Boulder, CO May 2026

The Zach Zeldner Team is your team of distinguished Realtors ® , delivering exceptional results through market expertise, concierge-level service, and relentless client advocacy. If you’re looking to buy a home, there might be inventory that you’re missing. Many sellers choose to not publicly market their homes. Scan the QR code to learn more, or contact us to discover these homes.

Clearly beautiful. Inside and out.

MARYBETH EMERSON

Representing Boulder’s most iconic properties, Marybeth brings a unique perspective as a trusted agent and developer, supported by The Agency’s unparalleled international network. Her record-breaking sales reflect a foundation of passion, expertise, integrity, and relationships built over decades. Give us a call to connect and learn more.

When buying or selling in one of Colorado’s most competitive and nuanced markets, precision matters.

For more than two decades and after 33 years of living in Boulder, Patrick Brown has built his reputation as a top agent on disciplined pricing strategy, measured negotiation, and a deep understanding of how Boulder’s neighborhoods perform over time. Today, he pairs that experience with cutting-edge AI and the latest marketing technology to deliver a more strategic advantage for his clients.

Patrick approaches every transaction with clear objectives: Maximize value. Reduce friction. Deliver results that outperform the market.

explore a

CREATING BEAUTIFULLY BUILT LANDSCAPES FOR 25 YEARS IN BOULDER COUNTY.

Embrace

Spring has slowly become my favorite season. It feels like the true beginning of the year as everything and everyone is beginning to reawaken. After experiencing profound loss, my close friends and I often discuss how the change of seasons seem to be the hardest moments in our grief. Maybe because this most vividly shows the forward movement of time. Of all of the seasons, spring is the easiest to embrace as there is new beauty and life to embrace, even alongside grief.

This year, May has arrived in a flash. As we awaited winter to arrive, spring has silently snuck its way in, and I have continually questioned if every sprout and blossom was coming earlier than expected. And just as the plants quickly arrived, everything else ramped up just as fast as people are also coming out of hibernation, filling the trails, markets, and patios around town.

As we are all reawakening from winter we never seemed to grasp, and the world still feels a bit dark, I am working on focusing on the little beautiful changes we see, from the poppies bursting, my niece learning to crawl, to closing a chapter after five long years of fundraising in my best friend’s honor. In this season of natural change, I am leaning into the embrace of life.

KELSEY HUFFER, EDITOR @BOULDERLIFESTYLE

May 2026

PUBLISHER, SALES DIRECTOR

Andy Manz | amanz@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Kate Manz | kmanz@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Chantel Ellerington | chantel.ellerington@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kelsey Huffer | kelsey.huffer@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Tony Firestine | anthonyjfirestine@gmail.com

INTERN

Edson Graycar | edson.graycar@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Linden Butrym, Tony Firestine, Emily O'Brien, Edson Graycar, Willow King, Theo Adley, Eugene Hernandez, Emory Hall

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Poppy & Co. by Kelsey Huffer, Whitney DeVoto Photography, Mike Thurk, Sara Banks, Amanda Proudfit, Nicola Huffstickler, Julie Varga, Carly Montgomery, Melanie Lemahieu, @vanessaheins, Millie Hudson, Douglas Kirkland, Jimena Peck, Arika Buran

Corporate

Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Proverbs 3:5-6

city scene

1-7: The Louisville Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 2026 Annual Awards Ceremony on February 18 at The Simon in Louisville, honoring outstanding local leaders and businesses and marking a remarkable year of growth for the Chamber. 1: Business of the Year Award - Louisville Cyclery, Greg Jones (Presented by Board President Eric Reed) 2: Chamber Fellowship Members Eric Reed, Caleb Dickinson, Lyndsey Geiger, Matt Klieforth, Vanessa Zarate, Jen Boyd, Stephanie Schlageter, Sawyer Bundgaard, Bob McCool, Reina Gonzales, Leigh Lambert 3: The Lani Melvin Special Recognition Award - Iona Kearney 4: 2026 Chamber Board of Directors: Lona Kearney, Eric Reed, Gerrit Drenth, Jen Boyd, Stephanie Schlageter, Bill Noonan, Brittany Bartlett. Lyndsey Geiger 5: The Lawrence Enrietto Volunteer of the Year Award - Jenni Hlawatsch 6: Pioneer Award: Jean Morgan 7: The Shelley Angel Small Business of the Year Award - Hunter Floor & Window Covering - David Hunter (presented by Lindsey Geiger Middle) Kiffaney Wheaton Photography by

The fourth annual One Club Denver Ski Party brought the Colorado advertising community together for a perfect day of sun, snow, and connection at Eldora. With bluebird skies overhead and fresh tracks underfoot, more than 115 attendees hit the slopes before gathering to enjoy great food, drinks, and lively conversation. Hosted by One Club for Creativity Denver, the event was made possible with support from Fortnight Collective, Viant, 11 Dollar Bill, Sukle, Trade Desk, Futuristic Films, and Mammut. From first chair to après, the energy never let up—showcasing a creative community that thrives just as much outside the office as it does within it.

1-7: Boulder Country Day School gathered for an Oz-themed event to raise funds and celebrate community. The festive annual gala, held at the Limelight Hotel and decorated by Enchanted Events by Gina, highlighted the spirit of creativity, generosity, and connection. 1: Katie Latier, Karly Saber, and Kylie Lewis 2: Guests 3: Kimberley Cornell and Molly Thelosen 4: Ryan and Mackenzie Rae Parker and Todd and Shena Redmond 5. Brooke Heckaman and Sarina Bedi 6: Head of School, Robin Frank 7. Marcos and Pea Lawson

MAY 2026

business monthly

A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Galen Cheney: Brief Transit + Clark Derbes: Time Travelers

Nick Ryan Gallery presents  Brief Transit, a solo exhibition by Massachusetts painter Galen Cheney, alongside Time Travelers, featuring Vermont-based sculptor Clark Derbes, on view through June 12, 2026. Cheney’s richly layered paintings explore abstraction, materiality, and psychological space through an immersive, process-driven approach. Derbes’ polychromed wood sculptures investigate perception and form, using geometric structures and optical complexity to challenge spatial awareness. Together, the exhibitions highlight two distinct yet complementary explorations of surface, structure, and visual experience.

