May 2026

FROM THE GROUND UP

Denver’s farms, food rescuers, and composters making a more sustainable city

NATURE vs. NURTURE?

FLY FISHING CAMP AT THE BROADMOOR

Our Version of The Fly Life

An angler's paradise, set amid pine and aspen-filled mountains, The Broadmoor's Orvis-endorsed Fly Fishing Camp invites guests to unwind in a breathtaking setting. Fish for wild brown, brook, cutthroat, and rainbow trout in pristine waters, guided by expert instructors...or, simply revel in the timeless charm of timbered canyons, grassy meadows, and winding river bends. Experience an unrivaled, all-inclusive getaway that includes luxurious accommodations, 2:1 guided fishing, gourmet meals, unlimited beverages, exciting daily activities, and exclusive amenities—at one exceptional rate. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK YOUR WILDERNESS GETAWAY, VISIT BROADMOOR.COM OR CALL 855.377.4273

3755 NORTH RAMPART RANGE ROAD littleton

setting the stage

Somewhere between a hydroponic greenhouse and a gleaning crew hauling apple crates through a local neighborhood, Denver’s farms, food rescuers, and composters are building a more sustainable city. By Lexi Marshall

10 14 18 26 24 30 42 60 66 70 60 74

SETTING THE STAGE

Connecting to Nature By Heather Shoning

local flavors

FEEDING WITH FIRE

Uchiko Cherry Creek brings the heat By Lexi Marshall

healthy living

PROTECTING THE PLACES WE LOVE

From building trails to gardens, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado connects people to nature By Brittany Anas

stylish living

LOVING LINEN

Summer’s go-to fabric By Kastle Waserman

GALLERY HOPPING

Local artists create space to showcase their art By Kastle Waserman

SPECIAL SECTION

The best home design decisions happen at IDC Building

OUTDOOR RETREAT

Designing indoor-style comforts for your Colorado patio By Kristen West

wayfarers

FIVE SPECTACULAR COLORADO PUBLIC LANDS HIKES

A selection of our favorite treks to commemorate Public Lands Day By Lisa Blake

society & culture

FOSTERING HOPE

The Morgan Adams Foundation funds optimism for childhood cancer survival By Kastle Waserman

THE MAKING OF A LEADER

Cristal Torres DeHerrera’s early experiences inspired a lifetime of leadership By Kristen West

ON THE AGENDA

Denver Fashion Week, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day High Tea, and more

A 124-year foundation. A STRONG COMMITMENT TO COLORADO.

Founded more than a century ago in Jefferson City, Missouri, Central Bank brought its proven approach to Colorado in 2017—supporting local businesses, families, and communities with the same care we’ve always delivered.

Stop by and see how you can Dream Bigger. Bank Better.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE | WESTMINSTER | COLORADO SPRINGS | DURANGO | LITTLETON

OPENING IN MAY! Downtown Littleton Branch

Our 5th Colorado location is opening soon in the heart of Downtown Littleton! Stop by once we open to explore all Central Bank has to offer.

TEAM MEET OUR COLORADO

Charlie Car twright, SVP Head of Private Banking

Charlie has lived in Colorado since he was 6 months old. He grew up and currently lives in the same vicinity as our DTC branch Charlie loves Colorado for the changing seasons, which he enjoys while playing golf, hunting, fishing, and

skiing. Charlie recenlty celebrated his second year with Central Bank and notes that it is like no other bank. “We are bringing back true old school banking, which created relationship banking ”

Piper Pierce, Chief Credit Officer

PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER

Allen J. Walters

SALES, MARKETING & ADVERTISING

VP OF SALES & MARKETING

Lori Perry

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Brad Butler

Minda Carmann

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Chris DeConna

VP OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND GOLF OPERATIONS

Michael T. Colander

ART & EDITORIAL

EDITOR

Heather Shoning

ART DIRECTOR

Michelle M. Gutierrez

COLORADO AVIDGOLFER EDITOR

Jim Bebbington

DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT

Carson Griggs

ADMINISTRATION

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Nikki Bell

CONTRIBUTORS

Brittany Anas

Lisa Blake

Amanda Lacey

Lexi Marshall

Kastle Waserman

Kristen West

Piper always dreamed of living in Colorado, which she has done since 2002. She enjoys golfing, going to outdoor concerts, hiking with her dog Maple, and doing MEMBER

yoga Piper has been banking in the Denver area for 24 years and joined Central Bank at the beginning of the year. “What I love about Central Bank is playing a part in the supportive culture that we have, we support our clients and each other with actions, not just words!”

CONTACT

Advertising Inquiries: allen@coloradoavidgolfer.com

Editorial

Mailing

TALK OF THE TOWN

KNOW SOMEONE who should be featured in AvidLifestyle?

Tell me about them at heather@avidlifestyle.com

CONNECTING TO NATURE

I’VE BEEN THINKING lately about how much the landscape here shapes the rhythm of daily life. Not in an obvious way, but quietly, almost subconsciously. The mountains frame our views, trails begin just beyond neighborhoods, and even the busiest parts of the city seem to carry the expectation that, at some point in the day, we’ll step outside and breathe a little deeper. Colorado’s natural beauty subtly influences how we move through the world—how we spend our weekends, what we value, and the way we gather with the people around us.

That sense of connecting—to the land, to food, and to our communities—runs quietly through many of the stories in this issue.

Our feature on sustainable food practices (From the Ground Up, page 52) looks at the ways small farms, urban agriculture projects, and local composting initiatives are changing how food moves through the region. From hydroponic greens grown in Englewood to programs turning food waste into healthy soil, the story reveals a system that’s becoming more thoughtful and more local with every season.

The landscape itself also takes center stage this month. In Five Spectacular Colorado Public Lands Hikes (page 60), we head out onto some of the state’s best hiking trails, exploring the places that remind us how fortunate we are to have so much public land within easy reach. And in Protecting The Places We Love (page 18), we learn how Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado connects people to nature through hands-on stewardship across the state.

Elsewhere in the issue, the focus turns to the people shaping the cultural life of the region. Our Fostering Hope article (page 66) highlights the work of The Morgan Adams Foundation and the profound impact its supporters continue to make in pediatric cancer research. We also introduce readers to Cristal Torres DeHerrera (The Making of a Leader, page 70), whose work across several major Denver institutions reflects a belief that growth, equity, and environmental stewardship are all part of the same conversation.

Of course, the pleasures of everyday life are never far from the pages of AvidLifestyle. A celebrated sushi concept arrives in Cherry Creek (Feeding With Fire, page 14), while our Stylish Living section explores galleries, interiors, and outdoor living ideas (pages 24–48).

Colorado has a way of encouraging connection—to the land, to food, and to one another. Maybe that’s why this time of year feels so renewing. As the days grow longer and the outdoors pulls us, it’s a reminder that the place we live isn’t just a backdrop. It’s part of the story we’re all helping to write. Happy reading.

Heather Shoning

AvidLifestyle is a lifestyle magazine serving Denver’s south suburbs. And we’re excited to add new, experienced writers to our growing list of contributors. Do you have magazine writing experience? Do you know Denver’s south suburbs? Can you dig deep for the unique story about the people, places, and events that make our community special? If so, we want you! Please email heather@avidlifestyle.com with basic info about yourself and at least three published clips (links are fine).

