Hike We Like: Mt. Muscoco Trail
It’s only two miles to this 8,020-foot summit near Colorado Springs, but you’ll need to climb more than 1,000 vertical feet and scramble over a few boulders to reach it.
The 2021 Flatirons Food Film Festival Highlights Indigenous and Black American Foodways
Tune in to the virtual event for 13 film programs, immersive food pairings, discussions with top culinary leaders, and more.
What Colorado Lawmakers Say About Attempts to Remove President Trump From Office
On Monday, House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment and a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment.
A New Coworking Space Heats Up Boulder’s Pearl Street
At Kiln, clean, modern design and life-enhancing amenities add up to a stylish strategy for flexible work.
Little India Opens Third Location in West Highland
The 23-year-old restaurant and bar took over the former Matador space on West 32nd Avenue, which closed on December 1.
Colorado Attorney General Launches a Grand Jury Investigation Into the Death of Elijah McClain
The announcement comes six months after Governor Jared Polis appointed Attorney General Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor to reexamine McClain’s death while in the custody of Aurora police officers.
The Share Winter Foundation Wants to Make the Mountains More Inclusive
Together with three Colorado programs, the nonprofit is opening up alpine sports to kids of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
The Lumineers Co-Founder Jeremiah Fraites Talks About His First Solo Album
The instrumental piano record, Piano Piano, includes songs that Fraites has been working on for more than a decade.
Ride for Racial Justice Looks to Increase Representation in Cycling
The organization, which launched in 2020 in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, has partnered with SBT GRVL to provide 25 race entries for cyclists of color in this year’s popular gravel race.
Colorado’s 2020 Weather Extremes Were Very on Brand for the Year
From an extended, hot and dry summer to a rare derecho and the catastrophic fire season, 2020’s weather events drove us into the statewide drought conditions that exist today. But these extremes might not be that abnormal moving forward.
What Makes Dry Land Distillers Cactus Spirit So Special?
Producing its smoky elixir from prickly pear cacti is a painstaking process for the distillery, which will move into a larger space on Longmont’s Main Street in summer 2021.
Chaos Erupts at the U.S. Capitol As Congress Meets to Certify the 2020 Election Results
In Denver, a crowd of around 700 demonstrators gathered at the Colorado State Capitol to protest the election of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States.
Headed to Breck? Don’t Miss Matt Vawter’s Rootstalk
The former executive chef of Denver’s Mercantile Dining & Provision cooks upscale comfort food in Victorian digs on Breckenridge’s Main Street.
4 Colorado-Born Apps to Help You Start the New Year Off Right
Local tech companies have created ways to help you become fitter, faster, calmer, and a more conscious shopper in 2021.
Is Indoor Dining at 25 Percent Capacity Enough to Save Local Restaurants?
The updated restrictions are a welcome reprieve for business owners, but many also say it’s not enough for long-term success.
How to Instill Healthy Eating Attitudes in Your Kids
One mom shares how she learned to eliminate mealtime negotiations and reclaim the joy of family dinners.
Why Intermittent Fasting Is More Than a Fad
Not eating (safely and strategically) could be the best thing for you.
3 Ingredients That Feed the Brain-Gut Connection
These truly smart foods might just give your gray matter a boost.
Food Diaries: How Your Daily Diet Is Affecting Your Body
A nutrition expert tells one hops-obsessed editor what she really thinks about his eating—and drinking—habits.
When Is Weight-Loss Surgery Right for You?
Three questions for the medical director of the Denver Center for Bariatric Surgery.
The Nutrition Stats That Saved One ER Doc’s Life
Dr. Larry Cohen shares what motivated him to transform his eating habits—and his health.
Inside Superfood Bar’s Pumpkin Patty Salad
Wellness is on the menu at the Highland-based, health-conscious eatery.
Eat This, Not That: 5 Easy Food Swaps
From the doctor’s orders to your dinner plate, here’s how to translate the science of eating well into actual (delicious) meals.
Food for Thought
A letter from the editors of 5280 Health‘s January 2021 issue.
