This past month, Yellow Scene Magazine published our endorsements for the upcoming primary election. What haunted much of our coverage was the specter of dark money: who has it, who does not, which donors we viewed as disqualifying, and which we did not. Particularly in a post-Mamdani electoral landscape, a candidate’s financial connections are beginning to resonate deeply with everyday voters.

Candidates have learned to capitalize on this shift, weaponizing their opponents’ financial ties against them to sell themselves as grassroots alternatives. Whether pointing out candidate Heidi Henkel’s ties to One Main Street or the hundreds of thousands accepted from AIPAC by Senator Michael Bennet, opposing campaigns are leveraging these relationships to paint themselves as the true champions of the common person. At the same time, there is far more nuance here than what is typically expressed during the mudslinging and political shots taken in debates. How did we get here, how should we understand the mechanics of dark money, and most importantly, if almost everyone agrees its influence on elections is undesirable, which candidates are actually willing to curb it? Yellow Scene Magazine reached out to candidates and conducted our own digging to tackle these questions.

To understand the current crisis, it is necessary to first separate how political campaigns are financed. Campaigns are expensive, and spending correlates strongly to winning. Traditional election spending, or “hard money,” comes directly from campaign fundraising. Hard money features strictly disclosed donors and legal limits to individual donations, and includes standard Political Action Committees (PACs). On the other hand, outside or “soft money” comes from external corporations and nonprofits, which can under certain conditions accept unlimited amounts of money from individuals, corporations, or unions. Outside groups that are not required to disclose their original sources of funding are what we define as dark money groups.

As a nation, we arrived at this point in 2010, when five conservative Supreme Court justices hampered campaign finance laws by overruling four liberal appointees in the landmark Citizens United case. The Court ruled that a ban on independent expenditures from corporations violated free speech under the First Amendment, allowing corporations and nonprofits to spend unlimited amounts on political races. In the following years, the Courts have reversed even more legal precedents, allowing entities to use their treasuries for electioneering expenses and independent expenditures directly for political candidates. Later in 2010, the Court ruled that PACs could accept unlimited money as long as they did not coordinate with campaigns, which prompted the creation of independent expenditure committees, commonly known as Super PACs. These decisions granted outsized political power to these organizations and facilitated the spread of dark money.

According to Colorado law, independent expenditures are contributions made “without the support of or coordination with a candidate, candidate committee, or candidate’s agent”. Independent Expenditure Committees (IECs) in Colorado are required to disclose the occupation and employer information for any donations exceeding $250. In theory, IECs must legally function without candidate coordination. In practice, this boundary is incredibly difficult to enforce.

This dynamic creates a scenario where a candidate can be running a completely clean, grassroots race, only for a wealthy, moneyed interest to decide to throw its financial weight behind them unprompted. Conversely, other candidates deliberately cater their platforms to court these financial windfalls. Because of how IECs operate, it is challenging for voters to distinguish one from the other and know exactly when a candidate should be held accountable for the outside groups bolstering their campaign.

Furthermore, nonprofits and shell companies can give unlimited money to these PACs, effectively turning them into dark money outlets when the original donations cannot be traced. IECs thus give the appearance of being transparent while potentially operating as conduits for dark money. Nonprofits funding these PACs are legally required to spend less than half their money on political activity, but these organizations routinely skirt the rules by funneling money back and forth between different entities.

Dark money has become rampant across federal and state elections. Yellow Scene Magazine published a deep dive last year detailing how anti-public school billionaire Reed Hastings routinely funded pro-charter school candidates, essentially buying access to educational boards over the course of several years. We have also reported on moneyed interest groups popping up across Boulder County over the last five years, exerting influence in Louisville, Erie, Broomfield, and beyond.

Television ads, online ads, and mailers constitute the bulk of dark money spending, representing the front-facing result of outside money that Colorado voters see the most. Kenny Nguyen, running for re-election in House District 33, noted that voters are tired of the “bombardment of advertising” during campaigns.

Nguyen stated that reporting rules for donations are too loose to track, and repercussions are far too few. 

“Colorado is a complaint-based system, and as a grassroots campaign we don’t have an army of attorneys to file complaints,” Nguyen wrote.

Mapping the paper trail of dark money remains the most difficult hurdle for anyone hoping to understand who is spending on whom. With shell companies, LLCs registered in other states, and creative funneling methods, the trail is often too convoluted for an informed voter to follow.

Anil Pesaramelli, a candidate for House District 19, echoed these concerns. 

“Most voters do not have the time, expertise, or resources to trace money through layers of Independent Expenditure Committees, nonprofit organizations, political committees, and pass-through entities.”

Junie Joseph, running for House District 10, agreed that tracing IEC money “often requires significant time, expertise, and resources”. She added that “transparency should be meaningful and accessible, not something only political insiders can understand”.

Even if a voter could excavate all the outside money in a given election, they would be forced to make voting decisions based on which organizations are deemed “good” or “bad”. Nguyen made a point to note that all IECs are not the same, acknowledging that his own campaign is a recipient of financial support from union backed IECs. He argued that groups like the Colorado AFL-CIO identify themselves transparently when spending, whereas corporate special interests like oil and gas or private prisons do their absolute best to hide who they are behind nonprofits before dumping cash into an IEC. Cervantes noted that labor and conservation groups, organizations considered by some to be defensive IECs, are often created in direct retaliation to those built by major corporations. This ethical proposition introduces a heavy moral obligation, leaving voters wondering if certain financial connections are strong enough to mar a candidate’s credibility, or if certain links are tenuous enough to forgive. 

Even though IECs are barred from coordinating with campaigns, politicians have found ways to dodge these rules with few repercussions. A prominent example includes a retreat at a Vail hotel last October between Colorado lawmakers and lobbyists, which ultimately spawned an ethics complaint. The retreat was hosted by the nonprofit Colorado Opportunity Caucus. One Main Street, a group heavily invested in Democratic primaries in recent years, maintains financial connections to that nonprofit. This May, lawmakers backed by the caucus struck down legislation that would have required caucuses like themselves to disclose their funding.

The systemic nature of the problem is acknowledged even by those within the majority party. Junie Joseph wrote that money’s “influence can be used not only between political parties but also within parties to reward allies, punish opponents, and shape political outcomes”. She noted, “The difficult truth is that many people in positions of power, including Democrats in a state like Colorado, where we hold a trifecta, understand the power of money and are often reluctant to give up tools that can be used to maintain influence.” 

Kenny Nguyen reinforced this reality, writing simply, “Dark Money is truly all over Colorado”.

Because political gridlock at the federal level has prevented changes to campaign finance laws, the responsibility has fallen to individual states to corral unregulated spending. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) experiences its own partisan gridlock and rarely reprimands organizations, citing the protection of free speech in line with Citizens United.

The newest effort to nullify Citizens United comes from Montana. Former state officials created “The Montana Plan,” which uses state corporation law to strip corporations of their political spending power. Under this framework, out-of-state entities are only allowed the same rights as in-state corporations, effectively ending outside corporate spending in state elections. The Montana Plan will be a ballot initiative in that state this year, and reform organizations are attempting to adopt it state-by-state. The Transparent Election Initiative is currently working to get a similar ballot initiative on the Colorado ballot in 2026 or 2028.

Attorney General Phil Weiser

Local support at the highest levels of state government has already begun to crystallize. In a 2025 op-ed, current Colorado Attorney General and candidate for Governor Phil Weiser wrote in favor of Colorado joining The Montana Plan. In a televised debate in June, Weiser stated, “I’ll be the candidate who overturns Citizens United in Colorado”.

When we turn to individual platforms, the candidates who identify campaign finance laws as a major issue have devised a variety of local and state-level solutions.

Jillaire McMillan noted that the systemic issues in Colorado intensified when maximum contribution limits to individual campaigns were capped at $450, while unaffiliated groups were left free to give unlimited sums. The low limit “requires a lot of work to raise the amount of money needed for mailers, cards to leave when knocking doors, online ads, staff salaries, and the other necessary expenses of a campaign,” McMillan wrote. She added that this framework creates a strong incentive for wealthy individuals to self-fund their campaigns, which has no legal limit.

To improve transparency, McMillan suggested investing in a comprehensive overhaul of the Secretary of State’s online Tracer system to create a streamlined, user-friendly portal to track finances. However, she remained candid about voter priorities, noting that while candidates obsess over campaign finance, her potential constituency has other concerns. 

“As I knock doors and connect with voters, they talk to me about affordable housing, the cost of child care, losing their jobs to AI, and their worries about water and clean air,” McMillan wrote.

Anil Pesaramelli wrote that “democracy works best when voters can evaluate messages knowing exactly who is paying for them.”

He stated he would support state-level legislation that reduces outside money “while respecting constitutional protections for political speech”. Specifically, Pesaramelli advocates for the real-time disclosure of major expenditures, clear identification of the original funding sources behind IECs, stronger anti-coordination rules, and clearer disclaimers on political advertisements. If elected, he committed to actively sponsoring or co-sponsoring these transparency reforms as a legislative priority.

Junie Joseph proposed implementing lower contribution limits, faster reporting of political expenditures, and a public matching funds system to amplify small donations. Acknowledging the financial constraints imposed by Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), Joseph suggested a creative workaround. She proposed exploring a state enterprise “funded through a dedicated fee on a service, or a voluntary donation during a government transaction such as a license plate renewal, that could support a public matching fund for elections”. Such public financing has already been successful at the local level through existing municipal fund matching programs in Denver and Boulder. Joseph noted that public financing would empower ordinary working-class individuals and first-time candidates to run for office without needing access to wealthy networks.

Gabriel Cervantes took a direct regulatory stance against outside groups. “I will champion legislation that revokes a corporation’s ability to spend in elections and ban IECs,” Cervantes wrote, describing the execution of this legislation as top of mind. When asked how he would handle a hypothetical $1 million expenditure on his behalf by an IEC, Cervantes admitted his response would depend entirely on the source. Pointing to his own race, he wrote, “over $100,000 has been spent in my district supporting Rep. Phillips and viciously attacking me, so if a labor backed or conservation backed organization were to spend that level of money, it would be responsitory [sic] to the dark money already being spent here”. He stated explicit plans to run legislation modeling the reforms in Montana and Hawaii.

Heidi Henkel in her response to Yellow Scene Magazine focused heavily on reducing ballot barriers, reforming endorsement incentives, and increasing lobbyist transparency. She noted that the high cost of ballot access forces candidates to rely heavily on professional signature gatherers who can charge up to $17 per signature. 

“I’ve often wondered whether candidates could instead collect signatures directly at county offices, reducing reliance on professional signature gatherers,” Henkel wrote.

Henkel also criticized the existing endorsement system, stating that “too often, endorsements function as a form of political currency” where elected officials offer endorsements while simultaneously seeking commitments on future legislative votes. She called for greater transparency by making endorsement questionnaires and responses publicly available, and advocated for stronger disclosure requirements for lobbyists. “Currently, candidates can claim they are not receiving contributions from industries such as oil and gas while accepting donations through lobbyists whose clients are not immediately apparent to the public,” Henkel wrote.

Kenny Nguyen emphasized that the spending by IECs now completely dwarfs the actual spending of grassroots campaigns, turning overnight organizations into multi-million dollar startups that vanish after three weeks. He committed to sponsoring legislation to address dark money, noting his past support for SB26 -168, the legislative caucus transparency bill that died in committee earlier this year. Nguyen argued that, at minimum, IECs should be legally required to publish major donor reports within 24 hours just as individual candidates do, and should be barred from accepting money from nonprofits that do not report their own original donors.

With a federal system locked in partisan gridlock, states like Colorado must work to end the spread of outside money in local elections. Whether through transparency portals, public matching systems, or structural overhauls like the Montana Plan, the future of local corporate influence rests entirely on the willingness of state lawmakers to reform the very systems that put them in power.

John Hickenlooper, Julie Gonzales, Michael Bennet, Melat Kiros, Wanda James, Diana DeGette, Shannon Bird, Manny Rutinel, and Jacque Phillips did not respond to Yellow Scene Magazine’s requests for comment.

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The post Decoding Dark Money in Colorado Elections appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

My answer to that question is YES. Yesterday, I had a local farm tell me they don’t pay for advertising except Meta. I see local shops boosting posts and paying for ads on Meta every day.

Daggers in the heart, that one stings.

Money leaves the community when it flows upward into platforms that have no stake in the survival of local economies.

Journalism didn’t die. It’s been taken over by large and powerful forces who know that when you control the airwaves, you control the policies. Over my 40 years in media, I watched journalism slowly stop being treated as a public good and start being treated like a mechanism of control. What we are seeing now with Project 2025 didn’t suddenly appear out of nowhere. The consolidation of media, attacks on education, weakening of anti-trust laws, and concentration of wealth have been building for decades.

They have had a pretty successful run. Today, most major media is controlled by six mega conglomerates with enormous billionaire influence. Schools have been defunded, anti-trust laws weakened, and we are now watching concentrated power reshape democratic institutions themselves.

Yet people still read and want high-touch experiences in their lives. Eighty-five percent of books sold are in print, and local bookstores are a rapidly growing market. Zines are in, and the analog wellness revolution is taking place.

At Yellow Scene, we use social media too. We post the articles we have published in print and online. Communities absolutely form there. But over the years we learned something important: likes don’t equal recall, and advertising metrics are often mistaken for meaningful engagement. We stopped boosting three years ago and have better engagement on stories now than before. That may be why print books, zines, local bookstores, record stores, and other human-scale experiences are resurging.

Even many successful streamers and independent news voices are proving the same point. Audiences still spend hours engaging with longform conversations, reporting, podcasts, interviews, books, and communities they trust. Social media often acts more like the messenger than the destination itself. The good ones are not succeeding because people suddenly love advertising interruptions or shallow engagement. In fact, 51% of audiences actively pay to avoid digital ads, with reports showing 93% now ignoring them altogether. Independent streamers succeed because people intentionally seek them out, trust their perspectives, and feel their time is being respected.

People did not stop consuming meaningful media. They stopped trusting media that stopped respecting them.

I recently interviewed a college intern who told me they got rid of their smartphone, switched to a flip phone, and eliminated social media entirely. Apparently, this isn’t unusual anymore.

Maybe there is just too much tech now to sort through it all?

It’s true most of us are not getting rid of our smartphones, computers, or Alexa, but what people need, since the beginning of humanity, is connection. They are finding that inside local bookstores, local farms, local music venues, and yes, local print journalism, when it offers something worth reading.

Yellow Scene’s Best of the West is just one example of authentic journalism, free from influence, while still writing about local businesses.

I do not think you will find a bigger advocate for shopping locally than the last and only locally owned news media platform serving all of Boulder County. Most other media platforms are now hedge fund-owned, corporate-owned, or franchise-operated.

We do have all the recent news nonprofit platforms starting up, some strong, but many are constrained by donor expectations to remain apolitical and nonpolarizing, avoiding the deeper “why” behind the stories.

We promote shopping local hard because we believe committing to circular economies is how we all survive the corporatization of everything by the billionaire class. Today, 75% of veterinarians and dentists are corporate-owned. This is happening to all industries, from auto repair to landscaping. Half of American homes are now owned by corporations. It used to be that 70% of businesses in America were sole proprietorships or small businesses. Today, it is down to 50%.

Local economies don’t survive on transactions alone. They survive on trust, shared information, accountability, and public participation. Local journalism is part of that infrastructure too.

At Yellow Scene, we resist that takeover.

Our press remains free. With a long 40-year career in media, I did not used to have to explain that we don’t accept quid pro quo. I did indeed drink the Seymour Hersh Kool-Aid that journalism matters. Not only are we the last locally owned publication, but we are also one of the few that do not accept sponsored content. Sponsored content is paid articles. In the old days, they said PAID ADVERTISEMENT on them, but not anymore. They are simply published as if they are independent journalism. Most people figure it out, though. When you have a full-page story on an insurance broker, it becomes obvious. Where it hits the slippery slope is when political organizations buy it while it’s presented as an actual article.

I won’t do it. I will quit before I do. I am committed to local journalism more than ever, even if it is not the pathway to riches. I think we have a lot more in common with our small local businesses than giant behemoths.

Sponsored content is a disservice to everyone, and I can’t believe after 40 years that this is what I am fighting. Not who does the better journalism, but who is still doing actual journalism. I’ve been doing this too long to spend my time putting out advertorials just to survive. We are focused on making something people actually want to read and, critically, coverage that is free of monetary influence.

That does not mean advertising itself is evil. It’s only evil if you do evil things with it. But there should be a clear line between what is editorial coverage and what is advertising, and respect should be given when people say they do not want advertising tracking them everywhere they go.

We happily help local businesses design advertisements that tell their stories in authentic and creative ways. One of the benefits of print is that advertisements exist alongside the reading experience instead of constantly interrupting it. Readers know what an ad is, and good ads can still add personality, discovery, and texture to the pages. Local businesses help make up our local community, and people often appreciate their print ads. The good streamers and independent media voices understand this too. They keep advertising separate from their coverage, or their audiences support them directly so they do not have to rely heavily on ads at all.

Do local businesses and organizations get coverage in Yellow Scene? All the time, but not for money.

We think the work local-owned shops are doing is important too. If people want to fight back against the corporate takeover of everything, shop local.

But to provide a free press, we still have to pay our writers, artists, printers, mailing costs, and drivers to produce, print, distribute, and deliver 25,000 copies filled with award-winning journalism. We understand our local organizations’ plight, as we operate on slim margins too.

Maybe Meta is less the problem than the symptom of a very confusing advertising world. For the last 20 years, small businesses have been told print was dead, digital was the future, and journalism was going by the wayside. Somewhere along the line, likes and analytics became mistaken for meaningful engagement.

But journalism will never die. There will always be truth tellers in this world. Sometimes people just want to sit down and read something worth their time, and that they can trust.

If communities want independent journalism free from corporate or political influence, they have to participate in the same circular economy they advocate for when they say “shop local.”

People are searching for real connection more than ever in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, corporate consolidation, and manufactured engagement.

In today’s corporate world, finding true, honest journalism is getting harder, and that includes local news, too. From corporate takeovers to the nonprofit industry, finding reporters willing to ask the hard questions seems like a thing of the past.

Which is why Yellow Scene remains fiercely independent and never, ever accepts quid pro quo. We are only beholden to our readers, not funders.

The truth is, we really cannot do this without you. If you value our journalism, become a sustaining supporter for $8 a month. Your support keeps honest reporting alive and gets the hard copy delivered to your home.

The post Is local media part of the circular economy eco-system? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado is entering spring after one of the warmest and driest starts to a year in more than a century of records., with snowpack across the state far below normal and drought conditions expanding across much of the Front Range.

Against that backdrop, the Town of Erie is asking residents, homeowners associations, and businesses to keep sprinkler systems turned off through the end of March as water demand surges beyond what the town’s winter system can supply.

Officials say current water demand is about 30 percent higher than typical for this time of year, largely driven by residents turning on irrigation systems weeks earlier than normal.

If irrigation continues, the town says it may shut off water service at property taps for residents, HOAs, or businesses that do not comply.

For large HOAs, the shutoff would typically affect irrigation systems only. For individual homes or smaller properties, however, the measure could cut water service to the entire household or building.

Town officials say they have been urging residents for roughly two weeks to turn off sprinklers, but demand has continued climbing.

“We really don’t have any buffer room,” town spokesperson Gabi Rae told the Denver Post. “Every day it’s been increasing by 200,000 to 300,000 gallons as people turn on their sprinkler systems. We will hit capacity and run out of water in a couple of days if they don’t stop.”

Erie’s winter water system currently distributes about 3.5 million gallons per day, far less than what becomes available once summer water supplies come online.

Black line shows 2026 snowpack levels falling below the state’s previously recorded minimum. (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

A Dry Winter Across Colorado

The situation in Erie reflects broader conditions across Colorado.

State data shows Colorado’s snowpack currently sits well below normal, with several watersheds between roughly 38 percent and 65 percent of typical levels for this time of year, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Governor Jared Polis recently activated the Colorado Drought Task Force, citing record warmth and one of the driest starts to a year in more than a century of statewide records.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to severe drought conditions now cover much of Colorado.

Meteorologists say the unusually warm winter has prevented snowpack from building to the levels normally needed to replenish rivers and reservoirs in the spring.

Photo credit: Longmont firefighter Patrick Kramer

Early Fire Season Concerns

The dry winter is also raising concerns about early wildfire risk along the Front Range.

Warm temperatures, strong winds, and dry vegetation can quickly turn small grass fires into fast-moving blazes, even outside the traditional summer fire season.

The Marshall Fire, which destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County in December 2021, demonstrated how quickly wind-driven fires can spread across the Front Range during dry conditions.

For communities like Erie, maintaining adequate water supply is not only about household demand but also about fire protection and hydrant pressure during emergency situations.

Town officials noted that upcoming windy conditions could further increase fire danger in the region.

Other Cities Preparing Water Restrictions

Erie is not the only community beginning to respond to the dry winter.

In Aurora, officials are recommending Stage I watering restrictions that could take effect April 7 if approved by city leaders. The proposed rules would limit outdoor watering to two days per week and call for a 20 percent reduction in overall water use.

Nearby Lafayette has also asked residents to refrain from running irrigation systems.

Water managers across the Front Range warn that drought conditions could affect municipal water supplies throughout the coming spring and summer if the region does not receive significant precipitation.

Waiting for Summer Water Supplies

Erie officials say part of the problem is timing.

During winter months, the town receives less water through its supply system than it does during the summer irrigation season. Additional supplies typically arrive in early spring when the Carter Lake canal system begins distributing water.

“That’s what we’re waiting for,” Rae said.

• The canal system is expected to open April 1, after which Erie can begin transitioning toward normal irrigation schedules.

Until then, the town is asking residents to delay outdoor watering as long as possible.

At the earliest, Erie recommends:

• Even numbered addresses begin irrigation April 4
• Odd numbered addresses begin irrigation April 6

Residents may still use a hose to water trees, shrubs, and gardens, but officials are asking the community not to water turf grass.

Regional Water Projects Face Uncertainty

Longer term water supply questions also remain across northern Colorado.

One major project intended to help meet future demand is the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), a proposed reservoir system designed to provide water storage for growing Front Range communities.

However, the project has faced rising costs and increasing scrutiny. In 2025, the Fort Collins Loveland Water District, one of NISP’s largest participants, announced it was reviewing whether to remain involved due to escalating costs and financial risks.

The cost of the project has climbed from an early estimate of roughly $400 million to more than $2 billion.

Other regional water projects, including Windy Gap and Chimney Hollow, have also experienced delays tied to construction issues and environmental concerns.

While those projects are intended to expand long term supply, Erie officials say the current issue is much simpler.

With drought conditions worsening and irrigation starting early, the town’s winter water system simply cannot keep up with demand.

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The post Erie Moves First on Irrigation Limits as Drought and Historic Low Snowpack Grip Colorado appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

I love you. I really do. And I say that with all sincerity. Nobody champions local more than we do. We believe it is as close to a circular economy as we can get. We believe small businesses aren’t trying to bribe their elected officials. And we believe if you want to BDS, there is an easy fix: shop local.

I often joke that no one in their right mind stays in local journalism. I am a dynamo salesperson, an elite, a rainmaker. I could have left the field to make more money, but I didn’t. And the reasons have only compounded the longer I stay in local journalism and observe our world.

I got my first media job at the age of 21 and fell in love. I got my start in the sales department as an art college dropout. With zero training, knowledge, or experience, I landed a position where they gave me all the leads that never advertised and told me if I could sell them, I could keep my job.

So 21-year-old me, happy-go-lucky and extremely ADHD (I like to spell it Adhhhd), walks into the door of my first lead with the Christmas Guide I was supposed to sell. Promptly, the lady tells me to bugger off—she doesn’t want any.

Not knowing how the industry worked, obviously, I didn’t know what to say or do. So I went home and hand-sketched an idea for her. It was clever and funny, and different. Now, in hindsight, I am grateful I didn’t know that my industry didn’t help you with these things. So I carefully worked the concept out, even hand-lettering it.

Taking it back the next day, I told her I had an idea and held it up for her to see. She proclaimed no one had ever done something like that for her. She liked it, and she bought it. I fell in love. The idea that I could use my art skills to help hard-working business owners was deeply enriching. My career was born.

At this crossroads in America’s history, each of us has a decision to make about who we are supporting and why.

I have always worked in independent media. I was shaped by some brilliant journalists who poured the Kool-Aid down my throat: the 4th estate, the watchdogs, and the idea that democracy needs a free press.

Attorney Matt Simonsen (left) presents Yellow Scene’s argument to Court of Appeals judges (left to right) Stephanie Dunn, Gilbert Román and Craig Welling. (Credit: John Eisele, Colorado State University)

Recently, Yellow Scene appeared at a Court of Appeals hearing in Fort Collins at CSU in our case with the City of Boulder over police transparency. It’s a big deal and could set a state precedent. It’s also scary. But I am proud that we did it, as holding truth to power really does matter to us.

Corporatization is not just impacting journalism. Today roughly 90% of news media is owned by just a small handful of conglomerates. With the Ellisons expanding their control over more major media platforms, the ownership pool has shrunk even smaller. There is no doubt corporatization has had negative impacts on the United States’ democratic process, influencing policies that enrich a small few while consolidating power.

Corporatization is also coming for small business. Today, roughly 70% of vets and dentists are owned by corporate conglomerates. Other industries are seeing this as well—from mechanics and daycare centers to food sources, banks, and medical practices—all being gobbled up and consolidated.

Yet roughly 50% of businesses in America are still owned by a sole proprietor, a number that has declined 20% or more over the past two decades. It is a wonder we have them left, and we should be doing everything we can to protect them.

Downtown Louisville, CO

This is true for local business choices as well. As the last and only locally owned, independent news platform left serving all of Boulder County, you can imagine our frustration when we see our small business owners handing their advertising dollars to Meta.

I love our small business owners, but most are not masters of marketing. Too often it’s treated like the red-headed stepchild. I see folks jump from one shiny bandwagon to the next with less than 1% allocated to marketing, treating it like an expense instead of an investment, with messages that are dry, boring, and cookie-cutter, only to hear them say, “advertising doesn’t work.”

They are right. When approached that way, it doesn’t work. That is why we provide our Marketing Guidebook and Growth Objective Calculator, to help with crafting a strategy. It is also why we offer agency-quality copywriting and design, so the message has meaning instead of just telling people they exist.

But uttering the tired old line “print is dead” is lazy thinking as well. That was a sales pitch from the tech bros to convince business owners to give them all their money. Funny thing: 25 years after the tech revolution, we are so saturated that people are paying not to see online ads, and if they don’t, 86% have “banner blindness.”

Until AI starts spending money in the marketplace, we still need humans. Hopefully, we want a society where all humans can thrive, not just survive.

There is a reason we never gave up print. First, we didn’t buy that print was dead. Book sales only decreased for a few years, and it was about a 5% decrease. Today, books are on the rise. Additionally, e-books only capture about 15% of the sales.

Why would people prefer print over digital? Lots of reasons, but let’s start with the fact that human beings need connections. That is a biological fact. In fact, the more digital that is thrown at us, the more people burn out on it and start to seek authentic connections. Also, fun fact: we retain 7x more information from print than digital, so give your kids books—not tablets.

Yes, we have lots of online coverage, and our website is seen even more than our social media. But we have also learned that a surefire way to have a failed event is to only rely on social media. It takes nothing to like something and move on.

Yellow Scene has been committed to producing authentic journalism since we started. We are very proud of the stories we cover for the community on shoestring budgets. We could have more money if we accepted “sponsored content,” something a vast majority of platforms have taken to publishing. We won’t.

I am sorry, but a story about a realtor or insurance salesperson isn’t a feature. It’s called vanity marketing for a reason. It’s a disservice to democracy, to the advertiser, and to the reader.

And frankly, readers don’t go home on Friday night and watch infomercials. They watch well-produced shows. I can hear the conversations: “Hey, have you seen the latest infomercial? It’s got me on the edge of my seat!”

That’s exactly why we’ve never accepted pay-to-play articles at Yellow Scene. We have never taken money to write about any subject. Our calendar is free, press releases are free, and our journalists are free from influence. So if we wrote about you, it is because you had a story to share. Yellow Scene truly is your authentic local free press.

I have been in journalism my entire life; I am not going to start doing quid pro quo now. The struggles we face aren’t from not being able to get readers. We have a 97% pickup rate in stands and 75,000–100,000 views a month on the website.

After 25 years sustained by advertising, part of our work is helping small businesses understand that content is king, that local media serves the local community, that the latest fad is just that—a fad, and that we would rather help them craft strategies that incorporate a full-funnel approach. We work our asses off for our small businesses and love doing so.

But it sure would be nice if they stopped jumping on bandwagons and giving their money to all the tech-lords.

I started this work as a 21-year-old art school dropout, sketching ideas for small businesses. Four decades later, I still believe the same thing: when local businesses and local media support each other, communities thrive, and yes, people still read.

In the meantime, to remain truly free from corporate influence, we are moving to a sustaining supporter model. Yes, similar to NPR. In today’s world of corporate consolidation, advertising alone is no longer enough, and we have no interest in answering to a board. Being reader-supported means the only people we answer to are our community.

Whether you are a small business owner or a reader, if you value having one locally-owned platform committed to journalism standards in your backyard, supporting local media is a meaningful way to participate in local democracy.

Just $8 a month gets it delivered to your house and helps keep local journalism thriving.

And for the local business owners I care so much about, local media reaches the local community with more impact and for far less than digital advertising.

The post An Open Letter to Our Local Community, Including the Local Businesses That Serve It appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Restaurants

Overall EC

Winner: Sugarbeet

Sugarbeet is so damn good, we consider it the quintessential perfect restaurant. Billed as Modern American cuisine, every meal we’ve had there has been a ten. The service makes you feel like the only customer in the room, and the setting is cozy, intimate, and quietly exceptional.

Runner Up: Piripi

Overall Bldr

Winner: Salt

The culinary team here works under a three-pronged mantra: healthy, delicious, and sustainable. And they do that in an amazing location built in 1898 in downtown Boulder, filled with an electrical ambiance. After a great meal, you’ll walk out into the night and realize how lucky you were to be there.

Runner Up: Boulder Cork

Contemporary EC

Winner: 24 Carrot

Seasonal, innovative, and a touch of quirky. Repeat winner 24 Carrot embodies contemporary, fresh farm-to-table cuisine into crave-worthy dishes and clever cocktails, all served in a historic building that feels part speakeasy, part cozy neighborhood bistro.

