Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2016 i 5280 Magazine

SUBSCRIPTIONS A one-year subscription to 5280 costs $19 for 12 issues. A two-year subscription costs $34. Special corporate and group rates are available; call 303-832-5280 for details. To start a new subscription, to renew an existing subscription, or to change your address, call 1-866-271-5280 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, or send an email to circulation@5280.com. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, CALENDAR & DINING GUIDE Letters to the Editor must include your name, address (both of which can be withheld upon request), and a daytime phone number. Letters may be submitted via regular mail, fax (303-832-0470), or email (letters@5280.com). Calendar events should include a basic description of the event; its time, date, place, and cost; and a phone…

1 Virus that caused editorial intern Sophie Goodman’s computer to malfunction after she visited a competitive video-gaming site as research for “The Wide World Of E-Sports” (page 28). 2 Moose spotted on a snowshoe hike at Granby’s Snow Mountain Ranch during the 5280 editorial staff’s annual retreat. 20 Minutes—out of a scheduled 60-minute appointment—deputy editor Lindsey B. Koehler spent actually interviewing physiologist Dr. Iñigo San Millán at the University of Colorado Sports Medicine and Performance Center for “The Dark Side Of Fitness” (page 90). The pair used the other 40 minutes to ogle the university’s new athletic facilities, including the super-sweet football locker rooms. 57 Ideas that were suggested— and squashed—for this issue’s Front Range opener, causing assistant editor Lindsey R. McKissick to consider changing professions. (She did eventually find…

INSIDE THE COLORADO ROCKIES’ DUGOUT, bench coach Tom Runnells hangs a lineup card on the cement wall before each game. The batting order, the bullpen, the bench players—everyone who is available to play is listed. (The card below is part of a real one from the Rockies’ 10-2 win over the San Diego Padres last year.) How skipper Walt Weiss and his coaches shuffle the lineup—taking into consideration injuries, hot streaks, slumps, and game situations—can mean the difference between a W and an L. Here, Weiss explains his philosophy on who gets put where and tells us whom we should be paying attention to at Coors Field on opening day (April 8). 1 THE TABLE-SETTER Weiss says a good leadoff man has to be “a good runner who gets on…

395,274 Coloradans ages 18 to 25 registered to vote (as of February), the lowest number of any age group. Inspire Colorado, which launched in Denver this past July, recruits about 50 high schoolers a year to organize voter-registration drives at their schools. In return, students get a chance to interact with a variety of civic leaders, from candidates and elected officials to regular citizens. This month, that means discussing issues that matter to young people—such as rising student debt—with members of the Legislature at the Colorado state Capitol. But you don’t have to be Governor John Hickenlooper to help out: Inspire Colorado is always looking for politically savvy Coloradans to serve as mentors. inspireus-co.org…

$30 million Denver’s revenue from parking tickets last year ON A SCORCHING JUNE DAY almost three years ago, I gave birth to my first daughter, Gwynn. Because she was born with jaundice, Gwynn and I spent the next five days inside Rose Medical Center. My waking hours consisted of rocking Gwynn, who was swaddled in a soft receiving blanket, and moving her back and forth from the tanning bed (that’s what it looked like, anyway) used to treat her condition. On the third day of Gwynn’s life, my husband, Lyle, headed to our LoHi home for some clean clothes. When he returned an hour later, I expected to still see that new-dad grin—but it was clear when he walked in that he wasn’t happy. Didn’t he just get to shower…

Bike frames can be made from steel, titanium, or carbon fiber—or, as it turns out, bamboo. Container Collective, a bike shop and yoga studio in Lakewood, offers weekend workshops at which you can build your own frame out of bamboo stems. Builders choose their own stalks and then cut, shape, and weatherproof them; on day two of the workshop, participants fasten the pieces together with a carbon-fiber wrap. “It’s amazing to witness people’s satisfaction when they transform simple stalks of bamboo into bicycles and fully functional pieces of art,” says Russ Hopkins, co-owner of Container Collective. After the frame is complete and decorated—designs can be burned into the bamboo— builders can pay for the rest of the bike parts (wheels, handlebars, and seat posts, for example) they’ll need to pedal…

