Innovators Peak
Month
Located inside the iconic Union Station in LoDo, the The Crawford Hotel combines the historic magic of Denver with the city’s innovative mindset. With luxurious modern amenities such as in-room iPads and perks like complimentary car service, it’s no wonder business travelers choose Crawford to spice up their stay. And although we’re proud, we’re also not surprised that CNN named this Mile High gem one of the top 11 business hotels across the globe. But, of course, we know there’s more to it all. Every patron brings more than a suitcase. Tucked away like a spare shirt, a story almost begs us to unpack it. So we did. These are the humans of Crawford Hotel: Part 2.
Lindsey
Barista
I like talking to all the people who are staying at the Crawford or coming through every day on the train. I took the train when I moved to Denver from Illinois. It’s a long story.
Source: via Flickr
Google Maps, Google Drive, Google Glass, and now… Google Spoon? Yes. Google has invented a spoon (not a spoogle, get serious). Why, you ask? Well, it’s not your everyday ordinary spoon. Using a bunch of computer stuff that makes things work correctly, Lift Labs Design, acquired by Google, has specifically designed the spoon for people with essential tremors or Parkinson’s disease to eat on their own without making a mess. In clinical trials, the Liftware Spoons reduced spills from shakes by about 76 percent. Now that’s an innovation.
With more than ten million people worldwide affected by essential tremors and Parkinson’s disease, it’s very exciting to finally see a product like this on the market. “We want to help people in their daily lives today and hopefully increase understanding of disease in the long run,” Google spokesperson Katelin Jabbari said. There are approximately 17,000 people in Colorado with Parkinson’s according to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies (1325 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite 204B 80222).
Alright people, we’re getting down to the wire here. Just a few more shopping days and then BOOM. We have Christmas on our hands. We’ve been to Walmart, Target, TJ Maxx, Apple, H&M, and now we’re out of ideas. We’ve hit all the stores and we’re still not finished shopping for gifts! #firstworldproblems
Source: Flickr.com
But wait, what about the local stores? You know, the ones that are all cute and you think, “I have to go in there one day.” Well your one day is today. Or maybe tomorrow, I don’t know what you have going on.
But what local businesses can you support? Here’s a nice comprehensive list for you:
1. Tattered Cover (2526 E Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80206)
The Tattered Cover Bookstore has been a staple in Denver for more than 40 years. If you’re shopping for a book-lover/iPad hater, then this is the spot for you.
Denver’s always had a thing for lights. I mean, people in general have always been into bright shiny things, but Denver’s got a special place in its heart for lights. One hundred years ago on Christmas Eve 1914, a totally sweet holiday moment happened at 4408 West 34th Avenue in Denver. A ten-year-old boy David Jonathan Sturgeon was too sick in bed to join his family around the Christmas tree. So his dad, David Dwight “D.D.” Sturgeon, a well-known Denver electrician (and clearly feeling the Christmas spirit), dipped light bulbs in red and green paint, connected them to wire, and hung them in a pine tree outside of little David’s window, making it a particularly magical Christmas Eve.
The local papers picked up the story, dubbing him the “Father of the Yule Lighting.” Soon enough, people were traveling from all over to view Sturgeon’s festive lights. The following year, Sturgeon and his neighbors decorated their trees, and a new tradition was born.
Now, there are light festivals all over the country, and each neighborhood has their own distinct flavor. Naturally, Denver has several festivals that are easily accessible to the public. This year marked the 40th annual Parade of Lights where over 365,000 people attended. So what other light shows are going on here in Denver? Well…
1. Zoo Lights (2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205)
With more than 150 animated animal sculptures swinging through trees, jumping across lawns, and surely grazing across 40+ acres of lights, this is one light festival not to miss. The light show runs 5:30 to 9:00 pm every night until January 4th. Tickets are $2-$12.
During the holiday season, The Mile High City transforms into a truly magical place. The history of lavish holiday displays in Denver dates back more than 100 years. The tradition continues, but each year the decorations become more extravagant with decorators pushing the envelope—creating the perfect balance of tradition and innovation. Here are the Top 10 displays in the Denver Metro area you don’t want to miss this season!
1. Modern Christmas Trees: Described by designer Matt Bliss, his tree designs are “innovative, modern, and rare.” These trees are rooted in deep, Colorado history, introduced by Lawrence “Bud” Stoecker who built a-frame homes in the Rocky Mountains. To save money, he built Christmas trees and utilized meticulous, refined technology that developed through the 1960’s, 70’s, and 80’s. And now Bliss has modernized it even further, providing families around Colorado with a truly unique decoration
The NORAD Santa Tracker has been putting children around the world in touch with Santa Claus since 1955. While Santa’s technology hasn’t changed too much (he still rocks it old school with his reindeer and sleigh) the folks at North American Aerospace Defense Command have certainly developed to ensure Santa is tracked as accurately as possible, no matter where in the world he is—or where you are!
