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City Cast Denver

Peyton Garcia

 shares with us their favorite place to go in Edgewater:


is among my favorite go-to places. In a city that doesn't have a lot of community gathering spaces (like most American cities), the EPM (as I refer to it with my friends) acts like a town square.

. And while a wee bit on the hipster side (IMHO), it's nothing like RiNo or LoDo, but more of an environment for singles and young families. If you haven't been, check it out sometime!”



🗣️ What's a day in YOUR neighborhood look like?

 We’d love to share it in next week’s “Explore Like A Local” segment. Write in to denver@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 720-500-5418.

Morris Munene

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Michelle Polizzi

At first glance, the following local businesses might not have a lot in common. What’s the link between a car repair garage, a gift store, and a tattoo parlor? Well, my friend, they’re all LGBTQ+-owned! So get familiar with these top-tier local businesses and make a plan to support them this month (and year-round!).

Lux Forge has been handcrafting fine and custom jewelry in Denver for more than a decade. They focus on creating inclusive, gender neutral pieces, like this 

 in recycled sterling silver. Lux Forge also has a 

 featuring colorful natural gemstones adorning necklaces, rings, bracelets, and beyond.

One of Lux Forge’s unique offerings is custom jewelry design, which allows you to bring a personalized piece to life.

Kitschy. Kooky. Campy. These are just a few words that 

 uses to describe itself, but to really understand this shop, you have to see it for yourself. Look for the plush blind boxes (mystery boxes with a cute stuffy inside), cult-movie-themed prayer candles, and punk-themed puzzles that fill this store to the brim.

12 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

This car repair shop takes its name from Judy Garland, the Hollywood star and longtime advocate of the LGBTQ+ community. Embodying Garland’s spirit, 

 offers a transparent pricing list and affordable services, like a $35 oil change and a free 30-minute inspection. If getting your car fixed feels overwhelming in more ways than one (hi!🙋), Good Judy has your back.

There are plenty of tattoo shops around Denver, but few are women and LGBTQ+-owned. 

 is both of those things, and their team of artists specializes in everything from pet portraits to trippy surrealism. Mashroom’s website helps explain the different styles they offer, such as Trash Polka Tattoos, a black and red design featuring blackwork, realism, and “trash."

To make an appointment, begin by filling out their 

 is a collective of around 10 different businesses that was started by 

, a non-binary and disabled creator in Denver. Fresh flower arrangements, bolo ties, crystals, and handmade pottery trinkets are among the many things for sale at this plant and gift shop. There’s also a $5 plant section and 

, a plus-sized vintage and secondhand shop selling curated, gender affirming pieces.

 with shop updates (a few videos have even gone viral).

What are your favorite LGBTQ+ shops in Denver?

 Send me your recs, and I’ll keep sharing them throughout June!

RE: My Favorite LGBTQ+ Shops

Share Your Favorite LGBTQ+ Shops

These are the best places in Denver for Pride Month.

Denver's Best LGBTQ+ Shops

LGBTQ+ Owned Shops in Denver

Keep It Local

Decades before the 3600 block of Navajo Street was lined with modern apartment buildings and trendy pilates studios, it was filled with galleries. The 

Navajo Street Art District thrived in the 1990s

, but rising rents, taxes, and gentrification pushed the galleries elsewhere, all but erasing this cultural hub from the map.

Dot Williams and her partner, Jamie Richards, are determined to bring it back to life. The pair purchased a coffee shop on the corner of the block that was closing down, reopening as Art Club Coffee.

Their mission: To create a queer-owned space where people feel safe and welcome. That goes for patrons, but also for artists who want to display their work along the gallery-inspired walls. “It is completely free to submit your work,” Williams told me in a recent conversation. “You are welcome to sell it and we don't take any commission — we just want people to show their art.”

Williams and Richards also wanted the coffee shop to function as an inclusive third space for their neighbors. They do so by hosting free events, such as a creative and coffee night every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. In true Navajo Street Art District fashion, their space attracts creatives of every kind.

