MOUNTAIN TOWN FILM FESTIVALS •
EXPLORE LEADVILLE +
THE EXCITEMENT OF HARVEST IN THE HIGH COUNTRY I SSUE 4 7 • AUTUMN 20 26
BUY PASSES + SEE THE SCHEDULE
The Mountain Specialists – Expertise in Winter Park, Granby, and Grand Lake Real Estate Laura Zietz, Global Real Estate Advisor 970.531.6575 • lzietz@livsothebysrealty.com
Start your search at LauraZietz.com
© 2025 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
SUPPORTING AVALANCHE SAFETY & EDUCATION OUR WORK Direct funding for Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) forecasting operations Free avalanche awareness outreach and safety signage across the state through our Trailhead Outreach Program (TOP) Education programs including the Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW) KNOW THE SNOW:
Sign up for our newsletter!
support.friendsofcaic.org
@friendsofcaic
w i n d c l i f f
e s t a t e s
Estes Park casual beautiful comfortable
Available TODAY! Asking $3,250,000 ea. ● 2 available new construction luxury townhomes ● by renowned Estes Park builders, Darling Enterprise ● 5,400 Sq Ft | 5 Bed | 6 Bath | 2 Car Garage ● 4 Floors | Elevator | Luxury touches throughout ● Still time to select finishes that fit your lifestyle ● Unrivaled panoramic mountain views ● Easy access | Year-round living ● Offered by Rich Chiappe, Broker, HomeSmart Realty
Windcliff offers: ● 49 available luxury vacation rental homes ● On-site professional rental management ● 150 private year-round & seasonal luxury homes ● 2 miles from Estes Park shopping & dining ● Bordered by RMNP & National Forest ● Unrivaled panoramic mountain views ● The perfect balance of privacy & community ● 90 minutes from DEN. No I-70 required!
w i n d c l i ff . c o m luxury vacation rentals and home sales* Estes Park, Colorado
Sales Contact Rich Chiappe (970) 619-9036
Rental Bookings visit windcliff.com or call (970) 586-2181
*Marketing provided by Rich Chiappe, Broker HomeSmart Realty Group, licensed in Colorado. Each HomeSmart brokerage business is independently owned and operated. Square footage is marketing information only. Independent verification recommended.
LIVE IN THE VIEW
Presented By
Overlooking the pristine waters of Lake Dillon and connected to all that Summit County has to offer, Waterview is a collection of 80
Learn more & explore available residences:
elevated homes in the heart of downtown, Dillon. Ranging from Studio to 3-bedroom configurations, each residence blends timeless architecture, premium materials, and modern design to create a home meant to endure for generations.
WaterviewDillon.com
Jonathan B. Nixon • 970.389.6777 • waterview@slifersummit.com Pictures and renderings are Artist Representations are not necessarily an accurate depiction, and are subject to change.
SAVOR THE
SEASON
Escape to Monarch Chophouse for a limited-time Seasonal Chef's Menu featuring three exceptional courses crafted to showcase the flavors of the season. Sunday through Thursday | $65 per person Reservations recommended.
#2 Best Hotel Spa: Spa Monarch #7 Best Player’s Club: Monarch Rewards
Discove r m ore a t Mon a rch B la ckH a wk .co m Must be 21. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800 GAMBLER (426-2537) or visit betsmart.colorado.gov. Please drink responsibly.
F ar Ab o ve Ex p ec t at ions Your Exclusive Ski-In Ski-Out Mountain Retreat
MountainLodgeTelluride.com Heated Pool | Hot Tubs | On-Site Restaurant & Bar | Complimentary Shuttle
PUBLISHER’S GREETING
The leaves are starting to change and the air is beginning to feel like Fall! I think we are all ready for the season to begin and the prayers for snow are LOUD. Honestly, we will take moisture in any form at the moment. My office stares directly at the 10 Mile Range and the Continental Divide, and we saw a shimmer of snow recently and can’t wait for more. What will El Niño bring?
Fall in Colorado’s mountain towns brings a plethora of film festivals, all worthy of your time and attention. It is the perfect way to enjoy time during the mud season months. We have a great round-up along with a filmmaker feature on Chris Anthony’s -Friedl, and a closing story on the “Big Dog” of film festivals coming to Boulder in January—Sundance Film Festival!
Our Autumn issue opens with a fantastic story about Leadville written by local resident Donna Childress. Her passion for the place and community is palpable. We hope you learn all about their great amenities and spots for adventure. The fires this past summer really made a dent in the community’s finances. If you have not been in Leadville for a long time, you will be surprised at the incredible food and shopping scene that has developed. Head up and spend the day, a weekend, or longer and explore how special this town is.
Autumn’s Harvest is in full swing and we have 12 Western Colorado Farms, Orchards & Wineries With Heart for you to discover in our Dine Local section. Fall, to me, is all about food, and we have a lineup of stories on wineries, beer, distilled spirits, and restaurants to enjoy around our region.
As the owner and publisher of this magazine, I have a passion for the businesses that make our mountain towns the unique destinations that people like to discover. We have some amazing Makers, Entrepreneurs, and Business folks up here. Flip forward and read about them. We are pretty stoked on the story, The Business of Feeding Student Athletes, as well as the Tuxedo Corn Company’s latest venture in the way they choose to bring their product to the consumer.
Our closing page, Last Lift, is special. 16-Year-Old Liam Siegel reached out with an image he captured in Beaver Creek. He is passionate about photography, and we love his parting shot.
There is a particularly important and special story on Alpine Guide Kees Brenninkmeyer and his legacy after a fatal accident, the Kees Brenninkmeyer Foundation. Our local community is filled with career adventurers and guides who followed their passion into the field and made it a career assisting others in getting outside. Joy Elizabeth Martin brings this story to life on page 28. Maybe you can help their mission once you have discovered why it was created. 8
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Art, Family Adventure, Places to Play, Road Trips, and our Calendar of Events will have you planning Autumn escapes well into the Spring.
Thank you so much for reading. Your interest supports our writers photographers and designers, as well as everyone else behind the scenes. Oh, check our website, we will have list of all the great places to Harvest your own Pumpkin this season in our mountain towns! It is a Fall tradition in our family. Holly
Holly Battista-Resignolo Founder & Publisher
“Kyle did a wonderful job in assisting us with our purchase in Breckenridge. He was very knowledgeable about the local real estate market, which was great as we are from out of town. Additionally, Kyle was able to get us the answers we needed to make the right decisions with prompt and professional communication. Would highly recommend having Kyle as part of your team!” – Jamison Crone “Working with Kyle to sell our Leadville home was a truly wonderful experience. Even while we were traveling and between homes, his communication, organization, and calm guidance kept everything smooth and stressfree. We’re so grateful for his dedication and highly recommend him to anyone buying or selling in the mountains of Colorado!” – Lance & Barbara Hooper
Experience You Can Trust in Colorado Mountain Real Estate KYLE BLEKICKI | 970.420.5743 kyle@slifersummit.com COMountainHomes.com
51 West Ranch Trail | Morrison 4 bd | 5 ba | 7,566 sf | $2,267,000
TEAM BAUMANN | 970.471.6276 teambaumann@slifersummit.com FreeSummitPropertySearch.com
12715 E State Highway 82 | Twin Lakes
105 Wheeler Circle #331 | Copper Mountain
2 bd | 3 ba | 2,532 sf | $1,400,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,310 sf | $1,500,000
STEWART VOUTOUR | 970.409.7938 svoutour@slifersummit.com StewartVoutour.com
BRENDA HUGO | 970.485.4486 bhugo@slifersummit.com RealtyBreck.com
THE MOUNTAIN LIFE, Live It With Us. No matter your real estate goals our dedicated team of local market experts are at your service. Come stay for good, SummitCountyRealEstate.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
32
14
59 28
84 52
14 PLACE - LEADVILLE 20 MOUNTAIN DISPATCH 22 MOUNTAIN MADE 24 BUSINESS 26 ENTREPRENEURS 28 MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT 32 MOUNTAIN TOWN FILM FESTS 38 HIGH COUNTRY HARVEST 42 COCKTAILS 44 BREWS
46 VINO 48 BAKED 50 EAT 76 ART 78 ROAD TRIP 80 PLAY 82 FAMILY 70 CALENDAR 72 LAST LIFT
FRONT COVER: The Tabor Opera House image by Craig Hensel offers more than just Opera. Here you will find films, presentations, music, other theatrical acts and more.
10
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
From the Mountains to the Shore... published by
MTN Town Media Productions
publisher
Holly Battista-Resignolo
communications Gaynia Battista
contributors
Donna Childress, Lisa Blake, Katie Coakley, Shauna Farnell, Joy Elizabeth Martin, Caren Austin, Julie Bielenberg, Holly Battista-Resignolo, Gaynia Battista
advertising sales Caren Austin
visionaries
Craig Hensel, Elaine Collins, Elite Focus Studio, Liam Doran, Holly GoSpritey Media, Liam Siegel
cover image
The Tabor Opera House by Craig Hensel
design
Adventure Awaits We ski , hike, swim, fish, wine, dine, relax and have a whole lot of fun anywhere we go! Discover your next adventure - Scan the Code:
John Kernaghan
method behind the means Publications Printers
get more
Please visit us at MTNTownMediaProductions.com to subscribe to our publication released quarterly
promote you
Contact our corporate office or request a Media Kit: Email: MTNTownMagazine at gmail dot com
features
If you would like us to consider you for a feature, please contact us at MTNTownMagazine at gmail dot com 2026 MTN Town Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. The publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. MTN Town Magazine cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in this magazine.
w w w. mtntown m e dia produ c tion s .com
12
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Behind Every Champion is a Great Coach. LET BOBBY COACH YOU THROUGH YOUR NEXT REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION
The spirit of an olympian is one that never settles, always pushes forward, and seeks the best. Bobby brings that same passion and drive to his clients, ensuring their real estate transaction is
nothing less than world-class.
Bobby Aldighieri Global Sales Associate, Olympian • Coach
970.846.1918 bobby.aldighieri@sir.com
Photo Credit: Jeff Goldburg
PLACE
14
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
LeadvilleTwin Lakes Living the High Life By Donna Childress
When I left the East Coast a decade ago to spend more time hiking Colorado’s mountains, I moved to Leadville. I’d already fallen in love with Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, the state’s highest and second-highest peaks, which fill the western skyline, as well as the colorful Victorian houses and serene sunset walks along Turquoise Lake. What I soon discovered was how mining history, abundant public lands, artistic talent, and a strong sense of community shape life at 10,152’, in North America’s highest city.
Mining Heritage While many mountain towns were formed as mining camps, in Leadville the mining heritage remains strong. In the late 1800s Silver Rush, Leadville was one of the West’s biggest boomtowns. The nearby Climax molybdenum mine, started in 1918 and once the world’s largest underground mine, is a longtime economic force for jobs and taxes, and many residents have been miners. Today, Leadville boasts a National Historic Landmark District of 70 square blocks, eight museums featuring mining history and retains an authentic feel. The Tabor Opera House, built in 100 days in 1879, has original red velvet seats. The Silver Dollar and Pastime saloons sport diamond dust mirrors. At parties, people sometimes mention the ghost in their house. The eastern part of the Mineral Belt Trail, an 11.6-mile paved loop around town, passes weathered wooden headframes and rusted ore carts as well as intense aspens, technicolor in fall.
Open Spaces and Stunning Views Over 70% of Lake County is public land, and many local trails are uncrowded (don’t tell anyone). It’s easy to get above treeline on nearby 13,000’ and 14,000’ peaks and in www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
15
PLACE
16
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
the mining district east of town. In winter, miles of trails are groomed for snowmobiling, fatbiking, and cross-country skiing. Snowshoeing and backcountry skiing opportunities abound, and family-friendly Ski Cooper, also uncrowded, is just 20 minutes away. Twin Lakes and Forebay are picture-perfect in fall, with large aspen groves as a golden backdrop. Long before I moved to Colorado, another hiker told me she didn’t believe in God until she saw the aspen on Independence Pass, and she had a point. In the center of these leaf-peeping meccas is Twin Lakes village, which offers tasty food, paddling rentals, an old-timey general store with shop dog Motu, and friendly hellos. For memorable meals, there’s a view toward Turquoise Lake at Ale Yak food and beer garden; a rooftop deck at Treeline Kitchen (I recommend the Kickass Mule); mountain-facing patios at The Famous and Two Mile Brewing; backcountry scenes after hiking (or skiing) a mile to the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse yurt. The Leadville Railroad offers relaxing rides overlooking the Arkansas Valley, including BBQ specials.
Mountain Art The area inspires creativity. The Tabor Opera House stages everything from Broadway stars to community productions to fascinating tours, all while undergoing a multi-year rehabilitation. I always find art I adore at Harperrose Studios in Leadville—most recently, a pair of rattlesnake vertebrae earrings—and at the Shooting Star Gallery in Twin Lakes, both packed with local creatives’ wares. Leadville’s Two Dog Market offers local history and contemporary books, as well as community readings. The former train depot, Freight, beautifully restored by historic preservation architects, provides space for library-sponsored author events, musicians, and markets with handcrafted goodies. Murals and paintings of miners decorate walls, and venues hop with live music, throughout town.
Caring Community Best of all is the community. In a town of approximately 2,600, and a county of around 7,500, residents pull together. Nonprofits meet local needs in creative ways. To name only a few, Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) grows vegetables in a highaltitude greenhouse; you go to the weekly market before it opens because the fresh greens sell out fast and because everyone is there. C4 also teaches food-growing to local students, runs community solar gardens, and more. Get Outdoors Leadville! offers a gear library where residents can borrow outdoor equipment, and the Lake County Library loans out tools. Many local organizations offer Spanish-language services to include the full community. www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
17
PLACE This coming together was especially evident during the nearby Willow Fire in summer 2026, when local artists made posters and tea towels to benefit fire relief, nonprofits started assistance funds, residents collected thank-you cards for firefighters, and neighbors helped one another — a heartwarming community in Colorado’s rare air.
Resources: www.leadvilletwinlakes.com www.lakecountycochamber.com www.coloradomtn.edu/campuses/leadville www.klxvairport.com
Leadville Flying Club Check out the Highest Airport in North America and take a Scenic Flight! Located at the Leadville-Lake County Regional Airport, the Leadville Flying Club is a local business that offers scenic flights taking you over Vail, Beaver Creek, Silverthorne, Frisco, Breckenridge, and of course, Leadville. Having helped found the club two years ago, Tom Charles, the club’s president, said he wanted to help promote general aviation in Leadville and Lake County and offer the community the opportunity to fly. For those wanting to enjoy a scenic flight, flights are required to stay within 25 nautical miles of the Leadville Airport. Don’t worry — that’s plenty of room to explore Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert. Other popular places to see include Independence Pass, Fremont Pass, Ski Cooper, and the Climax Mine. Flights are offered year-round in a luxury, modern aircraft with amazing safety features. The fall and winter months are an exceptional time to fly, with breathtaking views that most people don’t get to see. Call ahead to make reservations and find out more at: www.flyleadville.com 18
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Just you & the mountain
Pure Joy!
