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Editorial Director

Geoff Van Dyke

Editorial Director

Geoff Van Dyke tried living on the West Coast, the East Coast, and in the Midwest before settling in Colorado in 2007. Since then, he has been 5280’s articles editor, deputy editor, and editorial director. Although his latest project is hosting Behind the Stories, 5280’s first podcast, he spent the past 16 years editing countless stories at the magazine—and writing a few, too. During his tenure as editorial director, 5280 has won two National Magazine Awards and taken home General Excellence III, the highest honor given by the City & Regional Magazine Awards, twice. He has edited stories by 5280 staffers who have been anthologized in Best American Sports Writing, Best American Crime Reporting, and Best Food Writing. Not content to have 5280’s work only appear in other publishers’ books, he edited Mile High Stories, 5280’s anthology of its longform journalism, which was published in 2018. Van Dyke studied English as an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley, and holds a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He lives in Denver; has been a member of the American Society of Magazine Editors’ Board of Directors since 2021; and prefers cycling to running, snowboarding to skiing, and has a problematic vinyl habit.

Articles By Geoff Van Dyke

The 26 Best Podcasts to Listen to in 2024

Whether they’re produced by Coloradans or focus on western issues, these audio delights—some of which are older but still relevant and some of which are still pumping out new episodes—are required listening.

Why Luis Benitez Believes The Outdoor Recreation Industry Needs A Seat In Washington, D.C.

Benitez wants to harness his past experience as the first director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office to create a similar entity in the federal government. But can the accomplished mountaineer get Americans—especially Beltway politicians—to see the benefit of coordinating our outdoor adventures?

Looking for Tips to Tackle Colorado Fourteeners? Check Out the Next Summit.

Alex Derr turned the blog into a resource to educate hikers and climbers so they can be safer, more responsible, and have more fun in the high country.

Casa Bonita's bright pink exterior

Inside the Reopening of Casa Bonita With Trey Parker and Matt Stone

The South Park creators dish on whether buying Casa Bonita was a good business decision, how they used South Park to telegraph what was going on with the restaurant’s renovation, and which one of them will be dressing up in the infamous gorilla suit.

Cliff divers at Casa Bonita

All (OK, Most, or at Least Some) of Your Burning Casa Bonita Questions, Answered

Will you still line up, cafeteria-style? There’ll still be cliff divers, right? What about the sopaipillas? We’ve got answers for you—finally.

The 983 Big Cheesy at Cherry Cricket.

The Best Burgers in Denver and Beyond

Check out our updated list of favorite restaurants serving crave-worthy renditions of the bun-and-protein combo, including 15 new additions.

Inside Denver’s New Vinyl Record Pressing Plant

Vinyl Me, Please, the Denver-based record-of-the-month club, will open its own record pressing plant in RiNo this year. We go inside the art and science of making LPs and how the new facility will complement a burgeoning music district in the Mile High City.

Season Preview: Colorado Avalanche Hockey

The Avs return one of the best core group of players in the game—but several offseason personnel changes may make their road to the Stanley Cup Finals more difficult than it was last season. Here’s what we’ll be watching for when the puck drops on October 12.

10 Great Alpine Lake Hikes in Colorado

Hiking is more about the journey than the destination, but backcountry trekking is only made that much better when the trail leads to a picturesque lake.

Colorado Avalanche Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning To Win Stanley Cup

After failing to close out the Bolts in Denver on Friday, the Avs won 2-1 to bring home the franchise’s third NHL Championship and first since 2001.

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.

The Best Record Stores in Denver

We browsed LP bin after LP bin to bring you our six favorite places for vinyl records in the Mile High City.

The Beginner’s Guide to Climbing Colorado’s Thirteeners

Centennial State fourteeners get all the glory, but Colorado’s 13,000-foot mountains are just as beautiful—and far less crowded.

Pacific Peak (Northeast Slopes)

One of the most gorgeous hikes in the state, the Spruce Creek Trail also delivers you to one of the most forbidding-looking thirteeners in Colorado.

Why Are Denver Drivers So Angry?

The Mile High City has become a terrible place to drive. Does it have to be this way?

Reasons to Love Denver 2021: We’re Doing Business Differently

Because we got to know our neighborhood business owners as they battled the economic hardships of the past year.

5 Dive Bars Where You Can Pregame (and Postgame, Too!)

Had enough of soulless sports bars? Try one of these dives if you’re looking for a shot of Jack and an ice-cold Coors Banquet—and a whole lot of character.

words of the year

How 2020 Has Affected the Way We Use the English Language

The written and spoken word may have changed more this year than they have in any other period in recent history.

No Photo

Goodbye, 2020

A letter from the editor of 5280’s December 2020 issue.

Simon Prades Illustrations

Living With Depression and Anxiety During a Global Pandemic

With mood disorders on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, people who’ve never experienced mental health issues are enduring some of the emotions I feel almost every day of my life. Maybe that’s why I can finally tell my story.

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