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City Cast Denver

Adrian González

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston with former Mayor John Hickenlooper and Senator Michael Bennet. 

Welcome to your weekly Denver quiz! Mike Johnston marked the halfway point of his term as Denver mayor last night with his “State of the City” address, a peek into what he hopes his legacy will be. So, let’s take a trip through the history of Denver mayors and what they’re known for.

Morris Munene

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Michelle Polizzi

More than a century ago, workers at City Floral would hop on their bicycles, ride down the then-dirt road that was Colfax Avenue, and hand-deliver African violets to the esteemed Brown Palace.

How does Candace Owens, who owns City Floral Greenhouse and Garden today, know that African violets were popular when the shop first opened in the early 1900s?

“Somebody was at our 115th anniversary celebration and she told me she grew up across the alley from the [former] owners,” Owens said. “She was telling me all about how violets were just huge in that day.”

Denver has certainly changed since City Floral opened as a greenhouse in the Montclair neighborhood in 1911, but it continues bringing us beauty in the form of flowers, houseplants, garden supplies, and of course, those signature violets. Now a complete garden center with a flower growing facility in Golden, City Floral sells popular blooms like geraniums and petunias, plus vegetable plants and less common varieties like dinner plate dahlias.

“They're probably three feet tall already,” Owens said. “These big blooms, vibrant colors roughly the size of a dinner plate. They're pretty irresistible.”

The century-old floral staple is also well prepared for the massive influx of customers during this very popular flower-forward holiday. “Mother's Day weekend is kind of like Black Friday for flowers. It's considered the frost free date here in Colorado. We are stock-full of truckload after truckload of flowers,” Owens said.

And they don’t just make great bouquets. City Floral runs a popular Mother’s Day special for hanging baskets — $10 off two or more hanging baskets — which customers return for year after year.

“We'll literally have thousands of hanging baskets in the facility by Friday to choose from,” Owens says. “It's sort of like a candy store for adults with flowers. Just beautiful color everywhere you see.”

City Floral Greenhouse and Garden has been a Denver staple for flowers since 1911.

How Denver's City Floral Delivers Color for Mother's Day

Why Denver Moms Love City Floral

Keep It Local

I’m guessing you fall into one of these two categories: Either you’re scrambling to find a gift for your own mom/mother figure by Sunday, or you’re a mom yourself, ready for some much-deserved celebration.

Which means you’re looking for fresh flowers, sweet giftables, or something tasty the whole family can enjoy together, so don’t miss these 5 local shops — plus one spot that’s been serving Denver for more than a century.

🧀 Goudy’s Deli & Market (Washington Park)

If you haven’t been to this artisanal France-inspired cheese cave, what are you waiting for? Beyond 

 selection du fromage, this family-owned shop has an impressive array of imported European goodies to make any mom’s day, like English tea biscuits and hard-to-find chocolate brands. Order to-go sandwiches from the deli or DIY your own charcuterie selection, then plop down for a cozy park picnic. Either way, it’s you, mom, and some fancy cheese — voila, indeed.

The cheesemonger mom (or, the mom who loves to travel)

 is a delightful boutique and floral studio that’s been bringing beautiful blossoms to Denver for the past 30 years. Not only do they sell houseplants, pots, and gorgeous flower bundles — their boutique also has the cutest housewares, accessories, and giftables. To splurge on your family matriarch, check out Perfect Petal’s subscription plan options and she’ll get a fresh bouquet delivered to her door monthly. If your sights are set on an experience gift, buy a ticket to one of their upcoming classes, perhaps in watercolor painting or Monet-inspired floral arrangements, so she can wow her guests at the next dinner party.

There’s no better place to shop for Mother’s Day than 

, the South Pearl Street boutique owned by a local mother-daughter duo. Find in-style clothing, shoes, and accessories that have a “California in Colorado” vibe — perfect for feeling both comfortable and stylish. Right now in the shop, they’ve got plenty of matching summer sets to keep your mom feeling fresh for any kind of event that awaits her. Better yet, buy her a gift card, then pick a date to hit this shop together.

