Saying "I Do" under the flatirons in Boulder is romantic and ever so  perfect for a bride looking for the nuptials to be in a mountain town. Below are 5 Star wedding venues in the Boulder area according to The Knot. Visit The Knot to learn more about venues all over Colorado. 


The Greenbriar Inn: This venue is located at the mouth of Left Hand Canyon. With the foothills as a backdrop, both indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies are popular in this spectacular location. There are 7 rooms/areas you can chose from, fitting a party both large or small. Work with the chefs to customize a delectable menu to be accompanied by their extensive award winning wine list. Learn more


Wedgewood Weddings: Located right off the Boulder Creek, you will enjoy the sound of tranquil water and the views of the flatirons. You can choose to host your guests in the Party Tent, the Creek Room or the Flagstaff Room. You can also chose from multiple different packages, allowing you to customize the perfect reception within budget for you. Learn more


The St Julien Hotel: This gorgeous hotel accommodates elegant weddings outside with a mountainous backdrop or inside in a lovely ballroom. You can select 5 different spaces With spa accommodations and downtown shopping and restaurants right out the front door, this venue is perfect for entertaining out-of-town guests. Learn more 


Rembrandt Yard: This art gallery and event center is located in downtown Boulder. You can customize your wedding whiting the two-floor venue. Enjoy mountain views through the floor to ceilings windows and feel free to have the freedom to create a unique event that is special to you! Learn more 


Hotel Boulderado: This historic hotel is a classy place to host an intimate or large wedding. Select from the Ballroom, the Mezzanine, the Evergreen Meeting Room and the Boardrooms to create your special event. This is also great for accommodating visiting guests. Allow them to stay in rooms once occupied by Helen Keller, Robert Frost and other famous names. Learn more


Boulder Country Club: Enjoy panoramic views of the mountains, lavish balconies, ceiling high windows and wedding planners to help take care of your special day. Learn more and read reviews 


Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art: This exquisite venue is most notable for the paintings and sketches located in the galleries. Parties can gather in the Event Space or on the Lawn, but are also welcome to  roam the gallery during the reception. Learn more 

Growler USA is a popular microbrew pub all over America. And now, it is in downtown Louisville. Beginning in Eugene, Oregon, Growler USA had the image of becoming a "national American craft beer pub for all to enjoy." The pub takes traditional beers and innovates them with unique flavors pallets and never misses a beat on creativity. The name comes from the growler vessel that was used to transport beer and, more recently, used to bring beer home from the pub. 

Growler USA Louisville Location

Come enjoy the best local and regional craft beers at Louisville’s newest neighborhood pub. Some you’ll know; others you’ll come to love. Enjoy craft cuisine and hand crafted beverages in a comfortable setting. Make yourself at home…only with a much, much larger beer selection. Did we mention 100 taps? And craft beer?
And wine. And ciders. And flavored kombucha teas, cold-pressed coffee, and more. We’re all about comfort and yumminess. Is that a word? It should be.
Can we hear each other talk? Yes. Is the game on? Yes. Do you do the types of things, like Tap Takeovers, that make the American craft beer scene so fun and endearing? Oh, heck yes.
Lunch. Dinner. Drinks. Everything in between. Come on in for a bite and a beverage. Let’s make it a regular thing.


A sampling of the menu includes:


Baked Philly Pretzels
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Skillet Mac
Pilsner Chicken Cobb
Growler Chili Cheeseburger
Pilsner Chicken Avocado Club
Brewben
Beer Cheese Soup 

September was full of fun fall festivals and activities. But, October is really when people get in the spirit and can't wait to enjoy crisp fall days drinking cider and walking around pumpkin patches. Below are some October festivals and events not to miss. 

Posted in the Denver Ear by More Zucker:

