The production: This 1954 biographical movie tells the life story of Glenn Miller, a Big Band leader in the swing era. Miller’s aircraft disappeared in bad weather, most likely over the English Channel, while he was trav-
eling to entertain U.S. troops stationed in France during World War II.
The landmarks: The University of Colorado Boulder campus features prominently in the movie. Miller attended CU Boulder in 1923 to pursue his musical career, according to the university. Later, he worked as a freelance trombonist and arranger, touring with various bands.
Local reference: Because of Miller’s ties to Colorado, several scenes were shot around the state. Jimmy Stewart (who played Glenn Miller) and June Allyson (who played Miller’s wife, Helen Burger Miller) shot a famous scene at Varsity Lake on the CU Boulder campus. Even though the scene was filmed at CU, a technical problem forced the filmmakers to recreate the bridge in California.
Fun fact: CU maintains a Glenn Miller archive with memorabilia and 1,400 reel-to-reel tapes that contain hundreds of hours of live radio programs, featuring famous musicians from the Big Band era.
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/the-boulder-theaters-beautiful-art-deco-facade-facade-isgetting-a-much-needed-makeover/
Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival
Finding His Light
Ted Bradley creates custom, hand-crafted porcelain light sculptures in his Boulder
studio
By Sarah Kuta
Ted Bradley finds inspiration nearly everywhere he looks, from the texture of the forest floor to the bark of a tree still wet from snowmelt. In his studio in east Boulder, he transforms those creative influences into hand-crafted, porcelain masterpieces that not only illuminate but also beautify interior spaces.
“We don’t create light fixtures—we create light sculptures,” he says. “Every piece has meaning and story.”
Leading by Heart
Bradley was a freshman in high school when he first discovered ceramics. “I had to choose an elective class and I chose ceramics and it just totally consumed me,” he says. “I would quickly eat lunch with my friends and then rush off to the ceramics studio. I’d walk around my high school just covered with wet clay and mud. I looked a little ridiculous. But I was just totally captivated by it.”
His passion for art and design deepened a few years later, when he started taking welding classes and learned how to make metal sculptures. But, when it came time to head off to college, the influential people in his life suggested he pursue engineering as a career, and keep art as a hobby.
Bradley took their advice, going on to earn a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison. After graduation, he spent about a decade working in the software industry, rising through the ranks at companies like Google. But, he realized, climbing the tech ladder just wasn’t fulfilling.
He began having dreams about sculptures he wanted to build. “I had
TOP LEFT: Courtesy of Aaron Tellier; RIGHT: Courtesy of Stone Keener
Courtesy of Ted Bradley Studio
to focus on my work, but my mind was just always wandering back to the question of, ‘What if I did pursue this dream to get back to art and sculpture? What if I made it a priority?’” he says. “Eventually, I made a series of decisions to start leading my life a little bit more by intuition and heart.”
In October 2019, he quit his job to become a full-time artist and lighting designer. Bringing his sculptural visions to life, however, was not easy. “I was working as much as 100 hours a week sometimes,” he says. “It was incredibly complex and time-consuming.”
It took Bradley more than a year—and lots of trial and error with 1,400 pounds of clay—to finish his first piece. But he never gave up. His debut collection features delicate, geometrically perfect porcelain rings that each take more than 200 steps and three weeks to make. “My light rings are quite a visually striking form—they have a rounded cross sectional profile like the bones of a rib cage, and emanate light from the inside surface,” he says. “The rings definitely capture your attention.”
His newest offering is the Dome Collection, which includes 60 variations on the classic dome shape—from chandeliers and sconces to pendants and mobiles—that range in size to up to 12 feet.
