Mile High, CO May 2026

What Keeps Denver Moving

May is one of my favorite times in Denver. The city just works better this time of year—longer days, warmer nights, and a little more energy across every neighborhood.

As we pulled this issue together, I kept thinking about how many of the stories we come across—both in this magazine and in day-to-day life—are driven by women who are simply getting things done. Not for attention, not for recognition, just because that’s who they are.

You see it everywhere. Women running businesses, leading teams, raising families, building community. And not in a polished, perfect way—usually in a way that’s busy, a little messy, and very real.

This issue highlights a few of those stories. We spent time with The Denver Village, which is creating something a lot of people need but don’t always talk about—real support and connection for mothers. We also sat down with Kim from Align Concrete Lifting, who’s built a business in an industry where you don’t see many women, and has done it by focusing on the work, not the noise.

Putting this together is always a good reset for me. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but these conversations tend to bring things back to what actually matters—showing up, doing good work, and being part of something bigger than yourself.

That’s really what this issue is about. Not big statements or perfect narratives, just a snapshot of people in Denver who are contributing in meaningful ways.

Thanks for reading, and for supporting the people and stories that make this city what it is.

NATE THOMAS, PUBLISHER

@MILEHIGHCITYLIFESTYLE_MAGAZINE

May 2026

PUBLISHER

Nate Thomas | nate.thomas@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Anne Hebert | anne.hebert@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Valerie Bianculli

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Regan Rouse, Michael Ryno

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

Proverbs 3:5-6

Turning Financial Insight Into Growth

At Ambassador Accounting, we deliver Fractional CFO leadership, high-level bookkeeping, and strategic financial insight for entrepreneurs ready to scale with confidence. From crystalclear cash flow to investor-ready financials, we turn your numbers into a growth engine. Book a strategy call today and start making decisions backed by real financial clarity. www.ambassadoraccountingllc.com | 720-244-6110 kathleen@ambassadoraccountingllc.com | D kathleen-civ

CANDID | CINEMATIC | LIMITLESS

I photograph weddings with a cinematic, editorial approach— focused on real moments, refined imagery, and zero awkward posing. Calm when things get chaotic, intentional when it matters, and always going above and beyond to make the day seamless. The result is timeless photos that feel honest, elevated, and unapologetically you

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1-7: Nautilus Sound and Wellness offers sound healing and Reiki sessions designed to help clients slow down and reset. Many report better sleep, reduced stress, and an easier time navigating daily life. Founder Betzy McCauley uses vibration and guided immersion to support nervous system balance, and also partners with local organizations and first responder groups to bring wellness practices into team settings.

business monthly

Save Big on Heat Pumps with Mighty Pine HVAC Rebates

Mighty Pine Home Services provides energy-efficient heat pumps designed for Colorado homes, helping homeowners capitalize on stacked incentives. Xcel Energy rebates average $2,250 per ton, typically totaling $5,000–$8,000. Additional savings include income-based federal HEAR rebates from $1,750–$14,000 and Colorado state credits of $333–$1,000, applied upfront. Combined, these programs can reduce upfront costs by as much as $20,000, depending on system size and eligibility.

EVOLV Wellness: Advanced Peptide Therapy for Optimal Health

Today’s health solutions go beyond basic supplements. Peptide therapies work at the cellular level to support metabolism, cognitive performance, recovery, hormone balance, and long-term vitality. Whether your goal is weight management, sharper focus, faster recovery, or overall wellness, peptides provide targeted support to help your body perform at its best.

Denver Pet Parents: Mobile Grooming Comes to You!

