Issuu

A P R I L 2 02 1

LIFESTYLE LETTER

APRIL 2021 PUBLISHERS

Jeni Fleck | jeni.fleck@lifestylepubs.com, Joan Dameron | joan.dameron@lifestylepubs.com

Springing Up Green THINGS ARE GREENING UP, PARKER! Just like the plants that are beginning to bloom, we are grateful that Parker Lifestyle is blooming as well! It has been nourished by our wonderful community partners and readers ever since we became the

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Hannah Echols | hannah.echols@lifestylepubs.com ACCO UNT MANAGER

Julie Austin | julie.austin@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Whitney Lockhart

publishers of this magazine three years ago. We hope that you will join us in cele-

L AYO UT DESIGNER

brating this anniversary, along with publisher Jeni Fleck’s birthday and Earth Day on

Dani Moore

April 22nd of this month!

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Hannah Echols Grieser, Sonja Nix, Beth Treadwell

Like seeds planted in spring and harvested in summer, hints of new growth give us a confident hope for the future. Throughout this issue, you will find several stories about people living in abundance.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kati Cahill, Jolie Rodriguez Photography, Beth Treadwell

Dee Larsen of EcoMountain has perfected the art of living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, from growing her own crops to creating her own cleaning supplies. EcoMountain offers several products that can help you foster a cleaner, simpler lifestyle as well. Another Lone Tree shop, Simply ReFIND, shares how they reduce, reuse, and recycle in the most fashionable ways. GreenCore EV Services gives us a peek into the future of electric vehicles. We also learn how IREA, one of Parker’s leading energy providers, is powering our community reliably and renewably.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

Stewarding this beautiful earth takes all of us. Remember— No one can do every-

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

thing, but everyone can do something. We hope that you find what your ‘something’

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

is in these pages.

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Thank you for continuing to grow with us, Parker! Your Lifestyle Team, 514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

Jeni Fleck, Joan Dameron and Hannah Echols Grieser

ON THE COVER Spring Joy PHOTOGRAPHY

JOLIE

RODRIGUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY 4

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

Proverbs 3:5-6 Parker Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Parker area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Parker Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Spring Fever is High! A walk through our greenhouses can offer some relief

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WE ARE THE LOCALLY SOURCED, FARM-FRESH, HIGHEST QUALITY ADDITION TO YOUR KITCHEN FRESH FLOWERS, EGGS, DAIRY, MEATS, BAKED GOODS, BEVERAGES, AND A WHOLE LOT MORE CURATED WITH LOVE

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thelocalcolorado.com

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

INSIDE THE ISSUE APRIL 2021

FEATURES 12 Re-Style Profile Stay on Trend with this Local Business’ Savvy Upcycling Hacks

18 Growth-Driven Greencore Services Prepares Parker for the Increasing Demand of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

22 Reliable and Renewable IREA Ensures Parker is Powered for the Years to Come

18 22

28 Simplifying the Way to Abundance Ecomountain Helps People Grow Richer Lives One Step at a Time

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Around Town

Local’s Choice

34 DIY

Parker’s First Outdoor Fashion Show!

Photo: Dan Pearsall

Parker Fashion Week June 3 thru June 5 Outdoor Walk Way!

April 24 Model Casting Call @ The Laszlo Hotel June 3 Vip Event June 4-5 Fashion Show

18595 E Mainstreet Suite 100 Parker, CO 80134 www.westmaintaproom.com 720-826-3689

We are looking for local models, sponsors, designers, and much more! Email: info@parkerfashionweek.com

FREE BASECAMP BEER! *with a purchase of an entree valid through 12/31/2021

P U T YO U R C IT Y O N O U R M A P. Start a magazine & build a legacy. Life is short. Love what you do.

