by Mark Smiley | Jul 11, 2025 | Travel
By Mark Smiley
Katy Perry returned to Ball Arena on July 10, 2025 after her original performance date was rescheduled. Perry’s Lifetimes Tour began in Mexico City on April 23, 2025. The concert had a futuristic “video game” theme where Perry plays a half‑human/half‑machine hero battling an AI villain who’s stolen butterflies.
Similar to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, Perry rattled through each era of her music during her two-hour performance. The 25 song setlist included all of her hits such as Roar, Teenage Dream, California Gurls, and Firework (her closing number). It also included the deep track Not Like the Movies which she hasn’t performed live since 2012. Fans experienced the full breadth of her career—from early hits to new tracks.
The stage theatrics included wire‑flying, a lightsaber duel, metallic costumes, and intergalactic visuals. The effects included over 20 screens and large props. With all of the theatrics, Perry also took time to bring five kids on stage to ask them questions and have them perform with her. She also took a phone from a fan and took selfies and videos with it.
The tour will conclude on December 7, 2025. This tour supports her seventh studio album, 143. Visit www.katyperry.com/live for more information.
by Jessica Hughes | Jun 20, 2025 | Travel
By Jessica Hughes
120 yogis attend the first guided yoga class at the UCHealth Health and Welleness Zone. Photo provided by Outside.
Lord Huron closed out the second Outside Festival and Summit in Denver. Photo by Jessica Hughes
Austin has South by Southwest — now Denver has the Outside Festival and Summit. Any lingering doubt that Colorado is the epicenter of the outdoor industry was put to rest last month, as the Outside Festival and Summit returned to downtown Denver, doubling both its attendance and presence.
Founded by Outside Interactive Inc. and presented by Capital One and REI Co-op, the Outside Festival and Summit exceeded expectations with 35,000 attendees over the weekend — far surpassing the anticipated 25,000 and nearly doubling last year’s debut turnout. The event didn’t just grow in attendance; it also expanded its footprint, with the Outside Summit taking place across two locations and offering 11 sessions and two workshops.
This year’s four-day event — two days focused on outdoor industry professionals and two days of public festival programming at Civic Center Park — kicked off with the debut of Outside Ignite, a national startup pitch competition. New to the festival, the competition drew nearly 200 applicants, from which five finalists were selected to pitch live to a panel of five judges. The grand prize, valued at $100,000, was awarded to Carbondale-based Raide Research, while Campfire Ranch took runner-up honors and won the audience-voted People’s Choice Award. “This is the Shark Tank of the outdoors,” said Jessica McGee, Director of Marketing at Outside. “These participating contestants — from hospitality to gear — are helping reshape the industry.”
Following Outside Ignite; the Outside Summit welcomed 900 attendees to 15 sessions featuring 46 speakers. Highlights included insights from Conor Hall of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; Mary Beth Laughton, president and CEO of REI Co-op; and Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, who shared his latest vision for Powder Mountain, a project aiming to disrupt the ski industry.
The second Outside Festival doubled in attendance at Civic Center Park. Photo by Jessica Hughes
The Outside Festival took over Civic Center Park on Saturday and Su
nday with a dynamic mix of programming. Industry icons like Alex Honnold headlined presentations, while 500 climbers scaled The North Face climbing wall and over 100 walkers joined Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll for the EverWalk session on Sunday.
Attendees also heard “Tales from the Trails” from seasoned backpackers, sharing stories from their outdoor journeys. Between sessions, a standout lineup of 12 musical acts kept the energy high, with headliners including Trampled by Turtles, Sylvan Esso, and Lord Huron. New this year was the UCHealth Health and Wellness Zone, where 120 yogis greeted the day with sunrise salutations, and the Ultimate Basecamp where industry professionals and athletes engaged audiences in inspiring conversations about adventure and the outdoors.
“This year’s Outside Festival and Summit proves that we’re building something much bigger than an event… we’re fostering deeper connections and bringing the outdoor community together,” said Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside Interactive. “The Outside Summit rethinks the traditional outdoor trade show model and brings leaders in the industry together to discuss new ideas, successes, and challenges that top outdoor businesses are facing today. The Outside Festival is where we see huge potential for more engagements at t
he event, continuing to celebrate outdoor culture and attract fans of music, film, wellness, and adventure. We hope to keep growing this event and adding value for years to come.”
