Reaching for new heights is something that Ariana Gradow has been doing all of her life. The circus and yoga specialist is the co-founder of the Denver Circus Collective and teaches a variety of classes there each week. Originally from Aspen, Gradow grew up as an athlete and competed in skiing at a semi-pro level. One day on the mountain she had an accident which left her with a broken neck. After she recovered, she found a deeper appreciation for her yoga practice, which led her to learning aerial acrobatics. For Gradow, both disciplines allow people to overcome their fears while developing more... Read More

One team in the Denver craft beer scene is hoping to prove the possibilities of what a small business can do to give back. Betsy Lay and the rest of the group at Lady Justice Brewing focus on bringing women to the forefront of the beer scene. Lady Justice Brewing was started in 2014 by co-founders Betsy Lay, Kate Power and Jen Cuesta. Originally, they began as a Kickstarter to start the all female brew team, which donates their proceeds to community organizations supporting women. “There are more female brewers on the scene now and I think momentum is there. There’s still sexism and harassment... Read More

One of the women who have captivated the Colorado music scene since she was eight years old is Marie Litton. She began in music singing in her dad’s band at the state fairs. At 14, she picked up playing the guitar and from then decided that music was all she wanted to do. “I just wanna give the gift back of music. I’ve loved so many bands, you know, and music has always been my life. Now that I get to play it all the time, I just feel like it’s gift and people should use those gifts.” Marie said. Originally growing up in Pueblo, Marie sharpened her talents as a musician with her family... Read More

Denver watering hole owner and bartender, Eleanor Cheetham, runs the show at Fort Greene. Fort Greene is a bar in Globeville, which maintains a community driven atmosphere and Slavic speakeasy style. Originally, Eleanor got her start in Austin, TX before moving to Fort Greene in Brooklyn, NY. In New York, she worked in fashion and design before she decided she needed a change of pace. Once she moved to Globeville she visited the local steam punk dive bar of the neighborhood, Crash 45, and decided to apply for a job. After working as the bartender for three years, the owner sold the bar to a friend... Read More

A safe space is never guaranteed, but Jordan Robinson has been trying to make that idea a reality. Jordan and his father, Doyle “Sox” Robinson, have been working at Sox Place for roughly 16 years. The idea for the center began in 2002 when Doyle gave out socks to those in need, coining him the nickname. The father and son believed there was a lack of resources available to unreached youth living on the streets of Denver. Children, as young as 10, were either out of foster care, too young for adult shelters or runaways. Dangers of human trafficking, being attacked and drugs are also factors... Read More

The idea for Hope Tank was born during a volatile time for Erika Righter. After moving from Boston in 2006, Erika worked in social justice and emergency care around Colorado until the organization she was working with closed down. Once she was without a job, she began toying with the idea of creating a public space for local artists and wanted to incorporate her nonprofit ideals into the concept. “As far as products go most find me, but I am always trying to cultivate a product base that represents the population of people who shop with us, such as indigenous artists and people of color and art... Read More

Russell Klase is an adrenaline junkie who seeks out thrill sports like skydiving, scuba diving, snowboarding, and creativity through art, music, and stand-up comedy.  In the kitchen, he seeks a different type of thrill and creativity as Executive Chef and Head Butcher at Butcher’s Bistro and lead singer of their kitchen band, Boyz Under the Hood. Russell became mesmerized with cooking as a child during all-day events like rubbing down and roasting a whole 200 pound hog, or watching his father theatrically prepare Steak Diane dinner, a pan-fried beefsteak flambéed with brandy. “I didn’t... Read More

John Kuebler is a familiar face to many in the Capitol hill area of Denver, as the man behind the Kilgore desk. Kilgore Books and Comics has become one of Denver’s most beloved independent bookstores. The store is home to a range of books and comics and will buy used books for cash or store credit. John moved to Denver about 18 years ago and then to the Capitol Hill area about six years after that. He discovered Kilgore books in 2009, a year after it’s opening. The store reminded him of another one of his favorite spots, Fahrenheit books, due to the size, selection and pricing. Soon he began... Read More

Lone Ranger of Western Art ~Cody Kuehl You have to be either crazy or courageous to quit your full time job as a church youth director and dive head first into a competitive and unforgiving career as a full-time artist (without any experience)!  Denver artist, Cody Kuehl is making a success of it! Introducing the self-taught artist and entrepreneur behind the new mural you may have spotted on the Star Bar, an old-school western saloon in the heart of RiNo.  This rock & roll 18 x 19 western mural pictures a cowboy you can just imagine slinging guns back in the days of the American Frontier,... Read More

Justen Howard has become a staple in Denver music, especially at open mic nights around the city. He moved to Colorado from Manhattan roughly five years ago to start a studio and be involved in a budding music scene. Before moving West, he learned to play a variety of instruments, starting with the saxophone he picked up at the age of four. From there he learned how to play piano, guitar, drums, mandolin and more. As he grew up he understood that at times he would need to learn how to play certain instruments in order to get the songs he wrote finished All Chiefs is Justen’s current band which... Read More