LifestylePubs.com/OwnIt

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

AROUND TOWN needs and priorities, therapists will help your child realize their full potential. Options include Early Intervention Therapy, Preschool Language and Articulation groups, Social Communication groups, Consultations, Trainings, Preschool and Daycare screenings, and camps. Contact Jessica at jessica@dragonflyspeech.com for more information. 10841 S. Crossroads Dr. Suite 201 Parker, CO 80134 www.facebook.com/dragonflyspeech

A NURSE’S HAND LLC Barb Klemme is a senior placement advisor focused on helping seniors and families find the right place they can call home. Barb can help you

HUMANEX ACADEMY IN ENGLEWOOD 2021 FALL ENROLLMENT

or your loved one get whatever care you need, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. After 40 years as a registered nurse,

Humanex Academy is now enrolling neuro-

she became a certified senior advisor (CSA) and

diverse students in grades 6-12 for fall 2021! Our

chose to continue her passion for seniors. Barb

small community, relational approach, and individ-

added consulting to her business and does

ualized academic program allow for students to be

assessments that provide resources for patients

themselves, build skills for the future, and self-ad-

and families. Let her do the work, so you don’t

vocate in order to truly thrive and succeed!

have to! Contact her at Barb@anurseshand.com

Please visit our website at www.humanexacademy.com to learn more about the Humanex program, our students, and to fill out an intake form OR call 303-783-0137 to discuss if Humanex Academy might be a good fit for your child!

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PLAYERS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR 2021 SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS Parker area baseball and softball players between the ages of 5 and 18 may be eligible for a scholarship to help defray the cost of playing their sport. The Double Angel Foundation (DAF) grants up to $8,000 in sports scholarships each year to metro area youth who may need some financial assistance to play high school baseball, special needs baseball programs, and girls’ softball. The funds can be used to cover registration fees, uniforms and equipment. The scholarship program was created in honor of Dillon and Logan Dixey, two Parker brothers who loved baseball but tragically drowned in 2000 after being overcome by carbon monoxide while swimming at the rear of a houseboat on Lake Powell. For information about the scholarships or an application, visit the Sports Scholarship section of https://

DRAGONFLY PEDIATRIC SPEECH THERAPY IS NOW OPEN

doubleangel.org. Questions can be sent to doubleangelorg@msn.com or by calling 303-841-2420.

Dragonfly Pediatric Speech Therapy is a

local boutique-style, play-based Speech and

Would you like to get in touch with us? We would love

Language practice that specializes in making

to hear from you! Contact us at CityLifestyle.com/

Speech Therapy fun again! Offering personal-

Parker using the Get In Touch link and let us know

ized services based on your child’s and family’s

what you think.

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

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MARKET REPORT Zip Code

Month

Neighborhood

# of Closed Sales

Closed Price, Average

Finished SQFT, Days on Market, Average Average

80134

Butterfield

$1,140,464.00

5764

80138

Canterberry Crossing

$734,167.00

3994

80134

Colorado Golf Club

$2,145,256.00

5827

162

80138

Elkhorn Ranch

$780,000.00

3545

80134

Heirloom

$792,067.00

4244

80134

Hidden Village

$805,500.00

4206

80138

Elkhorn Ranch

$895,015.00

4389

80138

Idlyllwilde/Reata North

$799,615.00

3948

80134

Meridian Village

$726,254.00

4375

80138

Ponderosa Hills

$962,800.00

3907

80134

Pradera

$1,147,732.00

5383

80138

Reata North

$818,333.00

4950

80134

Retreat at the Timbers

$1,492,880.00

5241

80134

Ridgeline at Meridian

$712,371.00

3479

108

80134

Sierra Ridge

$728,000.00

4153

80138

Spirit Ridge

$1,283,750.00

6053

163

80134

Stepping Stone

$796,035.00

4060

80134

Stonegate

$727,667.00

3895

80138

Tallman Gulch

$1,157,650.00

2968

80134

The Pinery

$796,569.00

3826

80134

Timbers (+ at the Pinery)

$1,046,247.00

5035

80138

Villages of Parker

$730,000.00

4606

Douglas County

City of Parker

Historical Sales Price Trend

Close Price, Average

Days in MLS, Average

Month

Apr-20

$565,987

Apr-20

$540,734

May-20

$533,895

May-20

$512,115

Jun-20

$568,101

Jun-20

$532,022

Jul-20

$574,248

Jul-20

$561,640

Aug-20

$588,449

Aug-20

$556,855

Sep-20

$591,068

Sep-20

$558,494

Oct-20

$631,453

Oct-20

$604,226

Nov-20

$594,510

Nov-20

$558,302

Dec-20

$612,363

Dec-20

$556,718

Jan-21

$640,234

Jan-21

$606,038

Feb-21

$647,826

Feb-21

$559,703

Mar-21

$638,203

Mar-21

$632,936

Close Price, Average

Days in MLS, Average

Historical price trends are based off of the previous six months starting March 10th, 2021 and prior. Market report statistics are based off of communities that had at least 3 closed sales or more in order to establish an average.