Inside Worldmind School, Denver’s First K–5 Outdoor Classroom
Kids are nurtured by and in nature at City Park–based Worldmind School, which saw its enrollment double this past fall.
The Local Cooperative Diversifying Denver’s Yoga Community
Satya Yoga Cooperative believes Denverites of color deserve a welcoming yoga environment—and the healing it brings—too.
3 Ways Telemedicine is Expanding to Heal Whatever Ails You
The exam room of the future is Zoom (and the future, in Denver, is now).
How To Keep Your Mind Calm Amid the Chaos
Four notable Denver locals share the practices that boosted their mental health during a taxing 2020.
3 Colorado-Born, Next-Gen Medical Wearables
From a button that monitors your vital signs to a sleeve that can help correct your bench-press form, these Colorado companies are making futuristic medical tech—right now.
A Colorado Doc’s New Book Delivers the Definitive History of Surgery
Plus: Dr. David Schneider’s top tips to make sure your implant surgery doesn’t kill you.
Is It Possible to Design a Pandemic-Proof Office?
Probably not—but Colorado’s Health Capitol, a new shared space for wellness nonprofits, has a plan to keep its tenants as safe as possible from COVID-19.
Why Lakewood’s Firefly Autism is Expanding its Adult Offerings
No one grows out of autism, but adults have often been left behind when it comes to treatment, services, and funding. Lakewood’s Firefly Autism wants to change that.
5 Cool Colorado Classes to Take in 2021
No worries if you (purposely) missed the sourdough train. You’ve got a whole year ahead of you to learn something new.
9 Ways to Treat Yourself This Year
Because you deserve it.
Tips and Tricks to Make Van Life Work for You
Jason Schirato, co-owner of Aspen Custom Vans shares ideas for making road tripping a little easier. Plus, where to rent and buy your hotel on wheels.
4 Adventure-Packed Road Trips for Every Season
Make the most out of your seasonal road trip with these spots to eat, drink, play, and relax.
Don’t Take These Classic Colorado Pursuits for Granted
We gained a new appreciation for our state’s hallmark activities this past year.
Where to Take Your New Wheels (or Watercraft) for a Spin
Because it would be a shame if your new gear sat in the garage all year.
How Pat McMahon Helped Foster La Veta, Colorado’s Female-First Ethos
The so-called “hippie-artist-builder” paved the way for other women to lead.
Ice Diving Might Be Colorado’s Chilliest Sport
Only a small percentage of scuba fans attempt the sport.
Entrepreneurship for All Is Giving Longmont’s Latino Founders a Boost
The program is designed to help under-resourced business owners launch a company. Can it help close the prosperity gap in Longmont?
How to Get Hooked on Ice Fishing This Winter
The frigid sport is a pandemic-friendly way to get outside.
Longmont’s Whistling Boar Wants to Feed You All Weekend Long
Let chef David Pitula’s meal kits nourish you on your next Colorado getaway.
What to Buy at 4 Front Range International Markets
5280 food critic Scott Mowbray searches local markets for tasty ingredients to enliven his home cooking—and yours.
Denver’s Nurses Are Taking on Burnout Through Dance
The Clinic, a theater and dance company, is helping nurses struggling with compassion fatigue.
How to Create a Gorgeous Gallery Wall in Your Home
Gallery walls have grown popular in recent years—a local interior designer shows you how to nail the look.
4 Experts Give Their Predictions for What 2021 Could Look Like in Colorado
We tell you what to expect when 2020 has primed you to expect the worst.
Denver’s Top Lawyers 2021
Everyone needs an attorney every now and again. Here, the ones you should reach out to when that time comes.
The Push to Diversify Colorado’s Cannabis Industry
Changes to licensing in Denver, slated for early 2021, could help make the marijuana business more accessible to entrepreneurs of color.
The Inherent Dangers of Backcountry Skiing in Colorado’s Mountains
What can a fatal backcountry skiing accident on Jones Pass, on the west side of the Continental Divide, teach us about Colorado’s snowcat outfitters? And can these quintessential Centennial State adventures ever truly be safe?