The
of Skiing in the Heart of the Rockies
THE LENDER YOU NEED TO BUILD YOUR DREAM IN COLORADO. Construction Loans • Ranch Loans • Home Loans • Land Loans
Alyssa Fritchman Rural 1st Loan Officer 970.730.4804 NMLS 2268611 Alyssa.Fritchman@rural1st.com
Visit Rural1st.com or call Alyssa today. Loans subject to credit approval. Rural 1st® is a tradename and Rural 1st, the Rolling Hills Window icon, and Closer to What Matters are exclusive trademarks of Farm Credit Mid America, NMLS 407249. Rural 1st products are available to consumers within the territories of participating Farm Credit System Associations. Equal Housing Lender.
MOUNTAIN DISPATCH
GLENWOOD CANYON CELEBRATES RECOVERY From Fire to Flood Major debris flow buried Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon on Aug. 1, 2021, closing the highway for nearly 20 days – A Historic Rebuild By Holly Battista-Resignolo
To commemorate the Five-Year anniversary of the catastrophic 2021 landslides, known as debris flows, that buried Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon on Aug. 1, 2021, the Colorado Department of Transportation released a six-part mini-documentary series titled “From Ashes to Asphalt: The Glenwood Canyon Recovery”. The series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the resilience of Colorado’s infrastructure and the round-the-clock efforts of maintenance crews, engineers, geologists, heavy equipment operators and emergency responders. Together, these crews worked tirelessly to battle the Grizzly Creek Fire in 2020 and establish safety protocols in 2021, ultimately restoring the interstate after it was severed by thousands of tons of rock and mud. Because the canyon cuts directly through Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, its closure forced standard travelers and freight drivers onto a northern Colorado detour that added 2.5 to 4 hours of extra driving time. At the time, the economic impact
of shutting down Colorado’s primary east-west interstate artery was staggering, costing the Colorado economy an estimated $1 million for every hour the road was closed. “The devastating destruction in Glenwood Canyon in 2021 showed us the unprecedented scale of disasters our mountain corridors face, but the threat hasn’t stopped,” said Shoshana Lew, CDOT executive director. “With severe wildfires actively threatening our state, CDOT must remain incredibly nimble, shifting from long-term recovery to rapid, real-time emergency response. Our crews, contractors, and emergency responders are operating around the clock to keep Colorado’s essential lifelines open. We cannot protect this infrastructure alone; our ability to adapt quickly is thanks to our partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), and local emergency teams.” Photo Credit: David Kuhn - Tim Holbrook
How to Watch All six episodes of “From Ashes to Asphalt: The Glenwood Canyon Recovery” are available to stream on CDOT’s official YouTube channel and online at codot.gov. CDOT will also feature short-form highlights and interactive before-and-after imagery across its social media channels throughout the anniversary week. Discover Ashes to Asphalt: The Glenwood Canyon Recovery The six-part series combines archival footage and firsthand accounts from those on the front lines of the recovery effort. All six episodes are available to stream on CDOT’s official YouTube channel and online at: www.codot.gov Episode 1: The Fire – The series begins in August 2020, when the historic Grizzly Creek Fire burned more than 32,000 acres across the steep canyon walls framing the I-70 Mountain Corridor. By stripping away the vegetation anchoring the fragile topsoil, the wildfire set the stage for an unprecedented crisis. Episode 2: Foresight of Floods – After warnings from USGS, CDOT and the City of Glenwood Springs race to anticipate the next major threat: catastrophic debris flows, triggered by the scorched landscape. Episode 3: When the Mountain Came Down – In the summer of 2021—one year after the Grizzly Creek Fire was contained—severe monsoon storms over the burn scar triggered massive, destructive mudslides that nearly dammed the Colorado River. Over just a five-day span in late July, the canyon received nearly double its average rainfall for the entire month, pouring nearly 5 inches of rain compared to the typical 2.4-inch monthly average. Episode 4: Interstate 70 is Severed – Following relentless mud and rock slides and closures throughout June, a massive slide on July 29 stranded roughly 100 people overnight in their vehicles and inside the Hanging Lake Tunnel. Thanks to early weather warnings, strict safety protocols, and strategic equipment staging, rescue crews safely evacuated everyone with zero serious injuries. Episode 5: A Goliath Rebuilding – A historic rainfall on July 31 unleashed a catastrophic debris flow in an area known as Blue Gulch that forced a full two-week shutdown of the interstate. This event resulted in the most destructive infrastructure damage in the history of Colorado’s I-70 Mountain Corridor, with both directions impassable. The slides also severely damaged roadways, retaining walls, bridges, and the Glenwood Canyon recreation trail. In just a single weekend in early August, CDOT crews hauled out more than 440 truckloads of debris, with each load weighing roughly 13 tons, kicking off a monumental two-year restoration. Episode 6: Forging the Future –Discover how the lessons learned from Glenwood Canyon are transforming the future of I-70 through advanced geohazard monitoring and climate-resilient engineering.
20
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
THANK YOU RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS By Julie Bielenberg
With back-to-school in full swing and a wicked fire season finally winding down, fall is bringing real relief to Coloradans, especially those of us on the Western Slope. We want to take a little editorial space in this issue to say THANK YOU. Thank you to the U.S. Forest Service crews, the BLM’s Field Offices, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the county sheriff’s offices, ems departments, local volunteer fire departments and the fire agencies from over 34 different states who answered the calls this summer, worsened by record heat and drought, none of which slowed any of them down. [Here’s a personal shoutout to the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, who showed up to put out a hay fire in the pasture behind our own property — started, of all things, by moldy hay that fermented and spontaneously ignited to our neighbor’s horror. It’s the kind of call that doesn’t make headlines (well, this one did, made it all the way to the Front Range newstations) but it’s exactly the work that keeps a bad summer from becoming a disaster. We’re grateful, and we don’t say it enough. And an extra thank you to one company in particular, because once you hear why, you’ll understand.
This summer, while wildland crews were putting in ten-hour days in 95-degree heat in this back pasture, one thing kept showing up to feed them: Lily’s Toaster Grilled Cheese. The Denver-born sandwich has spent the last several years quietly becoming a fixture far beyond the Front Range — including stocked in our own rural high school freezer for hungry teenagers who need a warm, nourishing lift in the middle of a hard day. It’s a company that started with the same instinct we’re celebrating here. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, before Lily’s had sold a single sandwich, founder Lily chose to keep her team employed and start donating sandwiches to families in need through a partnership with Rocky Mountain Prep, running weekly deliveries to curbside food pantries across Denver. That instinct to show up for people is still baked into the brand today, from the freshly baked bread to the way it keeps aiding communities experiencing hunger. Different kind of frontline, same spirit: show up, do the work, feed the people who need it. This fall, we’re thankful for both.
THANK YOU ALL FIRE & EMS WORKERS
STIFEL COPPER CUP By Holly Battista-Resignolo
After last year’s historic return of World Cup alpine ski racing at Copper Mountain, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team will once again return for the world’s best alpine racing at the Stifel Copper Cup over Thanksgiving weekend. Taking place Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026, the Audi FIS Ski World Cup event will serve as the first domestic stop on the men’s circuit and feature the first men’s speed race of the
World Cup season. Athletes will compete in super-G and giant slalom on Copper’s renowned high-altitude terrain.
grandstand seating and VIP experiences available for guests looking to enhance their race weekend at the ski resort.
In addition to the racing, the Stifel Copper Cup will bring a full weekend of festivities both on and off the mountain at Copper Mountain. Fans can enjoy the races in East Village before heading to Center Village for race celebrations, free live music and fireworks. The races are free to attend, with
Festival Village: Center Village will come alive with exciting festivities, including live music, a giant slalom bib draw, a vibrant vendor village and more. Enjoy a FREE, live headline performance by O.A.R on Saturday, Nov. 28! coppercolorado.com
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
21
MOUNTAIN MADE
Simple Art Studio by Lisa Blake
WHERE: Breckenridge WHAT: Guatemalan Textiles, Jewelry and Printmaking Making the move from Guatemala to Summit County in 2018, Ingrid “Kiki” Díaz-Davis’ art career began as a form of creative expression to process the challenges around immigration. The Simple Art Studio founder longed to connect with her new community and quickly learned that her vibrant textile art, prints and jewelry served as a cultural bridge. Simple Art Studio has grown from the corner of a small apartment at the base of Peak 10 in Breckenridge to a Breck Create Artist in Residence spot. Visitors to Kiki’s studio can learn about her creative process, explore her diverse mediums, and see how she integrates sustainable practices and cultural influences into her work. “Family is our motivation and our purpose behind Simple Art Studio,” she says. “We are a multicultural family and we always try to be an inclusive reflection of our beliefs and culture. We are always on the hunt for spiritual growth, making art and spreading love and good vibes.” simpleartstudio.com
Mountain Essentials Soap Co. WHERE: Fairplay WHAT: Silky, Nourishing, All-natural Skincare Products Working goat dairy and artisan skincare company, Mountain Essentials Soap Co. has become a cherished Fairplay destination. Owner Nicole McChesney embodies the “farm-to-skin” movement. She raises goats, milks them on the farm, and incorporates it into soaps, lotions, bath products and lip balms made in small batches. A true agritourism experience, the Mountain Essentials working goat farm gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable small-scale farming, dairy goat husbandry, and artisan soap making. Sign up for a farm tour, bottle feed baby goats and see how the farm works. The downtown Fairplay shop welcomes customers with the intoxicating scents of handmade whipped body butters, soaps, sugar scrubs, candles, lotions and locally made artisan gifts. mountainessentialsllc.com
22
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Two Dog Night by Katie Coakley
WHERE: Leadville WHAT: A Melly for Your Dog Leadville-based Two Dog Night turns upcycled Melanzana fleece into functional, adorable hoodies for dogs, one stitch at a time. If you’ve spent any time in Colorado, you’ve probably seen the ubiquitous, colorful microgrid Melanzana hoodies; you might own one (or several) yourself. But our four-legged friends have sadly been bereft of their own hoodies…until now. Wanting something that would keep her dogs—one is a Chihuahua mix from New Mexico—cozy while pursuing outdoor adventures, Jennifer Mantle started piecing together fabric scraps in her Leadville home. “Everyone loves their Mellies up here, and they’re great functional pieces,” Mantle said. “I thought it’d be so cute to make a dog one.” Support from Smokey Burgess, owner of the consignment shop Community Threads, pushed Mantle to turn the project into an actual business. In 2025, Jennifer Mantle started Two Dog Night in her home; she soon outgrew that space and moved to Community Threads, sewing and selling the hoodies in the shop. Part of the Re-Melly program, Mantle uses upcycled fleece from Melanzana— material that’s deemed second quality, or that has a small flaw—for her hoodies. She makes each dog Melly by hand, mix-and-matching colors and utilizing every scrap to ensure both style and sustainability. The result is a fun, functional piece that makes twinning with your furry friend a nobrainer. To order a Melly for your dog, visit twodognightleadville.com and pick your favorite pattern. Prices start at $44.95; allow two weeks for Mantle to make your order before it ships.
Woody Creek Distillers WHERE: Basalt WHAT: Cheers to Colorado Avalanche Bourbon Woody Creek Distillers is giving us a new way to celebrate our favorite hockey team. The Basalt distiller and the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche released Woody Creek Colorado Avalanche Bourbon last year in a collectable, officially licensed bottle featuring the iconic Avs’ snowcapped “A” logo. Aged at least five years and weighing in at 90 proof, Colorado Avalanche Bourbon is available on back bars and in bottle shops across Colorado and through Woody Creek’s direct-to-consumer channel at woodycreekdistillers.com. “Hockey is a lifelong passion. At various points in my life I’ve been a fan, a player, and even a hockey mom to two kids,” says Woody Creek Co-founder and CEO Mary Scanlan. “The opportunity to show our support for our home team through this partnership is a privilege and an honor.” woodycreekdistillers.com www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
23
BUSINESS
The Business of Feeding Student Athletes Many moons ago, when I attended college, breakfast, lunch, or dinner for collegiate athletes consisted of fast food and pizza chains, or a dining hall where the food was quite questionable. It was all we had back in the day. Times have changed, and so has the way athletes get their fuel daily. I heard about the fueling station at CU Boulder in the Champions Center and knew I had to find out more. When I did, I had to tell readers about this extraordinary dining experience and my visit to the college campus in beautiful Boulder, CO. When you picture a typical dining hall, this is not that. It’s run with the same philosophy a five-star restaurant would stand by, and the food is something worth writing about. With over twenty years of restaurant experience, from fine dining to fast casual, Executive Chef Carl Solomon heads up the fueling station. He is extremely focused and passionate about what he does, and it showed from the moment I entered. This is not just any college cafeteria. The fueling station serves all student athletes and the athletic department, with the kitchen curating three meals a day, Monday through Friday, feeding hundreds of athletes. We visited during lunch, and the line for the cuisine told me there was something special happening here. After going through the line and sitting down to eat, dish after dish, I was left speechless. That day, our salmon, jumbo lump crab cakes, and pasta could absolutely rival a 5 star restaurant — and in a competition, would 24
probably win. There is a dietitian on hand to make sure the athletes are getting the fuel they need, and they also have a separate dietitian for each sport they play. It was very interesting to sit down with Dietitian Ben Wolf and Chef Carl to chat about how they work together to create an outstanding food program for the athletes. Different athletes need different fuel, and together, they make that happen every day. The athletes know what they need to keep their bodies in top form, and thanks to all the dietitians on staff, they’re properly guided every step of the way. Chef Carl works with different local farms to provide the freshest and best produce and protein. They currently get fresh seafood flown in weekly from Fortune Fish in New Orleans. While there’s lobster and filet on the menu from time to time, they also try to keep things basic — but with a little of Chef Carl’s twist. Almost everything at the fueling station is made from scratch, and there are no set menus. The menu is based on what’s local and available at the time, along with input from the athletes on what they want. I tried the fried chicken and am still dreaming about it today. Even the hamburger is unique— it’s a patty made with brisket and short rib, because, as Chef Carl says, “They’re kids and human beings, and they
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
love burgers, so at least here, they’ll get a highquality one.” Chef Carl uses his food purchasing power carefully, choosing the most sustainable methods possible to create the dishes. The athletes and athletic staff love the fueling station, but the question is, once they graduate, what then? They all have it pretty good at the Champions Center fueling station, and there are plans for cooking classes to teach the athletes how to make some of the dishes themselves. The athletes say some of their current favorites are dishes from the Mediterranean menu, with the Southern-Cajun menu a close second. They’re grateful to have such a unique dining experience right on campus. Watching the food being prepared, and the flow of all the employees, reminded me of a perfect symphony. With that said, a conductor is only as good as his orchestra, and Chef Carl wanted to thank everyone who makes the fueling station at Champions Center so special. This was such a different experience for me — one of the best and most unique dining experiences I’ve ever had. Although you must have a “pass” to access the fueling station, I’m hopeful I’ll be invited back soon to experience another incredible meal. Bravo to everyone making the culinary magic happen every day at CU Boulder. GO BUFFS!
