by Mark Smiley | Aug 27, 2021 | Main Articles
Left Wing Money To Pour Into Republican Primaries Next Year
by Glen Richardson
Who Does He Work For: Jon Caldera of the free-market Independence Institute, who is not a Republican, is lobbying hard for Colorado Republicans not to opt out of open primaries. The principal beneficiary of his lobbying is Kathryn Murdoch, the wealthy highly progressive New York Democrat.
According to Jon Caldera of the Independence Institute, a self-described free market think tank in Denver, the seemingly moribund Republican Party of Colorado is on the verge of a great victory in Colorado in 2022. He stated so in an opinion piece in The Denver Post and in emails to everyone of the approximately 520 Republican State Central Committee members. What is surprising about the communications is that Caldera is not a Republican, and moreover almost no other political commentator in the state believes the Republicans are on the verge of victory in Colorado. True, the 10-year reapportionment of Congressional, State House and State Senate districts is being done this year by an independent commission, from one that was gerrymandered heavily in favor of Democrats, but little else seems to favor Republicans in Colorado.
Since the advent of mail-in balloting and ballot harvesting along with open primaries where unaffiliates can vote in Republican primaries, Republicans have lost almost every statewide election along with the State Senate. The number of registered Republicans in Colorado is plummeting and has dropped by over 22,000 voters so far in 2021 alone. So, what is going on?
The Colorado Republican primaries are becoming more and more lucrative for consultants and others. Kathryn Murdoch of New York City, the extremely wealthy and very progressive daughter-in-law of billionaire Rupert Murdoch, has decided to become a major player in Colorado Republican primaries. As outlined in an article in the Colorado Sun, Murdoch funded, through a series of corporations including Unite Colorado, over two million dollars to five Republican primaries in Weld and Jefferson counties (HD22, HD48, HD49 HD63 and SD63). She did so in order to ensure conservative Republicans would not win in strong Republican districts. She sought Republicans who would help Democrats get progressive legislation passed at the State Capitol.
Murdoch Five: The five Republican liberals were elected over conservatives in primaries in Weld and Jefferson County with massive cash infusions on behalf of their candidacy by Kathryn Murdoch and Unite Colorado.
Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer
Representative Dan Woog
Representative Tonya Van Beber
Representative Colin Larson
Representative Michael Lynch
Unite Colorado was spectacularly successful getting Colin Larson, Michael Lynch, Tonya Van Beber, and Dan Woog to be the Republican nominees to the State House, and Barbara Kirkmeyer to the State Senate. Since all were in strong Republican districts, the “Murdoch 5” won their general elections. One of the first actions was to replace conservative Patrick Neville of Douglas County as Republican minority leader in the House with more Democrat friendly Hugh McKean of Loveland.
The enormous success of Murdoch in Colorado was spearheaded by Terrance Carroll, the former Democratic Speaker of the Colorado House who became the president of Unite Colorado in 2019. Flushed with success, Kathryn Murdoch is expected to provide many more millions to Carroll to help turn the Colorado Republican party blue. The roadmap is generally not to challenge incumbent conservative Republicans, but rather to wait until
Biggest Republican Primary Donor: The wealthy New York progressive Democrat Kathryn Murdoch is the biggest donor to Republican primaries in Colorado. She is determined to get Republicans elected in strong conservative districts who will help Democrats pass highly progressive legislation.
they are term limited. Non-incumbents seldom have many resources and therefore the Murdoch candidates will have an enormous advantage over any non-incumbent conservatives. Moreover, the Murdoch candidates almost never run as liberal Republicans and their campaign literature is seldom any different from conservatives. It is estimated that Murdoch and Carroll will take the 2022 and 2024 election cycles to complete their work in taking over the Colorado Republican Party
King Of Republican Primaries: Terrance Carroll, the former Democrat Speaker of the State House, has more money to spend in Republican primaries in Colorado than anyone else in the state thanks to New York progressive Kathryn Murdoch.
