Vroom Vroom, Car Shows for the July 4th Weekend

Hard to believe it is already July, where has the summer gone? I’m sure you are all getting ready to do fun activities this July 4th weekend from a backyard bbq to heading downtown to watch the great fireworks or maybe packing up the kids and heading on a little mountain road trip. There is so much to do this weekend and I know my husband and my daughter and I are excited for some particular events that have to do with old cars, a love all of us share. My husband and I have been avid car show attendees for years now, as admirers of other people’s automobiles and as displayers of some of our own antique car models. I know we are not the only people who enjoy these car shows, young and old alike take to these events and so I have prepared a list of some great shows to check out over this holiday weekend:

Cruise Loveland – every Friday night in Loveland from May through September, come cruise the streets in your beautiful car!

 Red, White and Vroom Car Show – 8:00am – 3:00pm - showcasing classic and exotic cars from all over the world on July 4th.

Cars & Coffee (Weather Permitting) – 8:00am – 10:00am - if you are one who likes a wide range of cars from Ferraris to Corvettes to Classic muscle cars, this is the event for you. If the weather is nice come out and enjoy the line-up of exotic cars sure to put a smile on any car lovers face.

Very Fine Wheels Car Show – 8:00am – 1:00pm – held at VFW Post 4171, all the proceeds from this show go to help local veterans and with limited space available, pre-registration is recommended.

18th Annual ‘Coolest Car Show’ – 10:00am – 4:00pm – this is an event for the whole family so bring everyone! Check-in time is from 8am-9:30am with an entry fee of $30, all registrants receive goodie bags and dash plaques. With an option to display your car indoors or outdoors, admission is only $5 per adult and $2 per child or $10 for the whole family. Live music, children’s activities, a raffle and silent auction accommodate this fun show!

Take the family and your favorite classic car and make sure to catch one of these great shows this weekend! And if it is time to find a new place to park your car, maybe a new three-car-garage, shoot me an e-mail or give me a call. I know it is important to have a place to park your baby and would love to help you start searching for that next spot for you!

Have a safe and happy 4th everyone!

Best Parks & Open Spaces to take your Furry Companion

City living in Denver really has some amazing perks wouldn’t you agree? Being able to walk everywhere, wonderful coffee shops in every neighborhood, parks that are easy to bike to, and the ability to be in the busyness of a city while not feeling too smothered. There is one issue though for many homeowners when they are looking to move in and around the city, does the area in which they are looking have a good place for their dog-friend?

Denver is renowned for their love of dogs as a whole city, we love those fur balls who keep active and are constant companions we can always count on. It is difficult sometimes to find spaces in and around the city for our special friends to be able to really enjoy themselves. Luckily, there are many dog parks and open space areas that cater to this very need. While I would recommend looking for a house with a yard, the great thing about Denver is there are areas for all dogs an easy hop, skip, or short car ride away.  Below I have compiled a list of the top-5 dog parks/open space in and around the city for you to take your hairy friend for a bit of a run and a play with other pups.

1.    Elk Meadow Open Space – The park is LARGE with two fenced-in areas and numerous amounts of open space for your dog to run and play. This space is not just for Lucky though, it has beautiful trails to take the family hiking on as well with trees, numerous trails and freshwater streams. There is no entrance fee the only thing is from downtown it is about a 35 minute drive but trust me, it’s worth the drive for you and your loved dog.

2.    Stapleton Dog Park – This park is a little different from the average dog park and it more like taking Fido for a day at the beach. Compiled of mostly sand with plenty of water fountains to keep all the pups cool and hydrated, this place is also free. Very easy to get to from anywhere in Denver, it is a popular spot so take care if your dog is shy or timid or aggressive because he/she will have many playmates.

3.    Cherry Creek State Park – Spanning over 125 acres, this big park has lots of rivers and open water, fields and even a sandy beach making for a great time for owner and pup. Because it is located within a state park, the dog park is kept very nice with bathrooms, paved roads, trashcans and of course doggy bag stations. It has been called “Doggy Disneyworld” by park-goers and there is a small price to pay, either $2 per/day or $20/annually.

