There’s a common misconception that the United States doesn’t manufacture much anymore. In reality, the country continues to out-manufacture China on a per capita basis, and domestic growth outpaced the global average for the first time in years in late 2022.
Colorado is a case in point. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that employment in Colorado’s manufacturing sector peaked in 1998 at 192,200 workers. That plummeted to 122,200 employees in 2010, but the state’s manufacturing workforce has steadily grown to surpass 150,000 as of late 2023.
With these dynamics front and center, this year’s “Made in Colorado” profiles illuminate 10 of the state’s pioneering manufacturers, makers of whiskey, satellites and just about everything in between. Today, we’re highlighting Distillery 291’s custom Colorado whisky.
A former fashion photographer, founder Michael Myers named Distillery 291 after legendary photographer Alfred Stieglitz’s gallery in New York.
Perhaps unsurprisingly for someone with his background, Myers takes a bold artisan approach with his whiskey. The distillery’s proprietary “El Paso County Process” saves some stillage from each batch for the next one.
Myers uses custom-fabricated stills that he designed himself and almost entirely Colorado-grown grain. He often bottles barrel-strength spirits that are in excess of 130 proof. And he finishes his whiskeys with charred aspen staves after the spirits age in American white oak barrels.
Myers says the still shape and choice of metal impart more unique flavor than anything else, calling the Colorado-grown aspen “a very slight note” that “adds a little spice, a little smoke and pushes caramel notes to maple.”
When he started distilling in a 300-square-foot basement in 2011, Myers used a 55-gallon drum for fermentation. A dozen years later, Distillery 291 has six 1,500-gallon fermentation tanks. The output has jumped from 60 gallons a month to 600 gallons a week.
Success hasn’t stifled creativity at Distillery 291. The E (for experimental) series tweaks recipes and aging, Bad Guy is a barrel-strength wheated bourbon, and the M series is aged in barrels that previously held whiskey and maple syrup, albeit not at the same time. “He puts his maple syrup in there for a few months and then harvests that, sends the barrels back to us and we put rye whiskey in there for four months or so and harvest that,” Myers explains. “It’s a really nice product.”
Since Colorado started allowing the sale of full-strength beer and wine in grocery stores, in-state sales have declined by about 30 percent, Myers says, but he forecasts a comeback. “We’re working on owning Colorado again,” he says. “We’re in the middle of an equity financing raise, so that we can 3X our production and probably 5X our sales revenue. We are excited about that. That’ll be over the next five years.”
Denver-based writer Eric Peterson is the author of Frommer’s Colorado, Frommer’s Montana & Wyoming, Frommer’s Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks and the Ramble series of guidebooks, featuring first-person travelogues covering everything from atomic landmarks in New Mexico to celebrity gone wrong in Hollywood. Peterson has also recently written about backpacking in Yosemite, cross-country skiing in Yellowstone and downhill skiing in Colorado for such publications as Denver’s Westword and The New York Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected].
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort at Remède Spa is recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent hotel spas. Rejuvenation and relaxation is assured with therapies like the spa’s CBD Healing Customized Massage and customized facials. Spa guests have complimentary access to all facilities, including the steam caves, oxygen lounge and confluence waterfall. The resort also features a heated outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center and three year-round hot tubs overlooking Aspen Mountain.
The Shade Salon, located in Carbondale in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, offers haircuts for men and women, hair coloring, lashes, facials, waxing, massages and more. The goal of Shade Salon’s team is for clients to walk out of the shop radiating confidence.
With seven locations in the Denver area spread from Parker to Broomfield, City Bark offers boarding, day care, grooming, puppy preschool and training. It also has a mobile app for convenient 24/7 booking and webcams at most of its locations so you can check in on your furry pal during the day.
A family-owned business with four groomers, JK Grooming Salon & Spa takes pride in working with geriatric or “troubled” clients that have been turned away by another groomer.
“Our philosophy for grooming is little restraint and lots of love,” says owner Julianne Krous, a former veterinary technician who has worked with animals all her life. “Your pet gets their own appointment so they get in and out as quickly as possible. While waiting to be picked up, pooches aren’t stuffed into a crate to await your arrival. They have a comfortable space to relax, take a nap, a drink of water or enjoy a spontaneous wrestling match.”
Based in Denver, The Perfect Petal is a full-service florist known for its floral decoration services for weddings, events, parties and more. Along with sales of flowers, wares and jewelry, the company offers plant classes on topics such as arrangement building and repotting.
Author Julie Nygard launched The Chocolate Therapist to introduce the extraordinary, all-natural chocolate that supports the research in her book, “The Chocolate Therapist: A User’s Guide to Extraordinary Health Benefits of Chocolate,” so it’s no surprise that she’s a daily consumer of the product herself.
Her Littleton store is a chocolate, wine and coffee shop with on-site chocolate production. Small batches of chocolate bars, patties and chocolate melt-aways are handcrafted with all-natural chocolate ingredients.