New to Woofie’s of Denver East? Get 25% off your first mobile grooming appointment. We bring professional, stress-free grooming right to your door for dogs  and cats, with one-on-one care—no salon trip needed. Convenient, personalized, and focused on your pet’s comfort and safety. Book now and treat your pet to a spa day

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the CITY LIST

Health & Wellness

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

The Denver Village https://www.thedenvervillage.com/ | 508.380.7425

Cosmic Health Collective https://cosmicdenver.com/ | 618.558.1966

EVOLV Wellness MedSpa https://evolvwellnessmedspa.com/ | 720.661.9024

E2O Denver: Health and Performance http://www.e2odenver.com/ | 720.505.3645

Recovery Lounge & Spa https://recoveryloungeandspa.com/ | 303.242.6938

Best Lash Studio

Wax & Lash Denver waxlashdenver.com | 720.550.6673

Waxing The City - LODO https://www.waxingthecity.com/locations/w9/us/co/denver-lodo/?utm_source= google&utm_medium=organic-businesslisting&utm_campaign=gbp-listing&utm_ content=w9 | 303.592.2929

Deka Lash https://dekalash.com/find-a-studio/colorado/edgewater/ | 303.823.4478

Chyka chyka.glossgenius.com | 720.662.4338

Lashology http://www.lashologybeauty.com/ | 720.456.6913

Lifting More Than Concrete

When Kim Danish and her husband launched Align Concrete Lifting, they weren’t just starting a business — they were betting on themselves. “We both reached a point where we realized we were putting our energy and skills into building other people’s businesses,” she explains. With a business management degree and years of experience in operations, Kim handled the organizational side, while her husband brought deep technical expertise from six years in the concrete repair industry. “We knew we were the best in our respective roles and decided to take a chance on ourselves.”

From the beginning, Align was built as a true family endeavor. “Working as a family took some adjustment, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she says. “With his reputation and hands-on knowledge, combined with my work ethic and business background, we quickly found our rhythm.” That foundation shaped the company’s guiding principles. “Align was built on integrity, accountability, and craftsmanship,” Kim notes. “Being family-owned means our name is directly tied to the work we do.”

In the early days, one of the biggest hurdles was simply awareness. “Many homeowners didn’t even realize concrete lifting was an

ARTICLE BY VALERIE BIANCULLI PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL RYNO

option,” she recalls. The turning point came when clients began to understand the value of the process. “Seeing the relief on their faces — realizing they could save time, money, and disruption — that was our ‘aha’ moment,” Kim says. “We realized our role wasn’t just fixing concrete. It was educating and empowering people.”

Align’s approach centers on preservation rather than replacement. “Traditional replacement is invasive, expensive, and often unnecessary,” she explains. “By using polyurethane foam injection, we lift and stabilize existing concrete instead of demolishing it.” The result is faster, cleaner, and more efficient. “Most projects are completed in hours, not days, and the concrete is ready for use almost immediately. It’s a smarter solution that respects both the structure and the homeowner’s time.”

That method also supports sustainability, something Kim is passionate about. “Concrete lifting is inherently more sustainable than replacement,” she says. “We reduce demolition waste, limit landfill impact, and avoid the carbon footprint associated with new concrete production.” For Align, eco-consciousness isn’t a marketing angle — it’s simply part of doing the job responsibly.

Operating in Colorado brings its own challenges. “Expansive clay soils and freeze-thaw cycles are tough on concrete,” Kim explains. “Local experience matters. Understanding how Colorado ground moves is critical to delivering lasting results.” Each project is tailored to those conditions, ensuring long-term stability.

Leadership, she says, is about accountability. “Quality work starts

with doing things right even when no one is watching.” Because Align’s crew is made up entirely of family, that accountability runs deep. “When you work with Align, you’re working with a team that treats every project as a reflection of our family name.”

For Kim, the most rewarding moments are the personal ones. She recalls a homeowner ready to sell because of dangerous settlement around their entryway. “After we stabilized the concrete, their confidence came back,” she says. “Knowing we helped eliminate stress and unnecessary expense — that’s exactly why Align exists.”

Looking ahead, growth will remain intentional. “We want to expand services and continue investing in technology and education,” Kim says. “But success, to us, means staying the company people trust when their home needs attention.”

Set your schedule. Make an impact.

Build a life you’re proud of.

Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community.

Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?

Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY REGAN ROUSE PHOTOGRAPHY

Inside The Denver Village Wellness Collective

A HUB FOR HOLISTIC CARE, INTEGRATED WELLNESS, AND LOCAL CONNECTION.

Catherine Tenedios Hayes

Root To Summit Therapy provides compassionate therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Clients build insight, improve communication, strengthen emotional regulation, deepen self-understanding, navigate challenges, feel supported, empowered, and gain clarity in their lives.