At RMRM, our Thrive program is built around you: we listen to your concerns, honor your experience, and guide you with evidence-based care tailored to your unique journey. Our personalized care and shared-decision making help you to regain energy, enhance your quality of life, and proactively prevent diseases commonly associated with aging.

Comprehensive

90

Personalized HRT

Ongoing support & monitoring

Educational video series

Wild Bear Nature Center Appoints Trish Krajniak as Executive Director

The Board of Wild Bear Nature Center has appointed Trish Krajniak as Executive Director, effective immediately. She will lead the organization as it prepares to open its 8,500-square-foot net-zero nature center in Fall 2026. Board Chair Corky Dineen praised her leadership and team-building strengths. A lawyer and former HopSkipDrive executive, Krajniak brings cross-sector experience. “As a local parent, I’ve seen Wild Bear’s impact,” she says. “I’m honored to help grow its future.”

Does your child love school? At Mack, they will.

We understand that giftedness shows up in ways you might not expect.

Let’s connect and talk.

S ing is Believing

Mid-Century Modern Specialist

OAKBERRY Açaí — Now in Boulder

OAKBERRY is the superfood brand that is delicious, fun to eat, and accessible to everyone. Founded in Brazil in 2016, it has reimagined the quick-service model with açaí and other superfoods. Its menu features açaí bowls and smoothies with customizable, unlimited toppings, made with responsibly sourced açaí from the Amazon rainforest, rich in antioxidants and certified organic.

OAKBERRY Boulder is locally owned and operated, with values that strongly align with Boulder’s lifestyle and community.

Sethi Couture and Syna Trunk Show: Walters & Hogsett Jewelers

Walters & Hogsett Jewelers hosts a trunk show April 30–May 2 featuring Sethi Couture and Syna Jewels. Syna's award-winning designs celebrate lush, colored gemstones and modern sensibility, while women-owned Sethi Couture turns iconic stacking rings into a personal story waiting to be told. Whether you're finding the perfect Mother's Day gift, building a stack, or shopping for wedding season, our team is here to help you find exactly the right piece.

HOMES DESIGNED IN HARMONY WITH THE LAND

93 custom homesites located between downtown Boulder and Golden.

Boulder’s Wild Monkey Bar Secures Strategic Investment to Fuel Growth

Wild Monkey Bar, a Boulder-based better-for-you snack company founded by Brooke and John Campbell, is entering a new phase of growth following investment from Supernatural Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on investing in disruptive, early-stage CPG brands. Supernatural Ventures has backed several breakout brands, including Painterland Sisters, Jesse & Ben’s, and Stone & Skillet. Wild Monkey Bar is known for its layered chocolate-coated bars made with real ingredients and plans to expand production and retail presence in 2026.

Neither one leaves disappointed. A contractor and a CEO walk into a bar.

Rounding Up Community Support at McGuckin Hardware

At McGuckin Hardware, small change makes a big impact. Its monthly register round-up campaigns invite customers to support local causes across Boulder. Recent beneficiaries include Meals on Wheels of Boulder, Thorne Nature Experience, and Growing Gardens. Shoppers can round up purchases May 1-10 for Cultivate, and again in June to benefit Colorado Pet Pantry—turning everyday transactions into meaningful community support.

Starring Candace Orrino

May 1-24 AT THE DAIRY ARTS CENTER

“The play has a hypnotic suffusive effect that left me on the verge of tears for hours afterwards… it conjures a world of compassion.”

— THE GUARDIAN

Growing Gardens Community Plant Sale

Join Growing Gardens for their Annual Community Plant Sale on May 2-3, 9-10, and 16-17 from 8 am to 4 pm at 1630 Hawthorn Avenue. Discover organically grown and bee-safe herb and veggie starts, 40+ heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties, blooming annuals and perennials, native plants, water-wise plants, and more! For every two seedlings sold, they donate one to their Food Project Program, which works to increase access to fresh produce, gardening supplies, and education to local community members.

CHAUTAUQUA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

ARTICLE BY TONY FIRESTINE

Summer at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium unfolds as much as a ritual as it does a concert series where music, landscape, and community converge. This year’s lineup reflects that spirit, bringing together genre-defying artists, master musicians, and storytellers whose work spans generations and borders. From the improvisational energy of Railroad Earth to the virtuosic brilliance of Tommy Emmanuel, and from the global resonance of DakhaBrakha to the enduring innovation of Herbie Hancock, the Chautauqua Summer Concert Series offers more than a slate of shows—it’s a season-long invitation to experience music at its most immediate and transcendent.

For more than two decades, Railroad Earth has built a devoted following with their genre-blurring blend of bluegrass, rock, folk, and improvisation. Known for their unpredictable, story-rich live shows and deep musical chemistry, the band brings a spirit of adventure to every performance, creating a sound that feels both timeless and exploratory.

JUNE 4

RAILROAD EARTH

JUNE 19

Hailed as one of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel has spent a lifetime redefining what one instrument can do. A child prodigy turned global virtuoso, he’s known for his explosive fingerstyle technique, rhythmic precision, and the ability to sound like an entire band on one guitar. A Grammy winner and celebrated collaborator, Emmanuel delivers performances that are as emotionally resonant as they are technically breathtaking.

JUNE

25

BLIND PILOT AND JOHN CRAIGIE

After years of evolution and deep creative exploration, Blind Pilot show their spirit of storytelling, connection, and musical sincerity. Blind Pilot’s recent work reflects a renewed, collaborative energy and a freer approach to their indie-folk roots, while John Craigie continues his tradition of conversational songwriting, blending wit, heart, and lived-in narratives. Together, they create an evening where songs unfold with warmth, humanity, and quiet power.

JULY

22

DAKHABRAKHA

Hailing from Kyiv, DakhaBrakha has carved out a singular voice with their self-described “ethno chaos” sound—a dynamic fusion of Ukrainian folk traditions and global influences. Their work carries deep cultural resonance, shaped by both heritage and the realities of a changing world. Part performance and part cultural expression, their music reflects a modern Ukraine—resilient, cosmopolitan, and rooted in tradition—while also extending beyond the stage through powerful live interpretations and storytelling.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Marty Stuart remains one of country music’s most vital innovators and torchbearers. A five-time Grammy winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, he has helped shape the genre from his early days alongside legendary figures to a solo career defined by reverence and reinvention. Backed by The Fabulous Superlatives, Stuart continues to expand the boundaries of country music with bold, genre-defying projects that blend surf rock, soul, and cosmic country into something entirely his own.