In response, grassroot Republicans have begun a campaign to only allow Republicans and not unaffiliated voters to vote in Republican primaries and thereby greatly reducing the influence that Murdoch and Carroll would have in Republican primaries. This so-called Opt Out campaign (which the publisher of this paper has supported) is greatly opposed by some large Republican donors and their consultants, believing it would reduce their influence over the party, and believing they could work with Murdoch and Carroll easier than with the grassroots of the Republican party.
That is where Jon Caldera and the Independence Institute comes in. The Independence Institute is not required and does not reveal its donors, but it is assumed it is the same as the wealthy donors to the Republican and Democratic parties and may include Kathryn Murdoch. It would appear Caldera’s job is to convince Republicans that withstanding every indication to the contrary, Republicans in Colorado are on the verge of victory but only if they do not Opt Out. The opportunity to Opt Out under state law occurs only every two years. If Caldera is successful, Murdoch and Carroll will have ample time to successfully complete their endeavors. Of course, behind the scenes many top Democratic operatives are cheering Caldera and the Independence Institute on. The Democratic operatives believe that if Caldera and the Independence Institute are successful in stopping the Opt Out campaign it could guarantee a very progressive future for Colorado for decades to come.
by Mark Smiley | Jul 23, 2021 | Main Articles
This Month Broe To Begin Construction Of Phased $35 Million Street Conversion By Bulldozing Buildings At 2nd Ave. And Clayton
by Glen Richardson
Broe Real Estate Group — which owns the bulk of the east side of Clayton St. in Cherry Creek North — is restarting the pandemic-paused transformation of the north-south street this month by bulldozing structures on the southeast corner of 2nd Ave. at Clayton.
Leveling of the structures will make way for construction of an eight-story, 76,000-sq.-ft. high-rise that will feature both retail space and commercial offices.
Building site construction fencing was installed along the southeast side of Clayton at 2nd Ave. in mid-July. Two existing two-story structures, one at 200 Clayton — location of Planet Laboratories Aveda Cherry Creek for years — and the other at 210 Clayton — where Show Of Hands was a longtime tenant — are slated to be demolished.
Mega Makeover
Starting Structure: Rendering of eight-story building that will be the first built. Existing structures at 200 and 210 Clayton St. will be bulldozed to make way for the building.
Broe has been based in Cherry Creek since 1983 and its headquarters is at 252 Clayton St. The group plans to leave the adjacent four-story structure it owns at 216 Clayton St.
But when 200 Clayton is done, it will then demolish the two-story parking garage it owns to the north and build yet another seven-story structure. It is projected to have 3,000-sq-ft. of ground-floor retail space and 31,890-sq.-ft. of office space.
Above- and below-ground parking for the two sites will be a combined 297 spaces. The estimated total cost for the mega street makeover is $35 million. In all, about 0.62 acres are being redeveloped.
Mega Bucks Firm
The first office building already has one tenant. OmniTrax, a railroad company that is also owned by The Broe Group, will take the second and third floors of 200 Clayton, about 20,000-sq.-ft. The firm currently operates out of a 29,000-sq. ft. space at 252 Clayton, a structure that Broe purchased in 1983. Active negotiations are reportedly underway with unaffiliated prospective tenants for the remaining office space on floors four through eight.
Broe played a role in the development of downtown office tower The Tabor Center back in the 1980s. The firm built Country Club Towers II & III, twin 32-story apartment towers in West Wash Park that were completed in 2017. Much of its work, however is outside Colorado, including an industrial warehouse project outside the Port of Savannah in Georgia.
The Creek-based firm directs a multibillion-dollar portfolio of real estate, transportation, energy and investment assets that span North America. Broe Group and its managed affiliates employ more than 1,000 people. Up until now, however, the only thing the company has built in Cherry Creek is the building at 216 Clayton St., which houses the headquarters of both The Broe Group and its real estate subsidiary.
Street Spruce-Up
The company is working with Beck Architecture to design the buildings in the makeover. Planning and landscape firm Dunn + Kiley is creating the streetscape design. Initial plans for the four contiguous parcels on the street include use of local stone plinths as street f
Street Conversion: Broe Real Estate Group — which owns the bulk of the east side of Clayton St. in Cherry Creek North — is starting a phased $35 million makeover of the block.
urniture and play elements and possibly roof top terraces.
