11 Restaurants Serving Inventive, Green Chile–Inspired Dishes
From poutine to ramen to chocolate, these clever bites (and a few classics) celebrate the cult-favorite pepper.
The Father of Colorado’s Iconic Ski Maps Retires
Over the course of 30 years, James Niehues has illustrated hundreds of maps for more than 200 ski resorts. Watch 5280’s video tour into his eminent paint and sketch studio.
This Southern Colorado Distillery Is Reviving A Colorado Family’s Storied Past
San Luis Valley Distillery, which will produce vodka with local potatoes, quinoa, and carrots, honors the family awarded the state’s first wine and liquor license.
Inside Aspen’s Lavish New Coffee Shop Designed by Ken Fulk
Aspen’s new Felix Roasting Company at the Hotel Jerome is a charming escape from reality, with a posh vintage vibe.
Top 7 Candy Hot Spots for Trick-or-Treating in Denver
Come Halloween, costumed kids have limited time to take to the streets. These Denver neighborhoods will ensure your little ghosts, ghouls, and goblins conjure a terrifying amount of candy.
Denver Art Museum Is Unveiling a $175 Million Renovation—and a Commitment to Telling Inclusive Stories
The updated campus (re)opens to the public on Sunday, October 24, with a free day.
5 Questions for Rob Hurd, Executive Chef of Boulder’s Frasca
The Michigan native dishes about growing up in the Great Lakes region, why he’d love to make cassoulet for Anthony Bourdain, and what’s on the menu at Frasca right now.
We Tried Red Rocks’ New Audio Technology
The iconic concert venue partnered with tech company Mixhalo to bring audio straight from the soundboard to your headphones—an option that’s helpful for people with hearing difficulties.
Why He Isn’t a Superstar
Nikola Jokić’s visionary game deserves outsized fame. Why doesn’t he get the attention he deserves?
Your Guide to Colorado’s 2021 Ballot Measures
All Coloradans will be able to vote on three initiatives during the upcoming election. Here’s everything you need to know about each one.
7 Places to Eat and Drink Before a Nuggets Game
Nabbed tickets to the Finals? Here’s where to eat and drink near Ball Arena to make the most of the occasion.
The Carefree Cultural Icon
From his laidback attitude to his aversion to social media, Jokić isn’t like any other NBA superstar. But that’s why we love him.
6 Delicious Ways to Celebrate Día De Los Muertos in Denver
From renowned chef-led cooking classes to marigold-inspired offerings, you won’t want to miss these tasty ways to ring in the lively Mexican holiday.
Serbian Superfans
We spoke with the hosts of the Nuggets Serbia podcast about Jokić’s celebrity in his home country.
Your Guide to Denver’s 2021 Ballot Measures
Denverites will be able to vote on 13 new initiatives. From the mayor’s $450 million bond package to a new development at the former Park Hill Golf Course, here’s what you need to know in order to cast a ballot.
Enjoy Cajun-Asian Fusion At Casian Seafood in Lafayette
Owners Dau Xiong and Maria Nguyen serve a blend of their Hmong heritage and Cajun upbringing at this new Lafayette restaurant.
The Loves of His Life
Family, horses, and a burgeoning bromance fill Nikola Jokić’s heart to brimming.
How Craft Cider Is Helping Save Colorado’s Historic Apple Trees
Southwest Colorado was once a national hub for unique apple varieties. Today, a group of hard cider artisans are restoring the local orchard economy.
First Impressions of an MVP
An around-the-world roundup of what basketball insiders really thought about Nikola Jokić when they first laid eyes on the future NBA MVP.
Inside the Race to Be Colorado’s First Ski Resort to Open
From massive snowmaking efforts to bucket brigades that move gallons of natural powder, here’s what goes into the state’s favorite winter contest.
Western Colorado’s Women’s Fire Crew Is Igniting Change in Firefighting
The group of women are doing more than simply providing diversity for an industry suffering from staff shortages and weak retention rates.
How Immigrant Women Are Finding Community, Economic Opportunity on a Colorado Farm
Buena Vida in northern Colorado provides agricultural scholarships and professional development to immigrant women.
