Lookout Mountain and Ol’ Buffalo Bill

At the entrance to the Rocky Mountains, Lookout Mountain towers over the front range. Its earliest known inhabitants were the Ute Indians who recognized the mountain’s strategic value, using its summit to survey the vast plains looking eastward. When gold seekers and settlers began arriving in the 1850s, the mountain quickly became a local landmark for weary travelers navigating the tricky terrain.

Lookout Mountain gained national prominence in 1917 when William Frederick Cody aka “Buffalo Bill”, America’s legendary showman, bison hunter, and solider, was laid to rest on its summit. Buffalo Bill allegedly wished to be buried with a view of both the mountains and plains he loved so dearly, and where he spent much of his life.

However, like many things in the old west, it got interesting. Buffalo Bill was instrumental in the founding of Cody, WY in the late 1800s, and the town was named in his honor. In the first draft of Cody’s will, he stated he wanted to be buried outside of Cody, WY. However in an updated will, Cody specified his intention to be buried atop Lookout Mountain. Cody was visiting his sister in Denver in the winter of 1917 when he died. Because of the winter, the road atop Lookout Mountain was impassable until warmer weather. So, Olinger Mortuary in Denver kept his body in cold storage for 6 months.

Wyoming residents and officials wanted one of their favorite sons to be returned home, and conspiracies exists to this day that folks from Wyoming snuck into the mortuary and replaced Bill’s body with a look alike imposter, and returned the real Buffalo Bill north to be buried in Cody. Further controversy came from Cody’s niece, who claimed that Denver officials conspired to have Buffalo Bill buried on Lookout Mountain.

Time did not heal all wounds, and in 1948 the Cody chapter of the American Legion offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who could steal Cody’s body and deliver it to Cody, WY. The Colorado National Guard was called in, and a security detail was mounted over the grave site atop Lookout Mountain.

We’ll never know for certain what transpired with ol’ Buffalo Bill, but one thing is certain: Bill was right about Lookout Mountain, which has “one of the most spectacular views in all of the west.”

Side Bar: The Olinger Mortuary where Buffalo Bill was kept on ice is now Linger restaurant. Next time you’re enjoying a cocktail and their delicious pork belly buns, you can know they’ve been “keeping things chilled” for a century. (new dad here, still working on those dad jokes)

Local Artist Spotlight

Joe Owens, our inaugural Foothill Crew local artist, is a travel photographer who has collected a few wall worthy shots over the years. A native of Kansas City who found his way to the foothills by way of Chicago, Joe has lived in Colorado for nine years and in North Turkey Creek for seven, making him a foothills newbie to some and a veteran to others. He now lives where he wants to vacation and plans to stay here for a while. His artist philosophy is that your home is too nice to have boring walls and should be filled with imagery that gives daily joy and inspires visitors to say, “wow, what’s that?”

His work spans across a variety of tastes- from broad landscape scenes for over the mantel, nostalgic chrome for the man-cave, and maybe even something for the bathroom, like an outhouse in the Grand Tetons. Some of his photos were captured on the other side of the globe, and some were taken right here in our backyard of Colorado. If you see him out walking his rescue dog Spark, give ‘em a wave!

To check out more of Joe’s work, visit his website and follow on Instagram and Facebook where he frequently shares his latest photos.

Joe has graciously offered a discount exclusive to Foothill Crew readers who are interested in his photos. Use code FOOTHILLS for 30% off your first order through Labor Day.

Community Input

About once a month, I’ve enjoyed poking around houses and properties throughout the Foothills and sharing them with you all. We’ve checked out the historic Greystone Estate, and taken looks at mid century modern vibes nestled in the mountains.

The fancy, ultra luxury ones are fun to see how the 1% lives, but not very realistic for us normal folk. Do we explore some more budget friendly options? Keep seeing how the rich and famous live? Or maybe a combo of both?

What does the community want to see? Vote in the poll below.

Care to submit an event? Here you go. 

Want a Featured Event with a spiffy poster? Reach out and say hello.

Boone Mountain Sports and Evergreen Brewery are getting ready for summer… are you? Grab your cowboy hat, round up the crew, and head on down for a good ol’ fashion throw down.

