Life + Culture

2026 Men of Influence

Perspectives on How Five Notable Men Define Purpose and Find Balance in the Digital Age. Article by Sonja Nix | Photography by Angela Grisson and Provided Chris Arena Arena Performance & Muay Thai Professional Fighter As the digital world and AI take up more space in our daily lives, and knowing what’s real online becomes harder, we’ve asked the 2026 Men of Influence how they stay grounded, authentic. Professional Muay Thai fighter and Highlands Ranch resident Chris Arena has already...

Travel

Master Your Next Golf Trip

An Insider's Playbook for Planning Your Next Golf Vacation Article by Brandon Upah and Sonja Nix | Photography by Provided For Brandon Upah, an avid golf traveler and diligent trip planner, the true highlight of any golf trip isn't the stroke count; it's the camaraderie. Upah has mastered the art of planning golf trips. From Scotland to Mexico, Pebble Beach to Myrtle Beach, he shares his top destinations and lessons learned.   Brandon’s Planning Philosophy: I love planning trips to...

Home + Design

Beyond the Turret: The Living History Rooted in the Mansion Grounds

Electric Blooms to a 200-acre Expansion, Discover the Mansion Ground's Botanical Heart and Ranching Soul Article by Sonja Nix | Photography by Courtney Kuhlen, Highlands Ranch Metro District Editor's Note: This is the second in our series on our community treasure, the Highlands Ranch Mansion. To read the first story, go to citylifestyle.com/highlands ranch and search "Highlands Ranch At Home." The Highlands Ranch Mansion stands as a proud symbol of our community's rich history, serving as...

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...