Story by: Caren Austin Photos: Elite Focus Studio
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
25
ENTREPRENEURS By Shauna Farnell
The Family Behind Olathe’s Original Sweet Corn Has Taken Its Ears On The Road John Harold began growing corn in Olathe on Colorado’s Western Slope in 1986, trademarking the name “Olathe Sweet.” Still holding that trademark and operating as Tuxedo Corn Company, you will no longer find the famously delicious ears in national grocery stores.
“I’m trying to demand change in the marketplace,” says David Harold, John’s son, who largely oversees the operation these days, although his 86-year-old father is still very much involved. After decades of Kroger company touting the story of Olathe Sweet Corn’s original family, Tuxedo separated from the grocery giant and is now selling corn direct-toconsumer and to select retailers who share the company’s farm-fresh credo. Immediately following harvests this summer, two refrigerated trucks traveled from town to town selling the corn in parking lots or at farmers markets. “For someone our size to step away from Kroger is unbelievable to peers,” David says. “But we cannot force the system to 26
value what we do. We can only make the work visible and ask people to support it. The system will not change if everyone just goes along quietly.” Competing with growers willing to compromise the quality of the corn for the ability to ship it to a far-reaching supply chain demanding low costs was no longer tenable for Tuxedo’s model of farm-fresh, handpicked, Fair-Food-Program corn. “What I was faced with was the inability to clearly define who I was in my brand and who I stood for. I was becoming just another bid on the bid sheet,” David says. “We do a great job. We have a history of it. I had to look for a way to protect it.” The balance of nature and science behind Tuxedo is something David equates to fine
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
winemaking, stemming from when his dad launched Olathe Sweet with seeds from corn breeder David Galinat. “It’s like wine. Take cabernet grapes from the same vine and two winemakers can give you different outcomes,” David says. “We were fortunate to have a breeder here who did a good job with corn that was robust and well-rounded, not just sweet. Disconnected from the plant, it starts converting sweet sugars into the starchy sugars. To have that sweetness, you have to pick it right, ice it right. My dad succeeded in making it work. As of right now, you cannot get sweet corn that’s soft and tender with a long shelf life.” To order original Olathe Sweet corn or find out when its truck is coming through your area, visit: www.tuxedocorn.com.
Small town feel, endless outdoor activities, and exceptional mountain homes –
Your Colorado Lifestyle Begins in Buena Vista.
Explore Current Properties
Truly Local. Truly Expert.
Julie Kersting
719.395.7840 Julie@JulieKersting.com www.JulieKersting.com
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This is not to be considered as a solicitation if your property is listed with another broker. Equal housing opportunity.
THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS • FRUITION MOONTRICKS • LINDSAY LOU • MAGOO DANIEL RODRIGUEZ • YASMIN WILLIAMS SLAP DRAGON • LOWDOWN BRASS BAND PICKIN’ ON THE DEAD • LVDY • BONFIRE DUB SILAS HERMAN & THE TONE UNIT • RAMONA MEGAN LETTS • DJ SLEEPY • FLOODGATE OPERATORS GINA CAPUTO • MARY BETH LARUE • STEPH WINSOR TYLER TRAFICANTI • HOST STUDIO : YOGA OLAS
MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT
Kees Brenninkmeyer Foundation Completes Fifteen Year Mission Deceased alpine guide’s legacy benefited fellow mountain professionals By Joy Martin
“You might wake up without a foot” were the last words Rob Gowler heard before slipping into an anesthesia dream at a hospital in Mexico City in 2007. At the time, he was traveling around South America when a staph infection afflicted his ankle joint. He ignored it until it became so severe that it required medical attention. “Back then, I was a total dirtbag climbing guide,” Gowler said. “All my mother wanted was for me to get a job with health insurance because she was so worried I’d get hurt. But I didn’t have insurance.” One of his buddies went to school with Dr. Tom Hackett, a renowned orthopedic surgeon at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, and introduced him to Gowler. Gowler asked Hackett if he could wait to have surgery in the States, but—according to Gowler—Hackett said, “It’s bad, dude.” So, Gowler opted for affordable surgery in Mexico, and when he woke up, the doctor said he was lucky. He kept his foot. Four years later, in 2011, Gowler was guiding a climbing trip in the Tetons when he tore his MCL. He still didn’t have insurance and was thinking he’d travel to Mexico again for surgery. He called Hackett to get his opinion. Hackett had good news: a new foundation had been created for mountain professionals who needed surgery to continue their careers. Hackett encouraged Gowler to apply for a grant. The grant was provided by the Kees Brenninkmeyer Foundation, which was established in 2011 by Hans and Suzy Brenninkmeyer in memory of their son, Kees. Cornelius “Kees” Conrad Peter Brenninkmeyer was an alpine ski and mountaineering guide. While working as a heli-ski guide in Alaska, he injured his knee and needed reconstructive surgery. He opted for surgery at the Steadman Clinic, celebrated for its record of helping athletes return to and thrive in their careers after treatment. Kees had a successful surgery and recovery and returned to work, grateful 28
and keenly aware that many of his colleagues lacked the financial resources or medical coverage to access the same level of care he received. He shared his deep regret with his father that others with similar career goals couldn’t get the help they needed because of money. Kees knew that his privilege was the difference between keeping his job and being forced to give up his passion. On January 4, 2007, twenty-five-yearold Kees and his girlfriend died in a mountaineering accident in the Wapta Icefields of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Hans never forgot his son’s genuine plea to help ski and mountain guides, patrollers, and instructors access premium orthopedic care. So, in 2011, Hans and Suzy visited the Steadman Clinic and pitched the idea of setting up a foundation in Kees’s name, using Kees’s inheritance to fund surgeries and treatments for alpine industry professionals with demonstrated financial need. Michael Egan, Steadman’s research foundation director at the time, agreed it was a great service and had the perfect executive director in mind: Joanna Grenawalt Smith, a former barista-ski instructor who served him Americanos at the Starbucks in Vail Village. Out of college, Smith ran a medical research lab in Denver for a couple of years, but she wanted to be closer to skiing. So, in 2009, she moved to Vail. She worked a handful of jobs, including as a barista at Starbucks, where the Steadman docs and staff got their daily jolts. They told her about a clinical research internship. “I was already working three or four jobs, so I figured why not get another one?” she laughed. So she applied, got the job, and conducted outcome studies. When Egan approached her about running the Kees Brenninkmeyer Foundation, she was intrigued and met with Hans. They hit it off.
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
“They offered me a salary that allowed me to quit two of my jobs,” Smith said. “I had never worked in nonprofits before, but Hans took a leap of faith with me. I like to say that Starbucks started my career…just talking to people.” The KBF received nonprofit status, and since it didn’t need to raise money, it began accepting applications on April 1, 2011. The typical process was for someone to meet with a doctor, determine whether they needed surgery, and then apply for funding. “The first year, we were just figuring it out,” Smith explained. “We knew the mission, but we didn’t know what kind of candidates we’d get. Everyone had a different story, but they were all brought together by their passion for the mountains. By the second year, we realized we had a lot of applications for emergency surgeries that weren’t realistic given the timeline. So we made it even easier.” As executive director, Smith’s main job was to review grant applications and meet with potential recipients to see what they needed and how KBF could help. All applications, mostly from ski patrollers and guides, required at least one recommendation. One application received six recommendations, including top names in the ski industry, such as Chris Davenport, Jeremy Jones, and Jimmy Chin. Smith called the applicant to share the good news that they were happy to pay for his surgery.
Rob Gowler
Gowler answered the phone and was overwhelmed by Smith’s invitation on behalf of KBF. He got surgery from Hackett, and the grant also covered his physical therapy sessions. “This was pre-Obamacare, so most people [in the industry] couldn’t afford health insurance,” Gowler said. “If it weren’t for the Brenninkmeyers, I wouldn’t have been able to keep doing what I’m doing now. They made it possible for people like me to do what we’re meant to do. It’s hard to emphasize how amazing that is.”
as low as $8,000—that includes everything, from surgeries to hospital stays and physical therapy.
He couldn’t afford good health insurance and needed disability insurance to help cover wages lost from his time off work. He
Steve Banks
The KBF had a pie chart showing how grant recipients learned about it, with the American Mountain Guide Association and Ski Magazine featuring prominently. “Apparently, I had a whole pie of the chart because I sent so many friends of mine who needed surgery their way. I had my own funnel,” Gowler said. “Without that grant, they might not have gotten the surgery they needed.” Besides connecting candidates with funding for their surgeries, Smith also connected them with local partners in the Vail Valley. From housing to rides for physical therapy, people were ready to help. “There’s something about these mountain communities,” said Julie Brenninkmeyer, Kees’s sister. “The community wanted to help beyond giving money. They filled the needs where they could.” The other part of Smith’s job was handling bills from each surgery. She noted the sticker shock of each one, with medical center fees ranging from $30,000 to $40,000, surgeon fees around $20,000, Joanna Grenawalt Smith
and things like anesthesia and medical equipment billed separately. In contrast, grant recipients based in Canada or the U.K. pay a flat rate for these services—sometimes
“It’s just one clean payment,” she said. “Here [in the U.S.] we’re always waiting for these different claims. I see bills for these non-insured surgeries and think, how the heck do people pay this? No one could ever pay what the surgery costs. These mountain guides are self-insured, and there’s no workers’ compensation. There’s a gap.” In mountain professions, injuries aren’t a matter of if, but when. When they do suffer an injury requiring surgery, the questions pound in the background:
How am I going to pay for treatment? Do I pay my mortgage? Do I ask my family for loans? What do I have to do to pull this off? In 2014, Steve Banks, IFMGA-certified alpine ski and mountaineering guide, had a freak accident on a day off when a five-gallon glass water cooler exploded in his hands, severing nerves, tendons, and arteries in his right hand. He was in Los Angeles at the time and had surgery with a renowned plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills before flying home to Crested Butte to start physical therapy. The injury occurred in July, and Banks was determined to return to guiding in Iceland by April. “We never think about how important our hands are,” he said. “I felt like I could hold a ski pole, but I had a claw for eight months. I didn’t know if climbing would be a thing ever again.”
also needed a second surgery. He learned about the Kees Brenninkmeyer Foundation through a random AMGA Facebook post. “That’s a difficult spot for me, to ask for help, much less financial help,” Banks said. “But the Foundation was overly generous. They were there to help me with zero attachments. There was no question of whether I deserved the grant. They gave me money to pay my healthcare and life bills and get through that challenging time. Having that cash flow was incredible. Joanna kept asking, ‘How can we best help you? What do you need?’ They had my back. They picked up the things insurance wasn’t covering, like physical therapy.” Banks connected with a physical therapist and hand specialist in Crested Butte named Jodi, who worked with the boxer Floyd Mayweather. She was also a climber, so she understood Banks’ goals. If he hoped to climb again someday, Banks needed way more PT appointments than insurance would cover. Looking back, Banks choked up thinking about how KBF’s support affected his mental health. “I’ll never be 100 percent, but I wouldn’t be where I am now if I only had crappy insurance,” Banks said. “It was such an impactful moment in my life. I could focus on the bigger questions, like whether I could guide again. What will my hand be like? What other career can I fall back on? It was a dark time, but the Kees Foundation and Jodi were very bright spots that kept my
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
29
MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT brain afloat. They helped take the load off. I didn’t know where my career was headed, but I wasn’t going to lose my house.” “The Kees Foundation is unprecedented and stand-alone in terms of the level of support they provide,” Hackett said. “There are a lot of organizations that assist with financial burdens, but not to that extent. They’ve paid for people to fly from Chamonix or Kathmandu and put them up in Vail for a month, getting PT every day. The only groups that come close are prolevel athletes supported by sponsors like Red Bull or The North Face. But not many people have full sponsorships from those entities. The Foundation is for all those thousands of other mountain athletes who don’t have access to that level of support.” One of KBF’s most memorable recipients was Sange Sherpa from Nepal, who was left for dead at the top of Everest. By the time he was rescued, Sange had severe frostbite, cooked by the cold and altitude. The KBF flew him from Kathmandu to the Steadman Clinic, where he underwent multiple surgeries with Dr. Randall Viola. Viola rebuilt the young Sherpa’s hand to his knuckles, but the blood supply couldn’t support fingers. Sange Sherpa spent two years in Vail living with a local family that took him to his treatments and physical therapy appointments. Between surgeries, rehab, and community life, Sange Sherpa learned English and, when he returned Dr. Thomas Hackett
“Even though his hands never worked again, he learned English,” Hackett said. “He can’t use chopsticks or pick up a fork, but he’s a wealthy, successful guy with a big family, supporting his relatives and giving back to his community, all because of the Kees Foundation.” Hackett said his partnership with KBF is a natural fit, not just because he’s an orthopedic surgeon but because he’s walked a similar road. Before he was one of the world’s leading orthopedic surgeons, including playing a spotlight role in Lindsey Vonn’s epic career, Hackett was a climbing guide. On a lead climb in the Tetons, Hackett fell, fracturing his lower leg. He extricated himself and shoved his leg into a creek to numb it. At the time, he didn’t have health insurance. He managed the pain with whatever painkillers he could procure from friends for the first couple of days. “This was the 80s, so there was no internet,” Hackett said. “To get health insurance, you had to go to an insurance agent’s office. So, I pretended I wasn’t injured, splinted my leg, strapped it up, and fake-walked into this guy’s office to sign up for insurance.” Hackett said there was a ten-day waiting period for insurance to kick in, so he sat around for two weeks and then walked into the emergency room and told them he just got hurt. By then, his leg was black and swollen. The medics scratched their heads over the timing but took care of it. Hackett recalled that this event almost ruined him financially. It was also a pivotal moment in his life, inspiring him to transition from a career in the mountains to medical school. “My background is part of what makes the Kees Foundation so special to me,” Hackett said.
“I started out as a ski patroller and guide, working in the climbing world. I was just like Kees at his age. I was one of those guys. I sort of still am in my heart.” Over the years, Hackett said he’s operated on the shoulders, knees, and hands of hundreds of climbers, patrollers, and river professionals. He’s also there when KBF calls with a unique request, like when someone needs to be talked off a ledge.
home, used that new skill to start a business translating for local guiding outfits.
30
“It’s not always surgery or something financial,” Hackett said. “Sometimes, I’ll get a phone call from someone in the field who’s in trouble or in a hot situation, hanging on a wall in Pakistan or Valdez.