Runner Up: Hickory & Ash

Contemporary B

Winner: Oak on 14th

Seasonal, innovative, and a touch of quirky. Repeat winner 24 Carrot embodies contemporary, fresh farm-to-table cuisine into crave-worthy dishes and clever cocktails, all served in a historic building that feels part speakeasy, part cozy neighborhood bistro.

Runner Up: River & Woods

Newcommer EC

Winner: Longmonter

Comfort food with purpose wins hearts fast. The Longmonter burst onto Main Street with crave-worthy mac and cheese, gourmet nostalgia, and playful charm, then added board games and seating, encouraging locals to linger after the last bite.

Runner Up: Red Cedar

Newcommer B

Winner: Cozobi Fonda Fina

Cozobi Fonda Fina feels like a place that’s just always been here. Everything about it (menu, service, decor, and especially the dishes) are polished, professional, and pack a flavor-filled punch. If they are this good already, other restaurants better step up their game.

Runner Up: Stella’s Cucina

Cheap Eats EC

Winner: Marco’s Hot Dogs & Tacos

Marco’s serves bacon-wrapped hot dogs piled like a ballpark feast and street-style tacos that hit every craving. Locals line up like it’s opening day because when the flavor’s this good, everyone wants a seat.

Runner Up: Eats and Sweets

Cheap Eats B

Winner: Cosmo’s Pizza

Cosmo’s Pizza started as a funky pizzeria on the Hill in Boulder known for its oversized slices and calzones. Since its beginnings in 2001, it has grown to six locations across Boulder, Denver, Lafayette, and Fort Collins. Known for late-night hours and New York–style pies, locals keep coming back for a cheap, satisfying bite.

Runner Up: Village Coffee Shop

Bread EC & B

Winner: Moxie Bread Co

Is it the crunch of the crust or the soft inside bursting with flavor? Maybe it’s their use of heirloom grains and fresh, unprocessed ingredients. It could be the stunning, southwestern-infused locale with a staff that couldn’t be more authentic. The real reason people come to Moxie is probably a little of it all.

Runner Up Bread EC: Babette’s

Runner Up Bread B: Dry Storage

Bakery EC

Winner: Button Rock Bakery

Button Rock Bakery is where you take your sweet tooth on a date. A repeat Best of the West winner, it’s famous for show-stopping cakes, playful details, and pastries so good they turn an ordinary day into a celebration.

Runner Up: Babette’s/Stacy’s Kitchen

Bakery B

Winner: Boulder Baked

You’ve had a chocolate chip cookie before, but you’ve never had one like this. The sweet treats offered by the culinary artisans here are of the “back in line” variety because as soon as you have one, you’ll be heading back in line for more.

Runner Up: Spruce Confections

Bagel EC & B

Winner: Moe’s Broadway Bagel

Moe’s Broadway Bagel doesn’t just win Best of the West, it owns it. Twenty years on, locals skip the debate and know the routine: chewy bagels, quick orders, and the quiet confidence of a place that never has to try too hard.

Runner Up: Big Daddy Bagels

BBQ EC

Winner: C’s BBQ

C’s BBQ isn’t just food, it’s a smoky spectacle. Tender ribs, brisket, and punchy house rubs turn Lafayette weekends into a pop-up block party your taste buds will RSVP to. Party deets: with Cherry’s Cheesecakes on Saturdays at the Lumberyards at Lafayette.

Runner Up: Wayne’s Smoke Shack

BBQ B

Winner: Big Daddy Food Truck

Big Daddy’s Texas BBQ has become Boulder’s go-to food truck for slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork, and Southern sides served with big portions and big flavor. With loyal followers who line up before it sells out and a vibe that feels more neighborhood pit stop than roadside stand, it’s BBQ done Boulder-style.

Runner Up: KT’s BBQ

Breakfast EC

Winner: Morning Glory

Morning Glory Café proves breakfast deserves applause. Legendary fried rice bowls, blueberry pancakes, and scratch-made goodness from local farms turn sleepy mornings into flavor-packed performances you’ll happily line up for.

Runner Up: Tangerine

Breakfast B

Winner: Tangerine

Remember the excitement of sliding into the kitchen and sitting down for breakfast when you were seven? There was an anticipation you wouldn’t have for any other meal. The adult-equivalent of that is heading into Tangerine for breakfast. Eggs, pancakes, bacon, beans — you’re about to be seven all over again.

Runner Up: Village Coffee Shop

Breakfast Burrito EC

Winner: Santiago’s

If you say you like breakfast burritos but you’ve never had one from Santiago’s, then you might not know what you’re talking about. That’s because their fresh, made from scratch burritos can redefine your morning. It’s why they’ve been named “Best of the West” for 25 years.

Runner Up: Santa Fe 2.0

Breakfast Burrito B

Winner: Santiago’s

It’s no wonder Santiago’s has swept this category every year. At just around $4 for the daily special, Santiago’s breakfast burritos are a morning fiesta: eggs, potatoes, award-winning green chile, a daily rotating meat, and gobs of cheese. Locals grab one… then five more to stock the fridge.

Runner Up: Blackbelly

Brunch EC

Winner: 24 Carrot

With so many choices for brunch, listen to the locals on this repeat multi-category winner. 24 Carrot turns brunch into a full-on celebration. Sweet potato benedicts, melt-in-your-mouth brisket hash, lemon-curd beignets, and cocktails that sparkle make every bite, sip, and moment feel like a sunny, flavor-packed party.

Runner Up: Morning Glory

Brunch B

Winner: Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro

Brunch is a bit of a magical meal and there’s really no one who does it any better. A good brunch offering hits the right harmony between griddle and grill. Jill’s offers a taste balance to give you a delightful and delicious start to the day or a mid-day meal surge.

Runner Up: Greenbriar Inn

Burger EC

Winner: Longs Peak Pub

Longs Peak Pub is a Boulder County original: no loud TVs, no frills, just legendary burgers, cold beer, and a bar where strangers become regulars. It’s old-school, no-nonsense, and exactly why locals keep coming back.

Runner Up: 99 Saloon

Burger B

Winner: The Sink

There’s a reason The Sink on the Hill is celebrating more than a century as a Boulder icon. Beyond the stories of Robert Redford, Anthony Bourdain, and Obama passing through, they put as much care into how they operate as what they serve. One hundred percent solar powered, composting, and paying fair wages only complement the legendary grass-fed burgers they’ve been serving for generations.

Runner Up: Mountain Sun

Greek EC & B

Winner: Kalita Grill

After becoming a favorite in Boulder, Kalita Grill expanded into Lafayette, where it was quickly embraced. Owner Armen Madoyan personally selects every ingredient, along with a thoughtfully curated wine selection. From hand-rolled dolma to house-made dishes, the food feels intentional, generous, and deeply personal.

Runner Up Greek EC: Pita Grill

Runner Up Greek B: Falafel King

Chinese EC

Winner: China Gourmet (Longmont)

China Gourmet is Longmont comfort food royalty. Massive menus, generous portions, and classic American Chinese favorites keep locals loyal. And those perfectly packed takeout boxes? Like little edible treasures you’ll fight over in the car.

Runner Up: Colorado Dumplings

Chinese B

Winner: Zoe Ma Ma

They don’t just have the best restaurant name in Boulder, Zoe Ma Ma also has an amazing “Oh maybe I want that” menu. From the braised beef soup noodle to their popular potstickers to the CPR dish, every menu item will make you reconsider your order because the next item on the list looks so good.

Runner Up: Ginger Pig

Coffee House EC

Winner: East Simpson Coffee Shop

East Simpson Coffee House is Lafayette’s living room. Coffee flows, pastries vanish, and strangers suddenly turn into your brunch BFFs. It’s the kind of place where lingering feels mandatory and deliciously justified.

Runner Up: Fox.Dog / Meco’s

Coffee House B

Winner: Boxcar Coffee

It’s not so much a coffee shop as it is a hub of the community. A place where people stop in the mornings so they can start their day with an authentic smile or run in to recharge in the middle of a chaotic Tuesday afternoon. And the fresh roasted coffee can’t be beat.

Runner Up: January Coffee

Gluten-Free EC

Winner: Morning Glory

Morning Glory Café proves gluten-free can be anything but boring. From hearty breakfast hashes to indulgent blueberry pancakes, celiac diners (and everyone else) eat worry-free, enjoying scratch-made dishes that feel like a treat, not a compromise.

Runner Up: TeoCali

Gluten-Free B

Winner: Zeal

Imagine you get to hang out in the kitchen of the coolest people you know, who just happen to be amazing cooks. Their locally-sourced, health-conscious, gluten-free meal options are crafted with inspiring flavors in a Boulder-centric style.

Runner Up: Sweet Sisters Bakery

Dessert EC

Winner: Button Rock Bakery

Button Rock Bakery turns dessert into a deliciously binding contract. Lavish cakes, outrageous pastries, and sweet creations so tempting make “just a bite” a hilarious lie and you’ll happily sign on for seconds, thirds, and then some.

Runner Up: Cherry’s Cheesecakes

Dessert B

Winner: Frasca

It’s not just locals who recognize how special the desserts at Frasca are, the restaurant has received multiple national awards. It’s not a “let’s go there tonight” stop, it’s a full experience that must be planned out, and when you do get there, the dessert will exceed your expectations.

Runner Up: Blackbelly

Colorado-Based Chain EC

Winner: Snarf’s Sandwiches

Since 1996, Snarf’s has grown from one Boulder shop to nearly 50 locations. Its oven-toasted sandwiches inspire serious loyalty like the sailor who landed at DIA, saw the logo, and made his ride wait, because Snarf’s comes first.

Runner Up: Santiago’s

Colorado-Based Chain B

Winner: Illegal Pete’s

When you have friends in from out of town and you want them to experience the vibe and people of Boulder, this is where you take them. And when they come back to town you bring them here again. And again because they have 90 million burrito combinations.

Runner Up: Snooze an AM Eatery

Green Chile EC

Winner: Santiago’s

Santiago’s green chile is the stuff of local legend: smoky, spicy, and unstoppable. Spoon it on breakfast burritos, fries, or straight from the bowl. Locals swear by it, and it’s been winning hearts and awards for over 25 years.

Runner Up: La Mariposa

Green Chile B

Winner: Efrain’s Boulder

This is a great place to get a great scratch-made meal and connect with neighbors. Running into a new friend here, you’ll want to see how they have been, but most of the conversation will settle around the green chiles, which is understandable.

Runner Up: Santo

Indian EC

Winner: Taj Mahal 3

For more than two decades, Taj Mahal 3 has been Louisville’s go-to for a proper Indian lunch buffet and reliably bold dinner plates. Family-owned and steady as ever, it’s where regulars load up on saag, tandoori, and biryani, dialing the heat exactly how they like it.

Runner Up: Flavor of India

Indian B

Winner: Jaipur

Jaipur is unique. With chefs earning world-class recognition and a late-night menu serving curry, masala, and naan until 3 a.m. They specialize in catering for any kind of event and offer a dining experience that earned this year’s Top Nod of Excellence. They are currently moving locations, but you can always stop at their sister restaurant, Taj Mahal 3 in Louisville.

Runner Up: Tiffins

Italian EC

Winner: Parma Trattoria

Parma is where handcrafted pasta twirls, wood-fired pizzas bubble, and sauces taste like your Nonna stayed up all night. It’s cozy, soulful, and so good you’ll consider skipping dinner tomorrow so you can enjoy seconds tonight.

Runner Up: Gondolier Italian Eatery

Italian B

Winner: Bacco Trattoria & Mozarella Bara

This place is more than its mozzarella bar (although, that’s pretty good too). Bacco Trattoria is a notable authentic Italian restaurant that is worth the trip across town to North Boulder. Come for the mozzarella bar and stay for the fresh herb butter, and the bolognese, and the lasagna, and the wine selection…

Runner Up: Pasta Jay’s

Mexican EC

Winner: TeoCalli

Teocalli Cocina makes you rethink tacos. Locals line up for carne asada that’s basically addictive; tempura-fried avocado; and salsas that hit all the right notes. It’s proof that fresh, bold Mexican cuisine always steals the show.

Runner Up: La Mariposa

Mexican B

Winner: Efrain’s Mexican of Boulder

A Boulder institution since 1998, Efrain’s is rooted in founder Efrain Gomez’s family recipes and bold Northern Chihuahua–style cuisine. After years in its original, funky space, the move into a modern dining room proved something rare: when the food is already perfect, the only thing to improve is the room it’s served in.

Runner Up: Santo’s

Patio EC

Winner: Stem Cider at Acreage

If Colorado had a backyard, it would be Acreage by Stem Ciders. Mountain views, sprawling lawns, kid-friendly wandering space, and house-made cider set the scene for family hangs that start with lunch and stretch through the golden hour.

Runner Up: Pumphouse

Patio B

Winner: Chautauqua Dining Hall

Since 1898, the Chautauqua has been a landmark favorite in Boulder County. The Dining Hall is managed by Three Leaf Catering, known for using ingredients from their own farm. You can get a full view of the Flatirons from the wraparound porch making it a perfect spot to have lunch or dinner after a hike on the local trails.

Runner Up: Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

Lunch EC

Winner: Stacy’s Kitchen

In just a couple of years, Stacy’s Kitchen has become beloved in Old Town Erie. Owner Stacy Gustafson opened the shop on her birthday in 2023, bringing hearty made-to-order sandwiches, fresh baked pies, and sweet treats rooted in lifelong love of food. Simple, affordable, and welcoming, it’s become the place locals go again and again.

Runner Up: Jeannot Patisserie

Lunch B

Winner: Avanti Food Hall

It’s one part European market and one part food truck park with seven rotating restaurants that specialize in food from around the world. It’s certainly no surprise that so many people call this their favorite. For the cherry on top, Avanti’s rooftop captures a picturesque view of the Flatirons.

Runner Up: Boulder Social

Sandwich EC & B

Winner: Snarf’s Sandwiches

Snarf’s Sandwiches reigns supreme, a consistent Best of the West winner since we began 25 years ago. Founder Jimmy Seidel remains the sole proprietor, building each shop with his own hands and his own money, even when funds were scarce. That dedication to the perfect sandwich has grown Snarf’s from a single Boulder shop into a multi-state favorite.

Runner Up Sandwich EC: Stacy’s Kitchen

Runner Up Sandwich B: Le Frigio

Seafood EC

Winner: Big Mac & Little Lu’s

Big Mac & Little Lu’s makes landlocked seafood dreams come true. With wild-caught fish, buttery lobster rolls, fresh oysters, and crave-worthy bisque, this spot delivers salty-air flavor without the airfare.

Runner Up Sandwich EC: 740 Front St.

Seafood B

Winner: Jax Fishhouse

Jax doesn’t care that Colorado is a land-locked state. They make sure that we get a taste of their famous crackjack oysters that’s only found on their menu. Since 1999, Jax Fish House has been prioritizing finding sustainable, responsibly sourced seafood in an effort to protect our oceans and bring the coast to the coast-less. Whether it’s the cioppino on Sundays, grilled swordfish, or gochujang cauliflower, Boulder’s top seafood house will satisfy you.

Runner Up: Spruce Farm & Fish

Pizza EC

Winner: Urban Field Pizza

Urban Field Pizza made a name for itself fast. In just a few years, the Longmont spot earned national recognition at the International Pizza Expo. With fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a willingness to push creative boundaries, it’s become a destination for pizza lovers and market wanderers alike.

Runner Up: Rosalee’s Pizzeria

Pizza B

Winner: The Sink

Buckle up. Thick ‘ugly crust’ on a Sinkza is essential to that Old Boulder dinner classic. The Sink on The Hill has been serving CU Boulder students for over 100 years, evident by the low ceilings signed by generations of alumni. Get a chance to sign it yourself on Pizza Tuesdays!

Runner Up: Cosmo’s Pizza

Steak EC

Winner: 740 Front St.

Steak at 740 Front is part of downtown Louisville’s rhythm. Housed in a restored 1904 saloon, it’s where locals go when they want a proper steak, a stiff drink, and a room that still feels rooted in the town’s past. Reliable, unfussy, and exactly what the night calls for.

Runner Up: Piripi

Steak B

Winner: Boulder Cork

As one of Boulder’s oldest restaurants and a repeat winner that can’t be toppled, Boulder Cork is an essential must-visit. Since 1969, the Cork has been serving a rotating menu that ranges from prime rib to their famous mud pie combined with a showcase of local art on brick walls that create an unforgettable experience.

Runner Up: Steakhouse 316

Sushi/Japanese EC

Winner: Sakura

A longtime Best of the West favorite, Sakura Japanese Restaurant has earned its reputation through consistency and craft. Rather than retire, the original owners passed the restaurant to their nephew, trained for years under master sushi chef Kho. From traditional sushi to tatami-style seating where shoes come off, Sakura remains as authentically Japanese as it gets.

Runner Up: Sumo Sushi

Sushi/Japanese B

Winner: Hapa Sushi

From Booty Call Rolls to Magic Mushrooms, Hapa Sushi will be sure to amaze you in their visual design and creative Japanese-Hawaiian cuisine. With DJ sets on the weekend, a full bar, and every day early bird happy hour, Hapa’s expanding menu and social energy produce a must-see location. 

Runner Up: Japango

Thai EC & B

Winner: Busaba

Busaba’s original Louisville location set the standard long before expansion. Bright curries, craveable noodles, and heat levels that actually mean something have built a fiercely loyal following. Scratch-made, vibrant, and unapologetically bold, it’s Thai food locals return to again and again, and a repeat Best Thai favorite since opening.

Runner Up Thai EC: Mana Thai

Runner Up Thai B: Aloy Thai

Vietnamese EC

Winner: Pho Cafe

Pho Café turns Vietnamese classics into a local legend. Rich broth, tender noodles, and banh mi that practically wink at you make every visit feel like a tasty little secret you’re thrilled to spill.

Runner Up: Saigon District One

Vietnamese B

Winner: Chez Thuy

This modest, unexpected, standalone restaurant on 28th is not just Vietnamese, but Thuy cuisine. Drawing locals and regulars alike, this place reveals a history lesson in its menu that combines passion with authenticity. The pho is hot, the Vietnamese coleslaw is tart, and Chez Thuy is expecting you there. 

Runner Up: Lotus Moon

Hot Dog EC

Winner: Marco’s Hot Dogs & Tacos

This is one of our favorite stops, and every new staff member gets taken to Marco’s Hot Dogs & Tacos. When the craving hits for Mexican hot dogs wrapped in bacon and topped with beans, mayonnaise, and whatever other goodies you want, we’ll drive across town. It’s a brick taco stand with outdoor seating, and once you’ve had the dogs, the long line makes perfect sense.

Runner Up: Costco

Hot Dog B

Winner: Mustard’s Last Stand

Mustard’s Last Stand is the last hot dog you’ll ever want. This place has been voted the best hot dogs in Denver and is in the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame because of their traditional Chicago-style dog that’s been bringing people to the back for over 45 years. Don’t forget the mustard on the classic! 

Runner Up: Freddie’s Hot Dog Stand

Taco EC

Winner: Taco’s Ay Ay Ay

Tacos Ay Ay Ay lives up to the drama in its name. Overflowing fillings, bold flavors, and a dash of Lafayette magic make every bite a tiny fiesta locals never want to end.

Runner Up: Teocali

Taco B

Winner: T/ACO

T/aco starts their mornings by milling their own corn so that it’s ready for the street tacos that night. Known for their surging hospitality, the staff go above and beyond to make sure every experience meets their high expectations. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find their rotating secret menu too.

Runner Up: McDevitt Taco Supply

Healthy Meal EC

Winner: Morning Glory

Being healthy at Morning Glory Café doesn’t mean sacrifice. Colorful bowls, inventive dishes, and fresh local ingredients make “good for you” taste downright irresistible.

Runner Up: Moxie Bread Co

Healthy Meal B

Winner: Zeal

There is a story in every dish, and Zeal tells a tale of how healthy and good come together.. Their philosophy is sustainable and clean food that actually is kind to you and the planet. No matter if you’re vegetarian, vegan, keto, or just a regular meat-lover, Zeal will have an option for you. 

Runner Up: Leaf

Chef EC

Winner: Hugo Meyer / Piripi

Chef Hugo Meyer doesn’t just run a kitchen, he choreographs it. Globetrotting experience, fearless flavor instincts, and a dash of mischief make Piripi the kind of restaurant you tell everyone about before dessert even arrives.

Runner Up: Sean Gafner / Roose, Jefes, 99 Saloon, Swaylos

Chef B

Winner: Hosea Rosenburg / Blackbelly

Starting with a food truck, a farm, and a catering business, Hosea Rosenberg evolved his aspirations into the Michelin Guide Green Star restaurant: Blackbelly. From New Mexico to CU Boulder to winning season five of Top Chef, Rosenberg opened his own restaurant and, recently, his own butcher shop in order to perfect cured meats. 

Runner Up: Bradford Heap / Salt

Chocolatier EC

Winner: Chocolaterie Stam

Chocolaterie Stam is Lafayette’s sweetest troublemaker. Bonbons, truffles, and hot chocolate so good it should come with a warning turns casual indulgence into a full-blown chocolate obsession.

Runner Up: Robin’s Chocolates

Chocolatier B

Winner: Piece, Love & Chocolate

This is the place you go if you have that craving. Chocolate, tiramisu, brownies, tarts, truffles…this boutique has just about everything. You can even take classes to get a peak into what goes on behind the curtain. 

Runner Up: Lift Chocolates

Drinks

Overall Bar EC

Winner: Erie Social Club

No longer a newcomer, Erie Social Club has become a fixture in town over the past five years. The interior sets the tone, with craft cocktails designed by in-house mixologists and a wine selection carefully curated by owner Nick. It’s a bar that feels intentional in every detail and it shows in the wins.

Runner Up: West Side Tavern

Overall Bar B

Winner: Bitter Bar

The staff’s welcome into this lamp-lit neighborhood nook is just as warm as the lighting feels. They offer your usuals along with unique inventions like “Strawberry Feels Forever.” The Beatle’s-themed cocktail features strawberry boba – the FIRST cocktail with boba we’ve seen – which only adds to the delight of this Boulder staple.

Runner Up: Velvet Elk Lounge

Brewery EC

Winner: Left Hand Brewery

Though it may have started with just Eric Wallace and a homebrew kit in Longmont, Left Hand Brewery has since swept the nation with their iconic nitros. While Left Hand is leaving their handprint across the country, they’re committed to shrinking their footprint, by investing in the most up-to-date energy and water conservation methods. 

Runner Up: Liquid Mechanics

Brewery B

Winner: Avery Brewing

In their list of 2025’s successes, along with being named World Beer Cup Gold Medalist, were the 5,000+ dogs they petted that year. Turns out, these pet enthusiasts are also pretty big nerds for the brewing process, offering tours to teach the public about the science of yeast and to show off their barrel-aging and burgeoning pilot programs. 

Runner Up: Mountain Sun

Bloody Mary EC & B

Winner: Lucile’s Creole Cafe

In a world of sweet breakfasts, Lucile’s dares to be savory. The Creole tradition of using your seafood dinner from the night before for breakfast lives on in dishes like the eggs pontchartrain – a fried trout adorned with poached eggs and sauce bernaise and is perfectly accompanied by their award-winning Bloody Mary (plus a beignet for your sweet tooth).

Runner Up EC: The Post

Runner Up B: The Buff

Happy Hour EC

Winner: Erie Social Club

Erie Social Club actually puts the happy into happy hour. In a space that’s swanky but approachable, hand-crafted cocktails and a curated wine selection come at happy hour prices. It’s become the kind of place locals plan their afternoons around, not something they squeeze in on the way home.

Runner Up: Walter Rhoades American Legion Post 111

Happy Hour B

Winner: The Dark Horse

The Dark Horse is pure Boulder lore. Toys cover the walls, beer flows freely, and owner Scott McCormick’s irreverent spirit still defines the room. CU watch parties and Pony Games are just part of the chaos. With redevelopment looming, locals are savoring every happy hour, hoping this icon isn’t done winning just yet.

Runner Up: Boulder Cork

Margarita EC

Winner: La Mariposa

The people of Longmont love the extensive options on their menu. They’ve got margarita inventions for every occasion,  “The Love a Rita” for Valentines Day, “Spicy Mezcalita” for Dio de los Muertos, and “Booze for Boobies,” a bright pink special that donates $3 with every order during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Runner Up: Teocalli Cocina

Margarita B

Winner: Efrain’s Mexican of Boulder

When you’ve got it, flaunt it, and that’s exactly what Efrain’s does with their titular “Boulder’s Best Margarita.” And if margaritas aren’t your speed, they’ve got green chili queso so good you can drink it with a straw. This family-owned Boulder landmark recently achieved board game status after being added to the Boulder Edition Monopoly. 

Runner Up: Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

Distillery EC

Dry Land Distillery

The glimmer of their custom-fabricated copper pot stills will draw you in from Longmont’s main drag, but their smokey Cactus spirits and warm atmosphere will keep you coming back for more. Dry Land Distillery’s cocktail program is a love letter to locally sourced ingredients, and the rugged Colorado landscape that makes it possible.

Runner-Up: Spirit Hounds

Distillery B

Vapor Distillery / Boulder Spirits Tasting Room

Boulder Spirits balances craft and presence. From their Longmont distillery, where everything is made on site, to their newer Pearl Street tasting room, the operation reflects a deep commitment to whiskey done right. Founded by Scottish-born Alastair Brogan, their single malts and bourbons honor tradition while firmly earning Boulder’s respect.

Runner-Up: Spirit Hounds

Bartender/Mixologist EC

24 Carrot Bistro – Jennifer Shillington & DJ

At 24 Carrot, the bar is as much a draw as the kitchen. Beverage Director Jennifer Shillington and bartender DJ Reimer have helped make the bistro an Erie icon, crafting cocktails that are thoughtful, seasonal, and perfectly matched to the menu. It’s a drinks program locals trust as much as the food, and what makes them a repeat winning duo.

Runner-Up: West Side Tavern

Bartender/Mixologist B

Bitter Bar

Since opening on Walnut Street in 2011, The Bitter Bar has carved out a Boulder cocktail cult with drinks made with passion, not pretense. Owner-operator James Lee built his following with precise classics and inventive concoctions, eventually buying the bar outright and keeping conversation and craftsmanship at the center of every pour.

Runner-Up: Jungle

Liquor Store EC

Wyatt’s Wet Goods

Italian wine? They’ve got it. French wine? Yep. California and everywhere in between. Wyatt’s Wet Goods stands out for its massive, thoughtfully organized selection of wine, whiskey, and just about anything else for your libatious delights. Curious and need help? The staff is as friendly as they are knowledgeable.

Runner-Up: Atlas Valley Purveyors

Liquor Store B

Hazel’s

Hazel’s feels like Boulder’s social hub for beverage lovers. With massive wine, beer, and spirits selections, friendly staff who actually geek out over your picks, and a vibe that turns shopping into a little adventure, it’s the place locals swing by on the way to dinner, a night in, or just because.

Runner-Up: Pettyjohn’s

Wine Shop EC

Atlas Valley Purveyors

Atlas Valley Purveyors makes wine shopping feel like a choose-your-own-adventure. Thoughtfully curated bottles, surprise gems, and staff who actually get your taste turn “just grabbing a bottle” into a very happy detour.

Runner-Up: Public Wine

Wine Shop B

Boulder Wine Merchant

Boulder Wine Merchant is the kind of place where a quick stop turns into a long, happy conversation. Smart curation, wildly knowledgeable staff, and bottles you won’t find everywhere make this a true Boulder original locals trust and love.

Runner-Up: West End Wine Shop

Winery EC

Taboche Winery

Taboche Winery keeps things refreshingly uncomplicated. Thoughtfully made wines, relaxed tastings, and a welcoming space let the bottles speak for themselves. As a newer presence in the local wine scene, Taboche has quickly built a following by focusing on what’s in the glass and letting people come back on their own terms.

Runner-Up: Snowy Peaks Winery

Winery B

BookCliff Vineyards

BookCliff Vineyards makes wine for people who actually want to talk about what’s in their glass. Bold choices, thoughtful craftsmanship, and bottles with something to say keep Boulder drinkers coming back for another opinionated pour.

Runner-Up: Vinnie Fera Winery

Entertainment

Fair or Festival EC

Lafayette Peach Festival

When the Lafayette Art and Antique Fair incorporated peach sales into its schedule, a new festival spun off. Since then, the organic Palisade orchards have transported thousands upon thousands of pounds of peaches to Lafayette. 2026 marks the 27th annual festival.

Runner-Up: Boulder County Fair

Fair or Festival B

Boulder Pride

Boulder Pride is equal parts celebration, visibility, and unapologetic joy. Thousands gather downtown for a day fueled by queer community, chosen family, live music, food trucks, and nearly 200 vendors all wrapped in color, resistance, and pride. It’s loud, loving, and unmistakably Boulder, and when it returns in 2026, you’ll want to be right in the middle of it.

Runner-Up: Boulder Creek Festival

Live Music Venue EC

Bricks on Main

When Bricks on Main opened in 2020, its flexible retail store accommodated locally-sourced retailers and their products in inconsistent market conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it’s expanded into a multi-purpose venue, with frequent community music events and a full menu and bar. This first-time winner has left a lasting impression on the community.

Runner-Up: Muse Performing Center

Live Music Venue B

Chautauqua

Arrive in this scenic park in the warmer months and you can catch music events in the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, built in 1898 as a lofty and open venue. Arrive in the colder months, and you can enjoy more intimate shows in the park’s 1918 Community House. This repeat winner has something for everyone.

Runner-Up: Boulder Theatre

Gallery EC

Firehouse Art Center

One of the classes offered here is “Art of Possibility,” which is really a perfect way to describe what they bring to the community. They don’t just open our eyes to new artists, they make it possible for us to explore our own artistic nature.

Runner-Up: The Collective Community Arts Center

Gallery B

BMOCA

This repeat winner has been honoring the most significant contemporary art from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico, among other places, since its founding in 1972. Located in a historic building next to Dushanbe Tea House, this dynamic venue brings the regional, national, and international art scene to Boulder.

Runner-Up: Art + Soul Gallery

This article previously misstated the location of BMoCA as on Pearl Street. It has been updated to reflect the correct location.

Museum EC

Longmont Museum

What better way to learn about local history and culture as a family than through programs, exhibits, performances, films, and activities for all ages in a dynamic building housing sprawling historical collections? That’s the kind of educational experience Longmont Museum has to offer.

Runner-Up: Louisville History Museum

Museum B

Museum of Boulder

The history of Boulder has come a long way since the organization of the Boulder Historical Society in 1944. The Museum of Boulder, developed by the society in 1945, reflects on the city’s roots by recognizing the diverse history of its community and starting conversations to lead the community forward.