IF SPRING HAS STRUCK YOU with the urge to freshen up your home, you’re not alone. Emily Motayed, co-founder of Denver digital interior design company Havenly, says when the temperature starts to rise, so do client inquiries. Havenly doesn’t require the same kind of commitment many other interior design firms do, though. The two-year-old company creates custom decor solutions for a flat rate of $199 per room. After you complete an online style survey that includes submitting a digital image of your room, a Havenly designer works with you remotely to revamp the space. So, in the spirit of spring cleaning, we asked Havenly design assistant Kylee Trunck to dish on simple solutions for common design predicaments. DESIGN DILEMMA Your new condo has gorgeous views of the mountains—and a bedroom…

ELIZABETH SPENCER Denver, 1871–1930 Spencer, the stepdaughter of the first governor of Colorado Territory, took to the radio in its infancy and performed on Thomas Edison’s traveling show in the early 1900s. BILLY MURRAY Denver, 1877–1954 This turn-of-the-century singer recorded the hit “Yankee Doodle Boy” in 1905. PAUL WHITEMAN Denver, 1890–1967 In the 1920s and 1930s, the bandleader and son of the music director for Denver Public Schools was known nationally as the “King of Jazz.” GLENN MILLER Fort Morgan, 1904–1944 The big-band musician, bandleader, and composer’s jazz tune “Chattanooga Choo Choo” sold more than a million copies and became the first gold record in 1942. MAX MORATH Colorado Springs, 1926–present “Mr. Ragtime” banged the piano keys in Cripple Creek’s Gold Bar Room. He went on to write educational music…

POPULATION (CITY/COUNTY) 664,220 POPULATION (METRO) 3,011,536 MEDIAN AGE (METRO) 37 MALE/FEMALE (COUNTY) 50/50 SALES TAX RATE 7.65 percent MEDIAN WAGE (METRO) $69,205 AVERAGE SALE PRICE FOR A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME IN THE DENVER AREA (DECEMBER 2015) $369,568 MAYOR Michael Hancock GOVERNOR John Hickenlooper ETHNIC BREAKDOWN (METRO) White (65.9 percent), Hispanic or Latino (22.2 percent), Black (5 percent), Asian (4 percent), American Indian or Alaska Native (0.5 percent) MAJOR INDUSTRIES Aerospace, aviation, beverage production, bioscience, broadcasting and telecommunications, energy, financial services, health care, information technology software…

ICE SCRAPER, SNOW BRUSH, AND SNOW SHOVEL EXTRA WASHER FLUID FLASHLIGHT WITH EXTRA BATTERIES JUMPER CABLES FIRST-AID KIT GALLON JUG OF WATER NONPERISHABLE SNACKS EXTRA CELL PHONE CHARGER BLANKET SET OF WARM CLOTHES, INCLUDING A BEANIE AND WATER-RESISTANT GLOVES SNOW BOOTS NONCLUMPING KITTY LITTER (TO CREATE TRACTION IF YOUR VEHICLE GETS STUCK) Source: AAA Colorado…

MEXICAN HAMBURGER What It Is: A cheeseburger rolled into a bean burrito and smothered in green chile (another local favorite). Where To Dig In: The Original Chubby’s, 1231 W. 38th Ave. NORTH DENVER CANNOLI What It Is: Forget dessert. This is old-school Denver-speak for a dough-wrapped Italian sausage (think: pigs in a blanket). Where To Dig In: Lechuga’s, 3609 Tejon St., lechugasitalian.com ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS What It Is: Not seafood. These are deep-fried bull, pig, or sheep testicles. And, yes, some people find them delicious. Where To Dig In: The Fort, 19192 CO 8, Morrison, 303-697-4771, thefort.com [ LOCALS KNOW ] Water boils at lower temperatures as elevation increases (about 202 degrees Fahrenheit in Denver), which affects cooking times. You’ll also need to tweak baking recipes— liquid ingredients will evaporate…