The timing of the Outside Festival feels especially significant, as Colorado’s position as a leader in the outdoor industry was called into question following the Outdoor Retailer trade show’s 2022 departure from Denver back to it roots in Salt Lake City. But with Outside Inc. relocating its headquarters from Santa Fe to Boulder, the company has forged a strong partnership with the state — paving the way for the creation of this new, uniquely Colorado event, says McGee.
Denver responded to the moment, launching a festival that not only attracts industry professionals but also directly engages outdoor enthusiasts, bridging a gap that hadn’t been crossed before.
“Outside brings a South by Southwest approach to the outdoor space,” says McGee. “We’re not trying to be another expo,” McGee adds. “We want people to come for the connections, the conversations, and the fun. Brands benefit, too connecting with both their industry peers and with consumers in one vibrant space.”
For those in the industry, McGee emphasizes the importance of building community and fostering dialogue about where the outdoor world is heading. For consumers, the mission is simple: get people outside. That’s why the festival is free for kids 12 and under — to make it as accessible as possible and inspire the next generation of outdoor lovers. “It’s all about kicking off the summer season and getting people excited about the outdoor lifestyle.”
With plans already underway for a third year — scheduled for the weekend after Memorial Day — the Outside Festival is quickly establishing itself as the unofficial launch of summer. “We’re committed to growing this event year after year,” says McGee. “The goal is to keep the momentum going and build the go-to gathering place for the entire outdoor community — professionals and consumers alike.”
by Mark Smiley | Mar 28, 2025 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL — a one-of-a-kind production that brings the circus arts to the ice for the very first time, returns to two Colorado markets in 2025: Loveland, April 18-20, 2025, at Blue Arena, and Colorado Springs, April 24-27, 2025, at Broadmoor World Arena. With 11 circus acts all adapted for Cirque du Soleil’s first foray into a brand-new creative territory — the ice —CRYSTAL takes audiences on an unforgettable journey into the vivid and whimsical world of imagination.
Since 2017, CRYSTAL has performed in front of more than 2 million people in over 145 cities worldwide, blending the art of skating with adrenaline-inducing acrobatics and aerial feats. CRYSTAL pushes the boundaries of possibility within the circus arts. The show highlights Cirque du Soleil’s creativity in a new way and encourages audiences to find the magic of the everyday. Every time you watch, there’s something new to see and experience.
Tickets for CRYSTAL are now available exclusively to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and includes access to advance tickets and special offers. To join, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/crystal.
CRYSTAL – Performance Schedule:
Loveland, CO – BLUE ARENA
- Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 19 at 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 20 at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Colorado Springs, CO –
BROADMOOR WORLD ARENA
- Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 26 at 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO — the first original Cirque du Soleil Big Top show after the pandemic — will also make its way through Denver in 2025 with 46 performances under the tent in Ball Arena’s 4Runner West Parking Lot July 12-August 17, 2025. Tickets for ECHO are also now available exclusively to Cirque Club members and general tickets can be purchased at www.cirquedusoleil.com/echo.
Photos by Matt Baker & Olivier Brajon
by Mark Smiley | Feb 19, 2025 | Travel
In Just Two Years: Five New Dining Outlets, An Enhanced Grand Lodge, And Mountain View Event Space Redefine The Resort
by Mark Smiley
Old Hickory Steakhouse Bar
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center has completed Phase Two of its multi-year enhancement plan with the debut of Garden + Grain, Copper Table, and the reimagined Old Hickory Steakhouse Bar in November 2024. These new dining outlets represent the final elements of a transformative investment that has redefined the culinary and guest experience for Colorado’s largest combined resort and convention center.
Garden + Grain, a first-of-its-kind concept within the Gaylord Hotels brand, delivers a whole-food-forward dining experience rooted in top-quality, organic ingredients and sustainable practices. Avoiding fryers and refined foods, the restaurant emphasizes nutrient preservation and bold natural flavors.