JULY 29

MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES

AUGUST

3

Marking the 20th anniversary of her landmark album The Greatest, Cat Power revisits and reimagines that era with renewed purpose and artistry. Known for her raw, emotive voice and genre-spanning approach, she continues to evolve while honoring the music that shaped her career. Her latest work blends reflection with reinvention, offering new interpretations alongside songs that have become defining moments in her catalog, underscoring her lasting impact as a singular voice in modern music.

AUGUST

5

The solo project of Seattle artist Brian Fennell, SYML—Welsh for “simple”—creates music that feels both intimate and expansive. His songs explore themes of grief, love, and human connection with a delicate yet powerful touch. With deeply introspective new work, SYML blends cinematic soundscapes with deeply personal songwriting. The music serves as both refuge and revelation, offering honest reflections on loss, time, and the human experience.

Bringing together decades of storytelling and roots-driven songwriting, The Jayhawks and James McMurtry share a stage grounded in craft and lyrical depth. The Jayhawks, pioneers of the alt-country movement, are known for their harmony-rich sound and emotional honesty, while McMurtry has built a reputation as one of America’s sharpest songwriters,

AUGUST

8

THE JAYHAWKS AND JAMES MCMURTRY

crafting vivid, often darkly humorous narratives. Together, they represent two distinct but complementary voices in American music—one rooted in band chemistry and evolution, the other in incisive storytelling—coming together for a night of authenticity and timelessness.

AUGUST 11 & 12

A true visionary across seven decades, Herbie Hancock has continually reshaped the language of music. From his groundbreaking work with Miles Davis to the genre-defining fusion of jazz, funk, and electronic music, Hancock’s influence spans eras and styles. A 14-time Grammy winner and Academy Award recipient, he has a legacy built on innovation, collaboration, and global cultural impact. His performances remain a masterclass in creativity and evolution, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of music’s most enduring and forward-thinking artists over two unforgettable nights.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Z2ent.com/Venues-We-Book/Chautauqua-SummerConcert-Series

For

decades,

this has been my home —

Boulder is not just a market; it is a community shaped by long-standing relationships, thoughtful growth, and deep local knowledge. While much has changed, my commitment to showing up, doing the work, and guiding my clients with clarity and integrity through every market cycle has endured. Experience matters. Perspective matters.

And in Boulder, staying grounded has always been the advantage.

trusted

RODWIN SKYCASTLE design.build.green

Tintype for the

How Nicola Huffstickler

Cements Memories & Milestones

the21st Century

From the moment Nicola Huffstickler dropped a plate in a bath of “fix” solution, she was hooked on tintype and ambrotype. She got to see an image go from a negative to a positive right before her eyes, forever commemorating objects from Quinn Jacobson’s studio, including an old opium bottle, a piece of thistle, and a skull. To this day, it’s one of her most sentimental pieces.

“I was obsessed from the moment I walked into his studio,” says Nicola. “From his 1858 camera to the darkroom smells, I could feel my eyes sparkling.”

Nicola got her start in photography in Savannah, Georgia, working with Anne Caufmann, who is well known in the area for weddings and commercial projects. She started out as her assistant, and then Anne taught her how to use a DSLR camera, and she later became her second shooter and lead photo editor.

Nicola eventually moved to Colorado to shoot the Denver Cutthroats with her first full hockey season credential, fulfilling her first goal of being an ice hockey photographer. When they ceased operations, she was completely devastated and put her camera down in 2015 to do some soul searching.

the wet plate collodion process that brought me back to life and unveiled just how much of an artist I truly am. I’ve always wanted my work to have both an emotional and physical weight, and wet plate has given me that plus more than I could ever imagine,” says Nicola.

Now she runs her own tintype studio out of The Temple, surrounded by just under 30 artists. The space is owned by Adam Gordon, but she sees him as more of a curator, constantly speaking highly of the artists and bringing people from NINE dot ARTS or RiNo Art District to tour their studios.

That soul searching eventually led her to a tintype and ambrotype session. Following the session with Patrick Adande, she listed her digital camera equipment for sale on Facebook Marketplace and took the proceeds to book a more rigorous workshop with her mentor, Quinn Jacobson.

“When I saw the magic of the process and held a tintype in my hands, I knew that was it. I finally found what could give me that spark again; it also opened the door back up for a business model, too. I’ve been a professional photographer for 20 years, and it was

“The community we have is irreplaceable, especially when we lean on each other for help or guidance,” says Nicola. “If I need art or business advice, maybe even something 3D printed on the fly, I can go knock on my neighbor Thomas “Detour” Evans’ door, or if I need a backdrop or anything photography related, I can walk around the corner and ask my other neighbor, Julian Donaldson, who owns the WNRD (We Never Really Die) Studio.”

Her favorite part is the relationship she’s been able to form with her clients. She’s been able to cement special moments for people, ranging from weddings and anniversaries to birthdays, transitions, and even sobriety milestones.

She’s also there for the hard times. She offers complimentary portraits of elderly folks diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and has been there to capture many fur babies about to cross the rainbow bridge. “I’ve seen many tears, both happy and sad, within the four walls of my studio,” says Nicola,  “But at the end of the day, I feel so incredibly lucky that people trust me to capture such pivotal moments in their lives.”

“WHEN I SAW THE MAGIC OF THE PROCESS AND HELD A tintype IN MY HANDS, I KNEW THAT WAS IT. I FINALLY FOUND WHAT COULD GIVE ME THAT spark AGAIN.”

“I try my best to mak

ake thisprocess less stressful because you onlygetone shot.”

“People are shocked when I tell them that they only have to hold still for :01 or :02 seconds.”

Nicola also loves the permanence of the form. Once the coat of varnish is applied, it’s sealed for the next 200 years, giving her clients a new family heirloom.

She formulated her own techniques to match the “on the go” rush of modern-day society, while maintaining the magic of the process. Clients don’t have to sit for long exposure times like they had to in the Victorian era, but they’re still pleasantly surprised that they didn’t blink.