Get Your FREE Private Comprehensive Home Value at ParkerLifestyleHomeValue.com

LOCAL’S CHOICE

STAY ON TREND WITH THIS LOCAL BUSINESS’ SAVVY UPCYCLING HACKS

re-style profile MEGAN MCMORRIS OF CENTENNIAL AND BETH TREADWELL OF LONE TREE WERE INTRODUCED TO EACH OTHER LAST SUMMER BY A MUTUAL FRIEND WHO JUST KNEW THEY WOULD BE BESTIE SOULMATES. Their friend was on to something. Both gals were DIY junkies and lovers of hunting incredible This project works for any item of furniture with

started their business Simply reFIND where they sell

drawers, door fronts, or insets that you’d like to breathe

their upcycled furniture and other treasures.

new life into. Peel and stick wallpaper is available

Simply reFind shares these 20-minute transforma-

from Amazon for $8 and some hardware stores. You’ll

tions for staying on trend this spring. Love the look,

also need a very sharp razor blade and something to

don’t want to do the work? They can help you with that,

smooth the paper out like a credit card or plastic ‘bondo’

too. Contact them on Facebook @simplyrefindcolorado

spreading tool.

or on Instagram at @simply_refind. And ask about their new weekly in-person “estate sales” in Lone Tree.

The trick is to accurately measure the area, leaving 1/4-1/2 inch on either side for wiggle room. Starting at the top, peel back the wallpaper backing an inch at a

1 & 2. DIY Weathered Pottery

time and smooth as you work downward. If you end

You’ve likely seen these pots selling for hundreds of

up with an air bubble or two, don’t fret, simply poke a

dollars in this season’s design magazines. Get the same

small hole with your razor blade and smooth down with

look for under $10. A perfect first-timers DIY, this project

your tool. Trim the edges with the razor blade using a

is very forgiving.

straight edge.

Find an old pot in a shape you like, house paint and baking soda. Mix the paint with the baking soda to a plaster-like consistency and apply in a crosshatch pattern with a paintbrush directly onto your pottery to create the

5 & 6. DIY Metallic Finish This product is one of our new favorites. It is so easy to see a major transformation.

depth that makes this technique distinctive. Keep adding

Start with a mirror, book ends, pottery, small furniture

layers until you get the look you like. You can add bit of a

item or anything you want to give a metallic makeover.

darker color to your paint for even more depth.

Rub ‘n Buff can be purchased at your local paint or hardware store in a color you like.

3 & 4. DIY Wallpaper furniture

Just squeeze a small amount of the Rub ‘n Buff prod-

Bold and colorful floral wallpapers are all the rage

uct directly onto a paint brush and paint on. This prod-

these days, as are jewel tones. Combine the two trends

uct goes on so smoothly you’ll be shocked at how easy

into this easy project.

it is! You might even want to layer multiple colors. CONTINUED >

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY SONJA NIX

of months from meeting, the interior-design-loving gals

AND BETH TREADWELL

finds at thrift stores and estate sales. After just a couple

Before - Dated Buffet

After - Buffet with Peel 'n' Stick

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

LOCAL’S CHOICE (CONTINUED)

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

AESC (Animal Emergency & Specialty Center) is a state-of-the-art, emergency and specialty hospital for dogs and cats in Parker, CO.

24/7/365 EMERGENCY PET CARE At AESC, we offer around-the-clock emergency care for pets experiencing health issues that require immediate attention. Our advanced, on-site diagnostic and treatment equipment is ready at a moment’s notice for fast, accurate diagnoses. The medical team at AESC works collaboratively on cases, allowing seamless transition between specialty departments and comprehensive care under one roof. AESC is built on the foundation of providing the best medicine for our patients with an outstanding team of experienced emergency doctors and board-certified specialists, a compassionate and caring nursing staff, skilled front-office staff and a desire to do our best work every day.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: 



24/7 Emergency & Critical Care Advanced Diagnostics Including On-site CT & MRI



  

Anesthesiology & Pain Management Cardiology Dermatology Internal Medicine

  



Neurology Oncology Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Surgery

17701 Cottonwood Drive, Parker, CO 80134 | 720-842-5050 | aescparker.com

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

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ParkerHospital.org Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 1-303-673-8166 (TTY: 711). Copyright © Centura Health, 2021. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-303-269-4053 (TTY: 711). CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-303-269-4053 (TTY: 711).

