BEFORE RED ROCKS

Most people know Morrison as the gateway to Red Rocks. Drive through, find parking, catch the show, head home. But Morrison existed for nearly 70 years before a single concert was played at that amphitheater — and its first act was a lot rougher and more interesting than the tourist town you drive through today.

It started with a stonemason. George Morrison arrived in Colorado in 1859, chasing gold like everyone else. He spent weeks digging at Idaho Springs, got nowhere, and did what practical people do: fell back on what he actually knew. He was a builder. A good one. By 1874 he'd platted the town that now bears his name, founded the Morrison Stone, Lime and Town Co., and started pulling red sandstone out of the local hills. That stone ended up in the Brown Palace, Union Station, and some of Denver's finest early mansions. Morrison built the city. Literally. (cue this awesome Starship song…)

The railroad came that same year — a narrow gauge line that was supposed to push west through Bear Creek Canyon toward the mining country. Engineers changed their minds and routed it up Platte Canyon instead, leaving Morrison on a spur. That one decision probably kept the town from becoming something much bigger. But the railroad still changed everything: it hauled quarry stone east and brought Denver's weekend crowd back west. Morrison's first tourist economy was born by accident.

By the 1880s, the town had about 500 residents, a bustling quarry operation, and a 42-room sandstone hotel called the Swiss Cottage — built for Governor John Evans, complete with a dancing pavilion and big views of the red rocks. That building had a wild run: hotel, then briefly a Jesuit college (the Jesuits relocated to Denver and their new campus became Regis University), then a resort casino that reportedly hosted Teddy Roosevelt. It stood for over a century before being demolished in 1982.

The quarry industry eventually faded. The railroad made its last scheduled run in 1925. For a stretch, Morrison was just a quiet, old, well-built little town — too small to grow, too well-situated to disappear. Wedged between the hogbacks and the foothills, it was protected from Denver's sprawl almost by geography alone.

Then Red Rocks opened. The rest, as they say, is history. But it's the earlier history that's worth knowing.

THE BRIEFING

SUNRISE 5:55 AM
SUNSET 7:59 PM

SNOW FORECAST: Winter’s still got some left to give

PROPERTY: Greystone Estate still on the market if anyone wants to shake the couch cushions for loose change.

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TUESDAY

Colorado Tap House, Arvada- Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna on site, 5-9pm. Grab your spot

Virginia Canyon, Idaho Springs- JeffCo Mountain Bike Club weekly ride, 5:30pm. Cool Ride

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

WEDNESDAY

Amano Coffee & Plants, Kittredge- Mother’s Day Floral Arrangement Class, 5:30-7:30pm. More details

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

THURSDAY

Colorado Tap House, Arvada- Build your own Bouquet, 5-8pm. Bloom Bar

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

The Golden Mill, Golden- 1st Thursday Yappy Hour, 5-8pm. Puppies

Mountain Home, Evergreen- Mother’s Day Paint & Sip, 5:30-7:30pm. Sign up

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

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Art Bar: Press & Pour Linocut Printing, 6-8pm. Carve & Sip

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Fogy Memory Boys, 6-9pm. Acoustic Act

Earth Sweet Boutique, Golden- Culinary Accoutrements for Summer Cooking Class, 6-7:30pm. Spices

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- The Almighty open Mic Night, 7-11pm. Impress your friends

FRIDAY

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

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Live music w/ Jay Roemer & Jarret Mason Duo, 6pm. Bluegrass

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Arena Rock All Stars: 80s Tribute, 7:30pm. Throwbacks

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Roast the 90s comedy show, 8-10pm. Nostalgia

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Still They Ride: Tribute to Journey, 8pm. Don’t Stop

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- A’Bear & Friends: Grateful Dead Cover, 8pm. Ramble On

SATURDAY

Buffalo Bill Museum, Golden- Sketching on the Observation Desk, 9-10:30am. Arts

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

Holidaily Brewing, Golden- Gluten-Free Foodie Fest, 11am-6pm. Come out

Golden Fly Shop, Golden- Cast & Grass, 1-7pm. Live music, giveaways, and more

Denver Kickers Clubhouse, Golden- Maypole Dance celebration, 5:30-9pm. Fun

Olde Town, Arvada- Second Saturday Summer Concert Series & Festival, 5-9pm. Check it out

Goosetown Station, Golden- Dog Log: Phish Cover, 6:30pm. Get tickets

SUNDAY

The Golden Mill, Golden- Mother’s Day Rooftop Yoga, 9:30-10:30am. Treat Mom

The Eddy Taproom, Golden- Mothers Day Brunch, 11am-1pm. Festive

LUKI Brewery, Arvada- Mother’s Day Paints, Pastries, & Pours, 2-4pm. Celebrate

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

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Silent Book Club, 5-8pm. Beer and a book

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

Morrison quarry, 1861.

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See you around the next bend!