The Gateway To The Rockies Podcast

Lewis Warren, Monkey Paw Toys

Aurora native Lewis Warren is a testament to taking your passion & making it a career. Monkey Paw Toys, located on Havana Street, is a wondrous shop filled with rare comics, contemporary art, and collectible toys, drawing global attention from Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. 

Stacey Miller, Milly’s Community Café

Nestled inside Aurora’s Elevation Christian Church, you’ll find Milly’s Community Café, a cozy and creative space specializing in locally sourced coffee beverages and freshly baked and crafted menu items. Through attention to detail and fostering an environment of community, owner Stacey Miller has created one of the most highly-rated eateries and cafés in the city. 

Precious Czeczok, The Hair Fetish Experience

By offering an array of services from a talented & diverse team, The Hair Fetish Experience has become one of the highest-rated salons in the greater metro area, owned by third-generation entrepreneur and cosmetologist Precious Czeczok, who carries the legacy of her family & a spirit of service in everything that she does.

Katie Goldman, La Victoria Healing Kitchen

In the heart of the Aurora Cultural Arts District, you’ll find La Victoria Healing Kitchen, created by the vision of Architect Katie Goldman. This community space was created as a small business incubator, supporting chefs, bakers, and makers who craft products that promote health & wellness while seeking to uplift community well-being.

Betsy Lay, Lady Justice Brewing

Social entrepreneur Betsy Lay is a co-founder of Lady Justice Brewing. This women-owned, minority-owned, & LGBTQ+ owned business in the Colfax arts district of Aurora also serves as an important community gathering space. Almost all of their profit benefits organizations that serve women and girls in Colorado. 

Stephanie Klaviter, Triple Crown Sports

More than 18,000 fast-pitch softball players representing over 1100 teams across the country descend on the Aurora area for the Colorado 4th of July tournament. This marquee event is run by Triple Crown Sports tournament director and accomplished former pitcher Stephanie Klaviter.

Poonam Moore, Poonam’s By Design

Aurora resident for nearly 30 years, Poonam More is the co-star of "Rico To The Rescue" on HGTV. She also owns Poonam's By Design, an interior design firm that offers beautiful home remodeling and home design services based in the Southlands Lifestyle Center.

James Grevious, Rebels In The Garden

Veteran Master Sergeant James Grevious created Rebels in The Garden to teach the children in his family how to cultivate food in their own backyard. That ambition evolved into Rebel Marketplace, a bi-monthly farmer's market at Aurora's Del Mar Park that provides a vital community space for local growers & vendors and teaches valuable business skills to future generations. 

Kim Stuart, City of Aurora

Kim Stuart has served as the Communications & Marketing Director for the city of Aurora for more than 30 years. Her department's initiatives include Access Aurora, AuroraTV, & The Aurora Eats Guide, which features nearly 300 authentic, specialty restaurants representing countries on almost every continent.

Aaron Vega, The People’s Building

A burgeoning community arts scene is emerging on historic Colfax avenue in Aurora. The People's Building offers a space where artists of all disciplines can explore, educate, & perform. Similarly, The Colfax Canvas Mural Festival adds world-class art to the heart of Aurora's Arts District, giving voice to the artists of our diverse community. At the helm of these institutions is Aaron Vega, a talented artist in his own right.