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It takes about 30-45 minutes to get a full charge at one of GreenCore's charging stations.

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

D R I V E N

BRIAN THOMSON CAN SEE INTO THE FUTURE. Blue eyes widened, he describes a highway system flooded with electric vehicles (EVs) surrounded by an atmosphere of clean air. The data backs his vision up. Even though EVs currently

Along with his business partner, Dwight Johnson,

make up 3 percent of vehicle sales worldwide, a report

Brian helped create GreenCore’s infrastructure system,

by Bloomberg suggests that EVs will hit 10 percent vehicle

which reduces the overall project timeline by 50% and

sales by 2025, with that number eventually rising to 28% in

onsite construction time by over 70%. This allows one

2030 and 58% in 2040. In Colorado alone, Governor Polis has

4-man construction crew to build 4 charging sites in 2

issued a goal of putting 940,000 EVs on the road by 2030.

months rather than the current average of 1 site every

“Car companies are spending millions of dollars preparing

two months. The hope is that this efficiency will expe-

for this change. You’re going to be seeing Jeeps, Porsches,

dite GreenCore’s goal to prepare for the surge of EV

Jaguars, BMWs, all going electric. And they’re not going to

growth to come.

be $80,000— they’re going to be in the 20-30,000 range,” Brian says. “The tide is coming in. This is happening.”

“Charging stations need to be everywhere, like gas stations,” Brian says. “I like to use a coffee analogy. You can

Brian is the President and CEO of GreenCore EV

get coffee at home when you get up in the morning, or you

Infrastructure Development. The company’s home base

can go to a coffee shop to refuel. That’s just like charging

is in Parker, but they’ve built numerous electric vehicle

a car— you can do it at home, but it’s convenient to get a

charging stations nationwide. So, what even is an EV? EV’s

charge when you’re out and about as well.”

are vehicles that have an electric motor instead of an inter-

Charging stations are convenient, but they can also prove

nal combustion engine. They run on battery power, so they

to be a necessity. Currently, the main reason people opt out

need to be plugged into a power source or charger rather

of purchasing an electric vehicle is range anxiety. Simply

than using fossil fuel as gas. This means no car exhaust,

put, range anxiety is the nervousness that emerges when

which helps lessen air pollution. They require less main-

a driver can’t find a place to refuel. GreenCore hopes that,

tenance because they’re built more simply, and they don’t

with enough charging stations, range anxiety can be elimi-

require any oil changes!

nated altogether.

CONTINUED >

GREENCORE SERVICES PREPARES PARKER FOR THE INCREASING DEMAND OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS ARTICLE HANNAH ECHOLS GRIESER PHOTOGRAPHY JOLIE RODRIGUEZ CityLifestyle.com/Parker

GROWTH-DRIVEN (CONTINUED)

Currently, Colorado has over 800

revenue they gain from implementing

charging stations— the seventh-most in

the stations. GreenCore stations are

the nation. Colorado residents who pur-

set to go up all around Parker, includ-

chase an electric vehicle can expect a state

ing downtown at Parker Station and

tax credit of $2,500 – or more for an electric

the crossroads at Parker Road and

truck – through the end of 2022.

Mainstreet. In addition, EV drivers can

Brian, who has lived in Parker for 35 years, is committed to serving residents and

find charging stations from Pueblo to Fort Collins and beyond.

local businesses alike. EV charging stations

If you want to profit from your parking

are a draw for consumers since they can

lots, GreenCore is continually on the look-

pop into a storefront while charging their

out to lease parking spaces from busi-

car. A full charge only takes between 30-45

nesses. The ideal candidate has 4-5 park-

minutes, and drivers pay a fee per kilowatt

ing spaces and adjacent green space to

just as they would per gallon of gas.

install a 4-stall charging station. Contact

This brings local companies more business, along with the additional

Sam Thomson at sam.h.thomson@ greencore.global for more information.