Broe Real Estate Group CEO Doug Wells says uncertainty caused by the pandemic pushed the project back until this year. “We were gearing up pre-pandemic to start this last August,” he acknowledges.
The 200 Clayton project is just the first phase of the firm’s expansive Clayton Street redevelopment. Wells is hopeful the first project will be completed in early 2023, although mid-2024 is likely more realistic. That being said, the street conversion probably won’t be finished until near the end of the decade.
Stressed Street
Streetscape Plans: Planning-landscape firm Dunn + Kiley is creating the streetscape design. Use of local stone plinths as street furniture and play elements plus possibly roof top terraces are being considered.
Construction, of course, isn’t new along the block of Clayton Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave. in Cherry Creek.
Shoppers and business owners have encountered constant sidewalk and street slowdowns and blockage since 2018 when Matt Joblon’s BMC Investments demolished the Inn at Cherry Creek and started construction of The Clayton.
In November 2017 Joblon said, “renovation should take about a year to complete.” The hotel and membership club — across the street from the newly launched Broe development — just opened this summer. The two-story parking garage to be demolished following the 200 Clayton work is directly across from the posh new hotel.
Bottlenecks Ahead
Fenced Out: Building site construction fencing was installed along the southeast side of Clayton at 2nd Ave. in mid-July as street conversion gets underway.
Yet another redevelopment bottleneck is likely to begin soon nearby between 1st and 2nd Ave. from Josephine to Detroit St. Clayton Lane Investors LLC — a partnership between Brookfield and Invesco Real Estate — just purchased the portion of the Clayton Lane parking garage it didn’t own from the Nichols Partnership for $14.9 million.
The entity now owns the entire retail portion of the Clayton Lane project, which includes Whole Foods, a shuttered Sears store, and the retail spaces along 2nd Ave. The deal is significant because Clayton Lane Investors has previously discussed redeveloping Clayton Lane, including demolishing Whole Foods and the parking garage. Previous plans called for Whole Foods to be rebuilt on what is now the west portion of the parking lot. The development has been delayed by Nichols owning a portion of the garage.
The ownership group, however hasn’t released in new information about future plans for the massive retail site.
Pending Projects
While the first post-pandemic new construction is likely to be on the Creek’s west end, new construction could pop up at these three spots: BMC owns the infill site at 235 Fillmore that has set vacant for several years. Joblon, who has proposed an office building with ground-floor retail, could start up the project at any time.
Another potential building hot spot is at 2nd Ave. and Adams. A two-story office building and home were cleared from the site a year ago. Local owner Blair Richardson originally said he planned to construct an all-glass building with ground floor retail and four levels of office space.
Finally, a seven-story, 136-unit senior living project is proposed near the intersection of Alameda Ave. and Colorado Blvd. Named Solterra Senior Living, that project site has also sat vacant for more than two years. The latest chapter in the growth of Cherry Creek North restarts the district’s boomtown buildup that lasted eight straight years before the pandemic hit. The district was known for decades as a shopping mecca of charm and hospitality.
by Regan Bervar | Jul 23, 2021 | Main Articles
“Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.” Franklin P. Jones
by Luke Schmaltz
Dogs are best friends, counselors, consolers, and confidants — they can share your emotional highs and spiritual lows with equal enthusiasm. Perhaps the only thing they love as much as being with their humans is the chance to run and play with their fellow canines. Across the Mile High City, there are numerous places where dogs can go for a leash-free romp. Yet, as with the rest of Denver’s infrastructure, this aspect has been placed in lopsidedly-high demand by the population boom. A recent article on denverite .com cites an estimate that there are somewhere around 150,000 dogs in Denver across 99,000 households.