Award-Winning Agents

AWARDED BY

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Libby Levinson-Katz, Elizabeth Sacerdoti

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$30M-$39.9M | 46-55 Sides

Dawn Raymond

Jim Rhye

Bob Kelly & Sean Kelly

Gold

$15M-$19.9M | 26-35 Sides

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The GHS Group:

Rob Goldhammer, Chris Howey, Scott Stang

The Hotz Group: Elizabeth Hotz, Meredith Hotz, Larry Hotz

Brian & Jamie Harris #5 Top Partnership in Sales Production

GLW Group: Chuck Gargotto, Jonathan Lopez, Jason Weisgerber, Angela Coleman

5 The Hotz Group #5 Top Team in Sales Production 3-5 Members

Onyx Collection: Carly Anderson, Kat Brill, Katie Knowlton, Kendall Baker, Nicole Malone, Stephanie Sulstrom, Belinda Cox, Meg Fleischli

Platinum

$20M-$29.9M | 36-45 Sides

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Kentwood Real Estate Denver Tech Center

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#1 Sales Production & Number of Transactions (76-100 Agents) Managed by Chris Howey

Kentwood Real Estate City Properties

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FeedingFire WITH

Uchiko Cherry Creek brings the heat

By Lexi Marshall

CHERRY CREEK ISN’T EXACTLY short on upscale dining, but Uchiko brings something different to the mix: fire. You notice it immediately. The second the door opens, there’s a curl of woodsmoke in the air—warm, a little intoxicating, and just unfamiliar enough to make you pause. It sets the tone before you even reach your table.

The restaurant, which opened in February in the striking black building that once housed the Ginny Williams Gallery, leans into a more elemental, hearth-driven approach to Japanese cuisine—one that feels both refined and deeply rooted.

The concept comes from Tyson Cole, the James Beard Award–winning chef behind the acclaimed Uchi. With Uchiko (literally “child of Uchi”), Cole explores what happens when flame becomes the focal point. The result is a menu that leans into smoke, char, and depth, while still honoring the precision and restraint of Japanese technique.

At the Cherry Creek outpost, that vision is brought to life by chef de cuisine Andres Araujo, whose resume spans some of the world’s most respected kitchens. After five years with Uchi’s RiNo team, Araujo now leads Uchiko’s kitchen with a steady hand, balancing flavor with clean composition.

Dining at Uchiko is about discovery—but the layered menu and small portions can feel slightly intimidating at first glance. For those who prefer to hand over the reins, Uchiko offers multiple guided tasting options. A traditional 10-course omakase delivers a curated progression of the kitchen’s standout dishes, while the more flexible somakase experience invites conversation. Guests can share ingredient preferences and curiosities, allowing the culinary team to tailor a personalized menu in real time.

The hearth-grilled nigiri is where Uchiko really shows off. Skip the expected raw salmon belly and lean into the kitchen’s strengths. The gyutoro, made with 72-hour Westholme wagyu, delivers a depth of flavor that lingers; the nasu, a Japanese eggplant, turns silky with a subtle, smoke-kissed richness; and the locally sourced altius mushroom confit is earthy and quietly exceptional. These are the bites that make the strongest case for what Uchiko is really doing. That same commitment to warmth and intention carries through the hot tastings. The take nabe—a composed bowl of seasonal mushroom, koshihikari rice, and farm egg—is the kind of dish that reads simply on paper and arrives with unexpected depth. Equally persuasive is the Japanese sweet potato, plated with crème fraîche, brown butter, and a nori vinaigrette. Both dishes reflect the menu’s broader strength: coaxing maximum flavor from ingredients through technique rather than excess. It’s notably inclusive, with a variety of plant-based dishes that feel just as considered and complex as their counterparts—an often-overlooked strength in restaurants of this caliber.

The kitchen refuses to coast on dessert. The dairy-free sundae, built on banana, coconut, and caramel, is bright and satisfying without leaning on novelty. The cheesecake, infused with calpico, mandarin, and yuzu, walks a precise line between richness and citrus lift. And the milk and cereal, a composed plate of fried milk, chocolate mousse, and toasted milk ice cream, is the kind of nostalgic finale that earns the table’s attention long after the savory courses have settled.

For those looking for a more casual entry point, the daily happy hour, running from 4 to 6 p.m., is an ideal way to sample the menu’s creativity at a more accessible price point, paired with a thoughtfully crafted cocktail, sake, or glass of wine.

In a dining scene that continues to evolve, Uchiko doesn’t just add another reservation to the list—it offers a shift in perspective. Here, fire is the throughline, the mood, and the memory guests take with them long after the last course.

LUNCH & DINNER

VISIT OUR SPEAKEASY

OPENING MAY 8TH, 3:30 p.m. – CL

MONDAY – SUNDAY

LUNCH/BRUNCH: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

SOCIAL HOURS: 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

DINNER SERVICE: 5:00 p.m. – CL

Reservations available at Jack’s - Lone Tree Open Table

IN LONE TREE

Protecting the Places We Love

From building trails to gardens, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado connects people to nature

By Brittany Anas

IN A STATE DEFIN ED by dramatic landscapes and a deeply rooted outdoor recreation culture, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) has become a powerful force preserving the places Coloradans love most. The organization has mobilized thousands to build trails, restore habitats, and protect the state’s landscapes, contributing more than 27,000 hours of service in 2025 alone.

At its core, the organization is built on a simple principle: Anyone can help care for the outdoors, whether you’re an experienced backpacker or someone stepping foot on one of the Centennial State’s trails for the first time. Volunteers can pick and choose the projects that interest them most, and VOC provides all the training, tools, camp sites, and food to make sure anyone who wants to participate can do so, says Chris Nesset, chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization.

“We are also very intentional about making sure our volunteers understand why we are doing a project, its importance to the local community, and how it helps protect and conserve Colorado’s natural resources,” she says.

From trail maintenance at Aurora Reservoir to projects along the scenic Uncompahgre River Walk Loop in Ouray, VOC’s offerings are as varied as the terrain itself. This year’s lineup spans everything from helping the Loveland Youth Gardeners prepare their plots for the season to participating in a community science butterfly monitoring initiative. Volunteers can also join a Pride Month project in partnership with Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges, take on high-altitude trail work on peaks like Mount Democrat, a beloved fourteener, or contribute to fall pine cone collections that support future reforestation efforts.

Behind each project is a careful selection process that considers factors such as community benefit and how it aligns with statewide priorities, including Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s

The work of organizations like VOC quietly sustains the landscapes that define our beautiful state.

plans. VOC often steps in to help fundraise for initiatives, too.

As VOC looks ahead, the focus is on getting more people involved in more ways. Youth programming is growing, and the organization is working to remove barriers such as transportation costs while also creating new volunteer opportunities that go beyond traditional physical labor. This evolution comes at a critical moment. Since COVID, outdoor recreation has surged, Nesset points out.

“This means the impact on these open spaces is only increasing, and the work that needs to be done to preserve habitats, maintain recreational access trails, and keep our urban parks in top shape is also increasing,” she says.

Nesset points to a 2023 report from onX, a digital mapping and GPS app for outdoor enthusiasts, which shows that while 77 percent of outdoor recreation enthusiasts head outside 12 or more times each year, only 19 percent take

part in stewardship activities during the same period. Closing that gap is central to VOC’s work, which includes educating volunteers and making participation approachable.

For Nesset, a culture of stewardship is part of what makes Colorado stand out. Having lived in states across the Rocky Mountain region, Nesset says they all have beautiful scenery and amazing experiences, but Colorado is unique in that it has a strong community of grassroots supporters of the outdoors.

“In Colorado, people step up to support those places they love, and it’s what brought me back to Colorado and to VOC five years ago,” she says.