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
I’ll walk them through their resources, the weather, and egress options. I’ll help them get to the next safe spot and sort out a plan.” Thanks to his distinguished work restoring the health of mountain athletes, Hackett is deeply connected to the outdoor industry. He serves as medical director for multiple organizations and facilitates guide training sessions, during which he shared the gospel about “this insane program that’s too good to be true.” “I have a day job that keeps me in a mountain town that I love, but deep down, I completely connect and relate to that population of people who the Kees Foundation has served over the last fifteen years,” Hackett said. “That’s why it’s been easy to stand up in front of an audience and champion it. It’s too good to be true, but it’s true.” For Heidi Wertz, a climbing guide since 1995, KBF has covered two major surgeries and recoveries over the last decade. The first was for shoulder surgery in 2015 at the Steadman Clinic with Hackett, and again in early 2026, Wertz tapped KBF for hip resurfacing surgery to address debilitating chronic pain in her hip. This particular surgery isn’t popular in the U.S., especially for people like Wertz with smaller bones; the parts are difficult to find. After much research, she found a doctor in Belgium. It wasn’t convenient, but Wertz believed this doctor was the best for this technical surgery. The KBF took care of everything but her plane ticket. “My whole livelihood is connected to my body, which is terrifying,” Wertz said. “That would’ve been a career-ender, but [KBF] fully saved my career. I love guiding and can’t imagine doing anything else at this point in my life because it feels so powerful and rewarding. It’s mind-blowing what they did for me. I’m teary-eyed just thinking about it. I can’t believe people would be that cool. This is the kind of treatment rich people get, not a dirtbag climbing guide living in her van at fifty.” Heidi Wertz
“My favorite recipients were always the dirtbags living in their vans,” Smith laughed. “I always wondered, ‘You’re having surgery. Where are you going to recover? In your van?’” Smith said she equally loves the stories about people getting surgery after they’ve been dealing with pain forever.
She could see the weight lift and feel their relief. “They don’t have to think about the pain
anymore,” Smith said. “They were doing it for so long and didn’t realize it could get better. The injury was inhibiting their range of motion, and now they have full range of motion. It’s remarkable.” Like Wertz, Jim Greene, a Telluride ski patroller since 1996, had been nursing an injury—a busted shoulder—for more than a decade. He had several surgeries and was told there was nothing to be done. So he learned to live with it. “My arm just kind of withered away over those ten years,” Greene said. “When my son was two, my arm became unusable. I had to use my other arm to lift it. One day, I reached around to the backseat to do my son’s car seat belt, and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The remaining tendons went.” In 2013, Greene went to the Steadman Clinic to see if anything could be done. He had insurance through his full-time position at Telluride Ski Resort, but that wouldn’t cover everything. At his first appointment, he learned about KBF. He applied, was accepted, and underwent surgery that summer. “To have the Kees Foundation pick up where insurance left off was amazing,” Greene said. “They covered all of my
Jim Greene
deductibles and travel expenses. Several things were considered experimental in the surgery, and they covered those, too.”
$5.3 million to 179 recipients, according to Smith, who walked each recipient through their healing journey.
Greene was back to work by the following ski season, doing his favorite thing: using explosives to mitigate avalanches. He’s also the creative mastermind behind Telluride’s iconic wooden signage marking the way around the mountain.
“Joanna was such a good fit for the Foundation,” said Kees’s sister, Julie, who also served on the KBF board. “Working with the candidates was the easy part, but my family members could never understand how she navigated the U.S. healthcare system and billing side of things like nobody’s business. And not just the local Steadman Clinic bills, but internationally. She had the patience to figure it out so brilliantly for us. That could’ve been a barrier to the KBF making an impact, or to it just fizzling out. We found the right person.”
“To this day, it’s incredible,” Greene reflected. “It’s like a new arm. At that point, I couldn’t do one pull-up or push-up. I’d given up kayaking and climbing. Now I kayak, climb, and can do thirty pull-ups and fifty push-ups. The surgery and medical care from Steadman were life-changing, having such a skilled surgeon do that for me. Without that, I would’ve had to start a new career, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.” “I have a super soft spot in my heart for people in those professions who have injuries that keep them from working,” Hackett said. “It can financially destroy you when you’re working in an industry that doesn’t have large paychecks. It’s been a real keystone of my personal career to offer these guys and gals something that keeps Kees’s spirit alive.” While Kees’s spirit lights up the Foundation, Hans and Suzy Brenninkmeyers’ generosity fuels it. “These two people were financially successful and had every resource at their fingertips, and yet they were totally grounded,” Hackett said. “They were extraordinarily generous people. They were so excited to hear every story about the latest grant recipient. I’d share their goals, tell them they’re doing the sickest stuff, and Hans and Suzy would be so jazzed. Hans was such a jolly person, always laughing, always smiling. He had so much charisma.”
“I hope someone picks up where this leaves off because it’s needed in the industry,” Banks mused. “We talk about it in the AMGA: how cool it would be if someone could create another fund like this. So if there’s anybody out there who would like to pick up the torch but doesn’t want to start a whole foundation, get in touch with the AMGA. We need a benefactor. You can fund it, and the AMGA will administer it.” Anyone who knows the power of KBF’s philanthropy believes its closure leaves a massive gap, but ultimately, it’s about more than the money gifted over the years. It’s the heart of the matter: keeping alive that spirit of generosity, possibility, and stoke for the mountains. “It’s not just like someone got their shoulder fixed or their knee replaced,” Hackett said.
“At the heart of the Foundation is the spirit of a really bright light in our mountain communities. It’s kept Kees’s spirit alive, and that’s what it was all about.”
“Hans flew under the radar,” Smith said. “He was such a vibrant person with this deep, raspy voice—one of those voices you’ll always remember. He always said, ‘Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.’” When Hans launched KBF in 2011, he had one stipulation: the mission would be complete when Kees’s inheritance money ran out. As of July 31, 2026, the Foundation is no longer receiving applications. Over the last fifteen years, the Kees Brenninkmeyer Foundation has gifted more than
Kees Brenninkmeyer
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
31
GET COZY, FILM FESTIVAL SEASON IS ON ITS WAY By Shauna Farnell
A few of Colorado’s mountain towns have been celebrating film for around half a century, each delivering its own personality and community feel along with thought-provoking films of every genre and premieres that go on to become blockbusters. Each festival historically welcomes some of the film industry’s most revered special guests. You might end up sitting next to a celebrity. Here’s a few to mark on your calendar like Breck Film Fest - pictured on this page.
32
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Photo Credit: Elaine Collins
Although Boulder is taking over the reins of Sundance Film Festival, the Centennial State has been home to many under-the-radar big screen events for decades.
Photo Credits:Breck Film
TELLURIDE SEPT. 4-7
The most famous of the mountain town’s major movie events, the Telluride Film Festival returns Labor Day weekend. Founded in 1974, Telluride Film is renowned as launchpad for Oscar contenders. True to tradition, the festival will keep its program secret until opening day, creating anticipation among critics, filmmakers and industry insiders. Telluride consistently premieres many of the year’s most acclaimed films while honoring influential artists through special tributes and Silver Medallion presentations. Telluride is also home to the famed Mountainfilm Festival, the 2027 edition of which is Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-31. Founded in 1979, Mountainfilm is one of America’s most respected documentary festivals, its film selections centered on outdoor adventure, environmental stewardship, social justice and cultural exploration. It draws not only filmmakers, but explorers, scientists and changemakers who seek stories capable of inspiring meaningful action. Both Telluride and Mountainfilm include indoor and outdoor venues around town and Mountain Village.
BRECKENRIDGE
SEPT. 17-20
Over its 46 years, the Breckenridge Film Festival has quietly premiered some of the world’s best films and hosted big-time celebrities. Also the country’s highest film festival (at 9,600 feet above sea level), Breck Film’s tagline “more film, less air” carries double meaning. “It’s the truth scientifically, but we also cut out the bells and whistles. We don’t have velvet ropes, red carpets or people in long gowns. We’re focused on great films,” says Breck Film Programming & Operations Director Cait McCluskie. Every year, Breck Film receives around 500 submissions. For 2026, the lineup includes 94 films representing every genre (comedy, thriller, drama, shorts, etc.) originating from 11 countries with seven world premieres and 35 Colorado premieres. “By happy accident, more than half are directed by women, which is not the norm for film fests,” McCluskie says, adding that the festival will include a Women in Film Panel.
WINTER PARK SEPT. 10-13
In only its fourth year, Winter Park is the newest of Colorado’s mountain town film festivals. It established itself quickly, bringing in highly reputed film industry names like cinematographer Kent Harvey for its keynote speech in past years. The festival highlights independent narrative features, documentaries, shorts, regional premieres, student films and special presentations celebrating diverse voices and creative storytelling as well as filmmaker conversations.
34
The 2026 full-length films she is personally most excited about include Sender, a “super creepy” thriller starring Jamie Lee Curtis that premiered at Austin’s South By Southwest, which McCluskie predicts will be “a total smash hit.” She’s also looking forward to seeing how audiences respond to See You When I See You, a dramedy that premiered at Sundance featuring another star-studded cast (including David Duchovny and Hope Davis) and is “totally surprising” in how it “approaches grief and mental health.” The film also has ties to Colorado, based on the memoir of the same name by Denver-based comedian Adam Clayton-Holland. The Breck Film Fest has become a year-round showcase since Breck Film took over The Eclipse, the town’s local movie theater. Situated downtown in the same historic building that houses Summit County’s South Branch Library, is, as independent movie theaters go, The Eclipse is one of Colorado’s coziest and most unsung gems that airs first-run blockbusters as well as classic and cult films. The Eclipse serves as one of three venues during September’s film fest along with the Riverwalk Center and Backstage Theater. The 2026 festival closes with the iconic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, paying homage to the 1989 holiday classic, many of the scenes from which were filmed in Summit County. Several local residents served as extras in the film, including McCluskie’s own father. “One thing that has stayed true since 1981 is that we’re run by our community,” McCluskie says. “Our reviewers are Breck locals. The festival is mostly run by local volunteers. So many folks who have been around since the ‘80s have built this thing, switching everything to digital, streaming, putting in so much investment and blood, sweat and tears..”
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
CRESTED BUTTE SEPT. 24-27
Celebrating its 16th anniversary, the Crested Butte Film Festival is a oneof-a-kind independent film showcase that is becoming more concentrated with fewer, but more noteworthy films this fall. One sample is Nun’s Beach, a narrative short making its Colorado debut about two nuns who fall in love, based on the life of filmmaker Kate DiRienzi’s great aunt. Another standout and Colorado premiere is Seized, an investigative thriller directed by Emmy Award winner Sharon Liese about protecting community journalism, told through police body cam and surveillance footage and based on the shocking, little-told police raid of The Marion County Record newspaper in 2023. “It’s more intimate than most film festivals,” CB Film Board President Lauren Lange says. “You’ll be sitting next to a filmmaker. It’s a personal experience.”
ASPEN
SEPT. 29 – OCT. 4
Celebrating a whopping 47th anniversary, Aspen Film continues its tradition of presenting acclaimed independent features, documentaries and international cinema alongside filmmaker discussions and special events. While the complete 2026 lineup has not yet been announced, the festival regularly attracts award-season contenders and celebrated filmmakers. Showcasing around 200 films each festival, all are regional premieres. Aspen Film also hosts the Academy Award-qualifying Aspen Shortsfest each spring and runs youth filmmaking camps and educational revents year-round. Like Breckenridge’s Eclipse Theater, The Isis Theatre in downtown Aspen has become the permanent hub for Aspen Film as well as the daily/nightly venue for first-run movies. . Aspen Film organizes a major movie event in every season, offers an extensive education program, and hosts numerous special presentations. Each year, some 30,000 people participate.
VAIL
DEC. 3-6
Occupying a quiet corner of early winter, the 23rd annual Vail Film Festival is no stranger to big names and glitz. Past special guests have included superstars Harold Ramis, Jane Seymour, Christina Ricci and Luke Wilson, to name just a few. Presented by the Colorado Film Institute, the festival combines film screenings with industry panels, networking events and filmmaker discussions designed to support emerging talent. To the latter point, the festival is once again running a screenplay contest, encouraging talented writers to submit their most striking, cinematic stories, the winner of which will be passed along to major production company executives for consideration.
BOULDER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The “OG” Boulder film festival is the The Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF). The 4 day event runs from April 8th- April 11th, 2027. The film festival was founded by sisters Kathy and Robin Beeck and has been a well celebrated event since 2005. With over 25,000 attendees for 2026, the festival is so excited to be celebrating its 22nd year. World class documentaries, feature films and shorts are celebrated during the 4 day event. The 2026 event featured 69 films from 29 countries including 31 Colorado premieres. There are red carpets, and a very special CINEchef foodie event which I got the chance to attend this year. This CINEchef competition kicks off the festival with a culinary showdown of local chefs who must prepare dishes that are film themed. There have been plenty of A-listers who come to the festival, including Alec Baldwin and Javier Bardem. The venues include the historic Boulder Theatre, which opened in 1906 and was originally an opera house and is the perfect main location for film viewing. BIFF’s “Call2Action” program involves filmmakers and nonprofits leading discussions after the credits roll to address topics like human rights and recovery. The festival is something that the city of Boulder is extremely proud of, and it is truly something I look forward to attending every year. You can find out more information on www.biff1.com
OTHER FILM FESTIVALS IN ADDITION TO THE FILM
FESTIVALS DISCUSSED ABOVE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER FILM FESTS: Carbondale - 5Point Film Festival, April
Durango - Durango Independent Film Festival, March Golden - Colorado Environmental Film Festival, February Ouray - Ouray International Film Festival, June Ridgway - Ridgway Independent Film Festival, November Steamboat Springs - Wild Horse Film Fest, August
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
35
FILM MAKER FEATURE The Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project Presents
“FRIEDL”
By Holly Battista-Resignolo
FRIEDL is the powerful new documentary from professional skier and award-winning filmmaker Chris Anthony that tells the extraordinary true story of Friedl Pfeifer — a 10th Mountain Division WWII veteran and the visionary founder of Aspen Ski Corporation. Chris Anthony invites you to experience FRIEDL, his powerful new documentary, through an intimate nationwide tour. As the filmmaker, Chris will personally introduce each screening and join audiences afterward for a live Q&A, offering behindthe-scenes stories and insights into the remarkable life of Friedl Pfeifer. This nonprofit tour is designed to raise awareness and support for the Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project, with a portion of proceeds benefiting local partnering nonprofits that help organize screenings in their communities. FRIEDL was Born and raised in St. Anton, Austria, Pfeifer rose to become one of the country’s top alpine ski racers before fleeing the Nazi regime. He eventually made his way to the United States, where he became an American citizen. Driven by a deep love for his wife and a dream to build a world-class ski resort, Pfeifer returned to Europe during World War II to serve with the famed 10th Mountain Division. Severely wounded and left for dead on the battlefield in Italy, he miraculously survived and returned to America — determined to fulfill his vision. His journey led him to the small mining town of Aspen, Colorado, where he played a pivotal role in transforming it into one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world.
SHOW DATES & SHOWTIMES
t
36
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
November 6, 2026 – Denver Public Library, Downtown November 10, 2026- Breckenridge, CO November 12, 2026 – Carbondale, CO November 16, 2026 - Whitefish, Montana November 18, 2026 - Bozeman, Montana December 8, 2026 - Capital Theater, Eagle CO 7PM December 26, 2026 – Aspen, CO | Two Shows 4 & 7 PM December 29, 2026 - The Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch January 28, 2026 - St. Anton, Austria www.chrisanthony.com/youth-initiative-project
SUNDANCE VENUE NEWS The Sundance Film Festival’s carefully selected venues are all within a 2-mile radius. Within some of Boulder’s most iconic and storied theaters and spaces, it is here that the Festival truly comes to life. Built in 1898 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, a 2027 Sundance Film Festival Official Venue, is undergoing significant renovations including winterization with sustainable geothermal heating and construction of an innovative temporary tent structure (inspired by Chautauqua’s early tent lodging) to enable year-round performances by 2027. This will allow winter performances for the first time while preserving the Auditorium’s historic integrity and relevance for future generations.
