Out front, the day after the fire. Photo provided by Scott Boyd
Local Denver restaurant, The Rotary, first opened its doors in January 2021, at the corner of Holly Street and Cedar in the Hilltop neighborhood. They opened during the pandemic, and now, almost exactly a year later, are recovering from the Marshall Fire that recently scorched parts of Boulder County.
The Rotary’s second location in Louisville opened on December 15, 2021. But two weeks after opening, the wind-fueled Marshall Fire ignited on December 30, quickly ripped through the towns of Louisville and Superior, destroying nearly 900 homes in the short time of six hours.
Scott Boyd, a Louisville resident and co-owner of The Rotary, remembers that day looking out the window of his home as he headed to work at the restaurant. The first thing he noticed was a bunch of smoke and wind. When he arrived at work, there was even more smoke and the same wind intensity, plus ash inside the restaurant. Soon, the smoke and wind became bad enough that he decided to close for the day and sent everyone home.
As he was shutting down the restaurant, Scott peered across the parking lot in amazement as nearby bushes rose in flames
Fire damage seen from the backside of the restaurant. Photo provided by Scott Boyd
and watched as the fire quickly advanced toward his restaurant. Locking the door behind him, he fled and went home to grab his wife, kids, and pets.
Boyd and his family evacuated to a friend’s house in nearby Niwot, where they watched the destruction of the restaurant through the surveillance cameras. “It was so surreal,” says Boyd. “To watch in real-time as the flames tore through the restaurant.” But as he watched with his wife, kids, and friends, he knew he wasn’t alone in this. “It was nice to know I had support.”
Fortunately, Scott’s home was not one of the ones destroyed. He says he feels fortunate to only have lost a business and not his family’s home and belongings.
“Now begins the challenge of rebuilding,” Boyd says as he describes the mess that was left after the fire. Between the fire sprinklers that soaked everything and then the snowstorm that followed the next day, freezing almost everything, including pipes, there are many factors to consider in terms of the damage. The process to rebuild will take some time with COVID and current supply chain issues, but nonetheless, they do plan to rebuild in Louisville.
Boyd says so many people have reached out to see how they can help, but he says, “Find a family that lost everything and give them the help. We’ll be fine.”
The Rotary was started by Scott, his
Inside The Rotary before the Marshall Fire. Photo provided by Scott Boyd
brother Brian, and their life-long friend Don Gragg, a celebrated chef. What began with a space inside the Avanti Food and Beverage in Denver, quickly required its own space as the COVID pandemic made it hard to sustain a seat at the table inside a food hall.
Eventually opening a standalone establishment in Denver’s Hilltop Neighborhood, the three owners saw their life-long dream of owning and operating a restaurant realized, all in the middle of a pandemic. What was a real hustle to stay afloat during 2021, they knew they had something special and forged on. “We’re like the little restaurant that could,” Boyd chuckles.
“We’ll come out stronger on the other side of this,” says Boyd, who feels the community has done an excellent job of coming together with donations and volunteering to help clean up the affected areas.
New and emerging brands like Bravazzi added to the mix at Seltzerland. Photo by Jessica Hughes
Despite current rises in COVID-19 cases over the summer and numerous festivals canceled in 2021, large events like Seltzerland, still forged ahead by reinventing themselves in these uncertain times. Last month Denver hosted the popular Seltzerland, the nationally touring hard seltzer festival, at Overland Golf Course, marking its second year in the Mile High city.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, the entire event had to be completely reimagined to avoid being cancelled. Originally the event was designed to be held indoors but with COVID, Kate Levenstien, the CEO and founder of Cannonball Productions, decided to host the event on a golf course instead.
Moving Seltzerland to the greens changed the structure of the event and made it safe for everyone to attend during the pandemic. Tee time sign ups were introduced (timed entries), while attendees walked the course with their group stopping by each tasting booth along the way. Sampling routes are designed as a one-way road to keep everyone socially distanced.
Following a successful launch in 2020, Seltzerland began a nationwide 25 city tour in March 2021 at golf courses in Scottsdale, Tampa, Atlanta, Nashville, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Minneapolis and more.
With the rise in hard seltzers over the years, there seemed to be a space for another “beer fest” only with hard seltzers. As an ode to bubbles and seltzers, Levenstien says “we created Seltzerland to give hard seltzer fans the opportunity to sample new flavors in the most fun way possible. With one-of-a-kind activations, brand new s
Colorado-based breweries, like Oskar Blues, handed out tastings of their hard seltzer line, Wild Basin. Photo by Jessica Hughes
eltzer varieties and beautiful golf courses, Seltzerland is a can’t miss experience.”
Cannonball Production
s also produces the ever popular Bacon and Beer Classic that has made its way to Denver for the past five years, along with other festivals such as Taco Takeover and Whiskey Feast.
Even tequila brands, like Jose Cuervo, made their mark with an elaborate booth and a mixology station. Photo by Jessica Hughes
At Seltzerland, attendees enjoyed a fun day on the green while leisurely walking around the golf course sampling from over 100 hard seltzer flavors, no golfing required. Brands large and small participated including White Claw, Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer, Vizzy and Playamar (Jose Cuervo Seltzer), plus a few from Colorado; Wild Basin from Oskar Blues and Spiked Snowmelt by Upslope Brewing.