Nesset has long been an avid mountain biker, backpacker, and river runner, but, over time, her relationship with the outdoors has evolved. While she still embraces adventure, she’s also come to appreciate quieter moments—like a dark night sky, a walk in the park, or the discovery of a remote, little-known high point to climb.

ESCAPE CLOSE TO HOME

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

“We are so fortunate to live in a state that can provide all of that and a community that cares,” she says. “It is a fabulous gift that I hope to give to future generations of Coloradans.”

FINDING PURPOSE ON COLORADO’S TRAILS

Originally from Florida, Connor Bruce grew up with the Everglades as his backyard, where he developed an appreciation for the balance between people and nature. Now based in Denver, the senior cybersecurity auditor says Colorado’s mountains still leave him in awe.

Since joining Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Bruce has contributed more than 220 hours across a dozen projects statewide—from building a trail near Mary Jane ski area to restoring the historic McIntire Ranch in the San Luis Valley and constructing wood and rock steps on Mount Democrat.

“I get happy seeing our work being used by Coloradans and holding up to constant use,” says Bruce, who earned VOC’s 2025 Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year Award.

What drew him to VOC was its accessibility, creating opportunities for people to give back to the trails they use while also learning trail-building skills and connecting with others who share a love for the outdoors.

“There is also immense pride in seeing the results of a weekend’s worth of work in a new trail segment being completed,” he says.

In a place where the outdoors shapes daily life as much as the skyline or seasons, the work of organizations like VOC quietly sustains the landscapes that define our beautiful state. By turning appreciation into action, VOC helps ensure that the trails, rivers, and open spaces Coloradans treasure remain accessible and

BY THE NUMBERS

In 2025, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado completed more than 100 projects, mobilizing 3,600 participants who contributed 27,890 hours of service—an estimated $1,080,300 in donated labor. Their work resulted in:

15 miles of trail built and maintained

41K square feet of garden beds planted and cared for

1,550 feet of stream banks restored

90 acres cleared of Invasive species

130 structures built for habitat improvement

785 pounds of produce harvested and donated

healthy for years to come. Whether through a single volunteer day or hundreds of hours over time, each project reinforces a simple idea— that stewardship is not just the responsibility of land managers or conservation groups, but a shared commitment among the people who explore these places and call Colorado home.

VOLUNTEERS FOR OUTDOOR COLORADO voc.org

LOVING LINEN

Spruce up your home and your wardrobe with spring and summer’s go-to fabric

GALLERY HOPPING

Local artists create space to showcase their art and provide opportunities for other artists

LOOKING FOR ART? We’ve got you covered with a variety of galleries and events.

NKOLLECTIV GALLERY AT EASEL

3485 S. Broadway, Englewood

When artist and gallery owner Nicole Korbe experienced rising rent in her NKollectiv Gallery space in the Santa Fe Arts District, she relocated to Englewood’s South Broadway and opened the art hub, EASEL (Englewood Art Studios, Events, and Lessons) in January of 2025. The large upstairs space has abundant natural light, flexibility for multiple exhibitions, and five studio spaces that Korbe uses and subleases to working artists. There are currently 19 artist-members of NKollectiv Gallery working in various media. All members have space to display in rotating monthly exhibits and the option to work at the gallery to support the hybrid co-op/collective model.

NKollectiv Gallery

By Kastle Waserman

EASEL and NKollectiv also host artist demos, workshops, and monthly exhibition openings. Korbe says her passion for art and desire to provide opportunities for artists prompted her to start her own gallery and launch Second Saturdays, where galleries and creative businesses around Englewood host openings and events to bring more people to see what’s happening in this growing cultural hot spot. For more information, visit easel-co.com and nkollectiv.com

BLUE TILE GALLERY

3944 S. Broadway, Englewood

With rental studios, a main gallery space, and a multi-purpose exhibition area, Blue Tile Gallery features art and artists with an edgy contemporary aesthetic. Originally opened by artist Courtney Cotton in 2020, Timothea Biermann took over as manager in

December 2024 after being a resident artist. She now oversees exhibits and participation in Englewood’s Second Saturday art walks. She says the goal is to provide opportunities for local artists. The gallery hosts five to seven art exhibits per year and frequently features Biermann’s photo screenprints, the work of Emily Hammack, who creates botanical printmaking, and works from Chameleon Art Collective, a local group of 12 artists who work out of the gallery. For more information, visit bluetilegallery.com

BLUE SKY IDEA STUDIO AND GALLERY

6412 South Quebec Street, Centennial Opened in 2021, Blue Sky IDEA Studio and Gallery hosts pop-up exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and opening events with live music, creating a dynamic hub for connection among local and regional artists. The gallery features

Colorado artists working across diverse mediums. Owner Patricia Aaron initiated creative meetups to connect Centennial-area artists and provide networking opportunities for those who often work in isolation. The gallery also hosts artist talks, author book readings, and art workshops. Aaron curates a variety of exhibitions using formats to keep the experience fresh. Exhibiting artists include Aaron’s work, regional, national, and international artists, as well as those with commercial representation. For more information, visit blueskyideastudio.info

MADDEN GALLERY AT THE MUSEUM OF OUTDOOR ART

6363 S. Fiddler’s Green Circle, Suite 110, Greenwood Village

While the Museum of Outdoor Arts is known for its sculpture park and Cabinet of Curiosities, it recently added an indoor gallery to host rotating exhibitions. The 10,000-squarefoot community exhibition space in the Palazzo Verde building opened in October 2025 and primarily features Colorado artists, along with some out-of-state and international artists. The gallery’s undulating curved walls required minimal modifications to prepare for opening. However, it was still a large undertaking for the small staff, according to MOA president and CEO Cynthia Madden Leitner. The gallery has an active exhibition schedule through the end of the year, focusing on Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th anniversaries, featuring an “Americana” theme and plans to develop educational programming, including artist panels and lecture series. For more information, visit moaonline.org

BEYOND SCREENS

Why the best design decisions don’t happen online

MOST DESIGN journeys begin the same way: a quick search, a saved image, a late-night scroll through endless options. Online platforms offer convenience and inspiration, but when it comes to making real decisions about your home, the screen can only take you so far. What often starts as inspiration can quickly become overwhelming. Colors appear differently from one device to another. Materials that look perfect in a photo may feel entirely different in person. Scale is difficult to judge, and without context, even the most beautiful selections

can lead to costly mistakes. The abundance of choices—while exciting—can make it harder to move forward with confidence.

This is where the showroom experience becomes invaluable.

Stepping into a design center like the International Design Collection in Denver offers something the digital world cannot: the ability to see, touch, and truly experience materials in real life. The weight of a cabinet pull, the texture of a fabric, the subtle variation in wood

color—these details matter. They influence not only how a space looks, but how it feels to live in it every day.

Equally important is access to expertise. Showroom professionals at the businesses in the IDC Building bring a depth of product knowledge and real-world experience that helps guide decisions, answer questions, and avoid missteps. Rather than navigating thousands of options alone, visitors can engage in meaningful conversations with experts that lead to better decisions and informed choices.

In a setting like the IDC Building, this experience is further elevated. With multiple showrooms under one roof, it becomes possible to explore a wide range of products, materials, and design solutions in a single visit. What might take days or weeks to coordinate elsewhere can be accomplished efficiently in a beautiful, relaxed setting, all while maintaining a cohesive vision for the project.

Of course, visiting a showroom requires a bit more intention than browsing online. It takes planning, time, and a willingness to engage in the process. But that investment often leads to better outcomes—saving time in the long run, reducing costly revisions, and creating spaces that feel more resolved and personal.