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Fund Police Departments
An enormous budget shortfall caused by COVID-19 led to budget cuts for law enforcement, not a collective will to defund the police.
Luki Serves Up Brews Under the Big Top
Owner-brewer Jeffrey Smith launched Luki Brewery in Arvada in July, drawing inspiration from his family’s colorful circus history.
Beast & Bottle, Coperta Join Growing Roster of Hibernating Restaurants
Chef and co-owner Paul C. Reilly estimates that the award-winning restaurants will remain closed until March at the earliest.
The Micro-Apartment Trend Finds a Home in Cherry Creek North
Studio 135’s ultra-efficient studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments prove you can sacrifice square footage without skimping on style.
Colorado’s 11 Biggest Moments of 2020
From the throes of a pandemic to protests to a historic election, 2020 shaped our state in more ways than we could have ever imagined. Here, we look back at some of this year’s defining moments.
How Much Does It Cost a Restaurant to Set Up Outdoor Dining?
Private greenhouses, cabanas, and yurts outfitted with propane heaters and wood stoves are costing local restaurant owners thousands to keep diners cozy this winter.
Our Most Popular Adventure Stories from 2020
From leaf peeping and car camping to pandemic-friendly excursions and more, here are 5280‘s best stories about adventuring in and around Colorado.
How the Newest Aid Bill Will Affect Local Restaurants
A fresh round of Paycheck Protection Program loans is coming, but will it be enough to keep the hospitality industry afloat?
5280’s 10 Best Longreads of 2020
There were no lack of big stories to cover this year. From experiencing homelessness in a pandemic to Denver’s new generation of Black leadership and the big tech company making a move to Colorado, here are the long-form stories that captured readers’ attention.
An Owner and a Server Speak on How You Can Help Save Local Restaurants
Josh Wolkon and Alexis Stovich share what they wish Denver diners knew about staying safe—and in business—during the pandemic.
6 Things to Watch for This Nuggets Season
Fresh off a historic playoff run with new talent to tap, the Denver Nuggets are poised for another big season. Before the team returns to play on Wednesday night, we put together a primer on the championship hopefuls.
Stories That Prove There Were Bright Spots During 2020
Between COVID-19, a crazy election, and uncontrollable wildfires, 2020 didn’t produce much good news. But that doesn’t mean nothing positive happened. Here, we rounded up 10 heart-warming pieces the 5280 team produced this year.
How a 41-Year-Old Greek Diner Is Weathering the Pandemic
Zorba’s in Congress Park, armed with a remodeled interior and patio and new takeout window, prepares for the future.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Use Office Space
COVID-19 shutdowns closed offices across the Denver metro area. How will office space transform when(ever) employees finally return?
The COVID-19 Vaccine Is Rolling Out Across Colorado. But When Will the Local Epidemic Actually Be Over?
All willing residents will likely get vaccinated by summer 2021, according to the state’s phased distribution plan. But that doesn’t guarantee the end of COVID-19 in Colorado. Experts explain what it will take to effectively beat the virus—and what life may look like in the meantime.
Chook Brings Charcoal-Cooked Chicken to Stanley Marketplace
The fast-casual restaurant, which opened on December 19, offers a heated patio, curbside pick-up, and delivery.
Art of the Moment: Pandemic-Inspired Pottery
Pennsylvania artist Peter Olson fuses photography with ceramics in shockingly beautiful pots that reflect the viral reality of 2020.
Ways the Hospitality Community Is Spreading Joy This Holiday Season
Find out how local heroes, restaurants, and nonprofits are stepping up—and how you can pitch in.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Exercise
With reduced capacities and decreased revenues devastating local gyms and fitness studios, many are going online to build community—and attempt to save their businesses.
11 Events Still Happening (So Far) in Mountain Towns This Season
Make the most of your winter with these pandemic-friendly holiday displays, concerts, and art walks taking place in Colorado mountain towns.