DENVER ZOO Get familiar with resident Colorado wildlife—hello, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep—and those from fartherflung locales, such as penguins and kangaroos. No matter your interests, be sure to visit the 10-acre Toyota Elephant Passage, one of the largest elephant habitats in North America. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of the Asian elephants playing in the water. GO NOW: The gates open early (8:30 a.m.) during the zoo’s monthlong Spring Break: Journey to South America celebration (through April 10), which highlights the continent’s animals and culture through activities, demonstrations, and food. denverzoo.org CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF DENVER AT MARSICO CAMPUS In November, the Children’s Museum unveiled a $16.1 million renovation that kids—of any age—will love. Take yours to the hydration lab, where they’ll learn about creating rainstorms and geysers; let them…

In recent years, Denver has made numerous appearances on lists featuring the best, most exciting places to live in the nation. So it’s no surprise that creative, forward-thinking entrepreneurs and professionals choose to call our city home. Meet some of the brains behind local businesses and leaders in various fields. These game-changers are the Faces of Denver & Boulder. 5280.COM/FACESOFDENVER Cover photo view from Platform at Union Station The Face Of PLASTIC SURGERY AND FACIAL AESTHETICS GROSSMAN PLASTIC SURGERY & FACIAL AESTHETICS BEAUTIFULME.COM | (303) 320-5566 4600 HALE PKWY., STE 100, DENVER, CO 80220 7447 E. BERRY AVE., STE 160, GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO 80111 Grossman Plastic Surgery and Facial Aesthetics is Denver’s most elite plastic surgery center and medical spa. Dr. John Grossman, board-certified plastic surgeon, has dedicated his career…

3 Pounds of raw, unrefined sugar and molasses that go into each 750-milliliter bottle of Montanya Distillers rum. montanyarum.com OUR FAVORITES The Cornwall $10 Oy Vey Caliente $9.50 Rabbi, I’m Confused $9 Bourbon Egg Cream $7 Frank’s Blanket (Hebrew National hot dog, caramelized onions, cheese, pastry) $6 anyone who visited Latke Love’s erstwhile location in Park Hill will remember the seven core menu options, all of which featured four freshly fried latkes accessorized with less than traditional (and certainly not kosher) toppings. On my first visit to the Littleton location of Latke Love, I had trouble deciding among bowls like the Classic (a combo of cinnamon whipped cream and applesauce); the Rabbi, I’m Confused (pulled pork, Carolina barbecue sauce, pickled onions); and the Oy Vey Caliente (green chile, cheddar, fried…

Home values aren’t the only prices spiking in Denver these days. If you’ve been out to dinner or to a bar recently, you’ve probably noticed entrée-priced cocktails headlining drink menus. Do these concoctions warrant the price tag? In a word, sometimes. For one drink worth your hard-earned cash, peer inside the glass of the RiNo Fix N’ Flip, a $13 cocktail crafted by Topher Hartfield, bar manager at Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club. THE SECRET The magical ingredient in this velvety, decadent drink is the Eierlikör,* which Hartfield makes himself. It takes him an hour to whip up each 64-ounce batch of the liqueur: a blend of eggs, sugar, milk, and Don Q Puerto Rican Cristal rum. THE METHOD The eggy Eierlikör is heated in a double boiler to 150°…

Symbol Guide NEW Indicates a restaurant featured in 5280 for the first time (though not necessarily a restaurant that has just opened). 25 BEST Indicates inclusion in our annual list of Denver’s best restaurants, released each October. These selections are at the discretion of 5280 editors and critics and are subject to change. THE DOLLAR SYMBOLS included in each listing indicate how much you can expect to pay for a dinner entrée, on average: $ Average entrée under $10. $$ Average entrée $11–$15. $$$ Average entrée $16–$25. $$$$ Average entrée $26 and higher. A THE 9TH DOOR $$ DOWNTOWN / INTERNATIONAL / Try traditional hot and cold Spanish tapas with a pitcher of sangria. Reservations accepted. 1808 Blake St., 303-292-2229. Dinner NEW ABEJAS $$$ GOLDEN / SEASONAL / Enjoy seasonal…