“We've had coders coding games, or DJs building set lists. We've had oil painters, crocheters, knitters, collage artists, illustrators, kind of all walks of creativity,” Williams says. “You're also invited to just come and see — you don't even have to craft or buy anything.”

Art Club Coffee is currently hosting a curated gallery show featuring queer artists, which visitors can view throughout June.

Another way Art Club Coffee helps people feel comfortable is their atmosphere of old-school items that brings people back to a simpler time.

“It's a bit of a time warp here. It's got a lot of analog TVs and nostalgic touches throughout the space,” Williams said.

And they are also, at all times, very proudly queer. “We're here to celebrate each other and create a safe space where people can be themselves.”

Why Art Club Coffee is one of Denver's best queer-owned spaces.

Why Denverites Love Art Club Coffee

Olivia Jewell Love

If you’re looking to make an evening in Platt Park, start by getting a cold pint of the 

 over at Platt Park Brewing. Then, make your way over to 

 on Pearl for a savory bite before they close at 8 p.m. (2 p.m. on Sundays). Round out your visit to the neighborhood with a scoop of cookies and cream from 

In the never-ending search for an affordable meal, check out the lunch specials over at 

. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and has lots of lunch combos, like a 10-piece sashimi combo that comes with soup and salad for only $21! Plus, the owner flies in rotating Japanese desserts so you never know what new sweet treat might be in the mix.

Legend has it that Red Rocks Amphitheater will transform into an “Amish Paradise” on June 23 at 6 p.m when doors open for 

 His “Bigger and Weirder” tour features special guest Puddles Pity Party at Red Rocks. Better get in that merch line now!

Ready to enter your fiber-maxxing era? (or plant based protein era, sure!) Check out the 

 put on by Food Justice NW Aurora. Enter your bean-based delicacy for a chance to win some $, or just show up to the event on June 7 from 4-6 p.m. to sample dishes and vote for your faves.

For anyone wanting to sip on a highly Instagrammable matcha past normal coffee shop hours, look no further than the 

 served up at Bigsby’s Folly. This drink features gin, elderflower, matcha, lemon, lavender, and “fee foam.” This green elixir is the drink that everyone at the table is stealing a sip from!

Welcome to Pride Month in Denver! Check out an 

 at the Clyfford Still Museum on June 14th for some family-friendly fun! They are planning drag queen story time with Gila Moonstar, DJ sets from Moon Magnet (you may know them from past baby raves 🔥) and lots of bubbles, hula hoops, and outdoor excitement.

Recommendations of the best things to do in Denver this June.

Your Guide to Denver in June 2026

Find the best of everything that Denver has to offer.

Denver’s Best

Denver's Best

With the days getting longer and hotter, there’s plenty of ways to beat the heat and dip your toes into some fun around the Mile High. Don’t forget your comically oversized water bottle and a hat commemorating one of the countless Colorado landmarks you’ve visited!

We invited our contributor David Sirota, who you might know as the Editor in Chief of 

, to shed his politics hat and pop on his beachy sun visor to help us come up with some awesome picks for how to spend a June day in Colorado on or near some water.

David’s pick for summer fun in the water is heading up to Lake Dillon with your bike to ride around the reservoir. “It's beautiful,” he says. “It feels like you’re in Switzerland, especially now in the summer.” His one warning? Everything is easy until you get 75% of the way around the reservoir, then you’ll hit a killer incline. So, maybe time to bust out that e-bike or try to turn around without anyone noticing. 😜While you’re at it, check out the 

; June has a beer festival and some great bands to catch!

Olivia’s pick for hitting the water this summer is to 

 with 10 of your closest friends to offset rental costs and enjoy a day on the lake. “You don’t have to have a rich friend who has a boat,” because you can rent one and make everyone Venmo you! And yes, I did just quote myself. There are a few websites where boat owners rent out their vessels to land-lubbers, and you can even pay extra for someone to captain the boat and to trailer it to a nearby lake. Don’t forget the cold drinks and sunscreen!