THE FILM FESTIVAL OF ALL FILM FESTS
SUNDANCE By Caren Austin
Get ready Boulder, Colorado because The Sundance Film Festival will make its debut in January 2027. Boulder will be home to the festival for the next 10 years. For 10 days, the festival will celebrate with film viewings, panel discussions and so many more events. About 6 weeks prior to the event the films will be announced. Boulder became the new home to the festival due to several factors; mountain access, the incredible art scene, theatre space, and being close to DIA airport. The city is gearing up for about 80,000 attendees at Sundance, and lodging will come at a premium, but to be able to attend the festival will truly be something extraordinary. There will be shuttles running from different hotels around Denver, and rental houses in Boulder in case you can’t find a hotel in the city. Boulder’s vibrant culinary scene is gearing up as well in the surrounding area. The town is already a mecca for cuisine, and some restaurants will be offering special menus for the festival. CU Boulder’s Macky Auditorium Concert Hall, and Boulder High School Auditorium are just 2 of the venues for the festival. There is a buzz all around the city in anticipation for Sundance, and while some are nervous about the influx of so many people, the city will no doubt be ready for it. The festival runs from January 21st – January 31st 2027 this year, and there are many different types of passes that you can purchase. They go on sale in October 2026 with ticket information available in September 2026. You can find out more information on www.sundance.org.
The historic Boulder Theater’s iconic terracotta facade underwent an 8-year restoration project that was unveiled in late 2025 preserving one of the city’s most beloved landmarks that will also act as a 2027 Sundance Film Festival Official Venue. eTown Hall is a solar-powered world-class live music venue, full service recording studio and community center. Celebrating 35 years, eTown has been committed to environmental education. This building, converted from an old church facility, is quite possibly the greenest music and media center in Colorado and was selected as a 2027 Sundance Film Festival Official Venue. The University of Colorado Boulder is undergoing significant upgrades to Macky Auditorium Concert Hall, Muenzinger Auditorium and Roe Green Theatre to prepare them as Official Venues for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival.
BOULDER ATTRACTIONS In 2027, Boulder’s beloved Pearl Street Mall will celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking five decades as the heartbeat of downtown Boulder. Dedicated on August 6, 1977, the pedestrian mall has long been a center for community, creativity, and local character, and plans are underway for events, installations, and activations leading up to the milestone. A community-wide celebration is planned for August 6, 2027. Building on Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks’ Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site designation awarded in May, Visit Boulder has applied for Boulder to become the first Gold Standard Destination in the world, recognizing the community’s ongoing commitment to responsible visitation through BoulderWise. Meet Boulder’s Ski Area, Eldora Mountain Resort: Just 21 miles from Boulder is Eldora, a winter wonderland with 10 ski lifts, miles of snowshoeing and nordic trails, good vibes and great views. Project Junglee opened in summer 2026 on Pearl Street as Boulder’s first year-round hub built for Global Majority adventurers and artists. To Discover More: www.boulderchamber.com www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
37
DINE LOCAL
Harvest in Harmony 12 Western Colorado Farms, Orchards & Wineries With Heart By Lisa Blake
Each September, my family of three follows the lure of Colorado’s harvest like a magnet pulling us from our high altitude ski town perch down into the western slope’s river-tracked farm valleys. The intoxicating draw of the rich soil’s pluckable products is too strong to resist. So we load up the camper one last time, before winter forces it into storage, and we go west. The magic of Western Colorado isn’t simply that it grows exceptional peaches and corn or that it’s producing remarkable wines at some of the highest vineyards in the country. It’s that, from the broad orchard trees to our table, pumpkin patch plots to our porch, we get to be hands-on with the journey. We get to teach our son about how food is grown and why it’s a job worth praising. Fall isn’t just another season here; it’s the grand finale of an entire year of growing, harvesting and gathering, making the North Fork and Grand Valley among Colorado’s most delicious autumn road trips. Here’s where to get your fill of vineyard rows, glowing cottonwoods, and warm peach and apple pies made from fruit picked that morning.
38
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Destination: Paonia Why we love it: This fertile slice of the North Fork Valley rests beneath the rugged West Elk Mountains and is known for its booming agriculture, vineyards and up-and-coming arts scene. Colorado’s organic heartland is spackled with family farms, small-batch wineries, heirloom orchards, and artists who have built lives around the land. Fall arrives slowly here, with warm afternoons perfect for tasting wine and cool evenings scented with ripened fruit. Paonia must-stops include: Big B’s Delicious Orchards Heaven for apple fans and hard cider lovers, Big B’s sprawls in orchard and garden rows, camping mixed within. A lively cider tasting room pairs with a tree-shaded patio where bluegrass tunes share air space with playground giggles. Take turns sampling tart, dry and sweet ciders and flying out over the farmland on rope swings in between bites of barbecue. Orchard Valley Farms & Black Bridge Winery Wander this working farm’s orchard trees and pumpkin patch. Shop the farm store for local honey, regionally ranched meats, squash and balsamic vinegars. Or, belly up to the wine tasting counter and sip tasters of estate-grown pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling. Pinpoint your favorite and take a bottle down to the adirondack chairs by the river while the kids play on the hay barrel slide nearby. Stone Cottage Cellars Snap Instagrammable vineyard and West Elk Mountain glimpses at one of the valley’s most photogenic wineries. Cool off in the small stone tasting room and sample estate wines while chatting up knowledgeable winemakers about the latest vintages and growing techniques. Make a night of it and stay in the agritourism destination’s original stone cottage.
Azura Cellars Take your time at this boutique valley gem situated a mile off the main highway. Azura Cellars combines boutique winemaking with an intimate art gallery overlooking verdant vineyard rows. Try the cab franc, merlot and pinot gris alongside a thoughtful grazing board. The atmosphere is peaceful and personal with long mountain vistas and remote-control miniature sailboats on a glassy pond. Root & Vine Family-owned Root & Vine packs a solid reminder of why Paonia is worth the drive. The colorful flowery patio sets a serene tone for tasting the vineyard’s award-winning Qutori wines while the cafe’s housemade peach pie and farm-driven seasonal dishes highlight the best of September in Colorado. Don’t miss the roasted beet and chevre salad and the delicate spinach feta pie.
Catch the Paonia Farmers Market Head to Paonia Town Park for the Arbol Farmers Market (Tuesdays, 5–7pm through October 13, 2026) and shop local and organic produce, flowers, fruit, herbs, honey, meat, breads and artisan goods. Join the community for a delicious, locally sourced, donationsbased meal at every market and taste all the region has to offer. thelearningcouncil.org/ arbol-farmers-market
Austin Farms Tree-ripened fruit, fresh honey and farm-direct shopping are the ticket at this classic family orchard. Multigenerational farming emphasizes soil health and sustainable practices and guests interact with growers while browsing crops that include peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines, apricots, berries, tomatoes, peppers, squash and onions.
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
39
DINE LOCAL Destination: Palisade Why we love it: Colorado’s peach town leans against the Colorado River on the rocky Western Slope 12 miles east of Grand Junction. Home to more than two dozen wineries, miles of orchards and lavender fields and nearly 80 percent of Colorado’s juicy, fragrant peaches, Palisade becomes one big tasting room every fall. When the midsummer crowds thin and cooler autumn air settles into the valley, cyclists pedal between the iconic Book Cliffs, wineries and fruit stands, sampling the agricultural landscape in sips and bites. Palisade must-stops include: Restoration Vineyards Watch the afternoon light land on the surrounding mesas, walk among the vines with a glass of syrah, or ogle the owner’s vintage Mercedes-Benz collection at this relaxed boutique winery. The tasting room is known for its friendly, guided tastings and seasonal events— live music, food trucks, brunches and special tasting experiences fill the calendar. Avant Vineyards Creative and approachable, Avant focuses on Rhônestyle wines and elegant reds cultivated from the region’s abundant sunshine paired with cool nighttime temps. The small, family-owned estate winery offers a quieter, personal experience with chances to chat up the owners and staff about winemaking and their unique smallbatch wines. Bring a charcuterie board or picnic lunch and savor a tasting on the patio with vineyard views. Peachfork Orchards & Vineyard One of the few places where visitors can combine you-pick peaches with estate wine tasting, Peachfork’s family-run orchard, vineyard, and winery offer a slowed down rural pace. Pick tree-ripened peaches and apples before tucking into the tasting room for fresh cider, fruit-forward reds and citrusy whites. Ask about the homemade jams and seasonal baked goodies. Sage Creations Organic Farm Purple lavender fields wave in the warm breeze on this 10-acre farm, nursery, and lavender and herb distillery. Shop the greenhouse and farm stand for Palisade peaches, vegetables and herbs and sniff your way around lavender products that include essential oils, soaps, lotions, culinary lavender and dried bouquets. Inquire
40
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
ahead of time about seasonal classes and guided tours covering topics like lavender growing and sustainable farming. Clark Family Orchards One of Palisade’s most beloved long-running, multigeneration family farms is known primarily for its Palisade peaches along with cherries, apricots, plums and pears. Guests are invited to experience the working orchard on horse-drawn wagon rides while farmhands share a bit about Palisade agriculture. Peruse the wellstocked fruit stand’s produce alongside jams, preserves, salsas, and other locally made products and don’t miss onsite Clark & Co.’s Distilling for infused spirits and patio seating overlooking the orchard. Maison La Belle Vie Winery and Eatery This French-inspired winery rests on a 4.5-acre estate and specializes in classics like merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, rosé and muscat, plus specialties including Vin de Pêche, a peach-infused wine based on a family recipe dating back to the 1800s. Its name, translated as “House of the Beautiful Life,” reflects the slowed-down experience the owners desire for every visitor: lingering over estate wines, enjoying a meal on the patio, and drinking in vineyard views rather than rushing through a tasting. Maison hosts curated wine dinners—think French-inspired courses paired with estate wines—and themed culinary events during September.
Sip and Nibble at Colorado Mountain Winefest One of Colorado’s largest wine celebrations, Mountain Winefest celebrates 35 years on September 19, 2026. Wineries, chefs, musicians and wine lovers gather in Palisade’s Riverbend Park for an elevated wine experience benefitting the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), the only statewide nonprofit dedicated to supporting Colorado wineries and grape growers. coloradowinefest.com
Only 10 Minutes from Winter Park!
COCKTAILS
Bad Harriet Aspen’s bespoke cocktail lounge is a subterranean storyteller. By Lisa Blake
Even a proper Victorian wife craves a carefully crafted cocktail every now and then. Enter Harriet Wheeler. The wife of mining magnate and Hotel Jerome founder Jerome B. Wheeler. A mischievous play on the legendary lady’s perceived alter ego, Bad Harriet sits beneath the restored Aspen Times building and offers after-dark crowds a mysteriously discreet sipping spot. The lounge, which is steps from the prestigious Hotel Jerome, opened in 2019 and invites guests to imagine the Aspen founding female’s hidden hideaway with low lighting and nooked away seating. The subterranean scene feels like a secret. And an honorable ode to powerful women by way of bold, intimate libations on a menu broken down into three clear sections: Style, Class, Power. Reaching beyond novelty, Bad Harriet’s ever-evolving cocktail menu lands somewhere between avant-garde and refined, each drink celebrating powerful women throughout history. The lounge’s namesake cocktail, The Harriet, brings together cognac, rum, bourbon, nutmeg and egg in a rich, silky after-dinner treat. The lilac gin-based D Lady bows to Princess Diana with squeezed lemon, house-made English tea cordial and egg white. Other standouts appear in a white negroni, a rye whiskey and pear brandied Gatsby, and a zero-proof gin martini. Thick with Victorian-glam speakeasy energy, Bad Harriet takes Aspen’s cocktail culture and turns it on its head, sharing a peek into the glittery ski town’s history. Rich leather banquettes and club chairs are reflected in mirrored walls. Drinks glide across the dramatic silver-boom era marble bar and antique details mingle with dark wood and polished brass. Elevated bites are designed to complement your cocktail. The menu rotates through iterations of timeless fare that include beef 42
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
tartare, shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, caviar nibbles and Dungeness crab tots. Adventurous guests order the prix-fixe omakase-style, multi-course food and cocktail pairing known as “The Soiree” ($145 per person). Reservations are recommended, but not required. auberge.com/hotel-jerome/dine/bad-harriet
Rooted in the Rockies, reimagined for today. Unwind at the base of Peak 9, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and embark on authentic mountain adventures in Breckenridge.
Join us at Breckenridge’s gathering place for exceptional dining. Enjoy unique, open-fire pizzas and creative dishes celebrating local history. Savor modern mountain dining with us.
Find our secret entrance and step into an exclusive lounge where skilled mixologists craft daring cocktails. Immerse yourself in intimate ambiance and engaging conversation for an unforgettable escape.
H OT E L A L P E N RO C K .C O M • 55 0 V I L L AG E ROA D, B R EC K E N R I D G E , C O 80424 ( 970 ) 5 47 - 555 0
BREWS
New Glenwood Springs Beer Spa! We here in Glenwood love to soak in everything! Why not beer? By Julie Bielenberg
The Bohemian Bier Spa, which opened this past spring on 8th Street in the hot springs capital of Colorado, lets guests soak in the hops while drinking up the hops in custom-built wooden tubs. The concept heralds from a 2,000-year-old Czech tradition of bathing in beer ingredients. Add steaming Glenwood Springs mountain water with barley, hops, and active brewer’s yeast — the same components that go into your pint, just repurposed for the tub instead of the tap. Hops contain natural alpha acids and antioxidants that can soothe sore joints and calm skin. Brewer’s yeast is loaded with B-vitamins that traditionally get credit for hydrating skin; barley and hops both carry silica, long prized for skin, hair, and nails. Even monks got in on beer benefits, once dressing wounds with the sugary wort left over from brewing. The spa’s eight rooms sit inside a historic black-andwhite building once built for horse-and-buggy-era gamblers and outlaws. Each spa suite comes equipped with a Clearlight infrared sauna and rain shower, so a soak turns transforms into a full sweat-soak-rinse cycle, as many times as desired in the timeframe. And yes, there’s real beer involved beyond the bathwater: sessions come with a rotating pour of local craft beer or wine alongside a charcuterie board. Two ways to book it: the signature 90-minute soak runs $199 per person with beer or wine included and refilled throughout, while a 60-minute non-alcoholic wellness soak starts at $100, with beer, wine, and food available à la carte. Rooms can hold up to four guests each, or combine two rooms for a group of eight — ideal for toasting a powder day the old-world way: from the inside and the outside at once. bohemianbierspa.com 44
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
La Cima Mall 520 S Main Street Breckenridge
www.sanchotaco.com
Morning Menus . Lunch Menus. Coffees, Food & Friends Amazing Grace offers good-for-you foods in a delightfully unique and welcoming space.