Runner-Up: University of Colorado Museum of Natural History

Theater Company EC

Longmont Theatre Company

Housed in one of Main Street’s most elegant historic venues, Longmont Theatre Company has been part of the community since 1957. With renewed energy, the company is expanding its offerings, bringing in comedy, music, and other acts in addition to its award-winning theatrical productions.

Runner-Up: Theater Company of Lafayette

Theater Company B

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company

Even as a national-award-winning group, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company prioritizes community. Their acronym has embraced multiple meanings over the years, Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, or simply “Betsy” after a member’s first theater teacher, all embracing local impact through theater.

Runner-Up: The Local Theater Company

Stage EC

Nissi’s

Here’s the thing about Nissi’s: it doesn’t matter who’s playing there. That’s because the acts are so expertly curated and the vibe of the venue so genuine, positive, and fun that on any given night, regardless of who’s on stage, you’re going to experience “the best night ever.”

Runner-Up: Steinbaugh Pavilion

Stage B

The Dairy Arts Center

The Dairy Arts Center is Boulder’s creative crossroads. On any given visit you might catch an indie film, stumble into a gallery opening, or end up at a performance you didn’t plan on but stay for anyway. It’s variety with purpose, and a hub the arts community truly uses.

Runner-Up: Bandshell

Arcade EC

Tilt! Pinball

You can hear it, right? The sound of the ball roaring down the chute. The slapping of the paddles. The laughter. The cheers. The stack of quarters toppling over. What you’re listening to are the sounds of a memorable night out at Tilt.

Runner-Up: Quarters

Arcade B

Press Play

Filled with vintage and contemporary games alike, this hole-in-the-wall arcade/bar combo hosts flat-screens and arcade machines, pool tables and pinball, poker tournaments and live DJs. Located on historic Pearl Street, Press Play is perfect for private family events or for casual evening hangouts.

Runner-Up: Gateway Fun Park

Pumpkin Patch EC

Cottonwood Farms

Cottonwood Farms is the kind of place childhood memories are made. Bob Condon’s farm turns fall into an experience — pumpkins, hayrides, animals, and mazes — then keeps the tradition going with Christmas trees come winter. It’s wholesome, hands-on, and deeply loved by local families.

Runner-Up: 7th Generation

Pumpkin Patch B

Munson’s Farms

A Boulder classic since 1976, Munson Farms has grown from a modest corn stand into a beloved family farm with more than 100 acres of produce, pumpkins, and seasonal fun. Each fall, locals and visitors alike wander the pumpkin patch, pick their own pumpkins, and soak up crisp autumn air against the foothills. It’s proof that some traditions only get better with time.

Runner-Up: Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch

Local Celebrity EC

FACE – Cody Qualls

Internationally iTunes-charting artist Cody Qualls has found countless ways to charm and captivate his audiences since the age of sixteen. Whether he’s performing original rock, pop, hip-hop, and R&B tracks with his group The Brand New Ancients or catchy acapella arrangements with the ensemble FACE, he constantly brings infectious joy to the stage.

Local Celebrity B

Coach Prime

In his days as the player “Prime Time,” he became the only athlete who has ever played in both the World Series and the Super Bowl. Now, in his role as “Coach Prime,” he’s elevated the University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes in the college football world, with 15 team appearances on national television in 2025 alone.

Health & Beauty

Day Spa EC

Blue Skies Massage & Wellness

Blue Skies feels like a pause button in the middle of Longmont. Owner Emily Bauer brings international training and a hospitality-first mindset into a space that’s calm, modern, and quietly luxurious. Every detail, from the rooms to the treatments, is designed to help you exhale and stay awhile.

Runner-Up: 95th St. Salon

Day Spa B

St. Julien Spa

A repeat Best of the West winner, St. Julien Spa is more than treatment rooms, it’s a full-scale wellness destination tucked into one of Boulder’s most elegant hotels. Spread across 10,000 square feet, the spa offers personalized massages, signature facials, sauna, steam room, and a 50-foot lap pool with mountain views, creating an immersive escape that unfolds at its own unhurried pace.

Runner-Up: Dragontree

Facial EC

Blue Skies Massage & Wellness

Relax into the clouds and find your bliss at Blue Skies Massage & Wellness. In addition to customized facials and advanced treatments like microneedling, the studio offers therapeutic massages, body treatments, targeted enhancements, and an infrared sauna designed to support both skin health and overall balance.

Runner-Up: Sustainable Beauty Colorado

Facial B

St. Julien Spa

A facial at St. Julien Spa isn’t something you squeeze in, it’s something you settle into. Treatments are elevated by the surrounding experience: steam, sauna, quiet lounges, and the sense that time has slowed down. It’s skincare wrapped inside a full afternoon of indulgence, which is exactly why readers keep voting it best.

Runner-Up: Dragontree

Salon EC

Golden Ember Salon

Golden Ember Salon doesn’t just cut hair, it upgrades moods. Expert color, sharp cuts, and stylists who actually get you make every visit feel like a mini glow-up.

Runner-Up: Salon Picasso

Salon B

Twig Salon

Established in the Boulder area over 15 years ago, Twig Salon is a staple in Boulder’s cosmetics industry. Beauticians here are known to take time to fully understand your vision before executing it to a “T.” Clients praise the shop for its LGBTQ+-friendly atmosphere, excellent service, and good vibes.

Runner-Up: Voodoo Hair Lounge

Barber EC

Woodward Barbers

Woodward Barbers (Erie) secured Best Barber in East County by a landslide thanks to their meticulous cuts and shaves. Looking for precision and care for a range of services? Look no further. From dry scalp treatment to their “It’s Been a Minute” cut, this classic-style barbershop delivers.

Runner-Up: Deluxe Barbers

Barber B

Hennepin Barbers

Hennepin Barbers cuts no corners in making their customers comfortable, whether it be the welcoming atmosphere, amiable staff, or supple leather chairs lining the shop. This South Boulder salon is known for stark beard trims and sharp haircuts for all ages, tailored to their customers’ every preference.

Runner-Up: Brooklyn Barber Academy

Massage EC

Blue Skies Massage & Wellness

Massage at Blue Skies isn’t one-size-fits-all. Led by owner Emily Bauer, the team starts with a thoughtful assessment and tailors each session to how your body actually feels that day. Whether it’s deep tissue, aromatherapy, or restorative work, the focus is relief that lasts beyond the table.

Runner-Up: Almita Massage

Massage B

Moving Mountains Massage

A full-time practitioner for over 20 years, Jesse Locke CMT, has devoted his life to Coloradans’ relaxation. This six-time BOTW winner is known for his calming presence and personalized approach to massage therapy. Find lower blood pressure, faster recovery, and improved emotional well-being with MMM.

Runner-Up: St. Julien Spa

Manicure/Pedicure EC

Salon Picasso

Salon Picasso turns nails into show-stopping statements. Expert techs, a cozy vibe, and a flair for the bold make every mani feel like a tiny celebration.

Runner-Up: Allure Nail Bar

Manicure/Pedicure B

Contempo Nails

The calm, welcoming environment invites you to relax with the knowledge that you will be pampered. Contempo Nails prides itself on staff longevity in an industry with high turnover. Other than its wide range of self-care services, they are kid-friendly, so you can both have an afternoon off.

Runner-Up: J Lounge

Medi Spa (Medical Treatments) EC

Valar Aesthetics

Valar Aesthetics blends medical precision with an atmosphere that’s warm, relaxed, and filled with laughter. Under Dr. Bauer’s care, results stay natural and never overdone, a consistency that’s made Valar a repeat Best of the West favorite.

Runner-Up: Sunflower Spa

Medi Spa (Medical Treatments) B

Vasu Skin Solutions

Vasu Skin Solutions is where Boulder goes when it wants skin that actually looks amazing. With laser treatments, tailored facials, and a team that remembers your name and your skin goals, clients walk in curious and leave radiant.

Runner-Up: Rinnova

Chiropractor EC

Chiropractic Center of Erie & Longmont

This isn’t the first time Dr. Dave has earned the award for what we call the best hands around. Known for finding “the spot,” his work goes far beyond simple adjustments, pairing deep tissue and muscle work with techniques like dry needling to treat the whole body. It’s this approach that keeps readers voting him best year after year.

Runner-Up: Live Your Life Chiropractic

Chiropractor B

Swan Lake Chiropractic

Swan Lake has been a Boulder staple for over 40 years, reversing spinal compression, correcting posture, and encouraging prenatal health. Owner Dr. Virginia “Ginger” Lawrence has practiced for 30+ years, and after having her own daughter, provides excellent prenatal and pediatric care in addition to many superb spinal services.

Runner-Up: The Joint

Veterinarian EC

Erie Animal Hospital

Dr. Sally Towner opened Erie Animal Hospital in a small farmhouse in 2001 and has grown it into a full-service, AAHA-accredited, Fear Free, cat-friendly practice. Long known for compassionate, individualized care, from acupuncture and rehab to integrative medicine, Dr. Towner’s steady presence and personal touch make this more than a vet clinic; it’s a partner in every pet’s life.

Runner-Up: Longmont Small Animal Hospital

Veterinarian B

Arapahoe Animal Hospital

Serving Boulder since 1954, Arapahoe Animal Hospital has built decades of trust by staying steady while the industry changed around it. Clear communication, long-standing relationships, and independent care keep generations of pet owners coming back. Not because it’s flashy, but because of kind, consistent care.

Runner-Up: Indian Peaks Vet

Medical Center EC

Kerix Health (formerly Nextera)

Under founder Dr. Clint Flanagan, Kerix Health (formerly Nextera) champions a concierge-style approach that prioritizes patient relationships over volume. Board-certified and community-rooted, Flanagan’s model gives people time with their doctor and personalized care, a commitment that’s now expanding into other states.

Runner-Up: Strive Direct Health

Medical Center B

Crossroads Medical Center

Founded in 1998 by 2025’s BOTW Best Doctor Carl Moritz, Crossroads Medical Center is one of only a few remaining independently owned medical clinics in Boulder. CMC doesn’t rush appointments, giving patients the attention and personalized care they need.

Runner-Up: Clinica Family Health

Hospital EC

Good Samaritan Hospital

A past and present winner, Good Samaritan Hospital is a recipient of frequent accolades, including landing in America’s top 5% of hospitals in clinical performance (Healthgrades). From being an official Level II Trauma Center to providing highly acclaimed joint replacement, GSH’s patients are in trusted hands.

Runner-Up: Longmont United

Hospital B

Boulder Community Health

For many Boulder residents, Boulder Community Health isn’t a choice, it’s been the hospital for 100 years. As the city’s independent, nonprofit health system, BCH has spent a century serving the community across multiple campuses, quietly becoming part of nearly every family’s story along the way.

Dentist EC

Keene Smiles

Dr. Greg Keene is known for recommending only what’s needed, easing anxiety, and giving back, including donating dental services to patients born without teeth. With long-tenured staff and a genuinely warm office, this is dentistry grounded in skill, ethics, and care.

Runner-Up: Artistic Smiles

Dentist B

Boulder Dental Center

BDC boasts remarkable convenience by making care accessible with multiple locations across Boulder and accepting major dental insurance plans. Dr. Danny Abboud has been at the helm since 2010, upholding the clinic’s excellent 40-year-old reputation as a one-stop dental care provider for whatever ails the Boulderite.

Runner-Up: Boulder Smiles

Doctor EC

Shawn Otteman – BCH

Dr. Shawn Otteman of Boulder Community Health has 30+ years of experience in his field and exceptional reviews to show for it. A family medicine physician who truly listens, patients say he refuses to rush appointments and genuinely connects, even calling to check in.

Runner-Up: Brad Brown – Strive

Doctor B

Dr. Christa Ambrose – Clinica

Dr. Ambrose is the doctor all medical professionals should strive to emulate. She chose to work with Clinica because it aligns with her medical philosophy: treating underserved people and making healthcare widely accessible. Her holistic approach prioritizes proper care, education, and wellness through constant communication with patients.

Runner-Up: Dr. Dirk Dolbeare – Boulder Orthopedics

Sports

Bike Shop EC

Louisville Cyclery
Louisville Cyclery has been part of Boulder County’s biking life for nearly half a century, and it shows the moment you walk in. Walls layered with race art and memories, lovingly serviced used bikes, a giant wooden bear out front, and lounge chairs that invite you to stay awhile. People linger so much they added a coffee cart — because this isn’t just a shop, it’s where cyclists hang out.
Runner Up: NuLife Cycles

Bike Shop B

Community Cycles
Community Cycles isn’t just about bikes, it’s about keeping them in motion. Since 2005, this nonprofit shop has repaired, reused, and redistributed thousands of bikes, pairing sustainability with real community impact. The mission runs deep, the knowledge is solid, and every bike saved from the landfill gets another life on the road.
Runner Up: Mike’s Bikes

Ski Shop EC

Angles Sports
Tours, new & used equipment, rentals. They started in a garage, and now you can find them on Main Street. Angles Sports owner, Ryan, loves fishing and sliding down the slopes so much he is probably open to doing it with you.
Runner Up: Snow Hut

Ski Shop B

Crystal Ski
Since 1976, Crystal Ski has been Boulder’s pre-powder pilgrimage. Owner Justin grew up in the shop, literally starting in high school before taking the reins. That continuity shows in the fit, the tuning, and the loyal locals who won’t head to the mountain without stopping here first.
Runner Up: Boulder Sports Recycler

Sporting Goods EC

Jax Outdoor
Since 1965, when it began as an 18-year-old’s idea for a military surplus store, Jax has stood strong as a unique and attractive paragon of Colorado at its finest. It is a Northern Colorado classic, which can make a small-town feel significant. YS respects the bona fide GOATs when credit is due.
Runner Up: Play It Again Sports

Sporting Goods B

Play It Again Sports
Committed to reusable gear and strong community loyalty, Play It Again Sports not only offers amazing and affordable deals, it serves as a center for local sports. Partnering with school athletic programs and clubs alike, if you’re a serious athlete, you will feel welcome here and perhaps find your new home, let alone sports hub.
Runner Up: Neptune Mountaineering

Golf Course EC

Indian Peaks Golf Course
Indian Peaks Golf Course has earned its loyal following by doing the fundamentals exceptionally well. A beautifully maintained course, approachable atmosphere, and steady consistency keep golfers coming back year after year. As a landslide repeat Best of the West winner, it’s a place where locals know exactly what they’re getting. And that’s the point.
Runner Up: Fox Hill Club

Golf Course B

Flatirons Golf Course
“Where Everyone Feels at Home” is a fitting slogan for Flatirons Golf Course. The course feels like what the heart of Boulder has to offer at its best: a fun and memorable time with natural greenery and comfortable vibes. On the city’s east side, the family-friendly atmosphere encourages the community to create memories.
Runner Up: Lake Valley Golf

Gym EC

RUF Fitness
RUF Fitness is built around showing up for your workout and for each other. With structured training, a supportive community, and an environment that doesn’t feel performative, it’s a gym where progress feels personal. No hype, no intimidation — just people putting in the work together.
Runner Up: Warrior Challenge Arena

Gym B

Mountain’s Edge
Mountains’ Edge Fitness offers a stress-free, inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and motivated to make progress. Bringing warmth to the community without pretense or judgment, the point of this place is to support the goals of the community rather than hinder it. It focuses on what’s really significant with fitness; the thief of joy is comparison.
Runner Up: Movement

Rec Center EC

Bob Burger Rec Center
Bob Burger Rec Center is Lafayette’s all-in-one community hub. From the outdoor water park and aquatics center to youth camps, adult leagues, and senior programs, it’s where multiple generations cross paths every day. Practical, busy, and deeply woven into town life, it’s recreation the way a community actually uses it.
Runner Up: Erie Community Center

Rec Center B

East Boulder Rec Center
East Boulder Rec Center isn’t just a building, it’s where generations of Boulder families learned to swim, picked up a basketball, and logged early-morning laps. The amenities matter, but it’s the community EBRC has built that makes it a true local staple.
Runner Up: North Boulder Rec Center

Ski Resort (Day Trip)

Eldora
Eldora is Boulder’s ski hill. It’s close, familiar, and deeply woven into Front Range winters. Whether you’re sneaking in a few runs before work or introducing someone to their first turns, its proximity and no-frills accessibility make it a longtime local favorite. Fast to get to, easy to love, and rooted in community history, Eldora remains the go-to when you just want to ski and not sit in traffic.
Runner Up: Loveland

Ski Resort (Overnight)

Winter Park Resort
This Colorado classic ski resort is a must-try for anyone interested in skiing. With comfortable and challenging slopes alike, and so much history to explore. They have built an open community and culture that will sustain winter sports for years to come.
Runner Up: Steamboat

Climbing Gym B

Boulder Rock Club
Opened 1991, BRC is one of the trailblazing gyms of the early indoor-climbing movement. Today it is still embossed in Boulder’s climbing culture as a Sendaholic’s haven. Boasting ever-updating routes, a weight room, a Moon Board, and more, this is the spot for rookies and veterans of the sport.
Runner Up: The Spot

Climbing Gym EC

Longmont Climbing Collective
A relative newcomer, Longmont Climbing Collective wasted no time winning over its community. With an inclusive, low-ego vibe and routes that welcome beginners and challenge seasoned climbers, it’s less about conquering walls and more about building confidence, connection, and a place people genuinely want to return to.
Runner Up: The Spot

Martial Arts EC

Bennett’s Karate
With deep roots in the honor and tradition of Japanese karate, this repeat winner brings a global culture to Boulder County. Time and time again they prove their reputation by bringing out the best in martial artists in and out of the Dojo. Spend some time with their community and classes and become the master you are meant to be.
Runner Up: Tran’s Martial Arts

Martial Arts B

Easton Jiu-Jitsu
Easton Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai continue to build a strong martial arts community grounded in self-improvement and mastery. This is why they are a clear, principled winner in Colorado’s culture. This is an excellent home for those looking to add the discipline and inspiration of martial arts tradition. The opportunity can significantly improve your life.
Runner Up: Boulder Karate

Yoga Studio EC

Soul Tree Studio
Soul Tree Yoga Studio offers a beautiful, warm, open space filled with compassion, a strong community, and sense of enlightenment. With a tradition rooted in the Eight Limbs of ethical restraints, the professionals here do an excellent job of guiding students toward a spiritually aware and fulfilling life.
Runner Up: Louisville Community Yoga

Yoga Studio B

Yoga Pearl
Yoga Pearl is a professional, open environment with a strong, enlightening community. Their excellent workshops and training will equip you with the skills to control your mind, filling your life with awareness and peace. This is a natural and enlightened winner.
Runner Up: Boulder Bikram Yoga

Pilates Studio EC

Rocky Mountain Pilates and Yoga
Rocky Mountain Pilates and Yoga provides an exceptional, spacious, and wonderful atmosphere filled with enlightened hearts and a shared journey of health and fitness. This location hosts a supportive community that will help actualize your success. No wonder they have won time and time again.
Runner Up: Pilates 4 Bodies

Pilates Studio B

The Pilates Center
The Pilates Center has built its reputation quietly and carefully over decades. Known for thoughtful instruction and instructors who truly pay attention, this Boulder staple attracts clients who value depth over trends. It’s not flashy, it’s effective, consistent, and rooted in the kind of expertise that keeps people coming back.
Runner Up: Bolder Pilates

Home & Hood

Old Town EC

Erie Old Town
With architecture dating back over a century, Erie’s historic downtown creates a classic atmosphere for Colorado residents and visitors. Truly the heart of Erie, the famous farmer’s market and various businesses are a hub for Erie’s locals and visitors to experience the best of Colorado culture.
Runner Up: Lafayette

Old Town B

Mapleton Hill
The historic Mapleton Hill neighborhood enhances Boulder’s classic, timeless aesthetic. With architecture and vegetation that stand the test of time, YS honors those responsible for Boulder’s most classic vibes.
Runner Up: Niwot

Neighborhood EC

Old Town Louisville
Old Town Louisville isn’t manufactured charm, it’s lived-in. Brick buildings, independent shops, longtime locals, and newer neighbors all share the same sidewalks, patios, and conversations. It’s the kind of downtown where you run into someone you know, linger longer than planned, and remember why small towns still matter.
Runner Up: Old Town Lafayette

Neighborhood B

NOBO Boulder
The North Boulder Arts District is responsible for bringing art and inspiration to North Boulder. With their extensive community engagement, colorful murals, and support for artists of all kinds, they inspire the community through their calling.
Runner Up: Whittier

Furniture EC

Woodley’s Fine Furniture
Woodley’s isn’t just selling furniture — they’re helping people settle in. Family-owned and Colorado-rooted for generations, the Woodleys built a business on listening, guiding, and making sure what you bring home actually fits your life. It’s why customers return decade after decade, not just room after room.
Runner Up: American Furniture Warehouse

Furniture B

Forma Furniture
Forma Furniture offers high-quality furniture with professional customer service and prestigious craftsmanship. This first-place winner earned their position by expertly furnishing Colorado homes with “that’s gorgeous” pieces.
Runner Up: Arhaus

Home Furnishings EC

Danish Furnishings
Known for its European furniture, high-quality showroom, and patient customer service, Danish Furnishings brings a taste of global culture to Colorado. Their breadth of experience and expertise make them a deserving winner. One trip in and you will appreciate what they offer as well.
Runner Up: Hello! Home Furnishings

Home Furnishings B

Boulder Furniture Arts
For over 30 years, Boulder Furniture Arts’ handmade and simplistic designs have responsibly furnished many Colorado homes. Their high-quality local business models call to new and repeat customers while the helpful customer service creates a comfortable experience from start to finish.
Runner Up: Derpy Dragon Woodworking

Home Improvement EC

Jax Ranch
Jax Ranch carries the weight of Colorado history on its shelves. Born from a 1965 surplus store and grown into a Front Range institution, Jax has always served people who work with their hands and live close to the land. It’s not trend-driven retail — it’s generational knowledge, dependable gear, and Colorado know-how passed forward.
Runner Up: Budget Home Supply

Home Improvement B

McGuckin Hardware
Since 1955 McGuckin Hardware has been a prime example of the impact a local business can have. Their expert staff are ready to assist you in finding the right tools to help turn a broken part of the home or new idea into a completed project.
Runner Up: Home Depot

Landscaper EC

Outdoor Craftsman
Outdoor Craftsman looks at a yard and sees possibility. Their team blends design, ecology, and craftsmanship to create outdoor spaces that actually belong in Colorado — native plants, smart irrigation, and landscapes meant to thrive, not fight the climate. The result isn’t just prettier yards, but ones that make sense.
Runner Up: Wild Heritage Gardens and Design

Landscaper B

Native Edge Landscape
Native Edge Landscape is the architect of Boulder’s most fun and restful backyard days. Whether it’s a cozy autumn day by a combo firepit + fireplace on an organically stone-tiled porch or a summer night in a poolside lounge at a hotel, Native Edge builds Boulder’s best residential and commercial sceneries.
Runner Up: Matrix Gardens

Realtor EC

The Fowler Group
The Fowler Group is made up of two sisters who come from a sixty-year long family legacy of realtors serving the Front Range. With their elaborate and cinematic Instagram reels, Brie and Jillian showcase how your home can be the centerpiece of your next story.
Runner Up: Audrey Atkinson

Realtor B

Tom Cohen / Compass
Tom Cohen started selling homes in 1990. He loves working directly with his clients, often reminding them that “Online search is fun. But it won’t text back or high-five you at closing. That’s what I’m here for.”
Runner Up: Arn Rasker / Sotheby’s

Plumber EC & B

Colorado Green Plumbing (landslide)
Colorado Green Plumbing won this year by a landslide (and it certainly wasn’t caused by a faulty sewer line). Homeowners praise president Paul Lingenfelter for his friendliness, trustworthiness, and willingness to educate customers. On top of their award-winning plumbing, they also provide stellar HVAC and boiler services.
Runner Up EC: Around the Clog
Runner Up B: Bernie’s Plumbing

Contractor EC

Silver Contracting
During the 2020 pandemic, contractors everywhere faced a garage door shortage — except Silver Contracting, which handcrafted its own custom doors. Known for adaptive attitude, they also facilitate stress-free building and renovation experiences.
Runner Up: Koeppen Construction

Contractor B

Melton Build & Design
Melton shares its design knowledge freely in workshops, including the annual Sugary Structure Showdown, where the top team donates to a local organization.
Runner Up: Petra Custom Builders

Tree Service EC

Reinholt Tree Services
A small team of arborists keeping trees healthy and residents safe from hazards, with 24-hour emergency tree care.
Runner Up: St Vrain Arbor Care

Tree Service B

Berkelhammer Tree
Berkelhammer Tree has shaped Boulder County’s landscape for decades, prioritizing stewardship over shortcuts. Founder Fred Berkelhammer championed tree care methods that protect pollinators: “saving the trees without killing the bees.”
Boulder Tree Surgeon

Auto Repair EC

Louisville Tire and Auto
Since 1993, Louisville Tire and Auto has provided honest, top-notch service. Technicians sell only what you need and provide flawless service.
Runner Up: Stang Auto

Auto Repair B

Pellman Automotive
Family-owned, transparent, and ASE-certified mechanics, providing updates, photos, and videos throughout the repair process.
Runner Up: Hoshi Motors

Lawyer EC

Lyons-Gaddis
Lyons Gaddis shows up prepared and explains things clearly. For 50+ years, their attorneys have helped navigate complex situations with steadiness and plainspoken guidance.
Runner Up: Gstalder Law Firm

Lawyer B

Hutchinson, Black & Cook
A picture of legal excellence, HBC has been a Boulder standard for over a century, offering small-firm attention with big-firm standards.
Runner Up: Frascona Joiner Goodman & Greenstein

Bank or Credit Union Boulder County

Elevations Credit Union
Founded in 1952, member-owned, community-driven, emphasizing personalized service and financial education.
Runner Up: Premier Members Credit Union

Place to Buy A Car in Boulder County

Fisher Honda
Craig Fisher built a soft-spoken, no-pressure dealership approach locals recognize immediately.
Runner Up: Valley Subaru

NonProfit EC

Sister Carmen
Founded in the 1970s by Sister Carmen Ptacnik, providing goods and support to local families.
Runner Up: Community Food Share

NonProfit B

EFAA
Serving Boulder County for over 100 years, providing food, housing, education, and advocacy.
Runner Up: Rocky Mountain Equality

Politician

Joe Neguse
Congressman for Colorado’s 2nd District since 2018, focused on climate, public lands, and democracy protection.
Runner Up — Former Erie Mayor Justin Brooks

Artist EC

Angie Nordstrom
Boulder-area painter and muralist, combining expressive emotions with upbeat messages inspired by nature.
Runner Up: Kristi Arzola

Artist B

Phil Lewis
Print-driven pieces and clean, modern compositions, with exquisite kaleidoscopic imagery.
Runner Up: Sam Cikauskas

Marijuana Dispensary EC

Herbal Wellness
All-inclusive, tailored dispensary experience with attentive budtenders and loyalty programs.
Runner Up — Igadi

Marijuana Dispensary Boulder

The Farm
Premium yet welcoming dispensary with consistent flower quality and wide selection of concentrates.
Runner Up — Karing Kind

Glass EC

Hillcrest Glass
Since 1969, providing reliable residential and commercial glass services with precision and craftsmanship.

Glass B

Slade Glass Co
Modern sensibility with a long-standing presence in custom glass work since 1961.

Tattoo Shop EC

Inksmith
Friendly, clean, professional setting that makes getting a tattoo approachable for everyone.
Runner: Main Street Tattoo

Tattoo Shop B

Boulder Ink
One of Boulder’s oldest shops, balancing technical skill with personal expression, open daily.
Runner Up: Rising Tide Tattoo

Shopping

Shoe Store EC

Brown’s Shoe Store
How do we tell you Brown’s Shoes is the locals’ favorite when they’ve won all 26 years? That’s how.