To assist with this year’s Santa Tracker, Colorado-based telecommunications company, Level 3 Communications, headquartered in Broomfield, is hopping on board to spread holiday cheer and get the thousands of phone calls out to Santa this Christmas Eve.
Finding the right present for that one family member—braving the chaotic shopping malls, dreading the possibility your selection will be re-gifted—the pressure of buying the perfect holiday gift creates an enormous amount of stress. However, in an age that favors convenience, selection, and niche marketing, it’s not nearly as daunting as before. Gift boxes are a big hit, giving the receiver an assortment of goodies—after all, variety is the spice of life. And when it can go straight to your door, eliminating the cutthroat fight for parking spots…well, you can really focus on enjoying the holidays.
But what happens when you get the perfect gift box for your foodie friend, or your sister who loves bath and body products, but you still have no idea what to get the self-proclaimed Geek in your family? You don’t know a thing about the newest video games or the latest gadgets. And you don’t have to.
Geek Fuel has you covered. That’s right, a Denver-based company is curating gifts for the geek in your life—all delivered to their doorstep complete with a bow. Geek Fuel, located at 2900 Fox Street, is subscription based with plans ranging from 1 month ($23.90/month) to 1 year ($238.80/month) so that feeling of elation would last well beyond December 25th (especially if you select the 6 month or 12 month plan, as mystery items are included as a bonus!)
Source: Flickr
Ready to get in the spirit with a little taste of the holidays? Festive food with a cup of cheer really is the best way to do it. Here are a few of our favorite seasonal offerings from local Denver establishments that are guaranteed to indulge your senses.
Sister Winter Holiday Blend – Huckleberry Roasters (4301 Pecos St., 2500 Larimer St.)
Everything about this special blend encompasses this special time of year. Blending the first Southern Hemisphere beans of the winter (Piña from Huila, Colombia) with two other favorite African coffees (Kenya Gondo and YirgZ from Ethiopia), Sister Winter offers a delicious, caramel-y, nougat-y taste that is just perfect for a cold morning. In the spirit of giving, Huckleberry will be donating $4 from each bag of Sister Winter to Ground’s for Health (helping Ethiopian women gain accessible healthcare for cervical cancer care).
You can find Sister Winter Holiday blend at both Huckleberry locations and online.
Denver’s favorite artisan market in the heart of RiNo is the hot spot for one-stop holiday shopping and unique events. Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift, entertaining out-of-towners, or just amusing yourself be sure to stop by the Source for their usual fare and unique festive pop-ups.
On December 20th and 21st, the Source is collaborating with vendors and local businesses to put on a stellar seasonal event. Remember to stop by for any or all of these truly one-of-a-kind reasons:
Located inside the iconic Union Station in LoDo, the The Crawford Hotel combines the historic magic of Denver with the city’s innovative mindset. With luxurious modern amenities such as in-room iPads and perks like complimentary car service, it’s no wonder business travelers choose Crawford to spice up their stay. And although we’re proud, we’re also not surprised that CNN named this Mile High gem one of the top 11 business hotels across the globe. But, of course, we know there’s more to it all. Every patron brings more than a suitcase. Tucked away like a spare shirt, a story almost begs us to unpack it. So we did. These are the humans of Crawford Hotel.
Nick
Chief Marketing Officer
I do business in Denver, but I’m from Montreal. This is the second time I’ve stayed at the Crawford hotel. [It’s] one of the coolest hotels I have ever stayed in. It’s ultra convenient. The bar on the third floor is a great place to do business. I am going to Beaver Creek after this to see the Birds of Prey Downhill—my business is sports insurance.
Source: Flickr
It’s no surprise that Colorado is one of America’s leading states, championing fourth highest in job creation—and its burgeoning era of technology is partially to thank. Here’s a roundup of what a recent article published in Forbes has to say.
The state of innovation is all about expansion, and its technology sector is paving the way for a booming and robust economy. It all started with the implementation of the COIN initiative, Colorado Innovation Network, by Governor John Hickenlooper. Now, big businesses and start-ups alike are flourishing.