Dog parks tend to coincide with areas which are in some stage of the gentrification process. As with most other urban issues, dog parks are a divisive topic — with non-owners being unsympathetic to the tax burden and dog owners being unanimously for it. The result is a network of areas across the city which are specifically designated for communal, off-leash dog play. Additionally, many residents choose to run their dogs in any open area across the Denver Parks and Recreation system, which is for the most part a benign practice with a few legal caveats.
According to BringFido.com, “There are 46 off-leash dog parks within 20 miles of Glendale.” This guide will keep you relatively close to home, featuring outdoor dog-friendly destinations within several miles of the Glendale/Cherry Creek area.
Top Dog Parks Near Glendale And Cherry Creek
Playa Del Carmen Park: Perfect for locals who need a convenient place to let their dogs get some exercise without making a long trip to a larger, out-of-the-way destination.
Playa Del Carmen Park Dog Run
Named after Glendale’s sister city in Mexico, this park with a dog run is situated along Kentucky Ave. just west of E. Cherry Creek Drive. This place is perfect for locals who need a convenient place to let their dogs get some exercise without making a long trip to a larger, out-of-the-way destination.
Lowry Dog Park
The Lowry Dog Park: High energy, low energy and agility runs for a wide variety of dogs.
Located at Yosemite Way and E. 4th Place, the park is known for its “agility” section for young dogs who want to show off their physical prowess as well as its “high energy” and “low energy” zones for younger, older, smaller, and larger breeds, respectively. Owners are encouraged to bring their own water, especially on a hot day, and are reminded to also bring baggies for cleaning up after their four-legged friends.
Kennedy Dog Park
This park is located at 9700 E. Hampden Ave. and features off-street parking as well as high and low-energy dog runs in separate fenced areas. The ground in the play areas is dirt, making cleanup after your pets easy. Meanwhile, the regulars — human and canine — are known to be friendly and easy going. Visitors are advised to bring their own water and, as shade can be scarce, folks should bring sunscreen, an umbrella, or both.
Stapleton Dog Park
Located at 2002 Spruce St. just north of E. Montview Blvd., the designated area in this park is one expansive dirt field for dogs of all sizes and energy levels to roam, run, and play. There are some water fountains in various states of working order, so owners are advised to bring water and, as always, arrive prepared to clean up after your pets. In the play area, there is a posted (unenforced) rule of “no children under 12” most likely for liability reasons but the shade trees, benches and other park features offer plenty of options for those not in the fenced area.
Carla Madison Dog Park
Located off the corner of 16th and Josephine near the 2400 block of E. Colfax, this small but clean park adjacent to East High is perfect for city dogs who need a bit of open space to run and play. The parking lot and grounds are wheelchair accessible, and visitors must bring their own water and dog waste cleanup bags.
Grandview Dog Park
Located in Aurora, east of Glendale, and near Quincy Reservoir, this park at 17500 E. Quincy Ave. features ample parking and a massive five-acre play area designed exclusively for dogs. There is a bit of a hike involved between the parking lot and the park, so visitors should be prepared to keep dogs leashed until inside the fenced-off play area. There are separate large and small dog sections, with the former offering agility obstacles for high-energy breeds. As with most dog parks, owners should bring water for their pets and arrive prepared to clean up the inevitable evacuation piles.
Railyard Dog Park
The Railyard Dog Park: Popular, centrally located destination.
Located in lower downtown, this park is located at 19th and Bassett Streets and is perfect for folks who like to take their dogs for an afternoon drive. The grounds feature a soft, sandy surface rather than grass as well as separate high-energy and low-energy play areas. As with all dog parks, the BYO water and poop bags protocol applies here. Plus, the park at large offers beaches and shady areas for visitors.
Denver Leash Laws:
More Like Loose Guidelines
The law simply states that, in public areas, all dogs must be kept on a leash unless within confined, designated areas and must be under the supervision of a keeper or an owner who is at least 18 years old. This includes areas of public parks that are not penned-in dog runs. As you may have noticed, however, this rule is being largely dismissed by dog owners. This is because, like most local ordinances, leash laws are not being enforced.