Perfectly distanced booths were spread out along the course, where attendees could taste their favorite seltzers and discover new ones with over 20 brands present. Entertainment came in the form of lawn games such as bocce ball and golf ladder. Some brands even provided Seltzer swag and Instagram-worthy booths.
Sad you missed it this year? Well, Seltzerland plans to return to Denver in 2022 with the same structure and the same fun experience it had this year.
Wagon: A wagon reminiscent of those used on the trail. Located at Boggsville Historic Site. Photo by Jessica Hughes
The Santa Fe Trail was an overland two-way trade route that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. The portion of the trail that ran through Colorado was called the Mountain Branch section. This year marks the bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail that ran through Colorado between 1821 and 1890. For the anniversary, there are several events and things to do to help commemorate this historic occasion.
Hosted by National Park Service partners and the Santa Fe Trail 200 organization, the bicentennial celebration will feature more than 40 in-person and virtual events throughout the length of the trail, from Missouri to New Mexico, with several planned in Colorado.
Bent’s Old Fort In La Junta
Bent’s Old Fort: Looking inside Bent’s Old Fort near La Junta. Photo credit: Jessica Hughes
The keystone event for the 200-year celebration of the Santa Fe Trail will be held in La Junta at Bent’s Old Fort. This historic fort was an important stopping point along the trail where travelers came to rest and resupply. To highlight the fort’s significant role it played along the trail, they will be hosting the Santa Fe Trail Symposium, September 23-26, 2021.
Throughout the weekend, the event will showcase speakers, entertainment, and tours. Visitors can also participate in historian-narrated bus tours and living history events, including re-enactors at Bent’s Old Fort. Symposium activities are also planned at the Koshare Indian Museum, Otero Junior College, and the Otero County Museum.
Visit 2021sfts.com to view the entire schedule of events.
Trinidad
Bloom House: The historic Bloom House is part of the Trinidad History Museum. Photo credit: Jessica Hughes
Come to Trinidad for a week-long celebration of the Santa Fe Trail. Events and activities will be held September 27 – October 3, 2021, commemorating the development of American trade, cultural interactions, and the westward expansion that were all a result of this historic byway. The celebration will include historic tours of the trail and the Santa Fe Museum, period reenactments, historic family-friendly activities, theatre productions, art exhibits, and more.
Visit the Trinidad History Museum to view the featured exhibit of Borderlands of Southern Colorado: The Santa Fe Trail. The exhibit, housed in the Santa Fe Trail building, explores the trail through new eyes by telling forgotten stories that shaped the borderlands of southern Colorado. The property also houses the historic Bloom Mansion, the Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens, and the Baca House, where tours are available.
Drive The Santa Fe Trail
Marker: One of 36 Santa Fe Trail markers in Las Animas, Colorado. Photo by Jessica Hughes
One of the best ways to experience the trail is with a drive along the historic Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail. The route roughly follows U.S. Highway 50 from Lamar to La Junta, and along U.S. Highway 350 to Trinidad, going into New Mexico. Visit historic landmarks along the way including Bent’s Old Fort, Boggsville Historic Site, Fort Lyon, Bent’s New Fort, Timpas State Station, the Baca House in Trinidad, and more.
Be on the lookout for the wagon ruts that are still visible in some places along the grass prairies. Much of the historic trail has faded away, so numerous signs are posted alongside the road to notify motorists where the trail once was. In fact, there are now 36 historic granite stone markers that follow the route, most of them denoting visible wagon ruts. Notable markers are found in Lamar at the Big Timbers Museum, north side of U.S. Highway 50 at the Kansas/Colorado state lines, and at Iron Springs along Highway 350.
On Dec. 17, 2020, the rally cries of “Let us play! Let us play!” could be heard by those near the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. More than 60 Colorado high school athletes from across the state, along with parents, and coaches, gathered to protest the postponement of Season B high school sports until Jan. 25, 2021.
Protesters carried handmade signs proclaiming, “Let us play,” “Sports = Mental Health,” “# No Reason” and “Suicide kills teens more than COVID” at Creekside Park in Glendale. Chants continued, coupled with cowbells, as they crossed the street with protected police vehicles to make their voices heard in front of the CDPHE’s Denver offices.
The protest came on the heels of the latest decision by Governor Polis to postpone Season B sports including: ice hockey, basketball, wrestling, skiing, and swimming to begin early February instead of the original schedule of Jan. 4. Their objective was to put the pressure on the Colorado High School Activities Association, Polis, and local health officials to begin Season B sports as previously scheduled.
“It is simple. They won’t let us play sports. For now, it’s postponed, but honestly, the way I see it that’s the first step in them deciding to cancel altogether. I will not stand for that. Not when we have made it perfectly clear that we want to play regardless of the risks associated with COVID. For us athletes, taking away our sports and taking away our seasons is something we need to breathe,” says a Colorado high school athlete and participating protester who voiced her concerns at the rally.