BALISTRERI VINEYARDS HARVEST PARTYPhotograph courtesy of ©Balistreri Vineyards
When: October 1, 2017
Where: Balistreri Vineyards, 1946 E 66th Ave, Denver, CO 80229
Time: 12pm – 5pm; Children’s Grape Stomping 2pm
Cost: $70
Purchase Tickets Online
Balistreri Vineyards are hosting their Annual Harvest Partywhich includes a complimentary children’s grape stomping, tasting of Balistreri Wine releases along with a variety of antipasti, artisan cheeses, wood fired pizza, pig roast and desserts all while listening to live music.
PUNKIN CHUNKIN COLORADOPhotograph courtesy of ©Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Space
When: October 6 – 8, 2017
Where: Arapahoe Park Racetrack, 26000 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016
Cost: $5 – $12; Free for Children 4 & Under
Purchase Tickets Online
The 20th annual Punkin Chunkin Colorado, Presented by Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Space, is a fun weekend that engages the energy and ingenuity of youth and adults.
In addition to the competition, the event offers an exciting fall festival: family activities, pumpkin patch, live music, food vendors, a beer garden and a live evening concert.
FOUR MILE HISTORIC PARK’S PUMPKIN HARVEST FESTIVALPhotograph courtesy of ©Four Mile Historic Park
When: October 7 – 8, 2017
Where: Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S Forest St, Denver, CO 80246
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Four Mile Historic Park‘s Pumpkin Harvest Festival is an ‘old-time’ fall festival featuring activities such as building your own scarecrow, selecting the perfect pumpkin from the patch, dancing to live music, playing pioneer games, and more. Historic demonstrations and tours of the Four Mile House Museum will highlight how families lived and prepared for the season during the late 1800s with horse-drawn wagon rides, food vendors and a beer garden.
LAKEWOOD’S CIDER DAYSPhotograph courtesy of ©Lakewood Cultural Center
When: October 7 – 8, 2017
Where: Lakewood Heritage Center, 801 S Yarrow St, Lakewood, CO 80226
Time: 10am – 5pm
Cost: $5 – $30
Purchase Tickets Online
Cider Days celebrates the City of Lakewood’s agricultural heritage with an entertaining mix of live performances, activities and tasty harvest treats. Cider Days offers fun for the entire family, and will include tractor pulls and vintage power displays, wagon and barrel train rides, historic demonstrations as well as a unique variety of exhibitors and vendors.
A Cider Days festival wouldn’t be complete without everything apple: including apple pressing, apple cider by the glass or gallon, an apple bake-off and more.
REYNOLDS RANCH HARVEST FESTIVALPhotograph courtesy of ©Western Museum of Mining and Industry
When: October 7 – 8, 2017
Where: Western Museum of Mining and Industry, 225 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: $5
Carve out a little time and harvest some family fun at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry this fall at their Reynolds Ranch Harvest Festival!
Celebrate the season, enjoy the cool weather, and grow your farming spirit with activities for the whole family; from a pumpkin patch, hay rides, antique tractors, face painting and farmers market, to children’s games, “Spooky Histories”, gold and gem panning and more in the museum’s exhibit building and 27-acre grounds!
HISTORIC OLDE TOWN ARVADA’S FESTIVAL OF SCARECROWSPhotograph courtesy of ©Historic Olde Town Arvada
When: October 7, 2017
Where: Historic Olde Town Arvada Square, 7525 W 57th Ave, Arvada, CO 80002
Cost: Free
The 21st annual Festival of Scarecrows, Presented by Historic Olde Town Arvada, will transform Olde Town Arvada’s town square into a pumpkin patch filled with scarecrows of all shapes and sizes.
Bring costumed kids for the parade, enjoy a free hayride, navigate the corn maze, check out the giant pumpkins from the Arvada Gardeners, find a perfect pumpkin and be sure to vote for your favorite scarecrow, the winners will receive prizes.
CEDAREDGE APPLEFESTPhotograph courtesy of ©Cedaredge Chamber of Commerce
When: October 7 – 8, 2017
Where: Cedaredge Town Park, 350-398 SW 2nd Ave, Cedaredge, CO 81413
Cost: Free
Cedaredge AppleFest is nearly a 40-year-old tradition and honors Cedaredge’s apple harvest season. AppleFest features mouth-watering varieties  of apples, over 150 booths, a Classic Car & Antique Tractor Show, a Motorcycle Show, Chili Cook Off, Golden Gala Dance, 5K run, live music, and family-friendly activities.
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS AT CHATFIELD’S PUMPKIN FESTIVALPhotograph courtesy of ©Denver Botanic Gardens
When: October 13 – 15, 2017
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128
Cost: $4 – $8; Free for Children 2 & Under
Purchase Tickets Online
Denver Botanic Gardens’ Pumpkin Festival features a variety of fall activities at Chatfield Farms. The festival features a massive pumpkin patch, corn maze, family and children’s activities, live music, over 30 local craft and artisan booths, and food, beer and wine vendors.
FALL FESTIVAL AT 17 MILE HOUSEPhoto Credit: ©Mike Macey
When: October 14, 2017
Where: 17 Mile House Farm Park, 8181 S Parker Rd, Centennial, CO 80112
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Step back in time and celebrate a piece of Colorado’s history during the free Fall Festival, hosted by Arapahoe County and held outside at the 150-year old 17 Mile House.
Pick out and purchase your favorite pumpkin and take a scenic hayride. Take a turn milking Bessie the Cow and visit her barnyard friends in the petting farm. Enjoy breakfast or lunch from some of Denver’s hottest food trucks. Try your hand at gold panning, learn more about the fine art of blacksmithing, tour the farmhouse, meet a local beekeeper and more.
The festival will also include live music by local bands, and local historians will be on-site to give guided tours and talk about the history of the property and its significance to the Old West.
ACES HARVEST PARTYPhotograph courtesy of ©ACES
When: October 14, 2017
Where: Rock Bottom Ranch, 20
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Cost: Adults $20, Children (2-10) $10, Free for Children Under 2
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is hosting its 16th Annual Harvest Party at Rock Bottom Ranch.
This family-friendly party features lunch from presenting sponsor Smoke Modern BBQ, live music from Caleb Dean Band, beer and wine available for purchase, and activities for all ages. Guests of will enjoy pumpkin carving, apple cider pressing, hay rides, farm tours, face painting, traditional ranch games, dancing, a silent auction and more.
CROPTOBERFEST: THE TABLE URBAN FARM HARVEST PARTYPhotograph courtesy of ©The Table
When: October 14, 2017
Where: 923 E Mexico Ave, Denver, CO 80210
Cost: Suggested Donation $20 (ages 21+); $10 (ages 13-20); Free for Children 12 & Under
Register Online
The Table Urban Farm is celebrating the fall season with Croptoberfest, an annual harvest party to conclude the growing season. It’s an open house format, come whenever you can, stay as long as you wish. There will plenty of activities and fun for all ages, live music, a pig roast, a pumpkin patch and community!
BRIGHTON HARVEST FESTIVAL