The menu features fresh grain bowls, stone-fired pizzas with seasonal toppings, and vibrant salads — crafted without seed oils, refined sugars, or processed elements. Sustainability is central to Garden + Grain’s mission, reflected in its commitment to sourcing the finest fish, lamb, produce and other ingredients from trusted suppliers who prioritize humane treatment and sustainable agriculture. The restaurant further supports sustainability through initiatives such as composting food waste, harvesting honey from on-property hives and sourcing from local farms like Superior Farms and Hazel Dell Mushrooms to minimize its carbon footprint. Guests are welcomed into a greenhouse-inspired space with a stone-clad bar, an exhibition kitchen, custom murals, and a signature stone-fired pizza oven.
Paying homage to Colorado’s rich history, Copper Table delivers a con
Garden + Grain Entrance
temporary twist on classic Western dishes. The menu delivers signature dishes such as bison meatloaf and burger, rotisserie duck, and Superior Farms lamb, complemented by artisanal cocktails and craft beers from local breweries including Telluride Brewing Company, Dry Dock Brewing Company, and Prost Brewing Company. The restaurant’s design showcases a striking bar at the entrance, leading to a conservatory-inspired dining room illuminated by a grand skylight. At the rear, an open exposition kitchen with its cornerstone copper hood serves as a tribute to the restaurant’s namesake. Throughout the space, warm wood, and copper accents, along with locally sourced art and furniture, echo the themes of Colorado’s agricultural roots.
The newly reimagined Old Hickory Steakhouse, Gaylord Rockies’ flagship upscale dining destination, blends opulence with regional character. The refreshed space includes a wrap-around bar, intimate seating areas, a striking fireplace, bold belt-buckle inspired lighting, and a stunning mural made from dyed bison hides.
Staying true to its roots, Old Hickory continues to serve expertly prepared premium steaks, with an expanded menu that highlights prime-grade beef from Greater Omaha and domestic Wagyu, dry-aged in-house and carved tableside for an unforgettable presentation. The menu also fe
Copper Table Bar
atures elevated takes on nostalgic classics, including truffle creamed spinach and the Mile High Roller Baked Potato, topped with luxurious caviar, truffles, Nueske’s bacon, mornay sauce, and crème fraîche. Old Hickory Steakhouse takes pride in crafting its own salts, alongside a carefully curated selection of cocktails, premium wines, and cheese boards featuring both domestic and imported varieties.
The opening of these new dining concepts has added over 60 jobs to the local community, supporting a diverse range of culinary and hospitality talent.
“Each new concept was designed with intention — from the ingredient-driven menu at Garden + Grain to the refined Western flavors at Copper Table and the reimagined elegance of Old Hickory Steakhouse,” said Suzy Hart, General Manager of Gaylord Rockies Resort. “This marks a defining moment in our resort’s evolution, elevating the guest experience while setting a new standard for hospitality in the region.”
Phase One investments at the resort were completed in April 2023, featuring a redesign of the outdoor lawn spaces and the addition of dining terraces for Old Hickory Steakhouse and Mountain Pass Sports Bar. Phase Two enhancements began in June 2023 and progressed through 2024, with highlights including the successful openings of Embers Lodge Bar, The Fortunate Prospector, and the event space Mountain View Pavilion in mid-2024. The phase culminated at the end of the year with the debut of Copper Table, Garden + Grain, and the redesigned Old Hickory Steakhouse.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort is located at 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard. For more information about the resort or to make a reservation, visit www.gaylordrockies.com.
by Jessica Hughes | Jan 16, 2025 | Travel
by Jessica Hughes
The exterior design of the Populus Hotel is meant to resemble the iconic Colorado aspen tree. Photo by Jason O’Rear
A new hotel has been planted near Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. The Populus Hotel, the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel, opened its doors to the public on October 14 — almost three years after breaking ground in April 2022.
Developed by local real estate developer, Urban Villages, and designed by AD100 architecture firm, Studio Gang, the 265-room, 13-story hotel is turning heads with its distinct design and sustainability efforts. Meant to resemble Colorado’s iconic aspen tree, the hotel’s stark, white-washed exterior, dotted with windows in 20 different shaped “aspen eyes” is the backdrop to the Mile High City’s most cutting-edge hotel.
Focusing on bringing nature back into the city, the entire hotel replicates a natural living organism, the aspen tree. From the “forest floor” lobby to its open-air rooftop bar, the entire experience is meant to make you feel a part of nature in the middle of downtown.