Amy’s passion for treatment as a Physical Therapist is pelvic health and wellness. Evoke Physical Therapy specializes in female pelvic floor dysfunction, pregnancy and postpartum wellness, fascial and visceral mobilizations, dry needling, Pilates, and functional exercise.

Fausel

Olive You Whole: Caroline Fausel NTP helps women and children heal from the inside out through personalized nutrition and root-cause wellness. With a focus on gut healing, she helps you feel like yourself again.

Kayla Culbertson

Thrive & Shine Therapy provides nurturing pediatric occupational therapy for babies and toddlers, supporting motor skills, body comfort, feeding, and sensory development through play-based, parent-guided sessions that help little ones feel confident, comfortable, and connected.

Moxie Speech Therapy helps children of all ages strengthen communication skills—from speech sounds and language to fluency and dyslexia—through holistic, family-centered therapy that empowers kids and caregivers with confidence, connection, and lasting growth.

Lindsay Wilson

EVOLV Wellness Medspa blends expert care and gentle precision to support skin health, confidence, and self-care through personalized treatments. Their warm, client-centered approach leaves you feeling relaxed, radiant, and refreshed from the inside out.

Cait Gallegos

4 Wands Energy offers Reiki and Human Design sessions inspired by the Four of Wands — fostering harmony, community, and inner alignment through gentle energy therapy and personalized energetic insight to support emotional balance and clarity.

Nicole Schremp

Movevery Pediatric Physical Therapy provides holistic, family-centered care for children from birth to three, supporting motor milestones, easeful movement, and nervous system regulation through gentle hands-on techniques, purposeful play, and empowering parent education.

Ashlee Doheny

Ashlee Doheny, owner of Cedar & Steam, invites you to her cozy wood-burning sauna outside The Denver Village, where fragrant heat and soothing steam melt stress, encourage connection, and leave you feeling grounded, refreshed, and renewed.

Jerry Maguire said it best, “help me, help you!”, Liz Chavez-Roberts, Denver Village Community Outreach Coordinator, strives to build collaborative communities by hosting events, creating digital content, and growing The Community Kind, a local nonprofit.

Building The Denver Village

INSIDE THE COLLABORATIVE SPACE BRINGING COMMUNITY, HEALING AND MOVEMENT TO CENTRAL PARK

When Meredith Cole first began teaching yoga in 2015, she didn’t realize the practice would eventually lead her to create a wellness community designed to bring people together. What started as a love for movement and mindfulness gradually evolved into something bigger: The Denver Village, a collaborative space offering therapy, bodywork, workshops, and a range of holistic healing modalities.

WHAT FIRST INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE DENVER VILLAGE?

I started teaching yoga in 2015, and after having my first baby in 2017, I discovered a love for pre and postnatal yoga. Supporting women during that transformative time

became deeply meaningful to me—helping them feel more at ease in their bodies, find moments of strength, and know they weren’t alone in the ups and downs of motherhood.

I stepped away from teaching during the pandemic and after having a second baby. When I returned a few years later, I realized there were no yoga classes in our community to support pregnant and new mothers.

WHAT GAP DID YOU SEE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU WANTED TO FILL?

Cole envisioned an environment that nurtured connection and offered support—without being a traditional yoga studio. “It’s about resources and community,” she says. “A place where no one feels alone.”

That vision became The Denver Village, a space designed to support people through life’s transitions while connecting them with practitioners and holistic experiences.

HOW

DID YOU BUILD THE NETWORK OF PRACTITIONERS THAT ARE PART OF THE VILLAGE TODAY?

“Much of the growth happened organically. I started by thinking about the practitioners who supported me—acupuncture, pelvic floor therapy, things that really made a difference in my life,” she says.

From there, the community expanded through shared experiences, trusted recommendations and social media. Before long, therapists, meditation guides, breathwork facilitators, and other practitioners became part of the collective.

CARINA ROSADO IS NOW YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER. HOW DID THAT PARTNERSHIP COME ABOUT?

Cole and Rosado were already friends when Rosado moved to Denver shortly before the Village opened.

