A Boulder resident in the 1940s remarked that Pearl street is “a good place to buy a pair of socks.” I think this adage holds true today, and that Pearl offers Boulder exponentially more to go along with those socks. Pearl Street is supposedly named for one of the wives of the original 54 founders of Boulder. However, I have also heard whispers that “Pearl” was a madam of a brothel once located near what is now Pearl Street. The first explanation is more likely, though I find the second more provocative and appealing. If I had to describe Pearl Street, I would say it’s an intermingling... Read More

Buying a house you intend to rent out is very different than buying one you plan to live in, points out the Whole Management team. This is especially the case if you’re planning on making it a vacation rental. You are not buying for yourself, so all the usual criteria you would use to judge a home no longer stand. So, how do you know you are investing in a property people will want to spend their vacations in? Research Local Tourism  Look for areas that are popular hubs for vacation rentals and tourists due to their wealth of attractions and activities–perhaps a property near the Denver... Read More

Up until 1858, few people from the East Coast had any interest in the area that would one day be the state of Colorado. It was not until the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush that settlers came to the region and laid the roots of the town that would become Boulder. Even though small amounts of gold were discovered in Colorado as early as 1850, they went largely ignored; the country was too caught up in the potential wealth to be had in the California Gold Rush. But when the gold of California was exhausted, heads began to turn towards Colorado–or what was then known as the Kansas Territory. The gold... Read More

Boulder has been known for quite some time for being the ‘cradle of the hippie’, known for its dedication to nature and the environment, liberal ideologies, and a place for both artists and intellectuals to gather in a friendly, local space. In light of the recent holiday, and some of the protests we have seen around town, I thought it would be interesting to take a trip through history and remember some of the past protests in Boulder that has helped shape the city. In the 1950’s the Rocky Flat Plant was established in Denver, CO to manufacture and produce nuclear weapons during the Cold... Read More

While she never lived in Boulder, Margaret “Molly” Brown benefited from the same incredible good fortune as Boulder itself due to the mining industry in Colorado. Molly grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, the daughter of poor Irish immigrants. From ages thirteen to eighteen, she worked in a tobacco factory to help support her family. The harsh working conditions there inspired her interest in reform and labor movements later in life. Molly and her brother Daniel moved in Leadville, Colorado in 1886, where Molly went to work in a department store. There, she met and soon married mining engineer... Read More

In Boulder, foliage is changing along with people’s outfits and appetites. Fall alters eating habits and restaurant menus along with the colors and temperatures of the city. Hearty foods made from autumnal produce like butternut squash and sweet potatoes, along with sweet treats like pumpkin pie and hot apple cider, are the order of the season.     Coffee tastes also shift with the seasons. Many coffee drinkers begin to crave toasty or velvety seasonal-flavored beverages as Fall progresses in to Winter. Autumn is when the pumpkin spice latte is king, or at least that’s how many major... Read More

Happy cows may come from California, but happy people come from Boulder. And for good reason! Boulder has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that people here are considered to be among the happiest in the country. Narrowing this list down was the real challenge, but here are ten reasons why Boulder rocks: 1. Hiking, Biking, and Climbing Okay, maybe that’s three reasons, but the main theme here is mountains. Nestled right at the base of the Rockies, Boulder has over 300 miles of hiking and biking trails, and countless opportunities for climbing and bouldering (imagine that). Even if you don’t... Read More

Just like your car or your bike, your snow gear could use a little bit of a tune up from time to time. Sure, it’s easy to just ride your skis or snowboard every day all winter with little regard to how they’re holding up, but just a little bit of attention and tuning goes a long way towards keeping your gear performing well. Proper tuning will actually extend the life of your favorite skis or board so that you can keep enjoying them on the slopes. But how do you know if your skis or snowboard need a tune up? Here are some tips and tricks to help you keep an eye on how your equipment is doing... Read More

For the dedicated rider, bike commuting is a year-round affair. Sure, there are plenty of fair-weather commuters who hang up their bikes as soon as it starts to rain, but for those really committed to riding their bikes to work, there is no offseason. Instead, Denver’s winter bike commuters must re-asses and prepare for less clement weather. It’s a good idea to get some bike tuning done each spring and fall regardless of your riding habits to ensure your bike is running smoothly. Road bike tuning every fall might seem unnecessary; after all, if the bike is running fine, why pay to mess with... Read More

  According to the American Public Transportation Association, “the transportation sector produces one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the united states.” This means that being concerned about the future of our planet includes being concerned with how you are getting around. One option might be moving closer to where you are travelling to, but you might want to consider the alternative forms of transportation in our modern city. Luckily, this is Boulder, where we have great alternative methods of transportation such as B-cycle, the regional bus system, and eGo carshare. B-cycle There... Read More