“I try my best to make this process less stressful because you only get one shot,” says Nicola. “People are shocked when I tell them that they only have to hold still for :01 or :02 seconds.”

To see her work or book a session, head to NLPhoto.co or follow her on Instagram at @oldblackkettle.

MODERN HEIRLOOMS

ARTICLE BY EMILY O'BRIEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER

WHERE HISTORY MEETS

CONTEMPORARY

CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH WALTERS & HOGSETT JEWELERS

Generational jewelry is having a moment. Many people are choosing to sell or rework old pieces—transforming family heirlooms into something new while preserving their history. When you think about it, jewelry isn’t just tied to a single moment. It’s something that can live on, passed down from one generation to the next.

For more than four decades, Walters & Hogsett Jewelers has been part of that story in the Boulder community. Known for its fine craftsmanship and personal customer service, the store has built a reputation that goes beyond beautiful pieces. Since the 1980s, the team has focused on educating clients, helping them feel confident, informed, and connected to what they wear.

“There is a quiet revolution happening inside jewelry boxes,” says Emily Lantaff, co-owner. “Pieces that sat dormant in velvet pouches—a grandmother's brooch, a diamond ring from a past relationship, a mother's gold bangle—are being reimagined and repurposed.” The family-owned jeweler says they’re seeing clients come in with pieces that have been tucked away in boxes for decades.

“Every heirloom carries a story, and our first job is to listen,” Emily says. “Before a single sketch is drawn, we want to understand where the piece came from—who wore it, what it meant, and why it matters to the person sitting across from us now.” This conversation helps clients, and Walters & Hogsett assess the best next step—whether it’s feasible to upcycle the piece into something that’s more their style or if they prefer to unlock equity.

“We're not erasing history; we're writing its next chapter,” she says. “Clients who never thought twice about a tangled chain at the bottom of a drawer are suddenly bringing everything in.”

It opens up possibilities. “The value sitting in an older piece can fund a beautiful redesign that might have felt out of reach before. We help clients see it as a transfer of value: from something unworn into a new daily favorite piece,” Emily says.

Take, for example, a couple who brought in a 25-year-old engagement ring that no longer fit the wife’s style. The team used the original ring as a spark for a new one. She says the couple walked out feeling like they’d just got engaged again. Or the woman who arrived with her late mother’s delicate gold and diamond wristwatch that felt too old-fashioned.  After talking it through, the team transformed the case and bracelet into two pendant necklaces— one for each of her daughters. “Same diamonds, same history, two new heirlooms,” Emily says.

CONTINUED >

“PIECES THAT SAT DORMANT IN VELVET POUCHES— A GRANDMOTHER’S BROOCH, A DIAMOND RING FROM A PAST RELATIONSHIP,

A MOTHER’S GOLD BANGLE— ARE BEING REIMAGINED AND REPURPOSED.”

She notes that the craft is what keeps the story alive. “We pay attention to things clients never see: the way a prong is finished, the weight of a clasp, the integrity of a setting that has to survive decades of real life being lived. When those two things meet—genuine meaning and genuine quality—that's when a piece stops being jewelry and starts being an heirloom.”

Emily says that some jewelry is meant to be timeless, and some is also meant to transform. “Think of it like renovating a home—the previous owners loved it, but the style no longer speaks to you. So, you keep the good bones: the gold, the gemstones, the inherent value—and reimagine something entirely wearable for the life you're living now.”

MARIGOLD CHEF THEO

ADLEY'S GUIDE TO BOULDER

I love living in Boulder and having a restaurant in Lyons. Having moved here twenty-something years ago, you find all the amazing nooks and crannies that make the Front Range so special. I originally moved here for university, so being able to experience the Front Range at various ages and stages of life makes it all the better. The local amenities and access to an amazing outdoor lifestyle are hard to beat in the area, and there's rarely a reason to be bored on a sunny day. Raising two kids here is a dream for a lot of people, and I'm always thankful for that.

The Eldorado Springs pool is an absolutely classic summer hang. It's set in Eldorado Canyon, surrounded by soaring cliff faces and atop a natural artesian spring. Originally, it was a resort for the rich and famous in the Great Gatsby era, and little has changed, though they recently updated a bunch of their locker facilities and cafe. It's a sleeper to most tourists, which keeps the crowds relatively low.

In North Boulder, Gateway Fun Park is another vintage and classic place to spend the afternoon. I've spent days of my life at the driving range there, absolutely hammering the airplane set at 90 yards. When I bring the kids, we hit the go-karts and mini golf.

A Local Chef Shares His Go-To Rituals, Hidden Gems, and Everyday Favorites—From Canyon Swims to Comfort-Food Staples

ARTICLE BY THEO ADLEY

There are batting cages and an arcade indoors in case the mid-afternoon rains come.

The park in Lyons is another fantastic place to hang out, just out of town. After the big flood in 2013, they redeveloped it and put in a crazy, fun playground for the kids. There's an unofficial jumping rock into the river and places to rent tubes to float down with. It's great to grab a sandwich at the St. Vrain Market and walk over there for the day.

A circuit I love is going to Lucile's for brunch and walking across the street to the Shambhala House shrine room for a little meditation and focus afterward; maybe a walk down the Pearl Street Mall after.

We have a handful of regular restaurants we go to as a family. More often than not, they're not the fancy places, but places that over the years have become second nature. Chez Thuy has been my favorite local restaurant for over twenty years. It's family-owned, delicious, and is an absolute classic restaurant in town in my eyes. China Gourmet is another restaurant we eat at fairly regularly, another great family-owned restaurant, and the food is terrific. Lucile's is the best brunch in town if youre a

brunch person; I'm not generally, but when I am, it's my top pick. Parkway Diner, though... It's so damn good. It's basically a Mexican diner, and it can't be beat. Generally speaking, Basta is our go-to for a nice meal out; it has a tremendous wine list and hospitality, and the food is top-notch. I don't know any other restaurant that has meditated on pizza more than the team there. In South Boulder, where I live, we love the new Boxcar Coffee location and get burgers and beers at Southern Sun, which is always a win. Siren, just downstairs, has the best martini in town.

