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City Cast Denver

City Cast Denver staff

🌀 Looking for a previous Hey Denver quiz? Find it here:

Two Truths and a Lie: Denver Mayor Edition

Michelle Polizzi

850. No, that’s not how many mph you’re gonna go on your new e-bike (why does it *actually* feel like that though??). Rather, 850 is the number of miles of 

 in the Denver area. With a number like that, there’s really no reason not to get around on two wheels. Below, read up on some of the best locally-owned bike shops in town — and we’ll see you out there 😎

Collins’ Bike Shop opened on East Colfax Avenue in 1934, and while it’s now called 

, that space has remained a bike shop for 92 years. You can find remnants of this history sprinkled throughout Z Cycle, from retro Schwinn merchandise on display to the old brick walls that have housed bikes in repair for nearly a century. They’re open daily, and a safety check to evaluate brakes, drivetrains, and other key functionality starts at $66.

Z Cycles services e-bikes, but they must adhere to their 

, you can test drive an e-bike for yourself, get a quick flat fix for your friend for $25, or shop their selection of used kids' bikes. In other words, there is something for the whole family here. This shop also hosts a monthly bike ride for kids and families called 

, where designated route leaders take participants on a safe community ride between a bakery and a park.

They repair all kinds of standard bikes but can only service e-bikes that are Bosch, Shimano, and Flyer.

What’s better than getting your bike tuned for summer? Learning how to fix it yourself. In addition to fixing and selling bikes, 

 provides a variety of bicycle maintenance classes and repair clinics. This nonprofit also offers 

 nights, which are free, volunteer-run, and open shop hours for women, transgender, and non-binary people who want to learn to fix bikes in a safe, inclusive space.

If a bike feels out of your budget, Bikes Together sells cost-flexible sidewalk bikes starting at $75, but can also teach you how to fix one at a 

Were you lucky enough to get an e-bike voucher this year? Good news — you can use it at 

, which specializes in selling e-bikes (and if you didn’t get a voucher, but you qualify, you’ve got 

). This bike shop began building custom e-bikes 13 years ago, making it an expert in the Denver area. Browse their 

 offers the unique service of converting your regular bike into an e-bike.

 is to help you have your best adventure. Whether you want to get some mountain biking gear or service your road bike, Yawp can help. And if you’re wondering what amount of whimsy to expect alongside this expertise, consider that their name comes from a Walt Whitman poem: “I sound my barbaric 

, but carry other brands, like Salsa and Otso, too.

Best Bike Shops in Denver

Keep It Local

Morris Munene

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How Semiprecious Neighborhood Bar Became a Denver Favorite

Why Denverites Love Semiprecious

Inspired by the Southern roots of local restaurateurs Mclain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, 

 is focused on pairing late-night wine and cocktails with elevated homestyle cooking set to swampy tunes. Their Vieille Tomate is a tomato-y, citrus-y, cocktail with wine and tequila, while their mai tai supreme blends lime, multiple rums, and salty almond over crushed ice. Which is to say, there’s something for everyone.

There’s live music every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. in Le Rougarou’s backyard.

Cold foam fanatics, rise up! RiNo’s Filipino-inspired café, 

 has iced coffees swirling with foamy flavors like pandan, ube, white chocolate, and lavender — yum! On their matcha menu, you’ll find a matcha-mansi soda, which combines honey, soda, matcha and calamansi, a citrus fruit from the Philippines, in a frothy green tea drink.

In the evenings, this coffee shop transforms into 

, where you can order martinis and margaritas flavored with calamansi.

Polynesian-inspired libations and tropical island vibes run the show at 

, a longstanding South Broadway tiki bar. Adrift’s signature cocktail, topped with mint and served in a tropical motif cup, is just one of many transportive drinks on the menu. Choose from daiquiris, margaritas, chi chi’s, and all other varieties of boozy bevs, blended or on the rocks. Their selection of N/A drinks isn’t bad either, with a painkiller, a mai-tai, and more.

Learn the history and craft behind the legendary scorpion bowl cocktail from Trader Vince, Adrift’s bar manager, at their 

🌵 Desert Social Bar and Lounge (Platt Park)

Denver has been feeling as hot as a desert lately, so why not lean into the theme and hit up 

? Minimal adobe walls, rustic wood beams, and straw furniture create an aesthetic that begs for a refreshing drink. Whether you order their Argentinian tequila batanga or the creamy coconut ube colada, let the limes — and the good times — keep you cool.

