Happy Friday, Bucket Lister! If you’re feeling superstitious today, that’s because it’s the first Friday the 13th of the year. But don’t worry because tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year. Whoever you choose to spend the next two days with, we’ve got four excellent stories from our team to help ensure you have a wonderful start to your weekend. And before you dive in, please fill out the Bucket List Community News Annual Survey for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. As Bucket List readers and supporters, we value your feedback. Please let us know what’s working and what you want to see more (or less) of. Now, onto the news!
Ollin Cafetzin in Aurora is a “Safe Zone” Against ICE
An Indigenous, Chicano/Mexican cafe located off East Colfax in Aurora is opening its doors as more than just a coffee shop. Ollin Cafetzin — translated as “Movement Coffee” — was founded to create community through culture, conversation and connection. Now, as concerns about ICE activity ripple through immigrant communities, the cafe is serving as a gathering space for organizing, education and support. Journalist Daniel Montoya speaks with co-founder Cynthia Moreno-Romero about what it means to call their space a “safe zone” from ICE.
Nederland Citizens Demand More Transparency Around Eldora
Tensions rose at a recent town hall in Nederland as residents pressed local officials for more clarity about the town’s pending $120 million acquisition of Eldora Mountain Resort. With 303 Ski no longer involved, questions about property taxes, special district funding and the ski area’s long-term viability dominated the discussion. While town leaders cited legal constraints, many attendees left wanting more direct answers. Sophia Collins breaks down what we know and what residents are still asking.
Chernobyl Survivor Living in Parker on Disaster’s 40th Anniversary
This April marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, when Reactor No. 4 at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded and released radioactive material across Ukraine and beyond. For Olga Skuratovich, now living in Parker, the anniversary is deeply personal. She was a child when the disaster unfolded and later immigrated to the United States, where she rebuilt her life. Brooklyn Miller sits down with Skuratovich to discuss resilience, reinvention and what lessons the world should carry forward four decades later.
Check Out These Unconventional Colorado Wedding Venues
Ballrooms and banquet halls aren’t the only way to say “I do.” Across the Denver metro area, couples are trading traditional venues for unique spots like haunted houses, art galleries, mountaintops and immersive experiences. From gothic ceremonies at Find Your Fright to vows at Red Rocks, Meow Wolf or the Denver Zoo, weddings are becoming bold expressions of personality. Sophia Collins explores why more couples are ditching cookie-cutter ceremonies and how Denver’s diverse venues are embracing the shift.
Stuff We Noticed
Trump Administration Proposes Freezing Public Health Funding in Colorado. Earlier this week, the federal government announced plans to withhold millions of dollars in funding from four Democratic-controlled states, including Colorado. The move could impact organizations such as the Colorado Health Network and add strain to the state’s already underfunded public health system. Although Gov. Jared Polis’ office confirmed that Colorado has not received official cancellation notices, the governor said he remains committed to “continuing to fight for Coloradans and the best interest of the state.”
Underground Music Showcase Announces RiNo Comeback. After publicly stating that last year’s 25th festival was UMS’s final year, organizers announced that the event would return, but in RiNo rather than on South Broadway. This festival, which began as a DIY effort by Denver Post journalists in 2001, will now be run by the RiNo Art District Business District and Two Parts, an experiential and creative agency that acquired UMS in 2018. The 2026 festival is scheduled for July 24–26.
New Baby Kangaroo Peeking Out of Mother’s Pouch at Denver Zoo. Visitors to the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance can now spot a baby tree kangaroo peeking out of his mother Pearl’s pouch. Though born in July 2025, joeys are about the size of a jellybean at birth and spend months growing inside the pouch before emerging. Zoo officials say it takes seven to eight months for a joey to begin climbing out and several more before leaving for good.
Thank you so much for reading. Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and if you are still scrambling for the perfect date that won’t break the bank, we’ve got you covered. Natalie Montoya compiled a list of five fun (and inexpensive) ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day for our Bucket Listicle this week. And don’t worry; we won’t tell that you got your Valentine’s Day idea from us. Have a wonderful weekend, Bucket Listers, and please take a few minutes to complete our survey!
Warmest Regards,
Kathryn Cronin
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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