To make the most of the experience, a little preparation goes a long way. Arriving with a

Inspire Kitchen Design Studio

general sense of your project goals, bringing inspiration images or plans, and scheduling appointments when possible can transform a visit into a highly productive and enjoyable experience. Being open to the IDC’s expert guidance can uncover solutions you may not have considered.

In the end, designing a home is not just about selecting products—it’s about creating a space that reflects how you want to live. While the internet is a powerful starting point, the most

Wellness, Untethered.

An outdoor sauna designed for the way you live — panoramic glass, warm wood, and the quiet luxury of wellness steps from your door.

SPECIALIZED SHADE

Curated designs to protect your home from Colorado’s harsh sun

BLINDS COUTURE approaches window treatments with the sensibility of a couture atelier—where tailoring, material, and precision converge to transform a practical necessity into a defining design element. The company specializes in custom window coverings conceived, measured, fabricated, and installed with an emphasis on craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail.

At the heart of the firm is a philosophy that treats window coverings much like a perfectly fitted garment. Each project is tailored to the home’s architecture and client’s lifestyle, blending beauty, privacy, and light control into a cohesive solution. The design team works directly with homeowners and trade professionals, guiding the process from initial concept through installation to ensure that every element is thoughtfully executed.

At Blinds Couture, you’ll discover a full spectrum of custom treatments, including blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery, allowing clients to tailor both the look and performance of their windows. Their shade selection alone spans numerous styles—Roman, woven wood, roller and solar shades, cellular and pleated designs, and specialized window shadings such as Silhouette, Pirouette, and Luminette. Blinds are available in materials such as wood and metal, and in vertical formats, while shutters from leading manufacturers are designed for today’s living. Additionally, window coverings can be designed to accommodate unusual window shapes, architectural features, or highly specific aesthetic preferences.

Founded and led by designer Jessica Work, Blinds Couture draws on a background that merges fashion principles with interior design.

That influence is evident in the company’s emphasis on drape, line, and texture, as well as its commitment to educating clients to make informed design decisions for their homes.

Recognized as a women-owned business and named a 2024 Top Women-Owned Company by ColoradoBiz, Blinds Couture has established itself as a trusted partner for homeowners, interior designers, and builders seeking window treatments that balance technical performance with refined design.

BLINDS COUTURE

IDC Building 590 Quivas St., 2nd Floor Denver 720.729.0091 blindscouture.com

ISLAND INGENUITY

Maximize utility and warmth in your kitchen with a striking wood island extension

IN MANY KITCHENS , the island does far more than hold a sink or provide extra prep space. It’s where people lean in with a glass of wine while dinner comes together, where kids spread out homework, and where guests inevitably gather. Increasingly, designers are shaping the island’s social side with a wood extension—an element that adds warmth, texture, and a sense of craftsmanship to a space often dominated by stone and engineered surfaces.

These extensions typically grow out from a standard countertop—often quartz or stone— forming a dedicated dining or gathering surface. The wood may project outward as an overhang for bar seating, wrap down the side in a waterfall edge, or extend the island into an L-shaped configuration. The effect is subtle but

transformative. Where stone reads cool and architectural, wood introduces a softer counterpoint that invites people to linger.

Because the extension becomes a visual focal point, the choice of slab matters. And that’s where CS Woods comes in. The company has been providing the highest quality, kiln-dried wood for residential and commercial projects for four generations. It offers ready-to-deliver furniture, but American hardwoods and sustainably harvested and reclaimed slab materials bring the wow factor you won’t find elsewhere.

Each CS Woods slab carries its own variation in grain and tone, giving the kitchen a surface that feels less manufactured and more like a one-of-a-kind feature piece. From the central

prep area to the breakfast bar to the social hub for entertaining guests, CS Woods countertop surfaces are easily adapted to meet the space. What makes these extensions appealing isn’t just their beauty. In a room filled with hard surfaces, the tactile quality of wood changes the atmosphere. It brings a sense of ease to the kitchen—the kind of place where people naturally gather, pull up a stool, and stay a little longer than planned.

CS WOODS IDC Building 590 Quivas St., 2nd Floor Denver 303-355-0302 cswoods.com

ART OF FINISH

Aria Custom Design offers timeless finishes to any surface for today’s homes

ARIA CUSTOM DESIGN approaches decorative finishes with the ingenuity of an atelier, where historic materials, artisan vision, and contemporary design meet. Aria specializes in authentic Italian Venetian plaster, custom limestone treatments, and bespoke fireplace mantelpieces designed and fabricated for architectural interiors and exteriors. The company works primarily with traditional lime Venetian plaster imported from Trieste, Italy.

Produced from dolomitic limestone by traditional methods that involve cooking the limestone, hydration, and then maintaining the slaked “seasoning” process for several years. Small amounts of fine Carrara marble dust are blended into each batch of lime “putty” before being vacuum-sealed in pails, ready for shipment around the world. These plaster finishes, applied by hand in multiple layers with specialized trowels, can be crafted to achieve a wide range of coloration, sheens, and textures —both subtle and powerful —providing stunning visual effects, from subdued to bold— high-gloss polished to matte, even suede-like finishes. Curing in contact with air, the plaster absorbs carbon dioxide, allowing the chemical and physical transformation of the plaster back into calcium and magnesium carbonates, thereby becoming limestone again. The Italians call the process simply, “From stone back to stone.”

Founded in 2004 by Chris and Michelle Lobato, the company grew from a deep appreciation for the beauty and endurance of classical architecture. Chris Lobato has become an artist in Venetian plaster application, specialty finishes, and architectural stone design, drawing inspiration from centuries-old European building traditions and the materials that defined them. Through years of experimentation and studio work, he has developed his own specialized techniques, exceeding the range of textures and finishes he learned from his Italian colleagues. Becoming adept at tailoring new finishes to a client’s special requests and vision, Chris has also excelled at instructing and guiding his team of craftsmen, propelling each of them to more rapid refinement of their plastering skills. Most notably, Aria is a team; Michelle brings grace and competence in client relations, her skills honed in the airline industry as a top-level corporate flight attendant for Fortune 500

company owners and founders. In her corporate career, Michelle flew all over the world and developed relationships with many prestigious clients. Michelle and Chris married in 2004 and, shortly thereafter, she had a vital part in shaping the Aria company. She expertly managed behind-thescenes logistics and operations and, more importantly, lent her skill in client relations to quickly become Aria’s forward-facing voice of professionalism and sophistication.

In addition to the elegant plaster finishes, Aria provides bespoke architectural limestone elements, including fireplace mantelpieces, surrounds, columns, archways, window trim, staircases, and other decorative stone details, all designed by Lobato. The finest cast stone on the market, Aria has a proprietary blend of crushed limestone, two additional minerals, and a specialty binder that yields a rich, authentic stone that can also be chiseled,

carved, and finished by hand to achieve highly detailed architectural details. Aria also provides full fireplace design and remodeling, which will include complete protection, demolition, firebox removal, installation, framing, drywall, finishing, decorative treatments, “the whole nine yards”. Working closely with architects, builders, designers, and homeowners, the Aria team’s stellar performance transforms materials and craft into “become atmosphere,” shaping how the space is experienced.