You know what I love? Camping. You know what I don’t love as much? Paying as much as I would for a hotel room for a night! Luckily, there are plenty of free campsites in and around the front range, and we’ve compiled some for you to get you started!   West Magnolia Ridge 602-610 County Highway 132-W Nederland, Colorado GPS: 39.946961, -105.517587 Elevation: 8711′ If you can brave rough camping accessed by a currently washed-out road, you’re in for a treat. This site is near Nederland and many hiking trails with sweeping views of the forests and mountains. Pets are allowed, and... Read More

Although Colorado’s April snow showers and chilly May days make warm summer weather seems highly improbable, the heat is on its way. With this weekend’s forecast hovering in the 80s, it’s a perfect time to take advantage of Boulder’s many swimming destinations. Whether you’d prefer to keep cool in the pool or make a water adventure out of the day, Boulder has something for you. Scott Carpenter Pool Located in central Boulder, Scott Carpenter Pool is a great place for a low-key pool day. Home to Boulder’s only 50 meter pool, you can get in a great workout and recover with a nice... Read More

Lonely Planet has released its world-renowned travel list for 2020, and Denver placed in the top 10, one of only two U.S. cities to do so. Lonely Planet said about Denver, “Denver’s elevated position as one of the USA’s most charming boomtowns has reached new heights as the Mile High City enters its latest phase of growth, creative energy and damn good food. Construction cranes dot the mountain-studded horizon and empty lots turn into hip new hotels seemingly overnight, while new food halls such as Milk Market satisfy appetites with an eclectic mix of farm-to-table and international fare.... Read More

If there’s one thing that residents of Boulder do well, it’s keep in shape! Boulder has regularly been ranked by Gallup and Healthways as the fittest metropolitan region in the United States, with just 12.4% of its residents considered overweight. Gallup and Healthways have been measuring obesity rates across the country since 2008 through the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which surveys Americans’ self-reported height and weight to measure their Body Mass Index. In five of those six years, Boulder has taken the number one position for fitness (let’s just call 2009 a “cheat year”). On... Read More

If you live in Denver, you should go skiing at least once a year—full stop. There, I’ve said it. It might be controversial, but we believe that if you live in Colorado and don’t make it to the mountains at least once every winter, you’re blowing it. Sure, there are plenty of fun activities for Denverites to do all year round that aren’t skiing, but a trip to the slopes is an important part of the experience of being a resident of The Mile High City, and it can be a fun and affordable pastime if you do it right. Here are the top 5 reasons why Denverites should hit the slopes every winter: You... Read More

The Denver magazine 5280 is highlighting the city’s ever-growing craft coffee culture in its latest issue. In addition to local cafe recommendations, the cover story also includes at-home brewing instructions and two glossary of terms for words you’re likely to find either on a bag of beans or on a coffeeshop menu. Not to self-promote conceitedly, but the magazine spread reads like a handy summary of my past posts here on this blog.  5280‘s list of recommendations ​is definitely worth ​reading, especially if you’re looking for a new spot to enjoy a cup of joe.... Read More

Shrub cocktails are all the rage in hipster cocktail bars and underground secret door speakeasies all around Denver.  A shrub is a concentrated syrup that combines fruit, sugar, and vinegar and results in a sweet, acidic mixer that can be enjoyed on its own or used in a variety of mixed drinks. Herbs and spices are also used to created interesting flavor combinations that tantalize the tongue.  Why not impress guests at your next dinner party with a homemade shrub that’s as easy and thrilling to prepare as it is to drink! I will never forget the complex flavors that I untangled with my tongue... Read More

Nick is in love with the ski and snowboard industry. Ever since moving to Boulder a couple of years ago, he has loved the laid back culture and positive vibes that surround the ski and snowboard world. When Nick was hired by Deviation, a Denver based ski and snowboard company, he told me he couldn’t have been happier. He became a sales rep for them and was delighted with the pleasure of representing Deviation at the 2017 SIA Snow Show. Nick obviously showed a passion for the sport and a bond with those who practice it. He was more than happy to tell me all about Deviation’s missions... Read More

If I could host my own travel show, I’d drive across the United States visiting the best specialty coffeeshops and independent bookstores or public libraries that America’s cities have to offer. But since I don’t believe my tv dreams will come true, I’m going to share two wonderful spots in Downtown Denver instead, where you can pick up a book and head over to a nearby café to read it. Tattered Cover & Mercantile I don’t care how trendy or touristy it is, because Union Station is a beautiful place and I can’t fault its visiting crowds. If you go on a weekday, after Summer has ended,... Read More

With the recent opening of Ink! Coffee on Larimer and 28th, Denver’s River North Art District (RiNo) continues its food and coffee supremacy. RiNo, which is technically a part of the Five Points neighborhood, is already a nationally recognized food hub. The new location from the Aspen-based Ink!—one of Colorado’s biggest coffee chains—will most likely only fuel RiNo’s status as a popular culinary center. Ink! will be competing with two other coffee shops on Larimer Street—Huckleberry and Crema. On nearby Brighton Boulevard, coffee lovers will find two other options: Wystone’s at Industry... Read More