If your mom loves to get outside but also believes in sustainability, 

 is the perfect outdoor goods shop to find her something special. This store sells new stuff from hot brands like Patagonia and Topo Designs, but they also buy and sell gently used gear, from hiking shoes and camping tents to backpacks and ski goggles. This month, FERAL celebrates 

 on Tennyson street, proving that getting outside in the place you love can be a sustainable endeavor that helps us all.

Denver Gift and Treat Ideas for Mother's Day

Local Shops to Make Mom’s Day

Paul Karolyi

Olivia Jewell Love

Have you ever seen a horse fly? Instead of the traditional Kentucky Derby with racehorses, the Butterfly Pavilion is hosting Bugs and Brews 

. Enjoy cocktails, watch cockroaches race, wear your best insect-inspired Derby hat, and partake in all kinds of derby-esque insect activities. 21+ only!

Are you like Einstein if he was actually a total music buff? Welcome to absolutely crushing music bingo! A local company called 

 hosts music bingo at various locations around town, including Denver Beer Co. It’s just like bingo, but instead of numbers, they play songs and you cross out the names on your card!

 has a new menu item: iced matcha with lemon cold foam. For the matcha-curious, this sweet and tangy version of the trending drink can be a fun foray into a world of endless caffeine combinations. “It’s the most delicious matcha I’ve ever had,” according to Keep it Local newsletter writer Michelle Polizzi.

Looking to indulge in TikTok’s latest sweet treat trend? Try out a “soft serve margarita” over at 

 in Lakewood. With rotating fruity flavors on tap and complete with a mini umbrella, this picture-worthy dessert is definitely a perfect start to the warm season in the Mile High.

Whether you’re looking to hop on the “beef tallow bandwagon” or just craving some fried deliciousness, 

 offers all their snacks seed-oil free. This Utah chain’s single Denver location feels like stepping into a tasty-smelling time capsule. Their specialty? Pastrami! But, can’t go wrong with the classic steak fries and onion rings.

🥾 In the Footsteps of the ‘Forrest Gump of Colorado’

After a winter of couch vegging and limited sunshine, it’s time to get out there and hike! Producer Paul Karolyi has been doing some research on the origin of some of Denver’s wildest conspiracy theories, and that took him 

 to the top of Mt. Falcon, where a fascinating historical figure named John Brisben Walker once proposed to build a “Summer White House” that would overlook Morrison and the Front Range. Are you letting the president of summer on your lawn?

Our recommendations for what to do in Denver this May.

Things to Do in Denver in May 2026

Your Guide to Denver in May 2026

Find the best of everything that Denver has to offer.

Denver’s Best

Denver's Best

We invited the brilliant writer of our new Keep it Local newsletter, Michelle Polizzi, to join producers Olivia Jewell Love and Paul Karolyi on the podcast version of our guide this month. So, for our special rotating third category, we’re keeping it local for Mother’s Day (which is on May 10, by the way, not that any of us were going to forget).

Here are our very Denver ideas for how to treat your mom.

Michelle suggests a visit to the custom hat bar at 

 in Highland, where you can pick your style, color, brim shape, and accessorize with all kinds of feathers and gems. While you wait for your one-of-a-kind creation, you and your mom can have a glass of wine on their second floor lounge and watch the world go by. Make a night of it with your new matching hats and a reservation at the Michelin-recognized 

 down the block. “It’s like when you get new shoes when you're a kid,” Michelle says. “Your new shoes look so much better than your old shoes and you're like, I'm actually just wearing them right out.”

Olivia recommends spending the day in Golden, starting off at 

 for high tea. Think finger sandwiches, scones, and all the tea you can drink. Next, you should hit up 

 to try on some fun and funky clothes and accessories. As you continue to wander Miner Street, be sure to stop in 

to check out their great Jellycat plushie selection and other cute tchotchkes. Don’t forget to spend some time walking along Clear Creek and enjoying the views!

Paul says his parents have visited Denver enough that it feels like they’ve done it all. But one of Denver’s mainstays, the 

, has cooked up a cool collaboration to keep things fresh. They invited 

 to dig into their archives so he could create an original composition inspired by Still’s art, and the Colorado Symphony is going to play it for the first time on May 7. 

 and round out your night with dinner at the newest location of 

 – a woman-owned Denver success story in its own right — in the Golden Triangle.

