Life + Culture

2026 Women Movers & Shakers

Personal Essays on Authenticity Article by Sonja Nix | Photography by Angela Grissom of Angela Marie Creative Racquel Garcia, NCPRSS  HardBeauty and HardBeauty Foundation Hardbeauty.life & hardbeautyfoundation.org     For Racquel Garcia, authenticity is a lifeline that she was offered and now offers to others. As the founder of Hard Beauty, Racquel is a passionate advocate for destigmatizing substance misuse and addressing systemic and familial obstacles.  Racquel is a...

Health + Wellness

In Her Own Words

How to Maintain Authenticity In the Age of AI Photography by Angela Grissom We asked the women featured how to maximize the benefits of AI while maintaining their authentic selves. "Nothing can replace the human condition. AI is wonderful; I use it regularly to fact-check, research market pools, and current events. But it can't replace the nuances of human empathy. When a client is frantic, AI can't pivot to comfort them before solving the problem and connect on shared experiences. You can’t...

Arts + Culture

Books Be Dazzling

A DIY Guide to the Latest Book-Lovers Craze Article by Sonja Nix Natalia Marendt of the Teeny Tiny Bookshop mobile trailer and The Corner Nook in Parker shares these steps to bling out your book. Most books work: paperback or hardcover, a beloved keepsake children's book, a hot-off-the-press bestseller, and even the DSM. Materials:  • A book of your choice. • Flatback rhinestones or gems (usually 3mm or 4mm work best for bedazzling book covers) • Strong adhesive (such as B-7000, available...

Finance + Legal Services

Simple Investment, A Dynamic Impact

100 Women Coming Together to Invest in Douglas County Charities Article by Kristen Gonzales Investing takes on many forms. Sometimes it’s retirement portfolios, college tuition savings or that special once-in-a-lifetime trip. For Suzanne Wexler, founder of 100 Women Who Care of Douglas County, the best kind of investing is in the local community. “We started the group in 2023,” Suzanne states proudly. “We started with about 70 members, and now we’re coming up on our third anniversary, and we...

Home + Design

Elevating the Overlooked

Garage Kings: Reimagining the 'Real' Front Door Article by Angie Jehu | Photography by Provided by Derek Keller What do you consider the front door of your home? According to Derek Keller, Owner and Founder of Garage Kings, “For many families, the garage door is the real ‘front door’ of the home – it’s where the day begins and ends.” What was once a purely functional, often overlooked space is rapidly transforming into an integral extension of the modern home. The garage is no longer just for...

Life + Culture

BEYOND THE SCOREBOARDS: Investing in Mental Performance

Meet your Neighbor: Gina Tucci-Karnisovas Article by Angie Jehu | Photography by Provided by Gina Tucci-Karnisovas Tell our readers a little about yourself. We’ve lived in Colorado for 12 years and in BackCountry for 7 years. It’s the longest we’ve lived anywhere, so Colorado is home. As a sports family, I’ve been in and around sports my entire life, as an athlete, the wife of a sports executive,and a mom of athletes. My education and interest in sport psychology continue to provide the...

Life + Culture

Simple Spring Pleasures

Small Luxuries Satisfy While Colorado Awaits Warm Weather Article by LeAnn Parker & HRCL Staff | Photography by Janie Jones Spring, come quickly! Spring in Colorado is unpredictable, and can make the most joyful among us peevish and surly. Even in years with the mildest winters, spring can bring shivery and blustery weather. Here are a few ideas to lift your spirits and delight your senses. Pour yourself a refreshing cocktail, like an Aperol spritz, white wine sangria or herbaceous...

Education

Well Read: Investing

Stay Informed for Financial Security Article by Sonja Nix Charlotte Jay of Jay Financial, and a featured participant in the 2023 Women’s Issue shares her most recommended and favorite books on investing. In addition to the publications listed below, Charlotte recommends podcasts by these writers, if listening versus reading is your preferred information source. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham The definitive guide on value investing teaches emotional discipline and fundamental...

Home + Design

Building a Family Legacy

Elite Landscape & Outdoor Living's American Dream in Highlands Ranch Article by Angie Jehu | Photography by Provided by Elite The quintessential “American Dream” often begins with the kind of humble start experienced by the founders of Elite Landscape & Outdoor Living. From Vietnam to Highlands Ranch, the Elite story began with a bold dream. This dream shaped the lives of the Van family and their children, including Peter Van, Elite President, and Mary Le, Elite Director. As siblings and...

Life + Culture

Highlands Ranch At Home

Historic Estate Gives Glimpse Into Colorado's Past, Grounds Community Article by Jennifer Starbuck | Photography by Highlands Ranch Metro District In the main living room of the Highlands Ranch Mansion, an ornate wall clock brought to the home by an early owner a century ago quietly reminds visitors of a truth about life in the highlands of Douglas County.  An intricate inlay in the Italian handcrafted woodwork reveals: “Time passes and man perceives it not,” a quote from Dante's famed ...