Best of the West 2026

Meeting Clarifies Changes to Boulder Police Oversight Panel

Recently, the City of Boulder moved to narrow the scope of the Police Oversight Panel’s work, a decision that has drawn pushback from panel members and residents who say it weakens civilian oversight of police misconduct, particularly in cases involving use of force and allegations of discrimination. Under the change, the police monitor, not the 11-member civilian panel, now has greater...

Notes of Dissent Marching Band wants you to join them

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...

No homework needed: “Gin & Gothic: A Brontë Rocktale” Returns In New, Interactive Venue

Any public school-attending high schooler has likely read works by the Brontë sisters, but you haven’t met them like this. Award-winning theatre group, Band of Toughs (BoTs), returns on January 16th with “Gin & Gothic: A Brontë Rocktale” to delve into the lives (and afterlives) of the Brontë family at Altona Grange in Longmont. “You don’t need to know anything about the...

Spotlight: Sean Daley of Atmosphere talks about the Human Condition

From the Basement Up: Slug on Art, Grief, and Home “I'm sitting in a basement in South Minneapolis right now, the day after an event [the murder of Renee Good], and it's, uh, it's really a... interesting time to try to promote anything. But I'm gonna do my best. I'm gonna meet you where you meet me.” Sean Daley, otherwise known as Slug, the lyrical half of the group Atmosphere, has been...

The Evolution of the Colorado Cowboy

Colorado's Wild Roots are Growing Towards Inclusion Cowboy hats, belt buckles, leather, and spurs, the bleachers of the Denver Coliseum give a taste of Colorado’s Wild West history. Booming voices welcome us to the 120th National Western Stock Show as the people settle. The dusty track before us, the nucleus of our attention, explodes with streams of sparklers and flooding fireworks before we...

Best of the West 2026

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...

Taste of the Month: West Side Tavern with Wes Isbutt

I last caught up with Wes Isbutt, owner of West Side Tavern in Longmont, in August 2025 for our Indulgences issue. Wes—a four-time restaurant owner with 26 years of experience from living in Las Vegas—is full of anecdotes and insights. So if anyone has an idea of “the Taste of the Month,” it’s him. When we sit down together, this time on an unusually warm night in January, I ask him...

Front Range Foodie: Apres

Crosscut Pizzeria & Taphouse I can’t imagine a better spot for a post-ski beer and pizza than Crosscut. This is one of my favorite places to take friends from out of town. If you find yourself coming off Eldora after 3 pm, stop into this cozy corner of Nederland. Crosscut is an underrated option; it’s up there and smaller space-wise, but once you smell the wood-fired pizza and sit back...

Shift Meal: Huevos Rancheros at The Huckleberry

Tucked into a sunny corner of downtown Louisville, The Huckleberry feels like the kind of place you stumble into once and then quietly start planning your life around. Part bakery, part teahouse, part coffee shop, and fully committed breakfast haven, it balances small-town farm charm with the hum of a well-loved neighborhood staple. It’s cozy without being precious, welcoming without trying too...

In the Cups: Young at Heart: Eat, Drink, and Play your Way Through Winter

When winter keeps you indoors, the best nights out are the ones that pair solid drinks with something to do. Around Boulder County, several bars are blending cocktails, beer, and built-in activities that make staying out late feel effortless—and fun. Coal Creek Bowling Alley in Lafayette is a classic choice for drinks with movement. Alongside bowling lanes and frequent live music, the bar...

Month In Review | February 2026

[ Boulder County ] •Presbyterian Manor is planning a major expansion next to its venerable 11-story tower on Arapahoe Avenue, directly across the street from the Boulder Public Library’s main branch. However, the over 50-year-old area is up for historic preservation protection, sparking a city-wide debate. •The City of Boulder has joined a national program to explore the potential of...

Nelsons Corner: What on Earth?

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. Why on Earth do we continue allowing a convicted felon, narcissist, sociopath, and serial liar to serve as president of our rapidly...

Editors Note: A Word from Our Staff

I remember graduating from elementary school, the pompous day of activities, pictures, and celebration seemed to be the biggest milestone. Funny how perspective changes. I always looked up to my mother; her tireless work ethic, long days, and stressful decisions made her a superhero in my eyes. She is still one of my positive inspirations and an example of how to be a great person. That...