Things to Do for Mother's Day in Denver

How to Keep Mother’s Day Local

There’s something about eating outside that instantly makes me feel relaxed. Maybe it’s the feeling of warm sunshine while sipping on a cold drink, or breathing in the mood-boosting compounds of trees. However, there’s nothing like the annoying sounds of traffic or an unsightly construction project to take you out of your blissful state.

Since we all deserve a side of chill while drinking or dining al fresco, here are five Denver patios that truly feel like a vacation — all without leaving the metro area.

⛵ Lakehouse Kitchen + Tavern (Littleton)

Waterfront patios aren’t the first thing that come to mind in Denver, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at 

. This family-friendly bar and grill has a deck overlooking Littleton’s Johnson Reservoir, providing pretty views of the water and the mountains from every table. On chilly evenings, gather around their outdoor firepit, indulge in American comfort foods, and enjoy the slower, vacation-inspired pace.

Enjoy a glass of their house whiskey on the rocks, made by Denver’s own Bear Creek Distillery.

. This restaurant in a cozy red brick house has a laid-back atmosphere that feels like a good friend’s home, and there’s a reason its patio is often named one of Denver’s best. There’s about a dozen outdoor tables shaded by lush green vines, patio umbrellas, and even sunflowers in summertime — the perfect escape on a hot, busy day.

Their wood-fired pizza is delish, but they’ve also got salads, pasta, sandwiches, and a kid’s menu.

, tons of picnic tables cover a sprawling patio decked out with twinkle lights, fire pits, and plenty of space for your friends, family, and dogs. As their name suggests, they’ve got dozens of craft beers on tap, which you can enjoy alongside American eats like smashburgers and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches — not to mention their overflowing game selection, which guarantees hours of fun.

Snag a table early because Recess doesn’t take reservations.

🍚 Domo Japanese Country Restaurant (Lincoln Park)

This garden patio filled with cherry trees, shrub-lined walkways, handmade parasol umbrellas, and soft water sounds will transport you to the Japanese countryside. 

 will take your tastebuds there, too, with traditional homestyle foods like Japanese curry, nabeyaki soup, and green tea soba. This hidden oasis in Denver is also home to a Japanese museum, making it truly unlike anywhere else in the city.

Domo is open Tues-Sun and closes at 7 p.m., so plan on going early.

Denver Patios that Feel Like a Vacation

Five Denver Patios that Feel Like a Vacation

Like many businesses born during the pandemic, David Right began his ice cream shop 

 as a way to kill some extra time. “I started making the pints and delivering them in grocery store parking lots,” Right says. ”It picked up a lot of steam over the first couple of months.”

Unlike many COVID-19 startups that fizzled when the world opened back up, Right’s business has only expanded in scale and scope since the days of isolation. Today, Right Cream is a full brick-and-mortar operation in the Rosedale neighborhood of South Denver, sharing an astroturf seating and play area with Denver Beer Co.

On this outdoor green space connecting the two establishments, customers of both businesses can gather, imbibe, kick back in the shade, and enjoy themselves. “If it's over 50 degrees and the sun's out, then we’re busy over there,” Right says. “A lot of people are hanging out, the kids love playing on it.”

Since 2020, Right Cream has expanded its menu to serve all kinds of savory items alongside its sweet treats — think, indulgent spins on American classics, like breakfast sandwiches topped with Colorado green chili, chicken katsu sandwiches, Coney-style chili fries, and a rotating menu of smashburgers that the internet can’t seem to stop talking about.

Right has always wanted to work in the food industry, but he started with scoops for a reason. “The nice thing about ice cream is that you can make anything you want, any flavor,” Right says. “It gives me a lot of breadth to be able to do different things, but using the same products, right?”

Right Cream takes full advantage of ice cream’s creative opportunities, with flavors that change every week. Summer will bring a full case of options, including those made with tropical seasonal fruit, like mangoes, or peaches harvested from the Western slope as soon as they turn ripe.

Sitting on a sunny patio with a Palisade peach sundae in one hand, a craft beer in the other? It doesn’t get much more Colorado than that.

Why Denverites love Right Cream's burgers and shared patio.

Right Cream Has Great Smashburgers and One of Denver's Best Patios

Why Denverites Love Right Cream’s Shared Patio

How do you combine a passion for environmentalism with a love of creativity?