C O N T A C T I N F O Contact Sam Thomson at sam.h.thomson@greencore. global for more information. Brian Thomson, President and CEO, and his Content and PR Manager (and daughter!) Sam Thomson

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

T he

R e a l E st a t e T e a m - FOR -

wh e n r e a l e s tat e ge t s r e a l. PROTECTING OUR COLORADO REAL ESTATE CLIENTS WITH EVERY MOVE THEY MAKE.

DEVELOPING A

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THAT RESULTS IN SUCCESS.

The Mama Bear Team strives to deliver an extraordinary level of customer service and build client loyalty, helping to raise the bar of excellence in the real estate industry. If you have found yourself in the position of being a personal representative in a probate case, you may be wondering where to start. The Mama Bear Team has a group of experts who can answer your questions, direct you toward necessary resources, and help you through this process so you don’t have to do it alone. We deliver top-notch customer service from day one until the final documents are signed, sealed and delivered, because it’s the right thing to do and it’s who we are. We do things a little differently than the real estate industry norm, but we aren’t afraid of different, are you?

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Reliable and Renewable As a customer-owned cooperative, IREA operates on a nonprofit basis. That means that earnings that exceed expenses are invested in improving the facilities.

IREA ENSURES PARKER IS POWERED FOR THE YEARS TO COME

IF YOU LIVE IN PARKER, YOU PROBABLY KNOW WHO THE INTERMOUNTAIN RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION (IREA) IS. You pay them each month to keep your lights, heat, and A/C functioning. IREA has a 5,000 square mile service territory that includes portions of 11 counties to the east, west, and south of Denver. As a customer-owned cooperative, IREA operates on a nonprofit basis. That means that earnings that exceed expenses are invested in improving the facilities used to provide electric service and are booked as member equity. Some of this equity is returned to members almost every year through capital credit refunds. STAYING RELIABLE The widespread power outages in Texas due to extreme weather are a reminder of the importance of system reliability when it comes to keeping people safe and warm. Upgrades to lines, poles, and other infrastructure harden IREA’s system against Colorado’s unpredictable weather. In addition, Colorado’s predisposition to wildfires can All 5,000-plus miles of overhead distribution lines in their system are cleared from intrusive foliage at least once every six years to help prevent wildfires.

be mitigated by vegetation management. All 5,000-plus miles of overhead distribution lines in their system are cleared from intrusive foliage at least once every six years, and crews address customer reports of potential hazards year-round.

CONTINUED >

ARTICLE HANNAH ECHOLS GRIESER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED 22

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

“It a l l sta rted i n 2016 w ith the compa ny’s fi rst sola r production, a nd we a re now rol l i ng out or negotiati ng for a new sola r fa rm on what seems l i ke a yea rly basis.” —Ji m A nest, Pa rker I R EA representative

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

RELIABLE AND RENEWABLE (CONTINUED)

IREA’s newest utility-scale facility, Pioneer Solar, began power production in December and reached full operating capacity earlier this year.

A recent installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure also helps reliability tremendously. With this infrastructure, IREA can identify the locations and causes of outages so that power can be restored even faster. Above all, IREA believes that the most efficient and cost-effective way to improve reliability is to join a regional transmission organization (RTO). An independent, non-profit RTO coordinates, controls, and monitors a multi-state electric grid. This is unlike the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) because an RTO is subject to federal regulation and has access to multi-state generation if the demand requires energy across state lines. More efficient and transparent transmission coordination across Colorado would reduce energy costs for customers, create thousands of new jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and bolster renewable energy options, according to a study commissioned by IREA and Holy Cross Energy. IREA customers who would like to help advance this and other beneficial legislation can sign up for legislative alerts by going to the contact form at https://irea.coop/contact-us/ and titling the subject “Legislative Alert Sign Up.” GETTING GREENER Renewable energy sources provide a clean way to obtain energy that has a much lower environmental impact than conventional technologies. It sustainably secures energy for generations to come, which is a top-of-mind goal for IREA. IREA’s newest utility-scale facility, Pioneer Solar, began power production in December and reached full operating capacity earlier this year. The facility sits on 540 acres near Bennett. It includes more than 230,000 photovoltaic panels with single-axis tracking, which allows them to follow the path of the sun and increase solar exposure. Jim Anest, who, as the representative of District 7, represents most of Parker, predicts that IREA will only get greener. “IREA has come far since early 2016, when we had no solar energy on our system, to today’s model, where we have in place or under contract 200 megawatts of solar power,” Jim says. “It all started in 2016 with the company’s first solar production, and we are now rolling out or negotiating for a new solar farm on what seems like a yearly basis.” IREA’s board of directors has approved additional projects that will bring IREA’s renewable energy capacity to nearly 200 megawatts by the end of 2022. That’s about enough to power nearly 48,000 average homes on IREA’s system for a year.

