The grand red sign and huge white marquee of Boulder’s Fox Theatre give the building a sense of purpose and permanence. This strong identity boldly contrasts the complex and confusing history of the building itself. This nearly 90 year old space has housed vaudeville acts, a cafe, and a other interesting things in between. The building sitting at 1135 13th Street on The Hill was constructed in 1926 by Adrian G. Diez, but was first owned a Mr. William Beach. Beach sold the building to Diez in 1926, and the building changed hands no less than 8 times to become what it is today. Its first... Read More

Meet Amy Lynn Herman. She is a lover of crowds, resourceful creative and a bonafide foodie. An event professional by trade, she has a passion for creating experiences that inspire people to pursue their wildest dreams. Amy Lynn is a deep listener – clearly motivated by personal growth and authentic relationships. She is currently working on a place-making civic art project that uses a white-label app as its framework to create a network of dynamic social interactions.  Read More

With the holidays over, we figured we should refresh our minds with something different today. Boulder has a very interesting architectural history, especially the university campus. We will touch on some defining Boulder architectural projects which you have probably seen around town. Next time you’re out and about, maybe you’ll encounter some of these oh-so-Boulder building projects. The University Campus Of course we cannot skim Boulder’s architectural past without bringing up the University of Colorado campus. It began with the all-brick Old Main and soon grew into several... Read More

In the spirit of Halloween we are going to detail a few of the haunted places around Boulder. If you dread the macabre, or a haunting close to home is too much for you, there is still time to turn back. At 646 Pearl Street you’ll find the beautiful Arnett-Fullen house. The house was built in 1877 by Willamette Arnett, heir to Anthony Arnett, one of Boulder Land and Trust Company’s founders. Many admire the fusion of architectural styles the house displays. It incorporates Gothic, Victorian, and farmhouse aesthetics. It may also hold a few souls in its walls. Willamette Arnett burned... Read More

The history of rock climbing and bouldering had its genesis with mountaineering and alpinism in the late 18th century, although climbing rocks had been a feat accomplished long before. In the 14th century, a Native American tribe called the Anasazi drilled holes and carved stairs into rock cliffs in Chaco Canyon, but it wasn’t until 1786 with the first ascent of Mont Blanc, that the ‘modern era’ of climbing truly came into being. The history of Boulder’s rock climbing and bouldering history began a little over one hundred years later in 1896 when a group of Boulder Hikers formed the Rocky... Read More

You will learn how Boulder’s iconic Flatirons formed. Turns out, Boulder was once beachfront property. The Flatirons are Boulder’s favorite portion of the Fountain Formation, a geological formation of mostly red sandstone. This sandstone, more appropriately called “arkose” gets its color from the pinkish feldspar contained it it. This red rock makes up the Red Rocks of Morrison and the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. The Fountain Formation stretches from Colorado Springs all the way to Wyoming. The reddish color is due to the concentration of feldspar in the sandstone,... Read More

In a recent study in Boulder, it was found that the city is leading the nation on gender equity. Currently, the national average for women’s wages are 84% of what men make. In Boulder the average is 88%. Boulder is obviously a special city, leading the nation in multiple avenues from preventative measures for climate change to progressive gender equality. This got me thinking about famous women in Boulder and the steps they have taken to catalyze change in their city and nation. If you were lucky enough to visit the Pioneers: Women Artists in Boulder exhibit last year at the Art Museum at... Read More

One of the most common pieces of advice a Boulderite will give to a new resident is “Go check out the Dushanbe Teahouse,” but what’s so special about a teahouse? Well, ours was handcrafted in Tajikistan during the Cold War, and kindly shipped by our sister city of Dushanbe. The rebuilding of the teahouse in Boulder was an awesome accomplishment which nearly did not happen. The idea of a sister city or twin town developed from the Cold War following WWII. The point was to form legal and social bonds between disparate cultures, and even promote relationships between former enemies.... Read More

Josephine Antoine This fair Boulderite was beloved for her incredible rise to fame as a Metropolitan Opera star. After completing her education in Boulder, Antoine went on to earn a Master’s at the Julliard School of Music in NYC. Before her first national appearance, she received a telegram from the mayor of Boulder reading: “Every citizen sends you love and good wishes for your performance tomorrow.” She was a success, and sang the lead in 14 Metropolitan Opera productions. Her singing was featured on national radio stations, and she returned to Boulder to perform at the Colorado... Read More