213 Lincoln Ave. Breckenridge, Colorado, 80424
Get Losst! with u
There’s nothing better than enjoying award-winning beers with friends. Airport Road Location 68 Continental Ct Unit B-12 Breckenridge, CO 80424
La Cima Mall Location 520 S. Main St. Breckenridge, CO 80424
970-485-3550
www.brokencompassbrewing.com
Come out for all our events, including trivia nights Tuesdays and Wednesdays, One Off releases every Wednesday, Comedy Nights and Monday Night Potlucks! Catch live music, including El Paso Lasso live at our Main Street Taproom the first Friday of every month, all winter long. See our full event schedule at www.brokencompassbrewing.com.
VINO
Aquila Cellars Small, independent, ground-breaking Western Colorado winemaking. By Lisa Blake
grapes at more than a mile high—some of the loftiest viticulture farming elevations in North America. The land is on their side at Aquila. North Fork Valley mineral-rich soils produce more concentrated, flavorful grapes and the altitude blasts vines with intense daylight while cool nights build stable acidity. The result creates crisp, high-energy wines devoid of anything overly ripe or extra.
Latin for “eagle,” Aquila holds reverence for the bird that soars at the highest altitudes, maintaining a sharp eye on the earth below, flowing with the wind and rain, shining among the sun and trees. The name is well suited for a precise and petite 4.5-acre vineyard functioning at 6,000 feet on Colorado’s western slope. Aquila Cellars is producing wine with purist ideals and time-honored practices. The winery’s estate vineyard, Crane Mesa Farm, was planted 15 years ago in the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley. Today, Aquila’s grapes have reached their maturity and the trio of founders—Brandt Thibodeaux, Courtney Gayer and Kade Gianinetti—have perfected their living, organic, unfiltered, biodynamic wines. Former biologist and raft guide, Brandt Thibodeaux is Aquila Cellars’ farm and wine director, a fifth-generation farmer and first-generation winemaker. Gayer has worked with numerous winemakers, including Jauma in Australia, Bodega Chacra in Argentina, Les Capriades in France, and Pax Wines in California. Kade serves as the company’s investor and CFO. Together, they’re forging new ground in natural winemaking, growing
46
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
The vineyard is a living, breathing system, feeding the strong dedication to responsible land management and simple, minimal practices. Few bugs or disease can survive at 6,000 feet, so there’s not a lot of need for pest management. Water comes from snowmelt ditches, and fruit is sourced from other organic high-elevation farms within the West Elks AVA, the Uncompahgre River Valley, and Southwestern Colorado. Though Aquila Cellars doesn’t currently have a dedicated onsite tasting room at their estate farm, they frequently host pop-up tasting events and winery takeovers. You can find their bottles poured and sold at liquor stores, wine shops, and restaurants throughout Colorado (check Bin 707 in Grand Junction and Breadery in Crested Butte). aquilacellars.com
Scan Me! MENTION THIS AD FOR 5% OFF BOOKINGS
AFFORD YOUR
Cu rated wedd i n g pa ck a g e s f ro m $2 ,0 0 0 f o r celeb rat i o n s w i t h u p t o 2 50 g u e s t s
Sterling,co
Schedule a Tour Today | Now Booking For 2027-2028 Seasons www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
47
BAKED
Simple Eatery Buena Vista’s simple recipe for success: Eat and be Happy By Shauna Farnell
Housed in the historic State Highway Department building, Simple Eatery is a Buena Vista staple, serving stone-baked artisan breads, homemade soups and salads, all with the goal of making customers feel good. Since opening in 2009, owner Ryan McFadden has discovered new skills, learning to bake bread first and foremost. His goal all along has been connecting with the community. “Yes, the food is good. The atmosphere is nice, but you have to have a connection,” he says. “Really, it’s about trying to make people happy and taking care of them.” A co-founder of Eddyline Brewery, McFadden stepped away to open the Eatery. The home-baked bread became a focus when McFadden’s young daughter developed a serious fructose intolerance. “That became the foundation of what I do with Simple Eatery,” he says. “I was like, I’m going to make some bread so she can have stuff to eat. I worked through the menu like that. We sourced everything local where we could find it. I started baking bread and was like, I’m kind of good at this.” Simple Eatery also offered frozen yogurt until COVID-19 hit, when self-served treats became a no-go. McFadden, determined to stay afloat and maintain his loyal staff, opened an online grocery, began packaging meals and launched a pop-up pizza concept that has since become his other restaurant, Crave BV. To balance time at both restaurants, McFadden has, for the first time this summer, transformed Simple Eatery into a breakfast/ lunch haunt. He still does some of the baking himself, along with his two daughters, ages 20 and 21, when they’re home from college. “They’ve been baking bread since they were 13, 14 years old. It’s an art, a skill they’ll take with them for life,” McFadden says. As for go-to menu items, everyone’s “hands down favorite” is the Steak Stroganoff made with hand-cut sirloin. The Choose 2 Combos – a half sandwich or salad with a bowl of soup - are a close second. “The way I design our portions and menu is to feel good after you eat,” he says. “The menu covers the whole gamut of offerings for a family to be happy – steak, salads, sandwiches. There is something for kids, parents, everyone to eat here and be happy.” spoon-it-up.com 48
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Six restaurants. Two Colorado towns. Plenty of reasons to pull up a chair.
THE ROOST | 526 MAIN ST, LONGMONT JEFES TACOS & TEQUILA | 246 MAIN ST, LONGMONT SWAYLO’S TIKI | 1315 DRY CREEK DR, LONGMONT 99 BAR SALOON | 449 MAIN ST, LONGMONT E MBER RESTAURANT & BAR | 1700 COLORADO PEAKS DR, ESTES PARK CLUB HOUSE FAIRWAY TAVERN | 1480 GOLF COURSE RD, ESTES PARK
FIND YOUR TABLE
EAT
By Caren Austin Photos by Elite Focus Studio
Black Cat Farm
There has been a restaurant on my bucket list for over fourteen years since I moved to Colorado. I finally got a reservation to dine at Black Cat Farm in Boulder, CO. Black Cat Bistro opened in 2006 and was founded by Chef Eric Skokan and his wife, Jill. The original restaurant in Boulder, Black Cat Bistro, was named after “lucky number 13,” as it was located on 13th Street in Boulder. The bistro (now called Bramble & Hare) is a celebration of everything from the forests to the mountains of Colorado. Black Cat Farm itself, however, is something quite different. I’m not going to ruin the surprise and tell you about the unreal culinary adventure I had on the farm, but I am going to let you know how the farm came to be, and why this farm-totable experience is so much more than the food that sits on the table when you dine there. Their story starts long before Black Cat Bistro — and later the farm — opened. Jill and Eric met at a mountain inn, where Jill was the general manager and Eric was the chef. On their honeymoon in the Basque region of France, they both admired an innkeeper gathering vegetables from her own farm and from the village. On the flight back to Colorado, they wrote a business plan on a cocktail napkin, and Black Cat restaurant in Boulder was born.
50
Black Cat did not start out as a farm-totable dining experience. In 2006, it was just the bistro on 13th Street. Eric grew vegetables for the restaurant on an acre of rented land in North Boulder. The couple then decided to purchase more acreage for a farm in Longmont to supply the restaurant and to live on the property — complete with pigs, sheep, and 250 different vegetable varieties. During the COVID shutdown in 2020, Eric decided to sell vegetables from the farm to the public out of old bread trucks. You knew he was coming by the bell they’d ring on the truck, and the public would run into the streets to grab his fresh vegetables. Eric then decided he could serve people meals from the farm privately, in glass-enclosed gazebos on the property, and the idea took off with the public instantly. After the COVID shutdown lifted, there were obstacles to keeping the farm dinners going. After four years, Black Cat Farm overcame those obstacles and is still operating today. Over 200 acres of wheat on the farm are milled for flour, which is why Eric started The Colorado Grain Chain. He also saved
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
twenty-year-old original vegetable seeds, like arugula, which are now allowing him to expand crop growing. The menu changes daily for the farm dinners and truly reflects whatever is available that day. You’ll be treated to a multi-course, five-star, informational dinner, and can still enjoy privacy — either in one of the gazebos or in the main outdoor dining area. Every single ingredient is carefully thought out, plated beautifully, and explained to you, so you can truly understand the passion, love, and work that has gone into your plate. This concept is rare, and there are only a few unique farm experiences like it in the world. My fourteen-year wait to dine at Black Cat Farm was well worth it. Four days later, I’m still sending pictures and telling friends and family about my dinner at the farm, as if I’d gone on vacation to the most exquisite place on earth. In reality, I traveled fourteen minutes and experienced something so rare and beautiful that you simply must go for yourself to get the full picture.
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
51
EAT
Black Hat Cattle Co. Story by Caren Austin Photos Elite Focus Studios & Wander Out West
If you have ever taken the beautiful drive in the fall up to Evergreen, CO, you know that the town is a special place. The sense of community is always in the air, and it’s a place that will make you want to come back countless times. There is a restaurant just a bit off the beaten path of downtown Evergreen in Kittredge, CO, that has outstanding food and exceptional service: the Black Hat Cattle Co. Evan Jeffries and Scott McKenzie opened the Black Hat Cattle Co in April 2026 after the former owner, Dave Rodriguez, retired. Dave could think of no better people to take over than Evan and Scott. With big shoes (or cowboy boots) to fill, they executed the transition perfectly. From start to finish, this mountain town steakhouse checks all the boxes for the perfect dinner or brunch, mountain style, with new menus, new décor, a new patio, and a lot of love.
52
Black Hat Cattle Co is not your typical steakhouse. Evan and Scott want Black Hat Cattle Co to have “all of the luxury and none of the pretentiousness” that some steakhouses have. Whether you are in a baseball hat, a brimmed hat, or a ball gown, you are welcome at Black Hat Cattle Co. Scott is a driving force behind the operations of the restaurant and has an extensive background in the restaurant industry. The western, rustic feel of the restaurant combined with a gorgeous patio
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
is what makes Black Hat Cattle Co. stand out in an era of “over the top” steakhouses that simply don’t deliver. When I was perusing the menu, I turned to my husband and said that I would literally eat anything on the menu, which is something I have never encountered in a restaurant. We started our evening with the Blue Crab Cakes and the Bone Marrow. If you are a bone marrow fan, this is a must-order. It is
decadent, beautiful start to the meal. The crab cakes took the top spot in my quest for the perfectly made crab cake. Full of jumbo lump crab and sitting on a spicy remoulade, this starter is a must-order. I was so excited for our main course, which of course included steak. What makes Black Hat Cattle Co different from most steakhouses is where your beef originates from. The restaurant owns its own cattle and has plans to further extend its herd. When you dine on one of their steaks, the experience is a true ranch-to-table meal, and after ordering one, you will be spoiled forever. They serve different cuts of steak, including their dry-aged beef. The steak is seasoned and cooked to perfection, but if you feel like kicking it up a notch, you can top your steak in many ways. I chose Oscar style with crabmeat, which turned out to be an excellent addition to my delicious strip steak.
If you are not a steak lover, there are many seafood, chicken, and pork options. A crowd favorite is the Scallop Risotto and the Arctic Fjord Salmon Luciana. The salmon was perfectly cooked and served with an heirloom tomato white wine sauce. The Scallop Risotto lived up to every bit of the hype with a combination of creamy parmesan risotto and fresh seared scallops. Sides are served à la carte, but don’t miss out on them, they are a star of the show on their own. Bacon Green Beans and Loaded Garlic Mashed Potatoes were out of this world, and enough for four to share. The wine and cocktail list is extensive, with a very special addition to Black Hat Cattle Co. - The group has been bottling a special barrel of bourbon for the restaurant under the label “Rough Stock.” If you get the chance to order a cocktail with this
bourbon, you will experience a buttery, rich bourbon that you can tell a lot of love went into. Heritage Hall is just upstairs from Black Hat Cattle Co and is a space to rent for all of your weddings, rehearsal dinners, graduations, or birthday dinners. Owned by the restaurant, the space is exquisite, and the catering from Black Hat Cattle Co will make your special event that much better. Evan and Scott don’t want to reinvent the wheel at Black Hat Cattle Co; they want to keep the wheels spinning with their inventive, delicious culinary delights.
The next generation of culinary greatness has begun at Black Hat Cattle Co, and you will not be disappointed. Reservations are highly recommended any night of the week.
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
53
Breckenridge Distillery Tours, Tastings and More in Breckenridge, Colorado
FROM TOURING THE
WEEKLY TOURS
award-winning spirit’s production facility to indulge in world-class cuisine, Breckenridge Distillery is truly an adventure for the senses. Whether you have time for the full experience at the Distillery on Airport Road, or you’re simply curious about tasting its award-winning spirits while strolling Main Street, the Distillery makes it easy, fun and delicious to discover what it’s all about. Here are 10 ways you can experience the Breckenridge Distillery.
On our weekly tours (Wed. – Sun.), guests can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Breckenridge Distillery’s production facility. This abbreviated tour starts by tasting their award-winning Breckenridge spirits in the Founder’s Lab. Their expert guides will take guests on a one-hour tour through their original and active production facility and our Grand Barrel Room. Guests will learn about their whiskey production and get a brief history of this rich spirit. Book a tour at BreckenridgeDistillery.com/tour.
MODERN-AMERICAN STEAKHOUSE
PRIVATE VIP TOURS
Breckenridge Distillery’s modern-American steakhouse atmosphere showcases seasonal and approachable dishes that impart not only the fantastic spirits of Breckenridge Distillery but also, their upscale mountain dining experience. Their family style menu features locally sourced steaks from Fitch Ranch. As always, the menu revolves around local produce, comfort foods with a twist and shareable dishes meant to encourage interaction and conviviality. Join us for Happy Hour 2pm-5pm. Book a reservation at breckenridgedistillery.com/restaurant.
Breckenridge Distillery offers guests a VIP experience during their After Hours tours. Use your senses to experience the inner workings of how these handcrafted spirits go from grain to bottle while learning about the history of whiskey and how the distillery was founded. Enjoy samples of their award-winning spirits along the tour. Tours are offered at 5:00 pm and 6:15pm by reservation only. Book a VIP tour at breckenridgedistillery.com/tour.
COCKTAILS
Nerd out with our distillers and become a master blender for a few magical hours. Breckenridge Distillery’s distillers are experts in nosing, flavor categorization and pairing substrates together to create a whole that far exceeds the expected sum of its parts. Guests will be taught to break down aggregate flavors while building a whiskey blend complete with mouthfeel and finish. Your blend will be hand bottled with a customized label. By reservation only. Book at breckenridgedistillery.com/ tour.