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

IREA is set to install 200 megawatts of renewable energy by the end of 2022.

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

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simplifying the way to abundance

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

ARTICLE HANNAH ECHOLS GRIESER

S U S TA I N A B L E 28

IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS A FLOURISHING GARDEN. It bloomed with an abundance of fruit, vegetables, flowers, and trees. Every living thing lived in peace with one another, and it was good. The first humans were charged with the awesome responsibility to steward the earth. They were founders, and they were farmers. That’s the story that Dee Larsen believes, and she is committed to carrying out that responsibility countless years later with her family store, EcoMountain. EcoMountain merges the simplicity and wisdom

living on a couple of acres outside of Lone Tree,

of the past with today’s cutting-edge technology

Colorado, Dee decided that she could make their

by carrying a wide range of eco-friendly, tox-

lives rich again by cutting energy costs, growing her

in-free, and sustainable home products.

own food, and making her own cleaning products.

“We are trying to ease the general population

As she slowly simplified, their lives grew more abun-

into an eco-conscious mindset,” Dee says. “People

dant. Twelve-foot-tall sunflowers towered over their

usually require a personally felt need in order to

children as they played and organically fed turkeys

change their lifestyle.”

and chickens pecked at the ground around them.

Though she’s had a green thumb for as long as

Time passed, and Dee continued her suburban

she can remember, Dee’s ‘felt need’ heightened

homestead-chic lifestyle. She was always on the

when she and her husband, Dan, began to grow

lookout for natural, eco-friendly products, but no

their family. Self-described as young, broke, and

easy one-stop-shop existed. In an effort to stop the scavenger hunt, her husband suggested that she start her own store. There was another factor at play, too— the health of her daughter, Cindy. Cindy and her husband lost two babies, and Dee has a hunch that the cleaning supplies her daughter used excessively had something to do with it. “I think her body was just poisoned, and that’s what happened with the babies,” Dee says. “I started showing her how I made my homemade cleaning products, and she flipped out. We started testing them on everything!” Shortly after, Cindy became pregnant with a beautiful little girl who is now four years old. Dee believes her lifestyle change had something to do with it. In 2016 they opened their flagship EcoMountain store in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood (now closed). In 2018, they opened

Nate Larsen pedals Ecomountain goods at the Cherry Creek farmer's market

a second location in South Denver at Park Meadows Mall.

CONTINUED >

H O M E P RO D U C T S

ECOMOUNTAIN HELPS PEOPLE GROW RICHER LIVES ONE STEP AT A TIME

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

SIMPLIFYING THE WAY TO ABUNDANCE (CONTINUED)

Soap nuts are an alternative to chemical-laden laundry detergents.

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

Today, EcoMountain is a quiet, clean blip in the middle of the bustling mall. Refreshing scents like peppermint and orange oil greet customers as they enter the store. A table in the shop’s front-center allows customers to curate their own natural cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, and all-purpose cleaner at comparable or cheaper prices than most brands. Dee’s son, Nate, runs a lot of the show and walks customers through the process. In addition to creating-your-own cleaning supplies, EcoMountain sources several alternatives to products typically laden with toxic materials. Brands like Full Circle offer everyday products made with bamboo (a durable, plentiful, and easily recyclable weed) instead of plastic. Items like soap nuts— berries that resemble

At EcoMountain, you can make your own 100% clean laundry detergent!

walnuts— can be tossed into a load of laundry as a substitute for detergent. Dee claims they have just as much cleaning power, if not more, and can be used

Jenna Jambeck, a University of Georgia engineering

several times. For the next step of the clothes washing

professor, says that number would be the equivalent of

process, EcoMountain carries dryer balls. These are an

one dump truck tipping a load of plastic into the ocean

alternative to dryer sheets that can last for decades.

every minute every day for a year.

