Jeffco Crew #008 - Ski Joring, Precious Minerals and Loved Bakeries
Good morning, and welcome to the 8th edition of Jeffco Crew!
❤️ Personal Note
Last week I shortened the email and added a dedicated events page, which we'll continue for now - everyone who responded felt this was easier to "use". I'd imagine your inboxes are happier too.
Finally, I'm working on some very fun stuff for the Crew - in-person meetups, member discounts, and more. If you're a local business or brand, let's chat!
🏡 Looky Loo
Per member requests, I'm bringing back the thing where I poke around our local real estate market to highlight fun finds - great deals, astronomical mansions or killer mountain cabins.
This week we've got a 3BD 2.5BA 2400sq ft home on a full acre with spectacular views, set up in the Genessee hills. Check this thing out - for less than $1m. A million isn't a small number but I am a little surprised it's not more.
And check out this off-grid cabin in Jefferson, just outside Jeffco (tongue twister that) for $280k on a full 2 acre lot. It's a beautiful A-frame in Lost Park Ranch with exclusive fishing rights to Tarryall Fishing Club, and the property borders the expansive Lost Creek Wilderness.
🧠 Tips from ya'll
Last week I asked what your favorite local bakeries are - prompted by reader Jayden. And boy did you all have some favorites - I got so many suggestions!
Rachel, Sarah, Sam, Nikki, Laura & PBL suggested Get Rights in Wheat Ridge - they also sell plants and the owner couple are wonderful storytellers. Sarah added, "love their Salted Maple Cinnamon Bun (made with croissant dough)."
Laura added "If you’re looking for cinnamon rolls, Mr. Biscuits is amazing."
Sam also loves Black Box over in Edgewater.
PBL also points to Dolce Sicilia Italian Bakery. Stephanie concurs on DSIB, and adds "Rheinlander Bakery in Olde Town Arvada. A great variety of pastries, desserts, gluten-free options, and coffee. So good!"
Kat, Karolina & Ann dig Golden's Grateful Bread. Karolina noted "try their dark chocolate almond croissant and the rosemary sea salt sourdough. Heaven on earth baked goods!"
Colette drops a Littleton fave, Waive the Grain, which is very allergy friendly. I'll note my own recent favorite, Allergy Free Baking Company, which is allergy-free top to bottom (and delicious).
Jeanie says, "Gold Mine Cupcakes in Golden! They have regular size and minis, and always have a gluten free and vegan option. Yummy and wonderful staff." Annie seconds Gold Mine, adding "they have pup cups!"
Elizabeth offers, "The Bread Lounge in Evergreen. Truly, the best sourdough outside of Paris and their baked goods are over the moon delicious." They also serve cocktails, because why not?
And finally... Cynthia, Nikki, Mary, Phil, Paola & Julie love Taste of Denmark in Lakewood, which I'm dying to try. That's a lot of love from the Crew.
For next week - shoot me your specialty grocer faves! Where do you get quality fish, meat, veggies or ethnic foods?
I cook a ton, so I'd love to widen my sourcing.
💫 Featured Events
A few events worth noting.
🏇🏻 ⛷️ 77th Leadville Ski Joring
I'll never forget when I found out this existed. I'm super bummed to miss this year, as I've never been. Ski Joring is a competition where a horse and rider pull a skier at a fast pace through a course that has gates, jumps and rings. It is truly insane to watch and I must see it live. The rider's outfits alone are spectacular. Here is the schedule - please report back if you attend!
💎 DGMG Jewelry Gem & Mineral Show
This is totally free and fun for the whole family, especially young kiddos who (inexplicably!) love rocks and gems. The 60th annual event runs Friday through Sunday at Jeffco Fairgrounds, with all kind of activities and features including a Bat Cave (Fluorescent Room) to see rocks that glow in the dark.
