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

Peaks Season

SIMONE MASSONI

Uncommon Threads

’TIS THE SEASON • Farmers’ markets aren’t just for, well, farmers. Artisans of all kinds flock to the dozens of bazaars that pepper the Front Range when the weather finally starts to warm. As market season gets underway this month, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite vendors whose goods won’t end up on your fork.

Dual Threat • Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) employees have a nickname for their workplace: Bear Lake Road National Park. That’s because most guests spend their time visiting that 9.2-mile thoroughfare’s campsites, trails, and picnic areas—and ignore the rest of the 415-square-mile playground. So to better manage crowds, RMNP’s timed-entry reservations, which are required for anyone visiting during peak hours between May 24 and mid-October, now come in two versions: one that includes the Bear Lake Road Corridor and one that doesn’t. With permits on sale in rolling monthly batches starting May 1 (check online for specific dates and times; book through recreation.gov), we put together a guide to help you find the adventure zone that’s right for you.

Not Forgotten • After a half-century, the Los Seis de Boulder bombings remain an open wound for Colorado’s Chicano community.

East Meets South Federal • After fleeing postwar Vietnam in 1975, the Luong family transformed a Westwood trailer park into the Far East Center. Nearly 50 years later, in January, the 2.5-acre shopping plaza was added to the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.

Makeover Magnifico

Kampai! • In Japan, izakayas are pubs where cheap drinks are paired with no-nonsense nibbles such as yakitori or sashimi. Although several self-proclaimed izakayas have opened on the Front Range in the past year, they stray from the traditional model by offering larger, more refined portions of Japanese or pan-Asian fare. Here’s why they’re still worthy of the label—and your patronage.

A Tale Of Two Cuisines • While the namesake fare at Le French’s newest location can hit or miss, the West African dishes are always delicious.

TRÈS BIEN • Denverites are saying bonjour to several new or revamped French eateries. Here, three to satisfy your cravings.

Where The Crawdads Still Sing • In 2023, state officials cracked down on red swamp crawfish to protect native species—then changed the rules. Are the new regulations working?

HOME AWAY FROM HOME • HOW TO MAKE YOUR DREAM OF OWNING A COLORADO MOUNTAIN PROPERTY A REALITY.

GETTING A DSCR LOAN

Buying In The Mountains First • When they couldn’t afford to own in their ideal Denver neighborhood, two transplants decided to get a place up the hill instead—and soon made Granby their full-time residence.

Splitting A Ski House • A Colorado Springs real estate agent capitalized on an opportunity to go in with neighbors on a trailside duplex in Breckenridge.

PIECE BY PIECE • How co-ownership marketplace Pacaso is changing the vacation home landscape for luxury buyers in Colorado—and boosting local economies, too.

FORMING AN LLC

ROADS LESS TRAVELED • For most Coloradans, a vacation home near the beloved slopes along I-70 is a budget-breaking nonstarter. “There’s still a huge demand for Summit County homes, but that demand diminishes when we talk about prices,” says James Carlson, who co-owns Denver-based Erin & James Real Estate with his wife, Erin Spradlin. According to Carlson, these four mountain towns, accessible via other major corridors, have prices that are more likely to be...