When: October 28, 2017
Where: 100 N Main St, Brighton, CO 80601
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Cost: Free
The 6th Annual Brighton Harvest Festival hosted by  will include a trick-or-treat street, games, street fair, food trucks and more.
CASTLE ROCK’S HARVEST FESTIVALPhotograph courtesy of ©Town of Castle Rock
When: October 28, 2017
Where: Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80109
Time: 4pm – 8pm
Cost: Free
Harvest Festival, brought to you by the Town of Castle Rock, will transform Downtown Castle Rock into a fall and harvest celebration!
The Festival Park Pumpkin Patch will have pumpkins for purchase to carve on-site, face painting and crafts. For those adventurous folks, take part in the HarvestFest 5K. Stick around to light the Great Pumpkin Wall with your child’s pumpkin creation, and don’t miss the outdoor showing of a classic Halloween movie.
THE GREAT PUMPKIN HAULPhotograph courtesy of ©
When: October 28, 2017
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128
Cost: $40 – $60; Free for Children ages 5 and under
Register Online
The Great Pumpkin Haul involves picking out a pumpkin from the patch at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield and “hauling” it through a two mile cross country course with fun obstacles to get over, under and through.
Start the day in our free Pumpkin Bootcamp by Orange Theory Fitness or join the Pumpkin Yoga class late morning to warm up with exercises and stretches using your pumpkin.
After the Haul hang out at their fall festival for seasonal craft brews, hot apple cider, food trucks, hay rides and more!
LAKEWOOD FALL FUNFESTPhotograph courtesy of ©Lakewood Fall FunFest
When: October 31st, 2017
Where: S Kipling St & W Alameda Ave, Lakewood, CO 80226
Time: 4pm – 8pm
Cost: Free
Lakewood Fall FunFest will feature family friendly games, Trunk Or Treat, live music, carnival games, cider, bouncers, entertainers, food trucks and vendors, candy, prizes & much more!

Summer is over and school is in session, but there are still a ton of fun things to look forward to in Colorado. Family-friendly activities span across the area, allowing communities to have a taste of fall fun. Already, Fall Fests have begun, but, don't worry, there is still plenty of time to find a fest, pumpkin patch or corn maze that you can attend. Below are some fall events happening in September across Colorado. 