Is there anything more annoying than running out of beer in the middle of the game? Don’t you wish you could have your beer delivered to you? Don’t you wish you were a little more tech savvy? Not, like, ‘fix a computer’ tech savvy, but ‘aware of convenient new apps’ tech savvy. Are all of your answers to these questions ‘yes?’ Then you’ll love Drizly, the app that offers home delivery services for all of your favorite beers, wines, and liquors in 20 to 40 minutes. Did you answer ‘no?’ You’ll still probably love it.
Fourth graders from University Prep Charter School got the thrill of a lifetime this past Monday when they participated in the “Hour of Code Academy” at Mapquest headquarters in Denver. The week-long program coincides with Computer Science Education Week, December 8–14, 2014.
The festivities included in a pep rally with representatives from the Colorado Technology Association, Denver Office of Children’s Affairs and Denver Public Schools, followed by the official launch of Denver’s “Hour of Code,” a national initiative of CSEdWeek and code.org. Launched in 2013, code.org is a non-profit “dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color.”
What is Denver Done DIY? Whether you work at a fledgling start-up, offer freelance or consulting services, burn the midnight oil in school, or just need to save some cash for that next big project, follow us as we take a look at some of the best places to work, workout, play, and drink on the cheap here in Denver.
Colorado is a state on the move, both figuratively and literally. Thanks to a strong economy fueled by booming tech, energy, healthcare, and tourism industries, more and more people are flocking to the Centennial State to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by such growth. But ask any Denver resident, native or otherwise, and they’ll give you a more compelling reason why Colorado is a fantastic place to work—it’s a virtual paradise for people who are active and on-the-go. Whether your game is to summit 14ers, ski or snowboard powder, bike the foothills, run Wash Park, or simply enjoy any myriad outdoor (or even indoor) activities, Denver has transformed into Colorado’s hub for people who want to work hard and play harder.
Just like our previous post on the best places to access free Wi-Fi, we asked a number of Denver natives and transplants alike to share their favorite ideas for staying active year-round while minimizing the impact on their wallets.
All vibrant and driven millennials seem to share a commonality when setting off to pursue their entrepreneurial future—move West. California, specifically Silicone Valley, probably enters your mind when you imagine a bunch of wide-eyed, recent graduates attempting to start their own business. Sure, California has its undeniable benefits, but as the startup world grows at an enormous rate, new entrepreneurs are urged to expand their territory.
As one cannot very feasibly migrate further West than California, the movement towards the middle of the country has begun. And right in the middle is the unique, Mile High city of Denver. According to the Denver Business Journal, “innovators who start up in Denver may be better off than most other places in the country.” Denver currently ranks as the fifth best city for millennial entrepreneurs, right above Seattle.
Between hopping from country to country for filming, the 2014 COIN Summit’s documentarian David Wruck and I had the opportunity to grab a (virtual) cup of coffee one Monday morning. We got to discuss all kinds of good stuff, from his involvement in the 3rd annual Colorado Innovation Network to his role in the making of Comcast/Xfinity’s Innovators Box documentary.
Colorado Gives Day has been around since 2007, giving nonprofits the opportunity to raise money and awareness in the community. Taking place on December 9th, over 1,600 nonprofits will participate in Colorado Gives Day, urging potential donors to contribute. Using snail mail, email, Facebook, and now an app developed by CiviCore, the various nonprofits will receive donations from anyone who cares to give.
It is a well-known fact that the Denver metropolitan area is a bustling mecca of innovators, entrepreneurs, curators, accelerators and, of course, crafters. Just look around. They. Are. Everywhere. And they are changing the world as we know it. For the better. And chances are they had access to two vital necessities on their road to innovating, curating and developing: a computer and the Internet. At home.
Technology is revolutionizing K–12 education—how kids are taught, how they learn, how they do projects, how they turn in homework. The Internet opens new horizons, expands possibilities, increases opportunities. All great stuff. But what of the “lack thereof” kid? You know, the one whose family income puts him squarely at poverty level? The one who, but for a destiny of dwelling in the digital divide, had the makings of the architect of The Next Big Thing?
There’s something chic, something distinctly Parisian, when you enter the brick and mortar Bespoke Pedaler on 15th and Platte. Commuter bikes line the block locked up to the trees and the parking meters—not an unusual site for the neighborhood, however what sits inside the refined, hip urban cycling shop is exclusive.
Denver is a great place to be in terms of connectivity. As we’ve noted here before: It’s one of the most wired cities in the country. Just check Forbes’ list. With broadband adoption at nearly 70% with a plethora of providers, over 11,000 people per Wi-Fi hotspots, combined with plenty of technology assets and access options—it’s almost hard not to stay connected.