If you prefer to see the bottom of the water you’re dipping your toes in, check out Bree’s choice: 

 up in Idaho Springs, less than a 40-minute drive from Denver! This indoor hot spring is open year-round and has a glass ceiling so you can enjoy it in any weather. The facility has mineral pools, mud baths, caves, adults-only nights, and lots of other amenities to enjoy. Plus, the gorgeous plants they decorate with are actually for sale! While you’re up in Idaho Springs, be sure to check out the new 

Here's how to spend some time on the water and cool off this summer.

The Best Summer Water Activities Around Denver

Denver's Best Summertime Water Hangs

I’ve never been a strong swimmer. So, it’s funny that my camp counselor name was Nemo, after the iconic orange fish. I can, however, relate to the saying, “just keep swimming” as a reminder to persevere. Which is exactly the motto these local businesses live by, too. From teaching adaptive scuba to staying in business for nearly half a century, these Denver aquatic education spots and swimwear shops can help you make a splash — whatever your water plans this summer.

🐟 Denver Divers & Swim School of Denver (Cherry Creek)

Get certified in scuba diving, take a swim lesson, and shop for underwater gear all in the same place: 

. This local business also provides training and education in their pool through Denver Adaptive Divers, a scuba program for people with disabilities. They’ve helped many local residents improve their quality of life, including a wounded veteran who has reduced his pain since learning to dive.

Fashionistas and vacationers can find all their luxury swimwear needs at 

. Located right downtown in Larimer Square, this store has sleek and stylish suits for your next trip, plus hats and sunglasses, coverups, and resortwear. They’re also known for fun community events like the 

 they co-host with their neighbor, Little Blue Pigeon Books.

Beach Haus is closed on Mondays, but open all other days of the week.

 to develop lifelong abilities in swimming and water safety. Adults can choose from a variety of private lessons based on skill level, lesson duration, and course length. In addition to registering for private lessons, grownups can also drop in to private 15- or 30-minute intensive lessons. They emphasize an “empathetic and encouraging” approach for older swimmers finding their fins.

Colorado Swim School is open 7 days a week and offers flexible scheduling.

 has been serving Denver’s competitive and recreational swim community for more than two decades. They supply team apparel for competitive swimmers, including caps, warm-up outfits, and bags — which can be custom screenprinted — plus everything from singlets to wetsuits. Their casual swimwear collection for men and women includes pieces from major brands like Speedo, Nike, and Arena.

Call ahead or email to inquire about prices and availability, which aren’t listed on the website.

🛥️ Christy Sports (Multiple Locations)

 for its ski and snowboard stuff, but did you know they sell water sports gear, too? It’s not just swimwear, either. Among their most exciting inventory includes 

 and wakesurf boards. If you stop in Christy’s before an adventurous Colorado weekend on water, be sure to grab some lifejackets here, too.

 in Denver — check the addresses before you go.

Whether you want to become a better swimmer or learn to scuba dive, these are the best aquatic education spots and swimwear shops in Denver.

Denver's Best Swim Schools and Shop

Where to Take Swim Classes in Denver

You don’t need an ocean nearby to become a good swimmer. Denver Olympians like Missy Franklin and Amy Van Dyken prove that.

Denise grew up in Denver in the 70’s and 80’s as a competitive swimmer alongside her two older sisters and she’s still involved in aquatic activities to this day at 

. That’s the shop her parents opened in 1977, and which she now co-owns with her husband, Matt Glass.

“I've been here since I was 12 years old,” Denise says, reflecting on her role in the family business. “We used to go around to the swim meets and sell merchandise on the pool deck. And that's kind of how we got started.”

Denise’s parents eventually moved the shop into a brick and mortar space on Evans Avenue. Today, there’s something for every swimmer at Swim N’ Things, which stocks bathing suits and gear for competitive swimmers, vacation goers, water fitness enthusiasts, and even babies embarking on their first-ever swim.