Runner Up: Jax

Shoe Store B

Apocalypse
In Boulder, the answer to every “Where did you get those shoes?!” question is Apocalypse. You can complete any fit there with the incredible selection of shoes for a Saturday night along with everyday wear pairs.
Runner Up: Two Sole Sisters

Eyewear EC

The Optical Centre
For more than 50 years on Main Street, The Optical Centre has stayed locally owned, independent, and loved. They pair comprehensive eye care with a curated, timeless eyewear selection, plus the steady expertise of Dr. Jeff Berger. Longmont keeps choosing them, and it’s easy to see why.
Runner Up: Lafayette Eye Associates

Eyewear B

Envision Optical
There’s a special kind of walk you see from people when they leave Envision Optical. It’s confident, strong, almost a strut. It’s that walk you have when you’re feeling your best and looking great.
Runner Up: Tom’s Sportique Eyewear

Jewelry EC

Anspach’s Jewelry
You’re not just buying a necklace or a ring, you’re starting a story. And the jewelers at Anspach’s will make sure it’s one told with heart, thoughtfulness, sincerity, and history.
Runner Up: Eric Olson Master Jewelers

Jewelry B

Hurdles
At Hurdle’s you don’t shop as much as you wander, waiting for that perfect piece to speak to you. Jewelry is more than just an “accessory,” it’s an extension of your personality.
Runner Up: Schapell Jewelers

Fashion Boutique for Women EC

Snow Apparel
Snow Apparel is a cornucopia of timeless style. From showcasing local artisans to international masters, owner Snow White ensures every purchase makes an impact. She uplifts marginalized masterpieces while making customers look and feel triumphant in their new threads.
Runner Up: Ivy Rose

Fashion Boutique for Women B

Apocalypse
Shopping locally isn’t just a slogan; it’s the Apocalypse aesthetic. Madison Moorhead McCabe and Jed Bickford McCabe champion shoppers away from fast fashion, offering a haven to find better ends.
Runner Up: Jacque Michelle

Men’s Clothing EC

Acme Fine Goods
The Internet makes it easy to shop, but Acme Fine Goods makes it fun. Trying something on and falling in love is a tactile experience, leaving you feeling like the world’s best-dressed man.
Runner Up: Jax

Men’s Clothing B

Weekends
For men looking to reset their wardrobe or find a new favorite shirt, Weekends offers unmatched stylist passion and knowledge. You’ll leave not just looking good, but feeling good.
Runner Up: Canoe Club

Consignment Clothing EC

Found Underground
When it’s time for a style-swap, this is the place to go. You get new clothes while helping the environment, and your old favorites may resurface for someone else.
Runner Up — Fabulous Finds

Consignment Clothing B

Apocalypse
Beyond gently used women’s clothing, Apocalypse is the go-to for finding pieces that express “This is who I am.”
Runner Up: Rags Consignment

Shopping District/Center EC

Downtown Longmont
Restaurants, shops, art, and event venues abound, but the most important element: the people. Seeing neighbors and community members enjoying it all builds real community.
Runner Up: Downtown Lafayette

Shopping District/Center B

Pearl Street Mall
Shop for gifts, records, food, and tattoos — Pearl Street is Boulder as it’s meant to be.
Runner Up: 29th Street Mall

Bookstore EC

Read Queen
A revolutionary literary hub, offering book clubs, workshops, and discerning curation. Miss it at your own risk.
Runner Up: Barbed Wire Books

Bookstore B

Boulder Bookstore
The agora for late-night thinkers, with a library of awards since 1987.
Runner Up:Trident Booksellers

Florist EC

Lafayette Florist
For 75 years, Lafayette Florist has crafted flowers as personal messages, from welcoming neighbors to marking life milestones.
Runner Up: Longmont Florist

Florist B

Boulder Blooms
Kim Thielke’s studio-style approach ensures every arrangement feels personal, seasonal, and distinctly Boulder.
Runner Up: Sturtz & Copeland

Kid’s Store EC

Longmont Museum
A time machine with 17,000+ objects, creating cerebral and emotional connections with history.
Runner Up: Adorn Kids

Kid’s Store B

Grandrabbits
Almost 50 years of expanding kids’ imaginations with personal, fun shopping experiences.
Runner Up: Pitter Patter

Gift Shop EC

Vintrey
Vintage, handmade, and fair-trade gifts curated inside a 1900s home for a “hidden treasures” shopping feel.
Runner Up: Bricks on Main

Gift Shop B

Cedar and Hyde
Gifts that elicit “Oh Wow!” moments — housewarming, birthdays, or a treat for yourself.
Runner Up:Bliss

Natural Goods EC & B

Natural Grocers
Beyond healthy food, they provide wellness classes and a dedicated nutrition center, committed to community wellness.
Runner Up EC: Little Herbal Apothecary
Runner Up B: Nude Foods

Grocer EC

Sprouts
A shopper’s delight, filled with tasty and nutritious items. Be prepared for a bigger cart.
Runner Up: Natural Grocers

Grocer B

Lucky’s Market
Independently owned, locally sourced, and organic, offering the best of Boulder on its shelves.
Runner Up: Trader Joe’s

Pet Supply EC

Gigi & Co
Intentional selection of health-forward essentials and local brands, plus force-free training expertise.
Runner Up: Happy Beast

Pet Supply B

PCs Pantry
From a small house to a 30th Street facility, P.C.’s Pantry combines personal shopping with nearly 25 years of excellence.
Runner Up: Only Natural Pet Supplies

Consignment & ReUse Furniture EC

Fabulous Finds
Walk-in, drop-off, and mobile consignment options with a warm, local environment supporting organizations like The Inn Between and Habitat for Humanity.
Runner Up: Furn Consignment

Consignment & ReUse Furniture B

Goodwill
Colorado’s 45-location network, with the Boulder store winning readers’ hearts and providing convenient donation drop-offs.
Runner Up: Pig & Pearl

Record Store B

Paradise Found Records
When you buy a record in Boulder, you buy it at Paradise Found Records; which has curated one of the most extensive catalogs of vinyl in Boulder County. With 26 years of winning Best of the West Awards, Paradise Found Records remains unmatched for botomless crate digging. 
Runner Up: Beat Book Shop

Record Store EC

Absolute Vinyl
Epicenter of Boulder County’s analogue revival, with local music archives and audiophile gems.
Runner Up: Little Horse Louisville

Musical Instruments EC

Guitar Hut
Honest repairs and innovative instruments, avoiding pretentious vibes while offering tried-and-true gear.
Runner Up: Monkton Guitar

Musical Instruments B

HB Woodsongs
Founded in 1971, Boulder’s longest-running music store offers instruments, lessons, rentals, tuneups, and an online shop.
Runner Up: Boulder Drum Shop

Quilting/Sewing EC

The Presser Foot
A BERNINA dealer with 500+ years combined experience, crafting quality work and guiding customers to the right machine.
Runner Up: The Quilt Store

Quilting/Sewing B

Elfriede’s Fine Fabrics
Since 1974, offering distinctive textiles and guidance that keep generations of makers returning.
Runner Up: Sew-Bo

Education/Kids

Place to Play with the Kids EC

WOW! Children’s Museum
Since 1996, WOW! Children’s Museum has become a cornerstone for young ones under 12. Through their Play for All program and inclusive mission, WOW! ensures every child has a safe place to have fun. Who wouldn’t want to play in a restored fire-station?
Runner Up: Coal Creek Park

Place to Play with the Kids B

ABC Kids Climbing
For kids who don’t stay still, ABC Kids Climbing offers endless opportunities. Toddlers can learn in safe spaces while elite climbers train, and parents can join in at open gym sessions!
Runner Up: Gateway Park Fun Center

Private School EC

Dawson School
Founded in 1970, Dawson School pairs strong academics with real choice. With 80 electives and 16 AP courses, students build a path unique to them. College prep is intentional, personal, and student-centered.
Runner Up: Saint John the Baptist

Private School B

Boulder Country Day
Teachers at Boulder Country Day truly know their students. Serving preschool through 8th grade, BCD combines strong academics with hands-on learning in a close-knit community, helping students grow confident and articulate.
Runner Up: Boulder Valley Waldorf School

Public School EC

Centaurus High School
Centaurus High pairs academic opportunity with a supportive culture. From standout arts programs to CU Boulder-aligned college pathways, students are encouraged to shape their future in a community that shows up for them.
Runner Up: Niwot High School

Public School B

Fairview High School
Fairview High emphasizes challenge, engagement, and meaning. The honors program and dedicated faculty cultivate a positive learning experience, producing frequent National Merit Finalists.
Runner Up: Horizons K-8

Summer Camp EC

Colorado Mountain Ranch
With roots reaching back to 1925, Colorado Mountain Ranch encourages kids to get outdoors and connect with nature — something better than wifi.
Runner Up: YMCA Northern Colorado

Summer Camp B

Renaissance Adventures
Renaissance Adventures brings imagination to life through creative role-playing, castle-building, and playground adventures.
Runner Up: Square State Skate

Music School EC

School of Rock
Performance-based music education helps students conquer stage fright and build confidence before adulthood — all while having a rockstar experience.
Runner Up: Center for Musical Arts

Music School B

HB Woodsongs Teaching Studios
From beginners to professionals, HB Woodsongs fosters creativity through deep listening, guided exploration, and improvisation, creating a complete music ecosystem in Boulder.
Runner Up:Harmony Music House

The post Best of the West 2026 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

With help from the Super Mario Bros., SuperKids Expo is leveling up in 2026. Before the pandemic, SuperKids Expo was one of Boulder County’s most beloved and biggest kids’ events. This year, we are keeping the tradition by bringing back the largest free kids event, with bouncy houses brought to you by Bounce Empire and rock bands from the School of Rock. April 25 is the day just about kids.

SuperKids Expo 2025, Photo credit: Kenneth Wajda

There is no other kids event like the SuperKids Expo in Colorado. Test your climbing skills on our rock climbing wall, meet your favorite video game characters, rock out to Kuthandara and kids bands from School of Rock Broomfield and Boulder, and get a taste of what these camps have to offer with exhilarating activities and entertaining demonstrations. Come find your inner ninja, knight in shining armor, scientist, or cowboy with a variety of vendors. Grab some grub from local food trucks and restaurants at The District in Lafayette at 400 W. South Boulder Rd.

Dress up like your favorite video game or comic book character and have the chance to win a special prize from your favorite vendor. Photo booth opportunities available.

If you’re an aspiring Stan Lee, don’t forget to submit your original illustration for our Cover Comic Contest in conjunction with Time Warp Comics in Boulder. The chosen art will be featured in Yellow Scene Magazine’s SuperKids Issue. The issue goes to press in March. Submit to wizards@timewarpboulder.com, by February 28th, 2026.

SuperKids Expo 2025, Photo credit: Kenneth Wajda

SuperKids Expo 2025, Photo credit: Kenneth Wajda

SuperKids Expo 2025, Photo credit: Kenneth Wajda

Every year YS puts together the most exhaustive and in-depth camp guide in Boulder County while spotlighting kids who are “movers and shakers” in the community. Huge thanks to our sponsors, The Fowler Group at The Agency, Dunton Commercial, KGNU, and Bounce Empire for helping put this all together. It takes a lot to put on this cherished event, with an army of volunteers, promotion, and kids entertainment.

Want to get involved?

Have a booth or become a sponsor of the stage, the capes, or the rock wall to keep this event free for the community and to keep delivering award-winning free press and fun events to Boulder County.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter — and get our print edition delivered to your home each month.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays, ready to lead no matter who’s in charge.

The post SuperKids Expo is back! April 25, 2026, in Lafayette appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

For two days in a row, well over 1,000 people gathered in Boulder to protest ICE and federal immigration enforcement. On Saturday, the demonstration took place downtown at Broadway and Walnut, drawing a large crowd despite cooler weather (but not as cold as Minnesota). The action was organized by Forever Indivisible Boulder with organizing support from Boulder DSA and included participants of all ages.

The downtown protest followed an earlier bike rally that began at North Boulder Park and rode through town to join demonstrators. Organizers and participants cited ongoing concerns about federal immigration enforcement, including the recent fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis that have sparked protests nationwide, as well as broader opposition to ICE and Trump administration immigration policies.

Ahead of the protest, Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty issued a “Know Your Rights” notice, advising residents on constitutional protections when interacting with ICE agents and documenting their activity. Dougherty, who is currently campaigning for Colorado Attorney General, has been publicly raising concerns about the use of force by federal immigration authorities and potential infringements on constitutional rights.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter — and get our print edition delivered to your home each month.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays, ready to lead no matter who’s in charge.

The post As Protests Spread Nationwide, Boulder Turns Out Again on Saturday appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

When Notes of Dissent Marching Band first appeared publicly on June 14, 2025, at the No Kings protest, they didn’t arrive as a novelty act. They showed up as something Colorado protest culture has been missing: organized sound, collective rhythm, and an open invitation to participate, regardless of skill level.

Since that debut, Notes of Dissent hasn’t faded back into rehearsal spaces. They’ve become a regular presence at actions across the Front Range, using music to amplify protest, build community, and make resistance unmistakably audible.

The band spans Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs, and it’s built intentionally around access rather than polish. You don’t need to march. You don’t need to read music. You don’t need to own an instrument. What matters is showing up and being willing to contribute to something collective.

How Notes of Dissent Is Showing Up

Notes of Dissent now regularly attends GEO/ICE Detention Center vigils in Aurora every third Wednesday at 6:00 pm, committing to a consistent presence outside the facility as part of ongoing opposition to immigration detention.

They’re also a fixture at the ongoing protest of Drip Café in Denver, which is operated by a church with a documented history of anti-LGBTQ positions. The café describes itself as a faith-based nonprofit aimed at serving Denver’s unhoused community, a mission that has drawn both supporters and sustained criticism from local organizers.

In addition to recurring actions, Notes of Dissent mobilizes around one-off protests and town halls when they arise, particularly those connected to ICE facilities and enforcement. Participation isn’t rigid—people are encouraged to show up where they can, when they can, and plug in locally.

Rehearsals Across the Front Range

Rather than centralizing in one city, the band rehearses regionally:

• Denver meets Sundays at Washington Park

• Fort Collins rehearses Sundays at Twin Silo Park

• Colorado Springs gathers Sundays at America the Beautiful Park

• Boulder meets Saturdays at East Boulder Community Park

All rehearsals are weather-permitting and structured to welcome beginners, returners, and people figuring it out as they go.

Coordination and Collective Decision-Making

Notes of Dissent holds a weekly online band meeting, where members are encouraged to participate in discussions and decisions shaping the group’s direction. The structure reflects how the band operates in the street: collaborative, flexible, and member-driven.

Who Can Join

The band is actively welcoming low brass, percussion, strings, vocalists, dancers, and color guard—but the list doesn’t stop there. People who haven’t played since high school. People who can’t march. People without instruments. People who don’t read music.

Notes of Dissent has loaner instruments. They welcome all physical abilities. They accommodate access needs. The emphasis isn’t on performance, it’s on participation.

In a political moment that thrives on exhaustion and isolation, Notes of Dissent is turning protest into shared sound—loud, collective, and unapologetic.

Learn more about them on their website or make a donation, so they can keep marching on, turning resistance into rhythm.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter — and get our print edition delivered to your home each month.
Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays, ready to lead no matter who’s in charge.

The post Notes of Dissent Marching Band wants you to join them appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

As the U.S. claims control over Venezuela’s future, Americans are responding not with rallying energy, but with exhaustion, disbelief, and growing fear for their own democracy.

They may act with force, but they no longer control belief

Today we woke up to a set of headlines that have Americans talking. Overnight, the United States carried out a strike on Venezuela. Some reports describe it as the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, followed by Donald Trump telling reporters at a January 3, 2026 press conference, held after the attacks, that the United States would take control of Venezuela and place its oil industry under U.S. management.

People are uneasy, and not just about foreign policy. The economy does not feel as strong as this administration claims. Democratic guardrails are eroding in plain sight. And despite the familiar language of strength and freedom, Americans do not seem to be buying it. They are not rallying around the concept of “America the Great.”

That reaction tells us more about the state of the country than any press briefing ever could.

This legitimacy disconnect did not come out of nowhere. It is reinforced every day by the material reality Americans are living with.

What the hell is happening in Venezuela?

As more information becomes available, one thing is already apparent: the administration’s version of events is not aligning with what reporters, international observers, and Venezuelan dissidents are describing on the ground.

The official narrative frames this action as liberation, freeing the Venezuelan people and Americans from a criminal drug cartel. That framing does not withstand even basic scrutiny.

This action had no congressional authorization, no international mandate, and no clear legal justification.

Whatever language is used to describe it, whether strike, seizure, or abduction, it represents a unilateral use of power with serious implications for constitutional oversight, international law, and future precedent.

Beneath every explanation offered so far, one constant keeps resurfacing.

Oil.

Venezuela holds some of the largest oil reserves in the world. Years ago, its government reclaimed control of those resources, shifting them away from foreign, often American, corporate dominance and into state hands.

Whether that control was handled responsibly or disastrously is a legitimate debate. It does not justify U.S. intervention legally, historically, or morally.

This is a familiar pattern.

Which is why focusing solely on the character of Nicolás Maduro misses the larger point. You do not have to believe Maduro is a good leader, or even a legitimate one, to recognize that unilateral force carried out without legal authorization is still illegal. The obvious question then becomes what comes next. Invading China?

Socialism, state control, and a well-worn shortcut

Part of how actions like this are sold to the American public relies on political shorthand that collapses important distinctions.

Socialism refers to collective or democratic control of economic resources. State control refers to centralized authority exercised through government power. They are not the same thing.

That complexity has been flattened into an easy shortcut: socialism becomes tyranny, capitalism becomes democracy.

Venezuela does not fit neatly into either category. It is best understood as a state-controlled oil economy shaped by corruption, sanctions, and repression, not as a clean example of socialism as an economic theory. Naming that accurately matters, not to defend the regime, but to prevent propaganda from doing the work of justification.

When reclaiming resources from multinational corporations is treated as authoritarian by default, force can be sold as liberation rather than extraction.

The hypocritical pretext of drugs

Drug trafficking has been offered as a moral justification for U.S. action against Venezuela. It is a familiar claim, and a selective one.

Venezuela is not a major drug-producing country. Some trafficking routes pass through its territory, as they do through many countries in the region. That does not amount to evidence of a state-run narco enterprise.

The hypocrisy becomes harder to ignore in context. Trump has welcomed cartel-linked families into the United States and shown tolerance toward criminal actors when it aligned with his interests. He is also notably cozy with Saudi Arabia and its leadership, despite well-documented ties between the Saudi state and extremist networks, including figures linked to al-Qaeda.

Americans have seen this script before.

Vietnam was justified through a credibility gap later exposed by the Pentagon Papers.

Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction were sold with urgency and certainty, only to be revealed as fiction.

Afghanistan was framed as a necessary response to terror, stretching into a twenty-year occupation that ended in withdrawal and devastation, and it did nothing to reduce what the United States calls terrorism. If anything, it expanded it.

That history is not distant. It shapes how people hear claims like these now.

American buy-in is missing

What makes this moment distinct is not only the action itself, but how Americans are responding to it.

The public is not disconnected in the way it is often portrayed. People are talking, sharing information, and trying to make sense of what they are watching unfold. Many are openly naming authoritarian drift and the erosion of democratic norms.

Large-scale protests, including the recent No Kings demonstrations that became the largest protest in American history, make one thing clear; aside from MAGA followers, the public is not supporting the actions of the current administration.

What is missing is consent.

The government has acted, but it has failed to convince the public that this action represents them. Protest is widespread, but it is protest against state power, not mobilization behind it.

Exhaustion is not apathy

This disconnect is reinforced by the conditions people are living under.

Housing insecurity is widespread. Medical care remains precarious and tied to employment. Debt keeps millions under constant pressure. Job stability feels fragile even for those technically employed.

Layered on top of all this is exhaustion. Just one year into Trump’s second term, people are tired, and that fatigue is not accidental. It is the point of attack after attack on civil liberties.

People are expected to perform citizenship inside a system that no longer seems capable of protecting them. When leaders insist the economy is strong while daily life feels brittle, trust erodes further.

Are non-voters to blame?

Roughly one-third of Americans did not vote, and they are often blamed for the state of the country. That framing is convenient and incomplete.

Some are discouraged, convinced participation no longer changes outcomes. Others refused to choose between candidates they felt neither represented nor listened to them, with Gaza playing a decisive role. Still others were blocked by voter suppression, access barriers, or intimidation, factors that remain consistently underexamined in post-election narratives.

In many cases, Democratic leaders responded by blaming “the left” rather than examining their own failures to listen, adapt, or meaningfully respond. That reluctance is hard to separate from the fact that they accept much of the same corporate and lobbying money as the GOP.

Disengagement exists, but what we are witnessing is a participation crisis rooted in legitimacy, not indifference.

When the Democrats echo the same story

Cynicism deepens when Democratic leaders reinforce the same framing.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis publicly celebrated the removal of Venezuela’s leadership while acknowledging the absence of congressional oversight and a clear plan. Statements like these attempt to split the difference, condemning procedural failures while endorsing the outcome.

For many Americans, that contradiction confirms there is no meaningful institutional opposition to executive overreach, only variations in tone.

Why “freedom fighters” are cheering it on instead of fighting

MAGA did not appear overnight. It was built over decades through coordinated propaganda efforts by organizations like the Heritage Foundation, whose mission was to reshape political reality for conservative voters.

MAGA voters often frame themselves as distrustful of government and defenders of freedom. Yet as the leaders they support act in openly authoritarian ways, resistance has been replaced by celebration.

Freedom is defended when it is personal or partisan, and dismissed when it applies universally. That alignment explains enthusiasm, but it does not create legitimacy. It also illustrates how authoritarianism gains power, not by convincing everyone, but by securing a loyal minority willing to excuse force as long as it targets someone else.

Force without legitimacy

Force does deliver short-term results. It can remove leaders, criminalize dissent, and illegally seize assets. What it cannot do is compel belief.

Rule by force produces compliance, not consent. Over time, systems built on coercion require constant escalation to maintain control, while public trust continues to erode. The result is not stability, but a governing structure that survives by pressure rather than participation.

What can we learn from history?

Authoritarian systems rarely collapse all at once. More often, they hollow out slowly as belief erodes faster than force can compensate.

In late Soviet Eastern Europe, regimes did not fall because tanks disappeared, but because legitimacy did.

Spain’s dictatorship ended through prolonged stagnation, elite fracture, and public disengagement that made continued repression unsustainable.

Even the French Revolution began as a legitimacy crisis rooted in extraction without representation.

Closer to home, the Vietnam War unraveled not only on the battlefield but in public consciousness. Once the Pentagon Papers exposed the gap between official narratives and reality, belief collapsed. The war did not end immediately, but its legitimacy never recovered.

History does not promise restoration. It offers clarity.

America is not returning to a normal most people recognize. There is always an after. What ours will be, and how long it will take, remains unknown. Force can hold power for a time, but it cannot manufacture belief. And when belief disappears, something else always begins. History rarely offers certainty. It does, however, record what happens when people stop accepting what no longer feels legitimate.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter — and get our print edition delivered to your home each month.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays, ready to lead no matter who’s in charge.

The post The Venezuela Strike and America’s Crisis of Belief appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Update: This article was updated to clarify that the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) are expressed in Swahili, a pan-African language.

This year was my first Christmas alone. My son and sister live overseas, and I ended a long relationship in July 2024. Over the past year and a half, I’ve been giving myself space to process that grief, and for the most part, I’ve been okay being alone. But nothing sharpens that awareness quite like the holidays.

Rather than staying home through them, I asked my friends in Denver if it would be appropriate for me to attend the opening celebration of Kwanzaa. The answer was immediate and clear: of course.

We recognize that we are on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ute, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, and Lakota peoples. We honor the Indigenous communities who have lived on, cared for, and stewarded this land for generations, acknowledge the histories of displacement and broken treaties, and recognize the ongoing presence and contributions of Indigenous peoples today. Photo Credit: Shavonne Blades

I drove down from Erie to Denver and joined the lighting of the 12-foot kinara at the Grande Kinara gathering in Five Points, where the candle of Umoja was lit. Cha’Rel CJ Ji’Cole sang the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, and Ryan E. Ross (Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado), delivered the Land Acknowledgement. Libations were offered as part of the ceremony, poured intentionally into a living plant in honor of ancestors and the responsibility carried forward.

From there, we headed to the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance School, where the celebration continued.

As people milled about in the lobby, I was greeted by MiDian Z. Shofner, of the Epitome of Black Excellence and Partnership. She asked what had brought me to Kwanzaa. My first reaction was surprise. Me? You want to hear from me? She did. And when I thought about it, the answer was simple. I was there because I had found myself part of a community I’d grown close to, rooted in relationships, trust, and shared presence, and because I wanted to learn about Kwanzaa.

Inside the theater, the room was full. Traditional drumming and dance filled the space, and the energy was unmistakable. The Black National Anthem opened for a second time, this time led by Chrissy Grant of Spirit of Grace, and the audience rose together, standing shoulder to shoulder and singing in unison. Elders, adults, and children stood side by side, not as spectators, but as participants in something collectively held.

Lighting the Kinara. Photo Credit: Jeff Fard

Children were centered throughout the evening. They moved easily among elders and adults, watching closely and joining in as the evening unfolded. The dances that followed carried both joy and discipline, rhythm and intention. Drumming and movement spoke to one another as a shared language, and elders were honored as living teachers whose presence anchored the room.

Djembe drummers. Photo Credit: Jeff Fard

I felt grateful to be welcomed into a space where I could learn about the meaning of Kwanzaa, and I’m very glad I made the drive down to be part of it.

Closing celebration. Photo Credit: Shavonne Blades

I’ve been familiar with Kwanzaa in the past, but only in a limited way. I didn’t know all the words, and I didn’t have the seven principles memorized. But I am learning. During the evening, one gentleman remarked that if everyone practiced these principles more widely, the world might look very different.

One of the people whose teachings helped ground that learning is Jeff Fard, known as brother jeff, a longtime Denver cultural educator and community voice. I saw his post about opening night, and then a comment beneath it that immediately got under my skin. It dismissed Kwanzaa as illegitimate, reduced it to its founder, and framed it as something suspicious rather than cultural.

I responded publicly, pointing out that if we invalidate cultural traditions based on the flaws or violence of people tied to their origins, many mainstream holidays would not survive the same scrutiny. Columbus Day centers a man responsible for enslavement and mass violence. Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day were shaped through deeply patriarchal institutions. Even Christmas, as it is commonly practiced, carries the legacy of imperial Christianity and conquest. Yet those traditions are rarely dismissed outright. Black cultural expression is treated differently.

As I paid more attention, I began seeing the exact same language appear verbatim under other public posts about Kwanzaa. It was an unfortunate, familiar ecosystem of right-wing Christian nationalism and online harassment.

Not long after, I saw brother jeff post a reminder not to argue with people who are not interested in understanding. Instead of engaging the backlash, I chose to listen more closely.

During Kwanzaa, brother jeff shared a seven-day lecture series, one for each principle. One in particular, Day 4, which centers on Ujamaa, stayed with me.

In that lecture, Jeff talks about money not as an abstract system, but as a tool. He explains how our current economic system is built around scarcity, the idea that there is never enough, that competition is inevitable, and that accumulation by a few is the end result. Ujamaa offers a different framework, one rooted in the belief that there is enough for everyone when resources are shared, circulated, and cared for collectively.

Cooperative economics, in this context, is about how money moves, who controls it, and whether it serves community stability or constant extraction. Jeff places this within a long history of systems designed to drain labor, land, and wealth from Black communities, while also noting that a scarcity-based economy ultimately distorts relationships for everyone. It teaches people to see one another as competitors instead of collaborators and separates them from the value of their own labor and land.

Ujamaa challenges that logic. It asks what becomes possible when communities invest in one another rather than in systems that profit from disconnection. It reframes money as a means of sustaining life, not measuring worth.

Jeff also addresses a common misconception that Kwanzaa exists to pull people away from Christianity. In practice, Kwanzaa is secular and observed by people across many faith traditions, including Christians. It is often celebrated alongside Christmas, not in opposition to it. What it insists on is cultural self-definition, the right to name values, priorities, and futures outside systems that were never neutral to begin with.

If you’re like me and know very little about Kwanzaa, brother jeff, and MiDian Z. Shofner have shared photos, videos, and reflections on each of the seven days. Their posts offer context, history, and lived meaning, and provide a deeper understanding of how Kwanzaa is practiced and carried forward in community.

Grande Kinara, Five Points. Photo Credit: Jeff Fard

What are the Seven Days of Kwanzaa and what do the words mean?

Kwanzaa is observed over seven days, from December 26 through January 1. Each day centers on one of the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles. The principles are expressed in Swahili, a pan-African language spoken across East and Central Africa. It was chosen by Maulana Karenga to emphasize a shared African identity rather than a single ethnic group. Swahili was also widely used in African liberation and cultural movements during the 1960s, when Kwanzaa was created.

Umoja (Unity) emphasizes togetherness within family and community.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) focuses on defining oneself and shaping one’s future.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) calls for shared problem-solving and mutual care.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) centers on shared ownership and circulation of resources.
Nia (Purpose) asks participants to consider their role in building and restoring community.
Kuumba (Creativity) encourages expression that leaves communities more whole than we found them.
Imani (Faith) speaks to belief in people, in struggle, and in the possibility of justice and dignity.

Taken together, the seven days ask not just what we believe, but how we live those beliefs. Not only during Kwanzaa, but in the ordinary choices we make about community, care, and responsibility, knowing we all share the same origin.

The post I attended my first Kwanzaa appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The 2026 Best of the West Poll Is Open (and it’s the real write-in ballot)

Some “Best of” lists are curated. Ours isn’t.

Yellow Scene Magazine’s Best of the West is Boulder County’s only true Readers’ Poll — because it’s an open, write-in ballot. No drop-down menus. No prompts nudging you toward the usual suspects. Just you telling us, in your own words, who actually deserves the crown this year.

And yes, the 2026 Best of the West Poll is now open. You’ve got one month to vote.

What makes Best of the West different?

A couple things we have to say out loud, because the internet has made everything weird:

1) You don’t pay to “get on the list.”
We don’t sell placements, and we don’t stack the ballot. Our journalism standards apply across the board, including this poll. If a business wins, it’s because readers wrote them in, not because someone bought their way into a drop-down.

2) We don’t phone in the winners coverage.
When the votes are counted, we spend real time making sure each winner blurb reflects the actual locale that won and is interesting to our readers, not copy-pasted fluff. Best of the West is part community record and part local love letter.

How to vote (and how to get entered to win prizes)

Voting is simple:

• Start voting now and you’ll be entered to win prizes from Yellow Scene.

• You must complete at least 20% of the poll to qualify, so the ballot stays meaningful. FYI: Junk is tossed.

• We do not sell your name to outside sources. Period.

Vote here!

Want to rally your community to write you in?

If you’re a local business, artist, nonprofit, or organization and want people to remember to write you in, use our shareable tools:

Find 2026 Best of the West promotional collateral here.

Past winners

Want to see how the community voted in previous years—and what makes Best of the West worth reading?

2025  | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008

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The post Best of the West 2026 Polling Is Live appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Erie Town Council voted 4–3 on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, to approve a settlement agreement allowing the Redtail Ranch development to move forward, ending litigation between the Town and the developer and granting approval of a modified preliminary plat.

The vote followed hours of public comment and council debate focused on environmental risk, oil and gas activity, long-term accountability, and whether the project meets Erie’s standard for protecting public health and safety. Councilmembers Hoback, Baer, and Pasermelli voted against the agreement, while Mayor Moore and councilmembers Bell, Mortatello, and O’Connor voted in favor.

At the center of the settlement is an agreement to plug and abandon six oil and gas wells, a condition that allows reduced setbacks and additional residential density. The remaining active wells on and near the site are not subject to remediation requirements under the settlement.

The approved plans locate a restricted environmental area at the northern edge of the development, with homes built beside it and a pedestrian path running alongside it. That area will be separated from residents by a split-rail fence and “Keep Out” signage, rather than further remediation.

Active oil and gas operations remain adjacent to the project, with 23 active wells, 11 of which are classified as low-producing. Within the boundaries of the plat, there are 12 active wells, including 7 low-producing wells.

In Colorado, nearly 1,000 oil and gas wells are currently classified as orphaned, meaning they no longer have a solvent operator responsible for plugging and remediation, according to the state’s Orphaned Well Program.

During the hearing, the developer’s attorneys repeatedly described the site as “clean” and stated that the six oil and gas wells would be “removed.” Under the agreement, those wells will be plugged and abandoned — a standard oil and gas closure process that seals wellbores but does not eliminate subsurface infrastructure or address remaining active wells.

Supporters of the settlement emphasized land rights, regulatory compliance, and the Town’s legal exposure if the lawsuit proceeded.

In his closing remarks before the vote, Mayor Pro-Tem Brandon Bell emphasized property rights, the Town’s exposure under the pending lawsuit, and the project’s compliance with state and local regulations as justification for approving the settlement. Bell also disputed claims that the development was being built “in the middle of a toxic waste site,” arguing that such characterizations were inaccurate and that the project met applicable requirements.

Project exhibits show a restricted environmental area located within the development footprint, with homes built beside it, while active oil and gas wells remain within and adjacent to the project area.

