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Editorial Projects Director

Kasey Cordell

Editorial Projects Director

Kasey Cordell writes and edits service features, departments, and longform stories, and contributes to 5280.com. An avid traveler and athlete, Cordell often writes about travel and the outdoors, as well as the military and veterans. In 2019, Cordell and deputy editor, Lindsey Koehler, earned 5280’s first National Magazine Award for their November 2018 feature, “The Art Of Dying Well,” which won the reader service category. The previous year, Cordell had been a National Magazine Award finalist in the leisure interest category for “The 5280 Guide To The Four Corners.” In 2018, Cordell embedded with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan to write about one of the first gender-integrated howitzer crews sent to war (“13 Bravo”). The story was a finalist in the reporting category for the City and Regional Magazine Association awards. Cordell’s previous work has also been recognized as a finalist in the CRMA’s leisure-lifestyle and personal service categories. The Oregon native joined 5280 in 2013 after stints at Boulder’s Daily CameraNational Geographic Adventure, and Portland Monthly magazine. Her writing has also appeared in the New York TimesSunsetMonocle, and other publications. Cordell studied psychology as an undergraduate at Lewis & Clark College and holds two master’s degrees: one in Irish studies from Queen’s University Belfast and another in journalism from the University of Colorado.

Articles By Kasey Cordell

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Getting Through Life’s Hard Moments

Our shopping list for the best local pick-me-ups for any lousy, only-in-Colorado situation. (Bonus: These spirit lifters make great holiday gifts, too.)

Star Bar

17 of Denver’s Best Dive Bars

Prime people watching, cheap drinks, a no-fuss ambience—no matter what you’re looking for in an unpretentious watering hole, these favorite spots in the Mile High City and beyond are sure to quench your thirst.

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Helped Coloradans Enjoy Their Porches More

We asked some of the people photographer Jennifer Olson captured for the #frontstepsproject how staying home more allowed them to appreciate the outdoor spaces.

The Feed Your Soul Fitness Crew, pre-pandemic

Shaped By COVID-19: Feed Your Soul Fitness’ At-Home Workout

If you’re intimidated by words like burpee, dead lift, or pull-up, this moderate body weight workout from Feed Your Soul Fitness is the perfect entrée into a new fitness routine.

Hot Mamas Exercise owner Teddi Bryant

Shaped By COVID-19: Hot Mamas Exercise’s At-Home Workout

We guarantee you’ll get a helluva workout and at least one laugh (maybe at yourself?) during this 60-minute sweat fest from Hot Mamas Exercise founder Teddi Bryant.

Rocky Mountain Lake Park

How to Catch Colorado Trout Without Getting in Your Car

Thanks to stocked ponds in Denver parks, you can fish in Colorado without having to leave the city.

bRUNch Running

Shaped By COVID-19: bRUNch Running’s At-Home Workout

The duo behind bRUNch Running lays out a week-long training program to help you lace up and run (but not very fast if that’s not your thing).

Skull in bush

What to Do When You Find Bones (and Other Stuff) in Your Backyard

Local museum experts weigh in on what to do when your home improvement project turns into an exercise in backyard archaeology.

Barre Forte Class

Shaped By COVID-19: Barre Forte’s All-Body, Quivery Muscle–Making At-Home Workout

This 60-minute workout will literally leave you shaking in your grippy socks.

Shaped by COVID-19: AKT’s At-Home Workout

Dance like no one is watching (because they aren’t) with this fun, lung-burning routine from AKT Cherry Creek.

A photo of three tacos.

Where to Eat Near Colorado National Monument

While Mesa County restaurants were allowed to open to eat-in diners (at 30 percent capacity) in early May, most places are sticking with to-go orders. Here, a breakdown of some of our favorite close-to-Colorado-National-Monument spots.

Local Know-How

The beta you need for a successful monument adventure.

Backcountry Must-Do: Liberty Cap

Chronicling the pleasures—and pain—of an overnight backpacking trip along the Liberty Cap Trail, a trek that offers gorgeous canyon and valley views and none of the crowds.

How to Identify Common Flora at Colorado National Monument

Get to know the hardy plants that manage to eke out an existence in CNM’s arid environment.

3 Ways to Capture CNM’s Magnificent Displays

From easels to iPhones, here’s how you can capture the beauty of Colorado National Monument.

Quintessential Nearby Adventures

Trekking excursions for fossil-hunting families and hardcore hikers are just some of the accessible adventures from Colorado National Monument.

How It Got There: Independence Monument

The story behind Colorado National Monument’s largest monolith.

Stone Stories: Untangling CNM’s Geology

CNM’s rock layers present a pictorial history of our planet. Use this Bill Nye–style guide to discern the difference between Jurassic (old) and Triassic (really old) stone—and to learn where to see the ancient layers.

CNM’s Hiking Trail Trifecta

Colorado National Monument has more than 45 miles of trails—consider these three moderate treks its Triple Crown.

The Two-Hour Tour: Rim Rock Drive

If you can only do one thing, tour the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive by car or bike.

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