ARIA CUSTOM DESIGN

IDC Building

590 Quivas St., 3rd Floor Denver 303.623.3090

ariacustomdesign.com

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OUTDOOR RETREAT

Designing indoor-style comforts for your Colorado patio

IN THE SOUTH DENVER suburbs, outdoor living is an extension of the home, with patios designed for everything from quiet mornings to lively gatherings. Creating a space that feels both inviting and purposeful starts with a clear vision of how it will be used, how it will look, and how it will perform over time. Here we look at how the most successful outdoor spaces balance aesthetics with smart material choices, layered design, and a focus on longevity.

For those starting from scratch, design experts suggest focusing first on how the space will

By Kristen West

be used most often, rather than trying to complete an entire patio at once. For some, that means beginning with a kitchen and dining setup for family meals, and for others, it may be a lounge area centered around a fire feature. Owner of Creative Living, Micheline Stone, encourages homeowners to prioritize their lifestyle needs. “If you’re a cook, add a real kitchen. Focus on what you want—what’s going to make you happy,” she says. “You can always add on to it.”

Material choice can make or break the design, Stone says. The region’s intense sun and

temperature swings can quickly break down lower-quality pieces. Instead, she points to durable staples like teak, powder-coated aluminum, and performance fabrics such as Sunbrella. “You’re putting more money in upfront, but it lasts longer,” she says. Outdoor acrylic fabrics are engineered to resist fading at higher elevations, which is a common issue, and aluminum frames and composite materials hold up against cracking and general wear. Accents like umbrellas provide shade and style, but only if they’re built with sturdy frames and proper venting to withstand

Colorado’s gusts. The same attention should carry over to larger outdoor installations, such as kitchens, where material selection is critical. Lesley Short of Lehrer Fireplace & Patio advises homeowners to start with safety and hardiness when designing outdoor kitchens. “Choose something non-combustible like stone or metal,” she says. “Barbecue grills are hot—think of it like a small fire on your countertop.” From there, materials need to withstand both UV exposure and fluctuating temperatures. Native sandstone is one option that performs well while also tying into the surrounding landscape. Just as important, Short notes, is visual continuity. “Outdoor living spaces are best enjoyed if they feel like an extension or another room of your home.”

That connection between indoors and out is shaping design trends across the region. Rob Osgard, senior staff member and buyer at Howard Lorton Furniture & Design, says homeowners are moving away from years

Lehrer Fireplace & Patio

of gray-heavy palettes in favor of warmer, more inviting tones. “Once you’ve had a cycle of gray and very dull hues for a long time, you want something warmer, more inviting, more nesting and spa-like,” he says. “People started creating these cozy environments in their homes, and they want that same feeling when they go outdoors.” To create cohesion from indoors to outdoors, homeowners are synchronizing earthy color palettes, keeping their views unobstructed by large furniture, and incorporating splashes of color from their flower beds into their decor.

Layering materials is another way to elevate a patio’s design. Mixing wood, metal, and woven elements adds depth while keeping the space from feeling flat or overly matched.

Osgard points to combinations like aluminum paired with outdoor rope or teak accents as particularly popular. Fire features are also becoming more customized, with homeowners gravitating toward unique shapes, cutouts, and finishes that feel more personal than standard, off-the-shelf designs.

For those working with smaller patios or tighter budgets, simple updates can still make an impact. Additions like throw pillows, colorful planters, garden benches, rugs, artwork, sculptural accents, or even a plug-and-play fountain can shift the entire feel of a patio without requiring a full redesign. “These small changes can add a lot to pop your space and add character, warmth, and personality,” Osgard says.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a space that feels unified, comfortable, and built to last. By combining deliberate design choices with durable materials and well-chosen accents, homeowners can create an outdoor oasis that reflects their personal style and withstands the Centennial State’s unique weather conditions.

Howard Lorton Furniture

& Design

FROM THE GROUND

Denver’s farms, food rescuers, and composters are building a more sustainable city

By Lexi Marshall

THE GROUND UP

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN a hydroponic greenhouse and a gleaning crew hauling apple crates through a local neighborhood, the Mile High City is quietly rethinking its relationship with food. Not in a grand, policy-document kind of way—though that is happening, too—but in the practical, season-by-season work of people who believe the distance between a garden and a kitchen table should be as short as possible. The city faces real pressure. Colorado’s Food Bank of the Rockies reports hunger has reached a 10-year high, with nearly 13 percent of the state’s population experiencing food insecurity. At the same time, the USDA estimates that between 30 and 40 percent of the U.S. food supply is wasted every year. The people working at the intersection of those two facts—growers, gleaners, and composters—are trying to close that gap one harvest at a time.

GROWING LOCAL

James O’Brien revived Rebel Farm in 2023 to solve a problem he couldn’t stop thinking about: the produce in most Denver kitchens had already traveled hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles before anyone touched it. His answer was a 15,000-square-foot greenhouse within Denver city limits, using a hydroponic method called the Nutrient Film Technique, in which a thin stream of nutrient-rich water flows continuously over plant roots, then is captured and recirculated. There’s no soil erosion, minimal runoff, and very limited need for chemical inputs. Greens harvested at Rebel Farm typically travel fewer than 25 miles to reach a kitchen.

For a city where winter temperatures can swing wildly, controlled-environment agriculture also solves a reliability problem. “During winter months, most leafy greens are shipped from California or Arizona,” O’Brien says. “That creates dependence on distant weather patterns, fuel prices, and transportation networks.” His greenhouse harvests just as reliably in January as in July—offering local restaurants and consumers consistent quality year-round and keeping more food dollars circulating within Colorado’s economy.

“As climate pressures increase and water becomes more precious in the West, controlled-environment agriculture allows us to grow more with less,” he says. “Hydroponic systems use a fraction of the water required in field production and can operate on smaller footprints inside city limits. But resilience isn’t just about production, it’s about access. Urban farms have the potential to partner with schools, nonprofits, and community programs to expand access to fresh, nutrient-dense food.”

O’Brien sees Rebel Farm as part of a broader shift toward a more diversified, localized food system—one that’s cleaner, more efficient, and more connected to the communities it serves.

HARVESTING WHAT’S ALREADY HERE

Not all of Denver’s food recovery work starts in a greenhouse. Some of it starts in someone’s backyard, under a heavily laden apple tree.

A quiet food revolution is taking shape in Denver, driven by people shortening the distance between where food is grown and where it is needed most.

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Grow Local Colorado, a nonprofit managing 19 community gardens across the Denver metro area, recovered nearly 12,000 pounds of fruit through gleaning in 2025—and co-director Barbara Masoner estimates that represents just 10 percent of the fruit actually available in the area. A tree owner contacts Grow Local when fruit is ripe, a crew of at least five volunteers shows up with equipment and crates, and the harvest goes to nearby food relief organizations. Slightly blemished fruit goes to schools and nonprofits for applesauce and other simple preparations; Grow Local also hosts cider-making events in the fall.

“Food that ends up in a landfill creates methane gas, one of the most potent greenhouse gases,” Masoner says. “By diverting thousands of pounds of fruit annually from the waste stream, we are reducing methane emissions from the landfill.”

Masoner is deliberate about what gets grown in the gardens, too. Before each season, her team asks partner food pantries what their clients actually want. “Though kale and chard are easy to grow, not that many people like them,” she says. “We also want to provide food relevant to the community’s culture.” Harvests are timed to pantry distribution days and delivered through partnerships with Blue Shed Urban Gardens and Fresh Food Connect to ensure peak freshness.

“There is enough food in our country to feed everyone,” Masoner says. “The issue is how to equitably distribute it. We’re providing one piece of that puzzle.”