Opponents countered that meeting minimum regulatory standards does not resolve cumulative risk, particularly given the site’s history of contamination, proximity to landfills, ongoing oil and gas activity, and the lack of binding requirements for additional remediation. Councilmember Dan Hoback emphasized that Erie’s Unified Development Code intentionally leaves “health and safety” undefined, placing responsibility on the Town Council — not staff or state agencies — to make that determination.

While Mayor Moore noted that additional technical review will occur during the final plat process, approval of the settlement and preliminary plat establishes the project’s entitlement framework and limits the Town’s ability to impose new substantive conditions without reopening litigation.

Further reviews and approvals will be required before construction begins.

View Yellow Scene’s previous coverage of Redtail Ranch.

Drums full of contaminated soil from the north end of the Redtail Ranch property await transport and disposal to a Nebraska incineration facility, December 2017. Photo courtesy of Erie Protectors.

The ones who dared to fight City Hall.

When Boulder denied public access to police body-cam footage, we took it to court. Our fight for transparency is now before the Colorado Supreme Court — because accountability doesn’t stop at the city line.

Through December 31, every gift to Yellow Scene will be matched — dollar for dollar — through the Colorado Media Project’s Matching Grant.Give & Get Democracy this Holiday Season. Your $8 recurring monthly support not only gets you YS delivered to your house, but it’s matched for the entire year, bringing that $8/month to $192. 

Because Independent journalism isn’t just about telling stories. It’s about protecting your right to know, holding power accountable, and keeping democracy in the light. This is #newsCOneeds Becoming a sustaining supporter today for $8 a month! 

The post Erie Council Approves Redtail Ranch Settlement in 4–3 Vote appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

In a season that celebrates togetherness, food—and the cultures it represents—has the remarkable power to bring us closer. From cozy seasonal cocktails to cherished dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, Brazil, Palestine, and Mexico, local chefs are sharing recipes that bring the world to our tables. Each dish carries a story, a tradition, and a sense of home, inviting us to gather with family, friends, and neighbors in the true spirit of the holidays.

Yet for many families, celebrating those beloved traditions has become increasingly difficult amid rising costs and financial uncertainty. The holiday table may look different this year, and for some, the meals that once marked the season with joy may now feel out of reach. Programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) help bridge that gap, ensuring more families have access to fresh, nourishing food and the chance to continue the rituals that bring comfort, dignity, and hope. Sadly, many have been stripped of that dignity during the recent government shutdown, leaving even more households struggling to put food on the table.

This holiday season, these recipes remind us that no matter where we come from—or what’s on our plates—we can still celebrate as one global community. Through food, we share warmth, gratitude, and the timeless truth that every meal has the power to connect us. If you’re fortunate enough to share a warm meal with those you love, take a moment to appreciate it—and if you’re able, consider donating ingredients or support to a local food pantry.

After all, the true spirit of the holidays lies in sharing what nourishes us, body and soul.

Minty Mistletoe from Erie Social Club Holiday Cocktail

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking for the perfect festive nightcap, the Minty Mistletoe from Nick Varnadoe, owner and proprietor of the Erie Social Club, is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Varnadoe has turned the Erie Social Club into a true family affair—his wife and kids all play a part in the magic that happens behind the bar and in the cozy atmosphere locals love.

While this particular cocktail hasn’t yet been passed down through generations, it has all the makings of a family tradition in the making. With its blend of cool mint, rich creaminess, and just the right touch of seasonal cheer, the Minty Mistletoe captures the essence of the holidays in a glass. It’s nostalgic and new all at once—perfect for toasting to family, friends, and a little extra sparkle this season.

Minty Mistletoe

• 2 oz Gin
• .75 oz Peppermint Simple Syrup
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• .75 oz Cranberry Syrup
• .5 oz Creme de Menthe
• .25 oz Cherry Juice
• 1oz Aquafaba (chickpea juice) for foam – substitute for egg whites

Instructions

• Shake vigorously over ice in a cocktail shaker.
• Strain into an Old Fashioned (rocks) glass.
• Garnish with mint sprigs and a peppermint.

Enjoy your holiday cheer!

Red Cedar Bistro Moroccan Shrimp

Appetizers are the perfect way to warm up your guests, teasing their appetites while giving everyone a reason to gather, share, and chat—a delicious start to any memorable evening. Larry Shore, executive chef at The Red Cedar Bistro in Longmont, knows just how to do it. “My Moroccan Shrimp is sure to please,” he says, offering a dish that’s full of vibrant flavors and just the right amount of spice to spark conversation around the table.

With every bite, Shore’s appetizer sets the tone for the meal to come, creating a communal moment that’s as much about connection as it is about taste. It’s the kind of dish that makes people linger, laugh, and savor not just the food—but the company too.

Moroccan Shrimp

After seasoning the shrimp, we broil it and serve it over the Chermoula sauce, which is like a lemony Moroccan chimichurri. We season our shrimp with Ras el Hanout, which is a north African spice blend meaning ‘Head of the Shop’. In other words, their best spices. It’s a sweet  and spicy blend. These blends are usually family heirlooms and are all slightly different. The  Chermoula is great with shrimp or chicken.

Preparation:

• Large Gulf Shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and Ras el Hanout. (available in most spice shops). Then broil.
• Serve shrimp over the chermoula sauce.

Red Cedar Chermoula:

• 1 TBSP cumin
• 1 cup parsley
• 1 cup cilantro
• ¼ cup garlic cloves
• 1 TBSP smoked paprika
• 2 lemons zested & juiced
• 1 cup olive oil
• ½ TBSP salt
• 2 roasted serrano chilis
• Blend cilantro, parsley, chilis, and garlic in a  food processor until chopped.
• Add spices, lemon juice and zest. Pulse again until mixed.
• Add oil and pulse a few times until semi-mixed. It should look similar to chimichurri.

Savory Sweet Potato Soufflé from The Post

Chef Kevin Grossi of The Post has reimagined a classic dish with with a bold, savory twist. “I created this dish because I wanted more sweet potatoes in our lives,” Grossi says. “They’re packed with flavor but often one-dimensional, served the same way year after year. I wanted to do something different.”

Typically enjoyed as a sweet side during the holidays, Grossi’s version challenges tradition by highlighting savory flavors that surprise and delight the palate. It’s a dish that honors the familiar while inviting diners to experience sweet potatoes in an entirely new—and unforgettable—way.

Savory Sweet Potato Soufflé

Ingredients

• 2-3# Sweet potatoes (3 cups roasted potato)
• ½ cup Shredded gouda cheese
• 4 cup Grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 each Whole eggs
• 1 ½ TB Baking powder
• 2 Tb salt
• ¼ cup thinly sliced chives
• ¼ cup Minced Sage
• 2 tb Maple syrup
• 1 tb melted Butter 

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Wrap the sweet potatoes in foil and roast for about 40 minutes. Poke with a thin knife to check if they’re cooked through.
• In a mixer with a paddle attachment, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth.
• Add the eggs to the potatoes. Once combined, add the remaining ingredients and mix for two more minutes.
• Heat a small casserole pan with a little olive oil in the bottom by placing it in the oven for five minutes.
• Carefully add the sweet potato mixture to the pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Brush the top with maple syrup and butter, then season lightly with salt. Bake for another five minutes to form a crust.
• Remove from the oven, place on a plate with a napkin, and garnish with thinly sliced chives.

The Fisherwoman Dish from Arabesque

Sharing food means sharing culture

Food is love; it’s tradition, memory, and the stories we pass from one generation to the next. Chef Manal Jarrar, the creative force behind Arabesque, shares one of her most cherished Middle Eastern classics: the Fisherwoman Dish. Inspired by her childhood in Palestine, Jarrar infuses each plate with the flavors and aromas that filled her family’s kitchen growing up.

Her cooking bridges cultures and generations, blending her rich heritage with the comforting tastes that bring people together around the table. The Fisherwoman Dish is more than a meal—it’s a celebration of home, history, and the love that simmers in every bite.

The Fisherwoman Dish

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Rice
• 1 Large Red Onion 
• 2 fresh Cut Wild Salmon 
• 1/2 Pound Shrimp 
• 1/2 Pound Scallops 
• 5 Garlic
• Spices: Turmeric, Salt & Pepper, Olive oil , Butter, Fish Sauce, Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice, Hot Sauce and Parmesan Cheese.

Instructions

• The Wok: in a large pan add the rice with T soon of turmeric mixed put aside. 
• In a large frying pan with a medium heat add 1/4 cup olive oil 2 Tablespoons of butter, fry the scallops both sides lightly  add salt and pepper remove then fry the salmon lightly just to get some color.
• Arrange the salmon the scallops and the shrimp over the rice then add less than 2 cups of water or chicken broth . Let it boil than immediately simmer in a very low for 20 minutes or until rice is coming to top and fluffy. 
• Go back to the leftover frying pan add 2 tablespoon of butter some fish sauce 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, hot sauce, lemon juice and smashed garlic. Cook to a bit boiling then simmer.
• Cut the red onion as half circle and fry them well but not to burn dry it of oil and topping over the final dish then pour the sauce as well.

Heirloom Wheat Zucca with Roasted Butternut and Delicata Squashes From Pastifico

Co-founder of Pastificio Boulder and Chef Claudia Bouvier’s Fall pasta recipe is a love letter to her Italian and Brazilian heritage, infused with the vibrant flavors of Colorado’s harvest season. “Growing up in Brazil, the seasonal changes and available produce were quite different from what we experience here in Boulder,” she says. “After many years in America, I’ve grown to truly love Fall, appreciating the significance of the harvest’s end and the rich bounty of colors and flavors it brings.”

True to her Italian roots, Bouvier emphasizes simplicity and seasonality in her cooking. “Much like my grandparents, I prioritize fresh ingredients and straightforward techniques,” she explains. At the heart of her dish is heirloom wheat pasta, chosen for its rich flavor and its connection to farmers who protect biodiversity. The pasta is paired with colorful, seasonal squashes and prepared in a way that lets the ingredients shine.

Her favorite shape for this time of year is the “zucca,” a miniature pumpkin-shaped pasta that perfectly evokes the season. “This is the quintessential Fall pasta,” Bouvier says. “It’s a recipe I want to share with my daughters, so we can all celebrate the diverse aspects and flavors of our heritage together.”

Whether served on a casual weeknight or as a side on the Thanksgiving table, this dish embodies everything Bouvier has become: a blend of the land she loves (America), where she was born (Brazil), and the traditions she treasures (Italy). “Food tells our story,” she says, “and this pasta tells mine.”

Heirloom Wheat Zucca with Roasted Butternut and Delicata Squashes

Ingredients

• 16oz Pastificio Boulder Heirloom Wheat Zucca
• 1 ½ lbs of butternut squash, cut into ½” cubes
• 1 ½ lbs of delicata squash, cut into ½ inch rings
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ stick of unsalted butter
• Salt, black pepper
• Fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
• Parmigiano Reggiano (freshly grated)

Directions:

• Turn the oven on to 350°F. In separate bowls, toss the butternut squash and delicata squash with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place on two separate parchment paper-lined baking sheets. They will roast at different times—Roast for about 30’-45’ or till golden brown. Set aside.
• In a sauté pan, and on low heat, cook butter till solids start to look golden brown.
• Cook pasta as per instructions to al dente, add to melted brown butter plus ¼ cup of pasta water. Moving the pan back and forth, and at medium heat, toss till butter and water emulsify (it will become a creamy butter sauce). Add roasted squashes, and gently combine. Plate in pre-warmed dishes.
• Sprinkle fresh sage and Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve immediately.

Molé Sauce from Summit Tacos

If you’re looking to add a little flair to your Thanksgiving turkey or any holiday poultry, mole sauce is the perfect balance of spicy and sweet to make your dinner bird truly sing. Chef Edwardo Perea, owner and culinary mastermind behind Summit Tacos in Longmont, shares a recipe that is deeply personal to him. “I created this molé from a family member who has since passed away in Mexico,” Perea says, honoring both tradition and memory with every batch.

Rich, layered, and full of complex flavors, Perea’s molé brings a taste of Mexico to the holiday table. It’s the kind of sauce that sparks conversation, warms the heart, and transforms a simple poultry dish into something unforgettable—a true celebration of heritage and family.

Molé

• Mole paste  – 2 ea
• Veggie stock  – 8 cup
• Tomato  –  4 ea
• Onion – 2 ea
• Garlic  – 2 T
• Apple peeled  – 3 ea
• Chocolate – 3 cup
• Cinnamon – 4 T
• Cumin – 2 T
• Clove – 1 t
• New Mexico chili –  4 ea
• Guajillo – 4 ea
• Piloncillo – 1 ea
• Salt to taste

Bring all to a boil, transfer to a blender, and blend thoroughly.

The post Secret Chef’s Recipes: Aim for Global Unity with These Local Chef Recipes appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Give and Get Democracy: Your support keeps local journalism unbossed and unbought.

Dear Champions of Local News,

The first Yellow Scenes

It’s hard to believe 25 years have passed since Yellow Scene first hit Boulder County. I had just left Boulder Weekly and was living in Erie, thinking East County could use its own local source. Funny how times change. I sold ads before I even had a product—or, for that matter, a business. It proved how much local businesses needed a true community voice.

That same spirit of taking a risk on a hunch still drives us today. We look for what the community needs and strive to fill it. Most people pick up the magazine and say, “There’s interesting stuff in here.”

It’s startling that people are surprised by the quality of reporting in a local magazine. Having started in media at 21, my career has been rooted in local journalism. I grew up believing in its mission, which is simple: Who has the power? And who is causing the harm?

With 85% of U.S. media now controlled by six major conglomerates, what we’re served often protects those in power—or worse, isn’t journalism at all. We have plenty of “lifestyle” magazines filled with sponsored content.

Yellow Scene is the last locally owned, independent publication serving all of Boulder County—and we still print. Even though it could ease the financial challenges of independent media, we refuse pay-to-play content and hold ourselves to high standards. Being interesting is the point.

Over the years, we’ve never shied away from hard subjects. Recently, one of our reporters went undercover at the ICE facility to talk to a detainee not receiving the medical care they needed. Another zigzagged through the heartland, talking to people resisting the current administration—sleeping in his car to keep costs down. Our lawsuit against the City of Boulder isn’t for money; there’s no payout if we win. But the people of Colorado will benefit, because a win would set a statewide precedent for transparency and the public’s right to know.

Local advertising alone can no longer sustain a newsroom. We could have made it easier on ourselves—taken the sponsored content and played it safe—but that’s never who we were. We chose the harder path: to stay people-powered and independent. This is the kind of journalism your support makes possible.

For $8 a month, you can enjoy Yellow Scene delivered to your door—award-winning stories, bold design, and coverage that connects our community. Right now, every dollar you give is matched through Dec. 31 by the Colorado Media Project. Your $8 monthly commitment counts as $96 for the year, which doubles to $192 with the match.

Fifty-two new sustaining supporters by Dec. 31 will help us reach our goal. Please consider joining today, because local democracy is just as important as what’s happening in D.C.

When you become a sustaining supporter, our only boss is you.

Give & Get Democracy Today.

This is #newsCOneeds.

The post The Ones Who Dared to Fight City Hall — and Why It Matters appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

Correction: This editorial incorrectly stated that Chief Stephen Redfearn approved the ketamine injection of Elijah McClain. He arrived after the use of force and ketamine injection, while McClain was still alive, and later changed the CAD report from “suspicious person” to “assault on an officer” before any investigation was completed. Court proceedings have established that McClain did not assault or threaten officers. The article has been updated to reflect the public record.

Last night I dined at a top restaurant in Boulder with my roommate. We chose to sit at the bar. I’m the type of person who loves to talk to strangers. I like learning where people come from, their beliefs, and their views. Sometimes it leads to meeting lovely people; sometimes it’s an opportunity to see how the other half lives. Sometimes the conversations start nicely but end less so.

There’s a myth about Weld and Boulder Counties, the idea that everyone in Boulder is liberal and everyone in Weld is MAGA. Colorado, including Weld County, has seen tremendous growth over the last 30 years. It’s not like realtors are asking for voter registrations before selling a house. “I’m sorry, you’re registered D; we don’t sell houses in Weld County to D’s.” Not happening.

Erie gets scooped up in that analogy, and I’ve even seen reporters stand on County Line Road for a story outlining that notion: “Here’s the Boulder County side, which is liberal, and here’s the Weld County side, which is Republican.”

First of all, in the 2024 election, Boulder County voted approximately 76 percent blue, and Weld voted 60 percent red. Those are facts. But when it comes to Erie, those numbers change. In 2020, Erie voted 68 percent blue, and the 2024 council elections saw three progressive candidates take the lion’s share of votes, with the more conservative mayor squeaking by with a mere 500 votes.

There’s also the idea that everyone in Boulder is liberal. An old editor I worked with 27 years ago at the Boulder Weekly once told me, “Boulder is a bunch of Republicans too afraid to vote that way.” That dinner conversation reminded me that fascism doesn’t always wear a uniform. In Boulder, it can wear a Patagonia vest.

Boulder recycles, bicycles, and supports the LGBTQ community. The city has recently passed mental-health measures to address addiction and a lack of services. But it’s not the progressive bastion folks think it is.

While the rest of the country voted for progressives in this year’s elections — not just New York, but also places like Aurora, Westminster, and Colorado school boards — Boulder elected three of the four billionaire-backed candidates. Approximately 32,000 to 35,000 people voted out of about 70,000 active registered voters in Boulder. 

Most people don’t know this, but roughly 57 percent of Boulder rents, with students making up about 20 percent of that number. Only 19 percent of households have children under 18. There are a lot of young people in Boulder. Unlike New York City, they didn’t vote and often don’t vote in city elections, allowing those with power and influence to make decisions for those without. 

In Weld, right-wing extremism is worn loud and proud; in Boulder, it’s tucked into coded language.

Boulder’s billionaire-backed slate didn’t run on more affordable housing but on removal, even promoting ads urging voters to oppose the two candidates who fought to end the blanket ban, Boulder’s ordinance that criminalizes the city’s unhoused residents by making it a crime to sleep outside with a blanket.

Homelessness and the firebombing of Jewish protestors demanding the release of the hostages were used to stoke fear, turning “law and order” into a political weapon to justify police escalation and the criminalization of poverty. Meanwhile, the city keeps paying out millions for police violence and just hired Stephen Redfearn as police chief — a decision so controversial the NAACP Boulder County chapter fractured over it and ultimately collapsed. He later changed the CAD call type from “suspicious person” to “assault on an officer” before any investigation was complete, a decision his critics say helped frame a false narrative in the case and remains at the center of ongoing controversy and legal cases in Boulder.

This is “safety” as cover: no divestment from companies profiting off the Gaza genocide, no real reckoning with policing, and a blanket ban for the homeless.

But back to last night’s dinner. My roommate and I ate at the bar. I began talking to the man next to me because he was dining alone. He ordered everything with garlic, and I joked he wasn’t going home with anyone that night. He said his wife was home sick and he was indulging, so we kept chatting while Luna and I ate. For the most part, it went all right; he seemed open-minded enough to talk with.  He was a retired banker, the kind Boulder has in surplus: friendly, articulate, and convinced civility is the same as morality.

Then I noticed a bottle on the shelf called Revolution, with what looked like an old white guy’s face on it. I made a joke about that, and our friendly diner got offended. He lectured me on the stereotypes white men suffer under. “Fair enough,” I said. “I know some white dudes who are fighting the power.”

I said what we’re witnessing is fascism in our government, and he scolded me for using the word fascist.

“Fine,” I said. “How about authoritarianism?”

He told me we’re not witnessing fascism or authoritarianism, and that when it comes to basic human rights, they don’t exist. He said rights are privileges granted by the government.

While I love me some good contractarian philosophy, and lean more toward Locke than Hobbes, his comments offended me, so I ended the conversation. After three glasses of wine, I probably could have ended it better. But by then, White Banker Guy from Boulder was telling me the system is the way it is, and we have no human rights unless the system grants them. Coupled with his denial of authoritarianism, it was too much. We told him to get lost, paid our bill, and left.

Here’s why that logic is dangerous. When you redefine rights as privileges, you hand their ownership to the state — or whoever holds power next. From there, every abuse becomes justifiable: slavery becomes economics, fascism becomes order, genocide becomes policy. It’s the same argument echoing from the far right today, that losing rights isn’t oppression but “the system working.”

We are a nation of laws founded on a social contract, which means agreeing that some harms; rape, murder, theft, are intolerable. I grew up believing that as a nation, we fought for others’ rights. But a country that elevated property rights over human rights for centuries — through 400 years of chattel slavery and our own genocide — doesn’t flip overnight. What I was taught as a child doesn’t match what we do in practice.

The rise of Trump and MAGA isn’t new; it’s regression. And now we hear, “America isn’t a democracy; it’s a republic,” a talking point used to rationalize the authoritarian impulses of the Trump era. Aside from the bad civics, it’s the casualness that chills — the ease with which people defend the erosion of rights.

The fight for human rights shouldn’t be a fight, but in a world that values personal property more than human life, it is. And silence is complicity. Whether it’s Boulder’s polite cruelty or Washington’s open authoritarianism, people are stripped of dignity while power congratulates itself for keeping order. 

America is facing a moral dilemma, and we each have to choose who we will be — the people who helped on the Underground Railroad or those who turned Anne Frank in. I may not change that over dinner, but I can damn sure name it out loud.

The ones who dared to fight City Hall.

When Boulder denied public access to police body-cam footage, we took it to court. Our fight for transparency is now before the Colorado Supreme Court — because accountability doesn’t stop at the city line.

Through December 31, every gift to Yellow Scene will be matched — dollar for dollar — through the Colorado Media Project’s Matching Grant. Give & Get Democracy this Holiday Season. Your $8 recurring monthly support not only gets you YS delivered to your house, but it’s matched for the entire year, bringing that $8/month to $192. 

Because Independent journalism isn’t just about telling stories. It’s about protecting your right to know, holding power accountable, and keeping democracy in the light. This is #newsCOneeds

The post White Banker Man from Boulder appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Illustrations and Design by Jackson Fojut

I’ve done a lot of fundraising over the years for nonprofits, campaigns, and causes I believed in. But this one’s different. This time, it’s for the work I’ve spent my life supporting.

My career came of age in a free press. I got my start in independent media at 21, on the advertising side, which was always enough to sustain the work we were doing. We never used to have to fundraise to be journalists.

For years, good journalism was funded by good advertising. That was the deal, and “Church and State” was gospel; the two should never marry. It worked until corporations swallowed up local media and that balance broke.

I am very proud of the work we produce for the community, which local businesses have sustained for 25 years. A huge thank-you to all the local organizations that have chosen Yellow Scene as a vital platform for reaching their neighbors. They understand that content is king; it’s what drives engagement and trust. For two and a half decades, Yellow Scene has delivered Boulder County & the North Metro directly to their doorsteps.

That’s what the Gala is about: not just raising funds, but raising hope. It’s the one night a year when we turn the hard work of journalism into joy, when readers, advertisers, and neighbors all share the same dance floor and remember why local stories matter.

Publisher’s Assistant Extraordinaire, Peter Constas. Photo by Dustin Doskocil, Dosko Photo.

The world has changed over the last 25 years. The common belief is that people don’t read because of digital disruption. I read an article once that called that lazy thinking. Besides, 86% of books are still sold on paper, and while Gen Z uses tech as much as the rest of us, they are more actively separating themselves from it. (See Peter Constas’ newest article, Confessions of a Digital Marketing Manager. He breaks down why, as a Gen Z, he left his digital marketing job for print).

Journalism didn’t die; hundreds of thousands still want to work in the field. It’s just that six major conglomerates own 85% of all media in the country. Today, Yellow Scene is the last and only locally owned, independent outlet serving all of Boulder County & the North Metro with authentic journalism.

I admire my peers at the Camera, who continue to show up and do the work despite operating under a hedge fund and with limited resources. They produce good work, and I love that together we can cover more stories in our shared backyard. We both know we need each other, and a piece of that was lost when the Boulder Weekly closed. I’m also grateful we still have KGNU, a vital source of local radio and community storytelling.

While I’m proud that Yellow Scene still adheres to old-school journalism principles and has never accepted any kind of pay-to-play content, we’re not swimming in resources either. Local advertising is no longer enough to sustain local journalism.

Digital saturation has us ignoring 87% of online advertising (while 50% of users rely on ad blockers), and more clients are realizing that social media alone isn’t enough to sustain a business. (After hosting plenty of events over the years, I can tell you social media alone is not enough to promote one).

People still read; they just need more platforms that recognize content is king. But journalism costs money, and sponsored content is free for outlets to publish. So we are left with a sea of “lifestyle” magazines filled with nothing but paid content.

Over the last 25 years, Yellow Scene has been free to pick up at newsstands, mailed free to homes, available online with no paywall, and free of influence on our journalism — and we intend to remain free. Through community support, we stay unapologetically unbought and unbossed. We’re hyper-local, rooted in Boulder County’s neighborhoods, small businesses, schools, and civic halls, because an informed community is a stronger community.

If we’ve got to fundraise to do journalism, we’re going to host a PARTY!

And this year’s party ROCKED THE HOUSE. The Pamlico Sound had the dance floor full all night. Guests came out dressed up, and for those who didn’t, we had glow necklaces, stick-on tattoos, feather boas, and even a few light-up bunny ears. But mostly, we danced the night away.

The Pamlico Sound, Oct 16th 2025, Yellow Scene 25th Anniversary Gala at The Louisville Underground

The Louisville Underground at TILT! proved to be the perfect venue, with guests flowing between the dance floor and the skee-ball lanes. We carried on the silver-and-gold theme; Peter in a shimmering silver turtleneck, me in a golden jumpsuit, and together we soaked in all the love.

We took the stage to thank everyone for their support and to reaffirm what the night represented: the power of truthful, local reporting. But mostly, we were there to party.

Magical Awakenings with Dan Liss offered tarot readings to curious party-goers, while Carnivale photo cutouts gave guests a chance to strike a pose and make memories. The Pamlico Sound is gearing up to release their new album Fun Key Van Gel Is Uhm and fundraises to keep their art alive. Jackson Fojut, our resident artist, created all of the designs for this year’s Gala, so that $8 a month helps support local artists as well.

We have a few choices today: sell out the journalism, quit, or fundraise. And since we’ve got an army of journalists who want to keep communities informed, we’re still selling ads, choosing fundraising — which is simply valuing the local news you get from your local platform — and making a few smart adjustments to keep Yellow Scene strong.

The first of those adjustments is that we’ll gradually begin to move our free home delivery to sustaining supporters. You can still pick us up in newsstands for free and find us online for free, but home delivery will begin to move to sustaining supporters. Eight dollars a month gets the printed copy delivered to your home and keeps local journalism in the community. We also know that readers retain seven times more information from print, and honestly, it’s a damn, nice, escape from the screen.

We’re honored to once again be part of the Colorado Media Project’s end-of-year Matching Grant, which kicks off on November 1, 2025. Through December 31, your support goes twice as far during this year’s #LocalNewsIsAPublicGood campaign. All donations are tax-deductible, including sustaining supporter contributions.

This means your $8 monthly contribution counts as $96 during the matching period. Our goal is $5,000, which comes down to just 52 new sustaining supporters — a small number with a big impact on keeping Yellow Scene independent, unbought, and unbossed.

Become a sustaining supporter at yellowscene.com/support or contribute through Colorado Gives at coloradogives.org/story/YellowScene

The room was filled with community: readers of Yellow Scene, supporters, local business owners, even elected officials, but all fans of authentic, local reporting. Most of all, the room was filled with love and a lot of dancing. That’s the point of the Gala, and of everything we do: to remind ourselves and our community that truth still has a dance floor.

Great local Yellow Scene partnerships to support:

I can not thank the staff and freelancers enough, because they are the lifeblood. But these local organizations are too.

The Aaron Harber Show

Alpaca Connection

Art Night Out Lafayette

Aspen Winds on Fall River

Bennetts Karate

Berkelhammer Tree Experts

Bluebird Music Festival

Blue Mountain Ranch Youth Camp

Boulder Chamber

Boulder Comedy Festival

Boulder Hybrids

Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra

Boulder Rock Club

Boulder Taco Fest

Bricks Retail

Busaba Thai

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

Chiropractic Center of Erie

Colorado Green Plumbing

Colorado in a Basket

Colorado MahlerFest

Colorado Mountain Kava Company

Colorado Mountain Ranch

Cottonwood Farms

Crystal Ski Shop

Crystal Springs Brewing Company

D&K Tire & Service

Downtown Boulder Partnership

Dugout Grill & Bar

Efrains of Boulder

Elevated Communities Gently Used Clothing Boutique 

Energy Arts

Eric Olson Master Jeweler 

Erie Animal Hospital

Erie Social Club

Exploring Minds Academy 

Fowler Group

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance

Georgia Boys BBQ

Great Clips

Groundworks Art Lab

Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar 

Harlequins Gardens

Hoshi Motors

Ivy Rose

Jaipur Indian Restaurant

Jasper Animal Hospital

Jax Outdoor Gear

Kalita Grill Greek Cafe 

Keene Smiles

KGNU Community Radio

Lafayette Chamber

Larkridge

Lee Hill Peat

Liquid Mechanics Brewing Company 

Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA)

Louisville Chamber

Longmont Museum

Longmont Theater Company 

Mana Thai Comfort Food 

Marcos Hot Dogs & Tacos

Moe’s Broadway Bagels

Monkton Guitars

Morning Glory Cafe

Moutus Theater

Moxie Bread Co

Kerix Health

Paragon Service Dogs

Paul’s Coffee

Paul Dart: Realtor

Pellman’s Automotive Service  

Piripi

Ras Kassa’s Ethiopian Restaurant 

Reinholt Tree Care

Rocky Mountain Equality

Roots Music Project

Rumbo 52 Cocina & Cantina

SALT

Santiago’s

School of Rock Boulder 

Taj Mahal 3 Restaurant & Bar

The Aaron Harber Show

The Sink

Si Senor! Real Mexican Food

Snarf’s Sandwiches 

Sojourneys Academy

Southpaw Electric Co. 

Spot Climbing Gym

Stacy’s Kitchen

Sugarbeet

Tangerine

Taylor Moving and Storage

Valar Aesthetics

Village Coffee Shop

YMCA of Northern Colorado

The post The Gala Was Grand! Celebrating 25 Years of Truth, Justice, and a Free Press appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Updated to reflect that Denver’s crowd numbers may be higher.

From Denver to Erie to Longmont, Coloradans turned out in the tens of thousands for No Kings Day, standing together against authoritarianism with laughter, costumes, and conviction.