PAINTER

JOON TAJADOD’S

How a Renewed Sense of Self Has Influenced Her Art

BY

LINDEN BUTRYM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER

CONTINUED >

C A REER IS

“The presence of flowers in Persian poetry and mythology reinforces that a connection to florals runs deep within me.”

When she isn’t stocking up on supplies at Guiry’s and Meininger’s, artist Joon Tajadod is escaping to the mountains for inspiration—often finding it beneath breathtaking waterfalls in Telluride and in the fragrant wildflower fields of Crested Butte. The Denver-based painter is known for her large-scale works of evocative florals, which have appeared as murals and installations across town. They’ve also emerged as a more impactful motif woven into the fabric of her Iranian American heritage. “The presence of flowers in Persian poetry and mythology reinforces that a connection to florals runs deep within me,” she says.

Tajadod recently changed her first name from Ashley to Joon, a Farsi term of endearment her late father used while she was growing up. She says it’s a much truer and more significant representation of herself. “I replaced Tajadod with Joon initially,” she shares. “I’m sad I felt the need to hide my heritage, but my chapter as Ashley Joon led me to realize Ashley never felt like me. There’s something beautiful about getting older and not wanting to live in fear anymore.”

Following a residency at the Surf Hotel in Buena Vista, May 8-10, Tajadod joins musician Tavo Boaman at the Mollie Hotel in Aspen for a live painting performance

on June 5. Here, she chats about her favorite flowers, her creative process, and what’s inspiring her now.

How your heritage has shaped your artistic voice. Embracing my heritage has unlocked a well deep within me. It allows me to feel connected to my father after he passed and gives me a sense of responsibility to represent Iranian Americans.

Meanings from your background that influence what blooms you paint.

I’ve been told, in Iran, the perfume of roses can fill entire cities, and rosewater is used in everything from daily rituals to food. I get to experience this celebration of roses when I taste Persian ice cream. Tulips, the national flower, hold strong symbolic meaning, while hyacinths are traditionally placed on the Haft-Seen table during the Persian New Year at the spring equinox.

Where you create art.

In my home studio, where I have the freedom to work whenever inspiration strikes. Having constant access to my materials is important to me, and living alongside my works in progress feels essential to my creative process.

I’m naturally drawn to large-scale pieces, as they allow me to fully express the connection between my body, my movement, and the brush.

Current inspirations.

Golestan Palace in Iran, a place I’ve dreamed of visiting. It was recently destroyed by airstrikes, and the damage to its intricate mosaic mirror rooms affected me. In response to this loss, I’m creating a piece titled “Laleh,” meaning tulip in Farsi. I’m envisioning a garden of white tulips that echo the reflective, fragmented beauty of mirrors, both as a tribute and a way of preserving what has been lost.

Coolest moment of your career.

Painting at the Denver Art Museum in 2019 for the Monet exhibition was a highlight. As a self-taught painter, I consider Monet one of my earliest teachers.

Favorite garden.

I’ve made some impactful memories at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Their rotating art exhibit makes for

a new experience every time. Seeing Dale Chihuly and Deborah Butterfield’s work amongst the gardens was transformative. I’m excited for Jaume Plensa’s “A New Humanism” exhibition (open now through September 7).

Flowers you love.

The lush petals of irises, the bold colors of poppies, the scent of magnolias, the playfulness of snap dragons, and the varieties of pansies.

Go-to floral scent.

Hyacinth’s scent is nostalgic for the Persian New Year. Its fragrance signals the arrival of spring, marking a time of renewal, beauty, and new beginnings.

Emotions you hope people experience with your art.

A sense of freedom through the movement. In my darker pieces, I aim to evoke a feeling of calm, something to rest to, while my brighter work is meant to bring a sense of joy.

For more on Joon Tajadod and her work, visit JoonTheArtist.com

mosaic architects + interiors

Designs By Sundown was founded in 1985 to make great homes even better with beautiful, sustainable, enjoyable landscapes. We have stayed true to our roots, with a responsive, knowledgeable staff and the highest quality materials and craftsmanship

Mapping the Ride

How Michelle and Zach Lee Built Simple Cycling Maps Through Design, Cycling, and Community

BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY

AND COURTESY OF SIMPLE CYCLING MAPS

In Boulder, cycling is more than a pastime. It is part of the rhythm of the city, a way people move through the landscape, challenge themselves, and connect with one another. Michelle and Zach Lee understood that long before Simple Cycling Maps became their full-time work. They recognized that even in a place so shaped by riding, the information available did not always reflect the experience of being on a bike. Routes could be hard to read, difficult to compare, and even harder to imagine before heading out. Simple Cycling Maps grew from that gap, pairing local knowledge with design to create something more intuitive, more useful, and more rooted in the cycling community itself.

The project began in 2014 when Zach started working on it during his free time while both he and Michelle were freelancing as designers. Part of the appeal was creative freedom. They wanted to make something outside the usual constraints of budgets, schedules, and preferences. Zach, whose background is in environmental graphic design and wayfinding, immediately connected with the idea of making route information easier to understand. After two years of development, the first edition came out in 2016.

The concept also grew out of personal experience. Michelle recalled an early ride to Ward, where she did not know what was coming and found herself overwhelmed by the climb. That experience helped shape one of the company's defining features, a color-coded system, inspired in part by ski maps, that helps riders understand difficulty, distance, and what to expect before they commit to a route. The goal was not to replace existing county bike maps, which already contained plenty of information, but to make that information easier to use.

Still, turning that idea into a working map was complicated. Zach was inspired by transit systems like the London Underground and the New York subway map, but road riding requires more context. Cyclists need enough detail to make decisions at intersections and understand how one segment connects to the next. Early versions were too simple, and building the Boulder System Map became an iterative process. Even now, Zach describes it as something they continue to tend “like a garden,” always adjusting and refining.

That refinement is shaped by community as much as design. Because the Lees know Boulder well, Michelle has lived here for about 30 years, and Zach for roughly 25, giving them a strong local foundation. But they also built the maps by talking with friends, visiting bike shops, and inviting feedback from other cyclists. That process helps define what makes their work different from city-produced maps. Rather than inventorying every possible road or bike lane, Simple Cycling Maps is intentionally selective. Their maps are meant to show riders the best roads to take and sometimes the ones to avoid, in the same spirit in which cyclists share route advice.