“I would talk to her about everything I was working on,” Cole says. “She started helping me and eventually it became clear how valuable her support & insight was.” As the business grew, so did Rosado’s role.

“Running your own business can be isolating and exhausting,” Cole says. “Having a partner to share the load has been invaluable & makes everything more fun!”

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN LAUNCHING THE BUSINESS?

Like many entrepreneurs, Cole says the most difficult step was believing she could take the leap. “The hardest part was moving from the excitement of a fun idea to the reality of putting pen to paper on a lease” she says.

Once the doors opened, her confidence quickly grew.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE DENVER VILLAGE?

The team is currently expanding into the space next door to offer more programming and bring in additional practitioners. Cole & Rosado are also exploring ways to extend the Village beyond its physical space, including launching a podcast.

“For now, the mission remains the same,” Cole says. “The Denver Village is a space for real connection—a space where you can come as you are, find real support, and leave feeling lighter and more at ease.”

Mile High Family Wellness is a compassionate, client-centered therapy practice dedicated to supporting individuals and families across all stages of life. They specialize in women’s mental health, perinatal and postpartum care, and helping parents navigate the emotional complexities of pregnancy, birth, and early parenting. Their therapists provide practical tools for communication, boundary setting, and strengthening relationships within families. Mile High Family Wellness also offers guidance through life transitions, stress, and identity changes. In addition, they provide therapy for individuals in late adulthood, supporting aging, loss, and adjustment to new phases of life. Their goal is to create a warm, collaborative space where clients feel understood, empowered, and equipped to build healthier, more fulfilling lives. (Photography by Ashil Parag)

CO PMHP | The Birth Squad: Becoming a parent is one of life's most profound journeys — and you shouldn't have to navigate it alone. The Birth Squad, powered by the Colorado Perinatal Mental Health Project, walks alongside expectant and new parents from pregnancy all the way through postpartum, offering compassionate mental health support every step of the way. Through group and individual therapy, mental-health-centered birthing classes, and mama meet-ups, we create a warm, judgment-free space where families can feel truly seen, supported, and emotionally grounded. Because thriving families start with supported parents.

Natural Balance is excited to be joining The Denver Village by continuing to offer care that is both effective and deeply supportive. The care team at Natural Balance provides chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, and massage therapy, blending clinical expertise with a thoughtful, compassionate approach. Natural Balance has been supporting Central Park and the surrounding communities for over 20 years, with providers working collaboratively to guide each patient’s unique wellness journey. They take time to listen, understand individual needs, and create personalized plans using gentle, proven techniques. Natural Balance will remain a welcoming space for healing, in a collective of like-minded professionals at The Denver Village.

CONTINUED >

Meredith has always been drawn to practices that nurture balance, strength, and connection in everyday life. Since 2015, she has been sharing her love of yoga with others, guiding them toward wellness and self-discovery. The arrival of her first baby in 2017 deepened her path, inspiring a focus on prenatal and postnatal yoga and supporting women through this transformative season of life. The beautiful yet challenging journey of motherhood also revealed the vital role a strong support system plays in overall well-being.

Recognizing the power of a positive, uplifting community, Meredith felt inspired to create a space where people could strengthen their bodies while feeling genuinely supported and connected. She envisioned an environment where individuals feel seen, heard, and encouraged to explore a variety of healing modalities with curiosity and an open heart. Grounded in authenticity and compassion, Meredith values meaningful connection and holistic wellness, and is honored to share this work with the Denver community.

Carina, raised in a multicultural family, has long been passionate about discovering and nurturing common ground across cultures. While studying public health, she became acutely aware of the disparities in maternal and perinatal care both globally and within the United States. These experiences shaped her commitment to more equitable, compassionate care for families.

Her own journey into motherhood deepened this understanding, revealing both the universal beauty and the real challenges that come with raising a child. It also underscored how essential her “mom tribe” was in helping her navigate the emotional and practical complexities of parenting.

Guided by both her professional background and lived experience, Carina is dedicated to creating spaces where parents feel supported, connected, and understood. She is especially passionate about empowering women to access the care they deserve, while fostering a sense of community that reminds every parent they are not alone in their journey.