They’re available in 21 proprietary, custom glazes, which are fired to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to create a sheer layer of glass over the bright white porcelain. Ranging from matte to high gloss, the glazes can be
Courtesy of
Ted Bradley Studio
Courtesy of Ted Bradley Studio
LANDMARK
5380 GREENWOOD PLAZA BLVD. 303 267 6744
BOULDER PEARL STREET MALL 1048 PEARL STREET 303 473 4730 hapa - safe for
LODO 1514 BLAKE STREET 720 354 5058
DENVER CHERRY CREEK 3030 E 2ND AVENUE 303 322 9554
ADVERTISER INDEX
Art & Soul
(See Our Ad On Page 7)
AutoHaus Boulder
(See Our Ad On Page 5 and On Inside Back Cover)
Barbara & CO
(See Our Ad On Page 19)
BIFF
(See Our Ad On Page 13)
Dairy Art Center
(See Our Ad On Page 71)
David Scott
(See Our Ad On Page 3)
Downtown Boulder
(See Our Ad On Page 65)
Flagstaff House
(See Our Ad On Inside Front Cover)
Greenbriar Inn
(See Our Ad On Page 29)
Hapa
(See Our Ad On Page 69)
J. Albrecht Designs
(See Our Ad On Page 11)
Japango
(See Our Ad On Page 8)
John Allen Woodward
(See Our Ad On Page 4)
McGuckin
Hardware
(See Our Ad On Page 29)
Rodwin Architecture/ SkyCastle Construction
(See Our Ad On Page 9)
Three Leaf Concepts
(See Our Ad On Page 6)
Tricia Dessel
Residential Realtor
(See Our Ad On Back Cover)
paired with different types of metal, as well as various patinas, to produce a seemingly infinite number of finish combinations.
“I wanted to start with a quieter, more subdued, familiar form and breathe new life into it with unique and unexpected arrangements,” he says. “The unique aesthetic of the ring form is energizing and unexpected. The soft form of the dome is inviting and comfortable. They each serve different but important purposes in the design of a space.”
Soft and Beautiful
Bradley has learned a lot about himself since founding Ted Bradley Studio six years ago. He used to be impatient, obsessed with optimizing every moment or figuring out which corner he could cut to achieve the desired outcome more quickly. But he learned the hard way that “cutting a corner to save two hours would cost me two weeks,” he says.
“I became more focused and intentional,” he says. “I had to learn to slow down. I stopped measuring progress in days and learned to start measuring in months.”
The Dome Collection, he adds, taught him to go even slower—and to start measuring progress in years.
“Rolling out a new collection isn’t possible in a few months of hard pushing. It takes two years of careful planning, putting one foot in front of the other day after day, like climbing a mountain,” he says. “Building any business is hard. Building a business that produces hardware artifacts at the intersection of the visual arts, mechanical and electrical engineering and porcelain production … I’ve found myself plenty challenged.”
His values have also changed. When he first started his business, he wanted every piece to be a “wow” moment,
he says. But, these days, anyone can sketch out a design in 30 seconds, send it to a manufacturer and receive 500 units a few months later.
“Metal, glass and LEDs are mashed together to create an infinite number of impressive forms,” he says. “But is that really what people want in their home? That’s not what I want in my home. I don’t want a loud piece shouting for my attention just to impress a few guests.”
Today, he says, he aims to create works that are “soft and beautiful, subdued and inviting, elegant and understated.” tedbradleystudio.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/female-identifying-artists-thrive-at-the-new-local
Courtesy of Ted Bradley Studio
Courtesy of Ted Bradley Studio
Courtesy of Ted Bradley Studio
Courtesy of Clear Creek Makerspace
MAKE SOMETHING
9 makerspaces to get your creative juices flowing
By Riane Menardi Morrison
Whether you’re a seasoned tinkerer, an aspiring artist, or you simply miss the feel of glue on your fingertips, the Front Range is brimming with ways to unleash your creativity.
Makerspaces—shared community workshops stocked with tools and equipment—are helping locals stretch their imaginations, learn new skills, and connect with fellow makers. These collaborative hubs come in all flavors: some lean high-tech with 3D printers and laser cutters, while others focus on fiber arts or metalworking. But many offer classes for beginners, memberships for regulars and a supportive community where ideas can spark and grow. Here are nine makerspaces in and around Boulder where you can fire up your creative energy this season.
TinkerMill (Longmont)
TinkerMill bills itself as Colorado’s largest makerspace, with nearly 800 members and 13,000 square feet of space. Inside its sprawling warehouse, you’ll find everything from a 4kW
laser (which can cut materials up to an inch thick) to a fully outfitted machine shop and textile corner.
New to making? No problem. TinkerMill offers workshops for all levels, including soldering basics, 3D printing certifications, and even intro to electricity for ages 8 and up. And the collaborative atmosphere means you’re just as likely to get advice from a master machinist as you are a hobbyist quilter. Standard memberships are $70 a month, and drop-in tours happen weekly. tinkermill.org
BLDG 61 & Studio 24 (Boulder)
Boulder’s public library system has embraced the maker movement with not one but two creative hubs: BLDG 61 at the main branch and Studio 24 at the new North Boulder location. BLDG 61 offers over a dozen equipment and software options, including an industrial-scale laser cutter, 3D printers, woodshop tools and sewing machines. At Studio 24, the vibe is more intimate, with a focus on helping members learn DIY skills
in gardening, home repair, mending, cooking and more.