BreakAway Meetings adds value to events, celebrations and unexpected occasions by creating customized gift boxes delivered directly to recipients no matter where they’re located. The woman-owned, curated gift box company can take a special event to the next level with custom event boxes, employee appreciation packages and more.
Trice Jewelers’ Centennial store is the largest, full-service custom jewelry design shop in Colorado. The state-of-the-art shop is staffed with 10 of the industry’s most talented craftsmen, and the store offers a vast selection of engagement rings, wedding rings, diamond necklaces, pendants, bracelets, diamond stud and diamond hoop earrings, precious stones, and pearls, as well as gold and silver fashion jewelry and fine watches.
Artistic Custom Tailor can custom-fit a wedding dress, tailor a suit, alter shirt sleeves and pants to fall where they’re supposed to, and more. Customers report driving the extra distance to the Aurora shop because of the workmanship and individual attention they receive.
104.3 The Fan is the top sports-talk station in Denver, according to Neilson ratings, and it’s the city’s second-highest-rated talk station of any genre, behind only the Colorado Public Broadcasting station, KCFR News/Talk.
The Fan brings a captivating mix of ex-athletes and seasoned radio pros to the listening experience, with shows such as Schlereth & Evans, The Players’ Club, Stokley and Zach, The Drive, Denver Sports Tonight, and Terry Wickstrom Outdoors on the weekends.
The Dan Caplis Show airs weekdays 4-6 p.m. on Denver’s A.M. 630 KHOW. Caplis is a trial lawyer, and he welcomes spirited debates with listeners who call in. He’s been a popular conservative voice on Colorado airwaves for more than 25 years.
Brauchler is a former district attorney in one of Colorado’s biggest districts, an officer in the Colorado National Guard and political candidate. He is known for having prosecuted the Aurora Theater shooting and Columbine cases. The George Blauchler Show airs weekdays 6-10 a.m. on A.M. 710 KNUS
Deborah Flora is a filmmaker, producer and founder of Parents United America, a champion for parental rights and educational freedom. The Deborah Flora Show airs weekdays from 3-4 p.m. on A.M. 710 KNUS.
Located 170 miles west of Denver and 30 miles from Aspen, Carbondale boasts a vibrant arts and music community, while embracing its mining, ranching, skiing and resort identities. The town of roughly 6,500 people also has become an attractive place for businesses.
The early 1990s ushered in the most dramatic physical and socio-economic change to affect the Carbondale area since the decline of mining and oil shale, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce points out. The Roaring Fork Valley began to grow at an unprecedented rate, with the development of the Aspen Glen and River Valley Ranch neighborhoods.
Located in Lone Tree, about five miles south of Denver, Park Meadows is Colorado’s largest shopping mall, with 185 stores and restaurants, from athletic apparel stores to branded fashion retailers and dining.
The mall boasts 6,700 parking spaces, including 300 covered garage spaces, along with electric vehicle charging stations near the mall’s dining hall entrance.
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
Hailed by brewers and serious beer connoisseurs as the country’s premier gathering of its kind, the Great American Beer Festival celebrates its 40th year Sept. 21-23 at the Colorado Convention Center. The annual event is a festival, professional competition and cultural phenomenon, presenting the largest collection of U.S. beer in a public tasting event plus a private competition.
Tasting sessions allow attendees to tour America’s brewing landscape, one ounce at a time, with access to more than 2,000 different beers from 500 of the nation’s finest breweries.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s great music venues, Red Rocks in Morrison sits between towering sandstone rocks that bracket the stage to create a natural amphitheater. Meanwhile, concert-goers are treated to spectacular views of downtown Denver and the surrounding foothills.
Of the nearly 2,500 wooden carousels carved in the U.S. between 1885 and the 1930s, fewer than 150 are still in existence. One of the finest survivors can be found on the county fairgrounds in Burlington.
Kit Carson County Carousel also is the only antique carousel in the U.S. with its original paint on both the scenery panels and on the animals. The sixth of 74 carousels manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. between 1904 and 1933, the Kit County attraction is the only surviving menagerie (having other animals in addition to horses) carousel made by PTC. And it’s fully operational!
BEST ATTRACTION FOR IMPRESSING VISITORS TO THE WESTERN SLOPE
Located near the town of Fruita, Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau-and-canyon panorama. Visitors can experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive.
Reservations are not needed to enter the park, but they are recommended for camping.
Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass a spectacular range of mountain environments, from glistening alpine lakes to towering mountain peaks. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails and spectacular wildlife viewing. The most popular entrance is near Estes Park.
Park entrance fees range from a one-day-per person $15 for walk-ins and bicycles, $30 for a one-day vehicle pass, $35 for a seven-day vehicle pass, $70 for an annual Rocky Mountain National Park pass, or $80 for an annual pass valid at all U.S. national parks and federal lands. Passes can be purchased online at nps.gov.