PSST… FALL, PUMPKIN AND HARVEST FESTIVALS 2017 COLORADO
Posted in the Denver Ear by More Zucker:


FALL FEST AT ANDERSON FARMS
Photograph courtesy of ©Anderson Farms
When: September 20 – October 31, 2017
Where: Anderson Farms,  3 1/4, Erie, CO 80516
Cost: $10 – $16; Free for Children 3 & Under
Purchase Tickets Online
Anderson Farms is the home of Colorado’s longest-running Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch. The pumpkin patch features  30 acres of pumpkins and over 70 different varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds, and you can take a wagon ride out to the Pumpkin Patch on a wagon pulled by an antique Oliver tractor.
Race your friends around the track on their man powered go karts, mine for gemstones and fossils, ride the Mine Cars, the Barrel Train, lose yourself in the “Krazy” Rainbow Maze, explore Tire Mountain, “Fort A-Lot-A Fun”, “Punchin’ Pumpkins”, Farm Lights, pet farm animals, and more.
PAONIA’S MOUNTAIN HARVEST FESTIVALPhotograph courtesy of ©Mountain Harvest Festival
When: September 21 – 24, 2017
Where: Paonia Park, Paonia, CO 81428
Time: Thursday 12pm – 9pm; Friday 12pm – Late Night; Saturday 9am – 1am; Sunday 9am – 6pm
Psst… View the Complete Schedule of Events Online
Cost: Free
The 17th Annual Mountain Harvest Festival is a non-profit, four-day festival held in Paonia that is community-organized and seeks to benefit the local economy by providing entertainment by local musicians, writers of poetry and prose, dancers, comedians and dramatists.
This family-friendly festival also includes a chili cook-off, arts, crafts, kids area, grape stomp, harvest market, farmers’ market, and live music all weekend.
FRUITA FALL FESTIVALPhotograph courtesy of ©Fruita Fall Festival
When: September 22 – 24, 2017
Where: 432 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita, CO 81521
Time: Friday 9am – 8pm; Saturday 7am – 8pm; Sunday 11am – 3pm
Psst… View Complete Schedule of Events Online
Cost: Free
Fruita Fall Festival is a three-day event with over 125 vendors selling their arts, crafts, and foods to a crowd of 50,000-plus. The weekend is filled with events for all ages such a golf tournament, carnival, live music performances, cooking contest, street dancing and more. This 100-year-old festival is one of Colorado’s longest running festivals.
MORRISON CIDERFESTPhotograph courtesy of ©Morrison Ciderfest
When: September 23, 2017
Where: Bear Creek Center, 1
Time: 10am – Dark; Hay & Pony Rides 11am – 3pm
Cost: Free
Morrison Ciderfest is a cider festival that has been around since 1989. This festival encourages families to sip from steaming mugs together and partake in fun and family-friendly activities.
At the festival you can expect to enjoy cider presses, a custom car show, kids area with a bouncy castle, arts and crafts exhibits, a silent auction, a horseshoe tournament, live music, food vendors and more.
MAIZE IN THE CITY FARM FESTIVALPhotograph courtesy of ©Maize in the City
When: September 29 – October 31, 2017
Where: , Thornton, CO 80229
Cost: $9 – $12; Pumpkin Field + Kids Attraction: Free
Purchase Tickets Online
Maize in the City is hosting over a month-long fall festival which will include the Crazed Corn Maze, a mini maze, a pumpkin field, pony rides, petting zoo, jumping castles, air slides and sand art, among other attractions for the whole family.
The Crazed Corn Maze is a 20-acre maze that is fun for all ages. While visitors navigate their way through the cornfield, they are invited to engage in the one-of-a-kind smart phone trivia game. Choose a category or enter unique questions; each correct answer provides directions to the next checkpoint.
The Mini Maze is a smaller maze perfect for young children. With paper checkpoints, children will collect hole punches as they navigate through the maze. Parents and grandparents are welcome to accompany their children through this maze for free.
Visitors are welcome to explore the pumpkin field and choose from the pumpkin options on site.
JARED’S GIANT PUMPKIN FESTIVAL AND WEIGH-OFFPhotograph courtesy of ©Jared’s Nursery Gift and Garden Center
When: September 30, 2017
Where: Jared’s Nursery Gift & Garden Center, 10500 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80127
Cost: Free
The 12th Annual Jared’s Giant Pumpkin Festival and Weigh-Offis the largest pumpkin weigh off in the state of Colorado. The festival will include a 100′ pumpkin drop off, a half ton pumpkin weigh off, live music, beer, food vendors, a straw maze, inflatable games for kids and adults, and over $5,000 of prizes awarded to attendees.
HARVEST FARM FALL FESTIVAL & CORN MAZE Photograph courtesy of ©Harvest Farm
When: Fridays through Sundays; September 30 – October 29, 2017
Where: Harvest Farm, 4240 E Co Rd 66, Wellington, CO 80549
Time: Friday & Saturday 10am – 8pm; Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Cost: $10 – $15; Free for Children 3 & Under
Purchase Tickets Online
Denver Rescue Mission’s 15th Annual Harvest Farm Fall Festival & Corn Maze will include activities such as a 10-acre corn maze, corn cannons, yard games, food trucks, natural play areas, petting zoo, pig races, hay wagon rides and much more.
HARVEST FEST AT MAY FARMSPhotograph courtesy of ©May Farms
When: Saturdays & Sundays; September 30 – October 29, 2017
Where: May Farms, 64001 US-36, Byers, CO 80103
Time: 10am – 5pm
Cost: $10; Free for Children 5 & Under
May Farms‘ annual Harvest Fest will feature unlimited barrel train rides, unlimited hay rides, an unlimited walk in their corn maze, shots from their Pumpkin Cannon, lawn and playground activities a barnyard, and more
ESTES PARK ELK FESTPhotograph courtesy of ©Visit Estes Park
When: September 30 – October 1, 2017
Where: Bond Park, MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Cost: Free
The 19th Annual Elk Fest in Estes Park is free festival featuring bugling contests, Cabela’s Archery Range, elk exhibits, the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, elk seminars, elk-inspired arts and crafts, Native American music, dancing and storytelling, self guided elk tour maps, a children’s’ area with elk-themed activities, and a craft beer garden.
Elk Fest will also include live country, rock and bluegrass music, an annual Rut Run 5k and vendors displaying artwork, handmade elk-ivory jewelry, and distinctive elk cuisine.