🖼️ Call for Artists
The Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway opened their Call for Artists, deadline is April 1, 2025. They are seeking up to 20 artists to create public artworks celebrating Colorado’s rich cultural, civic, and industrial heritage. With a budget of up to $2 million, this is a major opportunity to contribute to a lasting public art installation in Denver - if we have any artists in the crew they should apply!
🌳 Annual Tree Sales
You lucky Lakewood residents can affordably green up your yard. The annual tree sale starts Monday, March 3rd, offering a variety of beautiful species at discounted prices ($25 each, limit 3). You need to pre-purchase so they have what you need, grab your trees on the Lakewood website. Golden has a similar sale ($85/tree).
🤠 Buffalo Bill's 179th Birthday
In honor of infamous Buffalo Bill's 179th birthday, the Buffalo Bill Museum is free for everyone on Wednesday, February 26, a nonticketed event and reservations are not required. Stop by for free entry to the museum, a birthday craft, and fun handout at check-in.
🗓️ Upcoming Things to Do
Send me feedback, events or ideas!
Tuesday 2/25
7pm / Jack's Bar & Grill (Arvada) - 🤣 Joke's at Jacks, Colorado's best nationally touring comics perform.
Wednesday 2/26
8:30 - 9:30am / Cafe 13 (Golden) - 📚 Golden Women in Business Book Club, prospective members welcome. book discussed is Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.
4 - 5pm / Jeffco Library (Lakewood) - 🎨 Senufo-Inspired Mud Paintings: A Celebration, a hands-on workshop diving into textile art & earthen pigment painting, inspired by the stunning patterns & natural hues of the Senufo.
6pm / Marmalade Lounge (Arvada) - 🎶 Live music w/ Sashiboom
6 - 9pm / Old 121 Brewhouse (Lakewood) - 🚙 Mario Kart League Kickoff, free to play and open to 16 racers (first come, first serve), lots more info here.
Thursday 2/27
4 - 5:30pm / Morris & Mae (Golden) - 📈 Startup Happy Hour, celebrating local innovation over drinks & great conversation.
6 - 8pm / Colorado Tap House (Arvada) - 🍺 Crafting on Tap: Needle Felt Your Pet, an artsy evening of felt and fun.
Friday 2/28
7pm / Buffalo Rose (Golden) - 🎶 Live music w/ Paizley Park, the notorious Prince cover band.
10pm - Midnight / Ballmer Peak Distillery (Lakewood) - 🕺 70's Night, boogie down after hours @ Green Mountain tasting room - tickets include first drink.
Saturday 3/1
10am - 1pm / Foothills Art Center (Golden) - 🎨 Collage Workshop: It’s Hip to be Square, participants will choose 9 squares & alter them by 50% using additional paper, paint and added textures. Two sessions (3/15 as well).
10 - 11:30am / Lookout Mountain Preserve (Golden) - 🪨 Geology of Open Space Parks, discover the geology of our Open Space Parks via slides, rock samples, & fun question-and-answer sessions. Free, for 8+ yr olds w/ adults.
3 - 5pm / Rockland Community Church (Evergreen) - 🎻 Prelude to Spring Concert, from Evergreen's Chamber Orchestra, feat. Yumi Hwang-Williams, Principal Violinist of the Colorado Symphony, as soloist. Virtual tix available.
Sunday 3/2
1 - 3:30pm / Foothills Art Center (Golden) - 🎨 Let's Get Glazey, a 4-week pottery class begins to learn how to make your own pottery glazes and explore new ways of firing and finishing, taught by ceramic artist Judy Madison.
4 - 5pm / Jeffco Library (Edgewater) - 🌳 Rooting for Growth - Tree Care 101, a Horticulture Specialist from Jeffco teaches best practices, pruning techniques, common tree diseases and the best trees to plant in your landscape.
Monday 3/3
6pm / Cannonball Creek Brewing Co (Golden) - 🏃🏼♂️ Movement Monday Running Club, meet up for a run & celebrate with a beer when you're done - all skill levels welcome.
👋 That's a wrap
As always, don't hesitate to reply to these emails with suggestions, tips or requests.
Derek