Copper Mountain’s lift service allows riders of all fitness levels to enjoy the downhill thrill of riding without the usual toil of getting to the mountaintop. Rental bikes of all kinds are also available. The choices in riding terrain are just as varied: easy-riding lush meadows teeming with wildflowers; exhilarating singletracks; bridges over mountain streams, and more.
What better place to spend the day – after calling in sick (cough, cough). The Denver Zoo encompasses 84 acres on the edge of City Park and boasts more than 3,000 wild animals that enchant visitors while serving as ambassadors for their wild counterparts all over the world. The zoo’s award-winning education and outreach teams spark curiosity for learners of all ages.
The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online timed ticket reservations are required for entry.
Just an hour and a half drive from Denver, Buena Vista boasts the highest concentration of 14ers in the state and is a jumping-off point for a number of rafting options on the Arkansas River. It’s also home to experienced river-rafting guide services that offer numerous packages for rafting with varying degrees of difficulty and duration – from half-days to 10 days.
For ski-in, ski-out access, it doesn’t get any better than Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, conveniently located at the base of Peak 9 of the Breckenridge Ski Resort. There are also on-site rental shops, a lift-ticket office, retail shops and dining. In the summer, Beaver Run serves as a base camp for hiking, biking, fly fishing and outdoor adventures.
Located just 45 minutes from downtown Denver, Monarch Casino boasts more than 1,000 slot machines, 42 table games, additional high-stakes games and amenities for high rollers, and the new state-of-the-art Sportsbook Lounge where you can make straight wagers or bet on parlays, teasers, futures, prop bets and more.
Located in Cherry Hills Village, Glenmoor Country Club features an 18-hole Pete Dye championship golf course, restaurant, three bars, an expansive patio area, a 10-court tennis facility, fitness gym, kids’ activity room and outdoor playground, as well two swimming pools. Members enjoy a sense of community, spectacular cuisine, junior programs, and events throughout the year.
A day at Coors Field in downtown Denver is enjoyable no matter what, thanks largely to the cool nights and palatable summer days (compared to most cities), but also thanks to the stadium’s fan-friendly design that allows for easy walking around and a range of ticket prices, from behind home plate to the Rock Pile in center field, to accommodate most budgets. The stadium, which opened in 1995 and holds 50,000 people, was designed with fans in mind, and they show up no matter how the Rockies are doing. Indeed, in their 30-year history, the Rockies have never won the NL West title, yet they consistently rank among the top franchises in Major League Baseball for attendance.
Located in Golden, just 20 minutes from downtown Denver, Fossil Trace gives golfers a mountain course feel in an urban setting. The Jim Engh-designed course opened in the summer of 2003, and in its relatively short history, it has come to be considered one of the finest courses and golf experiences in Colorado.
There’s also a prehistoric flavor, as dinosaur footprints and other ancient creatures’ fossils are visible adjacent to the golf course’s 12th green.
The brainchild of RE/MAX Chairman and co-founder Dave Liniger, The Sanctuary was designed by award-winning architect Jim Engh and opened for play (for those lucky enough to get an invite) in 1996. The course in Castle Pines, south of Denver, occupies 220 stunning acres, and traffic is limited to 9,000 rounds per year, mostly for charity events, to preserve an ecosystem that black bears, bobcats and mountain lions also call home.
Sports wagering is legal in an increasing number of states, including Colorado. It’s fitting that DraftKings and FanDuel would tie for Best Online Sports Betting Platform. Both got started as fantasy sports sites, which most states considered activities of skill rather than chance (gambling). In Nov. 2016, the two companies reached an agreement to merge, but that was blocked by the Federal Trade Commission to prevent a potential monopoly, as the combined company would have controlled 90 percent of the market for daily fantasy sports. Now they’re the two biggest names in an increasingly accepted (and legal) online sports betting industry.
Like its rival DraftKings, FanDuel Sportsbook, currently available in 17 states, offers wagering on all major U.S. sports and betting formats that include spreads, money lines, NFL team odds, prop bets, single bets or same-game team parlays. “If you can dream it, you can (probably) bet it,” FanDuel says. All from your phone
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies is a 193-bed regional medical center in Loveland with a full spectrum of services and specializing in heart and trauma care.
The center has two intensive-care units, a birthing center and a special-care nursery, a medical nursing unit, a surgical nursing unit, and radiology and laboratory departments. The hospital is served by LifeLine, UCHealth’s emergency medical and critical care air transportation program.
Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. It serves 12.6 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care is focused on total health and guided by personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and caregivers.
Damiano Eye Consultants’ services include refractive and laser surgery, cataract surgery, corneal transplant surgery, glaucoma care and optics. With offices in Castle Rock and Littleton, the Damiano team offers the latest technologies available to diagnose and treat refractive errors, eye disease and injury.
Dr. Richard Damiano, the founder, is a renowned corneal and refractive surgeon. He has been a pioneer in advanced treatment technologies and is especially noted for his patented reading device that improves vision without the use of glasses.