Both spaces are free to use (no library card required), and programs and appointments are available for ages 12 and up, making them some of the most accessible (and inspiring) places to create in Boulder. boulderlibrary.org/makerspaces
Solid State Depot (Boulder)
Founded in 2010, Solid State Depot is a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating a maker’s mindset, and members here share expertise in everything from coding and robotics to welding and woodworking. Open to members 24/7, the warehouse-style shop is divided into zones and includes all the equipment you could want, from CNC routers to laser cutters.
Classes, workshops, and community meetups encourage skill-sharing, while the open format means you can dive into projects at your own pace. Regular dues are $85 per month, with tiers for students, seniors and families. ssdmakerspace.org
Studio 775 (Lafayette)
Located inside the Lafayette Public Library, Studio 775 is free with a library card and open to all ages, with drop-in hours Monday through Thursday and regular open houses and workshops to grow your skills.
The bright, tech-forward workshop is stocked with tools like Cricut cutters, 3D printers, a Glowforge laser printer, a sewing and embroidery machine and even a Canon photo printer. Patrons can also access design software on iMacs, plus watch a library of video classes from the Creativebug and Craftsy archives. lafayetteco.gov/2097/Makerspace--Studio-775
Denhac (Denver)
Founded in 2008, this Denver institution is the third longest-running hackerspace in the United States, and predates the popularization of the term “makerspace” altogether. Its mission: to provide a place for tech enthusiasts, artists and inventors to explore without limits.
Inside, you’ll find equipment for electronics, 3D printing, automotive working and more—but the real draw is the passionate community, which operates as a cooperative to run the nonprofit. The space is open to members only ($45 per month), which grants you access to the space, open houses, hack nights and workshops on everything from beginner metrology to couture sewing techniques. denhac.org
Inks & Drinks (Westminster)
For those who like their creativity paired with a cocktail, Inks & Drinks offers a playful spin on the makerspace model, with options to make your own plant terrarium, macrame purse or decorated (faux) animal skull or bust. Just reserve a three-hour table, arrive with your crew and pick out a project, which average $30 to $70, with options available for higher or lower budgets. Visit the
bar for wine, beer, cider and premixed cocktails or mocktails, and let the knowledgeable staff start each project with step-by-step instructions before setting you loose. inksanddrinksparties.com
Clear Creek Makerspace (Wheat Ridge)
At 7,500 square feet, Clear Creek Makerspace is one of Colorado’s largest hubs for hands-on creativity, stocked with more than $300,000 worth of advanced equipment, including laser cutters, 3D printers, woodworking and metalworking tools and more.
Membership comes with 24/7, year-round access, free storage and meeting space and discounts on classes and events. Newbies can pop into a weekly tour to see the space in action, or sign up for a class—many of which are open to the public. Clear Creek also runs its Growing U program, offering entrepreneurship workshops and micro-grants to help turn creative projects into small businesses. clearcreekmakerspace.com
Hardy & Fuller (Denver)
Founded by BIPOC queer artist Ashe Thorne, Hardy & Fuller is a makerspace dedicated to the metal arts, with an overarching goal of making the craft more welcoming and inclusive. After nearly a decade teaching, Thorne launched Hardy & Fuller to create a space where BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled and female-presenting makers could thrive in an industry that often excludes them.
The shop offers classes and membership-based studio access in six areas: blacksmithing, knifemaking, welding, plasma cutting, jewelry and fabrication. Memberships are available for $150 per month, and classes for all skill levels are available to the public. hardyandfuller.com
The Craftsman & Apprentice (Denver)
This kid-focused workshop proves that making isn’t just for grownups. The Craftsman & Apprentice offers camps, after-school programs and birthday parties where children learn hands-on skills like woodworking, sewing, and printmaking.
From “juice box happy hours” to Saturday morning “wake and make” sessions, each activity lets kids create in a cohort of their peers. The bright, welcoming space also occasionally offers adult workshops, but its real magic lies in giving the next generation of makers a chance to play, think creatively and make something cool with their hands. craftsmanandapprentice.com
Read More Online: travelboulder.com/inside-the-north-boulder-library