There is an argument to be made that architects don’t get their due. For every household name, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, there are thousands of people who spend their careers under the radar. Yet even lesser known architects literally and figuratively shape people’s lives by influencing the built environment in which they take place. Charles Haertling is a perfect example of such. His name is one many won’t recognize, but over the course of his life he left an indelible mark on our region. Born on October 21, 1928 in St. Genevieve, Missouri, Haertling joined the Navy in 1946, straight out... Read More

You can find the same business models in all major cities, but the real interests of a community can only be unearthed by digging through their non-profit and/or nongovernmental organizations. Here are a few of Boulder’s which we felt touched on some key interests of this city as a whole. Boulder’s BCycle AboutBoulder has a 3 year history with BCycle, and for good reason. This NGO brought “bikeshare” to Boulder. They now have 39 stations around the city with a fleet of 275 bikes. Simply buy a pass and you’ll get access to unlimited 30-minute bike rental sessions until the pass expires.... Read More

Meet Abby! Abby came to Boulder from New York for the fresh air and the healthy lifestyle Boulder cultivates; what’s kept her here are the many friends she’s made, the concerts, and her newfound independence. Abby contributes her individuality, independence, and grounded character to her experiences at boarding school, which she attended for five years in Connecticut. “It really made me independent and able to come to college so far away from home,” she says in response to one of the biggest lessons she learned while in boarding school. Currently, Abby attends CU; spending any possible... Read More

FDGD is USA Today’s #5 Cultural festival in the country as of 2015. With a Facebook following around 12k and an annual turnout that consumes 50k in merchandise, 100 kegs, 100 cases of beer, and 9k in liquor drinks, things can get wild. We’re here to help you navigate the festival like a pro and get the most bang for any buck you spend. Many of the best events are free anyway! So why should this festival be on your bucket list? We asked a few people at 2016’s FDGD to find out: “I’m from Kansas and my buddies in Colorado said I had to cone this year. They told me... Read More

When oddly specific things become public problems, local legislation steps in to help. Today we will look at a few odds and ends Boulder city laws had to smooth out over the years. Hopefully we will boost today’s water cooler conversations. Nobody Owns Fifi Dogs in Boulder do not have “owners” according to any public ordinances. You can only be the “guardian” of a dog. This law requiring all public signage to call dog owners “guardians” is the result of animal rights activist calling for reform in the rhetoric surrounding pet relationships. It’s... Read More

Entrepreneur recently released their list of the top 500 franchises in North America, and Colorado represented with a whopping 23 of the top 500 with franchise headquarters located throughout the state. Dunkin’ ranked number one on the list, with Taco Bell and McDonald’s following close behind.  Read More

We can’t say for sure if being in Boulder makes you a better or more successful person, but these celebrities from our fair city lend some credibility to the notion. And since we aren’t a gossip site, these won’t all be film and TV stars. We are showing you real people from Boulder who did, and are doing, interesting and popular things with their lives. 3OH!3 Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte make up the electronica group 3OH!3, which received national success with their song “Don’t Trust Me”. They gained even more attention when they collaborated with Ke$ha... 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

Moving to Colorado from Arkansas, Madii is a true to the bone theater gal. Not only has she been able to spend more time with her family, she has also fallen in love with the mountains, Denver, and the theater scene— which says “is not too big, but IS fabulous.” A seamstress by day, Madii spends her free time hiking with friends or out on the town at local pubs, restaurants, and markets. Through crafting and sewing Madii hopes to “help other people’s dreams and visions come true.” On Mother’s Day, Madii is most grateful for all her mom has sacrificed and “this blessed life she has... Read More

With so many dispensaries to choose from, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is best for you. To simplify things, we’ve pulled together a list of the top 5. 1. Green Solution Green Solution is a chain of family-owned dispensaries; you’ve probably seen them around. This is the best option if you’re looking to order online and do a quick pickup. Ordering online also gives you a 10% discount–though weigh your options, because some of their products are pricier than at other dispensaries. 2. Green Dragon Green Dragon was voted #1 recreational marijuana dispensary... Read More

As you may have heard, Boulder County’s most recent emergency warning systems test was Monday evening. Boulder’s flood season stretches from April through August, and that means the emergency warning systems need to be tested regularly. Flash floods are no joke, but neither are the 30+ sirens of Boulder County’s outdoor warning system. Following World War II most cities and towns in the United States incorporated siren alarm systems for civil defense. These were originally intended to warn civilians of impending air raids, hence the colloquial term “air raid sirens”.... Read More