🎶🧺 Build the Ultimate Denver Gift Basket | | Hey Denver! | Whether you’re assembling the perfect welcome kit, sending a little piece of Colorado to someone out of state, or just raiding your own pantry with pride, Denver’s got the goods. We’ve rounded up the must-have local snacks, sips, and quirky treasures to help you build the ultimate gift basket with Mile High flavor. | | 🎶🧺 Build the Ultimate Denver Gift Basket | | What would you pack to give someone a true taste of the Mile High City? Local snacks? Quirky merch? A dash of sass and a sprinkle of sunshine? We scrolled through some very passionate locals’ opinions to round up the best of the best. | So whether you’re sending love from afar or just curating a box of Colorado gold for your next houseguest, here are the must-haves: | 🌶️ For the Flavor Fiends: | | 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.
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| 🍫 For the Sweet Tooth: | | | 🍻 For the Beverage Buffs: | | 🎁 For the Vibes: | | 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.
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| 🛍️ Local Legends: | | 🎯 Bonus: Add a Molly Brown House ticket, a Beau Jo’s menu, or some Palisade peach jam if you’re really trying to win favorite sibling status. | Got a favorite item we missed? Hit reply and tell us what’s in your ultimate Denver gift basket! | | 🗳️ Mile High Pick | Tell us your pick! And if we missed your go-to, hit reply — we’re always down to add more flair to our basket. 🎁 | | 🌟 Last STARGAZE of the Season! | | 📅 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. |
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| | 🌆 Mile High Happenings & Weather ☀️❄️ | 📅 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+) |
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| Where are you heading this week? Tag us in your adventures! 🚀 | | 🎷 That’s a Wrap, Denver! | | 🌟 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 |
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| Planning your next Colorado adventure? Check out more fun beyond Denver: | • 🏞️ Things to Do in Denver • 🍽️ Best Restaurants in Denver • 🛏️ Best Hotels in Denver • 🧒 Things to Do in Colorado for Families • 🌄 Best Places to Visit in Colorado • ❄️ Winter Things to Do in Colorado • 🌞 Summer Things to Do in Colorado | | | Interested in other What’s Happenin’ newsletters? | |
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