The Part-Time Ghost Town of Tin Cup Is Still an Outdoor Mecca
The former mining area and inspiration behind a Colorado-born brown liquor remains a recreation paradise.
There’s Something for Every Design Fan at Denver Design Week
This year’s program features more than 35 design-centric discussions, tours, and events, plus a marketplace of artisan-made goods.
Why Your Book Club Should Read Dear White Women
Written by the Colorado- and California-based hosts of the Dear White Women podcast, the new book is a practical, grace-filled guide to everyday antiracism.
Marshmallow Mascots, $2 Beer, and the Future of Minor League Baseball
The Rocky Mountain Vibes just finished their first season independent of Major League Baseball. One writer went to see if that changed how he and the Colorado Springs community views the team.
An Inside Look at How Colorado Hospitals Are Currently Managing Capacity Concerns
How do medical facilities actually supervise the flow of patients? And what does their history of handling an influx of sick people say about prospects for managing both the Delta variant and flu this winter?
Mesa Verde Country Should Be Your Next Mountain Biking Destination
The southwest corner of Colorado isn’t just an archaeological wonder—it’s also home to some of the state’s best trails. Even for beginners like me.
Step Inside Denver’s First HiFi Listening Bar
ESP, a HiFi bar and cafe, offers audiophiles a curated music experience like nothing else in the city.
This Denver Duo Found a Bright New Way To Renovate a Classic Craftsman Bungalow
Christine Bayles Kortsch shares how she and her husband transformed their Congress Park home’s cramped kitchen into a bright, ultra-efficient cookspace.
Coors Brewing Co. Launched Its Own Whiskey… We Tried It
5280 staff tried Coors’ new whiskey. Yes, you read that right. And, no, the mountain on the bottle does not turn blue.
Meet the Wienermobile Driver Rolling Through Colorado
Brandon Mazzaferro (aka Bun Man Bran) tells us how he’d make a Colorado-style hot dog.
Colorado’s Biggest History Buffs on What the State’s Past Tells Us About Its Future
Following the release of their third book, Boom and Bust Colorado, we spoke with Thomas Noel (aka Dr. Colorado) and William Hansen about the Gold Rush, COVID-19, and the effect of cancel culture on history.
Denver’s Sidewalk Infrastructure Is Failing. One Man’s TikTok Might Change That
Jonathon Stalls never thought he would be one to download TikTok. Now, he’s bringing viral attention to an often overlooked problem: Denver sidewalks.
What’s in Season Now: Fresh Hops
Find out what makes beers crafted with fresh hops so special—and where you can drink them this October.
Colorado’s Michaela Onyenwere Makes Hoops History as 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year
We caught up with the Aurora native and New York Liberty forward after her latest accolade.
Colorado Adaptive Athletes Climb Cotopaxi Volcano for Disability Rights
A mountaineering mission led by Coloradans is raising funds to support individuals with amputation needs.
Boulder Restaurant Week Is Getting a Facelift. Here’s What You Need to Know
The program returns October 8–17 with a fresh format (all-you-can-eat tacos, anyone?) that benefits more restaurants and appeals to a wider audience of patrons.
Spoil Yourself With Sushi and Sake At Nakazawa in Aspen
The New York City import opened in the mountain town in December.
One of the Nation’s Best Puzzle Box Makers Lives in Denver
For more than 20 years, Kagen Sound has been perfecting the nuances of some of the most perplexing objects in the world.
Want to Attend the DCPA? Here Are the New COVID-19 Rules
On the eve of reopening, Denver’s premier theater venue issues guidelines for guests.
RiNo’s New Catbird Hotel Is a Swanky Home Away From Home
The extended-stay boutique hotel merges innovative, modern design with a playful vibe.
This Colorado Company Produces 1,800 Cubes Of Cocktail Ice Per Hour
Englewood-based Colorado Ice Works—which supplies fancy cubes and spheres to local bars and restaurants—hopes to become the largest craft ice producer in North America.
7 Thrilling Autumn Activities In and Near Denver
Whether you’re looking for a good scare or a wholesome family outing, the Mile High City has you covered.
Local 46 Is Set to Stay Open Past Its Original October Closing Date
The beloved Berkeley bar plans to keep operating at least through the new year after the building’s new owners extended an opportunity to stay open.