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
Recognized as one of the country’s leading research universities among public institutions, CU Boulder offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs — in one of the most breathtaking settings to be found anywhere.
The university offers more than 4,300 academic courses across 150 fields of study. More than 7,000 degrees are awarded each year, the most of any university in Colorado. CU Boulder has been named a “Best Value” university every year since 2009 by The Princeton Review, and 87 percent of graduates are employed, in grad school or in the military within six months of graduation.
The Denver MBA focuses on core business challenges, not just core business courses. Every student receives customized, ongoing one-on-one and team coaching throughout the program. Small class sizes enable highly personalized instruction. Tuition includes a trip abroad to work with an international organization on one of its business problems.
Scholarships are available to accepted students, including a 50% scholarship for Colorado residents. More than 80% of students receive scholarships.
DU’s MBA program ranked as the top full-time MBA in Colorado by Bloomberg Businessweek (2022–2023) and ranked No. 10 in the country for Best Green MBA by the Princeton Review in 2023.
For executives who want to bolster their skills without career interruption, the EMBA program at CU Denver allows students to pursue their degree in the heart of the city while aligning with exceptional faculty and senior business executives from around the country.
Students in the EMBA program come from diverse backgrounds, functional areas and career stages, exposing the cohort to critical conversations and experiences. The knowledge, connections, and networking opportunities produce real-time impact on the careers of graduates and their organizations.
A new cohort for the executive MBA begins each August. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, meaning decisions are made as applications are completed.
The executive MBA program at DU’s Daniels College of Business is specifically tailored to the strengths and needs of professionals with 10 to 20 or more years of experience. It provides an integrated perspective to challenge students’ thinking and empower them to take the next step in their careers, whether that’s starting a venture, pivoting to a new industry or moving to a position of greater responsibility.
DU’s EMBA curriculum is dynamic, changing as necessary to meet the topic of the day, and customizable with a variety of short electives.
The Online MBA from Colorado State University’s College of Business has a positive reputation with Best of Colorado voters as a top executive degree. Top ranked in the U.S. and No. 16 worldwide for employability, the Online MBA teaches in-demand skills in leadership, innovation, finance, data analytics and using business for a better world. The 42-credit, 21-month program uses the latest online learning technology to deliver an immersive student experience and offers flexibility with a choice of five annual start dates.
Regis Jesuit is a Catholic college preparatory high school in Aurora serving grades nine through 12 and offering single-gender education by operating as two separate divisions. The school’s 1,700 students come from nearly 100 middle schools and more than 95 area zip codes. Half the students come from Catholic or independent schools; the other half come from public and charter schools.
Located in Denver’s City Park neighborhood, East opened in 1875 as Denver’s first high school and is one of the city’s four original high schools (the others are North, West and South). Though plagued by three highly publicized shootings at or near the school during the 2022-2023 school year, East has often been honored as one of America’s top high schools. Most recently it was ranked 23rd among Colorado high schools and 974th nationally by U.S. News “Best High Schools.”
Famous East High alumni are too numerous to name, but a few include actor Don Cheadle, former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, businessman and investor Robert Smith; singer Judy Collins, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire, and countless other high achievers.
PROCO360, a three-peat winner in this category, derives the “360” part of its name from the notion that “Coloradans tend to live life with a more multidimensional spirit,” explains podcast creator and host Dave Tabor.
Tabor keeps that spirit at a high level with episodes covering VC and other funding, inventions, business leadership, sales, startup success stories and other topics.
Beginning in 1989 as a humble 400-square-foot facility in Aspen, the gym created by renowned trainer Jean-Robert Barbette has steadily grown to more than 15,000 square feet, offering cutting edge equipment, personal training and a multitude of other features that have made Jean-Robert’s Gym synonymous with the health and fitness ethos of Aspen – and beyond.
Now with three locations – Aspen, Basalt and Glenwood Springs – Jean-Robert’s Gym offers personal and group training, spin classes, pilates, yoga and boxing as well as massages, steam rooms, hot tubs and more.
Alexis Goggans, founder and president of Be Bold Services, is a Certified Professional Coach, accredited by the International Coaching Federation. She’s also a certified Life, Career & Executive Coach, among her many other certifications and designations.
Goggans works with organizations, executives and other individuals, believing that human potential is limited only by the beliefs we place on ourselves. With a coaching style that is engaging, thought-provoking and playful, she brings more than 200 hours of training in self-development and systems thinking.
In 33 tours, the Courage Classic Bicycle Tour has raised more than $56 million for Children’s Hospital Colorado. Funds benefit patients and families served by the hospital and beyond.
This year’s event takes place the weekend of July 15-16. Route options for participants range from 12 to 79 miles through the Rocky Mountains, starting and ending in Copper Mountain.
Food Bank of the Rockies is the largest hunger-relief organization in the Rocky Mountain region. Since 1978, it has put the power of community to work for neighbors in need through partnerships, programs and people.