Professional Car Protection Services

Planting Spring Flowers

Helpful tips for planting spring flowers

Sun-Loving Plants:

Spring is here! We compiled a list of flowers that - depending on your planting zone - can be planted in the season.

Plumbago

Has beautiful dark blue or white flowers on a large shrub of 3 to 5 feet. This tends to freeze down in winter and comes back from roots in the spring.

Hibiscus

The tropical variety will not survive the winters so move those pots inside. The plant can get up to 5 feet tall and there are many different colors and varieties. The perennial varieties will freeze to the ground but come back in the spring. The variety Moy Grande is known as the dinner plate hibiscus. The Texas star hibiscus has beautiful flowers in red or white.

Bougainvillea

These colorful plants can be planted in baskets and pots, not in water-logged or low areas where water might collect. They will grow best when given enough space to spread out, and should be planted in an area that will allow them a minimum of 5-6 hours of sunlight every day. Colors include orange, pink, purple, white, red, tangerine and fuschia to name a few.

Purslane

This is great in baskets for trailing leaves with lots of colors. The bees love it!

Butterfly Weed

This 3 to 4-foot bush is a must for monarch lovers. Monarchs feed on the leaves before making their cocoons. It has beautiful orange and yellow flowers.

ARTICLE BY LORI HAWKINS

Shade-Loving Plants:

Lantana

This is a great hot weather plant that comes in many colors and varieties. Trailing varieties only get about 1 foot tall but can get 3 to 4 feet wide. There are bush varieties that get 4 feet tall and dwarf bushes only get about 2 feet tall. It comes in yellows, purples, reds, oranges, pinks, fuchsia, and many others.

Gregg’s Blue Mist

This fuzzy light blue flower is a butterfly favorite.

Pentas

This is another bee and butterfly favorite that grows about 10 to 12 inches tall. There is a graffiti variety in different colors that works in beds or pots.

Vinca/Periwinkle

This plant comes in upright or trailing varieties. There are many colors to choose from: lavender, white with a red center, peach, white and red, pink to strawberry.

Sages

There are many varieties of sage. The Texas sage is a shrub that has beautiful lavender flowers - a favorite for bees. They usually bloom around the time it rains. Henry Duelberg variety is a smaller bush 18 to 20 inches tall with blue stalks of blooms. Russian Sage is a tall silver lacy foliage with light blue flower spikes and grows to 4 feet tall. Deer tend to stay away from most of the sages.

Turk’s Cap

This plant makes a large bush of red or pink flowers. It has low water needs once established and can tolerate drought conditions and hot temperatures. Prune back plant in winter if it gets too leggy.

Impatiens

These need more water than most other plants and come in many colors. They are valued for their vibrant colors, abundant blooms, and tolerance for shade.

Caladiums

With lush multicolored leaves, many larger than the palm of your hand, caladiums have become one of the most popular foliage plants for shady or semi-shady gardens—with many recent introductions being sun tolerant.

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

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY SALVAGNO

Elevated Cocktails for Brunch Beyond &

3 Fun Cocktails That Are Sure To Impress

Whether you prefer to dine reclining pillow-side in pajamas or beside a beautifully dressed table, you’ll appreciate an elegant, elevated cocktail to make your brunch menu extra special. So while you’re indulging in a few extra pieces of bacon, savoring bites of flaky quiche and luxuriating over berry and whipped cream-topped pancakes, you’ll be sure to impress with one of these three morning-friendly mixes.

Gin Jam &

A simple ingredient drink unites the botanical complexity of gin with the rich sweetness of your favorite jam.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin

• 1 ounce lemon juice

• 1/2 ounce simple syrup

• 1 teaspoon raspberry (or your favorite) jam

• Spoonful of jam for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and jam to your mixing glass.

2. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds.

3. Strain into a double old-fashioned glass over crushed ice.

4. Top with a spoonful of jam and stir it in while you sip.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups orange juice

• 1/2 cup tequila

• 1/4 cup lime juice

• Lime wedge, for rimming glasses

• Coarse salt, for rimming glasses

• 1 bottle champagne or Prosecco

• Orange and lime slices for serving

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine orange juice, tequila and lime juice and stir to combine.