Mountain Toad Brewing is turning 12 and throwing a big bash for 3 straight days. Live music, food trucks, and good beer flowing… start Memorial Day weekend on a high note.

TUESDAY

Golden Library, Golden- The Colorful World of Gardening, 4:15-5:15pm. Greenthumbs

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna on site, 4-9pm. Sauna & a beer

Maryland Mountain, Blackhawk- Jeffco Mountain Bike Club weekly ride, 5:45pm. Get that elevation

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Weekly Run club, 6pm. Sweat then beers

Over Yonder Brewing, Golden- Open Bluegrass Pick Night, 6-9pm. Jam w/ friends

Astor House, Golden- Golden Beer Talks, 6pm. Learn about the Astor House History

The Golden Mill, Golden- Trivia Night 6:30-8:30pm. Show off your smarts

WEDNESDAY

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Live music with Chrispy, 4-8pm.

Green Mountain, Lakewood- Green Mountain Trail work day, 5-8pm. Help out

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Open Bluegrass Jam, 6-9pm. Join the fun

Evermore Wine Bar, Evergreen- A Taste of California: 4 Course Dinner & Wine Pairing, 7pm. Get your seat

THURSDAY

Runner’s Roost, Golden- Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

Golden History Museum, Golden- Brewed at Altitude: A Tale of Colorado & Beer, 6-7pm. Learn more

Earth Sweet Boutique, Golden- Herbal Mocktails Make & Take Class, 6-8pm. Earthy

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Breadbox, a Jerry Garcia tribute band, 6-9pm. Ramble on Rose

Bhojanic Social Club, Evergreen- Artful Living: Ladies Night Out, 6-8pm. Get your tickets

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Sweet Child & Linger, Tribute to Guns & Roses and Linger, 6pm. Woah Woah Sweet Child of Mine

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Comedy Night featuring AJ Finney, 7:30pm. Get ready to LOL

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Thank you Thursday. Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open, and a great warm up for Open Mic Night 👇️ 

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Almost Famous Open Mic Night, starting at 7pm

FRIDAY

Olde Town Arvada- Fourth Friday: Fun, Art, & Energy. 5-10pm. Community Event

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue 🫕 Friday. Call by Thursday to reserve your pot. Say Cheese

Barrels & Bottles, Golden- Live music with Andy Eppler, 5:30-8:30pm.

Bunker Auditorium, School of Mines, Golden- Limitless: A Concert of Dance, 6pm. Check it out

Over Yonder Brewing, Golden- Gus Miller & Rachel Cole, 6-9pm. Americana Music

Buffalo Rose, Golden- The Jerseys & Mile High Motown, 7pm. Doo wop

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- The Tyler Adams Trio, 8pm. Fantastic Evening

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Joytrip brining their electric indie folk band, 8-11pm. Tix

SATURDAY

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Namaste

Cabin Creek Brewing, Georgetown- 5th Anniversary Party, join the fun

Miner’s Alley Performing Arts Center, Golden- Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, 1pm. Bring the kids

Evergreen Brewery, Evergreen- Big Thaw Throwdown, 1-6pm. Kick off to summer

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Throw with me: Multi generational Wheel Workshop, 1:30-3:30pm. Fun

Rockland Community Church, Genesse- Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Concert Series Finale, 3-5pm. Last Call

Marv Kay Stadium, Golden- Colorado Summit Ultimate Frisbee Home Game, 7pm.

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- The Bramblers in concert, 8pm. Witch Grass

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Otis bringing gritty blues, 8-11pm. Soulful

SUNDAY

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Rocky Mountain Pro Wrestling at the Beach, 4pm. Not your ordinary Sunday

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

The Golden Mill, Golden- Latin Music Series with Nico Martinez, 6-9pm. Latin Fusion

Goosetown Station, Golden- Gus Miller Band & Rachel Cole in concert, 7pm.

MONDAY

PR Labs, Boulder- Golden’s own Parent Run Club has your childcare covered if running the Boulder Boulder.

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Ky & Friends on stage, 7-11pm. Enjoy

Buffalo Bill’s Gravesite, 1933

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See you around the next bend!