No Kings Day, Denver, Oct. 18th, 2025, photo by Shavonne Blades

NO KINGS DAY: DENVER + ERIE

By Shavonne Blades

It was a day of love and joy, filled with color, laughter, and purpose. When it was time to name the photo files, I couldn’t help but giggle at the titles I needed to choose: Cookie Monster, a unicorn, a T-Rex. It fit the spirit of the day. But beneath the smiles, the message was clear: Americans are rejecting the authoritarianism of the current administration.

As a local indie, we couldn’t be in every town that had a protest (there were so many of them), but we did make it to Denver and Erie, and photographer Kenneth Wajda covered Longmont for us.

Colorado State Capitol, No Kings Day, Oct. 18th, 2025, photo by Shavonne Blades

Across the Front Range, the energy was undeniable. In Denver, more than 25,000 people are reported to have turned out (with some stating it could have been as high as 40,000), exceeding the June No Kings Day. We know the march stretched for several blocks. Denver had a visible police presence, but the day remained peaceful throughout the protest. In Erie, at least a thousand Erieites turned out, and in Longmont, an estimated 6,000 joined in, an impressive turnout for a town of about 100,000.

No Kings Day, Erie, CO, Oct.18th, 2025, photo by Shavonne Blades

In Denver, we didn’t see many pro-Trump counter-protesters, and there weren’t many in Erie either—but in a smaller town, even a handful stood out more. Police presence was constant at the Erie protest, with officers repeatedly driving by, but they too remained peaceful. One man tried to start a fight and even put his hands on a protester, but the situation stayed calm as the protester walked away rather than react.

The most unsettling encounter came with two teenage boys proudly wearing MAGA hats. They were polite and cordial; that wasn’t the issue. What was troubling was their message. One of the boys asked why people were so focused on Trump, and the crowd told him it was because he’s been eroding the principles of democracy. He asked how Trump was doing that. When they explained Due Process, he asked, “Does everyone get Due Process? Even illegal immigrants? Pakistanis?”

It was a question that revealed more than it asked. The exchange was deeply troubling—not because of malice, but because it showed how far we’ve drifted from understanding the very Constitution so many claim to defend. Two elderly veterans, patient and kind, stepped in to continue the conversation. They’d seen this country fight fascism before. Let’s hope their words reached them.

It’s a strange balance; joy in the streets, gravity beneath it. It took Hitler just 53 days to dismantle Germany’s government. Trump has not succeeded yet, but the United States is slipping faster down the slope toward fascism.

Protests light the spark, but the real work begins when the marches end — in the daily, determined defense of democracy.

No Kings Day, Longmont, CO, Oct. 18th, 2025, photo by Kenneth Wajda

LONGMONT: RISES UP

By Kenneth Wajda, Photojournalist

The start time for the No Kings protest in Longmont was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. By noon, protesters were already assembling at 6th and Main, and others were beginning to fill Roosevelt Park.

No Kings Day, Longmont, CO, Oct. 18th, 2025, photo by Kenneth Wajda

By early afternoon, the crowd at Roosevelt Park—which had grown significantly—turned and marched toward Main Street, right past Colorado Chapter 434’s monument to Purple Heart veterans.

Along Main Street, for the next two hours, there was a steady cacophony of car horns, plus waves, peace signs, and thumbs up raised out of car windows and sunroofs to show support for the protesters. Some drivers even created their own signs and joined in with those who lined the main street from below 5th Street past 6th Street and up toward Longs Peak Avenue.

Crowds at the last No Kings rallies were estimated at 5,000 people. This event appeared even better attended—perhaps 6,000—many carrying signs and standing up to a Republican administration they feel has gone too far and is on the brink of destroying American democracy.

There was a small police presence. Two officers were parked next to the Pumphouse Brewery and were seen chatting with folks while standing beside their cruisers. The crowd was peaceful and respectful. At one point, a police cruiser drove down Main Street and received a thumbs up from protesters in the crowd.

The signs were direct, clever, and sometimes funny. The main message: America got rid of its last king in 1776, and there isn’t going to be another one. They want this administration to back off the ICE raids and military presence in U.S. cities. And they want Donald Trump to know they are not going to let an authoritarian regime rise in America without a fight—without standing up for democracy.

No Kings Day, Longmont, CO, Oct. 18th, 2025, photo by Kenneth Wajda

As the Purple Heart monument reads:

“My stone is red for the blood they shed. The medal I bear is my country’s way to show they care. If I could be seen by all mankind, maybe peace will come in my lifetime.”

No Kings Day, Denver, Colorado, Oct. 18th, 2025

Photos by Shavonne Blades

No Kings Day, Longmont, Colorado, Oct. 18th, 2025

Photos by Kenneth Wajda

No Kings Day, Erie, Colorado, Oct. 18th, 2025

Photos by Shavonne Blades

Like Journalism Like this? Consider becoming a Sustaining Supporter, and we can cover even more.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays, ready to lead no matter who’s in charge.

Plus you get the hard copy delivered to your home—reading is good.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Tigers and Lions and No Kings, Oh My! The Front Range Rises Up for No Kings Day appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This is the view most of us see: US voting by land mass.

This is how America votes by population.

Journalist Vince Chandler, creator of These American Crossroads, on connecting isolated “blue dots,” resisting authoritarianism, and building hope across the heartland.

To understand the true demographics of voters, we need to look at maps not by land—since land doesn’t vote—but by population. Connecting those blue dots is central to Vince’s work.

An interview with journalist Vince Chandler on These American Crossroads

Yellow Scene: Vince, you were just on your podcast, Find The Helpers, talking about the people you’re meeting in the Heartland. They all tell you they’re a “blue dot,” and you’re realizing those blue dots are actually connected. When you look at a map of the United States by voting population instead of land mass, it completely changes the picture. These people tell you they’re not meeting each other — they’re isolated in Wichita, or in other towns. Let’s talk about that.

Vince Chandler: It’s easy to feel isolated, especially in a world siloed into media bubbles. What we see on our local feeds can feel like the whole truth, while coastal media outlets cut staff and can’t afford reporters on the ground anymore.

That leaves blue dots across the heartland with only weeklies and small papers — themselves gutted — often running press releases as full stories. And activists often don’t know how to write or share their impact. Storytelling is a gift — it takes skill to connect abstract ideas in ways people understand.

By being out there on the road, telling stories in people’s own language, drawing lines between neighbors a couple hours apart, you shrink the world and push back against isolation. The Trump administration and its propaganda regime need people to feel alone. They’re not censoring dissent because it’s dangerous — they’re censoring hope, because hope connects people.

If we platform stories of hope, and what activists, advocates, and lawmakers are doing to fight fascism, it reminds us we’re not alone. The largest voting bloc in 2024 was non-participants, many disengaged from apathy. Gen Z voters weren’t drawn to MAGA policy but to the promise of radical change. Biden’s return to the status quo felt inadequate.

Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Fighting Oligarchy Tour, March 2025. Photo by Vince Chandler

Trump tapped into the same populist momentum Bernie Sanders had in 2016 — promising something radical and new. Remember, Bernie swept every county in West Virginia in 2016 by calling for revolutionary change.

Fascism thrives where there’s no hope. By rekindling the narrative that we, the people, have power — and that there are more of us — we can drive real populism against fascism. In my best scenario, it’s socialist, but at the very least it’s anti-fascist. That’s what These American Crossroads is becoming: an organ for people who feel alone.

Almost 500 Kansans gather on the south steps of their State House for a group photo in solidarity with the 50501 nationwide Rage Against the Regime protest organized in all fifty states on August 2, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine).

No one person can change the world. It takes millions of interconnected actions — protests, organizing, mutual aid, a Texan buying school supplies, or a Kansan making zines and buttons. She thinks it’s insufficient, but those buttons connect people like team colors. Media ignores those details, but they matter.

Drawing these lines is exhausting — I come back from the road and sleep for days. But people focused on survival don’t have that energy. That’s where storytellers come in: showing that neighbors are acting too, not just Congress. Nobody can do everything, but we can kindle a fire together.

Yellow Scene: Two questions: no act of resistance is too small, and many people feel overwhelmed and afraid. Not everyone can protest or make buttons. What other forms of resistance have you seen or would recommend?

With concerns of outgrowing their space, each service is now averaging an attendance of 50 congregants in the small coffee shop space, the spiritual leadership at The Urban Abbey is adding more service options and discussing expanding in to a larger space in tandem with the Abbey’s bookstore outreach. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene).

Vince Chandler: In These American Crossroads, we wrote about a church in Nebraska that makes advocacy part of its weekly service, with an expert outlining federal, state, and local issues and how to fight them.

Resistance can be lobbying lawmakers, donating, cooking for strikers, or coordinating rides to the polls.

GoFarm connects local farmers directly with customers — no middleman, no grocery store. Farmers get paid, crops don’t rot, and people eat food grown in their own county.

Retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice Brent Appel works on his computer in his office in the faculty bay at Drake University’s Law School, researching the connections and threads impacting Black Iowans through their legal system, from the writing of the state constitution to how it contrasts with contemporary federal law on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

At Drake University in Iowa, a law professor created a course on systemic racism in the state constitution, after public schools were banned from teaching Black history through a Black lens. He’s teaching kids who otherwise wouldn’t get that history.

Even sharing information is resistance. Many are afraid to hit “share” online for fear of backlash. But others in their feed are waiting to see that. Creating more than you consume is important. For every post that drags you down, make one that speaks honestly about how you feel. That honesty is resistance.

Supporting local arts is also resistance. Instead of $15 to Disney, invest in a local comedy troupe or theater. Colorado is home to Phamaly Theatre Company, the nation’s oldest accessible theater company, producing shows led by disabled artists and performers. Support them.

Yellow Scene: So even at the neighborhood level — say in Erie — people could host Black history courses?

David Hogg, recently ousted as Vice Chair for the Democratic National Committee, speaks from stage at Pitt State University during an event hosted by the Kansas Young Democrats on Saturday, August 16, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

Vince Chandler: Exactly. Host potlucks, invite neighbors, create phone-free spaces, and talk about what people are doing. Building community and refusing isolation is a radical act of resistance. Even everyday conversations — like tariffs driving up the price of Sour Patch Kids — show how federal policy shapes daily life.

Movements don’t spring up fully formed. The Black Panthers’ free breakfast program began when Fred Hampton heard about a hungry child and asked the women in his community how to help. They started feeding kids. It wasn’t seen as revolutionary at the time, but became revolutionary in hindsight.

Independent media can tell these stories from the ground up, not from ivory towers. We report with communities, not at them.

Yellow Scene: Final question: Can we win?

Vince Chandler: Absolutely. Fascism has never truly won. It rises, but it can’t sustain. This moment may be our generation’s burden, but we will win.

Yellow Scene: So it’s worth the fight?

Shelby Hermosillo, of Salina, Kansas, speaks following Congresswoman Rashida Talib during a Popular Democracy press conference before staging an act of nonviolent civil disobedience at the Capitol. “I had this weight over me, knowing that I was leaving my family back home, losing money because I’m here to do this, but it matters more than making sure we had a check at the end of the week,” Hermosillo said. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

Vince Chandler: Absolutely. Every generation has its rights movements. This is ours. You don’t want to be on the sidelines when your grandchildren ask, “What did you do?”

Yellow Scene: Yellow Scene was attacked by local Trump supporters in Erie for covering Charlie Kirk. I wrote that America faces a moral dilemma — not about Rs and Ds, but about each of us: Who will we be in this moment?

Vince Chandler: People need to accept discomfort, especially those in privileged groups. Some of us could disappear into comfort — but only at the expense of others. Fascism allows that. We have to refuse it.

Yellow Scene: I’ve seen friends say, “Why do we have to have sides?” But we do — this administration is dismantling democracy.

Vince Chandler: Exactly. It looks like halves, but it’s really thirds: a third support fascism, a third oppose it, and a third just want to live their lives. The real choice is whether we side with the many or the few who exploit. Billionaires are our feudal lords now. The true divide is capital versus anti-capital.

Yellow Scene: Coming back to the attacks on Yellow Scene — they’re not just boycotting us, they’re targeting the small businesses that advertise with us. That’s despicable.

Vince Chandler: I see the difference between that and boycotting businesses that take political stances themselves. This is an attack on your platform for publishing anti-fascist journalism. And all journalism should be anti-fascist.

Anti-Fascist = Pro-Democracy explanation: There’s no shadowy “Antifa organization.” Anti-fascism is simply the belief that democracy should not be dismantled by authoritarianism. In today’s climate, calling journalism “anti-fascist” is another way of saying it’s pro-democracy: it protects free speech, it holds power accountable, and it ensures communities have the information they need to stand together.

Vince Chandler (continued): I welcome the challenge. They’re a tiny minority doing something foolish. They’re asking businesses, “Do you support anti-fascist journalism?” Most Coloradans do. Now is the time for businesses to stand proudly with pro-democracy media like Yellow Scene.

Yellow Scene: Exactly. They’re not making boycott lists, they’re making lists of people to support.

Vince Chandler: Businesses should recognize that. Their act of resistance is to keep advertising and double down. Local businesses have power, and historically, people’s movements succeed when businesses support them — with food, space, or resources. That solidarity sustains movements.

Find all of Vince’s stories of resistance and persistence on yellowscene.com

Find The Helpers Podcast on YouTube/YellowSceneMagazine

Catch Jeff Fard’s interview with Shavonne Blades and Vince Chandler

Lastly, Yellow Scene remains one of the few truly independent publications—free from paywalls, political boards, and still upholding the Great Wall between our advertising and editorial departments. Projects like These American Crossroads exist only through reader support, as there simply isn’t enough local advertising to fund all of our work. While we’re covering a small per diem to help Vince with meals and gas, it’s not enough to keep him on the road. (He’s even spent nights sleeping in his car on this trip.) If you value independent reporting, please consider donating so Vince can continue connecting the blue dots and documenting this critical moment for American democracy.

Best known for capturing striking content from the frontlines of social movements, Heartland EMMY-nominated filmmaker and photographer Vince Chandler has spent 20 years creating art and documentary visuals across the U.S. They served as Communications Director for Denver City Councilwoman Shontel Lewis, and Vince has earned national recognition for their work as a visual journalist for The Denver Post. Vince was the principal cinematographer for the feature documentary film Running With My Girls, which premiered at the 2021 Denver Film Festival.

______________________________

What does resistance & resilience look like in the Heartland of America?

Sometimes it’s a protest outside an ICE detention center. Sometimes it’s a rural nurse explaining how Medicaid cuts will shutter the town hospital. Sometimes, it’s a law professor teaching systemic racism at a University in a state where CRT is banned in public schools.

As Trump’s second term unfolds — and the One Big Beautiful Act guts healthcare, empowers ICE, and reshapes American life — independent journalism is more vital than ever. However, the national press rarely shows up in the places where policy has the most impact.

We do.

These American Crossroads is a collaboration between Vince Chandler, Emmy-nominated visual journalist, and Yellow Scene Magazine, Boulder County’s only independent newsroom.

Become a sustaining supporter for just $8/month: https://fundrazr.com/Crossroads

The post “But What Can I Do?” Vince Chandler on Resistance, Community, and Hope Across the Heartland appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole. 

Proudly independent and locally owned.

LOUISVILLE, CO — October 4, 2025 — Yellow Scene Magazine is celebrating 25 years of independent journalism the best way we know how: with a dance party. The 25th Anniversary Fundraiser Gala will take place October 16 at The Louisville Underground, featuring Boulder’s own high-energy funk/soul band The Pamlico Sound.

Now celebrating 25 years, Yellow Scene remains the last locally owned, independent news outlet—print or digital—serving all of Boulder County. We’re proud supporters of nonprofit peers like KUNC and KGNU, but no other locally owned print news outlets continue to serve the region.

That independence matters. Yellow Scene is one of the rare platforms that does not accept sponsored content. What is sponsored content? Paid articles—but they aren’t tagged as advertising; they appear as actual articles. We choose to write the articles ourselves, thank you (and it won’t be about a car dealer unless they did something beyond fantastic—or, on the other end, less than fantastic).

And yes, we still print. We believe deeply in the power and permanence of the printing press.
Because print is real—you hold it, turn the pages, and when the content is compelling, you stop and read. Studies show we retain more information and place more trust in what we read in print. It lasts longer, it feels more personal, and it’s free of algorithms, AI, and digital noise. People actually prefer reading in print—so long as it’s good content. For us, it’s also a welcome break from the screen, a reminder that journalism is about connection, not clicks.

So when the going gets tough for independent media and you’ve got to do a fundraiser, what else is there to do but throw a party?

At our first Gala in 2023, Denver’s own Los Mochochetes brought the house down. Last year, the fabulous DJ Drake kept the crowd moving. This year, The Pamlico Sound brings the funk.

The Pamlico Sound is known for its “Jive Church” interactive experience, complete with an 11-piece band and four powerhouse vocalists. They’re electric—so we asked them to headline the Gala.

We’ll have glowy things, tattoos, a silent auction, and even a fortune teller. Dress however you want. No stilt-walkers this year—the ceilings are too low. Publisher Shavonne Blades will be rocking a gold disco pantsuit, and the band will bring more than enough energy for everyone.

Tickets are $25 and support the continuation of Yellow Scene’s independent journalism. Become a sustaining supporter and get the printed magazine delivered to your mailbox.

Turns out, keeping journalism alive can be a lot more fun than it sounds.

Tickets: https://fundrazr.com/YSGala2025

Yellow Scene Communications Team
advertising@yellowscene.com
303-828-2700 x500

The post Yellow Scene Celebrates 25 Years with a Funk-Filled Fundraiser Gala; Oct 16th, 2025 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

When I was younger, I read a book by a renowned Civil War historian. I remember thinking John Brown was an outright crazy man—at least, that’s how he was described in the book. Now, 166 years later, his deep devotion as an abolitionist is finally recognized through a different lens.

The way Brown’s legacy was distorted then echoes the way history is being manipulated now. The current administration is seeking to sanitize the nation’s past by erasing stories of struggle, resilience, and resistance.

It took 150 years after the 13th Amendment to open the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. That was more than 50 years after the end of Jim Crow and the passage of the Voting Rights Act. And now, in Project 2025’s America, even these hard-won rights are under attack.

Jeff Campbell proves that no one person can resist alone, but that each act we take makes a difference.

Jedidiah Blackstone is a different kind of performance—part history lesson, part poetry, part storytelling, and part hip-hop. It defies the boundaries of a traditional play, blending poetry, storytelling, song, and dance into something unforgettable.

It features an all-star cast: Jeff Campbell, playing one part as himself, but through the persona of Jedidiah Blackstone; the indomitable Erica Brown, whose pipes sent chills down my spine; joined by her daughter, Merrian Johnson, herself a commanding singer; and dance performances by DeAndre Carroll, and Jared Hill, with DJ Musa mixing the sound. Shayla Micole directs the production, and Joseph Graves Jr. created the set design.

Billed as The Dark Side of The West, we learn the stories of remarkable Black pioneers from Colorado, Clara Brown—who the administration is currently trying to erase from the National Museum of African American History and Culture—along with Jeremiah Lee, Lorenzo Bowman, and Ramblin’ Roy.

These are more than characters in a performance—they are real people from American history who rose up against all odds, including slavery, and embodied Black excellence long before the phrase existed.

Jeff Campbell, Emancipation Theater, Jedidiah Blackstone

There are only eight more shows, with the run ending on October 5, 2025. Tickets are $30, and every purchase supports Black arts.

But you’re also learning the real history of our state and country. This matters to all of us, no matter the shade of our skin. The soul of the United States is at a crossroads: do we return to the brutality of the past, or continue the fight for liberation for all?

History lives not just on stage but in our public spaces. Earlier this year, Clara Brown’s highway marker in Gilpin County was taken down—a plaque that, even in its original form, reduced her freedom to a metaphor about striking gold. Today, a petition calls for its return, with words that finally reflect her real legacy. Add your name here, but first go get your tickets. There are only eight performances left, counting tonight.

The post Jedidiah Blackstone: Storyteller. Poet. Hip-Hop Historian appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author in their role as Publisher, and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

This is our 25th Commemorative Issue, and I had planned to write something about how we started and why we still do investigative journalism and even still print monthly. But such is life; even reaching 25 years doesn’t promise smooth sailing. The world is always changing.

I am very proud to have reached this milestone, and I am also proud of the work we have delivered to Boulder County over the last 25 years. The fact that we’ve helped connect a large part of the growing East County residents to local businesses since our inception makes me feel good about our contributions. Today, Yellow Scene is the last and only locally-owned, independent publication doing authentic journalism for the entire county. We never accept sponsored content, and we never charge people for stories. Restaurants don’t pay to be featured. Our calendar is free. There is no paywall. Our coverage has always been focused on civics, education, health, sports, arts, entertainment, and in general, our lives. Which we have been recognized 209 times for excellence in reporting over the last 25 years. We are, in fact, the Free Press.

For 25 years, Yellow Scene has chosen to report truthfully and honestly. That commitment has earned Yellow Scene a loyal audience, but it has also drawn out a few haters over the years. But I know they don’t reflect the character of this county. I know the heart of our community because I speak with people every day and see the values they uphold at the ballot box. 

Three issues in, I published letters to the editor about a developer’s shady practices. This resulted in phone calls to advertisers claiming we were “violating election law.” It wasn’t true, but the harassment was real. I am forever grateful to the legendary Percy Connaroe, whom I often disagreed with, for coming to our defense.

When 9/11 happened, Yellow Scene was just one-year-old. I had to decide: do we shy away from the hard truths, or report them? We chose truth — documenting why the invasion of Iraq was a bad idea. We received hate mail, angry calls, and threats. The same happened when we supported Proposition 112, when we covered police accountability, and even when we made a joke about “Freedom Fries.” At one point, we were even doxxed by Joseph Camp, deemed Colorado’s notorious “supertroll” by Westword, now in prison in Belize, where laws against doxxing are stricter. 

Now, in our 25th year, we are facing the same pattern again. The same circle who have harassed me and others for over a decade is targeting our advertisers with a smear campaign about me and Yellow Scene. The flashpoint was our coverage of Charlie Kirk and a social media post that said, “Imagine that, half-mast for a Nazi.” Whether you think it was right or wrong, the point stands. We did not lower flags for the Evergreen students terrified by gun violence that same day, or for Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after January 6th, or for Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, who were murdered in a politically motivated attack. The Trump administration didn’t even lower them for Jimmy Carter. But they were lowered for a billionaire-backed podcaster whose legacy is being whitewashed, and those speaking out are being vilified. 

The gun violence that killed Charlie Kirk is a stain on America. Nowhere else in the world experiences gun violence the way we do. And while Kirk should not have died from it, that does not erase the words he used in life. Kirk defended the idea of America as a “Christian nation” rooted in white European heritage, pushing narratives that non-white immigrants are “diluting” the country. He dismissed systemic racism as “a lie,” attacked Black Lives Matter as a “terrorist organization,” and mocked Black women leaders as unqualified “DEI hires.” He called LGBTQ acceptance a “contagion,” smeared schools as “grooming” children, and compared gender-affirming care to “child abuse.” He suggested political enemies should be punished or even executed publicly. He insisted the 2020 election was “stolen” and encouraged January 6th attendees to “fight for Trump.” He was a staunch defender of gun rights and said: “I think it’s worth it. I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.”

I do not recall any of Jesus’ teachings calling for a white-ethno state. 

None of these comments warrants justifying violence. But if his words are protected under free speech, why are critics punished for pointing them out? This week, Jimmy Kimmel was fired for comments, joining a growing list of journalists, teachers, and others who have been punished for speaking out. Free speech protects Kirk’s words, but those who highlight his violent rhetoric are canceled. The irony isn’t lost: the same people who have screamed about “cancel culture” for a decade are now running their own cancel campaign — a national tactic now showing up in Boulder County.

The folks gunning for Yellow Scene are not new. They’ve called our advertisers before, left vicious online reviews, and harassed us and our neighbors over Pride, Black Lives Matter, and oil and gas regulation. Our former Black mayor was harassed endlessly; at his job, at his children’s school, even in his own yard. They are doxxing neighbors who speak up, and now they’ve packaged their bullying into a slick “boycott packet” designed to scare local businesses. They claim to represent “thousands,” but it’s the same small group of Erie names recycling the same old tactics. This isn’t about Charlie Kirk. It’s about silencing truth.

America is on the very slippery side of the slope toward authoritarianism. The POTUS is using the military against citizens; he is illegally snatching people off the street and imprisoning them without due process; and he is targeting dissent by criminalizing protest and arresting people simply for speaking out. We are facing a moral dilemma as a nation. Yellow Scene is clear on where we stand: with democracy, truth, and our community.

Through all of this, Yellow Scene continues to do what we have always done: connect our communities, and that includes our local businesses. 

If you value local journalism in your backyard, I encourage you to support our advertisers, tell them you shop with them, and consider becoming a sustaining supporter of Yellow Scene. We honestly can’t afford to lose advertisers, and thankfully, many are finding these threats offensive. They are not making a list of which businesses to boycott; they are making a list of which ones to support. 

We may be facing one of the darkest times in our history, but I believe connecting with our community is absolutely critical to everyone’s survival. Shop Local. Support our advertisers. Support local journalism. Support democracy.

Support the local press that’s been telling the truth for 25 years. Become a sustaining member and get our monthly print edition at home. We’ve weathered 9/11, floods, fires, economic crashes—and some deeply chaotic years. With your support, we’ll keep going. Because democracy still depends on journalism.

The post Everyone Should Be Fired Over Charlie Kirk appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

A couple of days ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Jeff Campbell, the talented and visionary playwright, actor, and producer of Emancipation Theater. 

This isn’t my first interview with Jeff. I have attended many of his productions since Honorable Disorder, which starred Theo Wilson in 2018.

Generally, when I interview someone, I don’t write out a list of questions. Instead, I study my subject, dive into every article I can find on them, and learn who they are. I find the questions flow naturally that way. Such was the case with Jeff; we had an amazing conversation I thought I was recording. Alas, at the end, I noticed the recording button was not on, and we had to turn it on for the last few minutes.. But that’s okay, because every time I speak to Jeff, it’s unforgettable.

Raised in Longmont, Colorado, and one of the only Black students in his school, Jeff often speaks about how he longed to get into the hood while others were trying to get out. Raised in an all-white school environment, he sought out spaces where he could connect with people who shared his identity. Always involved in theater and performing, he eventually helped form a hip-hop act, Heavyweight Dub Champion. Touring the US and Canada, often playing large music festivals. As they grew, band egos emerged, prompting him to leave the industry for good and return to Denver.

Locally, he founded the Colorado Hip Hop Coalition, an after-school program for youth, and later Emancipation Theater. He has produced six plays (as playwright and producer) and two documentaries, all with a focus on telling stories of Black Americans first and foremost, but also of others who have faced oppression. His plays include Who Killed Jigaboo Jones; Honorable Disorder; Recipe; I Am Raverro; and In The Pocket: The Ballad of Bobby Trombone. His documentaries include Message to the Mayor, addressing the plight of the unhoused during the pandemic and former Denver Mayor Hancock’s treatment of them.

He performed alongside an all-star cast, each of whom wrote their own part, including Kid Astronaut (Jon Shockness), Bumpy Chill (Adrean Jones), Kingdom (Jeffery McWhorter), and Mizta Sandman (Shannon Richardson), in collaboration with producer Mic Coates. As Westword noted in its coverage, the message resonated deeply.

But having an all-star cast is what Emancipation Theater has always been about. Jeff tells me that he writes his characters with the actor in mind. This intentionality has made Emancipation Theater some of the most compelling work on Denver’s stage.

As a younger person, my parents took us to the theater a lot. Sometimes I enjoyed it, and sometimes it was just…long. But not in the case with Emancipation Theater. Every show I have attended has left me spellbound.

His latest production, Jedidiah Blackstone, is the central storyteller of real-life stories about pioneers and Black western history. One of the central characters is Clara Brown, a woman of remarkable resilience.

Clara Brown, National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame

Clara was enslaved in 1800 in Virginia as an infant. After her husband and children were sold away from her, it shaped her life’s mission. In 1856, at the age of 56, her enslaver passed away, leaving her $300 in his will. She was able to buy her freedom but was forced to leave Kentucky as a free person. She joined a wagon train, which “politely” carried her pots, pans, and cleaning supplies, but forced her to walk behind the train—for 700 miles. She settled in Central City, cooking and cleaning for miners. Even though she prospered, she never gave up searching for her family. In 1882, she finally reunited with her daughter after a 50-year separation. She died in 1885, and her funeral was one of the largest the city had seen, attended by governors, mayors, and pioneers who recognized her role in building the young territory.

It was learning about Clara that sent Jeff down the rabbit hole of finding the lost stories of forgotten Black pioneers.

Jedidiah Blackstone is a modern-day retelling of those stories through the Jedidiah Blackstone character (who has his own backstory as well). Jeff says he is literally becoming Jedidiah Blackstone in everything he does, embodying the storyteller for the performance.

If the preview videos are any indication of what is to come, this show is bound to be another Jeff Campbell hit.

But successful theater aside, Jeff’s mission is what makes his storytelling so good. At the end of the interview, I asked him why people not directly affected should care about these stories, and why he needs to be so immersed in the character.

If the reasons aren’t already obvious, Jeff passionately explains why stories of our historical—and shameful—past are essential today:

“Clara Brown currently has a statue in the African American Museum of History and Culture in Washington, DC. From the words directly from this current administration, that may not be for long. Clara Brown and other very significant figures within our history could be taken out of that institution.

At the exact same time, the same administration is talking about renaming military bases and re-erecting statues of Confederate soldiers. So it’s not really lost on me that they’re doing this at the exact same time. They’re saying that one history is too hard and too harsh to learn about or paints a bad picture for America, while saying that this other history must be preserved and protected.

Well, I personally think that Clara Brown’s story is a far more and better story to tell about America than the one about insurrectionists who took up arms and tried to secede from the United States.

So we are at war for information. There’s a war on our minds—for our minds, for what we believe—and historical markers, monuments, street names, and all of these things shape our national narrative. That national narrative then shapes our identity. And if you can erase one side of history while elevating and celebrating another side of history, then you make generations to come indifferent about the suffering and the condition of the communities who have no recorded history.

We as artists must take up the mantle when we’re being censored in the classroom and erased in the museums. It is the duty of the artist to wield the power of the storyteller, because the storyteller wields its power through classrooms, courtrooms, newsrooms, boardrooms, and dictates who winds up in jail cells, hospital beds, and graveyards.

It’s first a war of words; they shape the narrative, to shape perspective, to shape opinion, to shape people’s beliefs.

And so, in the forefront of the civil rights movement in the third decade of the 21st century, narrative and information play a crucial role. Warfare is contextual, combat. This is exactly what we must do. And artists are the soldiers on that front line.”

At just $30, tickets are priced so that anyone can experience the storytelling of Black heritage—an act of accessibility in a nation that desperately needs more empathy.

