People often struggle to find ways to preserve health and happiness when they live in stress-inducing urban environments. Recent research suggests parks have a unique capacity to enhance physical health and foster a sense of community for city dwellers. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, used information from the Gallup-Healthways Well-being Index, the U.S. sensus Bureau, and a variety of other sources and combined this analysis with city-level data on park quantity, quality and accessibility... Read More

You may hear Boulderites referring to a “greenbelt,” but what is that and why does Boulder have one? There was huge population growth in Boulder between 1950 and 1970. This growth was due to the presence of the University of Colorado, the intellectual diversity surrounding the university, and a strong local economy. At an annual growth rate of about 6%, the population of the city was set to double every 11 years or so. Being all about sustainability and preserving local culture, the citizens of Boulder took action against the human tsunami threatening to wash out the city. In 1967... Read More

There are very few summer activities as romanticized as the classic picnic. A red checkered blanket and some iced tea can be the perfect way to spend and afternoon. Picnics like these can only really be ruined by two things–a parade of particularly vicious ants or having to jockey for blanket space. Chautauqua is a lovely place to enjoy some time lounging in the sun, but sometimes the hordes of sun seekers are just too much. To avoid lugging your wicker basket across miles of crowded lawn, check out a few of Boulder’s lesser known sunning spots. Beach Park Nestled just a few blocks down... Read More

  If you have time before work or maybe on the weekend this season you might choose to take a stroll, run, or ride on the Old Kiln trail in Boulder. These pictures were taken this past weekend, in pre-snow conditions.   Fourmile Creek Trailhead, managed by City of Boulder OSMP, is located in North Boulder on Lee Hill Dr near Broadway. Other than the Old Kiln trail, the trailhead supports the Foothills trail and is very close to Wonderland Lake. There are few trees among the tall amber waves of grain and grasses that cover the hill sides, making this a warm hike on a sunny but frozen... Read More

Motto: “Never Stop Growing” (Balfour) 1. Grab some ice cream at Sweet Cow A fan favorite, Sweet Cow is a Colorado based, small-batch ice cream shop, and its original location is in Louisville! Sweet Cow also has a food truck that travels around Colorado. This location is home to tons of seating and lights, and is a lovely place to hang out on warm summer afternoons. Their flavors are always changing, so there’s never a reason not to stop by! 2. Have a date night at Cinebarre If you want to have your cake and eat it too–while watching a movie–Cinebarre is the place to... Read More

Whew. We’re into November now and 2020 is still barrelling through all social norms and historical precedents at a blistering pace. At the start of this year, I wrote about an event at the Oriental Theater that over 600 people attended, packed in shoulder to shoulder and drinking in front of each other. My last column was about a socially-distant production at the Aurora Fox where a dozen folks sat many yards apart and were careful to walk in only one direction through the hallways. Let’s just say that a lot has happened in between those two columns, or just as accurately to say, a lot has... Read More

If you’re ready to put up your kids for adoption because you’ve been stuck in the house with them since March, hold off for the summer. Playgrounds, pools, and rec centers are finally starting to slowly reopen in Boulder. Spruce Pool is now open on a reservation-only basis for one-hour time blocks in individual lap lanes, city playgrounds are now open with capacity limit,s and the North Boulder Recreation Center will reopen Monday on a reservation-only basis for lap swimming, cardio, the weight room and other fitness activities. At Spruce Pool and North Boulder Recreation Center, visitors... Read More

Well it’s finally summer in Boulder! Time to put away the skis (well you have until A Basin closes), hit the farmer’s market, lounge by the Rez, and dine alfresco. Honestly there is no shortage of things to do in Boulder in the summer. (I’m personally very excited to be using my Boulder Passport for 2 for 1 tasty beverages around town). Without a doubt you gotta be outdoors for summer in Boulder; unless its a thunderstorm when you are given the excuse to get comfy indoors. Here’s some ways to spend this weekend outside: 1. Take a hike! Scan through City of Boulder Open Space... Read More

It’s officially spring! Even if it snowed yesterday (and will likely snow a few more times before summer), it is spring and the weather in Boulder has been mostly beautiful. We’ve also had some pretty great weather for kite flying. With the breezy spring air and access to many wide-open open spaces, Boulder is a great place to fly a kite. Non-motorized or passive recreation is allowed at most open spaces in the area.   I flew kites this past weekend at the Greenbelt Plateau area. While this City of Boulder trailhead is a fee area, there is a second access point to the trail further... Read More

Wow. It is snowing. And has been snowing. And will continue to snow. I know there are the Boulderites with their intense training schedules who will brave the cold and snow to run up mountains or brave the disastrous, car wreck inducing ski resort traffic on I-70 to freeze their buns off on the slopes; there is still plenty to do indoors for the outdoors enthusiast on the rare weekend that Boulder doesn’t have pleasant weather. Here are some of my options this weekend.   Planning Trips as well as many outdoor activities take planning. Even if you are the most experienced backpacker,... Read More