While the Aspen-eye-shaped windows are the hotel’s most distinct design element, the hotel’s interior design also seamlessly captures nature’s elements while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental stewardship through carefully selected sustainable materials. The lobby showcases this approach with its ceiling featuring repurposed wood snow fencing from Wyoming. Guest rooms reflect the same eco-conscious philosophy, incorporating carpeting made from recycled biodegradable materials and headboards constructed from naturally fallen beetle-kill pine trees.
Modern and efficient guest rooms with aspen-eye windows stand out with picture-perfect views of downtown. Photo by Steve Hall
“This is a design concept that focuses on bringing nature back into the city,” says George Prine, the General Manager of the Populus. “Being in Colorado, it feels natural to have a hotel that highlights the beautiful nature around us, making nature all a part of the experience.”
Two restaurant concepts anchor the 265 rooms, with Pasque restaurant on the ground floor, and the rooftop restaurant and terrace, Stellar Jay, where the views of the state capitol building, the Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Public Library take center stage. But the views don’t stop there. Guests will enjoy picture-perfect views through the aspen-eye windows, framing downtown Denver’s iconic buildings and distant mountains.
Accommodations span from the Grove and Aspen rooms to the premium Pando Suite, which crowns the top floor.
But the hotel’s design isn’t the only thing that has garnered all the attention. As the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel, the Populus has also ushered in a new standard in the hospitality industry of what it means to be environmentally sustainable.
Populus reduced its operational carbon footprint through a combination of sustainable design and construction techniques, including the use of low-carbon concrete, an insulated façade system, and GFRC rain screen. And to reduce its carbon footprint even more, Populus is Colorado’s only hotel without a parking lot. But to be carbon-positive, not just carbon-neutral or net-zero, the Populus goes beyond cutting carbon emissions, it is committed to putting more “positive” effects back into the environment.
Stellar Jay rooftop terrace invites guests to take in the views and a crafty cocktail. Photo by Yoshihiro Makino
The Populus worked with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to further offset its carbon footprint by planting over 70,000 trees (172+ acres) in Gunnison County. In fact, at the heart of the hotel’s efforts to be the first “carbon positive” hotel in the U.S., the Populus will offer its One Night, One Tree program — planting a tree for every night’s stay. In partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), Populus will plant one tree for every night’s stay.
The hotel’s two unique dining concepts are also making headlines with their goal to turn 100% food waste into compost to be shared with local farmers. Pasque, an all-day dining destination on the hotel’s lobby floor, and Stellar Jay, the lively rooftop restaurant and bar, are setting a new standard of food from table to farm, establishing a circular solution for food waste.
To achieve this, Populus will be the first hotel in downtown Denver to use unique “Food Cycling’’ technology from BioGreen 360. Using this technology, the hotel aims to divert 100% of its food waste away from landfills and turn it into all-natural compost that it will give back to local farmers in Colorado.
“The opening of Populus marks an incredibly significant milestone and represents a new model of environmentally conscious hospitality that will forever change the guest experience for mindful travelers, while adding vibrancy to the city of Denver,” said Jon Buerge, President of Urban Villages. “We are excited to watch Populus come to life as the center of a thriving community, becoming everything from the new neighborhood hotspot to a must-visit hotel destination, all while inspiring the industry to rethink how hotels can prioritize the health of the planet in a positive, engaging, and meaningful way.”
by Regan Bervar | Dec 17, 2024 | Travel
by Regan Bervar
Walkable: Cherry Creek North is a walkable neighborhood with 600 stores from which to choose.
Denver has no shortage of sprawling neighborhoods across the city, and Cherry Creek North is no different. With hundreds of retailers, and a strong emphasis on small businesses, the district is home to a number of commerce stores and residents alike. With 300 days of sunshine in Denver, chances are it’s a good day to walk the tree-lined streets of Cherry Creek North.
Cherry Creek North has over 600 businesses, with 90% being small or micro businesses. According to Lisa Voss, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Cherry Creek North, Cherry Creek North is more than just a 16 block area, but a neighborhood, a community, and central vibrant district.
“You’ve heard the term the 15 minute city,” Voss said. “We’re not really a city per se, but we are a bit of a 15 minute neighborhood. What that means is everything can happen here. We’re loaded with merchants and services and all kinds of fun, but we also have a post office, a library, and an elementary school.”
