In our exploration of the transformative realm that is Playa Puertecito and our ‘Boulder to Baja’ adventures, we have encountered remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of youth empowerment. This week, we shine a spotlight on Jillian Runkle, a beacon of inspiration who has been igniting change via PeaceJam and other projects since the tender age of nine. Her unique perspective on the diverse spaces and worlds that intertwine within and beyond Playa Puertecito unveils profound insights and a passion for creating a world where many worlds fit. If you are interested in reading last... Read More

Every face has its own story, but this one tells two. This is a true face of Boulder, Colorado. A face that can always be found downtown. A face that has its own spirit and lives as part of another. A face that really is a window to the soul. This isn’t only the face of a man wise beyond his years; this is part of Boulder’s collective, figurative “face”. A character that gives Boulder some of its own character. This face tells a story of the people who live here. People who are creative, active, and appreciative. People with depth. People who welcome creations such as this one into the... Read More

It’s around that time that many graduates are looking at jobs in different cities, thinking of moving. Moving to a new city can be scary, but it can be done! I moved to New York City after graduating and it was a whirlwind of an experience. Here are some things I learned from the move to help if you are thinking of moving somewhere new soon.   Get an Apartment BEFORE you move there.   This seems like such an obvious tip—however it was a tip I did not follow! I moved to New York City without an apartment, and while I’m very happy and lucky that it worked it the way it did (I stayed... Read More

Water in my opinion is the key to life. Makenna adds to this by stating that water is to say the least, relaxing and peaceful. Peace being something that we as humans have fought for and looked for now for centuries. Makenna, being a CU graduate, presents the idea that we’ve been looking for something that has been right here in front of our faces. Water! Though she never grew up near the ocean, she spent quite a while on Lake Michigan. There she realized that the water is peace, the water is life, the water is Home! Thanks Makenna!  Read More

Caroline, “I’m from Minneapolis Minnesota and I have family that lives close by. I grew up skiing  Keystone for so long that I just felt like a draw towards Colorado. My passions are that I really love learning languages and learning about other cultures in the language as I grew and I’ve been learning about different cultures and now I am starting Spanish. I really love adventures and waking up every morning in Boulder is inspiring, and arguably life changing. I want to go out there and I want to explore and maybe draw something in nature. I think learning other languages... Read More

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Originally from Colorado, Derek spends a lot of his precious time as a painter! His passion comes from many places, one is compassion, because he feels the need to respond to a lot of the people that he’s associated with at work because they need him in a lot of ways. Another is his love for arts and creative expression. It’s very motivating to explore consciousness in London. When he projects himself in the future, he would like to be a professional artist, and exclusively own an art community house, where everybody chips in. Enough individuals that rent is cheap and it makes it... Read More

Matilde’s mission is simply to make a difference in her community and in the world if possible. Everyday she thinks about how to make a positive change here on Earth. Matilde observes relationships between a group of people, two individuals or any relationships because then she has the knowledge and experience to know how to help people or go about solving a problem that could potentially be life saving, or just create a space for a better lifestyle. Her energy comes from the feeling inside of her that she has done good in the world, and that she has accomplished something in her life.... Read More

“Hello Joshua, I’m from Colorado Springs and I have three sisters and my two older sisters went to CSU for college and when I viewed the campus on my visit there and then compared it to what I viewed at the CU campus, I could already see that I was leaning towards this beautiful university. Honestly, I kind of wanted to do something different from my older sisters, so when I saw Boulder, I just thought this would be a cool and phenomenal place, and it’s so beautiful so I figured why not. I think that my favorite thing about Boulder is the people that I’ve met and see and... Read More

We’ve all got problems in life, and many of these problems become apparent during college.College is the first step of the rest of your life, and often times, that first step turns into more of a stumble. Luckily, there’s a way to ensure that your first step isn’t a stumble. In fact, I could ensure you that your step will be more majestic than Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon. How do you take this majestic first step, you wonder? Well, all it takes is one book. University of Colorado graduates David Westreich and Scott Sharp Armstrong have just released their latest... Read More