That’s exactly the question Gabby Smith asked herself during the pandemic, when she decided it was time to leave her corporate job and pursue a more fulfilling career.

The answer? Curating a vintage store of her own.

 on 32nd Avenue in West Highland, which has vintage and used gear from the Broncos along with Rockies, Avalanche, and Nuggets merch.

“It's nice to be able to provide a little bit of local sports stuff, so people aren't having to buy all the new gear that can be expensive just because it's new.”

Plus, Smith points out that brand new sports gear isn’t as charming and stylish as such one-of-a-kind vintage pieces — the best of which she buys directly from the clothes’ former owners.

“My favorite way to source is estate sales because it is someone's collection that they have gathered throughout their years of life,” Smith says. “You can kind of get a feel for what kind of style that they had.”

Smith doesn’t mind revealing her sourcing “secret,” because as she puts it, there's plenty of clothing already on earth to go around.

Her favorite item in the store currently is an early 90s-era neon Budweiser sign that sits on a shelf next to the Good Kid Collective checkout, which Smith and her team found on Facebook Marketplace.

“It's such a fun thing to turn on every morning. I feel like it brings a whole vibe to this place.”

Overall, Smith loves offering these kinds of items to the Denver community because it’s a way for people to show their personal style for a good deal.

“I really believe that vintage and thrifting is gonna be the new way of shopping,” Smith says. “I think a lot of people don't realize how easy it is — it's just a habit that you have to change.”

Why Denverites love to shop at Good Kid Collective.

How Good Kid Collective Blends Vintage Clothing with a Passion for Environmentalism

Good Kid Collective Shares the Secret to Finding Enviable Vintage Merch

Mike Johnston marked the halfway point of his term as Denver mayor last night with his “State of the City” address, a peek into what he hopes his legacy will be.

Denver Quiz: Famous Denver Mayors and Their Legacies

Denver Quiz: Do You Know These Denver Mayors?

Denver History

People, places, and scenes from Denver's past.

A Day In Denver History

Peyton Garcia

This year, for the 120th National Western Stock Show, acclaimed local Chef Manny Barella of 

 will be slinging his distinctly Texas-meets-Mexico style barbecue at a 

 in the new Exchange dining hall — and it’s a full-circle moment for Barella. Linnea Covington with 

“The name Riot BBQ tips a hat to the 1898 barbecue riot in Denver’s Union Pacific stockyard, where the [National Western Complex] resides now. The event occurred when the city hosted a giant public barbecue. The event drew tens of thousands of people, and the city wasn’t prepared for the turn out. The meat ran out early, and chaos ensued.”

documentation from the Denver Public Library

 reports a spread of spiced bear meat, sugar-cured venison, mutton with mint sauce, and possum. Denver’s own barbecue pioneer Columbus B. Hill was there and described the offerings as "finer than any meal that the best hotel of the country can serve." What was supposed to be a gathering for 5,000 VIPs turned into a riot of 30,000 hungry. Publications of the time reported loaves of bread and bones sailing through the air and mobs clamoring for unopened barrels of beer.

We heard more about that infamous Denver food event — and the 

distinctly Black history of Colorado barbecue

 — when we sat down with James Beard award-winner 

 (aka The Soul Food Scholar) a few years ago to talk about his book “Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue.”

 everyday from 10 a.m.-2 a.m. throughout the duration of the Stock Show. Check out 

 from the 1898 barbecue riot in the DPL digital archive.

And its full-circle moment at this year's National Western Stock Show

Remembering Denver's Barbecue Riot of 1898

With Thanksgiving coming up, we’re remembering one of Denver’s most beloved and influential residents who, for decades, utilized this holiday to feed his neighborhood and beyond. 

 was a model for community-level philanthropy, offering his cooking skills and humble barbecue restaurant as an outpost for families in need across the Mile High City.

One November in the 1960s, Daddy Bruce hosted his first community Thanksgiving, dishing up free meals for anyone who needed it. The event became a yearly tradition that has continued for nearly 60 years (even after Daddy Bruce’s passing) with the annual 

He was a model for community-level philanthropy, serving families in need across the Mile High City.

A Day In Denver History

Denver Quiz: Do You Know These Denver Mayors?

Adrian González

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A Day In Denver History

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