Cherry Creek North emphasizes community, safety, and a diverse array of retail and service offerings, and the shop owners in the area bring a sense of community to the neighborhood, with 220 of the 600 businesses being retail and service businesses. According to the small business report, 90% of those 220 retail and service shops are small businesses, and 64% go even further, and are micro businesses with 10 employees or fewer.
“We have what I believe is the largest collection of small and local businesses in one area, probably anywhere in Colorado, so we super celebrate them,” Voss said. “Of course, along with all of our businesses, they’re all very important to us and serve the community in so many different ways, but the ability to really love on small and micro businesses is just really powerful. Small businesses make this beautiful country of ours go round.”
Natalie Statser is the manager of Organic S
Organic Squeeze: They have started their Healthy New Year Campaign with different options for cleanses and promotions to kick off a healthy start to the New Year.
queeze in Cherry Creek North, which opened just over two months ago. The Oklahoma-based company has expanded to open their first branch in Colorado, and found Cherry Creek North to be the perfect location, as the walkable and health-conscious community aligns with their philosophy. Although the company has been together for 11 years, their Denver location is their first out-of-state branch. With their slogan of “healthy tastes better” and their commitment to 100% organic, whole food ingredients, they have felt right at home in the Cherry Creek North community.
“Everyone’s super friendly, they’re active and care about health, wellness, and moving their bodies,” Statser said. “We’re very happy to have expanded here and it matches what our brand offers to people’s lifestyle. It’s a gorgeous neighborhood, I don’t know who wouldn’t want to be in Cherry Creek.”
Statser at Organic Squeeze says that the location is an amazing aspect of the business’ expansion to Colorado, and the people in Cherry Creek are vital to their operations. “Everyone’s very health-minded and lives an active lifestyle, and that makes it really easy for us,” Statser said. “We are 100% organic, and we are really big on doing things better, even if that’s just a little bit better each day. That means
Wine: Vineyard Wine Shop started in 1971 and has had a Wine of The Month Club ever since.
providing easy access for people to have healthy, wholesome foods, and cultivating an environment where it is family friendly and efficient with people’s time.”
Coming up at Organic Squeeze, you can look forward to their Healthy New Year Campaign with different options for cleanses and promotions to kick off a healthy start to the New Year. You can also find them doing pop-ups in local gyms and on their new Organic Squeeze app that makes online ordering for their house-made goods and smoothies a breeze.
A couple of blocks away on Fillmore Street, Cliff Louis is a local business owner in Cherry Creek North, and owns Vineyard Wine Shop which has been in business for 53 years. For the 43 years that Louis has been at Vineyard Wine Shop, he has had a unique look at how the neighborhood and its businesses have changed over the years. The impact of grocery stores selling wine has taken a hit on his local wine sales, but the sense of community you get from a small business is unmatched.
“Our philosophy is we make friends, not money,” Louis said. “Everyone is happy [who visits] and anyone who comes in the store gets personal attention. It’s not like a grocery store where you just grab it off the shelf, we’re a pretty classic, small mom and pop business with a great staff that knows all sorts of things about wine.”
Vineyard Wine Shop was started by Robert Wilson in 1971 and has since expanded from just the basement to the entire building as Louis took over. He values the community aspect of Cherry Creek North, with its mix of local and national stores.
“The location and community for me is perfect; we’ve got all the new apartment buildings, condos, and office buildings coming in, so hopefully we’re becoming their neighborhood wine store.” Louis said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes here, for sure, but pretty much our business has not changed as far as scope. We were a wine store back in 1971 and we’re still basically a wine store today.”
Vineyard Wine Shop has offered their Wine of The Month Club since 1971, which sends wine of all sizes, tastes, and regions to members all over the country. It’s a great way to subscribe to support a small local business, but also get great selections and recommendations from your neighborhood local wine shop.
Organic Squeeze is located at 180 Steele Street. For more information, visit www.or ganic-squeeze.com. For more information on Vineyard Wine Shop, visit vineyardwineshop.com. They are located at 261 Fillmore Street. Learn more about Cherry Creek North at www.cherrycreeknorth.com.
Cherry Creek North is a gorgeous community with hundreds of retail, food, and hospitality offerings, with a strong emphasis on shopping small and supporting small and micro businesses. It’s a great place to catch lunch with a friend, do some holiday shopping, or just wander around and take in the scenery that has been carefully curated to be a safe and beautiful space for the community.