The Denver library.municode.com website explains, “It shall be the duty of the chief of police, and all other police officers and all animal protection officers, to see that a dog found running at large is taken up and impounded in the Denver Animal Shelter, and such dog may be so taken up without the necessity of filing a complaint and shall be impounded and disposed of in accordance with provisions of article VII of this chapter.” Similarly, the Warshauer McLaughlin Law Group website (https://w-mlawgroup.com/) states: “Dogs are considered “running at large,” if they are not on the premise of the dog’s owner, not on leash, cord, or chain held by the owner or guardian. They are also considered running at large, if they are on the owner’s property, but the dog still has access to the ‘public right of way,’ such as sitting in the front yard unrestrained.”
Were this policy to be enforced to the letter, Denver officials would be working overtime to corral and impound all of the dogs running around off-leash in local parks and open-space areas. Similarly, the posted rules in most dog parks state that dogs within the facility must be registered, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered if they are over six months of age. This is not always the case, not by a long stretch, so dog park users are advised that other pet owners may not follow the rules. But — as far as the authorities and the average citizen are concerned — no one seems to give a woof.
by Charles Bonniwell | Jul 23, 2021 | Main Articles
by Charles Bonniwell
More Trouble: The office of the Denver DA has opened a formal investigation into DPS Board Member Tay Anderson’s unlawfully soliciting and receiving gifts.
As reported in the May 2021 edition of the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, a criminal complaint was filed on behalf of Campaign Integrity Watchdog by Matt Arnold. Arnold alleged that Anderson repeatedly violated C.R.S. Sec. 24-6-203 by soliciting and receiving, but not reporting, gifts totaling thousands of dollars. He did so through GoFundMe pages for everything from trips to Washington, D.C., to purported medical expenses from allegedly being pushed to the ground at the Colorado State Capitol during a protest. Anderson also solicited baby shower gifts on Target’s Baby Registry page.
After Anderson refused to answer intervention letters sent out to Anderson’s multiple addresses, Chief Deputy District Attorney at Denver DA, Joe Morales, reviewed the case again and assigned the case to Senior Criminal & Civil Investigator Kent Prose. In response, Anderson initiated an even more brazen scheme. He sent an email to his thousands of supporters declaring:
Campaign Integrity Watchdog had sent a similar complaint to the Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswald, who dismissed the same, and Anderson had celebrated that dismissal in an April 29, 2021 email. At a July 14, 2021, press conference located at Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center, Anderson announced he was returning to his full schedule as a board member of Denver Public Schools (DPS) notwithstanding that the investigation into claims of 60 plus young women that he had allegedly sexually assaulted or harassed had not been completed.
Capitol Incident: Anderson solicited gifts on a GoFundMe page for purported medical expenses stemming from allegedly being pushed to the ground at a protest at the state capitol on July 29, 2020.
DPS had appointed Investigations Law Group to look into all the claims against Anderson, including the one brought by Black Lives Matter 5280, and those referenced by Mary Katherine Brooks Fleming before the Colorado House Judiciary Committee on May 5, 2021.
Anderson claimed that the group had indicated that its investigation would take only 30 days but had taken longer. He also slammed the media indicating it was “complicit in the white supremacists’ attacks that have happened to my family.” He also asserted that he had contemplated suicide because of the hateful threats and comments.
The Denver District Attorney’s office has declined to indicate whether or not it has opened a separate investigation on Anderson regarding the claims of sexual assault and harassment.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 25, 2021 | Main Articles
People At Parks Surges 45% As Pandemic Limits Loosen; Half Of Flowerbeds Planted, Watering Off 20%, Trash Cans Full
by Glen Richardson
People Pack Parks: Denver Parks & Recreation estimates a 45% surge in number of people in parks since the pandemic limits loosened. Adding to the wear-and-tear of park lawns are events such as these summer-long jazz concerts at City Park.
Even as Denver and the Cherry Creek Valley are opening up following the year-long pandemic shutdown, the effects continue to reverberate and are likely to do so for a long time after defeat of the virus. Across the Valley people congregated in unprecedented numbers at parks to feel a sense of community during the time of isolation. Denver’s 250 parks, 30 rec centers and 80+ trails became some of Denver’s most utilized assets throughout the pandemic.
