LARIAT LOOP

The Lariat Loop was Denver’s original escape route — a promise that in just one afternoon you could leave the city, breathe mountain air, and feel like yourself again.

This 40-mile scenic route, linking the foothill towns of Golden, Evergreen, and Morrison, was built for awe, not efficiency.

What we now call the Lariat Loop wasn’t designed to get anyone anywhere quickly. It wasn’t meant to shave minutes, connect business districts, or move freight. It was built for experience.

The Loop came to life in the 1910s and 1920s, when Denver was booming with new arrivals and the automobile was reshaping how people related to the land. City leaders, especially the team behind the Denver Mountain Parks system, had a visionary thought: What if getting to the mountains didn’t require being a rugged outdoorsman? What if everyone — families, couples, Sunday drivers — could breathe mountain air in a single afternoon?

They wanted to make the foothills feel nearby. Not remote. Not rugged. Reachable. A place for ordinary people to catch their breath between workweeks.

So they laid out a road system that wasn’t about speed or commerce. It was about experience.

Engineers shaped Lookout Mountain Road intentionally, with gentle grades, wide curves, and planned “view reveals”where the horizon opens suddenly and the city falls away behind you.

Every turn was designed to make you slow down and look up.

This was part of the national Good Roads Movement. When roads were seen not just as infrastructure but as public beauty. They were meant to restore the spirit of city-dwellers by giving them easy access to open space.

We don’t build roads like this anymore. Now we build straight lines. Direct routes. Fast, quiet, frictionless travel.

But the Lariat Loop is different. It insists on your attention — the kind you can only give when you slow down.

COCKTAIL

After the Halloween rush, and before the holidays, things slow down a bit. There’s this tiny where the evenings feel just right - cool enough for a sweater, but not yet the deep cold of winter. The kind of quiet night where you find yourself settled in front of a crackling fire, taking your time before the holiday chaos arrives. This Apple Cider Old Fashioned fits that moment perfectly.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1 oz apple cider

• 2-3 dashes bitters

• Orange peel (optional, but adds a nice touch)

• Ice

How to make it:
Add the bourbon, cider, and bitters to a rocks glass. Toss in a few cubes of ice and give it a slow stir. If you’ve got an orange, twist a strip of peel over the drink to add that citrus aroma. Take your first sip, and savor.

Why it works: 
The cider softens the bourbon’s edge just enough, like a trusted flannel on a brisk evening.

THE BRIEFING

Sunrise 6:41 AM
Sunset 4:48 PM
Snow Report - Still pretty weak…

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TUESDAY

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

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Trickster Tuesday Family Magic Show, 7-9pm. Laughs

WEDNESDAY

Morris & Mae, Golden- Golden Startup Coffee, 9-11am. Connect

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Warren Miller’s Sno-ciety film screening, 7:30-11pm. Stoked

THURSDAY

Golden Mill, Golden- Tunes & Brews w/ Powder 7, 5-8pm. Ski Tunes

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

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

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Caltucky, 6-9pm. Jamgrass

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

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Bad Indian: A Native American Comedy Showcase, 7-9pm. Comedy Show

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Lynard Skynard & 38 Special Tribute Bands, 7pm. Rock on

FRIDAY

Golden Public Library, Golden- Thankful for Music: A Friendsgiving Violin Performance, 2-3pm. Enjoy

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue Friday, 5pm. Yummy

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Art Bar: Hootin’ & Hollerin’ Stained Glass, 6-8pm. Register

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Live music w/ Lance Swearengin, 6-9pm. Southern Rock

SATURDAY

Mines Museum, Golden- Mineral ID Day, 1-4pm. Bring your most mysterious rock

Wulf Rec Center, Evergreen- Fall Fling Family Night Out, 4-7pm. Have some fun

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Escape Snowboard Movie Premier, 6-8pm. Featuring CO Locals

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Super Premium Ultra Deluxe band, 7:30-11pm. Check it out

SUNDAY

Colorado Tap House, Arvada- Bunny Yoga, 9am. Get your tix

Golden Mill, Golden- The Golden Mill Holiday & Craft Show, 12-4pm. Good gifts

Jefferson Unitarian Church, Golden- Jefferson Symphony Orchestra Autumn Showcase, 3-4:30pm. Tickets

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

MONDAY

Evergreen Brewery, Evergreen- A Night with Joel Gratz: AI Innovations for Snow & Avalanche risk, 5pm. Get smarter

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

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

Colorado School of Mines from way back in the day.

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See you around the next bend!