The local brewery is a place to share beer and share life. It is a place for people to gather and a place for people to be alone with others. The local brewery operates at a pace that provides a bit of respite from hectic and hurried life. People go to a local brewery for a variety of motivations: to unwind, to watch a game, to celebrate, to mourn. What they all have in common is an appreciation of the craft of good beer.

Describing a generative place like Grow + Gather isn’t easy, even for founder, George Gastis. “I always had this idea of an urban farm, part restaurant, part coffee shop, part gathering space that hosts things that bring people together.” George shares where the seeds of this came from, “Food was the natural hook. My dad was a big gardener, and my mom was an amazing cook. They both grew up in farming families in Greece.” “The simple version is, Grow + Gather is an urban farm and food-centric marketplace.” The goals of Grow + Gather are in plain sight. It’s all in the name—a place to grow food and for people to gather.

When I think of someone who embodies this rhythm of tending, both to land and to life, I think of Helen Skiba, the renowned Colorado flower farmer behind Artemis Flower Farm. The flowers at Artemis Flower Farm are unparalleled…dainty, boasting, and colorful. Recently I took the drive to visit Helen at her farm outside Longmont. While I was technically there to pick up a dahlia tuber order (she has the best around), we both knew the real reason was to meet her almost eight-month-old baby girl. We wandered through the farm and into her cozy home tucked right on the property, where her daughter waited…another tender life being lovingly grown alongside the flowers.

The thrill of thrifting and the warmth of connection are palpable when you enter a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It is a sacred place where community and commerce converge.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an internationally acclaimed iconic concert venue in the foothills of Morrison, Colorado. It is known as the only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world. Red Rocks is a stunning setting where natural beauty and human creativity combine to create lifelong memories for millions of people. Before any notable musical artists performed on the stage at Red Rocks, a tradition began that has lasted for over seven decades—the Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks.

Mile Hi Cycles is owned and operated by a father who has a passion for cycling and fixing broken things. Chris Fanckboner has worked in the bike industry since 1993. He first worked at a southwest Denver bike shop while in high school. Chris would race downhill mountain bikes and became a professional bike mechanic to stay connected to his love of the cycling culture and industry. Mile Hi Cycles opened in the Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood in 2023. The desire was to open a neighborhood bike shop in close proximity to the Cherry Creek Trail.

The theatre is a sacred place. The word theatre is from the Greek meaning "seeing place." It is not only a place to watch a performance, but a place to see more deeply into the human story. Theatres were elaborately constructed to form the imagination of those under the rule of the Roman Empire. It is likely the Apostle Paul spoke to audiences in Roman theatres about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

A columbarium is a sacred place. Communities have had places for burial near places of worship for centuries. A cemetery located on the same property as a place of worship is not uncommon in older cities or rural communities. Crypts, cemeteries, or a columbarium provided the living regular reminders of those who had gone before them.

CrossPurpose is a place where lives intertwine, barriers dissolve, and deep, authentic relationships are formed. At CrossPurpose, people from vastly different backgrounds—former gang members, single mothers, wealthy business leaders, refugees, and longtime community residents—gather at shared tables. They come together not as beneficiaries and benefactors, but as family.

A sledding hill is a sacred place. It is a place of winter play where children and adults alike experience the thrill of speeding down a snowy surface. Many winter sports can be exclusive based on finances, but a sledding hill is an inclusive gathering. A sledding hill is an open invitation to anyone willing to risk.

Nestled in the heart of Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, the Welton Street Cafe is a sacred place, a cornerstone of culture and resilience, particularly in the Black community. It is a restaurant where stories are shared, and legacies are preserved. Its doors have been a gateway for over two decades, welcoming all who seek the warmth of community and the flavors of home.

The kitchen is a sacred place. It is a place of nourishment and creativity, provision and connection. It is where meals are made for family and friends, and where countless conversations occur that connect us to one another.

An observatory is a sacred place. The night sky when viewed through a powerful telescope is an invitation to witness the mystery and majesty of the cosmos. The vastness of the universe provides a different perspective to the scale of our cities and civilizations. When we look at the stars, we realize how shared our worlds are.

The toy store is a sacred place. It is a place that fosters curiosity and wonder, while simultaneously inviting us to a playful connection with our neighbors and neighborhood.

 A toy store stocks its shelves not only with dolls, games, craft kits, and racecars, but also with an unspoken element of magic. What may appear to be a simple toy can open portals to other worlds in the imagination. In the act of play, there are gentle invitations to take risks, try new things, imagine possibilities, and perhaps discover a spark that grows into a lifelong love.

Union Station is not only a train station serving as the historical hub of transportation, but a place that is at the heart of the city. The train station symbolizes both the historical roots and future hopes of the Mile High City. Union Station serves over 30,000 each day in transit but is the outcome of the tireless vision of one woman.

The small mountain mining town of Georgetown, Colorado, transforms into a winter wonderland for its annual Christmas Market. Georgetown during December feels like walking into a snow globe—Victorian buildings lined with twinkling lights, dusted with a soft layer of snow, and streets filled with the rich scent of roasting chestnuts. The Christmas Market isn’t just a festive event; it’s a gathering where the warmth of community and the spirit of tradition merge to create something magical.

The state capitol is a sacred place. It serves not only as a government building where hundreds of citizens work each day, but a landmark that has over 300,000 visitors each year. The official elevation of Denver at 5,280 feet is measured on the west steps outside the Colorado State Capitol

A football field is a sacred place. It is where strength and stamina are required, and regardless of the outcome, a deep respect is forged between those who have battled one another on the field.

Small-scale organic farming in Colorado is demanding. The arid and often unpredictable climate is the first burden, followed by the challenging economics of land, water, and living costs. It is a path only the most passionate take, and a lifestyle few stick with year after year.

The winery invites another pace. A unified place, where heaven touches earth, where the sacred can be savored in every sip. The Psalmist writes that God “brings forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart” (Psalm 104:14-15). A winery is a material sign of God’s benevolence, softening the hard places and reminding us we are all part of a greater story; one of restoration, community, and grace. The winery is a sacred place.