PRIVATE DINNERS Book a private dinner or event at the Breckenridge Distillery. Parties up to 30 people can reserve their exclusive spaces surrounded by aging whiskey barrels, old barn wood, leather couches and an authentic mountain vibe. Their exclusive, private dining areas come with a personal wait staff and can be used for families, micro conferences, executive meetings, or small parties. For inquiries and bookings, email events@breckenridgedistillery.com
TASTINGS & FOUNDER’S EXPERIENCES The Breckenridge Distillery offers one of the most highly awarded craft bourbons in the U.S. Guests can choose from a limited menu of spirits and have the option to upgrade their tasting to try their high-end flights. Tastings are on a first-come, firstserve basis at both of the Distillery’s locations. Looking for a more personalized and unique tasting experience? Book a Chocolate & Spirits pairing, small bites and spirits pairing, Cask Finished Flights, among others. Book at breckenridgedistillery.com/tour
FREE SHUTTLE RIDES - 970-445-8613 The Breckenridge Distillery offers a free shuttle to and from the Breckenridge Distillery and Main Street Tasting Room within Breckenridge town limits. The shuttle fits up to 11 guests. To book a ride, call the Distillery Shuttle
54
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
MAIN STREET TASTING ROOM IN DOWNTOWN In the heart of downtown Breckenridge, get a taste of not only the Distillery’s spirits but also a taste of what the Breckenridge Distillery is all about. From merchandise to personable, knowledgeable staff, this small tasting room is a glimpse of what you can experience at their main location on Airport Rd. Learn more about current hours and offerings at breckenridgedistillery.com.
SHOP YOUR LOCAL RETAILER Breckenridge Spirits are available nationwide at your local retailers. Shop your local retailer or get home delivery on your favorite Breckenridge spirits. Visit breckenridgedistillery.com to get delivery. Looking for fun cocktail recipes? Visit Billie’s Cocktail Lab on their website for 100’s of hand-crafted cocktail recipes.
Distillery Bar & Restaurant 1925 Airport Road, Breckenridge
Main Street Tasting Room 137 S. Main Street, Breckenridge
970-547-9759
www.breckenridgedistillery.com
Photo Credits: Liam Doran
If it’s edible, chances are Liquid Chef Billie Keithley has made a cocktail out of it. And that’s one of the reasons she loves working for the Distillery so much. Billie Keithley was named Icon of Whiskey for Bar Manager of the Year, a tribute to her creative cocktail menu. “You will find suds, bubbles, fire or smoke on our menu, giving the guest and exciting experience paired with bold and seasonal flavors,” says Keithley. Popular menu staples include the Obi Wan Old Fashioned, made with Breckenridge Port Cask Whiskey. Ask for it smoked!
BLEND YOUR OWN WHISKEY
Eat
Radicato Radicato, the second restaurant from James Beard Award winner Chef Matt Vawter, is a modern Italian restaurant in the heart of Breckenridge. Opened in June 2022, Radicato celebrates seasonal, technique-driven cuisine inspired by Italy’s culinary traditions while highlighting locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant showcases the best of Breckenridge and Colorado, exploring the connections between farmers and diners and creating an atmosphere built for connection. Vawter owns and operates Radicato alongside partners Chef Cameron Baker and Director of Operations Patrick Murphy. The team of hospitality professionals is dedicated to delivering memorable dining experiences and executing Vawter and Baker’s vision for “Mountain Italian” cuisine. Ingredients are carefully sourced and featured on ever-evolving seasonal menus. Open seven days a week, Radicato offers a range of options, from happy hour and an à la carte menu of pastas and entrees to a tasting menu with optional wine pairings. T he setting changes with the seasons. In winter, the dining room glows with warm light from Blue River Plaza, making it the perfect place to watch the snow fall on a winter evening. In summer, two outdoor seating areas offer fresh air, the sounds of the Blue River, and views of the Ten Mile Range. Inside, the dining room stays intimate, a space where guests can settle in and connect. Hospitality is the central focus of the entire team, with one goal: creating world-class dining experiences for everyone who chooses to spend an evening with them. 137 S Main Street Breckenridge CO 80424 www.radicatobreck.com
56
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Rootstalk
breckenridge dining
Rootstalk is a modern American restaurant founded by James Beard Award winner Chef Matt Vawter, built on the idea of connection and coming home. Born and raised in Summit County, Vawter spent the formative years of his culinary career in Keystone and Breckenridge. After time away, he returned with the dream of opening a place of his own and helping grow the region’s culinary landscape. He opened Rootstalk in December 2021, and his commitment to excellence was recognized when he won the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain. Vawter established the restaurant in a historic home on North Main Street. The name reflects the interconnected root systems of the Aspen groves surrounding Breckenridge, a nod to the connections fostered between guests, local producers, and the community. Rootstalk explores that idea through its cuisine, hospitality, and beverage programs, bringing locals and visitors together over shared meals. The team’s approach is “Elevated, Everyday Dining.” The cuisine is ingredient-focused and technique-driven, working with farms, ranchers, and quality producers from Colorado and beyond. Cocktails are made with intention, and the wine program favors small-scale producers from around the world, classic to esoteric. Dinner is served nightly, with seven-course tasting menus paired with wine or non-alcoholic cocktails, a chef’s counter experience, and an à la carte menu. Two distinct dining areas complement each other: an airy upstairs with Main Street views, and the more intimate Root Cellar below. In summer, the flower-filled patios offer al fresco dining. 207 North Main Street, Breckenridge, Colorado www.rootstalkbreck.com
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
57
STAY
Limelight Boulder There is a crisp in the air, the leaves are changing and college football has started. That means Fall has arrived, and there is a magical place to hang your hat in Boulder that opened about a year ago. The Limelight Boulder is a modern hotel that sits right on the campus of CU Boulder and is perfect for a stay and play, parents weekend, great shopping or Colorado leaf peeping. By Caren Austin Photos: Holly GoSpritely Media
The Limelight Boulder boasts 210 rooms with several different floorplans, some with incredible mountain views. Each room has a SMEG refrigerator and Lavazza coffee maker for an added touch. The Limelight is in walking distance to famous Pearl Street for shopping and dining and their farmers market, which is a must stroll when in Boulder. There is a beautiful, heated mountain view outdoor pool, and the hotel is pet friendly so your furry family member can enjoy a vacation as well. If you are having an event, the Limelight Boulder is home to massive conference facilities and a 15,000 sq ft ballroom. A huge perk of the hotel is the Audi Experience where guests enjoy up to two hours of access to the Audi Q6 e-tron or the Audi Q7. Seasonal packages can include an itinerary for you to soak up all that Boulder has to offer. Dining options at the hotel include the Ajax Tavern, and a lobby bar with an incredible view. Ajax Tavern might be familiar as they have a sister restaurant in Aspen. An award worthy Ajax Wagyu Double Cheeseburger is on the menu and a Sweet Corn Ravioli that I will be returning for again. Ajax Tavern is open for breakfast lunch and dinner, as well as an Après Hour. Mawa Mcqueen’s Crepe Therapy, also based in Aspen, just opened around the corner from the hotel, it is a great stop for savory or sweet crepes at any time of the day. The Mawa’s Green or the Parisian is my personal favorite but let your tastebuds take you on a journey to Paris without the expensive plane ticket. Every season is a fantastic time to visit the Limelight Boulder. Fall is a favorite, the city is so alive, and the Limelight Boulder is the place for a pre-game, postgame or just a plain ol’ pumpkin spice fun time. 58
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 45 2026 Winter/Spring
59
ART
Traci Guire Art By Christy Camp
In Colorado’s high country, where attention is shaped by light, texture, and silence, Traci Guire creates art that feels attuned to place rather than removed from it. Her work—rooted in mixed media and acrylic—invites viewers into a quiet dialogue with the natural world, translating the language of land into layered, tactile form. Traci’s creative process is deliberate and immersive. Before beginning a new piece, she steps away from the canvas to gather perspective— walking mountain trails, studying design and architecture, and engaging with other artists and creative spaces. These experiences inform her sense of balance and movement, allowing each work to emerge from a place of fullness rather than urgency. The result is art that feels lived-in, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant. 60
Texture plays a central role in Traci’s work. Natural materials such as stone and wood are incorporated alongside softer, more fluid elements, creating a subtle tension that mirrors the contrasts found outdoors. Smooth surfaces meet rugged ones; quiet color palettes are enriched with depth and variation. Each piece develops its own visual rhythm, shaped by relationships between pattern, form, and touch. Rather than depicting landscapes directly, Traci captures their essence. Her work reflects the way nature is experienced—through sensation, memory, and presence. The tactile quality of her canvases evokes the physicality of the outdoors: coolness of soil, warmth of sunlit stone, interplay of fragility and strength found in forests and mountains. These elements combine to create a sense of calm, grounding a viewer in the moment.
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Traci’s art is often drawn into mountain homes, where it complements interiors that value simplicity, warmth, and introspection. There is an elegance to her work that feels natural rather than ornamental— designed to enhance atmosphere and create spaces that invite reflection. Visitors to Traci’s Evergreen studio are welcomed into this process, where art becomes an extension of environment and experience. Whether encountered in a gallery setting or commissioned for a personal space, her work offers a quiet reminder of connection—between nature and home, material and meaning, and the enduring influence of the landscape on how we see and feel. 2922 Evergreen Parkway Suite B309, Evergreen, CO. or traciguire.com
fashionable • affordable • furniture
frisco | kremmling | steamboat ifurnishco.com
SHOP
By Holly GoSpritely
Shop Small in Grand Lake
Stroll the Boardwalk, Shop, Sip and Savor this Quaint Mountain Town Year Round
This town is a gem, and I have become quite obsessed with it over the years. I often find fall is the ideal time to visit Grand Lake. The crowds have died down and the beauty of the community is enhanced by autumn leaves and crisp air. The atmosphere lends itself to hikes and strolls in, around, and through the town. Tucked up against the mountains at the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake is a little town with big appeal. I am always surprised by the number of people who are unaware of Grand Lake and everything it has to offer. The town is located at the headwaters of the Colorado River and is situated on the shores of Grand Lake (hence the name), Colorado’s deepest natural body of water. Grand Lake, Colorado, was first
62
permanently settled in 1867, laid out as a town in 1879, and officially incorporated in 1944. There is an incredible amount of history associated with this town. Their downtown will remind you of times gone by. You feel the vibe of the past here as you enter their main street, Grand Avenue. Unique, individually owned shops line Grand Avenue along with restaurants and cafes. Find a parking spot and enjoy the day wandering the Western-style boardwalk while you shop and dine. Restaurants offer everything from amazing coffee to casual and fine dining. We love the Rum Bar, Sage Brush BBQ & Grill, Charlie’s Bar & Grill, and Rockies. It is the shopping, however, that completes the strolling experience.
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
The village is a bonanza of unique, individually owned boutiques and stores. Here you will feel good knowing every purchase supports a local entrepreneur. The only big box you will find here is the one you’re loading into your car with all of the gifts you purchased. There is a wide array of clothing, art galleries, jewelry stores, antique shops, novelty shops, and outdoor stores set between old-fashioned ice cream parlors and candy shops. You must stop into Bob Scott’s Authentic Indian Jewelry and experience Mystic Mountain Mushrooms. This community feels different. There’s a little more oomph in the hellos and greetings you receive as you step into these establishments. Everyone seems to be so happy and enjoying their space and place along the shores of Grand Lake. I think you will like it too!
WE SEE COLORADO’S LUXURY MARKET FROM EVERY ANGLE One eye on your Front Range portfolio. The other on your mountain sanctuary
Connecting Colorado’s premier Front Range enclaves with its world class mountain communities requires more than a local search. It requires a unified, high level vision. Our Clifford Estates at eXp Luxury team leverages a powerhouse global network to connect discerning clients with exclusive market opportunities. Whether securing a quiet foothill estate in Boulder, a legacy retreat in any of our Ski Resort towns, or managing wealth across many states and Europe, we bring unparalleled discretion and data driven insight.
Now Serving Gilpin County “It is our goal to give the best possible service to the Owners we represent and to our Tenants for the time they’re with us.” Independent Broker/Owner
Call 303-345-5813 or Visit: mountainhavenco.com
Clifford Estates at eXp Luxury, Sports and Entertainment Founding Member, REALTORS Michelle Clifford, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SRES REALTOR® #1 in 2019-2026 Luxury Property Sales over $1.5M 5280 Double Black Diamond Top Producer Real Trends Top 0.5% of Realtors® Nationwide
Acquire smarter. Call Michelle Clifford at 303.579.1029 or email Michelle@CliffordEstates.com
ROAD TRIP It’s easy to cruise by Basalt on your way to Snowmass or Aspen without batting an eye. But, the approachable, laid-back outdoor rec haven at the confluence of the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork rivers deserves a pit stop—maybe even a full weekend. Pause to sample Basalt’s fly fishing, hiking and biking; gallery events and Sunday market; and field-to-fork dining. Here’s where to stay, play and eat.
Basalt
This understated Roaring Fork Valley community brims with year-round recreation and innovative chefs. A perfect escape for mountain dwellers and road trippers. By Lisa Blake
STAY: Basalt is hugged by National Forest and BLM land and the autumn landscape is perfect for camping among the leaves. Tent and RV sites appear near Ruedi Reservoir and along Frying Pan Road as you head up Hagerman Pass. Modern hotels, private tiny homes, no-frills riverside lodges, and family-owned inns dot the area. Combine a guided fly-fishing trip with a stay at dog-friendly Taylor Creek Cabins, operated by Frying Pan Anglers. PLAY: If you only have a weekend to experience Basalt, it may be challenging to narrow the agenda. Pick your passion—blue-ribbon fly fishing, scenic hiking and biking trails, thriving local arts, or simply sipping coffee and wandering downtown’s riverside paths, boutiques and galleries. Road bikers pedal the upvalley Rio Grande Trail and mountain bikers dig the Crown Trail’s flowy singletrack. Drink in wide valley views from a Light Hill or Basalt Mountain Trail hike and cast crystal-clear Gold Medal waters for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Downtown’s Midland Avenue meanders with local shops and gear outfitters. Take a pastel or watercolor class at The Art Base. Catch a First Friday gallery walk and join artists as they keep studios and galleries open late and offer live music and refreshments. On Sundays, June through September, local farmers and vendors sell Colorado-made products at the Basalt Sunday Market. EAT: Get a real feel for the community at its locally owned neighborhood restaurants. Chef-driven Colorado fare beckons from Free Range Kitchen & Wine Bar and seasonally inspired handmade pasta dishes fill the menu at Tempranillo. Try the honey-smoked trout dip and fish tacos at The Tipsy Trout and the chicken pot pie and fresh salads at Heather’s Savory Pies. Grab a pastry or sandwich from Mountain Heart. Find Japanese favorites at Kyoto and sip locally crafted brews and spirits at Capitol Creek Brewery, Westbound & Down Brewing Company, and famed Woody Creek Distillers.
