Howdy, Bucket Listers! Have you checked out our first Bucket List Top 5 Guide about the outdoors yet? Thanks to everyone who read it and a special thank you to our sponsors, Kelly and Mark Williams from Modus Real Estate. If you want your friends and neighbors to be cool like you and get the guide before it becomes publicly available, suggest they subscribe to it on our website. Last week Logan Kurtz told you about lesser-known outdoor spots in Denver, and this week Aidan Sloan, our Bucket List cinephile, has just the thing for Denver area film buffs.
Loretto Heights Redevelopment
We’ve been asking for your story ideas and our friend, Chuck Plunkett, was wondering how things are going with the city’s plan to transform the historic Loretto Heights campus into a cultural hub for southwest Denver residents. Our reporter Cassis Tingley spoke to developers and visited the neighborhood to ask residents what they thought about the ongoing construction. While folks are looking forward to “revitalization,” they have concerns too.
Cookbook Shares Immigrant Food and Stories
Dr. Julia Roncoroni, a University of Denver professor, co-authored “Cocina Libre: Immigrant Resistance Recipes” with her husband, Dr. Delio Figueroa, an Adams County music teacher. The immigrant couple wrote and self-published the book out of a desire to provide a platform for immigrants to share their stories. Daianee Galindo spoke with them about the cookbook ahead of a public event they’re hosting on September 21 at the Smiley Library Branch.
Get Cookin’ with Pastamoré
Denver-based pasta company, Pastamoré, has been serving up quality products since 2001. What began as a side hustle at local farmers markets has evolved into a regional leader in imported olive oils and flavored pasta sold locally in Colorado. Our Helena Fox-Mills visited the company’s Denver headquarters to learn more about its products and plans to remain an “ethical business where the product makes people happy.”
Rugby on the Rise
After the United States 2024 women’s rugby team won bronze in Paris, the first Olympic medal in program history, the Denver women’s rugby scene is finally taking off. Ryland Scholes spoke with several members of Black Ice, a Division I team based at Infinity Park in Glendale, to discuss industry changes. With so many new players joining the sport, Black Ice team members believe the bronze medal is just the beginning for Team USA.
Stuff We Noticed
The Lower Downtown Design Review Commission rejected development of the historic El Chapultepec building, at least for now. In June, Historic Denver and the Monfort Companies proposed preserving El Chapultepec’s triangular shape and two walls with a new glass building at 20th and Market. The commission liked the idea of preservation, but the roof terrace and excessive glass in the project were criticized, so the pitch will have to be reworked.
It looks like the best leaf peeping this year will be during the end of September into mid-October. This interactive map from American Forests lets you click on Colorado and see how the leaves are expected to turn from week to week. Experts say the warm weather we’ve had might prevent a spectacular show this year so let’s hope for some cold, crisp nights.
It’s down to three finalists to host the 2027 Sundance Film Festival and Boulder is still in contention. Cincinnati and a joint bid from Salt Lake City and Park City, where the event has been held for the past four decades, are also in the running. The final decision will come after the 2025 Film Festival, which runs from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2 in Park City, Utah.
Finally, this Saturday, September 14, from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. is the Sunnyside Music Festival at Chaffee Park near Tejon and 44th. This is such a fun event. The bands are awesome, there are booths and food, and it’s a great time. Bring your lawn chairs and spend the day. Come by Bucket List Community News’s booth, get free refrigerator magnets and stickers, fill out our Voter Voices survey and tell us what stories we should cover. We can’t wait to meet you.
Reach out to Vicky Collins or Toni Tresca with any story ideas. If you like what we’re doing to bring free hyperlocal community news to the Denver area, please consider a contribution—community journalism takes a community. Have a great weekend!
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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