Pleading to be heard, students also turned to the notion that suicides among their age group were a greater cause of death than COVID-19 patients of similar age. Claiming that a lack of playing for some of these kids is more deadly than the virus.
“Sports are clearly the answer here and not the problem,” says Darren Pitzner, the head coach for the girls’ basketball team at Green Mountain High School. Going on to say, “how can we make variances for liquor stores but not for kids to be kids.” He encouraged the young crowd by telling them they were on the right side of history and to give themselves a round of applause for being there. “We need to start saying yes to kids right now.”
As the Protesters started to make their way to the CHSAA offices across the street, Pitzner turned to the crowd and said: “Let’s make sure they hear us!”
Hear them they did, as of Dec. 21, 2020, CHSAA secured variances from the CDPHE and state officials to allow all Season B sports and activities to start on Jan. 18.
According to the CHSAA website, “For months, our office has been laser-focused on students and the safe resumption of high school sports and activities in 2021,” said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “The conversations with CDPHE and the Governor’s COVID Response Team to resume Season B sports have been intentional and assertive. Though it has taken many late nights and weekends, we are thrilled that our student-athletes, member schools, and local school communities have a resolution. Educationally-based athletics are a vital extension of the classroom.”
While winter sports are set to continue, new variances are in play including no more than 24 people, which include coaches, athletes and trainers allowed in the gym to play basketball and limiting the number of games played in the season for all winter sports. The season may not be what they hoped for, but the games must go on. Visit chsaanow.com for a complete guideline for Season A, B, C and D sports.
High school athletes from across the state stand in front of the CDPHE Denver offices at the December rally. Photo by Jessica Hughes
Colorado high school athletes hold signs in protest of the postponement of Season B sports. Photo by Jessica Hughes
Student athletes gather at Creekside Park in Glendale to show their frustration of the postponement of winter sports. Photo by Jessica Hughes
Photo by Jessica Hughes
Colorado high school athletes in their school letter jackets hold signs of “# no reason.”
Red rock formations at Sandstone Ranch. Photo by Jessica Hughes
With what seems like a continuous stream of high-end condos and apartment homes making their way across the Front Range, Coloradans can breathe in a breath of fresh air with Douglas County’s newest open space. As one of the largest purchases made by Douglas County, Sandstone Ranch Open Space was bought for nearly $19 million dollars. What was once slated for development is now protected land that everyone can enjoy for years to come.
Sandstone Ranch Open Space is located near the town of Larkspur, 53 miles south of Denver, providing a convenient location between Denver and Colorado Springs. In operation since the 1870s, Sandstone Ranch still runs today with a small cattle herd roaming the pastures. Remnants of the working ranch are seen throughout including, several historic buildings that date back to the original owners.
Hiking along the Juniper Valley Loop. Photo by Jessica Hughes
The ranch’s 2,083 acres rests along the slopes of the Rampart Range, opening to hillsides covered in Gambel Oak, expansive green meadows, a forested canyon, and riparian land surrounded by West Plum Creek. Met with the Pike National Forest, the land is home to a variety of wildlife including, deer, elk, bears, and mountain lions. But what takes center stage are the brightly colored rock formations. The ranch’s gigantic outcrops are the same Fountain Formation that gave rise to the Garden of the Gods, the red rocks of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the outcroppings at Roxborough State Park.
Historic barn from the original owners of the ranch. Photo by Jessica Hughes
The 12-mile trail system is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. In the winter visitors can explore by snowshoeing, fat biking, or cross-country skiing.
The trail system is divided into two sections, with two main loops. At the parking lot, the trail to the left will lead you to the north end of the ranch. Here, visitors can explore the Juniper Valley Loop, the Red Rock Vista, all within a roughly four-mile walk. The Juniper Valley loop drops hikers down into a low-lying valley where juniper forests are abundant. For vista-like views of the red rock formations, take the off-shoot trail to the Red Rock Vista.
Sunset at Sandstone Ranch Open Space. Photo by Jessica Hughes
The trail to the right at the parking lot leads visitors to the wildlife overlook, the Sandstone Meadow Trail Loop, and the Ranch Overlook. The Sandstone Meadow Trail Loop is 3.7 miles, round trip, with an additional 2.2 miles to the Ranch Overlook. The wildlife overlook is anchored by two massive red rock formations and an information kiosk about how both cattle and wildlife co-exist at the ranch.
Park information
• Pets are allowed but must be on a leash.
• Open to hikers, bikers, horseback riders, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers.
• Trails are well-marked with signs.
• 12 miles of designated trails.
• Covered pavilion with picnic tables and benches.
• Benches are located throughout the trails.
• Parking is available.
• Restrooms and trash receptacles available.
• Open seven days a week, one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.
Directions From Denver
From I-25, north or south, take the Larkspur exit 173. Continue to Spruce Mountain Road for nearly one and a half miles. Upon reaching the stop sign in Larkspur, turn right onto Perry Park Avenue. Where Perry Park Avenue dead ends, take a left onto CO-105 E. Sandstone Ranch is approximately one half mile ahead, on the left.