2. Line glass rims with lime and dip in salt. Pour in orange juice mixture and top off with champagne.

3. Add sliced oranges and limes to glasses and serve.

Margarita Mimosas

Sweet and tart combined with classic champagne bubbles make for the perfect brunch accompaniment.

Instructions:

1. Infuse vodka: Tear five basil leaves into small pieces and place into a small glass jar with vodka. Seal tightly and shake, refrigerate, then infuse for at least six hours, shaking the jar occasionally.

2. Make basil sugar: In a small food processor, combine sugar and remaining basil. Pulse until basil is chopped into small, uniform pieces and sugar is pale green.

3. Strain vodka into a glass measuring cup, squeezing basil leaves to release any remaining liquid.

4. Rim glasses: Pour basil sugar onto a small, shallow plate. Fill another shallow plate with water until a quarter-inch deep. Dip the rim of each glass first in water, then in basil sugar.

5. Assemble cocktail: Divide basil vodka between glasses, then add half-cup lemonade to each. Fill glasses with ice cubes and top with seltzer. Garnish with lemon slices.

Ingredients:

• 9 large basil leaves, divided

• 4 ounces vodka

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup lemonade

• Ice

• Seltzer

• Lemon slices, for garnish

Spiked Lemonade

This refreshing twist on a springtime favorite is enhanced with the sweetness of basil and turns the spirit a vibrant green.

events

MAY 2ND - 3RD

Cinco De Mayo Festival

Civic Center Park | 10:00 AM

Taking place at Civic Center Park, this large, family-oriented celebration honors Latino culture with delicious food, live music, and a vibrant parade every Saturday.  https://cincodemayodenver.com/

MAY 16TH - 17TH

Denver Colfax Marathon

Colfax Ave, Denver | 6:00 AM

The 2026 Denver Colfax Marathon will take place May 16–17 in Denver, featuring eight races over two days, including a marathon, half marathon, 10-miler, relay, and 5K. Known as Denver’s largest running weekend, it attracts over 25,000 participants and offers a scenic urban course through landmarks like City Park and the Denver Zoo.  https://www.runcolfax.org/

MAY 22ND - 24TH

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert

Boettcher Concert Hall, Arts Complex Denver | 7:30 PM

Join Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and the droids on a daring rescue of Han Solo, as the Rebels face the Empire’s ultimate Death Star. Feel the tension soar during Luke’s fateful duel with Darth Vader, accompanied by the Colorado Symphony performing John Williams’ unforgettable score live. Stay through the credits—you’ll be rewarded with a thrilling finale!   https://www.artscomplex.com/events/detail/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-in-concert-1

MAY 23RD - 24TH

Denver Arts Festival

Central Park 8304 East 49th Place, Denver, Colorado 80238 | 10:00 AM

A vibrant celebration of creativity, the Denver Arts Festival brings together outstanding fine artists and craft makers, featuring the best of Colorado talent along with a handpicked group of artists from across the nation.  https://denverartsfestival.com/

MAY 28TH - 31ST

Outside Days Festival

Auraria Campus | 4:00 PM

A three-day celebration centered on outdoor lifestyle, live music, and film, held in the heart of downtown at the Auraria Campus.   https:// outsidedays.outsideonline.com/

MAY 30TH

Canes, Tails & Trails: Fundraising Walk for Access & Adventure

Cherry Creek State Park – Dixon Grove Picnic Shelter | 9:00 AM

Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind and Aftersight are holding a fundraiser walk to support access to outdoor recreation and continue bringing print to life for those with blindness and low vision. Visually impaired individuals, families, and outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to attend at Cherry Creek State Park on Saturday, May 30. Guides, breakfast, and lunch provided. Register: https://GiveButter.com/CanesTailsTrails

A Smarter Approach to Wellness

Today’s health solutions go beyond basic supplements. Peptide therapies are designed to support the body at a cellular level, helping improve metabolism, cognitive performance, recovery, hormone balance, and long term vitality.

Whether your goal is weight management, improved focus, stronger recovery, or better overall wellness, peptides offer targeted support designed to help your body perform at its best.