3 Can’t-Miss Fall Events for Design Lovers
Artist Hunt Slonem’s first solo show in Denver; Design Within Reach’s diverse fall launch; an exhibition for furniture geeks.
Perk Up Your Space With These 10 Happy Home Items
We dare you to not smile at these stylish accessories.
How to Nail the Maximalist Look in Your Home
Designer Andrea Schumacher shares her tips for living large.
The Best Benjamin Moore Blues, According to a Color Expert
Interior designer Erin Iba shares five of her favorite hues for grounding any room.
Perdida Kitchen Brings Coastal Vibes to Colorado
Baja-inspired flavors and beachy style go together like surf and sand at this Wash Park eatery.
Dust Off Your Entertaining Skills With Help From These 5 Party Pros
The easiest and most efficient way to throw a fab gathering at home this season? Enlist the experts.
At Home With Designer Keia McSwain
The owner of Kimberly & Cameron Interiors and president of the Black Interior Designers Network shows off her colorful Uptown condo.
Inside a Steamboat Springs House Designed for Family Fun
Interior designer Lindsey Jamison—with help from her kids—flips “mountain modern” on its head by renovating her own home with loads of color, eye-catching patterns, and a dose of whimsy.
Crafting A Sanctuary in Cory-Merrill
A multiyear collaboration between a homeowner and designer Jodi Cook produces a Cory-Merrill home that celebrates tailored style and meaningful decor.
A Boulder Home That Packs a Colorful Punch
One of Boulder’s oldest homes gets a vibrant new look that marries an energetic color palette and prints with “pow.”
Nadia Watts Shares Her Favorite Collector’s Item
An assortment of ginger jars tells a story in the designer’s living room.
Meet the Artist: Kristen Abbott
How the Boulder-based creative finds beauty and meaning through her mixed-media works.
Eriko Tsogo and Her Family Bring Mongolia to Meow Wolf
The team of artists built ‘Mongovoo Temple,’ an encapsulation of Mongolian culture and religion, in Meow Wolf’s new permanent Denver exhibit.
Denver Public Schools’ Lunch Programs Are Going Gourmet
A breakdown of the costs and benefits behind Denver Public Schools’ switch to scratch-made meals.
How Denver Anglers Got Hooked on Carp
This month, the city hosts the 15th annual Carp Slam fly fishing tournament, and its success highlights how local anglers have put one of America’s most scorned gamefish on the national map.
A Boulder Company Is Leading the Next Technology Revolution
ColdQuanta is ready to take the next step in quantum computing.
Shareable Plates Are the Draw At Ash’Kara in Boulder
At Ash’Kara’s new outpost, chef-owner Daniel Asher’s menu both sparks memories and helps diners make new ones.
5 Weekend Trips Through Colorado’s Wine-Making Regions
We created five itineraries to help you savor the final dregs of harvest season in the Centennial State.
Meet the Emerging Musicians Defining Denver’s Sound
Nikki Swarn, general manager of 104.7 The Drop, tunes us in to three can’t-miss Mile High artists—plus, a list of local bangers to add to your playlists ASAP.
Why Poulette Bakeshop’s Gorgeous Gâteau Macaron Is a Stellar Spend
The seasonally changing, special-order stunner takes bakers Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos 48 hours to make.
The Untold Story of Women in Craft Brewing
This past spring’s reckoning over discrimination and harassment in the craft brewing industry brought newfound attention to females working in the scene—but Colorado women want you to know they’ve been here since the very beginning.
To Geotag or Not to Geotag, That Is the Question
Anti-geotagging champions believe their campaign protects fragile ecosystems; however, critics say they’re playing a game of keep-away with our public lands. Who’s right?
Choosing to Spend Life’s Final Act in Colorado’s High Mountains
Slowing down to enjoy life’s final act from a house by the side of the road in rural Grand County.
Behind the Scenes of Working at a Haunted House
Scare actors face workplace hazards you’ve only seen in your nightmares.
Happy Meals
A letter from the editor of 5280.