The pandemic, of course, dealt a crushing blow to the City of Denver’s budget. As revenues from local/state sales and income taxes declined abruptly, the cost of responding to the conditions created by the pandemic continued to rise. At Denver’s Parks & Recreation Department, the city was forced to slash about $9.4 million.
Park usage was anticipated to be high this summer but is rising beyond predictions after loosening of Covid-19 restrictions. Judging by the number of trash bags Denver Parks & Rec is using, the number of visitors has already jumped drastically. Trash bag usage is up 45% in Wash Park and 43% in City Park.
Park Pace Slows
Talking Trash: Residents and visitors will see more full trash cans in Denver parks this year. Parks & Rec says they will get to them but it will take longer than in previous years.
Initial impact on parks around the city: Trash cans remain full longer. Lawns are being mowed every seven days instead of the normal five. Watering of park lawns is down approximately 20% over typical irrigation levels. Only half the flowerbeds in parks around the city are planted so far and few more are likely to be rooted.
More: Like restaurants and retailers around the city, Denver’s Park & Rec Department can’t fill positions even if money wasn’t tight.
Scott Gilmore, Deputy Executive Director, says he is working with smaller staffing throughout the department. Vacancies range from the front desk at rec centers to maintenance at various parks. Park workers empty trash cans, mow lawns, landscape, and irrigate lawns/ plants. Gilmore, who basically administers the department, hopes people will apply for open positions. Previously with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, he has held the position since 1996.
Seasonal Shortfall
Equivalent Care Concept: Previously some city parks in Denver received less care than others. With funding and staffing shortages the city is seeking to provide equivalent care to all parks, including big parks such as Wash Park, above, and small parks such as Alamo Placita, at left.
In the summer the department normally hires approximately 200 seasonal “on-call” workers, according to Gilmore. At the time the pandemic hit last year, the department had hired about 100 workers. “We had to stop since revenues were drying up and we simply didn’t have the money.” With about 100 spots filled, the department was seeking to add another 20-30 spots.
However, when adding recreation centers to the equation, the number of open positions jumped quickly. The city is struggling to find fitness instructors and lifeguards plus rec center front desk staff. Adding it up, the number of open positions is now closer to 170.
In previous years parks in some neighborhoods have received less care than others, Gilmore concedes. However with the staff stretched thin this year the department is focused on evenhandedness. no matter the size or location of the park.
Flower Dazzle Down
A critical and noticeable difference residents and visitors will see is that with too few workers, some of the flowerbeds at parks haven’t been planted. As of June the city had only
Fewer Flowerbeds: As of June the city had only planted about half the flowerbeds in the city and few more will be rooted. The city doesn’t have enough people to maintain the beds or the funds to pay for the flowers or people.
planted about half of the flowerbeds in the city.
At Cheesman Park, volunteers have been working to take care of the rose garden. The Cheesman Park Advocacy Group has been tending the gardens since 2012. The volunteers take care of 24 rose beds, working in coordination with Denver Parks & Recreation. They volunteer not only their time but also provide supplies. Recently, for example, nearly 200 rose bushes were replaced with new in the garden due to recent year die-off.
Next year according to Gilmore the city is planning on planting all the flowerbeds again in parks. But he adds, “to do that we have to have enough people to maintain the flower beds at the level citizens and visitors have come to expect.”
Thirsty Looking Lawns
Thanks to above normal spring rains, city parks have continued to look remarkably green. Temperatures soaring to 90-100 degrees in early June, however, will make it tougher to keep park lawns green as the summer progresses. Gilmore says if we have normal rain-precipitation this summer, he believes that with the moisture, coupled with the department’s irrigation plan, “parks will be looking thirsty, but green.” However, with drought, “we’ll likely see some brown patches here and there.” Park and field usage, age of the irrigation systems, and type of water sources used at various sites will also be factors.
With approximately 3,000 acres of irrigated parkland in the city, it is necessary to keep that land adequately watered to ensure that it remains healthy and available for use. Additionally, there are many families in the city that don’t have the benefits of a yard or owning their own home.