Tickets to Emancipation Theater’s Jedidiah Blackstone.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Jeff Campbell’s Jedidiah Blackstone Brings Hidden Black Pioneers to Life appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This weekend, Yellow Scene Magazine was honored with 18 awards for excellence in reporting and design at the Colorado Press Association’s annual Better News contest. We also brought home a 19th award for Overall Excellence in Editorial in our class. Nine of those were first-place and nine were second-place. These prizes bring our total awards from various media organizations to 209 since our founding.

It’s always an honor to be recognized by fellow journalists; Wisconsin newsrooms did this year’s judging, and the awards feel good. But, on the same weekend we celebrated, we were also confronted with some hard truths.

Boards vs Bucks

At the convention, funders made it clear: the odds of Yellow Scene receiving operational grants from large donors are slim to none. The reasons?

• Boulder County’s perception. We’re seen as too wealthy, not a news desert. (Never mind that we’re the last independently owned news platform serving the county.)
• Ad sales success. We sell advertising, which makes us look “too successful” for help. In reality, we do a lot with a little.
• We’re A “Political Project.” That’s the label leveraged against us. Grants are typically from large donors who favor outlets that stay as apolitical as possible, which often means just reporting what happened without asking why or showing how it impacts the community. However, that’s exactly the part of journalism we refuse to abandon.

At the convention, I listened to industry veterans speak passionately about journalism’s legacy; about holding truth to power, never giving up, always asking why. It was inspiring, and it reminded me why I chose this work. Yet it also left me asking: How meaningful is our role if we remain neutral about harm? I was taught that journalism asks: Who has the power, and who is causing the harm? At its best, journalism doesn’t just tell you what happened, it also helps you understand why it matters, who holds the power, and who bears the cost.

This is why some platforms focus more on reporting what happened. Asking why and exposing impact is costly. It’s true that many outlets in smaller communities are struggling even harder than we are, but that doesn’t mean we’re rolling in dough either. Over the past three years, we’ve applied for grants repeatedly. Except for the support we’ve gratefully received from AAN, which champions narrative and community journalism, and LION, which helps independent publishers build sustainable businesses, we’ve not made it into the final round. That confirmed what I’d been telling my staff: our future depends more on sustaining supporters than on foundations.

There are some wonderful nonprofit news outlets doing good reporting. Several are even doing hard-hitting investigative journalism. However,  what was reiterated at the convention was an expectation for news to focus on appearing  as apolitical as possible, which is concerning to me. We witnessed how NPR was treading cautiously in how it reported after Trump was reelected. Now the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been targeted for defunding by the current administration, a reminder that public media can be impacted by which administration is in power or by big donors, both of which can change rapidly, as we are witnessing. Meanwhile, major outlets have faced firings and lawsuits filed by Trump.

As I see some of the new nonprofits form, the reporting often consists of feeds of city council meetings, court updates, and police reports, which is important work, but often stops there. That approach may feel safer for large donors.

Nonprofits also cannot endorse candidates in elections, which means one of the most traditional functions of media, helping voters evaluate their choices through the lens of an editorial board, is restricted. I don’t want to just read politician-speak in an election guide; there’s plenty of advertising doing that already. Yellow Scene has won several awards for our Election Guide. We require a phone or virtual interview (no email interviews), and we absolutely provide our Editorial Board’s endorsements. This is a major reason I do not want to become a nonprofit.

American journalism has always wrestled with questions of influence. Once it was advertisers, today it’s increasingly philanthropic donors. I can’t help but wonder if this wave of nonprofit funding, however well-intentioned, creates new levers of control over what gets reported, or what doesn’t. Project 2025 and other political agendas remind us how dangerous it can be if independent reporting is slowly pushed into narrower lanes.

This is why local journalism, supported by sustaining donors, fundraising, and advertising, can often remain more independent than larger outlets impacted by which administration is in power or the foundations providing funding.

That’s why we chose a fiscal sponsor instead. Your donations are still tax-deductible, but without a Board or large donors shaping our direction, we remain fully independent.

Advertising Alone Isn’t Enough to Fund the Newsroom

Some argued at the convention that advertising no longer works as a model. I disagree. Local businesses still need local platforms more than ever; social media isn’t enough. We are beyond grateful to the many local businesses that value our audience reach and continue to advertise locally. Moreover, a growing number of businesses that were once local are now becoming corporate-owned, so small businesses in a variety of industries are now facing the same challenges of corporatization that we do. That’s why supporting local mom and pop shops matters more than ever. (A commitment to shopping locally is also the most powerful message you can send.)

Yellow Scene maintains advertiser independence with a straightforward policy: we reject all sponsored content. If we wanted to churn out sponsored content or AI-written stories, it would be cheaper and easier, but we won’t. For 25 years, our readers have trusted what they find in Yellow Scene. Today, we remain the only platform in Boulder County that refuses both.

A Fundraiser for the Work Ahead

Our annual Carnivale Gala is coming up, there are only 150 available tickets, priced at $25 and $55. It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, but it’s not the only way to support Yellow Scene. Whether or not you can attend, a $8 monthly donation makes a lasting difference in sustaining award-winning journalism that asks why, holds power to account, and sheds light on those causing harm. We will never put up a paywall. Informed communities make stronger communities, and free access to information is essential.

Tickets & Support: fundrazr.com/YSGala2025. 

Currently, we have one of the strongest teams in years, comprising two brilliant associate editors, loyal designers, and an army of freelancers who truly care. Still, everyone except one staffer is part-time or contract. We are fundraising both to fill those gaps and to provide unique, hard-hitting journalism. Currently, we are supporting our Emmy-nominated journalist, Vincent Chandler, as he zigzags across the country for his series These American Crossroads, documenting resistance in Trump country. What we’ve learned is that we’re not alone—that no act of resilience is too small, that it matters to go where big media won’t. That’s the work we do every day locally, and it takes real resources to make it happen. 

How does independent, local media stay afloat then?

Since launching the Sustaining Supporter program two years ago, we’ve been figuring it out as we go. It was new for us. For 25 years, Yellow Scene has been free, because while democracy may die in the dark, it does no good behind a paywall. We believe in informed communities, and that means keeping our reporting accessible to everyone. For a long time, advertising alone covered both free distribution and the newsroom. But today, our choices are:

• Become a different kind of newsroom to qualify for grants.
• Accept sponsored content (paid articles).
• Do less.
• Turn to readers for community-driven support. It’s still tax-deductible.

The first three would mean changing who we are, to our community, and to ourselves. The fourth is the path forward. While we plan to eventually replace free home delivery with copies mailed to sustaining supporters, today we still mail a large share of our distribution free of charge. Since we can’t reach every home, we rotate routes every few months, hoping readers who’ve grown used to receiving us will choose to keep us coming by becoming sustaining supporters.

Yes, Yellow Scene is successful under the circumstances. But ad sales don’t always cover the costs of paying staff on time, keeping the presses running, maintaining the website, and paying the mortgage. For the curious, I pay myself a modest salary, and in lean times I’ve even relied on personal loans to bridge gaps. That’s the reality of running an independent newsroom.

But here’s the bigger truth: things are better than they were three years ago. We’ve weathered the blows of digital disruption, corporatization, and the pandemic, which were challenges that have gutted journalism and shuttered thousands of newsroom doors. Being in this business has never been easy, but we’re still here, and we’re moving forward. In spite of the unsteadiness of the world, we’re investing in a thriving tomorrow. Reaching 25 years feels lucky, but it wasn’t just luck. It came from the dedication of our team and the trust of our readers and was built on three principles: exceptional content, design, and distribution.

On Neutrality

We’ve been told nonprofit news must appear apolitical. Fine, but we’re facing a corporate-fueled assault on our democracy, and we’re expected to treat it like business as usual? Racism and police shootings of Black men still happen disproportionately, and we’re supposed to just report another death without asking why? ICE is creating detention camps and snatching people off the street, and we’re expected to avoid calling it unjust?

Truth-telling comes with real sacrifices, and I’m willing to make them. But I will never compromise our journalism standards. Yellow Scene is bold and brave, even if we don’t fit the models large donors tend to favor. We won’t water down our reporting, we won’t accept sponsored content, and we won’t replace journalists with AI.

Now, Onto Those Awards

Huge congratulations to our team for producing these important stories despite the challenges. What makes these honors meaningful is not just the recognition itself, but the impact these stories have had on our community. This year’s awards reflect excellence in both editorial and design—made possible by the dedication of the YS team.

Editorial

• Best Arts & Entertainment Column Writing (2nd Place): Red Shadows Brings MMIR “Artivism” to Lafayette — Rona Goody
  
• Best Breaking News/Deadline Reporting (1st Place): Colorado’s Reproductive Rights Revolution — Ray Manzari
  
• Best Breaking News/Deadline Reporting (2nd Place): Aurora Apartments Make National Headlines: Landlords Blame Migrant Gangs for Public Safety Concerns — Ray Manzari
  
• Best Crime & Public Safety Reporting (1st Place): Blue Immunity: Holding Law Enforcement Accountable — Mohammed Ahmad
  
• Best Data Journalism Reporting (1st Place): Is Remote Work Dying Out? — Mary-Beth Skylis
  
• Best Environmental Story (1st Place): The Colorado River Water Emergency — Doug Geiling
  
• Best Feature Story (2nd Place): Boulder Housing Coalition Brings Back Parts of the ‘Old Boulder’ with Communal Living — Katie Mackinnon
  
• Best Health Enterprise/Health Feature Story (2nd Place): The Role of Spirituality in Substance Use Disorder Treatment — Lexi Miller
  
• Best News Story (1st Place): A Nation in Flux: Local Elections, National Debates, and a Polarized Future — Mohammed Ahmad
  
• Best Opinion Writing (1st Place): Uncomfortable Truth — Steve Nelson
  
• Best Opinion Writing (2nd Place): Trump as Jesus — Steve Nelson
  
• Best Politics Reporting (2nd Place): A Local Erie Ruling May Indicate a Statewide Shift Away From Fossil Fuels — Katie McHinnon
  
• Best Public Service Project (1st Place): 2024 Election Guide — Zoe Jennings, Austin Clinkenbeard, Lexi Miller
  
• Best Series or Sustained Coverage (2nd Place): Reporting on Draco Fossil Fuel Development in Erie, CO — Natalie Kerr
  
• Best Social Justice or Equity Reporting (2nd Place): The Black Cowboys of Colorado — Doug Geiling

Photo & Design

• Best Cover Design (1st Place): March 2024 SuperKids Issue: Best of BOCO — Irina Ratsek, Dustin Doskocil
  
• Best Cover Design (2nd Place): November Issue — Irina Ratsek, Dustin Doskocil

College

• Best News Story (1st Place): “Rocky Horror” in 2024: Can it Still be Relevant for a New Generation? – Julie Rivers, Morgan Taylor, Owen Houtakker

The Answer Is Community

I believe in the journalism we do because everywhere I go, I hear from people who are grateful we exist—people whose lives were impacted by stories others wouldn’t tell. I feel confident asking local businesses to advertise because I know we have an engaged audience that wants to read what we publish. That’s what keeps us going.

The answer to many of the world’s challenges is community. You need us, and we need you.

Gala Tickets & Sustainer Support: fundrazr.com/YSGala2025

The post Yellow Scene Wins 19 Awards; Your Ticket to Protecting Local Journalism appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author in their role as Publisher, and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud. 8/7/25 Updated to reflect that Ryan Schuchard and Nicole Speers’ op-ed was in response to a meme.

The June 1 firebombing on Pearl Street shocked the city. Mohamed Sabry Soliman hurled a makeshift Molotov cocktail into a crowd rallying for the release of Israeli hostages and POWs in Gaza. One person was killed; several others were hospitalized. In the immediate aftermath, Yellow Scene called it, “an act of horror that will take a long time to heal from.”

But in the weeks since, the tragedy has taken on a life of its own. It has become a political litmus test and a flashpoint for how Boulder speaks (or doesn’t) about Gaza, Zionism, and dissent. 

That tension recalls a moment from not so long ago. In the aftermath of September 11, national grief quickly hardened into dogma. Muslims were scapegoated. Civil liberties were stripped. The Bush administration launched wars in the name of security, killing hundreds of thousands. In Boulder, Boulder Weekly published Pamela White’s now-famous cover story, “Why Are We So Hated?” just two days after the attacks. It asked the question few dared to at the time: what motivates our enemies, and what do their grievances say about us?

In that piece, CU professor Ira Chernus cautioned against moral absolutism: “The general assumption is that if you listen to what they say, that endorses [the attack].” But listening, he argued, was essential to preventing future violence. Other voices have echoed the same sentiment. David Barsamian called terrorism “the poor man’s B-52,” highlighting the power imbalance between nations and those who resort to desperate, brutal tactics. Joel Edelstein added, “Americans would not sit quietly if they were treated like the Palestinians are treated by the Israelis,” pointing to the double standards in how suffering and resistance are framed depending on who experiences them.

The parallels in today’s discourse are hard to miss. After 9/11, anyone seen as “disloyal” or critical of U.S. policy was branded un-American, even treasonous. The Dixie Chicks were blacklisted. Journalists were sidelined. Protesters were smeared. Yellow Scene received hate mail and calls for speaking out against invading Iraq. Similarly, in Boulder today, the space to ask uncomfortable questions—about Gaza, about power, about complicity—is rapidly closing.

And just as post-9/11 narratives erased decades of U.S. interventionism to cast America as a blameless victim, today’s narrative risks painting over 74 years of occupation and apartheid that set the stage for October 7th.

Within hours of the Pearl Street attack, leaders across Colorado denounced it as an act of antisemitism. Governor Jared Polis issued a statement. A pledge was circulated among the members of the Boulder City Council. “It was important to stand with our Jewish community,” one council member said. Six members signed immediately.

One didn’t: Councilwoman Taishya Adams. Instead, she released her own statement mourning the tragedy while also addressing the broader political context, particularly with regards to Gaza.

Her refusal sparked outrage, and social media erupted. A petition to remove her from office began circulating. A few days later, councilmembers Mark Wallach and Matt Benjamin published an op-ed accusing Gaza solidarity activists of “abandoning all standards of decency” and engaging in “juvenile, performative politics.” The piece focused on a “Wanted” poster circulating online that criticized council members for refusing to pass a ceasefire resolution or divest city investments from weapons manufacturers.

Wallach and Benjamin claimed the poster implied council members were criminals: “Dead or alive?” they wrote. “This is on the very edge of incitement to violence… This antisemitic characterization of the Council, some members of which are Jewish, is abhorrent, and perhaps the most offensive thing that can be said to a person of the Jewish faith.”

The accusation feels disingenuous. Every council member who opposed a ceasefire resolution, Jewish or not, was included on the poster. The message was clear: refusing to act on Gaza has political consequences. To frame that criticism as antisemitic because some targeted officials are Jewish confuses identity with ideology and erases the fact that many Jews in Boulder are also calling for a ceasefire.

Adams made her position clear. “My decision to withhold my signature from the June 2 city statement did not reflect any lack of empathy or support for Jewish community members – or an attempt to somehow justify the horrific act committed by this individual. Whatever his motivation, violence and terror are NEVER the answer.”

She condemned the attack unequivocally. She met with Jewish constituents to offer support. But she also questioned the framing of the pledge, which she claimed ignored the attacker’s stated motives: both antisemitic and anti-Zionist. 

“If we are to prevent future violence and additional attacks in our community, I believe we need to be real about the possible motivations for this heinous act.” Adams continued, “Denying our community the full truth about the attack denies us the ability to fully protect ourselves and each other.”

That distinction matters. Not because it makes the attack less horrific, but because severing the attack from its political context ensures it will happen again. It is possible to mourn a violent act and still ask what produced it. It is possible to condemn antisemitism and still interrogate Zionism. But in Boulder, attempts to do both are being cast as heresy.

The backlash continued. A second opinion piece—this time from council members Nicole Speer and Ryan Schuchard—accused Adams of posting “antisemitic content” that “minimized and unnecessarily appropriated the Holocaust.” Their response was directed at a meme she shared about the genocide of Native Americans by the United States, which led to the Indigenous population dropping from an estimated 15 million to just 250,000 by 1900.

Yet her official statement made no mention of the Holocaust. Her focus was squarely on Gaza and city investments. The accusation underscores a deeper problem this moment has revealed: the collapse of any distinction between principled criticism of a government and hatred of an entire people. 

That’s the pattern now. Every attempt to analyze this tragedy in its full context, every mention of Gaza, apartheid, or U.S. complicity, is met with accusations of antisemitism. No matter how many disclaimers Adams includes, no matter how clearly she condemns the violence, the label sticks. It is a pervasive black and white way of thinking that justifies erasure.

 CU professor Nathan Schneider, who lost relatives in the Holocaust, called this narrowing of discourse “the unspeakable.” In a widely shared reflection on the Pearl Street attack, he wrote:

“The word antisemitism has shifted from a cry against genocide into a way to excuse it. … Locally, the explanation of antisemitism doesn’t compute. Another group of demonstrators—many of them Jewish, calling for a Gaza ceasefire—rallies downtown regularly. They weren’t attacked. Why one group and not the other?”

For Schneider, Adams’ refusal wasn’t a betrayal; it was, as he put it, “a raid on the unspeakable.” A rare moment of honesty. An acknowledgment that the firebombing on Pearl Street cannot be divorced from the firebombing of Gaza.

Yellow Scene warned of this. In the days after the firebombing, we wrote that grief would be weaponized to silence people. Since October 7th, accusations of antisemitism have become the bluntest tool to shut down criticism of Israeli policy. That national pattern is now playing out in Boulder.

None of this excuses violence. But it demands we ask: If the language of antisemitism becomes a shield for a state committing genocide, what happens to those trying to stop it? And what happens to a city that confuses condemning an attack with condemning a movement?

Adams’ refusal to sign the pledge drew swift backlash, but her posts made her reasoning clear: Boulder can’t claim to stand against hate while continuing to invest in corporations profiting from the siege on Gaza. Her critics are entitled to push back. But reducing her dissent to antisemitism sets a dangerous precedent.

That is the line Boulder is standing on now. Grief on one side. Fear on the other. And in between, a reckoning over whether this city will choose accountability or protection of power. 

It hit hard when, after 31 years, a beloved local publication closed its doors. Independent journalism in Colorado just got a little smaller. And a lot more vulnerable.

In Boulder County, only one locally-owned, independent news platform remains: Yellow Scene Magazine. We don’t answer to a corporate board. We’re not backed by a hedge fund. We answer and report to our readers..

The future isn’t found in selling out or corporate donors. It’s in community.

Help us keep unbought, unbossed journalism alive and delivered to your mailbox.

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The post Boulder’s Breaking Point: Grief, Gaza, and the Language of Power appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This month, I was tasked with Notables—and this year, the focus has been on celebrating Yellow Scene’s 25 years in Boulder County media. From Top 25 Articles to “Where Are They Now?” features, this month I’m highlighting 25 of my favorite covers. And like the others, narrowing this list down wasn’t easy. Each comes with a story—some joyful, some complicated—but all meaningful.

Print is still magic. I watched two kids flipping through Yellow Scene, giggling and pointing out places they recognized. That doesn’t happen with a phone.

Not all 25 years of covers are on the website. The first eight years live in hard copies, CD-ROMs, and Zip drives in my basement. I was literally taking photos of old issues with my phone—because who still owns a CD-ROM drive?

YS has always been collaborative. The creativity behind these covers isn’t just mine—it’s the product of dozens of staff members over the years. Designers, writers, editors, photographers, illustrators, and interns have brought wild ideas to life and made them sing. I’ve had amazing teams pitch me ideas—some I thought were weird but turned out great. That kind of teamwork has defined our pages from the beginning. Editorial content always came first; our goal has been to make every page worth reading.

As I revisited the covers, the memories came rushing back. Sometimes I just liked the art, but most often it was the stories behind them. The greatest feeling I get is thinking about the people who made them. I’ve been lucky to work with inspired, creative minds who wanted to build something special.

When I left Boulder Weekly, clients started calling: “Where did you go?” Erie was exploding—4,000 new homes by 2000. I hadn’t planned to launch anything, but they encouraged me. I sold ads with no product, then figured it out.

The first issues were called The Gold Mine—local ads, local reach, and Easter eggs for fun. By edition four, we had content, a real name, and a growing following. We officially incorporated in February 2001 as Yellow Scene Magazine. We were Reader’s Digest-sized and called ourselves “East County’s cultural scene,” which some Boulder folks laughed at: “Do you have culture out there?” And I’d smile and think, yes—more than you know.

Fun fact: We’ve never put the Flatirons on a cover. Someone once called that a weird flex—but to me, it says a lot. They’re on everything. I wanted to reflect the people, the culture, the values—not just the scenery.

Early on, there was controversy. By issue three, I published letters to the editor that stirred things up. It was my first taste of being a publisher. Then came 9/11. And with it, a choice: what kind of media would we be? We chose bold. Our anti-war stance during Iraq got us letters and boycott threats—but I knew we were right.

The press is mightier than the sword. Yellow Scene has never shied away from the hard stuff. We follow the truth, and the creativity. 

THE COVERS

August 2000: The Gold Mine

June 2004: The Hot Issue

August 2007: The Smart Issue

August 2000: The Gold Mine

Our very first issue—and definitely our funkiest. Not the most beautiful, but it belongs here. Art by Shavonne Blades.

June 2004: The HOT Issue

We featured Left Hand Brewery with a local artist’s painting. Illustration Art: DeWayne Wolff (Longmont).

August 2007: The SMART Issue

One of my favorites—my son was our child model in the early years. Art Director Stephanie Mott crafted a brilliant concept from the shoot. Photography by Jessica Grenier (Denver).

February 2009: One Giant Food Issue

June 2009: The Hot Issue

July 2009: The Glasshouse of Boulder

February 2009

A fun, pivotal issue. This marked our expansion into Boulder. Until then, we were only in East County/North Metro. After the 2008 crash, I borrowed $80,000—the first time ever—to go big: perfect-bound, 100 pages, full gloss. It worked. Art Director: Stephanie Mott. Photography: Ed Corcoran (Golden).

June 2009: The HOT Issue

This was one of those wild staff ideas I almost said no to—a Harlequin romance parody. It turned out amazing. Art Director: Stephanie Mott. Concept: Andra Coberly. Photography: Julie Levy (Boulder).

July 2009: The Glasshouse of Boulder

An architectural shoot inside a stunning home. Architect: Matt McMullen. Art Direction: Stephanie Mott. Photography: Jessica Grenier (Denver).

July 2011: The Hot Issue

March 2012: SuperKids Issue

April 2012: Best Of The West

July 2011: The HOT Issue

Stephanie Mott transitioned to Creative Consultant after this issue, and Brittany Wigham stepped in as Associate Art Director. She nailed this sizzling cover. Art Direction: Brittany Wigham.

March 2012: SuperKids Issue

“82 Ways to Spend a Summer Day” was born from an idea by Editor-in-Chief Andra Coberly. Art by Brittney Wigham, who always said: “In design, no detail is too small.”

April 2012: Best of the West

A Beatles “Abbey Road” homage with our staff in downtown Louisville. Brittney Wigham led the creative. Photography: Joe Hodgson (Denver).

December 2012: The 65+ Issue

June 2013: The Hot Issue

August 2013: The Smart Issue

December 2012: The 65+ Issue

Titled “The Silver Tsunami,” this cover highlighted the boomer wave of retirements. Some people didn’t love the bold image—but that’s exactly why I do. Art Direction: Brittney Wigham. Editor: Andra Coberly.

June 2013: The HOT Issue

I rejected the initial cover (ice cream, tilted sunglasses—too canned). We were down to the wire when I spotted a photo of Mona Lott, a drag queen from our Faces of Summer feature. “Can we put a drag queen on the cover?” the staff asked. Damn straight we can. Art: Brittney Wigham. Photo: Paul Wedlake.

August 2013: The SMART Issue

Michael Kennedy (aka Colonel Matlock) obsessed over every detail. There’s a flaw only he sees—and he still talks about it. I call it brilliant. 

December 2013: Health Issue

March 2014: SuperKids Issue

2015: Album Cover Series

December 2013: Health Issue

We spotlighted tattoo culture. Joe Friend shot the stunning visuals. Michael Kennedy brought it to life with graphic design. And yes, there’s a little surprise in the article.

March 2014: Super Kids Issue

We just re-featured this photo in 2025 for “Where Are They Now?” Paul Wedlake shot both the original and the update. Art: Brittney Wigham.

2015: Album Cover Series

An all-time staff favorite. Readers played along all year, guessing the inspiration behind each cover. My pick for Top 25? Sgt. Pepper’s. Editorial Concept: Brett Callwood. Art Direction: Trish Himmler & Katherine Preucill.

February 2017: Best Of The West – Find-A-Word

May 2017: The Hot Issue

August 2017: The Smart Issue

February 2017: Best of the West – Find-A-Word

We hid puzzles in this one and gave prizes for solving them. Readers loved it. Art Direction: Jennifer Ho.

May 2017: The HOT Issue

A hard moment—Brides and Babies closed that year. However, we stayed true to our values, and despite financial challenges, I commissioned this piece to honor Colorado’s music festival scene. Illustration: Brittany Henson.

August 2017: The SMART Issue

Commissioned art reflecting education funding challenges. Illustration: Christina Ullman.

February 2018: Best Of The West

September 2018: Indulgence Issue

March 2019: Divercity Series

February 2018: Best of the West

After the 2015 series, I wanted more themed covers. This one featured winners standing in front of the Boulder Theater (shoutout to them for putting us on the marquee!). Art: Irina Ratzek. Photography: Paul Wedlake.

September 2018: Indulgence Issue

Restaurant folks, a remote sugar mill road, a ladder, and a cop car. Yep, Longmont PD told us to move—but not before Paul got the shot. Art: Irina Ratzek. Photo: Paul Wedlake.

March 2019: DiverCity Series

A love letter to black-and-white print and typography. Every piece was text-forward. I chose Andrea Gibson for this list—an icon who just left us. Art Direction: Irina Ratzek, Photo: Paul Wedlake.

April 2020: 20th Anniversary Series

February 2021: The Actionist Series Featuring Candice Bailey

February 2022: Heroes Series – Firefighers

April 2020: 20th Anniversary Series

We planned to spotlight past and present staff—then COVID hit. We skipped March and folded what we could into April. The pandemic shaped every shoot after. Featured: Stephanie Mott. Photo: Paul Wedlake.

February 2021: The Actionist Series featuring Candice Bailey

It was hard to choose just one from this series—we featured amazing people, including former Colorado Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre. But I chose Candice because I have the utmost admiration for her. Her bold spirit is exactly what this world needs. Art Direction: Irina Ratzek. Photography: Paul Wedlake.

February 2022: Heroes Series – Firefighters

Originally planned for nurses post-COVID, but after the Marshall Fire, we pivoted. The hoses in the photo? They’re the ones crews had to cut and abandon to escape the flames. Multiple departments were involved. Photo: Paul Wedlake.

April 2023: The History Series Featuring Erie, Colorado

April 2023: The History Series featuring Erie, Colorado

In 2023, we launched a series exploring the histories of the towns we serve across Boulder County and the North Metro. Beautifully written by Doug Geiling, the research and storytelling were fascinating. I chose Erie for this list because it’s my hometown—and the last standing mine in the area still sits there. Art Direction: Irina Ratzek. Photography: Paul Wedlake.

If you want to explore more then head over too yellowscene.com/archives

The post Our Top 25 Favorite Covers appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Updated to include a fundraiser organized by former staff to help cover expenses after being let go without severance. KUNC interview with Shay Castle, 7/11/25. 9News coverage, Boulder Weekly halts publication after 32 years, 7/11/2025, Daily Camera, Boulder Weekly’s future uncertain after reporting staff laid off, 7/10/2025, Interview with Stewart Sallo, Inside the News in Colorado, 7/11/2025

Yesterday, I learned that Boulder Weekly, the county’s once-beloved alt-weekly, has quietly closed its doors. The owner, Stewart Sallo, let the entire staff go, save for a bookkeeper and a special operations manager.  No farewell, no final issue, no tribute to the journalists who made it what it was. Just… gone.

Some might assume I’d feel triumphant. I don’t.

Boulder Weekly wasn’t my first job in media. I started in California at Good Times when I was 21, and later spent five years in a corporate role after moving back to Colorado. I wouldn’t reach Boulder Weekly until early 1996, and I’d stay until August 12, 2000. It was barely a year and a half old at the time—scrappy, ambitious, and fighting for survival against steep competition. I left a secure job after the birth of my son to take a leap back into journalism. It was a risk. But that leap, and that newsroom, shaped the publisher I am today.

The team I worked alongside was brilliant, dedicated, and often underpaid. I drank the “journalism matters” Kool-Aid because of them. We produced stories that sparked dialogue and made real change, all while scrambling to make rent. We were the first media outlet in the country to question whether the Oklahoma City bombing was domestic terrorism. We sent a reporter to Bosnia. The staff made Boulder Weekly matter.  Not the ownership, it was always the staff.

Boulder Weekly staff, circa 1998 or 1999 (or so)

Boulder Weekly was also where I cut my teeth on the business side of things. I was a full-commission ad rep, and I worked hard for my clients—pushing for design that went beyond phonebook aesthetics. One designer later told me that, after working with me, they learned to say, “Anything is possible.” That spirit of collaboration and excellence is what defined my career. I brought in about 60% of the Weekly’s revenue. I worked hard, earned strong commissions, and helped build something special. But when ownership decided I was making too much and offered to cut my pay while expanding my responsibilities, I knew it was time to go. That decision—painful as it was—ultimately led to the creation of Yellow Scene, originally serving the East County market before expanding to the entire county.

Now, 25 years later, Yellow Scene is the last locally owned news print publication serving all of Boulder County.

Everything else is owned by a hedge fund, a franchise, or a conglomerate. This is not a badge of honor I wear lightly. It’s a warning. If we don’t support independent media, it disappears.

 I’d love to hire some of the Boulder Weekly staff. However, the reality is that this work is expensive.  We still rely on advertising (and I’m endlessly grateful to the local businesses who understand authentic journalism is the bridge to an authentic community), but ad sales alone no longer sustain the newsroom.  We need both advertisers and readers to make this work.

I still print because it offers a tangible, high-touch value that digital doesn’t. The truth is, these days, our profit margins are slim. I used to fund this work with ad revenue alone. Now, I fundraise because I believe in what we’re doing—because local, independent journalism matters.

I’m grateful to the community that continues to read and enjoy YS, and especially thankful for those who have become sustaining supporters. Those small monthly gifts? They go farther than you might think.

