How Colorado Breweries Weathered the Nationwide Aluminum Can Shortage
As demand for canned beverages spiked in 2020, local brewers found creative ways to shift their business toward at-home consumption.
What You Need to Know About the U.S. Space Command Controversy
One of former President Donald Trump’s final acts as commander-in-chief was to announce that the headquarters for the military operation would be relocated from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama—a move that Colorado’s congressional delegation is now challenging.
Two of Colorado’s Brightest Culinary Talents Are Leaving
Secret Sauce pastry chef Nadine Donovan and Jacaranda chef Modou Jaiteh are headed to the Carolinas. But are they going for good?
Will Denver’s 5 Star Certification Program Save Local Restaurants?
The business-variance program could begin pre-certifying area eateries as soon as the first week of February—but increased indoor capacity will have to wait until pandemic metrics go down.
The Expert’s Guide to Creating a Well-Designed Home in 2021
Sari Mina Ross shares the trends that will shape our living spaces this year—from high-performance kitchens to easy-clean, antibacterial materials and more.
Saranya Cooks Thai Recipe Kits Support A Delicious Mission
Zonya Saranya Dawson is sharing her family traditions while helping individuals experiencing food insecurity.
Boulder’s Tegan Bartholomew Brown Is Set to Become One of the First Female Eagle Scouts
She is just one badge away from achieving the honor, which only four percent of scouts earn.
Snowshoe We Like: Wild Basin in Rocky Mountain National Park
With three frozen waterfalls and cascades to choose from, the main trail through this beautiful basin lets you select the destination and length of your next winter adventure.
Del Mar by Rooted Brings Elevated Seafood to Avanti Food & Beverage
Thoughtfully prepared fish and vegetarian specialities are on the menu at Nicholas Kayser and Scott Ericson’s newest food stall.
When Will an In-Person Outdoor Retailer Return to Denver?
The outdoor industry’s biannual event has necessarily turned its Winter Market Show into a COVID-friendly virtual format, and the ripple effects can be felt throughout the Mile High City.
Put Palisade’s Pêche On Your Winter Road Trip Itinerary
The Western Slope restaurant combines the best of fine dining—creative plates, attentive service—with a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere suited to its small town home.
The National Western Stock Show Did Not Go On—And the Cost to the Local Economy Is Staggering
The more than 100-year-old Colorado tradition, which would have taken place from January 8–23, typically brings 700,000-plus attendees to the Mile High City each year. Without it, our local economy—from ranchers and retailers to hotels and restaurants—is losing $120 million.
How to Ride Your Mountain Bike in the Snow This Winter
You don’t necessarily need a fat bike for winter riding. Local experts explain how to get the two-wheeler you already own ready for snowy conditions.
The Tale Behind the Triumph of Golden’s Xicamiti La Taquería y Bistró
Family is the driving force behind Walter and Paola Meza’s charming four-year-old Mexican restaurant.
How to Order Take-Out Wine Like A Pro
Denver sommelier Maia Parish helps navigate to-go wine options so you know which bottles pair best with what you’re eating.
Colorado’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Is Going Pretty Well, All Things Considered
Our state is among the best at getting vaccines into arms quickly. Experts explain what the Centennial State has done right—and the challenges we still need to overcome.
Joe Biden Is Inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States
Despite warnings that armed protests could be staged at state capitols throughout the U.S., in Colorado, those concerns did not come to pass.
Inside the Culinary Creative Group’s 7 Cool New Initiatives
From expanding the Tap & Burger concept to launching a COVID rapid testing site, restaurateur Juan Padró and his team have been busy.
The Story Behind Lady Justice Brewery’s Sandra Day IPA
How one surprising email led a legal-themed brewery to brush shoulders with the first woman on the Supreme Court.
The Denver Art Museum Needs Your Help Creating Its New Mural
Local artists are invited to submit proposals for a large-scale artwork slated for the museum’s reimagined Martin Building.
Try This New DIY Room-Building Kit for Pop-Up Privacy
YOURspace delivers a portable pod of peace and quiet for any room of your home.
Sushi Ronin Replaces 12 at Madison in Congress Park
This is the third Ronin restaurant in the metro area, and there’s a fourth on the way.
Many Coloradans Have Already Had Enough of Lauren Boebert
The gun-loving, conspiracy-theory-spouting congresswoman from Western Colorado has been in office for just over two weeks. But calls for her to resign, including a petition signed by more than 32,000 Coloradans, are growing by the day.
Quench Your Thirst on the Patio at Georgetown’s Cabin Creek Brewing
Lakeside vistas, flagship brews, and elevated bar fare are the draw at this eight-month-old mountain venture.
“Help Us Stay Alive”—Aspen Gay Ski Week Continues Virtually This Year
For 44 years, Aspen has been home to the world’s only nonprofit gay ski week. While the popular event is hosting virtual celebrations this year, the organizers are hoping community support will help them get to their 45th anniversary in 2022.
What You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccines in Colorado
The much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccines are now being administered throughout Colorado, but questions about their potential side effects and the state’s distribution plan remain. We have answers.
Motus Theater’s MLK Jr. Day Performances Shine a Spotlight on the Criminal Justice System
The Boulder theater company’s virtual production will offer music, slam poetry, and readings of autobiographical monologues penned by formerly incarcerated Coloradans.
You Can Judge the Inventing Room’s National Pie Day Contest
Reserve your ticket to taste and judge pies made by local baking pros at the virtual event, hosted by the sweets shop and pie expert John Lehndorff.
Rare-in-Denver Armenian Treats Find a Home at House of Bread
Georgian cheese bread is just one of the goodies traditionally enjoyed in Armenia that you can pick up at the family-owned bakery.
Representative Jason Crow Discusses Insurrection, Impeachment, and Inauguration
Moments after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, the Colorado congressman spoke with 5280 about what this historic week has been like for him and his colleagues.
Yes, It’s Possible to Find Love During the Pandemic. 3 Colorado Couples Explain How
Dating can be difficult in the best of times. During a pandemic, it can feel damn near impossible. Yet some Coloradans overcame the odds and found love this past year.
Denver’s 2020 Real Estate Market Saw an Unprecedented Number of Records Broken
And just because we’re in a new calendar year doesn’t mean that the industry is slowing down.
6 Local Wine Clubs to Elevate Your At-Home Drinking
Support Colorado restaurants through these monthly programs, which include special bottles, education, and interaction.
Demand for Gig Workers Is Soaring During the Pandemic
While contract or flexible employment is even more sought after during the COVID-19 pandemic, these workers often lack the benefits that come with more traditional jobs. Will that ever change?
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.