WORLD FIGURE SKATING MUSEUM & HALL OF FAME Colorado Springs You’ll find everything from an ancient ice skate—a sharpened bone strapped to a shoe from around the eighth century—to world-class skaters’ mementos, such as Olympic champion Michelle Kwan’s 2002 Vera Wang costume, at this 37-year-old spot. DON’T MISS: The original Andy Warhol painting of 1976 world champion Dorothy Hamill and an exhibit about the science behind how skaters execute jumps like the axel, lutz, and salchow. ENTRY: $5 NATIONAL MINING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM Leadville This museum’s 25,000 square feet pay homage to dreams of gold and riches and to the grueling labor required to extract precious natural resources. But not everyone had to get their hands dirty to be included; President Herbert Hoover and his first lady, Lou,…

Roughly a decade ago, not long before our eldest son was born, I competed in my first triathlon. I’d worked from a home office as a freelance writer for the previous two years, which typically meant I spent my days staring at my computer screen, hoping an editor in New York City would green-light a story pitch. Needless to say, I didn’t get a whole bunch of assignments at the outset, so in an effort to structure my days (and stave off insanity), I filled my spare time with exercise. I rode my bike a little, and then a lot, and after a while I did my first century—an organized 100-mile ride that circumnavigated Lake Tahoe. A few months after that, I decided I wanted to try something new and…

< CHATTER > “GOOD RIDDANCE TO ALL OF THE SURFACE PAR KING LOTS. I DO HOWEVER MISS THE COLORA DO STATE JUDICIAL BUILDING, IT RE MINDED ME A BIT OF THE LA GRA NDE ARCHE BUILDING IN PAR IS.” Sergei Krivenkov, via Facebook, on a February 22 5280.com article about Denver’s changing skyline. “[I] LOVE THAT MARCZYK FINE FOODS IS MY NEIGHBORHOOD STORE !! THEY HAVE SO MANY FABULOUS THINGS.” Carole Goodwin, via Facebook, on February 17’s 5280.com story “Denver’s 20 Best Food Markets.” { Letter of the Month } Native Intelligence I’d like to thank Robert Sanchez and congratulate him on the brilliance of his article “Downstream” (February). I have traveled extensively around the Navajo areas in Colorado and New Mexico and have seen firsthand the beauty and ruggedness…

RESUMÉ NAME: Ross Marquand AGE: 34 OCCUPATION: Actor COOL HAND ROSS : Marquand portrayed actor Paul Newman in a 2013 episode of Mad Men. By the time you read this, there’s a chance Ross Marquand will have experienced a violent, gory death. Well, not Marquand but Aaron, the character he plays on The Walking Dead. Unexpected, blood-spurting ends are kind of a theme of the AMC zombie drama, cable TV’s highestrated series. But even if Marquand meets an early demise, The Walking Dead, which concludes its sixth season this month, has injected life into the Littleton native’s once-moribund career. Since debuting on the series last year, Marquand has starred in Impress Me, a Pop TV show about impressionists trying to make it as dramatic actors, and grabbed headlines for his…

Colorado wind is capricious; it arrives with gale force or not at all, which typically doesn’t make for great kite flying. But now is the time to channel your inner Ben Franklin. In April, the Denver breeze reaches its highest average speed and blows harder for longer than the rest of the year. Plus, the city’s green spaces aren’t yet packed with congregating hordes who might trip up your takeoff. Still need a reason to launch? Look to the northwest, where the 13th annual Arvada Kite Festival will lure thousands to Stenger Soccer Complex on April 3 for free bouncy houses, inflatable sumo balls, and plenty of kite-related cavorting. Four weeks later, on April 30 at Anderson Park, the threeyear-old Wheat Ridge Kite Flite Festival will pair kite flying, face…