That selectiveness has also helped make the maps appealing beyond the ride itself. Designed to be both useful and visually strong, they function as route guides, keepsakes, and wall pieces all at once. Michelle noted that customers often buy them as gifts or display them at home, treating them as both practical tools and beautiful visual pieces.

Now the business is entering a new phase. As of January 1, Michelle and Zach are working on Simple Cycling Maps fulltime. What started as a side project has expanded into custom mapping and wayfinding work for cities, developers, and recreation organizations. Recent projects include Virginia Canyon Mountain Park in Idaho Springs, a new bike walk map for Golden, and a refresh of signage and wayfinding for Valmont Bike Park in Boulder. They have also begun adapting to broader demand by incorporating hikers and runners into some of their newer maps.

Even with that growth, the heart of the business remains the same. Michelle and Zach still approach mapping as both a design challenge and a way to help people feel more connected to where they ride. In Boulder, where cycling is part of the city's culture and community, that approach feels especially fitting. Their maps do more than show people where to go. They help riders understand the roads around them, ride with more confidence, and take part more fully in the shared experience that makes Boulder such a strong cycling community.

To learn more about Simple Cycling Maps, visit SimpleCyclingMaps.com

STEP INTO SPRING AT VASU

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25 YEARS OF RSL OUTDOOR

From Lawn Care Roots to Full-Service Outdoor Living, RSL Outdoor’s Evolution Reflects a Commitment to Craftsmanship, Collaboration, and Spaces Designed For How People Truly Live

More than 25 years ago, Steve Paige started with a straightforward goal: to provide dependable residential lawn care. What began with mowing and basic maintenance soon pointed to something larger, with homeowners looking beyond upkeep and toward more intentional outdoor spaces.

That early shift helped lay the groundwork for what would become Rock Solid Landscapes, officially founded on March 1, 2001. The name reflected a commitment to quality, durability, and doing things the right way. In the company's early years, it built its reputation through smaller landscape installations while continuing to refine its approach and long-term direction.

A major turning point came in 2010, when Paige hired John Herron to lead residential design-build services. Alongside construction manager Brian Bauer, the company began moving more deliberately toward larger and more complex projects, with a stronger emphasis on design, craftsmanship, and project management.

As the business evolved, so did its identity. Rock Solid Landscapes became RSL Outdoor, a name that better reflects the company's current

Looking ahead, RSL Outdoor will continue building on that foundation by designing and constructing outdoor spaces that bring people together and strengthen its connection to the Boulder County community.

focus as a full-service outdoor living contractor. Today, the company specializes in projects that bring indoor and outdoor environments together, reflecting how homeowners want to live in and use their spaces.

That direction became especially relevant during the pandemic, when many people began investing more deeply in their homes and personal environments. For RSL Outdoor, it reinforced a focus that was already taking shape: thoughtful outdoor living spaces built around design, function, and long-term use.

Even as the scope of the work has grown, Paige says one principle has remained constant: listening. From the beginning, he has believed that the best outcomes come from understanding clients and building from a shared vision. In a competitive Boulder County market, that collaborative approach continues to shape the company's work.

Team continuity has also played a major role in the company's growth. Many of RSL Outdoor’s core team members have been with the business for more than a decade, creating a level of consistency and trust that carries through from project to project.

As Paige reflects on 25 years in business, he points not only to the projects completed, but also to the team built and the relationships formed along the way. He credits a strong work ethic and an appreciation for doing things right as values that have remained central to the company from the beginning.

Looking ahead, RSL Outdoor will continue building on that foundation by designing and constructing outdoor spaces that bring people together and strengthen its connection to the Boulder County community.

To learn more about RSL Outdoor, visit RSLInc.net

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Why Traditional Cholesterol Tests Aren’t Enough—and What To Track Instead

Beyond the Lipid Panel

ARTICLE BY EMILY O'BRIEN

For more than 100 years, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in America. Ivy League–trained emergency physician and CEO of Rocky Mountain Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Khoshal Latifzai, MD, explains that someone can be doing everything right on the surface and still have their cardiovascular “engine” breaking down under the hood—if they’re watching the wrong gauges. “It’s like ignoring a check engine light because the car still looks fine,” he says. We sat down with him to talk about cardiovascular health and learn what gauges are best.

FOR A HEALTH-CONSCIOUS INDIVIDUAL WHO ALREADY EXERCISES AND EATS WELL, WHERE DO YOU TYPICALLY STILL SEE HIDDEN CARDIOVASCULAR RISK?

In cardiovascular prevention, one major blind spot is LDL-C: someone can have a “perfect” LDL-C on a standard panel and still have a high burden of atherogenic particles. That is why ApoB matters. It better reflects the number of plaque-driving particles. Lp(a) is another key blind spot because it’s a genetically driven risk factor that lifestyle often cannot fix.

Importantly, ApoB and Lp(a) are not included on a standard lipid panel, so they must be checked separately. Other hidden risks include chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and poor sleep, all of which can worsen vascular risk even in otherwise healthy people.

BOULDER IS A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES PERFORMANCE AND LONGEVITY. HOW DO YOU APPROACH CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH DIFFERENTLY FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO OPTIMIZE, NOT JUST AVOID DISEASE?

Aiming to land in the middle of the bell curve is a very low standard. Optimization means understanding every measurable driver of your cardiovascular risk, striving for levels that are simply not associated with heart attacks and strokes, addressing outliers precisely, and tracking your response over time.

This approach should resonate with performance-minded patients. It means going beyond standard panels to particle-level lipid testing, inflammatory markers, endothelial health indicators (markers of blood vessel function), metabolic markers, body composition, and advanced coronary scanning, all reviewed regularly.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE YOU HAVE AT 75 IS BEING SHAPED BY THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE TODAY.

THAT IS THE MODEL WE HAVE BUILT AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGENERATIVE MEDICINE.

AT WHAT POINT DOES CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION BECOME A MORE SOPHISTICATED, DATA-DRIVEN EXERCISE RATHER THAN GENERAL LIFESTYLE ADVICE?

From day one, frankly. Yet current guidelines do not recommend comprehensive cardiovascular testing until age 45, unless someone is already symptomatic or diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes. By that point, atherosclerosis has often been developing silently for decades. The time for data-driven prevention is your 20s, 30s, and 40s, when early intervention yields its greatest returns.

