On the patio of the Highland City Club in the heart of Boulder, I enjoyed a meal with Ret Taylor. Vines covered the brick surrounding us and a waterfall on the periphery provided background music – components that felt increasingly relevant as our conversation progressed. Ret operates two businesses from the Highlands’ third floor co-working space. He attended CU Boulder but left Boulder for nearly 15 years after graduating in 2001. From humble beginnings, Ret’s early aspirations were cultivated from a perception that success and money were one in the same. He chased dollar signs all over... Read More

Meet Sophia! Sophia is an 8-year-old harpist and by far one of the youngest performers on the Pearl Street Mall.  Sophia’s been studying the harp with local music teacher Margot Krimmel after getting the harp as a Christmas present last winter.  Sophia’s father, Alexander told me he had a sense she would be musically inclined and after showing her a picture of a harp, her decision was made.  Make sure to drop a dollar in Sophia’s basket if you see her performing, she’s saving up for her new pedal harp!  Read More

Meet Jeff! Jeff, is my brother who came to visit from Boston a few weeks ago and we went exploring in Rocky Mountain National Park.  I took this portrait when we reached the summit of our hike, a beautiful alpine lake, surrounded but the mountains.  Glad the altitude didn’t get to him!  Read More

  Meet Evan! Evan works for Enigma Escape Rooms on Pearl Street! Escape rooms lock you in a themed room for an hour while you and your group scour the room for clues to find your way out!  Stop by 1426 Pearl Street any day Wednesday through Sunday and see if you can find your way out of the mad scientists laboratory!  Read More

  Meet Bongo the Balloon Man. Bongo is a self-taught balloon artist who has been creating masterful balloon animals for the youth of Boulder for over 31 years! You might recognize his familiar face from one of your recent strolls down the Pearl Street Mall as he has had his spot at the Peppercorn storefront for 28 years! Bongo, is a pillar of the Boulder community and epitomizes the culture of this city.  So, cheers to you Bongo and many more years of balloon animals to come.  Read More

Meet Bronwen! Bronwen has been living in Boulder for almost a year now and is the Denver Agency Marketing Manager for Honest Tea. Bronwen moved to Boulder last June from the Boston Area for a change of scenery, drawn to the adventure and plethora of outdoor activities Colorado has to offer. When Bronwen is not at work, you can find her in the mountains.  Not matter the season, either hiking or snowboarding, that’s where you’ll find her.  Her hiking mostly takes place in Rocky Mountain National Park or one of the trails in the vast network that runs through Roosevelt National Forest in Nederland.... Read More

Meet Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos.  Carlos is a local business owner, world explorer, and entrepreneur.  Carlos is originally from the Dominican Republic but is truly a citizen of the world. Carlos has traveled all over the world and could be in the running for the next “Most Interesting Man in the World.”  Some of Carlos’ adventures include a motorcycle ride to the Arctic Circle, serving as a judge for a Miss USA contest, and a trek across India in a rickshaw.  He has held jobs working for the U.S. Department of Defense under the Obama administration, and that’s just scratching... Read More

Meet Matt.  Matt is a local artist who relocated to Boulder from Austin, Texas last March after a realization sparked a wave of inspiration for his artwork. Matt grew up in Corpus Christie, Texas with two brothers considerably older than himself, which played a crucial role in Matt’s initial plunge into the world of art. Because of the age gap, Matt and his brothers didn’t always have similar interests when he was younger.  So, when his brothers were out on the football field with their friends, Matt would head to the library or arcade to get lost in the world of Todd Mcfarlane’s horror-fantasy... Read More

Meet Eric! Eric is the owner and general manager of Element Bistro in Gunbarrel! With its rooftop deck and bar and fun events like salsa night, Element is a hot spot for a night out with friends.  Eric is a veteran of the restaurant industry but when he steps away from his business he likes to stay active; he is also a personal trainer! Be sure to check out Element Bistro and say hello to Eric!  Read More

In the news yesterday, a UK based research team reported that a massive iceberg weighing more than one trillion tons broke off from western Antarctica. It is bigger than the state of Delaware, and surprisingly (and thankfully) scientists do not believe it will impact sea levels or coastal regions. The ice shelf was already floating before it broke off and therefore there will be no water displacement or sea level rise. Recently, students and professors at the University of Colorado, Boulder have been studying the effects of black carbon on ice and snow in ecosystems around the world. Black carbon... Read More