The organization distributes about 178,000 meals per day, providing food and necessities to more than 800 Hunger Relief Partners across Colorado and Wyoming. These partner organizations then provide their local communities with the needed food, necessities and support. Food Bank of the Rockies also operates its own direct programs, from Mobile Pantries to food-support programs for children, older adults and families facing difficult times.
Ranked by WalletHub as one of the top 30 cities in the U.S. to start a business, Colorado Springs has much to offer fledging entrepreneurs, including some of the state’s most affordable office space, spectacular mountains at the base of the city, and a comfortable four-season climate.
While Colorado Springs’ housing market has been hot as one would expect, housing remains affordable compared with many U.S. cities. The average work commute for locals is 20 minutes, compared with the 27-minute national average. For longer business travels, there’s Colorado Springs Airport, and Denver International Airport is just 90 minutes away under normal conditions.
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
Experts in the art of rugs for five generations, Isberian Rug Co. offers exceptional selection as well as master repair, cleaning and appraisal services.
Isberian’s experts are able to identify the origin, age, fibers, dyes, weaves and type of every rug that comes in for service. “It is critical that you have an extensive knowledge of rugs in order to know how to clean them correctly,” the company says. The Basalt-based business offers two rug-washing specials per year – one in the spring and another in the fall.
Green Care Cleaners in Highlands Ranch uses wet cleaning to keep the sharpest jackets, fanciest dresses, most delicate gowns, and nicest shirts clean — without harsh chemicals. The end result? The folks at Green Care Cleaners say clothes last longer, resist staining, feel softer and never have the chemical smell sometimes associated with traditional dry cleaning.
Green Care Cleaners combines 58 years of experience with EPA-approved, environmentally friendly methods to deliver stellar results for the same price as traditional dry cleaning.
Longmont-based Ward Electric Co. is a full-service, family-owned electrical contractor that has been meeting the electrical needs of customers since 2005. The company handles all aspects of power and services from its offices in Colorado, Iowa and Texas.
That expertise includes the growing electric-vehicle market and demand for charging capabilities. Ward Electric is ChargePoint certified, meaning it can not only install, but also purchase ChargePoint devices.
As a Denver company that’s been locally owned and operated since 2009, the Weather Changers has experience working in homes in LoDo, Park Hill, Virginia Village and surrounding areas, so they are able to recognize and address specific challenges they’ve likely encountered before.
Established in 1993, Kleen-Tech is equipped to clean everything from high-rise offices, multi-tenant properties, retail facilities to corporate campuses. The Denver-based company provides custodial services across more than 24-million square feet of commercial and government facilities for long term customers throughout the U.S. That includes close monitoring of resources, labor, training and re-engineering as needed to maintain clients’ changing requirements, while ensuring its practices meet the facility service industry’s highest standards.
Longmont-based Ward’s Lawn Service excels in landscape and lawn care for both commercial and residential clients, from regular cutting to sprinkler systems to holiday lights. Family and locally owned and in business for more than 20 years, Ward’s also offers commercial snow-removal service in the winter – or whatever season it happens to snow in its service area from Boulder to Ft. Lupton.
In business for 20 years, Vivax has served more than 41,000 clients in the Denver area. The company also serves Grand Junction, Colorado Springs and Northern Colorado. Along with exterior painting, Vivax provides gutter service, wood replacement and power washing.
Vivax continuously tests new products and processes and has partnered with Sherwin Williams to deploy the latest in paint technology, including Sherwin Williams’ Latitude and Duration lines that create a strong barrier against the unpredictable Denver climate.
Water Damage Inc. provides both residential and commercial services throughout the Denver area to restore areas damaged by water, fire, sewage or mold. The business offers 24/7 emergency service and works with all insurance companies.
The company is locally owned and operated, founded by partners with more than 50 years of mitigation, restoration and construction experience. Its project managers and technicians have completed the latest in structural drying training for water and flooding damage cleanup services.
Applewood is a family-owned company that specializes in services exclusively for the homeowner. Those services include: plumbing repair and maintenance, drain cleaning, heating, cooling and electrical repair.
Applewood operates 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, with no overtime charges. It boasts an on-time record for service calls of 96%.
Founded in 2001, Core Contractors in Denver is well-known for getting the job done right on both residential and commercial roofs. The company’s certified roofing contractors perform detailed roof inspections before undertaking repairs or replacements, and at the Core Contractors office, a team of account managers helps clients with permits and insurance claims.
Waste Management offers waste pickup and recycling for homes, businesses, municipalities, property-management firms, restaurants, construction and demolition, roll-off dumpster rentals, and more.
It’s easy to understand why the Houston-based company would be top of mind with Best of Colorado voters in this category. The company’s network includes 346 transfer stations, 293 active landfill disposal sites and 146 recycling plants. With 26,000 collection and transfer vehicles, the company has the largest trucking fleet in the waste industry. Waste Management and competitor Republic Services handle more than half of all garbage collection in the U.S.