FOR SOMEONE THINKING IN DECADES, NOT JUST YEARS, WHAT DOES AN IDEAL CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION STRATEGY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE TODAY?

It means assembling a complete picture, well before symptoms, well before a diagnosis, with a comprehensive baseline. One that combines family history, comprehensive biomarker assessment, including particle-level lipids, inflammation, metabolic markers, hormonal health, and advanced imaging, with personalized lifestyle protocols and targeted therapy where the evidence supports it. And critically, it involves consistent monitoring over time.

Crafting custom homes in Boulder for 45 years.

Rooted

Gardening as Practice

ARTICLE BY WILLOW KING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER

There is a particular kind of quiet that happens when you push your hands into soil. Not the absence of sound as the birds are still singing, the breeze is still blowing, but a settling. A coming home to yourself that is hard to find anywhere else.

Boulder people understand this intuitively. We are hikers and meditators and farmers market devotees (Saturday Market is now open!) We talk about connection to the natural world the way other cities talk about traffic. And yet, many of us have outsourced our relationship with growing things: to CSA boxes, to Whole Foods, to the farmers we love but don’t become. Gardening asks us to close that distance. And when we do, something shifts. You can start simple; just a few seeds.

The mental health research on this is now substantial. Time spent gardening measurably reduces cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Studies have linked regular gardening to lower rates of anxiety and depression, improved

attention, and even reduced risk of dementia. Researchers in the Netherlands found that gardening outperformed reading as a stress recovery activity. There is something about working with living systems that soothes the soul. (But still love a good book!)

The spiritual dimension is harder to quantify, and perhaps more important. A garden operates on its own time. Seeds germinate when they’re ready. The squash will do what squash does, regardless of your deadline or your mood. This is either deeply frustrating or liberating, depending on how tightly you’re gripping the rest of your life. For most of us, gardening is the place we finally practice the letting go we’ve been meaning to do and trust the timeless, natural process.

There is also the matter of reciprocity. You tend something. You give it water, compost, and your attention. It gives back. In a culture that often reduces well-being to what we consume, the garden insists

that we are also makers. Also nourishers. That capacity to give care, and to receive its fruits, is healing.

The garden does make the web of life impossible to ignore. The earthworm aerating your soil, the bee visiting your borage, the mycelial network threading invisibly beneath your feet. You are not separate from any of it. You never were.

This May, as the Front Range softens into spring and the farmers' markets return and the light turns that particular gold it only hits in Colorado, consider getting your hands dirty. Not to optimize anything. Not to produce. Just to remember that you are a creature of this earth, subject to its seasons, held by its soil, and that there is grace in that belonging.

If you are looking for a place to start, Growing Gardens offers community plots at their Hawthorn gardens. Learn more by visiting GrowingGardens.org/ CommunityGardens.

PREPPING FOR THE DROUGHT

ARTICLE BY MEREDITH ROWE

Colorado’s historically low snowpack has most of the state prepping for a drought. Last month, the City of Boulder issued a set of rules to limit water usage, including not running sprinklers between 10 PM and 6 PM, not using a hose without a shutoff nozzle, and promptly fixing leaks. They also recommended keeping lawns dormant until May, prioritizing watering trees, and planning a “waterwise” yard.

They’re expected to issue additional guidance this month, but in the meantime, there are plenty of ways to prep your house and household for the summer.

REPLACE YOUR TURF

Most lawns need around 1-1.5 inches of water per week and are often a household’s largest water consumer. If you’re interested in removing that thirsty grass, Resource Central, a Boulder-based nonprofit, has a Lawn Replacement Program that rewards you for rolling up your turf. You can choose to hire a crew or do it yourself, and the nonprofit partners directly with the water utility companies to provide discounts.

For Boulder residents, they’re providing $750 that can go towards lawn removal or their Garden in a Box kits, full of low-water, pollinator-friendly plants that, once established, will be less maintenance than a lawn. If you’ve missed the March pre-orders, there’s another round in June for planting in August and September. The kits range from nine to 29 plants, and they have options for full sun, full shade, and everything in between. You can visit their plant store and explore solutions and programs at ResourceCentral.org

INSTALL A RAIN COLLECTION BARREL

As of 2016, Boulder residents are allowed to collect two rain barrels totaling 110 gallons from the roofs of their primary residence. This “rainwater harvesting” requires no permits, but the water can only be used outside, and the barrel must have a lid to stop insects or other pests from using the stored water.

There are plenty of food-grade barrels on Facebook Marketplace, often repurposed from pickle or other food transport, and you can use a diverter kit to siphon the water off your gutters. Special shoutout to Ben Moore for hooking me up with my kit! Last year, he installed them at his house and realized how simple they are to make. His kits come with the spigot and screen filter on top, and he also has diverter kits.

COLLECT SHOWER WATER

Unless you’re a fan of cold showers, chances are you give the water a few moments to warm up. Rather than having that go down the drain, you can collect it and use it to water plants, run the toilet, etc., effectively diverting around 475 gallons of water per year.

If you want an upgrade from your hardware store bucket, Elle Turner co-founded SEVAS to create an ergonomic, practical shower water catcher. With every purchase, they fund two days of clean drinking water through The Water Project, plant two mangrove trees with Earth Lungs Kenya, and offset 50kg of carbon supporting the UN-supported Burgos Wind Project in the Philippines. If you have a water softener, don’t use the water on plants. Order yours at SevasWater.com

One Woman’s Answer to a Fragmented System

M AP A THROUGH MENO PAUSE

ARTICLE BY EMILY O'BRIEN

When Katie Brodnik set out to better understand what to expect from menopause—and how to access meaningful care during perimenopause—she assumed finding the right healthcare professionals and learning about treatment options would be straightforward. It wasn’t.

Rather than retreat, she immersed herself. Books, podcasts, webinars—no resource was left unexplored. She spoke candidly with her mother, aunts, cousins, and friends, gathering stories that formed an overwhelming swirl of information—often conflicting, and at times confusing.

Neither the education nor the experts were easy to find. Katie wanted to change that. She wanted something easier for women to understand and trust, rooted in her own community of Boulder.

So she created it.

