I step down into the brisk current of the river, wondering if I will be able to stay upright while the rushing water tries to push me downstream. I’m a year older than last season, and walking on snot-covered bowling balls against the chilling current of spring runoff is not a job for amateurs or old men. Fortunately, my dog and I make it across the river without incident. I shuffle ahead and begin casting flies upstream in pursuit of the wild brown trout that inhabits the river.

A campground is a sacred place. It provides a sacred shift from the places we regularly inhabit. There is a voluntary vulnerability in camping. A campground is where we increase our exposure to the elements and refocus on the basic human experiences of shelter, fire, and food. Camping creates a container of time distinct from our regular schedules. The pace affords deeper personal and relational connection. It is a place where we choose to live closer to the earth and each other.

A frozen lake is a sacred place. Evergreen Lake was created with the construction of the Evergreen Dam between 1925 and 1927. Originally created to provide the utilitarian role of a water source for the town residents and fire protection, it now serves as a symbol of the heart of the community. The 40-acre lake is encircled by picturesque mountain views that shift hues throughout each season of the year. In winter, the frozen lake becomes a magical winter place of play as the largest Zamboni-groomed outdoor ice-skating rink in North America. 

A mountain town is a sacred place. At the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park is the mountain town of Grand Lake. It sits on the banks of Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake, covering over 500 acres and reaching nearly 400 feet deep. It boasts the highest elevation yacht club in the world, and yet there is little polished about this mountain town. The one block of shops, called “The Boardwalk” by locals, is a collection of locally owned shops and diners without a single chain store or restaurant in sight.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The art market is a sacred place. It is a place to celebrate the diversity of artistic creativity within a community. It is a market for the endless mediums that reflect the innate creativity inside each person. The Summer Art Market was founded to provide a place for local artist to show and sell their work, and to begin to build relationships with patrons as they developed their craft.

A splash pad is a place for children to expend energy, parents to encourage adventure and connection, and together celebrate the coolness of water during the warmth of summer. A splash pad is a sacred place.

The Denver Botanic Gardens land began as wild prairie grasslands, became a graveyard for a new and growing city, then a botanic garden for education and enjoyment. It is a place to admire the artistry and diversity of plants. It is a place to ponder the beautiful mystery of death to life. The Denver Botanic Gardens is a sacred place.

What truly makes the local run shop a sacred place, however is their community run clubs. Run club enthusiasts show up and spend time putting one foot in front of the other in community every week. The run clubs are as consistent as a Sunday church service and are inclusive of all levels of run enthusiasts, from first timers to seasoned marathon racers.

Orchards lead us in a liturgy of presence. They beckon us to be fully awake to the seasons of life, to savor the fruits of our labor, to deepen our roots in times of stress, and to rest in God's grace. The orchard is a sacred place.

State Parks exist because of the commitment of citizens of Colorado over 60 years ago to preserve places where all people can experience our state’s natural beauty and be inspired to protect it for the future. State Parks belong to the people and the place. The State Park is a sacred place.

The pool is a place to be present and play. It is a place of risk and courage. The pool is a place for people to enjoy being together and belonging to one another. The pool is a sacred place.

A walk, run, or ride on a trail is an opportunity to travel through the city at a different pace. The trail is manmade and mediated interaction with creation, but it offers an experiential reminder of the natural landscape and wildlife that have existed long before us in the place we call home. The trail is an invitation to realign our perspective and pace. The trail is a sacred place.

There are over 1,100 baseball fields in Colorado. Every school field in the city is filled every weekend of the season. These beginner ballparks share the same routines as the stadiums of high schools, colleges, and the Major League. It is a place with a different pace. It cultivates connection, conversation, and celebration. The ballpark is a sacred place.

The garden center provides a place to reengage the earth, cultivate life, and live in a closer relationship to creation. It is a place where we are reminded of our first vocation as gardeners, grateful for the goodness that grows around us. The garden center is a sacred place.

The park is the place where we reconnect with Creation and community. The park provides a place to play and pray.