In business for more than 20 years, Legacy does commercial window cleaning, residential cleaning, and Christmas and other holiday lighting. Other services by the Parker-based company include pressure washing, gutter cleanout, solar-panel washing, screen maintenance and snow removal.
In business since 2017, Monster Pest Control handles both commercial and residential issues, including bedbugs, roaches, fleas, wood-destroying organisms, wildlife, pantry pests and more. The company also offers non-toxic mosquito control that yields results in 24 to 48 hours and lasts up to four weeks before re-application is needed.
For residences with pest problems, Monster can develop a treatment plan, manage any issues and then follow up with routine maintenance visits.
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
Along with stunning outdoor mountain-view terraces, The Sebastian in Vail offers more than 8,500 square feet of meeting space, two elegant ballrooms and more.
Audio-visual services are available to make a big impact on small gatherings or events with hundreds of attendees, and an extensive catering and banquet menu is designed to satisfy all tastes.
Located in Denver’s RiNo Arts District, the Catbird is an upmarket apartment hotel featuring original artwork throughout. The hotel is a three-minute walk from the 38th and Blake light rail station and five miles from Empower Field at Mile High.
Studios have Wi-Fi, flat-screens and kitchenettes with dishwashers and coffeemakers, plus living/dining areas and sleeping lofts. Amenities include a rooftop bar/restaurant, a cafe, and a roof terrace with seating and an events stage. There’s also a fitness room and a kids’ playroom, as well as valet parking.
The Crawford Hotel at Denver’s historic Union Station offers an elegant escape, steps from all the dining, shopping and entertainment of Lower Downtown. The hotel was named by the 2022 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the “Top 25 Hotels in the Southwest and West.”
The vrbo.com website was created in 1995 by Aurora resident David Clouse, a retired teacher, who sought to rent out his Breckenridge condo. The site became popular with homeowners who wanted to rent out their properties for the short term.
Now with more than 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo – it stands for Vacation Rental By Owner — connects homeowners with families and other vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. Rental property types include condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses and more. All it takes is a quick Vrbo property search to securely book a rental anywhere in the world.
Winter Park is the closest major mountain destination to Denver, just 67 miles away. That proximity makes it an attractive mountain home consideration for Denverites.
Of course, a “mountain home” can take many forms. Options for making a mountain home concept happen in Winter Park include residential homes/condos, ski in/ski out condos, new developments, land and new construction, to name a few.
Billed as “America’s only mountaintop theme park,” it’s easy to see why this would be a favorite destination for team-building. Glenwood Caverns is situated at 7,100 feet above sea level and boasts thrill rides that will make you cling to the edge of your seat and scream with delight. The park also showcases stunning panoramic Colorado views and numerous other attractions, including cave tours.
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
A whopping 205 restaurants earned votes in this category, proving Coloradans take their breakfasts seriously. Snooze, the perennial winner, sets the standard in demonstrating how deliciously fulfilling a breakfast or brunch can be. That culinary goodness could only be confined to Colorado for so long, as the Denver-based company has branched out with restaurants in California, Arizona and Texas.
But it’s not solely about pineapple upside-down pancakes and crab & asparagus omelets. Snooze composts and recycles about 90% of its waste while focusing on resource conservation and using responsible materials – one of the many ways the company strives to make the world a better place.
Garden of the Gods Market and Café opened in 2001 in Old Colorado City. The restaurant has moved a couple of times since – now making its home on South Tejon Street in Colorado Springs – but what hasn’t changed is the commitment to excellent food, including a grab-and-go section with ready-prepared meals, fresh baked pastries and desserts.
Up The Creek Restaurant in Vail is family-owned and has been operating since 1988. The owners proudly source fresh ingredients from local and sustainable sources whenever possible. Serving lunch and dinner daily, the restaurant is located on the banks of Gore Creek and boasts Vail’s only creekside patio.
Located on 36th and Blake streets in downtown Denver along with several other Western cities, Slater’s 50/50 is known for burgers, bacon, beer and sports. It gets its name – the 50/50 part – from a patty consisting of 50% ground bacon and 50% ground beef. Don’t worry if that’s too much decadence. Slater’s also offers salads, healthy bowls, flatbreads, wings, shakes and more.
Corvus Coffee Roasters works directly with coffee farmers to build a supply chain of better coffee for coffee enthusiasts who are searching for exciting and interesting coffees.
That includes wholesale, retail, and coffee shops in Arvada, Littleton, Denver Tech Center and on South Broadway in Denver.
Known as Glenwood Springs’ “grab and go coffee stop for locals,” Déja Brew & Sunshine Too is also equipped to assist companies and individuals hosting meetings, parties or other gatherings. With some advanced notice, Deja Brew can whip up breakfasts and lunches with gluten-free or vegan options, as well as coffee, cold brew and boba (a tea drink).
