Fall is in full swing, and there's something magical about this time of year in our city. The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and our local businesses are serving up everything cozy and wonderful. This week, we're spotlighting some incredible women-owned businesses, sharing the best fall experiences, and giving you exclusive perks you won't find anywhere else.

Grab your favorite sweater and let's dive in! ☕🍁

—Toby Hanson | 303 Pulse

Which Denver brewery just won 7 medals at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, including Brewery of the Year honors?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

The Mom Who Rolled a Coffee Roaster Down the Street & Built Denver's Only Woman-Owned Roastery

Ten years ago, Hannah Ulbrich was an adjunct literature professor and stay-at-home mom drinking exceptional coffee roasted by her neighbor in his garage. When he mentioned he was selling his small roasting business, she had a gut feeling: "That's my path. That's it. That's what I want to do."

There was just one small problem, Hannah had never roasted coffee before.

But that didn't stop her. She and her neighbor literally rolled the small coffee roaster down the street from his garage to hers on a furniture dolly. Then, after her two kids went to sleep each night, she taught herself the craft of roasting, learning through trial, error, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

Today, Copper Door Coffee Roasters has grown from that garage operation into a thriving business with four Denver cafes and wholesale accounts that include Safeway, Whole Foods, and countless local restaurants and hotels. It's Denver's only 100% woman-owned coffee roasting company, a remarkable achievement in a male-dominated industry.

"I've had a lot of hard conversations and obstacles along the way," Hannah shares. "But I'm no stranger to hard times, and I knew we'd make it through."

Beyond great coffee, Hannah is committed to sustainability (all her operations run on 100% renewable wind energy) and supporting other women in the coffee industry. She also partners with community organizations like Period Kits Denver to fight period poverty.

📍 Visit: Four Denver locations including Aspen Grove, Denver Botanic Gardens, Park Hill, and Lowry.

Here are the standout events for this week:

Charles Wesley Godwin
Wed, Oct 15, 6:30 PM at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
With Ole 60 & The Castellows Country storytelling under the stars at the world's best venue.

Civic Center EATS
Wed, Oct 15, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM at Civic Center Park
The beloved weekly downtown Denver tradition brings together dozens of food trucks and thousands of workers and visitors alike to enjoy lunch.

Strung Out & Agnostic Front
Wed, Oct 15, 7:00 PM at The Oriental Theater
East Meets West Tour 2025 with Murphy's Law and La Armada. Punk rock legends unite.

SHUCKED
Ongoing at Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre
The Tony Award–winning musical comedy about an unlikely hero, a lovable con man, and an a-maize-ing battle for the heart & soil.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Boston Bruins
Fri, Oct 18 at Ball Arena
Key early-season matchup Catch the Avs at home as the season heats up.

Denver Broncos vs. New York Giants
Sun, Oct 19 at Empower Field at Mile High
Home game after the London win. Support our squad as they build momentum.

📌 Try This: Wednesday is stacked—hit Civic Center EATS for lunch, then catch Charles Wesley Godwin at Red Rocks that evening for a perfect Denver day.

Looking for the best tacos in Denver without the hype? Ask any local construction crew where they eat lunch. They know all the hidden gems that tourists never find.

Here's what's making waves in Denver this week:

1. Local Brewery Crushes at GABF
Westbound & Down Brewing Company earned seven medals at the Great American Beer Festival, including a silver medal for Scenic Route, silver for Infinity Pils, gold for Westbound Italian Pils, gold for Parallel Pale, bronze for Westbound IPA, and gold for How the West Was One: Mosaic. The brewery also received top honors as the 5,001–15,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year.

💡 Takeaway: Denver's craft beer scene continues to dominate on the national stage. Stop by Westbound & Down to taste their award-winning lineup.

2. Restaurant Closures Hit Denver
After almost 10 years in business, BriDer closes on October 23. Dimestore Delibar closed last week after six years. Ghost Donkey will close for good on October 19. Raíces Brewing Company closed due to unpaid taxes.

💡 Why it matters: The restaurant scene is going through changes. Support your favorite spots now—tomorrow they might not be there.

3. The Populus Earns Michelin Recognition
The Populus hotel just made the Michelin list of U.S. Key Hotels, recognized for excellence in design, service and guest experience. The one-year-old property joins returning Denver recipients including Clayton Hotel and Members Club, Four Seasons Denver, and The Crawford Hotel inside Union Station.

💡 Local angle: Denver's hospitality game is world-class. The Populus proves Mile High design and service compete on the global stage.

4. New Restaurants Open Despite Closures
Catfish King opened at 5454 East Colfax Avenue, a rebrand of Hungry Wolf BBQ featuring soul food and Oklahoma-style barbecue. Bad Peach Cafe opened at Stanley Marketplace. Oasis Café & Grill opened in September and has been getting attention for its brightly colored lattes and Mexican eats.

💡 Try this: Despite the closures, Denver's entrepreneurial spirit remains strong. New concepts keep emerging.

Denver Housing Market Update
According to recent data, Denver housing inventory continues to climb with homes taking an average of 35 days to sell, up from 30 in August. The market has officially shifted to favor buyers, with a 14-year high in inventory reached this summer. About 50% of sellers are now providing concessions to buyers, and mortgage rates remain in the low-to-mid 6% range.

The bottom line: If you've been waiting to buy, conditions are improving in your favor.

Celebrity listing — local interest

NBA player Michael Porter Jr. listed his high-rise Denver apartment for $5.25 million. Features include marble floors, smart-home integrations, and sweeping city & mountain views. Read more…

Denver's Red Rocks Amphitheatre is the only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world. The venue has been hosting concerts since 1906, and the Beatles performed there in 1964—their only Colorado show ever.

Best Final Meal Spots ⏰ → BriDer (closes Oct 23), Ghost Donkey (closes Oct 19) — visit before they're gone forever

Award-Winning Brewery 🏆 → Westbound & Down — taste this year's GABF medal winners

Weekend Must-Do 🎸 → Charles Wesley Godwin at Red Rocks (Wed) or Avalanche vs. Bruins (Fri)

Westbound & Down Brewing Company won 7 medals at GABF including Brewery of the Year honors

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