If you’ve ever read a story in Yellow Scene that made you feel seen, informed, or inspired,  I hope you’ll consider becoming a sustaining supporter. Only $8 a month helps us print, pay writers, and hold power to account. It keeps real journalism alive, helps us hire the necessary staff (hopefully some from Boulder Weekly), produce the news, and deliver it to your mailbox.

Boulder Weekly’s closure is a loss for local media and our community. I’m grieving, with deep respect for the journalists and artists who made it great.

Please consider contributing to the staff-led fundraiser, created to help former Boulder Weekly employees cover rent and expenses after being let go without severance.

To those former colleagues: thank you. You shaped the publisher I am today. And to our readers, advertisers, and supporters—you’re the reason we’re still moving forward in this new landscape for local media.

Shavonne Blades
Publisher, Yellow Scene Magazine

Become a sustaining supporter and keep local, independent journalism strong.

The post Publisher’s Note: No Goodbye, No Final Page: What the Loss of Boulder Weekly Means for Us All appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

photo credit: George Hudetz, Erie CO, No Kings Day

Erie

Erie used to have 500 houses, 1,200 people, and dirt roads—not in 1890 but as recently as 1990. However, like so many Colorado Front Range towns, it’s seen rapid, relentless growth since then. Today, it’s home to 40,000 people and projected to hit 70,000. (Let’s just hope they don’t choose sprawl in the years ahead.)

Back in 2000, Erie was the fastest-growing municipality in the state, posting a wild 300% growth rate. In just ten years, it jumped from a forgotten mining town to 8,500 people and 4,000 homes. That was nothing compared to where it stands now or where it’s headed. Once again, it has ranked as the fastest-growing community in the Front Range and number 15 in the country.

It also used to be a much redder town. After all, it was a quiet, rural place, mostly off the radar. And red 35 years ago wasn’t synonymous with the cult-of-personality nationalism and strongman-style populism we see today. Aside from Bush, being Republican back then tended to mean a focus on land, taxes, law and order, and a hands-off approach to your neighbor’s business. But with all the new homes and new neighbors, Erie now votes about 65% blue, including both the Boulder and Weld County sides. And no, realtors aren’t asking how people are registered to vote when they’re selling homes. The same demographic shifts are happening in Longmont, too.

photo credit: George Hudetz

photo credit: George Hudetz

Erie residents don’t need to drive to Denver anymore to have its voice heard. Whether it’s the result of shifting demographics or the shock and disgust at witnessing this administration’s open corruption, authoritarianism, and outright contempt for the Constitution, Erie came to be counted.

An estimated 1,200 people turned out for No Kings Day at County Line Road and Erie Parkway. All four corners were packed. The crowd stretched out for nearly a mile, with people lining the streets, waving signs, and cheering as a steady stream of mostly supportive honking cars passed by.

A few drivers made their dissent clear, and two men appeared briefly with a Trump sign, but from what we observed, everyone remained respectful and let them be. Erie Police were a friendly but frequent presence. 

Amid the steady hum of car horns and community energy, local leaders took the mic to address the crowd. District Attorney Michael Dougherty came out and spoke, challenging the administration to uphold the rule of law. Erie Councilperson Emily Baer emphasized compassion and community. She called on the crowd to act in love—for one another, and for the world—reminding us that only love can conquer hate.

Local resident and No Kings Day organizer Bob Braudes put it simply:

“It’s time to put Erie on the political map. We’re 40,000 people now.”

photo credit: Shavonne Blades

Photo credit: Jordan Neumeyer

Photo Credit: Kenneth Wajda

Photo credit: Rowan Ellis

At 12:45 p.m. on a warm Saturday afternoon, hundreds had already gathered along Longmont’s 6th Street. Within the hour, that crowd swelled to an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder on sidewalks, median strips, and restaurant patios—holding signs, chanting, and waving to honking cars passing by. The mood was both electric and resolute which displayed a sense of community strength and political defiance. 

This protest, part of the national “No Kings Day” movement organized by 50501, Indivisible and co-sponsored locally by the Colorado Forward Party. The Protest was timed in response to reports of a planned military-style parade coinciding with former President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Organizers framed the demonstration as a rebuke of authoritarianism and an act of solidarity with communities impacted by ICE raids and federal crackdowns.

Photo credit: Rowan Ellis

Unlike the large-scale marches in metropolitan areas, the Longmont protest was stationary—concentrated at 6th & Main for just about an hour. But the energy was anything but still. Protesters waved American flags with altered slogans, wore “No Kings” t-shirts handed out by volunteers, and kept chants alive through megaphones: “This is what democracy looks like” echoed across the street in rhythmic unison. 

Despite the crowd size, the police presence was minimal. Only one or two officers were visible throughout the event, and they remained mostly on the periphery.  

One striking observation was the age composition of the crowd. An estimated 60–65% of attendees were older adults—many of them seniors. The rest of the crowd represented a wide range of identities: young activists, families with children, BIPOC individuals, and people who had traveled from nearby Boulder and Denver. 

The atmosphere held contradictions. There was hope in the collective unity, yet an undercurrent of frustration—perhaps even despair—over the necessity of still having to protest such basic democratic ideals. As one attendee put it, 

“There’s something deeply human about standing side by side with people who feel what you feel. It’s really comforting and heartbreaking.” 

Many participants were reluctant to go on record—understandably cautious about press exposure. Still, a few candid conversations offered deep insight into the stakes at play. 

Photo Credit: Kenneth Wajda

Photo credit: Rowan Ellis

Two older women, both white and longtime residents of Longmont, spoke passionately about why they felt this was not just a coastal or federal issue: 

“He’s trying to be a dictator. Even if it doesn’t feel like it’s hitting our daily lives yet—it will. He’s got the Supreme Court in his pocket. We have to speak up because this is our government, and our silence makes it someone else’s problem. We cannot allow that.” 

Another group—two middle-aged men and two women from Denver—shared that they intentionally avoided the Denver protest out of safety concerns following increased tensions in major cities. Longmont, they said, felt safer but no less meaningful. 

“My family’s scared to go to work. That’s not what this country should be. I don’t want to wake up one day and never see them again because someone decided their existence was illegal. What Trump’s doing goes beyond politics—it’s anti-human.” 

These sentiments were echoed in various forms throughout the crowd: fears of ICE enforcement, erosion of democratic values, and the broader question of what kind of country the United States is becoming. 

Because in the end the fight for democracy doesn’t always start in Washington. Sometimes, it begins on a street corner, in the heart of a town, with people who believe their voices can turn the tide.

Photo credit: Rowan Ellis

Photo credit: Rowan Ellis

Photo Credit: Kenneth Wajda

Photo Credit: Kenneth Wajda

Photo credit Steven Nasada, Social Media, Boulder CO, No Kings Day

On June 14th, over 5 million people mobilized in lieu of Trump’s display of military power. The “No Kings Day” protest this last Saturday, organized by the ACLU, 50501, American Oppositions and Indivisible, brought over 5,000 Boulder residents to the streets. 

The day was filled with camaraderie as local officials and activists expressed their frustrations with the current administration. Speakers included Mayor Aaron Brockett, District Attorney Michael Dougherty, Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Councilmember Nicole Speer.

Photo credit Steven Nasada, Social Media

While protestors suffered over 90-degree weather; there were no counterprotestors, and police presence did not lead to any violence. Many residents carried their signs to the local farmer’s market, while others sat outside local brunch spots with their sign in one hand and a mimosa in the other. The demographics of the demonstrators was overwhelmingly White and over 50. 

However, for the people working the brunch tables and sweeping the street, solidarity was found. There are two types of people in Boulder; those who eat the food, and those who serve the food. While many people subordinated under Trump’s administration cannot demonstrate safely; such as undocumented immigrants, there are others who are willing to stand in their stead. That’s what the community saw this past Saturday in Boulder, a massive group of people willing to stand up to authoritarianism despite how they are affected. 

Not to say that White people over 50 are not affected by Trump’s policies. Cuts to medicaid, lack of veteran resources, and attacks on reproductive justice hurt this group especially. Critics will explain how protests should ‘look;’ hip-looking punks spraying anarchy signs on a cop car, a Ford on fire, the fireworks of tear gas and AR-15s are all necessary to simulate a ‘revolution.’ 

Photo credit Steven Nasada, Social Media

While protestors were mobilizing in every major city except D.C., Trump was celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Army with a display of military strength. Footage shows an Army failing to march in a set rhythm and outdated tanks squeaking past a lackluster crowd. This display projected disorganization and insecurity. 

There is revolution in joy and non-violent protests. Revolution starts with talking with neighbors and organizing. Last Saturday showed that those who value democracy are not alone, and that they are the majority. Authoritarianism cowers in the face of progressive happiness and the displacement of fear. 

So while the only casualties in Boulder may be empty sunscreen and champagne bottles, there was a message and it was heard. No Kings. 

Photo credit Linda O’Neill, Social Media

Photo credit Linda O’Neill, Social Media

Photo credit: Steven Nasada, Social Media

Photo credit: Linda O’Neill, Social Media

Photo credit Linda O’Neill, Social Media

Photo credit: Vince Chandler, Denver CPO, No Kings Day

Up to 20,000 protesters converged on downtown Denver Saturday afternoon for the “No Kings” protest—an anti-authoritarian demonstration that transformed Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park into an open-air hub of resistance. Demonstrators started at the state capitol, and marched throughout the city at one point reaching a mile long. 

Photo credit: Vince Chandler

The event was one of many held nationwide on June 14 in response to President Trump’s immigration crackdown as well as the simultaneous military parade in Washington, D.C. But in Denver, what started as a peaceful rally ended with 36 arrests and reports of police once again using smoke and pepper balls to clear the streets.

Organized by local activist coalition Colorado 50501, a portion of the protest was framed as an “activist fair” meant to bring together a broad spectrum of resistance movements—from anti-ICE efforts and Indigenous sovereignty to queer and trans rights. Music performances, teach-ins, and tabling sessions filled the afternoon, with organizers urging attendees to think beyond a single-day march and build out sustained resistance networks.

“People don’t know where to put their energy after the protest,” said Steffan Becker, one of the event’s lead organizers. “The point of this festival is to show people they can plug in, show up.”

Colorado 50501 joined the Party for Socialism and Liberation at 4 pm for a peaceful march through downtown. Alternatively, Block-by-Block had ambitious plans to line protesters on the sidewalks of Broadway beginning at the capitol in Denver and ending in Highlands Ranch. 

After these events had ended, a contingent of demonstrators remained downtown into the evening, shifting focus to the local ICE field office on 30th and Peoria. It was during this second wave of protest that the tone changed, a recurring theme in Denver. 

According to Denver police, officers arrested 36 individuals after issuing several dispersal orders. Those arrested faced charges ranging from failure to obey lawful orders to obstruction of roadways. Officers used smoke canisters and pepper balls but did not deploy tear gas.

Photo credit: Vince Chandler

Photo credit: Vince Chandler

In a statement, DPD said it had preemptively closed portions of Lincoln Street and used rolling closures throughout the day. Leading up to the event, the department had also warned residents to report “suspicious or unlawful behavior,” a move that drew criticism from civil liberties groups who saw it as an attempt to pre-frame the protest as criminal.

While DPD had made promises during the 2020 BLM protests not to harm peaceful protesters, this seems to go by the wayside once the sun goes down and organizers head home. Leaving people with a clear message that their First Amendment right to peaceful assembly will only be protected if it’s done when and how local law enforcement approves of. 

Despite the evening escalation, Denver protesters remained focused on their message: rejecting authoritarianism and standing in solidarity with the communities most impacted by Trump-era policies. 

Organizers estimate that over 8,000 people attended throughout the day, making it one of the largest public demonstrations in Denver since the Women’s March in 2017. The “No Kings” campaign spanned over 2,000 cities nationwide and drew what organizers claim to be 4–6 million participants, though those numbers have not yet been independently verified.

Photo credit: Vince Chandler

Photo credit: Vince Chandler

Photo credit: Vince Chandler

Photo credit: Vince Chandler

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Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post No Kings Day: Thousands Rally in Denver, Boulder, Longmont, and Erie appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

We have put together a full list of all local places to get a drink! whether its coffee, beer, Tea, or alcohol-free.

We have compiled it all in a Google map for ease of use with Google map locations and websites linked here, along with every location also listed here in this article.

For a full and more comprehensive view, click the square button in the top right (it will say “view large map” when hovering over the button).

Boulder

4 Noses Brewing | Wild Provisions

Website: http://www.4nosesbrewing.com/
Address: 2209 Central Ave, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-993-3598

Asher Brewing Company

Website: http://www.asherbrewing.com
Address: 4699 Nautilus Ct., #104, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-530-1381

Avery Brewing Company / Tap Room

Website: http://www.averybrewing.com
Address: 4910 Nautilus Ct., Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-440-4324

Bookcliff Wine Tasting Room

Website: http://bookcliffvineyards.com
Address: 1501 Lee Hill Rd., #17, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-499-7301

Boulder Spirits – Vapor Distillery

Website: http://www.vapordistillery.com
Address: 5311 Western Ave., #K, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-997-6134

The Boulder Wine Merchant

Website: N/A
Address: 2690 Broadway, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-443-6761

Boxcar Coffee Roasters

Website: http://boxcarcoffeeroasters.com/
Address: 825 Pearl St., Boulder, CO
Phone: 720-456-7962

Finkel & Garf

Website: http://www.finkelandgarf.com
Address: 5455 Spine Rd., #A, Boulder, CO
Phone: 720-379-6042

Mountain Sun

Website: http://www.mountainsunpub.com
Address: 1535 Pearl St., Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-546-0886

Ozo Coffee Company

Website: http://www.ozocoffee.com
Address: 5340 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-440-0233

Redstone Meadery

Website: http://www.redstonemeadery.com
Address: 4700 Pearl St., #2A, Boulder, CO
Phone: 720-406-1215

The Root Kava Bar

Website: https://www.therootkavabar.com/
Address: 1641 28th St., Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-856-3851

Ruzo Coffee

Website: https://www.ruzocoffee.com/
Address: 3980 Broadway St., #104, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-953-8402

Sanitas Brewing Company

Website: http://www.sanitasbrewing.com/
Address: 3550 Frontier Ave., #A, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-442-4130

Silver Vines Winery

Website: http://www.silvervineswinery.com/
Address: 2037 13th St., Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-458-0280

Twisted Pine Brewery

Website: http://www.twistedpinebrewery.com
Address: 3201 Walnut St., #A, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-786-9270

Upslope Brewing Company (Flatiron Court)

Website: http://www.upslopebrewing.com
Address: 1898 S. Flatiron Court, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-449-2911

Upslope Brewing Company (Lee Hill Rd.)

Website: http://www.upslopebrewing.com
Address: 1501 Lee Hill Rd., #20, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-449-2911

Vinnie Fera Wine

Website: https://www.vinnieferawine.com
Address: 3012 Sterling Cir., #100, Boulder, CO
Phone: 720-287-1252

Vision Quest Brewery

Website: http://www.visionquestbrewing.com
Address: 2510 47th St., #A2, Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-578-0041

Longmont

300 Suns Brewing

Website: http://300sunsbrewing.com/
Address: 335 1st Ave., #C, Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-442-8292

Abbott & Wallace – Longtucky Spirits

Website: http://www.longtuckyspirits.com
Address: 350 Terry St., #120, Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-545-2017

Bearded Brewer

Website: https://www.beardedbreweraa.com/
Address: 1425 S Airport Rd., #100, Longmont, CO
Phone: 531-999-3051

Bootstrap Brewing

Website: http://www.bootstrapbrewing.com
Address: 142 Pratt St., Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-438-8488

Collision Brewing Co.

Website: http://collisionbrewco.com
Address: 1436 Skyway Dr., Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-996-1850

Colorado Mountain Kava

Website: https://rootsandleaveskava.com/locations/colorado-mountain-kava
Address: 615 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-833-6864

Dry Land Distillers

Website: http://www.drylanddistillers.com
Address: 471 Main Street, Unit B, Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-600-4945

Grossen Bart Brewery

Website: http://www.grossenbart.com
Address: 1025 Delaware Ave., Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-438-2060

Knuckle Puck Brewing

Website: https://www.knucklepuckbrewing.com/
Address: 13783 East I-25 Frontage Rd., #B-1, Longmont, CO
Phone: N/A

Kuper Wine Bar

Website: http://kuperwinebar.com
Address: 600 Longs Peak Ave., #11, Longmont, CO
Phone: 303-834-8902

Left Hand Brewing

Website: http://www.lefthandbrewing.com
Address: 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont, CO
Phone: 303-772-0258

Longs Peak Pub

Website: http://www.mountainsunpub.com
Address: 600 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont, CO
Phone: 303-651-7886

Meco Coffee Collective

Website: https://mecolongmont.com/
Address: 627 Main Street, Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-899-2352

Pumphouse Brewery

Website: http://www.pumphousebrewery.com
Address: 540 Main St., Longmont, CO
Phone: 303-702-0881

St. Vrain Cidery

Website: http://www.stvraincidery.com/
Address: 350 Terry St., #130, Longmont, CO
Phone: 720-727-5706

Wibby Brewing

Website: http://www.wibbybrewing.com
Address: 209 Emery St., Longmont, CO
Phone: 303-776-4594

Lafayette

Brewing Market

Website: http://brewingmarketcoffee.com/
Address: 2770 Dagny Way, #101, Lafayette, CO
Phone: 720-890-3993

Cellar West

Website: http://cellarwest.com
Address: 778 West Baseline Rd., Lafayette, CO
Phone: 720-465-9346

Day Day Up Tea

Website: N/A
Address: 535 W. South Boulder Rd., #210, Lafayette, CO
Phone: 720-835-1119

Liquid Mechanics Brewing Company

Website: http://www.liquidmechanicsbrewing.com
Address: 297 N. Hwy 287, #100, Lafayette, CO
Phone: 720-550-7813

Meco Coffee Collective

Website: N/A
Address: 1280 Centaur Village Dr., Lafayette, CO
Phone: N/A

Sanitas Brewing Company (Lafayette)

Website: http://www.sanitasbrewing.com/
Address: 400 W South Boulder Rd., #1650, Lafayette, CO
Phone: 303-442-4130

Louisville

Crystal Springs Brewing Company

Website: http://www.crystalspringsbrewing.com
Address: 604 Main St., Louisville, CO
Phone: 720-572-7975

Gravity Brewing

Website: http://thegravitybrewing.com/
Address: 1150 Pine St., #B, Louisville, CO
Phone: 303-544-0746

Mother Tucker Brewery

Website: https://www.mothertuckerbrewery.com/
Address: 1132 W. Dillon Dr., #4, Louisville, CO
Phone: 303-565-9459

Rocky Mountain Tap & Garden

Website: https://rockymountaintap.com/
Address: 1071 Courtesy Rd., Louisville, CO
Phone: 720-900-2440

Paul’s Coffee And Tea

Website: https://www.paulscoffeeandtea.com/
Address: 956 W Cherry St #101, Louisville, CO 80027
Phone: (720) 259-1723

Lyons

Spirit Hound Distillers

Website: http://www.spirithounds.com
Address: 4196 Ute Hwy, Lyons, CO
Phone: 303-823-5696

Niwot

Fritz Family Brewers

Website: https://www.fritzfamilybrewers.com/
Address: 6778 N. 79th St., Niwot, CO
Phone: 303-834-9123

Westminster

4 Noses Brewing | Wild Provisions (Westminster)

Website: http://www.4nosesbrewing.com/
Address: 8855 W. 116th Cir., #4, Westminster, CO
Phone: 720-460-2797

Windfall Brewing Co.

Website: https://windfallbrewing.co/
Address: 14694 Orchard Pkwy., #400, Westminster, CO
Phone: 720-531-5822

Erie

Old Mine Cidery & Brew Pub

Website: http://theoldmine.com
Address: 500 Briggs St., Erie, CO
Phone: 303-905-0620

Firestone

Wild Cider

Website: http://wildcider.com/home/
Address: 11455 County Rd. 17, Firestone, CO
Phone: 303-532-9949

Frederick

Mirror Image Brewing Company

Website: https://www.mirrorimagebrewco.com/
Address: 5969 Iris Pkwy., Frederick, CO
Phone: 720-445-5969

Denver

Stem Ciders (RiNo Taproom)

Website: https://stemciders.com/
Address: 2811 Walnut St., #150, Denver, CO
Phone: 720-443-3007

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The post YellowScene’s 2025 Libations Map appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Farm Map 2025

We have put together a full list of all local farms! From vegetables to meat to pumpkin patches for Halloween, it’s all here.

We have compiled it all in a Google map for ease of use, with Google map locations and websites linked here, along with every location also listed here in this article.

For a full and more comprehensive view, click the square button in the top right (it will say “view large map” when hovering over the button).

Boulder

Boulder Farmers Market

Website: www.bcfm.org
Address: 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Website:https://bcfm.org/ 

Boulder Valley Honey

Address: 7103 Valmont Rd, Boulder, CO 80301
Website: http://bouldervalleyhoney.com

Balto Farms / Boulder Lavender

Phone: (512) 944-5216
Address: 7957 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303
Website: http://www.7957farm.com

Black Cat Bistro

Phone: (720) 878-3474
Address: 1964 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Website:blackcatboulder.com

Benevolence Orchard & Gardens

Phone: (720) 938-7708
Address: 6712 Jay Rd, Boulder, CO 80301
Website: http://benevolenceorchard.com

Cure Organic Farm

Phone: (303) 666-6397
Address: 7416 Valmont Rd, Boulder, CO 80301
Website: https://cureorganicfarm.com

Farm Tub LLC

Phone: (303) 449-5633
Address: 4949 Broadway, Unit 109, Boulder, CO 80304
Website:farmtub.com

Jacob Spring Farm

Phone: (720) 201-5725
Address: 7602 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303

Jay Hill Farm

Phone: (303) 502-7775
Address: 5367 Jay Rd, Boulder, CO 80301

Long’s Gardens

Phone: (303) 442-2353 
Address: 3240 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304
Website:https://longsgardens.com/

MASA Seed Foundation

Phone: (303) 444-9642
Address: 1367 N 75th St, Boulder, CO 80303
Website: https://masaseedfoundation.org

Munson Farms

Phone: (720) 491-1421
Address: 7455 Valmont Rd, Boulder, CO 80301
Website: http://www.munsonfarms.com

Sunbeam Farm

Address: 1005 Cherryvale Rd, Boulder, CO 80303
Website: http://www.sunbeamfarm.com

Wild Wellspring

Phone: (303) 408-5648
Address: 3877 N 75th St, Boulder, CO 80301
Website:wildwellspring.com

63rd Street Farm

Phone: (720) 938-3059
Address: 3796 63rd St, Boulder, CO 80301
Website: https://www.63rdstfarmstead.com/

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Longmont

Annie’s Alpaca Ranch

Phone: (720) 341-1673
Address: 3423 Bella Rosa Pkwy, Longmont, CO 80504
Website: www.anniesalpacaranch.com

Art of Cheese – Briar Gate Farm

Phone: (303) 579-9537
Address: 11227 N 66th St, Longmont, CO 80503
Website: https://theartofcheese.com

Aspen Moon Farm

Phone: (303) 684-6848
Address: 7927 Hygiene Rd, Longmont, CO 80503
Website: https://aspenmoonfarm.com

Bee Hugger Farm

Phone: (303) 330-8277
Address: 12590 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80504
Website: https://thebeehuggerfarm.com

Blue Ribbon Farm

Phone: (303) 774-7717
Address: 10147 Hover St, Longmont, CO 80501
Website: https://blueribbonfarmlongmont.com

Boucher Family Farm

Phone: (720) 371-6589
Address: 9522 Sierra Vista Rd, Longmont, CO 80504
Website: https://boucherfamilyfarm.com

Colorado Aromatics

Phone: (303) 651-2062
Address: 340 Lashley St, Unit 220, Longmont, CO 80501
Website: https://coloradoaromatics.com

Full Circle Farm

Phone: (303) 684-0087
Address: 9059 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80503
Website:https://fullcircleorganicfarms.com/

Hergenreder Farm

Phone: (303) 349-5711
Address: 13332 County Rd 5, Longmont, CO 80504

Highland Honey

Phone: (303) 514-9257
Address: 110 Gardner Dr, Longmont, CO 80504
Website:https://highlandbees.com/

Kilt Farm

Phone: (970) 846-6233
Address: 8140 Oxford Rd, Longmont, CO 80503
Website:https://www.kiltfarm.com/

Longmont Dairy Farm

Phone: 303-776-8466
Address: 920 Coffman St, Longmont, CO 80501
Website:https://longmontdairy.com/

Longmont Farmers Market

Address: 9595 Nelson Rd, Longmont, CO 80501
Website:https://www.colorado.com/longmont/longmont-farmers-market

Loukonen Farm

Phone: (303) 591-7848
Address: 10558 N Foothills Hwy, Longmont, CO

Lone Hawk Farm

Phone: (303) 776-8458
Address: 10790 N 49th St, Longmont, CO 80503
Website: http://www.lonehawkfarms.com

McCauley Family Farm

Phone: (303) 485-7688
Address: 9421 N 63rd St, Longmont, CO 80503

Ollin Farms

Phone: (303) 717-0586
Address: 8627 N 95th St, Longmont, CO 80504
Website: https://ollinfarms.com

Oxford Grove

Phone: (970) 219-7710
Address: 9595 Oxford Rd, Longmont, CO

Pachamama Farm

Phone: (716) 860-3594
Address: 10771 N 49th St, Longmont, CO
Website: https://pachamamafarm.org

Red Wagon Farm

Phone: (716) 860-3594
Address: 10771 N 49th St, Longmont, CO
Website: redwagonfarmboulder.com

Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch

Phone: (303) 684-0087
Address: 9059 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80503
Website: https://www.rockymtnpumpkinranch.com

Sky Pilot Farm

Phone: (970) 888-2263
Address: 10384 Airport Rd, Longmont, CO
Website: https://skypilotfarm.com

Speedwell Farm

Phone: (720) 253-2200
Address: 8104 N 63rd St, Longmont, CO 80503
Website:www.speedwellfarmandgardens.com

Sprout City Farms

Phone: (720) 295-3217
Address: 8102 N 95th St, Longmont, CO 80504
Website:sproutcityfarms.org/

Stonebridge Farm

Phone: (303) 823-0975
Address: 5169 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80503
Website: http://stonebridgefarmcsa.com

Table Fare Farm

Phone: (303) 552-5822
Address: 2669 9th Ave, Longmont, CO
Website: https://tablefarefarm.com

Tree Farm

Phone: (303) 652-2961
Address: 11868 Mineral Rd, Longmont, CO 80504
Website: www.thetreefarm.com

Vermillion Hill Farms

Phone: (720) 204-2939
Address: 9202 Vermillion Rd, Longmont, CO 80503
Website: vermillionhill.com

Wozani Farm

Phone: (303) 709-5675
Address: 5906 Godding Hollow Pkwy, Longmont, CO 80504
Website:www.wozanifarm.com

YA YA Farm & Orchard

Phone: (303) 485-5585
Address: 6914 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80503
Website: http://www.yayafarmandorchard.com

YA YA Farm & Orchard

Phone: (303) 485-5585
Address: 6914 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80503
Website: http://www.yayafarmandorchard.com

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Erie

Anderson Farms

Phone: (303) 828-5210
Address: 6728 County Rd 3 1/4, Erie, CO 80516
Website: https://andersonfarms.com/

Layer Farm

Phone: (303) 618-3385
Address: 6069 County Rd 5, Erie, CO

Lil Buckaroo’s Farm

Phone: (303) 870-5106
Address: 4738 County Rd 5, Erie, CO 80516

Pittenweem Farm

Phone: (720) 482-0068
Address: 12134 Jasper Rd, Erie, CO 80516

Plane View Farms

Phone: (303) 532-9381
Address: 4738 County Rd 5, Erie, CO 80516

Real Farmers Market Erie

Phone: (303) 902-2451
Address: Briggs St, Erie, CO 80516
Website: https://realfarmersmarketco.com

Strawberry Field Farms

Phone: (720) 202-5091
Address: 12657 Jay Rd, Erie, CO

Zeta Acres

Phone: (303) 881-4142
Address: 3235 Holly St, Erie, CO 80516

---

Lafayette

Acres of Opportunity

Phone: (303) 500-6671
Address: 4338 N 109th St, Lafayette, CO

Friends Farm

Phone: (757) 971-3416
Address: 3525 Nyland Way, Lafayette, CO 80026
Website: https://www.friendsfarm.org

Mounting Miracles Ranch

Phone: (720) 971-0569
Address: 11051 Jasper Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

Red Wagon Farm

Phone: (303) 941-0742
Address: 1640 W Baseline Rd, Lafayette, CO
Website: https://redwagonorganicfarm.com

Schwartz Farm, LLC

Address: 10503 Isabelle Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

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Louisville

7th Generation Farm

Phone: (720) 499-8199
Address: 1536 Courtesy Rd, Louisville, CO 80027
Website: http://www.7thgenerationfarm.com

Fantasy Orchids

Phone: (303) 666-5432
Address: 830 W Cherry St, Louisville, CO 80027

Three Leaf Concepts

Phone: (720) 334-4724
Address: 808 Main St, Louisville, CO 80027

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Lyons

Blue Mountain Ranch

Phone: (303) 823-9220
Address: 2701 County Rd 37E, Lyons, CO 80540

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Other Locations

Ela Family Farm (Hotchkiss)

Phone: (970) 872-3488
Address: 30753 L Rd, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Website: https://elafamilyfarms.com

Angelas Chikens (Frederick)

Phone:(970) 308-5860
Website: https://angelaschickens.square.site/ 
Address: 13912 County Rd 19, Platteville, CO 80651

Miller Farms & Corn Maze (Platteville)

Phone: (970) 396-6598
Address: 13912 County Rd 19, Platteville, CO 80651

Palizzi Farm (Brighton)

Address: 15380 E Bromley Ln, Brighton, CO 80601

Palisade Park Amphitheater (Broomfeild)

Phone:(303) 226-5300
Website: https://www.palisadeparkamphitheater.com/
Address: 680 W 168th Pl, Broomfield, CO 80023

Rock Creek Farm (Broomfield)

Phone: (303) 466-9565
Address: 2005 W 112th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80020
Website: https://rockcreekfarm.com

Orchard Farmers Market (Westminster)

Phone: (720) 515-0431
Address: 14535 Delaware St, Westminster, CO 80023
Website: https://orchardfarmersmarket.com

Broomfield Farmers Market at Holy Comforter (Broomfield)

Phone: (303) 466-2667
Address: 1700 W 10th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80020
Website: https://www.holycomforterchurch.net/broomfield-farmers-market-ministry