As one Deja Brew reviewer put it, “This little unassuming shop first looks like one of those cheap stands in a grocery store parking lot, but is in fact a haven for coffee, quick eats and the friendliest service you might ever get while grabbing a cup.”
Whether it’s customized boxed breakfasts or lunches for a few people or a few hundred people meeting remotely, Panera provides ample options, including popular bundles or customized items to fit the occasion and individual tastes.
Panera’s sales managers can help companies plan large group events (with 20 or more attendees), whether at the workplace, virtually, local or national. Just explain a little about the event, and Panera will help coordinate it from one of 40 locations on the Front Range.
In business since 1981, Footers offers a range of catering services for special events across metro Denver, the Front Range and mountain regions. Footers’ always-fresh foods are cooked onsite at clients’ events.
The company offers full-event coordination. Whether it’s a wedding, private party, holiday, corporate or charitable event, Footers’ event planners work to make sure it is a memorable experience.
Inspired by European markets and food-truck roundups, Avanti, “A Collective Eatery,” boasts seven different restaurant concepts in one festive environment, with restaurants housed in modified shipping containers. Guests at the two locations – Denver and Boulder — are treated to an eclectic mix of affordably priced, chef-inspired cuisine.
Team Biehl Kitchen began roaming the Denver area in 2020. Some of the most popular items include the Dogaroni (grilled burrito with your choice of bacon or sausage – or veggie with hash browns); the Beefy Fritos Burger; and the Good Boy (bacon, sausage and hash browns rolled up in a large tortilla with eggs, pico de gallo and a blend of three cheeses).
Postino is disrupting the wine bar segment, with a vibe described as fun, eclectic and inspiring, Postino’s wines are paired with fresh and colorful bruschetta boards built for sharing. The menu is designed for sharing and pairing, with options for everyone.
The ViewHouse in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood opened in 2013 across from Coors Field, and other locations soon followed in Littleton, Centennial and Colorado Springs. The ViewHouse is known for its vibrant atmosphere, animated staff, indoor and outdoor flatscreens, and a variety of bar activities for sports fans, backyard-game enthusiasts and casual diners.
Located in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, City O’ City offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, specialty coffee, craft beer, wine and a cocktail bar. The restaurant uses local produce whenever possible, and even has its own urban micro farm that provides much of its produce in the summer.
In her appraisal of the “11 Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Denver” for Conde Naste Traveler, writer Ruth Tobias said of City O’ City, “You’d have to come here twice a day, every day for a month to exhaust the menu. Savory waffles are a house specialty, whether smothered in real or vegan cheese sauce and loads of veggies or accompanied by “chicken-fried” cauliflower, bourbon-maple syrup, and chive crème fraîche. So are the fried ravioli, seitan wings, and pizzas with toppings like walnut pesto and olive tapenade.”
The rooftop of the Catbird Hotel in Denver’s RiNo Arts District offers 360-degree views of the city and mountains. The 3,300-square-foot retreat is decked out (pun acknowledged) with fire pits, yard games and has an amphitheater for live music and other entertainment. The menu features handheld items, and for libations there are hand-crafted cocktails, beer and other drinks.
Noble Riot Wine Bar is described by those who created it as “an irreverent natural wine outpost run by a crew of swashbuckling wine geeks.”
This wine outpost in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood regularly offers wine classes and seminars, and its wine club has several different membership options. Along with wines selected each month by “certified geeks” for club members, the selections come with interesting information about each bottle, along with great recommendations and drinking tips.
A total of 170 beer makers garnered votes in this ultra-competitive category, and the winner is … Breckenridge Brewery! Formed 32 years ago, the self-described “original ski-town brewery” opened in the town of Breckenridge in 1990 and remains tied to that heritage. Todd Usry, who began as a brewery apprentice in 1991, is now the company’s president.
Officially the third-oldest craft brewery in Colorado, the company’s production base since 2015 has been a 12-acre plot in Littleton that was once a carnation farm. The farm-inspired campus on Brewery Lane features a 100-barrel brewhouse, barrel-aging room, a dedicated tour staff, and the Farm House restaurant. Guided brewery/sampling tours are offered five days a week. Breckenridge’s beers are available in 36 states.
Located in Paonia, a scenic and fertile land on the Western Slope of orchards, farms and vineyards, Azura Cellars & Gallery opened to the public in 2007, with the first vintage by the owners produced under the guidance of Steve Rhodes, one of the pioneering winemakers in the North Fork Valley.
Azura has won awards for both its wines and its art. Bret Neal, an Azura winemaker since 2016, was named Colorado Winemaker of the Year in 2017. A year later Azura Studios won a $100,000 public art competition for creating public art in the Stapleton (now Central Park Denver) area.