A Megadrought Is Hurting Colorado Farmers
Southwestern Colorado’s Mancos Valley had long been thought of as an agricultural promised land, seemingly resistant to the ravages of climate change. There had been dry years, of course. But, along with acres and acres of crops, the blissful notion of relative immunity perished in 2021.
The Best 45 Dishes to Eat in Denver Right Now
We spent months brunching, lunching, and indulging in elaborate multicourse dinner feasts to bring you this guide to the most delectable meals in the Mile High City.
Handy Tips For Growing Your Own Herbs
Annie Huston, owner of Birdsall & Co. The Garden Boutique on South Broadway and the Urban Nursery in RiNo, teaches us how to grow herbs indoors.
An Expert on Spooky Terrariums Teaches You How to Make Your Own
Amber Hage-Ali, owner of the Terrorium Shop, shares her process for building terrariums (or, as she calls them “terroriums”).
3 Ways To Pot Your Plants
A quick primer on planters, plus some local picks.
Want More Plants for Free? Learn How to Propagate
These six steps make propagating your plants surprisingly easy.
Your Questions about House Plants, Answered by Colorado Experts
We asked the pros for answers to our staff’s—and our reader’s—most pressing plant questions.
How to Decide Which Plant is Best for You (and Your Home)
Some plants crave sunlight and lots of water. Others prefer less sun exposure and a drier lifestyle. Our selection helps you figure out which is which.
Visit These Local Plant Shops To Find Your Next Leafy Friend
Denver boasts an almost overwhelming number of plant shops. These are some of our favorites.
Stop Making These Rookie Houseplant Mistakes—And Start Learning The Lingo
No, you don’t have a black thumb. You just fell victim to these common plant care mistakes.
It Takes (At Least) Two
A letter from the editor of 5280 Home‘s October/November 2021 issue.
Meet the Man Bringing New Zealand–Style Ice Cream to Denver
Mixed with real fruit, Hap Cameron’s soft-serve swirls offer Coloradans a taste of his homeland at Happy Cones Co.
The Unpredictable Behavior of the Ptarmigan Fire Near Silverthorne Is the New Normal
Summit County officials evacuated nearly 200 residences in Silverthorne earlier this week due to the Ptarmigan Fire’s rapid spread. Fire managers say they’re seeing more burns behave in a similar manner.
Tired of White Claw? Try These Bubbly, Colorado-Made Drinks Instead
Palisade-based Sauvage Spectrum’s new piquette and Carboy Winery’s Cold Vine wine seltzers are the sessionable sippers to bring to all your fall gatherings.
The Best Record Stores in Denver
We browsed LP bin after LP bin to bring you our six favorite places for vinyl records in the Mile High City.
Another La Niña Is Forming. What Does That Mean for Winter in Denver?
We probably aren’t getting an overwhelming amount of snow days this year.
Eat Your Feelings with Lazy Dog’s Nostalgic TV Dinners
How one Colorado restaurant group is offering diners an old-school take on takeout comfort food.
Denver’s Evan Gill Becomes the Fourth African American to Summit All 58 Colorado 14ers
His journey shows how often African American achievements are forgotten.
Checking in on the Worst Trade in Baseball History
Seven months after the Colorado Rockies traded Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals, we look at who won the transaction. (Hint: It’s definitely not the Rockies, but it doesn’t look as bad as some people originally thought.)
What It’s Really Like to Workout in Traverse Fitness’ Altitude Training Studio
The new South Broadway gym is able to adjust the oxygen levels so athletes can challenge themselves at sea level—or at 14,000 feet.
Explore Iconic Denver Architecture During Doors Open Denver
The annual event, beginning September 27, offers three weeks of free virtual tours and ticketed in-person tours of Denver’s built environment.
Emanuel Martínez Brought Muralism to Denver. Now, Gentrification Threatens His Art
The artist’s iconic murals celebrating Chicano history and culture made the Mile High City a public art mecca.
Where to Drink When You Go Leaf Peeping in Aspen
From cocktails served in miniature bathtubs at 7908 to whiskey on the rocks at Hooch, there’s no shortage of places to wet your whistle in the beautiful mountain town.
Busy Bees Welcome Denver Employees Back to the Office
Mile High City businesses are investing in beehives as a way to ease the workforce back to the office. What’s all the buzz about?