Customers say they love the extensive and delicious mocktail menu here, too, so it’s a perfect spot that groups with drinkers and non-drinkers can enjoy.

From coffee to cocktails, these are the best cold drinks in Denver.

Denver's Most Refreshing Drinks

Really Good, Refreshing Drinks

In a world where big corporations seem to get a slice of all our paychecks, it’s nice when we can pay someone directly for the services they provide. That’s exactly what Keep it Local is all about. So enjoy this roundup of independently owned cabins and mountain getaways near Denver, all of which you can book directly with the owner.

🏕️ The Cabins at Country Road (Evergreen)

The Lariat Loop is a scenic byway connecting historical landmarks between Evergreen and Morrison. 

 are the perfect place to stay while exploring this iconic route, which stretches about 40 miles. Each of the eight cabins in this resort has a unique interior with different offerings. Stay in The Columbine Cottage for a steam shower and a luxury kitchen, or opt for The Dreamcatcher for an adults-only escape with cathedral pine ceilings and forest views.

, like breakfast baskets and party decor for special celebrations.

 is a spacious getaway tucked between aspens and evergreen trees. Just a 90-minute drive from Denver, this retreat sleeps eight people and has three bathrooms — plus a fireplace and a hot tub for chilly mountain nights. It’s common to see wildlife such as moose, deer, and birds of prey from the large front windows, and the easy access to hiking, plus views of Mount Blue Sky, make this the perfect escape.

This cabin caters to families with small children with a high chair, bassinet, and other essentials provided.

 is situated in Big Thompson Canyon, just a few minutes outside of Estes Park. With easy access to Rocky Mountain National Park but enough distance from the crowds, this property includes seven cabins that were built in the early 1900s but have been upgraded with modern amenities like private hot tubs, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen televisions. Owners Jeanine and James Pruitt welcome guests with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, and each cabin has its own name with a coordinated quilt pattern on the beds to match. Plus, there’s 16 acres of hiking trails steps outside of your door.

All the cabins here are pet-friendly, but require a $35 fee per pet.

🏜️ Cliff House Lodge & Hot Tub Cottages (Morrison)

Nestled in the quaint town of Morrison, the 

 has shared common spaces in the historic home, plus eight hot tub cottages. The close proximity to Red Rocks makes this a popular place to stay after a concert at the iconic venue; however, it’s also a prime spot for exploring the local art galleries, eateries, and events that take place in the town of Morrison, which is often overlooked by concertgoers.

There’s an on-site wellness coordinator who provides massages and therapeutic add-ons, like cupping and reflexology.

Independently Owned Mountain Getaways in Colorado

Independently Owned Mountain Getaways

Vintage. Nostalgic. Cozy. That’s the vibe you’ll find at 

, a group of four historic wooden buildings in Clear Creek County, Colorado.

They’ve been in operation as nightly rentals since their construction in 1951 by Vera and Edgar Scott, and the cabins hold much of their original charm. Today, owners Lindsay and Alex Dalton are following in the footsteps of the Scotts, creating a place where people can relax, escape from the stressors of everyday life, and get in touch with the beauty of Colorado's nature.

“We closed on the property at the end of March 2020, standing outside the title company wearing masks and gloves as COVID was just beginning to change everything,” Lindsay says. “It was a strange time to start a new business, but looking back, I can't imagine this story starting any other way.”

The location near Idaho Springs means Flying Moon Cabins are less than an hour's drive from Denver on I-70. Still, they feel a world away. Each of the four cabins has the same size and layout, plus all the essentials — dishware, a living and eating area, a stall shower, and a french press. But they all have different decor and original names that define their identity. Still, Lindsay says the creek is the heart of the cabins.

“Being tucked into this narrow mountain canyon makes the whole place feel hidden away from the rest of the world. It's peaceful in a way that's hard to explain until you're sitting outside with a cup of coffee just listening to the creek.”

Flying Moon Cabins are pet friendly, too, and they’ve hosted everything from birthday gatherings to tiny elopement ceremonies. They start at $140 a night and sleep two people, making them an affordable alternative to major booking sites.

