5280 Magazine

Founded in 1993, 5280 is the largest local magazine in Colorado. The magazine's stories often make national headlines, and since 2005 5280 has been nominated for four National Magazine Awards. Get 5280 Magazine digital subscription today.

5280 Magazine

Neon Deion

Play Grounds

Go Westy • Let’s be honest: Westminster has long struggled to establish a palpable identity due to its sprawling retail centers and copy-pasted neighborhoods. But thanks to its affordability and diverse population (relative to its neighbors), the city has become a haven for unique small businesses and art-focused attractions.

When Toads Cry • How Prince-loving scientists are attempting to save one of Colorado’s rarest amphibians.

Loud & Proud

A League Of Their Own • A Denverite has helped create a new competition to get Americans excited about bike racing. But will the multimillion-dollar gamble catch on with sports fans?

Bright Bites

Built To Last • My Brother’s Bar has been satiating Denverites’ appetites for reliable pub grub and stiff drinks since long before other beloved local dives entered the scene. Much of the signless LoHi bar’s 150-year history is blurry, but its icon status is clear. To celebrate one of the Mile High City’s oldest watering holes, we asked current owners Danny, Dave, and Paula Newman to fill us in on its quirkiest lore.

Hitting The Trifecta • Stella’s Cucina in Boulder isn’t just a speakeasy or an Italian restaurant or a late-night hangout—it’s all three.

SALUTI • From brunch bubbles to predinner drinks, Stella’s Cucina has cocktails for various times of day. We tapped beverage director James Cimino to break down three options that pair well with Italian cuisine, all available at the restaurant right now.

Give & Take • How a new law and novel technologies have converged to make Colorado the state of choice for high-tech co-ops.

Sail Away • Despite the fact that you’ll never lose sight of land, there is a surprisingly robust sailing community in the Centennial State. Before you hoist your anchor, though, you’ll want to learn the ropes—er, lines—using this beginner’s guide to sailing in Colorado.

MISTAKE 1 BUYING FIRST (WITHOUT DOING THE RESEARCH) • I approached purchasing a sailboat like Elon Musk approached buying Twitter: I thought it would be cool, but I had no idea how the thing actually worked. I’m happy with the boat I brought home, but I got lucky. I should have looked into what models would work best for Colorado’s small lakes and ever-changing winds. Here, a primer on beginner vessels for those who should probably rent first (see Mistake 4) but may share my lack of impulse control.

MISTAKE 2 NOT LEARNING THE LINGO • From shipshape to loose cannon, plenty of nautical terms have made their ways into our everyday vernacular, but their original meanings are often lost in translation. Knowing a few key terms will help you communicate on and off the water.

MISTAKE 3 NOT LOOKING AT A MAP • Just minutes after buying my vessel, I began worrying that having a sailboat in Colorado might be like owning a snowmobile in Texas. It took some research to learn which local lakes allowed sailboats and which had boat ramps, but I eventually found places to catch the wind across the state. Colorado has plenty of sailable water, but these 11 lakes and reservoirs, featuring marinas, public boat ramps, and large communities of mariners, stand out as local favorites.

MISTAKE 4 NOT RENTING FIRST

MISTAKE 5 GOING IT ALONE • Plenty of people learn the way I did: with help from Sailing For Dummies, YouTube, and advice from knowledgeable friends. Then again, plenty of people embarrass themselves the way I did, too. And once you’ve capsized and been forced to swim after your sandals, you’ll wish...