If, at the end of all your spring cleaning, you’ve still got a “someday” pile—as in, “I might need this someday”—and nowhere to store it, call Denver’s Closetbox. The on-demand storage company will pick up those I-can’t-bear-to-part-with-it-forever treasures (or the things you just won’t need for a while, like skis and holiday decor) and house them in a secure storage facility in Denver or Longmont until that someday arrives. You pay $19 per month to keep up to four items out of sight but on hand when needed. When you want your gear back, hail Closetbox and your skis, bikes, or seasonal trinkets will be returned to your doorstep within 48 hours—probably less time than it’d take you to find them in your basement.…

RUNNING TRAIN Make flat routes feel like Sunday strolls by bounding up hills. Denver running coach Rachel Dehner favors those in the Highland, Sun Valley, and Ruby Hill neighborhoods. After warming up, begin with a one-minute sprint up a rise and walk back down. Do between five and 12 sets, depending on how you feel. EAT By safely shedding excess fat through proper nutrition, runners can shave seconds off their mile times. Cut your calorie intake without feeling hungry by scarfing down lean proteins (chicken and fish) and high-fiber fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, says Steamboat Springs dietitian, and ultrarunner Cara Marrs. WEAR Outdoor Voices, founded by Boulder native Tyler Haney, has a new line of jackets constructed from sweat-wicking crepe material perfect for spring’s many sprinkles. RECOVER Pressure applied…

ASK a random person in another American city what they know for sure about Denver, and they’ll likely rattle off some version of the following: It’s at a high elevation. Weed is legal. There are ski resorts nearby. John Elway works (and played) for the local NFL team. And…that’s about it. For years, Denver has been a hidden gem in the middle of the country, cast aside as a slightly too Midwestern Western burg—overrun with pot-smoking hippies and ne’er-do-well ski bums—that just wouldn’t grow up. Not anymore. People have discovered the Mile High City: The population in downtown Denver alone has grown by a whopping 164 percent since 2000. Colorado ranks as the second-fastest-growing state in the nation and sits securely in the top 10 for employment growth. The tech…

KEY THE CLASSICS If you want to buy an abode that’s conveniently located—and have around half a million or more to do so—check these neighborhoods out first. THE HIP ’HOODS If you’re looking to rent in an up-and-coming neighborhood—or buy a brand-new home— with easy access to plenty of cultural venues and bars and restaurants, look to these hot spots. THE NOT-TOOSUBURBAN SUBURBS If your priorities include a yard and a solid school district for your family, you’ll want to head a little farther from Denver.…

Location: COORS FIELD The Shot: “The home plate entrance at 20th and Blake streets is about as iconic a view of Coors Field as there is, with the huge clock and plethora of brickwork. A low angle looking up with you, ‘The Player’ statue, and Coors Field signage lets all your Instagram followers know exactly where you’ve landed.” Location: CITY PARK The Shot: “The northeastern section of the walking path around Ferril Lake offers a trifecta: City Park, the downtown Denver skyline, and the Rocky Mountain foothills in the background. It might be a bit tough to capture all three with a wide-angle smartphone lens, but you’re up for the challenge.” Location: DENVER BEER CO. The Shot: “There’s a great mural on the north side of the building that says,…

ABEJAS RESTAURANT 807 13th St., Golden 303-952-9745 abejasgolden.com For more on our ratings, visit 5280.com/ratings. THE DRAW Good cocktails from friendly bartenders, a pleasant room, and ambitious cooking THE DRAWBACK Overly festooned plates and food combinations that don’t always work DON’T MISS Brunch-time potato pancakes, lunchtime sandwiches, dinnertime steaks, terrines, and vegetarian plates DETAILS Small plates $10 to $14; entrées $18 to $28. Open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday brunch, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner, 5 to 9:30 p.m. TOWNS LIKE GOLDEN that exist in the orbit of hot food cities like Denver have a gravitational problem: The odds of pulling customers out of the city are low, and the chance of losing customers to a…