4.    Glendale Farms Dog Park – IF your dog likes a little fun in their life this might be the park to take them to because there is an agility course for them to conquer. There are also on-leash trails around the park so after playtime, you and your dog can take a nice stroll. It is free but has grown in popularity and lost a bit of vegetation so can be muddy at times if it has been raining or snowing a lot.

5.    Chatfield State Park Dog Park – Chatfield is one of the bigger parks as well with over 69 acres of varied terrain. Another dog park well-kept due to being park of the state park. Like Cherry Creek, there is a fee of $8 to get into the park and then $2 for the off-leash dog park. It is also a little bit of a drive but totally worth it.

 Whether you have a house with a yard or not, changing it up and taking your dog to a fun park for them to really stretch their legs and play is important, you want your furry friend to be happy! If you are looking to find a house with a yard or looking for a more urban pad close dog friendly areas, make sure to give me a call this summer so I can help you, and Lassie, find the home of your dreams.

Keep Yourself Cool This Summer

Well, summer weather is officially upon and minus the crazy days of hail and dramatic thunderstorms, the sun and warm times have found their way to Denver and I would say, bring on the summer fun! As you and the family get ready to enjoy this warm weather, I would remind you to take precautions when being out in the sun for long periods of time and have compiled a list of ways to stay hydrated whether you are enjoying a Rockies baseball game or a day of exploring in the mountains, we live in one dry climate and on top of the heat, it’s important to keep yourself hydrated!

• Who says that you have to drink your hydration? A summer favorite fruit, watermelon, is one of the best thirst quenchers in the book. The fruit is made up of 92% water mixed with salt, calcium and a bit of magnesium making this ideal for rehydration. Also if you are more of the veggie type, celery is a good choice because the stalks are 95% water and its packed full of fiber and minerals.
• Sometimes we just don’t want to drink water, understandable, so throw in a few other beverages such as milk (studies show it is better than both water and sports drinks for rehydration and recovery after exercise). Smoothies are both refreshing and nutritionally packed, a bonus!
• Drink water until you feel like a fish, not really, but as humans we need a lot of water on the daily and many of us barely get even close to the right amount. For women, it’s around 11 cups a day and for men it’s around 15 cups a day but remember, that includes 20% from food intake.
• We all love a good cocktail on a sunny patio somewhere in Denver, who doesn’t? But be careful while consuming alcoholic beverages which lead to additional fluid loss. For every alcoholic beverage you consume, make sure to have one non-alcoholic beverage, and always drink in moderation.

Besides staying hydrated it is also important to stay cool and below are a few great pools to head to with the family:

• Denver Parks and Recreation has 13 indoor pools and 16 outdoor pools, because summer is when outdoor opens, make sure to take advantage of the ones listed:
  • Outdoor: Aztlan , Green Valley Ranch, Barnum Park, Harvey Park, Berkeley Park, Harvard Gulch, Congress Park, La Alma/Lincoln, Cook Park, Mestizo-Curtis Park, Eisenhower, Ruby Hill, Garfield Park, Southwest, Globeville Argo, Swansea

Maybe you would like to have the comfort of a pool in your own backyard? If that is the case and you are thinking it may be time to look for a new house with such pool, give me a call today and let’s grab some hydrating drinks and discuss what exactly you are looking for.

Photo by ivanastar/iStock / Getty Images

10 Breweries & Tap Rooms to visit in Colorado

Colorado is known for many things, 300+ sunny days a year, outdoor adventures right our your back door, and the many beautiful cities and towns. One thing Colorado is also renowned for is the amount of craft brew pubs and tap rooms located throughout the state. In Denver alone there are over 100 breweries, 33 found here in the city limits. The city is gathering the reputation for being the Napa Valley of Beers which is not a problem for all of the breweries and tap rooms looking to open in Denver and the surrounding areas.

So the question is, how do you choose where to go with all these wonderful brewery and tap room selections to choose from? I have compiled a list of ten places to go in Denver and surrounding areas where you can quench your thirst on any hot summer day or evening:

1.    Rock Bottom Brewery – Englewood, CO - These guys believe the best beer is the freshest beer so everything is crafter onsite by dedicated brewmasters.

