COLORADO’S RENAISSANCE MAN

John Brisben Walker (1847-1931) lived a life that reads like adventure fiction: West Point cadet, general in the Chinese Army, pioneering alfalfa farmer, and the publishing mogul who transformed Cosmopolitan Magazine from a failing periodical into one of America's premier publications before selling it to William Randolph Hearst for $1 million in 1905.

But Walker's most enduring legacy lies in Colorado's foothills. After purchasing 4,000 acres around Morrison, he opened the Garden of the Titans (the precursor to Red Rocks Amphitheater) in 1906, hosting concerts that legendary opera singer Mary Garden declared had the world's finest acoustics. He built a cable railway up Mount Morrison and envisioned making the natural amphitheater an international destination—a dream realized decades after his death.

Atop Mount Falcon in Morrison, Walker constructed a magnificent stone mansion with Italian stonemasons, complete with ten bedrooms, a music room, and observation deck. Though lightning destroyed it in 1918, the atmospheric ruins remain accessible via an easy, rewarding hike. His failed Summer White House foundation sits nearby—testament to one man's boundless ambition.

Walker's vision for preserving Front Range lands ultimately seeded Denver Mountain Parks and Jefferson County Open Space, gifts we still enjoy today.

GOLDENS IN GOLDEN

For all the dog lovers, the moment is finally here. Golden’s in Golden is happening this Saturday in downtown Golden (can read about how this got started here), and it’s a jam packed day of events. Check out the complete guide to the event (w/ helpful parking tips, what to know etc). It seems that just about every business in town has some sort of event or special going on for the occasion, so plenty to keep everyone busy!

And if hundreds of Golden retrievers and even more human handlers isn’t your cup of tea, probably best to avoid downtown Golden on Saturday.

THE BRIEFING

Sunrise 7:06 AM
Sunset 5:23 PM

Want a Featured Event? Reach out and say hello.

Care to submit an event? Send it here.

TUESDAY

Colorado Tap House, Arvada- Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna Sessions, 5-9pm. Sign up

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

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Cribbage Game Night, 6pm. Get ready

WEDNESDAY

Beck Venture Center, Golden- Startup Forum: Selling to the Government, 3:30-7:30pm. Details

Mountain Area Land Trust, Evergreen- Colorado Pollinators Expert panel, 3:30-5pm. Bees

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Sunset Campfires with caramelized beers & S’mores, 5-8pm. Last night

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

Willow Creek, Evergreen- Wine, Women, & Wealth, 6:30-8pm. Get together

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Country Line Dancing Night at the Rose, 7pm. Boots on

THURSDAY

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Cheese Night w/ Cheese Ranch, 5-10pm. Beer pairings

The Golden Mill, Golden- Apres Thursday & Ski Tune Night, 5-8pm. Who needs snow to have a good time

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Curated Sake Tasting, 5:30-7pm. Sake Bombs!

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

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

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

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Might Holler, 6-9pm. Band mash up 

Arvada Beer Garden, Golden- Acres Ski Sunset Paint & Sip, 6pm. Tickets

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- Almighty Open Mic Night, 7pm.

FRIDAY

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

The Golden Mill, Golden- Kick of Pawrty, 5-9pm. Lots of Buzz

Aspen Peak Cellars, Bailey- Mardi Gras Masquerade, 6pm. Tix

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Porch Moments live music, 6pm. Mountain music

SATURDAY

Evergreen- Chill Out Winterfest 2026, All Day. Check it out

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

Buffalo Rose, Golden- My Blue Sky & The Long Run: Tribute to the Eagles and Allan Brothers, 7pm. Rock show

SUNDAY

Holidaily Brewing, Golden- Monthly Brewery Tour, 3-4pm. Behind the scenes

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

MONDAY

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

Central City, 1950s

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See you around the next bend!