Not only do they naturally benefit the softness and

Dee’s motivation for people to educate themselves

scent of freshly laundered goods, but they reduce

on environmental realities can be summed up in one

energy and drying time as well.

word— love.

For a short period of time, Dee says that EcoMountain

“We knew we wouldn’t get rich with this store, but

was the only store open (out of the Park Meadows Mall’s

that’s not the point,” she says. “At the end of the day,

180+ shops) during the Coronavirus pandemic because

we are all in the world together. I think that’s the point

they are considered an essential business. One coveted

of life— to see every human as so valuable, unique, and

item made them especially popular— their organic toilet

precious to God.”

paper. Made of bagasse, a byproduct of the sugar cane industry, this tp kept savvy Parker residents stocked up during the pandemic’s shortage.

Nate can attest to his mother’s love for others, their health, and their environment. “She’s always about helping people— I’ve seen that

Everyone may not be ready to commit to organic

in just about every motivation she’s ever had,” he says.

toilet paper, and Dee and Nate understand that no one

The Parker community has turned around and loved

can be 100% environmentally-friendly. But, everyone

her right back. There is an inherent synergy that runs

can do something, whether it’s storing food in reusable

throughout local communities, whether residents see

plastic bags instead of Ziplocks or carpooling regularly.

it or not. Just as every action has an equal and oppo-

“When we buy something, we have to think—what’s

site reaction, every choice we make has an impact on

the real cost?” Dee says.

someone or something. This connection is the bread

A National Geographic article by Laura Parker alludes

and butter of EcoMountain’s philosophy. It is a con-

to what that cost may be. She writes, “With no improve-

nection that the staff hopes people will make to the

ments to managing waste beyond what’s already in

well-being of the earth at large, too. According to Nate,

place today, 99 million tons of uncontrolled plastic

loyal Parker customers have stepped up during the

waste would end up in the environment by 2030.”

economic hardship of the past year. “So many times this past year, we’ve been at the point where we question how are we going to pay our bills? How are we going to pay our employees? Then, the people from Parker and surrounding areas show out and support us,” Nate says. Visit EcoMountain on the first level of the Park Meadows Mall, or check them out online at ecomtn.com. CityLifestyle.com/Parker

9231 Lincoln Ave Lone Tree, CO

(720) 389-5171

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

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IREA customers with AMI meters now have access to My Power, which gives you increased visibility into your energy usage.

Detailed usage data

Custom thresholds

Electricity usage in hourly, Receive alerts when usage has daily and weekly increments exceeded selected amounts

Peak demand

Weather data

More easily identify your peak demand

See how your usage compares to conditions

My Power is available now via the My Account feature at www.IREA.coop.

CityLifestyle.com/Parker

DIY ARTICLE HAYLEY HYER

A Chemical-Free Home

DIY Laundry Scent Enhancer If you have ever added those popular scent beads to your load of laundry before, you know how lovely it is to pull your amazingly scented clothes out of the dryer. The funny thing about a product like that is it truly has no purpose other than adding a good smell, but it does add lots of chemicals to your daily life! There's a safer and more beneficial way to make your clothes smell heavenly. Try this DIY scent enhancer with your next load of laundry and put it to the test.

Ingredients 3 parts Epsom Salt + 1 part Baking Soda + Essential Oils

Directions Mix your ingredients together in a jar or canister and scoop about ¼ cup directly into the washer basin before adding the clothes—just like you would with scented beads. Continue with your laundry like normal.

Learn More

For more information on starting a chemical-free household, you can browse online resources such as ChemFreeCom.com or find a social media group to join with likeminded people who have some experience from their own trial and error. If you get overwhelmed, remember that you don't have to get rid of all chemicals in one day. Every swap you make is something to celebrate!

Parker Lifestyle | April 2021

e can help improve the health and appearance of your skin.

We designed our office to provide a safe, hygienic and warm environment that maximizes patient comfort and privacy.