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The Denver Art Scene Is Having a Moment
Has there ever been a more exciting time for art in Denver? Not only did the Mile High City enjoy some impressive exhibitions in 2018—such as Dior: From Paris to the World at the Denver Art Museum and Tara Donovan’s Fieldwork at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver—but even more noteworthy shows are on the horizon, including the largest-ever display of Monet paintings (opening in October 2019) and an exclusive Rembrandt exhibit (opening in 2020), both at the DAM. Plus, an offshoot of the Santa Fe-based arts collective, Meow Wolf, will be coming to Denver in 2020. All of this, and more, will help cement Denver’s place as a cultural destination.
Bonus: Read our guide to local art museums here.
It’s Time for Denver to Rethink Electric Scooters
By Jay Bouchard | November 14, 2018
A flurry of e-scooters descended on Denver’s sidewalks this year, bringing with them not only a new mode of transportation, but also a unique mix of concerns and compliments. Digital Assistant Editor Jay Bouchard, who has covered these dockless machines for 5280, wrote in November that if the scoots going to stick around, a few things must change.
The 2018 Midterm Elections Shifted the Balance in Colorado Politics
Democrats won big in the 2018 election, sweeping every statewide race, picking up a congressional seat, and flipping the state Senate. Jared Polis was elected governor, defeating Republican rival Walker Stapleton to become the country’s first openly gay governor. Women also were elected in historic numbers (although representation in the state’s highest offices still lag behind). But even with the so-called “Blue Wave,” there’s reason to believe that Colorado is just as purple as ever.
Hit Podcast Up and Vanished Investigates Colorado Woman’s Disappearance
By Angela Ufheil | August 21, 2018
The second season of Payne Lindsey’s popular podcast focused on the case of Kristal Anne Reisinger, a 29-year-old who went missing in Crestone, Colorado, in 2016—one of many true crime series that blew up this past year.
DIA Kills Its “You Are Delaying the Departure of This Train” Message
By Brittany Anas | October 2, 2018
This obit honors the passive-aggressive announcement that inspired irritation, giggles, and surprise from riders of Denver International Airport’s train over the years.
Denver Finally Got a New Music Festival
Grandoozy, a new music festival at Overland Park, danced into Denver in September—and we were there to capture its inaugural Mile High City bash. From its amazing lineup (including a handful of local acts) to its unique food and booze offerings to what didn’t go quite as planned, there’s a lot to reflect on from Denver’s first-ever festival.
We Say Goodbye (and Good Riddance) to Chipotle
By Spencer Campbell | July 2018
The Colorado-born fast casual chain announced earlier this year that it was moving its headquarters—to CALIFORNIA, of all places! (At least it’s not Texas, so we have some dignity left.) And our hearts were broken.
The 5280 Guide to Colorado Etiquette
By Kasey Cordell | July 2018
The Centennial State is getting crowded (more than 65,000 new residents joined us between July 2016 and 2017 alone). That means we all have to be a little bit nicer to one another—or at least understand the social contract we’ve signed by choosing to live in this bustling place. Not sure what the guidelines are? Here’s your rulebook.
Denver—and Colorado’s—Hog-Wild Real Estate Market
In case you haven’t heard—Colorado real estate market is on fire. You can either reckon with this reality (and find ways to make the best of it), or get stuck paying sky-high rents for the rest of your days. But there were some bright spots in the mania. From new, super luxe residences to the hope that the market is (sort of) cooling off, real estate will continue to be a topic that piques readers’ interest in 2019 and beyond.
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Leave Colorado?
By Jeff Waraniak | September 2018
Just like plenty of people are deciding to move here, many are making the decision to leave, too. Here, one Subaru-driving writer grapples with his sense of identity as he realizes his dream state isn’t what he thought it would be.