CLOSING THE LOOP

If gleaning and urban farming represent the front end of a more sustainable food system, composting is what happens at the other end—and Noah Kaplan, executive director of Compost Colorado (CoCo), will tell you it may be the most important part of all.

Founded in 2018, CoCo operates 60 drop-off locations across the Denver metro area, accessible 24/7, plus weekly or biweekly curbside pickup for residential members. Monthly fees range from around $5 for drop-off access to $40 for larger curbside containers. On the commercial side, CoCo works with restaurants and businesses pursuing sustainability certifications, scaling service from 64-gallon containers up to full dumpsters.

CoCo’s composting facility—now operational within Denver city limits—keeps collection vehicles from hauling organic material 50 or 60 miles to a distant processing site. The finished compost is returned to local members for their gardens and yards, creating what Kaplan calls

“a tight waste loop.” The facility operates in the 80216 zip code, an area with a long industrial history and significant soil contamination.

Kaplan sees local compost as part of the remedy. The decomposition process neutralizes some dangerous compounds, organic material dilutes existing toxins, and healthy soil allows you to water about half as often as you would on untreated ground.

“When you compost, you’re trapping carbon in the ground,” Kaplan says. “If we all did it, we could actually see a sizable impact on the atmosphere—pulling carbons out of a cycle that would otherwise have them end up off-gassing and instead putting them into the ground where they become useful to plants and animals.”

Healthy soil, he explains, is the foundation for everything—from the vegetables in your backyard to the trees lining your street.

“Every day we do it, our members grow in their commitment to this,” Kaplan says. “It creates more optimism and more agency.”

POLICY MAKING IT POSSIBLE

All of this scales when policy creates the conditions for it. Denver’s Waste No More ordinance requires businesses and property managers to offer composting services to their tenants and employees—a significant mandate that Kaplan sees as a major opportunity, contingent on thoughtful implementation. “It’s all well and good to write a law,” he says. “It’s a whole other thing to figure out how to implement it and support people in being observant to it.” He hopes the city will pair the ordinance with real incentives and subsidies to help businesses launch programs.

At the state level, Producer Responsibility legislation would require packaging producers to contribute to the cost of processing the material—potentially making composting more financially viable at scale. Meanwhile, community gardens like Grow Local’s depend on a quieter form of civic support: public land access, water infrastructure, and neighborly buy-in. “When neighbors see our efforts and

know the food is going to those in need, they become our advocates,” Masoner says.

“People are really hungry for feeling a part of building a more sustainable future,” Kaplan adds. “Composting is such an exciting opportunity to engage in that practice every day.”

In a city working out how to feed itself better, that spirit—practical, communal, quietly optimistic—may be the most essential ingredient of all.

REBEL FARM rebelfarm.com

GROW LOCAL COLORADO growlocalcolorado.org

COMPOST COLORADO compost-colorado.com

Byers

Five SpectacularCOLORADO PUBLIC LANDS HIKES

A selection of our favorite treks to commemorate Public Lands Day

By Lisa Blake

A BOUNTIFUL BUFFET of trails, peaks, valleys, and vistas, Colorado’s public lands comprise more than 22 million acres, or roughly onethird, of our beautiful state.

To celebrate these national forests, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, national parks, monuments, and state parks, Colorado officials declared the third Saturday in May as Public Lands Day (this year, it falls on May 16).

Owned by the public and managed by federal and state agencies, these areas spiderweb the state with hiking and biking routes and hunting and fishing opportunities, while maintaining a delicate balance between conservation and recreation.

In honor of Colorado Public Lands Day, we invite you to explore these only-in-Colorado hikes.

BYERS PEAK TRAIL

Homebase: Winter Park

Length: 8.9 miles out and back

Go For: Elevation gain bragging rights

This Grand County stunner lies within the 8,801-acre Byers Peak Wilderness Area in Arapaho National Forest. The protected area was named for William N. Byers, founder of Colorado’s first newspaper, Rocky Mountain News. Work your way up through peaceful lodgepole pine forest and delicate but hardy alpine tundra fields during the dizzying 3,000foot elevation gain. At the 12,804-foot summit, thin crisp air and eyefuls of the sweeping Vasquez Mountains await.

BIGHORN CREEK TRAIL

Homebase: Vail

Length: 3.5 miles out and back

Go For: Wildlife, aspen stands, views for days This East Vail favorite climbs up and out of the Vail Valley, serving up rewarding views of the jagged Gore Range and expansive Eagles Nest Wilderness. The hike begins with a steep vertical ascent and mellows out to beautiful meadows, vibrant spring and summer wildflowers, and thick forests. Pass by beaver ponds and take in Bighorn Falls before topping out at 10,788 feet at an old homestead cabin on private property.

Please note: Parking is very limited at this trailhead. Park for free in the Vail Village or Lionshead structures and take a free bus to East Vail. Get off at the Columbine bus stop and walk north for a quarter mile until you see the Bighorn Creek Trailhead.

BLACK POWDER PASS

Homebase: Breckenridge

Length: 3.5 miles out and back

Go For: Wildflowers and jaw-dropping valley views

Find your way to the top of bumpy, narrow, and wildly scenic Boreas Pass Road (closed November through April) just southeast of downtown Breckenridge. The trailhead sits within White River National Forest near the Section House historic narrow gauge railroad site. The well-maintained trail climbs above treeline with scenery unfolding in swaths of high-alpine flowers and panoramic views of the Tenmile Range and neighboring Quandary Peak.

HIGH DUNE

Homebase: Alamosa

Length: 3.1 miles out and back

Go For: Otherworldly vibes

Great Sand Dunes National Park is revered for its massive sand dunes set against the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Like nowhere else in Colorado, the landscape rolls in waves of awe-inspiring high-altitude sand. The park’s most prominent dune, High Dune, is visible from the visitor center and tends to draw crowds and sunrise photographers. Follow your internal compass and zig-zag up this less-than-obvious path along the dunefield’s first ridgeline. The trek is only 692 feet from base to top, but the sinking, sandy terrain makes it feel a bit more challenging. Pro tip: Wear boots with long pants to keep the sand out.

GILPIN LAKE TRAIL

Homebase: Steamboat Springs

Length: 9.2 miles out and back

Go For: The pristine high-alpine lake

Follow the Elk River on this highly rewarding Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area hike. Speckled with summertime lupine and columbine blooms, Gilpin Lake Trail climbs steadily through aspen stands and evergreens with several creek crossings (use the downed trees to keep your hiking boots dry). When you arrive at the lake, take some slowed-down time to breathe in the reflective scene framed by rugged peaks before heading back the way you came. To extend your trip and complete the famed 11-mile Zirkel Circle, continue to Gold Creek Lake and back to the Slavonia trailhead parking area.

8.3 million acres of BLM lands

11 national forests and 2 national grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service

42 state parks and numerous state wildlife areas BY THE

16 national parks and monuments

The Blue Championship is coming back to northern Colorado! Professional golf’s rising stars will compete at TPC Colorado, just outside of Loveland. The Blue Championship is for the golf fan, the hang-out-with-friends fan, or the family time fan. There’s something for everyone!

9–12, 2026 Get Your Tickets!

Fostering Hope

The MORGAN ADAMS FOUNDATION funds optimism for childhood cancer survival

By Kastle Waserman

FOR A PARENT, raising a child is one of life’s great joys, but if your child gets a cancer diagnosis, it can be a worst nightmare. That’s what happened to Steven Adams and Joan Slaughter when their 5-year-old daughter, Morgan, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a brain tumor, in December 1997.