Breckenridge Distillery is the world’s highest distillery, but it’s known for more than that. It’s also highly regarded for its blended bourbon whiskey, a high-rye mash American-style whiskey. Breckenridge Bourbon is one of the most highly awarded crafted bourbons – a four-time winner of Best American Blended from the World Whiskies Awards; Bourbon of the Year in 2011 at the International Wine & Spirits Competition; and 2019 Colorado Distillery of the Year at the New York International Spirits Competition
In 2018, Breckenridge Distillery won the coveted Icons of Whisky for Brand Innovator of the Year.
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
Owner Doug Paddock has been working on cars since his teens, and he’s been servicing BMWs and Audis for nearly 30 years. Paddock Imports’ team includes eight full-time techs who are ASE-certified, Worldpac-trained and boast a combined 100 years of experience.
“Whether you’re driving an Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Mini Cooper, we’ve got the parts and the know-how to keep your car in top condition for many thousands of miles to come,” Paddock says.
Lexus of Greenwood Village aims to be the destination for all its prospective customers’ automotive needs. The dealership boasts an expansive new, used and certified pre-owned inventory, with non-commission sales specialists to advise and assist.
Lexus of Greenwood Village offers an online purchasing process and virtual service assistant. The dealership encourages car shoppers to visit its website to browse the inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles, apply for financing or get a value estimate on a trade-in.
Technically, Tesla doesn’t have dealerships, but tell that to Best of Colorado voters. Tesla’s method of selling cars without a dealer is supported by a few states, including Colorado. Proponents of this approach consider it beneficial to consumers because it removes the dealership markup and, the thinking goes, encourages better business practices.
Instead of granting franchises, Tesla has service centers, galleries and stores. So we’ll consider this Best of Colorado a thumbs-up for Tesla’s cars, not a commentary on our state’s many actual dealerships.
Simply put, Uber is an app and service that enables riders to get from point A to point B, similar to a taxi but with everyday people doing the driving. The rider enters their destination into the app’s “Where to?” box; reviews each ride option for vehicle size, price and estimated drop-off time; chooses the desired option; then confirms the pickup.
A nearby driver sees and chooses to accept the rider’s ride request. The rider is automatically notified when the driver’s vehicle is about a minute away. At the end of each trip, drivers and riders can rate each other from one to five stars. Riders also have the option to give the driver compliments and a tip directly in the app.
Waterworks operates in six locations in the Denver area, each offering car wash services, gas, snacks, drinks and other useful merchandise. The Waterway process and technology has been honed over many years to safely, completely and quickly clean cars.
Based in Englewood, Mayo Aviation specializes in aircraft charter, aircraft management, aircraft parts, maintenance and air ambulance service. Mayo, the largest specialized aviation service in the Rocky Mountain region, has provided private aviation services for more than 40 years, from large cabin international journeys to turbo-prop regional flying.
Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.
Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.
So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.
The Public Works manages an extensive and varied domain of creative work — from brand development, to integrated media and content production, to sporting gear, to the design and fabrication of one-of-a-kind branded display and infrastructure pieces.
Along with photography and videography services, the Denver-based firm boasts a fabrication team that can provide CNC machining, 3D printing, laser engraving, custom wood builds and more.
In business since 1982, Onsite Consulting is among the largest and most experienced business consulting and repair companies in Denver, which is why its technicians are often called on by local news and radio shows to explain technical matters. The company boasts a 4,000-square-foot repair shop and a half-priced computer showroom at Hampden and Interstate 25.
A three-peat winner in the Best of Colorado IT Services category, Decypher Technologies boasts a team with more than 100 years of combined IT experience and dozens of certifications. Serving a diverse roster of clients nationwide, Decypher specializes in cybersecurity, managed IT services and cellular DAS. The company also consistently earns five-star Glassdoor ratings from its staff.
The team at Denver-based Point Solutions Group is expertly equipped to help clients avoid cyber threats, securely migrate to the cloud, integrate systems and effectively manage risk.
CEO and founder Paige Goss has an extensive background in IT security, health care IT and the Department of Defense, giving Point Solutions Group the expertise and credibility to navigate sensitive government projects and the ever-changing commercial landscape.
VEA Technologies is a collective of digital experts with more than 60 years of combined experience in web development, design, branding, digital marketing and consulting.
VEA’s team members encompass a diverse background with a wide range of industries, allowing them to work successfully alongside big companies and small businesses alike.
The firm strives to create websites that reflect clients’ actual business, with questions such as, “What is the goal of the site and what are your company’s goals?” Those answers drive the strategy VEA implements, which might include, for example, a newsletter to encourage repeat business, and other digital strategies.
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Denver-based writer Eric Peterson is the author of Frommer’s Colorado, Frommer’s Montana & Wyoming, Frommer’s Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks and the Ramble series of guidebooks, featuring first-person travelogues covering everything from atomic landmarks in New Mexico to celebrity gone wrong in Hollywood. Peterson has also recently written about backpacking in Yosemite, cross-country skiing in Yellowstone and downhill skiing in Colorado for such publications as Denver’s Westword and The New York Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected].