The solar eclipse is taking place on Monday August 21. There has been a lot of hype about this, as it may be the most near-total eclipse we will see in our lifetime. The last time the total eclipse came around was in 1918. Although Boulder will only see the partial eclipse, we will still see 93% of it and, therefore, are in a great place to experience what it is all about. Many people have been rushing around Boulder to find solar eclipse glasses and companies have been taking an influx of calls requesting these 3D-like glasses. 

So what should we expect? The partial eclipse will begin at 10:22 am. Maximum eclipse will occur at 11:46 am and the eclipse ends at 1:13 pm. Yes, this is a day time event! If you want to get together with some other people in the community to take a front seat to this event, the City of Boulder Human Services Department has you covered! Visit the West Senior Center on ission. If you are hungry, you are in luck, as Meals on Wheels will be serving a special lunch at the location. 

What is a total solar eclipse? This happens when the moon passes in front of the sun, casting the Earth in its shadow and makes the day turn into night. It is an experience that Professors of Astronomy live for and something that people will have to see to believe. It is described as the closest you will get to truly experiencing the solar system and understanding how the sun, moon, and planets interact... unless of course you work for NASA. If you miss this one, you will have to wait until 2045 to see another total solar eclipse cut through Colorado. 

So, get your glasses, get your friends and enjoy this spectacular show the solar system is hosting on Monday!

Posted by the Denver Business Journal:

A group of Broomfield residents are recommending the city implement a quarter-mile buffer zone between oil and gas wells and homes, parks, schools and bodies of water.
The 1,320-foot buffer zone, if adopted by the Broomfield City Council, would apply both to new wells being drilled in the fast-growing community and also to new development that might encroach on existing wells, according to a draft of the recommendations posted to the city’s website.​

KATHLEEN LAVINE | BUSINESS JOURNAL
The recommendations take aim at many of the issues, conflicts and concerns that have risen as oil and gas operations in Colorado have grown in size and scale, and in some cases moved nearer to northern Front Range suburban communities and neighborhoods in the last few years.
They include suggestions about lights, noise, the quality of the air, water and soil, traffic and setbacks.
They’re expected to go to the city council in late August or early September.
The Denver Business Journal has written a series of stories about how Broomfield is dealing with oil and gas issues related to a proposal by Denver’s Extraction Oil & Gas Inc. (Nasdaq: XOG).
The committee said the recommendations are intended to support the goal of eliminating as many older walls as possible, push drilling as far from residential areas as possible and ensure that oil and gas is done “in a manner that prioritizes the protection of human health, safety and welfare.”
The committee also said it recognizes the rights of the people who own the minerals, but said the health and safety of Broomfield residents “is paramount.”
“While recognizing that mineral owners have property rights, the health and safety of Broomfield residents is paramount, and maintaining the qualities Broomfield is known for is integral to our position," the committee said.
The 14-member committee has spent months working on a update to the city’s existing master plan via a new chapter on how oil and gas development might occur in the city.
The 13-page set of draft recommendations include proposals on setback that would:

• Require all new surface developments to be no closer than 1,320 feet to an existing oil or gas well, unless there is written notice and informed consent from each individual surface property purchaser and owner.
• Require all new oil and gas development wells to be no closer than 1,320 feet from existing or platted residential areas, occupied buildings, parks and school sites.
• Require new oil and gas wells to be no closer than 1,320 feet to water bodies at design capacity, unless a variance is granted based upon the inclusion of specific safety requirements during site construction, drilling, completions and operations.

The distance between oil and gas wells and homes have been fought over for years, but the argument has typically focused on new wells and surrounding homes.
The opposite issue, how close new homes can be built near older wells, was thrown into sharp relief after the April 17 home explosion in Firestone that killed two men.
That explosion was caused by raw natural gas that leaked into the home through an old pipeline that was supposed to be abandoned. The home, built in 2015, was 178 feet from the well, drilled in 1993.
The setbacks of new homes from old wells vary widely: 150 feet in Firestone and Dacono, 200 feet in Frederick and Broomfield, 350 feet in Louisville and Lafayette, and 750 feet in Longmont, according to survey of municipal codes by the Boulder Daily Camera.
Whether the recommendation, as it applies to new oil and gas wells being 1,320 feet from existing or planned development, is legal, is questionable.
Colorado law says the state has authority over oil and gas operations, including the location of those operations. The state’s buffer zone is 500 feet between new oil and gas wells and existing homes.
But the state doesn’t have authority over how close new homes, schools are parks can be to an existing oil and gas well — meaning Broomfield’s elected officials can choose to widen the city’s existing buffer zone to 1,320 feet.
The 14-member committee noted in its draft that the recommendations were a work in progress and that some of the action steps might “be beyond [Broomfield’s] current legal authorities.”
But, the committee said, the recommendations are based on the “collective judgment” of the members of the committee and “may be used to pursue state and federal regulatory changes.”
A public meeting on the recommendations is scheduled for 6 p.m., July 20 at the Paul Derda Recreation Center, . The city council will have the final say on the update to Broomfield’s master plan.
Dan Haley, president and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, a trade group, said there are legal concerns around the recommendations — but he noted the draft recommendations are just that, a draft.
“There are legal concerns around the draft recommendations put forth by the Broomfield Oil and Gas Comprehensive Plan Update Committee, but there is still time within their process for a thorough legal and technical review in order to reach a workable plan,” Haley said.
“My hat goes off to the members of the committee for all their hard work over the past several months," Haley added. "If we can be helpful to the committee’s ongoing efforts, we want to be."
The committee was set up after an outcry by Broomfield residents and officials to a plan by Denver’s Extraction Oil & Gas Inc. (Nasdaq: XOG) to drill in the city.
The company’s current plan calls for 99 horizontal wells to be drilled from four pads scattered across two miles of the Northwest Parkway east of I-25, plus 40 wells drilled from a fifth pad a few miles north of the parkway in unincorporated Weld County.
Extraction executives have sat in on the committee’s meetings, which has had presentations from state and federal officials on industry regulations and practices.
“We are thrilled that the task force has come out with the draft recommendations and is nearing the completion of the process,” Extractionspokesman Brian Cain said.
The company is planning to start negotiating an amendment to its existing memorandum of understanding with the city soon, Cain said.
“We recognized that the language [in the recommendations] is only a draft and is meant to apply to oil and gas development over the next 20 years — there’s a lot to be done yet on this draft,” he said.
The draft recommendations also included:

• Requirements that the energy company do baseline air quality testing, before drilling, and monitoring using a city-approved contractor.
• Do testing for soil and water quality, including groundwater, before and after drilling.
• Cutting-edge technology including electric-powered drilling rigs that are hooking into the local utility’s power grid and the use of pipelines instead of trucks to carry water, oil and gas to and from the well site.
• Having the city inspect oil and gas operations.
• Addressing noise, lighting and traffic issues related to drilling and operations.
• Requiring housing developers and sellers, through regulations and MOUs and consistent with existing law, to provide notice to all prospective home purchasers (prior to execution of purchase agreement) of permitted new drilling areas within one mile of the home.