Last fall, Tracy Eliasson, co-owner of Boulder’s Settembre Cellars, discovered a new hobby: adult coloring books. As she sipped wine and filled in the predetermined lines, she noticed something. The activity was calming and methodical—almost, she says, like meditation for those who don’t meditate. An idea took shape, and she and her husband (and winery co-owner) Blake launched Sunday afternoon adult-coloring-book sessions in the winery’s tasting room. Given the Eliassons’ Old World approach (traditional, slow, and natural) to wine making, this activity is right in line with their creative philosophy. Since launching the sessions in December, Settembre sees two to 10 customers at the weekly get-togethers. The resulting sip-and-create afternoons are marked by an easy flow of conversation flanked by comfortable silences. Sundays 1 to 6 p.m., 1501 Lee Hill…

DALIAH SINGER Senior associate editor Daliah Singer has made plenty of mistakes since moving to Denver more than 10 years ago—like leaving her sweater at home on a sunny spring afternoon that suddenly turned frigid. That’s why she created “Your Newcomer’s Guide To Denver” (page 68), a collection of advice for those just discovering the city’s quirks, to help newbies avoid making the same errors. “It’s easy to fall in love with Denver,” Singer says. “However, there are so many things new residents need to learn that they sometimes forget about the small changes—like always wearing layers.” MITCH UTTERBACK After an Air Force jet crashed into Gold Dust Peak in 1997, Mitch Utterback was with the group that searched for the pilot. Nearly two decades later, Utterback returned to the…

It’s been four years since the Lumineers released their self-titled debut album, anchored by the double-platinum feel-good anthem “Ho Hey.” Colorado has added nearly half a million people since then. Weed’s now legal. Hell, reality TV stars have become presidential candidates during that span of time. But finally, on April 8, the band will release its sophomore album, Cleopatra (Dualtone Records). Why such a long wait? It’s not as if the Denver-based musicians—(pictured from left) Neyla Pekarek, Jeremiah Fraites, and Wesley Schultz—were just sitting around sipping coffee in their Wash Park rental house, trying to concoct new lyrics. Oh wait, that’s exactly what they were doing. But first, the Lumineers toured relentlessly from 2012 to 2014 (nearly 300 days in 2013); then they spent the first six months of 2015…

To take on an ecological issue you’ve likely never heard of—the fact that the organic latex foam in high-end mattresses is too flammable to recycle—Chris Conway has created a secondary market for organic latex. The former real estate developer recycles mattresses into Green Pup Dog Beds, memory foam–esque beds for Fido. Moreover, Conway hires women recently released from prison to make the beds. Visit greenpupdogbeds.com for local retailers, such as Lafayette’s Struttin’ Pup, where prices range from $80.99 for a Chihuahua bed to $160.99 for a special-order mastiff version. Or, if you’re ready to recycle your own bed, take it to Spring Back Colorado, the nonprofit mattress recycler Conway runs.…

COLORADO EXPERIENCES PLENTY of April (snow) showers, but the weather gods always seem to taunt us with a few surprisingly balmy days. This year, circle April 23 on your calendar. That’s the day we’re most likely to get a pre-summer heat wave, at least according to historical temperature data from the Western Regional Climate Center. Here, six ways to best enjoy the thaw. EXPLORE HUDSON GARDENS FROM THE GROUND UP. Spend the afternoon wandering through 30 sprawling acres of ponds, vegetable patches, and flower beds at this Littleton garden. Rent a family-friendly explorer pack; we recommend the Woodland Wonders kit, which includes a magnifying glass. If you want more guidance, follow the 1.25-mile Interpretive Tree Trail to learn about 15 of Colorado’s trees, including bristlecone pine, a species that has…

