• Pueblo or Casa Bonita salsa – Because “mild” isn’t in our vocabulary.

• Green chile in any form – Canned, jarred, frozen… or sunscreen? (One brave soul swears by it).

• Björn’s Honey – Try the lemon flavor. Tastes like a lemon bar.

• Flatiron Pepper Co. – Small-batch spice blends that pack a punch.

• Sauce Leopard hot sauce – Made locally, loved globally.

• Miso Heat – A cult-fave spicy miso condiment from Denver foodies.

• Hammond’s Candies – A Denver classic.

• Colorado Cocoa Pod or Bibamba Chocolate – Gorgeous, artisan treats.

• Denver Cheddar popcorn from Kettle Head – Trust us on this one.

• Chocolove or Minette et Chocolat – High-quality chocolate with flair.

• Enstrom’s toffee – Controversial? Yes. Delicious? Also yes.

• Stranahan’s Whiskey or Leopold Bros Spirits – Pure Colorado in a bottle.

• Real Dill Bloody Mary Mix – Extra spicy recommended.

• Craft beer picks – Outer Range, Denver Beer Co., OMF, or anything with a retro coozie.

• Sweet Bloom or Huckleberry Roasters coffee – Bonus points if it’s a Colorado-named blend.

• Pikes Peak Lemonade – Tangy and nostalgic.

• Blue Bear, Blucifer, or DIA-themed merch – Lizard people and all.

• Rockmount Ranchwear shirt – Classic Denver western.

• “Native” sticker + Colorado flag gear – We all know someone who wears it unironically.

• Retro Nuggets or Broncos gear – Because fashion.

• I Heart Denver Shop goodies – Locally made everything: mugs, art, magnets, tees.

• Aksels socks – Peak Colorado gift energy.

• Candles from Rosy Rings – Your suitcase will smell amazing.

📅 April 9 | 🕗 8–10 PM | 📍 Civic Center Park

Wrap up your spring with a cosmic night under the stars! Civic Center Conservancy and AstroTours are hosting their final STARGAZE of the season, and it’s shaping up to be a stellar evening. Peer through powerful telescopes, hear constellation stories, and sip cozy drinks from the Astro Coffee Van while you wait your turn for a moonlit view.

🍦 Bonus: Sweet Action Ice Cream will be on-site with treats that are as dreamy as the night sky.

🎟️ Tickets are just $5, but spots are limited—grab yours here before they vanish into the cosmos. Kids 5 and under get in free with a ticketed adult.

☁️ Heads up: Stars shine best later in the evening, so plan your timing. Cloudy skies may postpone the event—if so, a make-up date will be announced.

📅 Wednesday, April 9 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny

High: 74°F | Low: 41°F

💧 1% chance of rain | 💨 W 15 mph

🆓 Free Events

🎷 Claim Jumpers Concert – CU Denver’s jazz and blues ensemble takes the stage. 7–10 PM @ CU Denver (Free)

💵 Ticketed Events

🎭 Ben Roy – Comedy Works favorite brings the laughs. 7:30–9 PM @ Comedy Works Downtown ($14)

🎻 Eric Lilley Trio – Smooth jazz piano at its finest. 7–8:30 PM @ Dazzle ($15–20)

🎼 Quartetto di Cremona & Basil Vendryes – Italian chamber ensemble and Colorado Symphony violist in concert. 7:30 PM @ Newman Center ($5–50)

🥁 The Mike Marlier Quartet Honors Chick Corea – An evening of legendary jazz fusion. 6–10 PM @ Nocturne ($26 bar, $98 dinner & show)

🎤 hey, nothing – Indie vibes with Worry Club. 8 PM @ Bluebird Theater (All Ages)

🎸 Myles Smith – “We Were Never Strangers” Tour hits Denver. 8 PM @ Mission Ballroom (16+)

🎶 Nanpa Basico – Colombian rapper brings Latin energy to Denver. 8 PM @ Paramount Theatre

🎹 Beth Gibbons – Lead singer of Portishead on her “Lives Outgrown” Tour. 7:30 PM @ Paramount Theatre

📅 Thursday, April 10 – ☀️ Sunny & Glorious

High: 71°F | Low: 42°F

💧 1% chance of rain | 💨 ENE 8 mph

💵 Ticketed Events

🎨 Kurt Baumeister with Hillary Leftwich and R. Alan Brooks – Literary evening at Tattered Cover. 6–8 PM @ Tattered Cover Colfax ($8–32)

🎼 The Domi Edson Trio – Upright bass meets groove-forward jazz. 6–10 PM @ Nocturne ($26 bar, $98 dinner & show)

🎤 The String Queens – Genre-defying classical and R&B trio. 7 PM @ Dazzle

🎤 Nick Swardson – The iconic comic hits Comedy Works. 7:30–9 PM @ Comedy Works Downtown ($35 GA / $45 VIP)

🎤 Frankie Quiñones – Latinx comic brings the characters. 7:30 PM @ Comedy Works South

🎤 Dom Kennedy – With Casey Veggies. 8 PM @ Gothic Theatre (16+)

🎶 MEUTE – German techno marching band. 8 PM @ Mission Ballroom (16+)

🎶 Remi Wolf – Funky pop queen live under the stars. 6:30 PM @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre ($49.95+)

🌟 Denver is full of flavor, flair, and fun—and now your gift basket can be, too. Did we miss your favorite local gem? Hit reply and let us know what you always include. And if you’re planning to visit soon, check out our Denver guide for the best things to do, see, and snack on across Colorado.

Until next time, stay spicy, stay sweet, and keep repping the 5280.

—The What’s Happenin’ Denver Team