Cathy Proctor covers energy, the environment and transportation for the Denver Business Journal and edits the weekly "Energy Inc." email newsletter. Phone: . Subscribe to the Energy Inc. newsletter

Hanging Lake is a spectacular hike that is rewarding athletically and visually. In the summer, enjoy a mountainous drive up to Glenwood Springs where Hanging Lake lies within the cliffs of the Glenwood Canyon. Be sure to get there early, as the parking lot fills up quickly. Driving West towards Hanging Lake, you will have to turn around at the Glenwood exit in order to come back to the exit that leads you to the Hanging Lake parking lot. Luckily for you, this allows you to check out the quaint, mountainous town of Glenwood Springs, which you might enjoy coming back to for lunch. 
A moderate hike, this one-mile trail trail is accessible to most hiking levels. It is rocky and has one very steep section where you might have to use your hands to help you climb up though, so beware of brining too young of children. Once you do get your exercise in and zig zag across bridges that suspends over the Dead Horse Creek, you will find yourself at a fork in the road. If you go left, you will climb a bit higher and find yourself under a gloriously large and fierce waterfall. Stop to appeal to all your five senses. Listen to the rushing water, feel the sprinkle on your face and smell the mountainous air. Taking a right will lead you to the magnificent Hanging lake. A manicured path will take you to the clear, turquoise, tranquil lake that sits perfectly still before tipping down the mountain into the vigorous waterfall. Take a moment to sit on the benches, take a photo and feel rewarded by your hard work.
Don't miss this spectacular hike in Colorado!

School is out and summer is in session. But, sometimes it can be hard to find entertainment for your kids. Lucky for you, Denver has a plethora of fun activities in and around the downtown area to help make this the best summer yet! 

Don't miss out on Free Days at the Denver Botanic Gardens. At the Chatfield Farms Location, the Lavender Festival will take place on Saturday July 15. The Lavender Festival celebrates the Lavender Gardens, built in 2015 and dedicated to lavender plants. Food, dessert, drinks, face painting and more will be provided. At the York Street Location, Monday July 17 will have Free Admission for guests. 

Learn more about the Denver Botanic Gardens below: 
Our MissionThe mission of Denver Botanic Gardens is to connect people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.
The mission of Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms is to inspire the public to be good stewards of the environment by connecting people to our past, present and future relationships with plants of the Rocky Mountain region.
Our Core ValuesOur four core values — transformation, relevance, diversity and sustainability — spell out the Gardens' intentions in the years ahead. These core values are cohesive and serve as a map to chart our course. With the support of friends, we set out to ensure Denver Botanic Gardens will forever flourish.

Google is moving to Boulder and it's presence is becoming more and more known. Buildings are starting to take shape and this tech-savvy community is getting excited. Phase I, which accommodates 1,000 workers, opposed to the 340 current Boulder employees, is expected to be done this year. Phase II includes the construction that is starting to take place at the intersection of 30th and Pearl, but does not currently have a set end date. This phase will contribute to the total project which includes four acres and 330,000 square feet. By then end of the project, there will be three four-story buildings with underground parking. 

Google has also made a huge investment in an affordable housing project in Boulder. This project will help renovate hundreds of apartment buildings and offer a less expensive solution for those looking for housing in Boulder. This type of project is not new to Google, as their goal is to provide affordable, high quality, safe housing options for its community members and workers. These programs also allow Google to build large office space in exchange for bringing betterment to the area. In Google's founding city, Mountain View, CA, the company implemented a multi-million dollar project to invest in trails, a science center and affordable housing. In total, the company has invested in these types of projects in 44 cities across the US. There is some controversy in Boulder, however, how an affordable housing project may affect the current market. With prices so high, offering lower prices could drive down the market in order to keep it competitive. However, the pro is that Boulder get's the benefits of a large company's resources and their investment into Boulder.  

One of the first apartment complexes set to begin it's renovation is Nest in South Boulder. These units will be more energy efficient and improved at the end of renovation. Osage and Thunderbird, also in South Boulder will also be apart of this project. To learn more, visit Boulder County Business ​