Although Elephant Revival comes from the bluegrass hub of Nederland— birthplace of the Yonder Mountain String Band—and employs a washboard from time to time, the band doesn’t consider itself a bluegrass outfit. Rather, according to its marketing info, the 10-year-old band is a “progressive transcendental folk quintet.” Loath as we are to agree with marketing material, the description seems to fit—especially after listening to the band’s latest LP, Petals (released April 1, Thirty Tigers). Few would say the previous Elephant Revival albums were particularly upbeat, but now the band just might have plugged into the sadcore genre. When paired with the eerie vocals of Bonnie Paine and Daniel Rodriguez, however, the vibe turns, well, hopeful. That’s especially the case on “Peace Tonight,” “Sea Monster,” and “Season Song,” in which Rodriguez…

GROWING UP NEAR CHICAGO, Lannie Garrett loved to sing but never cracked a music textbook. If you’ve seen the entertainer and singer (and, full disclosure, wife of 5280’s owner, Daniel Brogan) delight a room, you know that doesn’t matter. Over the past 40 years, Garrett, who co-owns Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, has evolved from a shy transplant to a Denver icon. Now she’s adding another credit to her resumé: Garrett will be inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, which calls Red Rocks Amphitheatre home, on April 16. Here, she recalls the stages where she built her career 1 1972 CHICAGO TO DENVER The Illinois native—who had dropped out of high school— traded a string of unfulfilling jobs (waitress, file clerk) for a ride to Colorado in an Econoline van…

* =5280 BEST BET * Stories in Sculpture: Selections from the Walker Art Center Collection APR. 29-OCT. 2 You board your dog when you go on vacation so he still gets all the love he deserves while you’re gone. That’s essentially what will happen when the Walker Art Center’s Minneapolis Sculpture Garden undergoes a monthslong reconstruction project and lends the Denver Botanic Gardens some of its pieces for safekeeping. Glimpse 13 bronze sculptures created by prominent artists such as Henry Moore (his work is pictured), Deborah Butterfield, and Barry Flanagan—or sign up for a one-hour tour to learn more about these masterworks. Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street, 1007 York St., 720-865-3501, botanicgardens.org. Free with admission. LOOKING FOR MORE EVENTS? Visit our online calendar listings at…

THREE MONTHS IN… You’ve discovered legal weed and our casual style—but your choice in beer could use some work and your gear needs a serious upgrade. ONE YEAR IN… You’ve found better beer (microbrews!), the trendy way to toke (vape pens!), and the standard-issue Colorado outfit (yoga pants!). But you still need to learn not to carry your skis like a gaper. FIVE YEARS IN… You’ve more than filled out your gear closet, adopted a yellow Lab like everyone else, and added local spirits to your wet bar. Time to put the credit card away—until next season.…

NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO MOVED TO COLORADO IN 2014 CALIFORNIA 24,506 Culture shock: Our laissez-faire approach to driving. No, that car in front of you probably isn’t going to go any faster. And, yes, that driver will suddenly swerve into your lane when he realizes at the last second he is going to miss his turn. TEXAS 24,431 Culture shock: Driving in the snow. Here’s a tip: Don’t brake or accelerate too quickly—and please purchase all-season tires. ARIZONA 12,304 Culture shock: The constantly changing weather (see “Talking Points” at left). Then again, consistent 100-or-more-degree days for the duration of the summer ain’t that fun either. NEW YORK 9,519 Culture shock: The dearth of delectable late-night food—or any late-night food, really. Lots of mile-high restaurants close at 10 p.m. on weekdays,…

COLORADO ROCKIES Scenario: Sipping a local IPA on the Rooftop at Coors Field on opening day (April 8) Say This: “CarGo could hit it up here—but only if he were facing one of the Rockies’ pitchers.” Fallback Line: “It’s kind of sad that this bar seems more full than the stands on most days.” UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER FOOTBALL Scenario: Watching Ralphie (FYI: an actual, live bison) charge across Folsom Field during the pregame pageantry Say This: “That’s probably the longest—and fastest—dash by a Buffalo we’ll see today.” Fallback Line: “I hear she runs the handlers more than they run her.” DENVER BRONCOS Scenario: Scouring the skies for signs of skydivers barrel-rolling into the stadium to start the game Say This: “Here’s hoping Von Miller busts out a few Funky…