    Meet the Indianapolis natives, The Flatland Harmony Experiement! This non-traditional blue grass band just got into town this morning and I caught them getting a warm-up set in this afternoon on Pearl Street before their show tonight.  They play at Owsley’s Golden Road on Broadway at 7PM! If you can’t catch them tonight, they play another show, same time same place on Tuesday night! Keep an eye on these guys they have a great sound!  Read More

Jack started playing the piano at four years old inspired by his two older sisters. Now, he goes to CU Boulder and studies music composition. He plays a little bit of a lot of things, but focuses on vocals and the piano. He hopes to either do film scoring, or possibly tour with a rock band after he graduates. Jack performs on Pearl Street occasionally. He loves doing this because it’s “a great way to connect with people is through music because there is no barrier between the musician and the audience.” Jack is about to record an album, and is going to host a release party in... Read More

Meet Nick and Katie! I’m sure all of you, like I was, are wondering what is up with the rabbit costume? Well, Nick made a small wager with his sister Katie that she would not receive the honor of valedictorian of her graduating class at Ralston Valley High School this year. Clearly, Nick lost! So, holding up his end of the bet, Nick spent a few hours of his Sunday afternoon handing out carrots in his rabbit costume on the Pearl Street Mall.  Congratulations to Katie and hopefully Nick knows now, never to doubt his sister!  Read More

Cory is from Bowling Green, Ohio, but is staying in Boulder for the summer. He is partaking in leadership training for YMCA of the Rockies. “Boulder is much bigger than Bowling Green which was a little bit of a shock, but I definitely love the town,” Cory said. He wants to go back to school and possibly study theology. He really enjoys history as well, especially religious history. He says, “The key to life is living and dying for something rather than living and dying for nothing.” He wants to make a shoutout to his parents; Paul and Wendy.  Read More

Zach is working for YMCA of the Rockies for the summer. His focus for the YMCA of the Rockies is leadership training and the spiritual community. “I think you should be real with people and not keep secrets,” Zach says on how to live the best life.He currently attends Texas A&M and plans to major in mechanical engineering. Coming from Texas, “Boulder is a cool place, I really like all the small businesses around and can’t wait to check them out!” Zach wants to give a Shoutout to his sister Savannah, Taylor Swift, and Drake (but not the rapper.)  Read More

Martin is a motivational speaker for the organization Save the Children, and also works with Art from Ashes. He writes and performs poetry for Art from Ashes, which specializes in empowering the youth. Martin says, “I wanted to give back, and I believe one of the best causes is for children because they’re shaping the future.” Martin doesn’t quit there, he also is working on writing a book and an album! He paints and takes photos – and of course, snowboards. Martin visited Colorado in July of last year for two weeks, fell in love, and decided to move here in September... Read More

  Meet Kelle and David! Two Massachusetts natives that fell in love with the mountains and never left! David attended CU Boulder as an undergrad and has been here ever since; he enjoys all of the outdoor activities Boulder brings to the table, especially hiking and climbing the amphitheater! Kelle is a journalist for a Canadian magazine and has been living in Boulder for three and a half years after relocating from the Bay Area. Not only were these two friendly enough to let me take their picture, they also lent us a trial map!  Read More

Joshua moved back to Boulder a year and a half ago after living in Ohio, California and South Carolina. He moved back because “this is the only place I’ve ever felt like I haven’t had to leave. I’ve been somewhere else and I feel like I am still waiting to come back to here.” Although Boulder calls Joshua back every time, his favorite place to live was Ohio because there were multiple seasons and “there was no grey line between rich or poor- you were either working class or rich.” Joshua says his favorite thing to do is people watch around Boulder, especially... Read More

Lyle moved to Boulder three months ago for the outdoors and the weather! He graduated from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He visited friends in Boulder often before moving here and fell in love with the mountains. His favorite activity is to “run and also get lost on hikes in the woods.” He’s still figuring things out in Boulder, but his best advice is to “always pack a beer on hikes.”  Read More

Kay is originally from Milan, Italy and moved to the Boulder in 2006. Before coming to Boulder, she lived in Pennsylvania, California, St. Louis and many other places. She was adopted, which was what prompted her move to the U.S., but, “if I wasn’t adopted I would want to come to America to experience the different cultures and people. It’s a place people come to thrive and succeed and that would be why I would want to come here.” She occasionally goes back to Italy because a lot of her family still resides there. She says Pearl Street is lit and believes that the people... Read More