Denise’s favorite place to swim in Colorado growing up was the former 

 on South Colorado Boulevard, now occupied by a Whole Foods and a Staples. The Disney-owned complex, open from 1960 to 1994, had a huge bowling alley, an arcade, and one of the only Olympic-sized indoor pools in Colorado at the time (with the added bonus of two amazing waterslides!).

Like many longtime Denver residents, Denise has seen the city transform over time. Those changes have brought their challenges, but it’s nothing the family business hasn’t seen before.

“It was a tough go at first,” Denise says of Swim N’ Things’ early days. “All the companies, like Speedo, didn't give us any ounce of encouragement because they said a swim store in Colorado will never make it. Here we are, 49 years later.”

Swim N' Things has been outfitting Denver's swimmers since 1977.

The History Swim N' Things, One of Denver's Oldest Swimwear Shops

Why Denverites Love Swim N’ Things

Every Thursday night throughout the summer, Avanti Food and Beverage lights up for a free community movie.

Projected onto their 30-foot screen at 8:30 p.m., the food hall’s 

 are a hit with locals of all ages. Their schedule, which spans a total of 19 movies this summer, is hand-selected by managers and staff.

There are upcoming kid-friendly films like “Holes” and “Shrek” — plus more grownup options like “Wedding Crashers” and “The Hangover.”

“We try to choose movies that people genuinely get excited about and want to rewatch with a crowd,” says Hayley Edmisten, Director of Marketing at Avanti. “Nostalgia plays a huge role, so we lean into cult classics, iconic comedies, throwback favorites, and feel-good movies that people can quote along with their friends. We also think about movies that match the energy of being outside on a summer night.”

The idea for movie night at Avanti stemmed from a desire to create more midweek options for Denverites beyond happy hour.

“Outdoor movies felt like the perfect fit for Avanti because they give people an easy excuse to gather with friends, grab food and drinks from multiple concepts, and spend an entire evening with us instead of just stopping in for one thing,” Edmisten says.

In addition to fostering community, Avanti’s movie night also introduces guests to great eats from all around Denver — many of which pair perfectly with a movie. For instance, guests can buy combo boxes of popcorn along with milkshakes from Knockabout Burgers, plus treats like candy and a frosty, boozy frosé.

Avanti kicked off its eighth season of movies in April, but with more than a dozen screenings still on deck for the rest of the season, there’s a good chance you can see a new-to-you movie (or one you love to rewatch).

Avanti Food & Beverage hosts one of Denver's favorite free outdoor movie screenings weekly.

Free Movie Screenings at Avanti Food & Beverage

Why Denverites Love Avanti Food and Beverage

This week, reader / listener Eugene H. shares with us their favorite place to go in Edgewater:

Get to Know Edgewater

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

Everything to know about Denver neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Denver Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Home to the city’s largest lake, second largest park, and 

 — let’s get to know the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood.

Sloan’s Lake residents are holding their breath — literally — waiting for this year’s 

. Every year around this time of the late summer, extreme heat exacerbates the poor environmental conditions in the lake, and hundreds of dead fish bob to the water’s surface.

“It is likely to come this month if temperatures sustain,” Kurt Weaver, executive director of the Sloan’s Lake Park Foundation, told us. “It is the park’s staff that has to clean up the dead fish with nets and garbage bags.”

 for Sloan’s Lake at the moment, as environmentalists sound the alarm over the lake’s warming temperatures, toxic blue-algae blooms, and lack of filtration. To properly address the issues, the lake needs to be drained and dredged, which experts estimate could cost upwards of $130 million and take several years to even get started.

. What is known for sure is that prior to the 1860s the lake didn’t exist. Instead, South Golden Road ran right through where the lake sits today, connecting Denver and the City of Golden. Sometime in the 1860s, a farmer by the name of Thomas M. Sloan settled on the land. Legend goes that Sloan unknowingly tapped an underground aquifer while digging a well, and he awoke the next morning to find his land under some 200 acres of water.

Home to the city’s largest lake, second largest park, and most hotly debated name — let’s get to know the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood. 

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Peyton Garcia

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