She died 11 months later, and her parents, longing to conquer the helplessness they felt, joined the Oncology Advisory Board at The Children’s Hospital (now called Children’s Hospital Colorado) and founded the Morgan Adams Foundation to help other families.

“To watch your child run out of options is devastating,” said Kat Russell, the foundation’s director of strategic communications and marketing. “They worked with Nick Foreman, who was Morgan’s neuro-oncologist, and decided to start funding research that would eventually become the laboratory research program at Children’s.”

The organization’s first event in 2001, the artma art auction, became a signature event. More fundraising events followed, with money going toward pediatric cancer research, primarily at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Anschutz.

Though we hear a lot about cancer these days, it’s shocking that only 4 to 8 percent of federal cancer research funding goes to pediatric

What began with one family’s devastating loss became a mission to not only fund research but also to bring hope to children with cancer.

cancer, despite it being the leading cause of death by disease in children in the U.S. So, research funding falls on private philanthropy.

“It really takes education to understand why we need this,” says Robin French, the foundation’s program officer. “Pediatric cancer research is leading the way in precision medicine because we can’t treat a child’s body with growing cells the same way we treat an adult whose cells are degenerating. We have to look for other methods. And it’s so frustrating because we’ve left our children behind for so many years.”

While we know lifestyle choices can lead to cancer in adults, but children get cancer for different reasons. “Children’s cells are constantly dividing, growing, creating, and something just goes wrong,” French says. “Then it replicates that wrong message, and that’s cancer. It’s a fast-growing error.”

Treating cancer can be especially tough on children because their bodies are still developing, and they have their whole lives ahead of them. Many young patients experience long-term health problems or

develop secondary cancers from the treatments themselves. However, thanks to research funded by the foundation, doctors are now discovering ways to replace harsh treatments with less harmful alternatives for children. Through it all, there are success stories, such as Asher, who was just one year old when he was diagnosed with an aggressive and fast-growing brain tumor. He underwent an intense treatment plan with two surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation informed by new research. Today, he is doing great and started fourth grade cancer-free.

The Morgan Adams Foundation continues to fund pediatric cancer research through private donations, events, and volunteer efforts. Both Russell and French say the work they do with the foundation is extremely satisfying. French is also the parent of a child who survived childhood cancer. “My husband and I wanted something good to come out of this crummy thing that happened,” she says. “As I see more

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The Making of a Leader

How CRISTAL TORRES DEHERRERA’S early experiences with nature inspired a lifetime of leadership and community impact

By Kristen West

THE MOMENT Cristal Torres DeHerrera stepped into her aunt’s horse barn in Oregon as a child, her world changed. “It was like my life went from black and white to color.”

She spent every summer from age eight on that ranch, waking early to feed animals, fill water buckets, muck stalls, and then slipping away to lie in the pasture, surrounded by tall grass and endless sky. “That interplay with nature and animals completely changed and influenced who I am today,” she says. “It shaped my values as a leader.”

Her latest role as the acting president and CEO of the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) might seem like a natural extension of those early experiences, but her journey there was unique.

Torres DeHerrera first pursued her passion for law, rising to partner at the Denver firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where she advised on complex corporate deals and transactions—all while starting a family. Her desire to make a broader impact led her to city government under Mayor Michael Hancock, where she served as deputy city attorney. There, she helped establish the governance framework for the National Western Center, turning the adopted master plan into a functioning institution that benefits both the community and the city.

She later joined Denver International Airport’s leadership team, helping guide one of the nation’s busiest airports through pandemic challenges, supporting major upgrades to the Jeppesen Terminal, and implementing strategic plans to prepare the airport for millions of future travelers. “The through-line in my career is that I’ve focused on strengthening the institutions that communities rely on,” Torres DeHerrera says.

When the opportunity at DZCA arose, it felt like a natural fit—an unexpected chance to merge her leadership experience with a lifelong connection to animals and nature. Now, she describes the work as deeply meaningful. “There’s a lot going on in the world, and people go to the zoo because it’s peaceful and gives them a sense of tranquility,” she says. “Being the best part of somebody’s day—there’s nothing better than that.”

Her children, now 9, 16, and 19, agree, often requesting visits even on her days off. While balancing family life isn’t always easy, Torres DeHerrera says she has always unapologetically prioritized her family throughout her career and encourages her team to do the same. That commitment carries into how she spends her time outside of work. Inspired by her own childhood, she and her family maintain a ranch in the San Luis Valley, instilling that sense of awe and connection to nature. They also explore Colorado’s trails with their rescue pup, and Torres DeHerrera makes time to exercise each morning at sunrise, a routine that helps ground her for the day.

Reflecting on her life and career, she says, “I believe that being a good leader is bringing out

the best in others—whether at work, within family, or in the community.” She hopes people will look back and say she was a good steward who uplifted others and created opportunities for growth.

Through it all, she remains grounded in her roots. “I’m still that kid who grew up on a ranch and was so proud to show horses and take care of our animals,” she says. “Being true to who I am allows me to give my best to whatever role that I’m in.”

For Torres DeHerrera, leadership is rooted in stewardship, family, and a lifelong bond with nature.

MAY

Ongoing through June 6

COLORADO GOVERNOR’S ART SHOW

The Colorado Governor’s Art Show & Sale, one of the largest juried fine art shows to exclusively feature Colorado artists, will be celebrating its 35th year, and it’s one you won’t want to miss. The juried exhibition features work from 65 of Colorado’s top fine artists, including 10 artists making their debut in the show this year. The show and sale will feature an in-person exhibit at the Loveland Museum with both inperson and online fine art sales. LOVELAND, governorsartshow.org

Ongoing FARMERS MARKETS

May and early June are when most area farmers markets begin to open for the season! Shop local produce, fresh flowers, handcrafted body care products, artisan booths, and much more. Many markets also offer food trucks, live entertainment, and activities for the kids. Here’s just a sampling of some of the popular markets in the area; check each website for more details.

CASTLE ROCK: Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. beginning May 24 at Festival Park; thelocalcolorado.com

Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

beginning May 2 at 1st Avenue and University Boulevard; coloradofreshmarkets.com

GREENWOOD VILLAGE (South University Farmers Market): Fridays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. beginning May at 5859 S. University Blvd.; southuniversityfarmersmarket.com

HIGHLANDS RANCH: Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. beginning May 3 at Highlands Ranch Town Center; denverfarmersmarket.com

PARKER: Sundays, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. beginning May 10 at 19565 Mainstreet; thelocalcolorado.com

SOUTH PEARL STREET: Sundays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. beginning May 3 on the 1400 and 1500 block of South Pearl Street (between Iowa and Arkansas); southpearlstreet.com

UNIVERSITY HILLS: Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 pm. Beginning May 9 at University Hills Plaza; farmersmarketscolorado.com

May 1–9

DENVER FASHION WEEK

Let’s give a warm welcome to the most anticipated fashion event of the year—Denver Fashion Week. As Colorado’s most prominent fashion event, thousands of attendees show up each year to support Denver’s growing and diverse fashion

community. During the spring show, emerging and established local, national, and international designers and boutiques will showcase their collections’ key seasonal styles, enhanced by the work of talented hairstylists, makeup artists, and models. And this May, the city’s premier runway showcase returns to an unexpected yet striking venue: the iconic Furniture Row Showroom. Full schedule available online. DENVER, denverfashionweek.com

May 2

DENVER BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS: DON QUIXOTE

“Don Quixote” tells the story of an old hidalgo who reads many chivalric novels. One day, with Sancho Panza as his esquire, Don Quixote sets out on an adventure as a medieval knight to bring justice to the world and to honor Dulcinea, the lady of his dreams. This humor-filled performance is sure to delight the entire family. PACE CENTER, parkerarts.org

