The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals.
It’s literally our job to be up-to-speed on all the coolest Centennial State swag, so when it comes to gifting our friends and family unique Colorado-made goods, we have a bit of a head start.
But it’s the season of giving, not gatekeeping, so read on to find out what we’re buying for our loved ones this year. (Loved ones, look away!)
Smoked Beef Tallow from Riot BBQ
There’s no shortage of people telling you to eat more beef tallow (or to use it for skin care) these days, but there’s really only one reason to consider adding it to a loved one’s culinary repertoire: flavor. Rendered beef fat just makes everything—fried eggs, homemade mayonnaise, pot pie crusts—taste richer. Overland’s Riot BBQ saves its brisket drippings and then renders out everything but the creamy white beef fat and its oak-smoked flavor. You can pick up a one-pound jar ($16) next time you’re treating yourself to a brisket quesadilla at Riot (or order online for pickup or delivery to a select area). Maybe your giftee will return the favor by treating you to some crispy Brussels sprouts glistening with tallow or serve you up some Texas-style chili with a backnote of campfire. Riot also makes unsmoked tallow for dishes that need some savory oomph without the smoke. Available online or at Riot BBQ (2180 S. Delaware St., Denver) —Mark Antonation, food editor
Daytrip Clear Bag
We all have that friend whose gigantic, multipocketed purse holds up the entire group at venue security screenings. (Confession: At a Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre show this summer, that friend was me.) Make sure none of you ever miss kickoff or Taylor’s opening number again by gifting your event crew’s weak link an actually stylish clear bag ($49) from Boulder’s Daytrip. The stadium-compliant totes measure 10 by 6 by 2 inches, have secure zippers, and boast chunky removable chains in a variety of colors. Nuggets and Buffs yellow, anyone? Available online — Jessica LaRusso, editor-in-chief
Burnin’ It Up Custom Western Hat
Around this time of year, boots are a wardrobe staple for me—and I don’t mean the ski kind. Every January, as the National Western Stock Show approaches, my wannabe cowgirl comes out, which is why I was delighted to discover Burnin’ It Up, a custom hatmaker out of Loveland. A one-woman operation, Kerrie Wilson crafts custom lids out of fur felts with Italian leather bands (the process of which makes for some pretty fantastic ASMR, if you’re in the market). She is ultraresponsive and communicative, helping clients design the Western hat of their dreams. Prices start around $450, but for a totally custom piece that’s likely to outlive its wearer, it’s worth the splurge. Available online —Maren Horjus, digital director
Halfdays Base Layers
If you’ve been on the slopes the last few seasons, then you’ve certainly spotted skiers in chic snow suits from Denver-based Halfdays. The five-year-old company makes fashion-forward ski ’fits for women who don’t want to sacrifice style for functionality. While I’d love to buy my sister the matching jacket ($395) and pants ($295) from Halfdays’ new collab with Parks Project, that’s not in the holiday budget this year. So instead, I’m wrapping up this breathable base layer set (top, $115; leggings, $115) made of bamboo and merino wool in the subtly festive alpine color. This deep shade of green looks good on everyone, and the slim fit mock neck top is flattering enough to wear around the lodge for après. (But you can bet I will be prowling the racks of the shop’s annual sample sale for that Parks Project jacket.) Available online and at Halfdays flagship store (2609 Walnut St., Denver) —Jessica Giles, digital editor
The Makerie Creative Retreats at Black Cat Farm
For artists, there’s no better gift than uninterrupted time spent on their craft. Not only do these three-day retreats run by Boulder’s the Makerie give your loved one that luxury, but they’re held at Black Cat Farm, a tranquil setting that just might inspire their magnum opus. If the sprawling fields and soft pastel sunrises over the mountains don’t ignite a creative spark, then the talented instructors who lead these retreats surely will. Turn used tea bags into canvases during the Tiny Tea Stories retreat ($2,295) in April or learn to create realistic paper bouquets with Catherine Oxley ($2,295), founder of Bouq Paper Flowers, in May. Pricing includes all the materials, 18 hours of instruction, snacks, farm-to-table lunches, and a special gift. Book online —Charli Ornett, photo editor
Custom Candle from The Weathered Wick
One thing my mom and I will always bond over is candles: We buy more than we can burn, hoard new scents like collectibles, and hunt for the fragrance that will elevate a room. So this year, I’m gifting her something that feels thoughtful without blowing my budget: a custom-made candle from the Weathered Wick. First you’ll choose your size ($30–$50), then your vessel style, and up to three scents from more than 50 options (including their 10 seasonal scents). Orders can be picked up in-store or shipped, but to guarantee your giftee gets exactly what they want, I recommend booking them an appointment so they can craft their masterpiece in person ($30 booking fee, refunded upon arrival). It’s the perfect present for scent snobs who already own all the Bath & Body candles. Available online and at the Weathered Wick Studio (3316 Tejon St Suite 106, Denver) —Malia Logan, audience engagement editor
Colorado Watch Company GCT
Tariffs keep jacking up watch prices, and it’s been a challenge for me to find a domestically made timepiece that feels like a keeper in my modest collection. The Colorado Watch Company’s GCT makes the cut. Machined and stonewashed in Fort Collins, this 42-millimeter ticker leans into vintage military and railroad design cues without losing its modern edge. Short, curved lugs help it wear well despite its beefy build, and the red-accented, four-step dial adds some nice legibility and originality under a domed sapphire crystal. The GCT isn’t cheap—models are between $2,000 and $2,200—but 85 percent of the price supports American companies. Need more convincing this is the new watch for you? Schedule a tour of the Fort Collins facility and see how everything comes together. Available online —Robert Sanchez, senior staff writer