Best of all, there’s no cell service and no televisions, meaning you can truly disconnect. Yes, there’s Wi-Fi — but chances are, you probably won’t need it.

“We feel incredibly lucky to be the current stewards of this little piece of land,” Lindsay says. “Caring for it and sharing it with others has truly been the opportunity of a lifetime, and it's something we'll never take for granted.”

Why Denverites Love Flying Moon Cabins

Olivia Jewell Love

For one of the Denver metro’s butteriest hot pretzels, head over to Lariat Lodge Brewing Co. in Littleton (or Evergreen) to try the hot pretzel and beer cheese from their 

! Pair the $8 “Gus’s Perfect Pretzel” with a 32 oz pitcher of beer for the same price, and enjoy the pretty views from their patio! Happy hour is from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

48 Hour Film Project is coming back to Denver

 the last weekend of July. The team you assemble will have 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film based on a mystery genre and details chosen at the Friday night kickoff. The following weekend there’s a premier screening to see your film on the big screen at The Bug! The best film goes on to compete at Filmapalooza in March 2027 and is eligible for a spot at the Cannes Film Festival. Moviestars, assemble!

Craving a big bowl of ramen after normal dinner hours? Look no further than 

, open till 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 a.m. Friday through Sunday. This Colorado Boulevard spot has some seriously tasty ramen options and a good assortment of rice bowls and appetizers if you’re not feeling soup-y. Ramen is an all-season food, people.

If you’re hitting the Highlands Farmers Market on Sundays, make sure to also check out 

, hosted in their parking lot on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The secret market has vintage clothes, handmade art, coffee, food, jewelry, and so much more to enjoy! Located on 32nd Avenue, Goodkid is a perfect stop along an idyllic Sunday stroll through the neighborhood.

For the fans of what chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber are doing over at Riot BBQ, check out their new concept called 

. We recommend the Pollo Loco or Pollo Pibil, with cornbread, black beans, and rice. You can get a full plate for $20!

🌃 Night Market (Calling All K-Pop Fans)

on the last Saturday of the month (July 25) from 6-10 p.m. Enjoy fun for the whole family like food trucks, tchotchkes, enamel pins, K-Pop dancing, and so much more. The market features global flavors like Korean BBQ, Mexican Street Tacos, and African dishes. Check it out at 2710 S. Havana Street in Aurora!

Your Guide to Denver in July 2026

Your Guide to Denver in July

Find the best of everything that Denver has to offer.

Denver’s Best

Denver's Best

Disco balls, refined cocktails, and rainbow jello shots are an unexpected pairing with the game of golf.

In 2022, when the world began opening up after the COVID-19 lockdown, bartenders Samantha Menendez and Jason Danielsen decided that Denver needed a more elevated, inclusive golf bar that redefined what the sport can be — and who can participate.

“You don't have to be a good golfer, you can just come in and hit a couple of the balls and play fun games,” Menendez says. “So if you are a serious golfer, you can bring your clubs and also play courses [virtually]. It's kind of the best of both worlds.”

One Shot Back has multiple bays (semi-private areas) where up to eight people can play at a time, but unlimited people can gather. Comfy couches and wooden bars provide a welcoming area for lounging while you watch friends compete on Trackman devices — some of the highest-tech golf simulators that exist today.

Non golfers can sip on craft cocktails, play games like shuffleboard, darts, or cornhole, and take part in one of One Shot Back’s many summer specials — from half-off golf every weekday to ladies’ nights and all-day happy hour on Thursdays.

“It's definitely more than just a stand around golf simulator type of place, which a lot of them are,” Menendez says. “We're trying to make it more fun for everybody.”

Denver's One Shot Back Has a Golf Simulator, Arcade Games, and More

Why Denverites Love One Shot Back

Test your knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community's history in the Mile High!

Quiz: Colorado's Queer History

Test Your Denver Knowledge!

What Denverites have been wondering. We break down why things in Denver are the way they are and how they work.

Denver, Explained

To celebrate Colorado’s 150th birthday, we decided to ask ourselves…what’s something we would do 150 times in this state because it's

 good? We invited our friend Miriam Moreno, comedian and host of the late night show Goodnight Denver, to help us brainstorm what’s 150-peat worthy in the Mile High.