B-CYCLE Rent a bike at one of 87 stations for shorter commutes. Our advice: Combine use of a B-cycle with RTD modes (at right). Prices vary, denver.bcycle.com CAR2GO Smart cars for the vehicle-less are parked strategically around town. Find one nearby using the app and be on your way. $35 sign-up fee, starts at $0.41 per minute, car2go.com/en/denver REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT (RTD) Buses, light rail, and (soon) commuter trains form a transportation network that’s finally expanding beyond metro Denver. Prices vary, rtddenver.com UBER AND LYFT Denver has seen these modern versions of the taxi—no more waving your hand in vain—proliferate over the past couple of years (we have the original kind, too). Prices vary, uber.com, lyft.com…

1 Steep 1 pound of organic, dried hibiscus flowers in 4 quarts of filtered 180° water for 2 hours. Strain out the hibiscus flowers. 2 Combine the hibiscus liquid with 1 cup coconut nectar,* ½ cup organic ginger juice, and 1 tablespoon sea salt. Chill overnight. 3 Churn in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. *Find coconut nectar at Whole Foods Market.…

FLIGHT: DRY-CURED HAM AT: Guard and Grace The prosciutto flight at Troy Guard’s chic, modern steak house, Guard and Grace, offers an illuminating look at the nuances of different dry-cured hams. For $16, you’ll receive a platter piled with Castelvetrano olives, grissini, and American, Italian, and Spanish prosciuttos. You’ll be surprised at just how different each selection tastes. Bonus: Guard and Grace also offers flights of filet mignon (Angus, grass-fed, and prime) at dinner. 1801 California St., 303-293-8500, guardandgrace.com FLIGHT: WHISKEY AT: Tables Tables’ unassuming bar might seem an unlikely spot to find an A.D. Laws whiskey flight. But you’re in the right place: Secure a seat at the cozy bar and have the bartender talk you through the trio of one-ounce pours. Sip and note the differences from one…

outside curtis park delicatessen, a man steps past a dozen people in line and through the doorway. He looks up at the menu, which is obscured by an unfortunate but familiar banner: “Sold out! The addicts ate them all.” He frowns, and then leaves. “We try for that not to happen,” owner Michael Reif says. Mondays are hard to predict, though. “It’s usually our slowest day, but the weather is the wild card.” The deli is entering its fifth year serving Curtis Park and its neighbors via a lunch-only concept. Six days a week, Reif and company turn fresh-baked City Bakery ciabatta, house-made condiments, top-quality meats, cheeses, and fresh produce into remarkably tasty sandwiches—until the bread is gone. “Fresh food is a limited resource,” Reif says. “We serve our sandwiches…

TASTE OF VAIL MARCH 30–APRIL 3 Vail. Taste of Vail is an epic food and wine festival held in Vail, Colorado. The event promotes the Vail lifestyle through food, wine, and skiing! Signature events and seminars fall throughout a five-day event. Come enjoy the Taste of Vail this spring! Information and tickets at tasteofvail.com. CARMINE’S NONPROFIT EVENT GIVEAWAY NOMINATION APRIL 1–30 Nominate your favorite local nonprofit organization to win a free, private dining event at Carmine’s on Penn. The winning organization will receive a family-style wine pairing dinner for up to 25 people at Carmine’s on Penn (92 S. Pennsylvania St., Denver). Submit your nomination at carminescolorado.com/5280voting. DENVER’S TOP TACOS CONTEST APRIL 1–MAY 31 5280 editors named their favorite tacos: Now it’s your turn! Read more at 5280.com, and then…