The result is MyMenoMap, a local in-person experience that combines community and education, bringing clarity, credibility, and humor to a stage

of life often navigated alone. Its workshops feature a thoughtfully curated team of local medical practitioners, therapists, dietitians, health coaches, and fitness professionals. At its core, MyMenoMap empowers women to tune into their bodies and make informed, confident choices about their health.

We caught up with Katie to talk about what women often misunderstand about menopause—and how to approach it differently.

BOULDER LIFESTYLE: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OR CONCERNS YOU SEE WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH?

Katie Brodnik: The symptoms women come to me with most often are sleep disruption, mood changes (anxiety, irritability, brain fog), weight gain, and low libido. Up to 50% of women worldwide experience depression or anxiety during this transition, and mental health symptoms often show up before the “classic” menopause symptoms do.

BL: WHAT DO MOST WOMEN MISUNDERSTAND ABOUT MENOPAUSE?

KB: What surprises most women is how early these symptoms can start, how wide-ranging they actually are, and how they could be related to the hormonal loss and fluctuations that occur during different stages of menopause. Menopause isn’t just hot flashes; it’s a whole-body transition.

BL: WHEN DOES PERIMENOPAUSE START—AND WHY DO SO MANY WOMEN MISS IT?

KB: Perimenopause, or what I like to call “La Peri,” is the chaos that ensues before the menopause transition is complete. The drop in estrogen is not a gradual slope for many women, as there are extreme highs and lows that wreak havoc on the body. It’s hormonal fluctuation that can cause many of the  symptoms that lead women to say, “I’m not feeling like myself.” The challenge is figuring out when perimenopause has started and what treatment options are available. Many women have been told it’s just aging and something they should suffer through. Women will go to their providers for anxiety, insomnia, or weight gain and never connect it to their hormones, and unfortunately, many providers don’t either. This is why education is key.

Join the conversation this month at Putting Menopause on the Map at The Longmont Museum, and be sure to visit MyMenoMap.com to learn more about upcoming events.

“MENOPAUSE ISN’T JUST HOT FLASHES; IT’S A WHOLE-BODY TRANSITION.”

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may swept through our house. lilacs and rain.

the world felt heavy some days, drenched in questions. but the iris bloomed, and i ate a bowl of cherries kissed by evening light.

some things feel too complex to hold, like how the noise of the world is getting louder, but so is the silence.

some things feel too big to hold, like the future, but also the present.

i haven't found any answers, maybe only more questions.

but the aspens are dancing, my son is laughing, and the hummingbirds will return soon.

maybe for now, that is enough. maybe for now, that is as close to an answer as i’ll get.

—may

ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BECKY HILLYARD

From Side Hustle to Style Empire

The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s , she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?

A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?

A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?

A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

May Around Town

9th 5th, 12th & 19th

DASH & DINE 5K

Dash & Dine 5K returns to the Boulder Reservoir for a spring evening race series with a strong local following. The out-and-back course, post-race dinner, and relaxed lawn hangout make for a perfect Tuesday night. For more information and to register, visit DashNDine5K.com

ways change can shape creative work. This year’s festival explores the personal and artistic turning points that influenced composers such as Gustav Mahler, while offering performances, educational events, and social activities that invite audiences into the experience. For tickets and more information, visit MahlerFest.org

AMANDA PASCALI

Amanda Pascali brings her bilingual mix of Southern Italian and American Southern music to Chautauqua Community House this May. She will perform as a duo with multi-instrumentalist Addison Freeman. For tickets and more information, visit AmandaPascali.com

13th - 17th 16th - 17th

MAHLERFEST 39

MahlerFest 39 returns with a theme centered on reinvention and the

FIREFLY HANDMADE SPRING MARKET

Firefly Handmade’s Spring Market returns to Pearl Street for a weekend of thoughtful shopping and seasonal inspiration. The market brings together a curated mix of local makers, artists, and small businesses, with handcrafted goods, unique finds, and plenty of ways to support creative talent from Colorado and beyond.

19th - 20th

INDIGO GIRLS

Indigo Girls bring four decades of music, activism, and unmistakable harmonies to Boulder for a twonight run. Known for songs that have lasted across generations and live shows that feel more like communal sing-alongs, the duo remains as powerful and resonant as ever. For more information and tickets, go to Chautauqua.com

22nd - 25th

BOULDER CREEK FESTIVAL

Boulder Creek Festival returns Memorial Day weekend with four days of live music, local vendors, food, art, and community celebration along the creek. A longtime local tradition, the festival brings plenty of energy to downtown Boulder while offering something for just about everyone. For more information, visit BoulderCreekFest.com

22nd - June 7th

Mandy Lahey as Henrietta Leavitt and Joel Parker as Peter Shaw (credit: Mike Lewis, Thin Air Photography)

VIVA THEATER ILLUMINATES A HIDDEN STAR WITH SILENT SKY

VIVA Theater presents a luminous production of Silent Sky by acclaimed playwright Lauren Gunderson, running May 22 through June 7 at the Dairy Arts Center. The play tells the true story of Henrietta Leavitt and her team of female astronomers at the Harvard Observatory in the early 20th century. Despite limited recognition, Leavitt transformed our understanding of the universe. Blending humor, music, and math, this production celebrates the profound mysteries of the stars. For more information, visit TheDairy.org.

25th

BOLDERBOULDER

BOLDERBoulder returns on Memorial Day with one of the city’s most iconic annual traditions. Known for its spirited course, community energy, and festive finish, the race draws runners, walkers, and spectators alike for a morning that feels distinctly Boulder. For more information, visit BolderBoulder.com

30th - 31st

BALLET IN THE PARK

Boulder Ballet brings dance to the Boulder Bandshell for a spring weekend performance in the park. Set outdoors and open to the community, it is a chance to enjoy live ballet in a relaxed Boulder setting.

31st

TWELFTH NIGHT

Colorado Shakespeare Festival opens Twelfth Night at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre with one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Shipwreck, mistaken identity, and romantic chaos set the stage for a lively night of wit, confusion, and classic summer theater under the stars. For tickets and more information, visit CUPresents.org.

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THE DOLAN TEAM

With over 20 years of working together, we’re a team that feels like family - built on trust, fueled by purpose, and dedicated to our clients and the work that we do.

Bryce, Kelly, Karolyn, & Patrick