The Gateway To The Rockies Podcast

Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, Community College Of Aurora

Community College of Aurora serves nearly 12,000 students a year, offering more than 40 degree & certificate programs at the most diverse college in the state. President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee discusses the vital student services that support the CCA student body, & its continuous cultural & academic evolution.

Chance Horiuchi, On Havana Street

Aurora is the most diverse city in Colorado, a strength brought to life On Havana Street. This special business improvement district is home to roughly 2100 businesses that represent dozens of global cultures bonded in one 4.3-mile community. Chance Horiuchi, the executive director of On Havana Street is its fiercest advocate and biggest fan. We get a glimpse at her story and insight into this dynamic, thriving cultural center.  

Collen Warner, Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids midfielder Collen Warner began his soccer journey as a standout at Denver East High School. His career has taken him from sharing the pitch with English Premier League stars to playing abroad, & returning to his hometown MLS team. Warner opens up about the psychology behind the business of pro-sports & what it's like to be featured in one of the most popular video games in the world.

Heather Dearman, 720 Memorial Foundation

In the aftermath of the horrific Aurora theater shooting in 2012, The 720 Memorial Foundation was founded to carry out the fundraising, planning, and oversight of the construction of the permanent 7/20 memorial. Ten years later, CEO Heather Dearman, personally touched by the tragedy, reflects on the last decade & sheds light on the powerful events scheduled to commemorate the survivors, & those lost.

Ben King & Miguel Bencomo, Kingcomo’s Quesadillas

From high school friends to business partners, Ben King & Miguel Bencomo launched Kingcomo's Quesadillas as a food cart in Boulder. Their endeavor has expanded to a ghost kitchen concept in the Towncenter at Aurora with delicious & modern flavors for this old-school comfort food. 

Amanda Blaurock, Village Exchange Center

Eighty percent of Colorado's immigrant and refugee population lives in a vibrant Northwest Aurora neighborhood. The Village Exchange Center has become an anchor to that community, providing valuable resources, programs, & opportunities. Co-founder Amanda Blaurock discusses how VEC personifies the idea of "being the change you want to see in the world."

Thoa Nguyen, Bánh And Butter Bakery Café

Pastry Chef by day, Culinary Chef by night, Thoa Nguyen fuses Vietnamese and French baking traditions at the new Bánh And Butter Bakery Café, part of an influx of innovative businesses on East Colfax Avenue in Aurora, Colorado. 

Terry Walsh, Rolling Smoke BBQ

Dazzling his friends with his backyard barbecue skills in Oklahoma, Terry Walsh moved to Colorado & transformed his weekend hobby into one of the pre-eminent BBQ restaurants in Colorado. Rolling Smoke BBQ in Stanley Marketplace has become a fixture for BBQ lovers in Aurora, & The Rocky Mountain region. 

John Kim, Angry Chicken

During a trip to his birth country of South Korea, John Kim became enamored with its famed "rice chicken". Marrying Korean tradition with contemporary style, Angry Chicken has become a powerhouse in Aurora, Colorado. 

Michelle Nguyen, Create Kitchen And Bar

The ultimate date night? Elite chefs teaching you how to cook world-class cuisine. Create Kitchen And Bar inside Stanley Marketplace merges culinary arts with high-value entertainment. Operations manager Michelle Nguyen gives us the story of this Aurora gem & her version of an epic dinner party experience.