Get a glimpse into Alecia Wellen’s Denver and find out what makes the Mile-High city shine.

Number of years here in Denver: Born and raised, baby

Please share your Denver story. What brought you here? I am a third-generation
Colorado native!

Favorite thing about the town: I have traveled domestically and
internationally but have never lived outside of Colorado. Colorado is home to me, and I
love being able to talk about the history of it and watch the city grow and change
through the years. I love the size of the city and all the wonderful things to do, from the
famed ski slopes and the impressive Rocky Mountains to the vibrant city life and culture.
Denver has a unique vibe with a diverse culture and unbeatable natural beauty. The
sunsets alone are enough to keep me here.

Season and why: Fall is my favorite season. Although we can go from a blanket of snow
to a 70-degree day in Fall, it is my favorite. The back-to-school feel, along with Bronco
Nation’s football season and being able to drive 20 minutes outside the city to see the
incredible trees change color, is second to none. We have a lot of farmland in Colorado,
so there is no shortage of Fall Festivals, pumpkin patches, and apple picking bridging
into holiday markets.

Neighborhood / side of town: My love affair with different neighborhoods constantly
changes whenever I encounter something unexpected. I love an older neighborhood
that has hidden gems like Gaylord and Pearl Streets in Wash Park or Kearney and
Oneida Streets in Park Hill. Any place that has shops, boutiques, and mom-and-pop
restaurants is my kind of place. You can also catch me at the new markets popping up
around Denver, like Stanley Marketplace or Central Market. I really enjoy watching old
buildings turn into vibrant hangouts!

Place for a drink: I have been sober from alcohol for 18 years and am delighted to see
all the amazing zero-proof/mocktail options popping up all over town! Do not get me
wrong, I enjoy coffee, tea, and cacao at a cute coffee shop or bakery, but a mocktail hits
the spot when I am out with friends in the evenings or celebrating something special.
Poka Lola in the Dairy Block is my favorite right now, and my go-to is Us Against the
World, which is their pear cranberry shrub. A close second is the Peach Sour at Lady
Jane, and runner-up is Beckon’s Citrus & Ginger.

Restaurant for:
Breakfast: My favorite meal of the day (why don’t we have a breakfast-for-dinner
restaurant in Denver?!) Hashtag
Lunch: Levin Deli downtown or Get Right’s in Wheatridge
Special night out: Mercantile at Union Station
Comfort food: DiFranco’s

Hang out: Stanley Marketplace is my favorite place to hang out with my two little ladies
right now. There are cute shops, lots of entertainment and various food options so no
one can complain. “Take my debit card and get what you want, ladies.”

Late-night: I spend a lot of time at Clayton Hotel, and when I am not eating there, I love
popping over to Forget Me Not for small bites and boards..

International: I toggle between sushi and Mexican restaurants on this one. I really love
Misaki in Stanley Marketplace and La Loma downtown.

Bakery: This is a toss-up between Izzio and Cake Crumbs!

Coffee Shop and/or Juice Bar: Frank & Roze

Event in the area (share as many as you’d like): Four Mile Park has many of my favorite
events to participate in with my little ladies.

Day trip: I love a trip to Estes Park (especially in October for the Elk!) and Trail Ridge
Road in particular. It is a 48-mile stretch between Estes Park and Rocky Mountain
National Park.

Road for a scenic drive: My kids often ask me to take them to the Wildlife Arsenal in
Central Park. They enjoy eating breakfast in the car while we drive the 9-mile loop
looking for animals. Our favorites are the bald eagles and bison.

Hair: Define Hair Salon in Denver

Spa: Woodhouse Day Spa

Vet: I have two boxers and would not take them anywhere else: Goodheart Animal
Hospital is the best!

Music venue: Red Rocks just cannot be beat

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Alecia Wellen is the founder + CEO of Alecia Wellen Coaching.