Olivia’s pick for something worth doing 150 times in Denver is hitting up the Arc Thrift Stores all around the metro. Even though she’s probably already done it 150 times, there’s always something new to find on the next 150 or so trips to check out second-hand wares. Did you know the Arc is one of the largest employers of folks with disabilities in the nation, and 100 million pounds of goods are diverted from landfills each year thanks to Arc? P.S., even on the 4th of July, the weekly 50% off Saturday sale is still happening at Arcs around town!

Bike Rides, Vintage Stores, an Old School Movie House, and Burritos

Paul went wild with this one, because there are a ton of things he’d do 150 times in Denver! Eat Jose Avila’s 

. Wander through the vintage stores on South Broadway. Bike the Cherry Creek Trail all the way to the reservoir. Buy a large popcorn and soda for a show in the big room at 

. And one last, especially personal one: feel a pang of nostalgia walking past the first location of Chipotle on Evans. Hey, the chain’s best days may be behind it, but we’ll always have 1993, right?

A Shady Spot for Hot Springs and Cool Treats

When July rolls around, Miriam is looking for a pool and the 111-year-old 

 south of Boulder is her favorite spot. Nestled in a quiet canyon, Eldorado is peaceful and pretty, with plenty of seating. ”Even if you don't get a good seat by the pool, you can go by the lawn and it's right by the river,” Miriam says. But that’s the reasonable adult in her speaking. “If you would've asked me this question when I was 16, I would have said 

Colorado Things to Do 150 Times

What Colorado Activity Would You Do 150 Times?

Paul Karolyi

Mayor Mike Johnston is not very popular with Denver’s bike community right now, according to the results of City Cast Denver’s first-ever Denver Bike Community Poll — which yielded a veritable peloton of provocative data and fascinating personal stories. Our hope was that these results would elevate the next bike-related policy debate, and we were delighted to find they also tell a broader story about what it’s like to ride a bike in Denver in 2026.

We will have the full results, analysis, and charts available for perusal at 

 Bike Fest is free, with lots of live music and food trucks, and we’ll be emceeing the stage. Come out and say hi!

For additional analysis, we have also invited an independent expert —

 State Director for GreenLatinos Colorado Ean Thomas Tafoya 

– to comment on the results presented throughout. He has worked on a wide variety of public policy issues in the realm of transportation, most recently a years-long effort to create 

A quick note on the methodology before we get into the rest of the results:

 The City Cast Denver team created this survey and distributed it via the City Cast Denver podcast, newsletter, and Instagram account throughout the month of May 2026. The team also reached out to more than two dozen local bike community organizations, shops, journalists, advocates, and social media groups to solicit more responses. Anyone who self-identified as a Denver bike rider was invited to participate, and 460 respondents filled out the survey. According to our independent analyst Ean Thomas Tafoya, that’s a “large sample size.”

Only 15.6% of the 460 respondents to our survey agreed with the assertion that Mayor Mike Johnston has made Denver a better place to ride a bike. A majority of respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement, with the most popular answer being “strongly disagree” at 31%.

When asked to elaborate on their response to that question, many respondents who disagreed offered additional criticism. "The Johnston administration and his [Department of Transportation and Infrastructure] team seem actively hostile to Denver cyclists and have worked to reduce planned protected bike lanes and have actually removed existing protections," wrote one respondent. "[DOTI executive director] Amy Ford needs to be fired."

Another wrote: "I certainly didn't think he would be worse than [former mayor Michael] Hancock on mobility issues. But he really is."

The majority of respondents identified their race or ethnicity as white (90.8%), with 8.3% identifying as Hispanic or Latino, 2.9% as Asian, 2.2% as Black or African American, and no other group with more than 10 respondents. That is much whiter than the population of the Denver metro area overall — 64.6%, according to the 

Similarly, the respondents skew more male than the Denver metro overall (respondents were 57% male, 38.3% female, and 6.1% genderqueer, genderfluid or nonbinary). They are also relatively more affluent (51.2% said they make more than $100,000 per year) and more educated (91.9% hold a bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, or PhD).

Denver, Explained

Test Your Denver Knowledge!

City Cast Denver staff

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