Inside Prodigy Coffeehouse’s Revolutionary Social Enterprise Model
As a registered nonprofit, the Elyria-Swansea spot aims to help marginalized young adults build life skills through business experience.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Deliver Justice
COVID-19 concerns put jury trials on hold across Colorado, creating a backlog that prosecutors and defense attorneys worry could stretch well into 2021.
Now Is the Time for Colorado Wine
Buying locally made bottles for your loved ones also helps support small businesses in our community.
Local Theater Company Will Introduce 10 New American Plays in 2021
The 2020 Local Lab was canceled due to COVID-19, but the Boulder theater company is planning for a larger, more inclusive slate of new playwrights to feature in the new year.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Shop
The future is tie-dyed and full of comfy pants.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Experience the Theater
As the pandemic shut down traditional venues, Colorado’s alternative theater groups provided audiences with in-person experiences in unusual settings.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Cover the News
To discover how the pandemic and protests against racial inequity affected journalism, our writer interviewed the editor of Denverite—aka his wife.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Use Our Streets
When the need for more socially distanced outdoor spaces became pressing, the city of Denver delivered with a slew of new, car-free streets. Although they were a temporary promise, these open spaces just might serve as a wake-up call for how the Mile High City could reimagine safer and more equitable streets.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Manage Relationships
The pandemic surfaced all manner of interpersonal problems for Coloradans—some they didn’t even know they had.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Get Around
Yearning for the no-designated-driver-necessary days of old.
Your 2020 Guide to Festive Holiday Fare Across the Front Range
Where to order full meals, desserts, cocktails, and more from local, independent restaurants.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Vote
From COVID-19 to increased scrutiny, there was no shortage of things that made it difficult to operate an election in 2020. But with the help of a few pandemic-friendly tweaks, Colorado’s existing system proved it was up to the task.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Hold Law Enforcement Accountable
This year, Colorado passed one of the most thorough police accountability bills in the country. How it impacts the state remains to be seen.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Hire and Look for Jobs
As social distancing became a necessity, so did virtual networking and job interviewing, altering the business landscape now—and likely for years to come.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Ski
Our time on the slopes will be different this winter—and in some ways, that’s a good thing.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Use the English Language
The written and spoken word may have changed more this year than they have in any other period in recent history.
This On-Demand Personal Assistant Service Takes Care of the Small Items on Your To-Do List
TULA, a members-only service that launched in Denver this month, aims to provide relief for families that feel stretched too thin.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Sleep
The surprising—and not so surprising—reasons we aren’t sleeping so well this year.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We View Visual Art
Museums and galleries have had to figure out inventive ways to reach art fans during the pandemic, from e-commerce to mobile art and more.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Define Fashion
Leggings, hoodies, and T-shirts became the most coveted couture this year.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Protest
Coloradans took to the streets this year to fight against police brutality and structural racism. But 2020 didn’t make it easy, as advocacy organizations were forced to adjust how they planned protests.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Should Manage Forest Fires
Colorado’s wildfire season this year was apocalyptic—and experts caution that this is just the beginning.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Vacation
Many Coloradans opted to explore their own state this summer and fall, driving some tourism-centered businesses and organizations to shift their focuses.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Get Married
Five trends introduced or accelerated by the events of 2020 that might become as lasting as saying “I do.”
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Think About Childcare
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 10 percent of childcare centers have closed throughout the state, further exacerbating an already fraught (and financially untenable) situation for families.
How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Care for Others
While my mother was sick with COVID-19, my husband and I ventured into the kitchen to nourish her to back to health.
Why Drink Wine When You Can Paint With It?
Join one of Denver-based artist Elysia Myers’ virtual wine painting classes—or gift a print to a vino-loving friend.
I Brought COVID-19 to My Family’s Doorstep
I missed my family and thought I could travel safely to see them during the pandemic. I was wrong.
Meow Wolf Is on Track to Open Its Denver Location in Late 2021
The pandemic and a company reorganization postponed the immersive art museum’s original 2020 opening—but the project is still moving forward with new coronavirus-induced innovations.
We’re Dreaming of a White Christmas. Just Bring Us the Snow!
Incoming storms will boost Colorado’s snowpack and bring wintery conditions—just in time for the holidays.