64
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
OPEN 11AM - 9PM DAILY HAPPY HOUR 2-5 BEAUTIFUL PATIO 10 ROTATING TAPS LUNCH AND DINNER PRIME RIB MONDAYS - 4PM
303-652-0200 | DAILY 11AM - 9PM NIWOTTAVERN.COM | 7960 NIWOT ROAD, NIWOT
PLAY
Awesome Autumn Mountain Bike Rides Fall is a magical time for fat-tire exploration. From iconic rides to hidden gems, these routes showcase the Rockies’ array of yellow to red hues. By Shauna Farnell
Crested Butte
Snowmass
Westside/Fanghorn/Meander
Discovery Trail/Cross Mountain/French Press
Although wildflower season gets most of the hype, Crested Butte’s autumn is no ugly duckling. One of the area’s most unsung, 10-mile-ish cross-country loops starts at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, climbing the unfrequented Westside trails. The top weaves through rock gardens, a little tricky in places. From the top, take the brand-new Fanghorn trail through far-reaching ski terrain that goes mostly unseen in non-winter. Built as a narrow, old-school trail, Fanghorn ends on a service road. Take a left and link to Meander, winding through aspen groves and meadows where you’re literally slapped by wildflowers.
Salida Monarch Crest Arguably Colorado’s most iconic autumn ride, Monarch Crest is a 36-mile pointto-point pedal through some of the most stunning panoramas on the Continental Divide. Start at Absolute Bikes in Salida and get a shuttle drop-off at Monarch Pass. Don’t think it’s easy because you start higher; there’s still about 2,000 feet of high-elevation climbing, some of it quite technical. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the high peaks as you top out above tree line, then descend over scree fields and boulders to the pine forests and meadows along Rainbow Trail. It spits you onto Highway 285; you’ll cruise through Poncha Springs back to Salida.
66
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Flanked by aspen groves, Snowmass is a patchwork of warm colors in autumn. The resort’s bike park along with Rim Trail on the opposite ridge and the Government Trail stretching to Aspen offer about 50 miles of singletrack. A robust, 10-mileish loop starts from Snowmass Village on Discovery Trail, gently climbing on smooth, wide dirt. So-named because of its educational areas about prehistoric fossils discovered in a nearby pond, Discovery connects to Village Bound, a two-way trail that ascends slightly more steeply. From here, take a left on the technical but short Cross Mountain to Elk Camp summit. Downhill-bound, take French Press, a flow trail with huge berms blanketed in yellow leaves from September to October.
Steamboat Springs Spring Creek/Spring Roll Not only do aspens abound on these trails from the Spring Creek trailhead above downtown Steamboat, but the ground cover – wildflowers and massive, junglelike ferns – transform into a swatch of yellows and oranges in the fall. Climbing a classic cross-country route along the creek with a few rocks, roots and technical punches, you top out near Buffalo Pass Road before the thrilling, flowy downhill on Spring Roll. The loop clocks in around 10 miles with 1,500 feet of climbing.
Welcome to nature
The møre collection Lightweight freeride, durable touring.
Adventures: If you want to travel here or to one of our unique lodges, we offer great packages or tailor-made adventures. Norrøna Stores: New York, Boston, Boulder, Castle Rock.
Our mission is to create the greatest outdoor products and offer unique adventures. Crafted with quality, function, design, and sustainability through four generations since 1929.
norrona.com
FAMILY
Story By Lisa Blake
5 Colorado Yurts and Treehouses to Stay in This Fall
Crisp mornings sipping coffee in a sea of national forest, walks through golden aspen stands, and star-filled skies unobscured by city lights—autumn in Colorado ushers in a bit of magic. Grab your brood and book one of these treehouses or yurts for an immersive fall experience.
Phoenix Ridge Yurts Nearest town: Creede
Settle into the remote and beautiful San Juan Mountains just 15 minutes from Creede. Open for drive-up access through November, Phoenix Ridge Yurts deliver the full backcountry wilderness experience—BYO water, burn wood for heat, and gaze out at 13,000-foot La Garita peaks (Colorado’s least-used wilderness area). Yurts sleep four and sit on 27 acres of private land without another property in sight. phoenixridgeyurts.com
Yurts at Poncha Pass Nearest town: Salida
These eco-conscious yurts blend off-grid charm with modern comforts like hot showers, comfortable beds, and mountain 68
views. Located between Salida and Monarch Pass, the cozy crashpads are perfectly positioned for scenic drives, soaking at nearby hot springs, and leisurely hiking among blazing gold aspen trees. Yurts are fully furnished with full kitchens, bathrooms, hot showers, and vaulted dome ceilings for taking in the dark-sky valley. yurtsatponchapass.com
Pearl Lake State Park Yurts Nearest town: Clark
If you’re after affordable fall lodging with unbeatable scenery, the state park yurts at Pearl Lake are hard to beat. Surrounded by forests, mountains and a peaceful alpine lake, these rustic yurts are equipped with heat, electricity and comfy beds, making them an easy introduction to yurt camping.
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Wildlife sightings are common in autumn, when elk bugling season is in full swing and scenic drives through Routt National Forest are a slice of Colorado perfection. cpw.state.co.us/state-parks
Juniper Lodge Treehouses Nearest town: Evergreen
Relish in private saunas, porch swings, soaking tubs, and interiors that feel equal parts Scandinavian cabin and boutique hotel in these luxury treehouses 15 minutes from Red Rocks Amphitheatre (sorry kids, Juniper Lodge is adults only). Elevated suites are situated among evergreen and aspen stands and each treehouse has its own vibe— think fully stocked turntables— along with ensuite bathrooms and coffee bars. stayatjuniper.com
Ultimate Treehouse & Cabin Experience Nearest town: Black Hawk
A destination in itself, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home disguised as a treehouse unfolds across three levels with three separate staircases. A dining nook, game loft, indoor/ outdoor sound system and full bathroom with a shower and bidet elevate the tree-top experience. If you decide to leave your perch, Black Hawk and Central City are minutes away. Set out on the secret 4.5-mile hiking trail from your door and soak up the calming creek sounds all around. ultimatetreehouseexperience.com
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER September 10 – 13, 2026 2026 Winter Park Film Festival, Winter Park The Winter Park Film Festival is one of Colorado’s emerging film festivals, set in the state’s last hidden gem, Winter Park. September 11 – 12, 2026 Science in Snowmass, Aspen/Snowmass September 11, 2026 Axes and Arms, Aspen/Snowmass September 11 – 12, 2026 Science in Snowmass, Aspen/Snowmass September 11 – 13, 2026 Breckenridge Bluegrass + Beer Festival, Breckenridge September 11, 2026 Car Show & Downtown Cruise Night, Delta September 11, 2026 Stories in the Sky: Colorado 150 Drone Show Celebration, Delta September 11, 2026 Durango Devo Film Fest, Durango Featuring local pro and amateur short films celebrating all things cycling and outdoor adventure in Southwest Colorado. www. durango.com/event/devo-film-fest/ September 11, 2026 2nd Friday Gallery Night, Eagle September 11- 13, 2026 Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival, Estes Park www.visitestespark.com/event/longs-peakscottish-irish-highland-festival/17275/ September 11, 2026 Mines of Mount Royal Bike Tours, Frisco Join Museum staff on a historic bike ride! This intermediate bike ride goes around Mount Royal and through the Tenmile Canyon, exploring the mines that once operated there. www. townoffrisco.com/event/history-heritage-events/ mines-of-mount-royal-biking-tour/ September 11 – 12, 2026 Arts at Altitude, Frisco The Summit County Arts Council will curate a local and regional Arts at Altitude art show and sale in conjunction with Frisco’s Fall Fest. www. townoffrisco.com/event/festival-events/fall-fest/ arts-at-altitude-art-show-at-fall-fest/ September 11, 2026 2nd Friday Art Walk, Hotchkiss September 11, 2026 Silverton Motofest, Silverton September 11 – 12, 2026 Silverton Creates Arts & Music Festival, Silverton September 11 – 13, 2026 Vail Oktoberfest | Lionshead, Vail Nestled in the European-inspired town of Vail and taking place over two weekends in Lionshead Village and Vail Village, the Vail Oktoberfest brings an international audience together to celebrate an authentic Bavarian festival. www.discovervail.com/event/vail-octoberfestlionshead/
70
September 11 – 12, 2026 Plein Air @ Altitude, Winter Park
September 17, 2026 Wild West Rodeo, Carbondale
September 12, 2026 FDRD Community Restoration Day, Arapahoe Basin
September 17, 2026 Mesa Verde Entrance Fee-Free Day, Durango
September 12, 2026 Mactoberfest, Aspen/Snowmass
September 17, 2026 BeaconFest: Colorado’s Funnest Senior Expo, Montrose
September12, 2026 Sunday in the Park, Buena Vista
September 17, 2026 Art Salon Night, Telluride
September 12, 2026 Chili & Beer Festival, Mt. Crested Butte
September 18, 2026 Stepping Up for Youth Fundraiser 2026, Carbondale
September 12, 2026 Upslope’s Backcountry Tap Room, Winter Park Resort
September 18 – 19, 2026 Georgetown’s Leaf Peepers Market, Georgetown
September 13, 2026 Boucherie & Oyster Fest, Aspen/Snowmass
September 18 – 20, 2026 Leadville’s Irish Weekend 2026, Leadville
September 13, 2026 Clam Bake, Arapahoe Basin
September 18 – 20, 2026 Colorfest Weekend, Pagosa Springs
September 14, 2026 Challenge Aspen Golf Classic, Aspen/Snowmass www.gosnowmass.com/event/challenge-aspengolf-classic/
September 18 – 25, 2026 Plein Air 2026, Steamboat Springs Each fall, the Steamboat Art Museum’s Plein September 18 – 20, 2026 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Telluride
September 14, 2026 Building Hope Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament, Frisco www.townoffrisco.com/event/building-hopemayors-cup-golf-tournament/ September 14, 2026 4th Annual Buddy Classic Golf Tournament at Ironbridge Golf Club,Glenwood Springs https://chamber.carbondale.com/events/ details/4th-annual-buddy-classic-golf-tournamentat-ironbridge-golf-club-16010 September 14 – 20, 2026 15th Annual US Constitution Week, Grand Lake www.grandlakeusconstitutionweek.com/ September 15, 2026 Taste of Evergreen, Evergreen Join Evergreen’s favorite restaurants, breweries, cafés, caterers, wineries, food trucks, and specialty drink makers as they compete for the title of the best sip and bite in the foothills. www.evergreenchamber.org/taste-of-evergreen September 15, 2026 Rubber Ducky Race for Hospice, Steamboat Springs September 16, 2026 Wine & Watercolor, Palisade September 16 – 29 2026 8th International Mountain Medicine Symposium, Silverton
September 18 – 19, 2026 Rocky Mountain Wine Fest, Winter Park September 18 – 20, 2026 7th Annual Oktoberfest Hop Crawler, Winter Park & Fraser September 19 – 20. 2026 Annual Fall Festival & Golf Tournament, Winter Park September 19 – 20, 2026 Oktoberfest, Arapahoe Basin September 19, 2026 Snowmass Wine Festival, Aspen/Snowmass September 19, 2026 Autumn Run, Buena Vista September 19 – 20, 2026 Autumn Arts Festival, Durango September 19, 2026 3rd Annual Fairplay Fall Festival, Fairplay September 19, 2026 2026 Park After Dark, Frisco Silent Disco in the Schoolhouse
September 19, 2026
Run the Rockies Road 11k & Half Marathon, Frisco
September 16, 2026 CO150 Film Festival: Denver and Rio Grande, Silverton
September 19, 2026
September 16 – 20, 2026 8th International Mountain Medicine Symposium, Silverton
September 19 – 20, 2026
September 17, 2026 Community Picnic, Avon Join us for the ultimate Avon end-of-season bash! www.avon.org/Calendar
September 20, 2026
September 17 – 20, 2026 Breckenridge Film Festival, Breckenridge Join Breck Film for films, forums, parties and free kids events all weekend long. Breck Film Fest is hosted across three venues in Breckenridge. www.gobreck.com/event/breckenridge-film-festival
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Showdown Half Marathon, Sunlight Mountain Resort Crystal Festival – A Rock, Mineral, Gem, & Crystal Show, Telluride The Golden Gallop, Golden
September 20, 2026
Banana Belt MTB Race, Salida
September 20, 2026
Yampatika Fall Fest, Steamboat Springs
September 23 – 27, 2026 Fruita Fall Festival, Fruita
September 23, 2026
Downtown Ghost Tours, Idaho Springs
September 23, 2026
Trout-A-Palooza, Telluride
September 24, 2026
Wild West Rodeo, Carbondale
September 24, 2026
Artist Reception @ Two Old Crows Gallery, Pagosa Springs
September 24, 2026
“Written in Bark” – Aspens and Arborglyphs Hike, Pagosa Springs
September 24, 2026
Oak Street Park SummerSHOW Series, Telluride
September 24 – 27, 2026
Telluride Autumn Classic, Telluride
September 24 – 27, 2026
Corvettes & Colors, Telluride
September 24 – 27, 2026 Artisan Rhapsody, Vail
September 25 – 27, 2026
Snowmass Balloon Festival, Aspen/Snowmass
September 25 – 27, 2026
Aspen Literary Festival, Aspen/Snowmass
September 25 – 27, 2026
Breckenridge Oktoberfest, Breckenridge One of Colorado’s most iconic events returns to historic downtown Breckenridge for the 30th annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest. www.gobreck.com/event/breckenridge-oktoberfest/
September 25 – 27, 2026
September 26, 2026
Rockies Ramble, Frisco The Rockies Ramble brings the Colorado mountain bike community together for a day of fast
September 26 - 27, 2026
Color Weekend, Powderhorn
September 27, 2026
2026 14er Fest, Buena Vista
Hike Wine & Dine, Beaver Creek
September 25, 2026
OCTOBER? NOVEMBER?
ArtWalk, Crested Butte
September 25 – 26, 2026
Georgetown’s Leaf Peepers Market, Georgetown
September 25, 2026 Roaring Fork Leadership’s Annual Golf Tournament, New Castle September 25 – 27, 2026
Mountain Harvest Festival, Paonia
There are so many events we cannot fit them all - so... Scan the QR Code below and learn about them on our website:
September 25 – 27, 2026
Smalltown Gathering, Salida Smalltown Gathering is a heartfelt three-day festival where families unite, love flourishes, and music transforms. Taking place September 25–27 at Riverside Park along the Arkansas River in the heart of downtown Salida, CO. www.smalltowngathering.com
September 26, 2026
Rockies Ramble, Frisco The Rockies Ramble brings the Colorado mountain bike community together for a day of fast laps, good vibes, and giving back. www.mtntownmagazine.com/events-calendar/
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
71
LAST LIFT
Thank you Summer, we are sorry to see you go, but our excitement for winter snows is as immense as the stars in the sky above Beaver Creek Ski Resort. By Liam Siegel
72
ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn | www.mountaintownmagazine.com
Experience the Grotto Spa surrounded by historical stone walls, deep below The Western Hotel in Ouray, CO. The space is built on the elements of a Nordic Spa experience. Enjoy the hot salt water pool, cold plunge, steam sauna and the relaxation of our spa lounge. All the elements are here to soothe your mind, body & soul after an outdoor mountain adventure. Add on a Western Deep Tissue massage and 2 hours of soaking at the spa. Everything is designed for full rejuvenation & relaxation.
Accommodations @ thewesternouray.com
Spa Appointments @ (970) 497-1057
www.mountaintownmagazine.com | ISSUE 47 2026 Autumn
73