May 2

SPRING UP THE CREEK

One thing is clear: our creeks, rivers, and lakes depend on you. Join this annual area-wide effort to improve and enhance local creeks by collecting

May 2–3

CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL

Who’s ready for an unforgettable celebration at the largest and longest-standing regional Cinco de Mayo festival in Colorado? Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Mexican culture with a weekend full of exciting events, contests, and non-stop entertainment across three dynamic stages. Indulge your taste buds at diverse food vendors and explore unique merchandise from local artisans. Bring the whole family to enjoy kid-friendly activities and create lasting memories together. CIVIC CENTER PARK , cincodemayodenver.com

ON THE AGENDA // can’t-miss events and removing trash and debris along trails. Volunteers will be provided with gloves and bags. Snacks and water will be available. All ages are welcome, and this is a perfect opportunity to fulfill community service hours while keeping Castle Rock beautiful and our watershed clean. When registering, please select the trailhead you (and your group) would like to clean. CLEAR leaders will meet you there with bags and gloves. Online registration with a completed waiver is required for this free event. CASTLE ROCK , crgov.com

May 3

COURAGEOUS CARE

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP

Space suits. Wild play. Healing through art. This unique community experience led by Tara Rynders, RN (aka The Dancing Nurse), explores how creativity and play restore our well-being. Permission to feel cared for through play: granted. This special workshop will open your mind and heart, leaving you feeling hopeful and connected. YORK STREET BOTANIC GARDENS, botanicgardens.org

May 8

FOREST BATHING

Reconnect with nature with this forest bathing experience. Step away from the noise of daily life and into the peaceful embrace of nature. Be guided on a gentle, immersive journey that invites you to listen deeply, breathe mindfully, and observe the beauty surrounding you. Research shows that connecting with the natural world can significantly reduce stress and enhance overall well-being. Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, this experience encourages you to slow down and awaken your senses. CHATFIELD FARMS BOTANIC GARDENS, botanicgardens. org

May 8–10

MOTHER’S DAY HIGH TEA

Treat all the special women in your life to this popular annual event, featuring a traditional four-course high tea. The fancy spread includes scones, fruit, tea sandwiches, desserts, and tea, all served in a spectacular setting–Miramont Castle in Manitou Springs. There are three different seatings on each of the three days. Advanced reservations are required, and spots are filling up fast. Call 719-685-1011 for reservations. MIRAMONT CASTLE , miramontcastle.org

May 9

AN EVENING WITH JON BATISTE AND THE COLORADO SYMPHONY

Jon Batiste just won Best Americana Album at the 2026 GRAMMYs and is among the most celebrated and influential musicians of his generation—with genre-defying artistry that masterfully fuses jazz, classical, pop, R&B, and blues. An Academy Award winner, multi-Grammy Award winner, and former bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Batiste brings his signature charisma, daring compositional vision, and jaw-dropping virtuosity to the Boettcher Concert Hall for a one-night-only collaboration with the Colorado Symphony. DENVER , coloradosymphony.org

May 12

FREE DAY AT THE DENVER ART MUSEUM

Engage with art, experience onsite activities, and explore the art on view, all while enjoying free general admission. Explore what’s currently on exhibit and review the online calendar in advance to see what’s happening at the museum. Free Days include access to the entire Denver Art Museum campus, including the Hamilton Building, Martin Building, and The Kirkland. DENVER , denverartmuseum.org

May 9–10

RUN TO THE SHRINE

Run to the Shrine has become an annual Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tradition, and it is the only time of the year that guests are allowed to travel the breathtaking road to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun on foot. The course offers amazing views of Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods as you ascend nearly 1,000 feet up to the Shrine and back down to the Zoo. This popular event (5–8 p.m. both days) is a fundraiser, helping fund animal care and operations, for the non-profit zoo, one of the few accredited zoos that receives no tax support. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO, cmzoo.org

May 13

NNENNA FREELON AND THE COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA

Nnenna Freelon joins the Count Basie Orchestra for an evening featuring favorites from the Great American Songbook and to pay tribute to her jazz inspiration, Count Basie. Nnenna Freelon is a Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, as well as a writer, composer, and producer. The Count Basie Orchestra is celebrating its 90th anniversary and continues the excellent history started by Basie of stomping and shouting the blues, as well as refining those musical particulars that allow for the deepest and most moving of swing. LONE TREE ARTS CENTER, lonetreeartscenter.org

May 16

CLEAR THE CLUTTER

Clear the Clutter is a one-day community event

Your Night, Your Space, Your Haus

Looking for the perfect space for your next gathering? Our private dining experience offers a unique atmosphere, craft cocktails, and elevated cuisine tailored to your group. Whether it’s birthdays, corporate events, or special celebrations—we’ve got you covered.

May 22–24

MEADOWGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL

This huge festival, now in its 17th year, features three full days of live music. The family-friendly event is held on a property in Black Forest that spans several hundred acres filled with canyons, trees, and historic buildings. Dance the night away to dozens of bands, enjoy the beer festival, yoga, guided hikes, workshops, and on-site camping opportunities. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. LA FORET CONFERENCE & RETREAT CENTER, meadowgrass.org

designed to help Highlands Ranch residents responsibly dispose of unwanted items and materials in a convenient, centralized location. Whether you’re tackling spring cleaning or clearing out long-overdue clutter, this event offers an easy way to drop off a wide range of household items in one go. Location details, specific vendors, and items accepted are available online. HIGHLANDS RANCH , hrcaonline.org

May 16

CASTLE ROCK SUMMER KICKOFF CONCERT

Get ready for the official kickoff to the 2026 Downtown Castle Rock event season. Locals and visitors gather each year in Festival Park to enjoy live bands, food trucks, local breweries, face painters, and vendor booths. Event details are now available online; check the official announcements to plan accordingly. CASTLE ROCK, downtowncastlerock.com

May 17

360 ALLSTARS

A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite, delivering a supercharged urban circus. Boasting a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record–holding artists and athletes, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry of street culture. Add to this a stunning live soundtrack delivered

by award-winning musicians, coupled with spectacular video projections, 360 ALLSTARS is as aurally exciting as it is visually astounding. PACE CENTER, parkerarts.org

May 22–25

BOULDER CREEK FESTIVAL

Brought to you by the City of Boulder and Team Player Productions, the 37th Annual Boulder Creek Festival is the unofficial kickoff to summer in Boulder. The free festival features four days of festivities, including 30+ bands and performances, food and beverage ranging from food trucks to healthy vegetarian eats, a curated marketplace showcasing 200+ local artisans, fine art, a business bazaar, a Creekside Beer Festival with Colorado breweries, and a Creekside for Kids area with family-friendly activities and entertainment. BOULDER, bouldercreekfest.com

May 30

HIGHLANDS RANCH BEER FESTIVAL

It’s time for the Highlands Ranch Beer Festival at Civic Green Park, brought to you in partnership with Davidsons Beer, Wine & Spirits. Prepare for an afternoon of sampling beer, cider, seltzers, and more while supporting the Highlands Ranch Community Scholarship fund. Enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, and giveaways. Must be 21+ to drink, IDs are required and will be checked. HIGHLANDS RANCH, hrcaonline.org

LUXURY OUTDOOR SPACES

Dream Makers Landscape would like to help you enhance the look and feel of your home. With our expertise in design and construction, our projects will improve the look and value of your home so you can enjoy it for years to come.

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