Arts + Culture

Beauty in the Details

What if the most extraordinary thing about you has been there all along? Article by Desiree Gustafson | Photography by Will Maestas There are parts of ourselves we stop noticing. The freckles we've had since childhood. The laugh lines that appeared somewhere between raising children and chasing careers. The scar with a story we almost forget to tell. Our eyes are no different. We glance at them every morning in the mirror, calling them blue or green or hazel, and move on with our day. We...

Life + Culture

Riding Toward Legacy

Legacy isn't inherited. It's built by those willing to ride first. Article by Adriana Karagozian | Photography by Emily Carter Photography On certain mornings, the West feels less like a place and more like a promise. It lives in the dust rising beneath hooves, in the bright brass of a rodeo arena, in the hush that falls just before a horse moves. For Mathena Washington, that promise has become a path forward, one shaped by discipline, grace, and a deep desire to make room for others behind...

Life + Culture

The Quiet Work Of Trust

Because trust is earned long before it's ever needed. Article by Desiree Gustafson | Photography by Monica Jean Photography The day has not quite begun when Cristy Walston finds the time she values most. The phone is quiet, emails have not started filling her inbox, and there is room to think. Some mornings begin with a workout, a cold plunge, coffee, or simply a few minutes to herself. When she can, she heads for the mountains, takes her dogs on a trail, or sits near the water. It is where...

Health + Wellness

3 Stretches to Ease Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the main reasons people call my office. I've been practicing in Loveland for twenty years and that hasn't changed once.Most of the time it isn't complicated. We sit too much. Some muscles get tight, other muscles quit doing their job, and the low back ends up carrying the extra load. That's most of what I see.The good news is you can do a lot for it at home. These are three stretches I hand out all the time. They take about ten minutes. You don't need any equipment and...

Home Services

The Northern Colorado Homeowner's Guide

How to Choose a Contractor You Can TrustHiring a contractor can feel overwhelming. Estimates vary, opinions conflict, and everyone promises they're the best. After years in this industry, I've learned that finding the right contractor isn't about choosing the lowest price—it's about knowing who you can trust. Here are a few things I'd look for if I were hiring someone to work on my own home.If you've ever received three estimates for the same project, you've probably asked yourself one...

Professional Services

The Marketing Strategy That Grows Your Business

Many people view a marketing campaign as a singular event: a social media post, a billboard, or a burst of advertisements. What many businesses don't think about is that your customers are on a journey, and a marketing campaign is a strategic guide designed to lead your customer through that buying journey.Think of it like building a human relationship. If you were looking for a life partner, you wouldn't walk up to a stranger in a crowded room and immediately propose marriage. That approach is...

Life + Culture

Built On Patience And Possibility

How Big Bones Canine Rescue leads with intention, integrity, and a deep commitment to every life they serve Article by Desiree Gustafson | Photography by Monica Jean Photography There’s a moment, and you don’t really expect it, when a dog realizes it’s safe. It’s not dramatic. No big scene. It’s subtle. You see it in their body first. The tension softens. The pacing slows. Maybe they finally lay down without keeping one eye open. Maybe their tail moves for the first time, just a little. And...

Life + Culture

Harley’s Dream

Where every rescued soul reminds us the greatest love often comes on four little paws Article by Adriana Karagozian | Photography by Monica Jean Photography In Berthoud, Colorado, there is a rescue built around the smallest of dogs and the biggest of dreams. Harley’s Dream was founded in 2016 by Rudi Taylor, but its heartbeat began long before the organization had a name. It began with Harley, a tiny Chihuahua who had survived years in a puppy mill, a place where dogs are treated less like...

Life + Culture

NOCO Humane: The Heart Behind the Door

Where Compassion Meets Second Chances Article by Adriana Karagozian | Photography by Monica Jean Photography There is a quiet kind of love that does not ask an animal how they arrived before offering shelter. It simply opens the door. For NOCO Humane, that open door began in 1969, when a group of compassionate community members in Larimer County set out to create a better future for homeless pets. Today, that promise has grown into something larger than one building or one city. With the...

Life + Culture

Powered By Community

PVREA celebrates young leaders whose purpose, perseverance, and service embody the cooperative spirit of giving back. Article by Desiree Gustafson At Poudre Valley REA (PVREA), investing in students means investing in the future of our communities. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $50,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated leadership, service, perseverance, and a commitment to making a difference. These are some of the remarkable students who...