In this blog: A survival guide for baby Buffs. How crazy it is to think soon I’ll be a senior at CU Boulder. What’s even more crazy to think is how four short years ago I was a freshman at this fantastic school, beginning my journey as a college student. I’ve said hello and goodbye to college courses, some of which I, for a second, had me convinced that maybe German Studies or History was the perfect major for me, only to realize hell nooo. Walking onto the CU campus as a Freshman and into my first college course was one of the most petrifying moment in life. However, these moments... Read More

I cried today. Twice. Unbeknownst to the part of me that likes to feel as if I’m always in control. One of my best friends FaceTimed me from Colorado and then one of my best friends called me from Austin for our typical end-of-day recap, and without warning, the flood gates opened. To better illustrate this moment, please imagine me at my usual table in Whole Foods (meaning, my possessions are strewn all over the place) while I inhale an entire bag (yes, bag) of Justin’s mini dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Meanwhile, Nugget is staring at me from across the table. Sidebar: if you don’t... Read More

Thomas is 74 years old and is from Denver, Colorado. In the good year of 1962, Thomas decided to move to Boulder. Thomas knew Boulder would be a great place for growth and self realization. It was also a place of career opportunities. Science, being one of his first loves, was also much appreciated at a university such as  CU. He used to be marathon runner, but when he had to stop running, he got himself a road bike to keep me active and getting out in the world. Exercise also! “I Love being outside and being with people. Using the talent God has given me to create art. Interaction with... Read More

Hi y’all, my name is Rea and I’m The Sunny Millennial! I am a 23-year-old woman living in Colorado. I love to write and create, and I’m excited to engage with all of you through this blog! I want to talk about millennial life as I love reading and thinking about it myself. I’m a generally positive person, so I plan to gear these articles to be upbeat, but also real and relatable; articles that talk about life situations we commonly deal with as millennials, as well as articles that give tips and tricks to millennial living. I know we’ve all been (or still are—like me heh) in a place... Read More

Right, guys, time for another thought experiment! Imagine you’re a scientist. You’re part of a team on an alien planet or a space station, and you have come into contact with a non-terrestrial-based lifeform; i.e. an alien. You are within close physical proximity of the creature. You have no idea about its biology, capabilities, or motivations. Should you: Pet it Not pet it Obviously, the correct answer is #2. I’m not saying you should take the George W. Bush approach and thoughtlessly annihilate anything you don’t understand, I’m just saying a teaspoonful of caution... Read More

Brook was born in Burlington, Vermont, and has been in Boulder for 18 years. Loves the weather and riding his bike. Outdoors and Wilderness comes to mind when he thinks about the life of a resident in Boulder. His future plan is to become fluent in Portuguese, and travel abroad with many safe trips. Keeping Boulder weird is a reason to stay in Boulder for Brook. He feels he adds to the culture and loves it. Summertime is Brook’s favorite season in Boulder, Summertime is freedom. And it’s HOT! Thanks Brook!  Read More

A girl I knew in high school posted childhood pictures of the two of them, without caption or commentary, and the grainy stills did not sit well with me. Her intention, it was unspokenly clear, was more than reminiscent. A cursory web search of his name returned first a years-old news story from the town in which we all grew up, detailing his arrest after having fallen through the ventilation system of the administrative building of a local housing development, his afterhours violation neither validated nor explained in its absurdity by the article. The image was so quintessentially Kyle – an... Read More

The name’s D.C! Family over  everything always and forever. Working hard, staying fit and love for friends is life. D.C says it’s always been aspirations of not only being successful but becoming a person who impacts people’s lives after interaction with him. “I want to do enough good and fun in my life that when it flashes before my eyes, I’ll give myself a good show!” Thanks D.C  Read More