For those families the only options for enjoying the outdoors and staying active is to use one of the many parks in the Denver system. Th
Scott Gilmore
ey offer a safe and controlled location for family picnics, exercise and other recreational activities plus sites for kids to engage in sports.
Trampling Damage
Another factor is the wear-and-tear of lawns and turf fields this summer from sports, concerts and parties. Not only are the number of people at parks up, with the pandemic lifted, concerts and private parties are increasing dramatically.
Crowds will be trampling lawns, for example, during summer-long jazz concerts at City Park and during massive Levitt Pavilion music events at Ruby Hill Park, many of them free. When you walk on well-watered grass it springs back. Dry grass, however, stays matted down and is easily damaged by trampling.
Based on the various factors discussed, Gilmore asks residents to be patient if they see parks that aren’t perfect. “If you see weeds in some of the flower beds or a trash can that’s full don’t be alarmed. We’re going to get to it. But sometimes it will take us a little bit longer than previous years to get to some of the things than normally it would’ve.”
by Mark Smiley | Jun 25, 2021 | Main Articles
100% American Made Beer Hits The Shelves
by Mark Smiley
Co-Founders: Scott Eastwood, left, and Dane Chapin co-founded Made Here, a line of beers that are 100% made in the USA.
Just in time for the Independence Day holiday and backyard barbecues, a completely American made line of beers has hit the shelves in liquor stores across the state. Made Here Beer has partnered with Legacy Brewing to form Good Times Made Here which brews, distributes, and markets Made Here Beer.
Made Here Beer officially rolled out April 1, 2021, with three beers. “It’s been a total collaboration between the two of us [Legacy Brewing and Made Here], said co-founder Dane Chapin. “We wanted stuff down the middle. We wanted a pure, great drinking lager, a solid ale, and an IPA that is a little more accessible. Something to tailgate with.”
The suite of Made Here products includes American Lager, American Ale, and American IPA — each made with 100% U.S. ingredients and created entirely stateside. The brand is enthused to celebrate and honor America at its best by partnering exclusively with American suppliers in every aspect of the brewing, canning, promotion, and selling process.
A little-known fact, in the United States nearly 90 percent of all beer consumed domestically is foreign-owned, leaving a void in the marketplace to deliver an American-branded beer that is truly American-owned and can lay claim to using exclusively American-sourced raw materials.
“What we discovered is that almost 90% of beer consumed in the U.S. is owned by foreign entities,” said Chapin. “Our goal is to build up the American worker and to celebrate America at its best. We want to showcase the fact that American manufacturing is not dead, it’s alive and well, and we do a lot of great things.”
100% American: The suite of Made Here products includes American Lager, American Ale, and American IPA.
Adding star power to this venture is the ownership and involvement of actor Scott Eastwood. Eastwood is a co-founder and equity partner in Made Here Brand. Eastwood was brought in by Chapin to be part of this venture. “Dane is relentless,” said Eastwood. “He came to me with this idea on something that was all American and celebrates the American worker. Once he decides to do something, he hits the ground running. We got the beer to market in less than six months. It’s a perfect fit. We all like beer, great times, getting together with friends, and sharing experiences and the rest is history.”
Sticking true to this moral, Made Here Beer enlisted the help of American suppliers, Country Malt and Yakima Chief Hops, to maintain the high quality, domestically-sourced needs for each beer. Each and every Made Here touchpoint — from pint glasses, coasters, merchandise, and swag, is also 100% American-made.
“How can we be more clever in marketing and find holes in the market? When your values are really clear, it actually makes our decisions very easy. You can’t just use the cheaper option, but rather use the right thing,”said Eastwood.
“It’s like solving a riddle or a puzzle every day,” said Chapin. “How are we going to get this out there? How are we going to make a better beer?”
The beer is exclusively distributed by Elite Brands in Denver and High-Country Beverage in Grand Junction. Find it at your local grocery and liquors stores, or visit madehere.beer.