2.    Breckenridge Brewery – Denver, CO - Like many brewpubs, Breckenridge started off in a home brewer’s basement. With three locations in Colorado, this is a favorite of many Coloradoans. 

3.    Great Divide Brewery Tap Room – Denver, CO - This brewery has racked up more awards than you can count on your hands and feet combined. A favorite visit destination for beer lovers worldwide, this brewery is a great spot to see Denver’s beautiful skyline.

4.    New Belgium Brewing Company – Fort Collins, CO - Founded in 1991, New Belgium has been an absolute favorite with its signature fat tire. In the summer you can head up to FoCo and take a little bike brewery tour where you are sure to make a stop at New Belgium.

5.    Avery Brewing Company – Boulder, CO - Founded by entrepreneur Adam Avery in 1993, Avery Brewing was created at the right time in the brewing market and continues to impress beer drinkers to this day.

6.    Dry Dock Brewing Co. – Aurora, CO - The two owners of this brewery did the best thing they could for the home-brew store, they built an actual brewery to go with it and have been winning awards ever since.

7.    Oskar Blues Brewery – Longmont, CO - The thing that is unique about Oskar Blues is that they decided to put everything, yes all of their beers, into cans instead of glasses. All of their beers can be found in resealable aluminum containers or in cans, makes it easy to take home and enjoy!

8.    Steamworks Brewing Co. – Durango, CO - Known for their German-style beers, this favorite hangout in Durango is a place you can find many locals enjoying their cold ones.

9.    Denver Beer Co. – Denver, CO - Located in the booming Riverfront neighborhood, this taproom has an outdoor patio where you can always find friends and families gathering.

10. Vine Street Tavern – Denver, CO - Sister brewery to the Mountain Sun and Southern Sun in Boulder, Vine Street has won medals across the globe including six gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival.

It doesn’t matter where you are in Colorado, there are always good beers right around the corner. And if you are considering your own brewing adventures and are looking for a great space to let your dream grow, I have an amazing space located in Brighton Colorado that is just dying to be filled. If that interests you feel free to give me a call today and I can tell you more about this special location where you could being to brew the new great American beer!

Photo by Rike_/iStock / Getty Images

Just Listed! Stunning Penthouse Loft Designed by The Zeppelin Group - 1050 Cherokee #401

There’s something to said about living in an area of Denver with so much history. The area called ‘The Golden Triangle’ located in the Civic Center neighborhood is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Denver with many bungalows and single family homes being built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Starting in the 1990s, due to the ever-growing Civic Center area in both residential homes and governmental buildings, not to mention the Central Library, the neighborhood began transforming into a fully functional neighborhood with the addition of new condominium and loft developments. There were many old supply buildings, vacant lots and garages in the area that were taken and transformed into beautiful living and working environments.

I have the pleasure of listing one such unit in the Golden Triangle area at the Grand Cherokee Lofts. Built back in 1998 by the renowned Zeppelin Group located in Denver, these beautiful one-of-a-kind lofts were developed from a vacant lot up. Made up of a bottom level with three stories of 36 lofts above, these beautiful lofts residences are home to an art gallery, a graphic design business and of course, all the wonderful residents who live there.

These units do not come on the market often because people love the building and love the area. So when I got the call about to help list one of the Grand Cherokee units, I jumped at the chance to help someone find this beautiful gem to call their own.

Unit #401 is 1529 Sqft with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms overlooking mountain and city line views. It's two levels and offers ample light, ultra tall ceilings with huge windows, 2 parking spaces plus a storage locker and updated bathrooms (always a bonus!). The unit has an industrial feel to it mixed with the softness of the wood floors and warm painted walls.

Sound like something you would be interested in? Then make sure to give me a call at 303.408.2600 today so we can set up a time for you to tour this stunning unit that is sure to not be on the market long.

Finding the perfect neighborhood is key, finding the best home is ideal, and finding the two together? Well, you just can’t ask for much more than that.