Dave!

 The Dave Matthews Band made their return to Colorado for the first time since 2024, with a two night stand at Fiddler’s Green. I sacrificed my tickets for the Friday night show, so I could attend the UNC home opener under the lights. After some fits and starts and a heavy dose of indecision, I decided to make a solo trek this year, since Jen just wasn’t feeling the vibe. I made the stop at my favorite cigar lounge for a few hours, before heading to the venue. No real line for merch, plenty of both the weekend poster as well as Saturday night’s, and smooth entry inside. Dave strolled on at exactly 745, and played right up until 1015. Still no “Dreaming Tree” but got “Say Goodbye” “Eh-Hee” and a stunning closer of “The Stone.” Made friends with my seat mates, saw Raab (IFKYK), and was thisclose to the setlist that he brought back for her. I really should have asked if I could have kept it, since she had several. Overall a great night, good vibes, and grateful I decided to go. See you in 2028 Dave!

Lights PT. 3

 While the Bears ended up losing a heartbreaker 30-29, it was still a special evening for UNC and the city of Greeley. Had a great time, shared the evening with so many good friends, and the commute home was only 10 minutes. Here are a few more pictures from the evening. And as always, GO BEARS!

Lights PT.2

 A year ago, Ben and I attended the first game of the UNC football season. We hung out in the corner of the end zone, had a few beers, and watched the City Council be recognized before kickoff. I was in the middle of the campaign, and had no idea what the upcoming couple of months were about to bring. Fast-forward to last night, where I walked to midfield at halftime with my fellow city council members and had my name announced over the PA system. While we were waiting, I took a few minutes to reflect on how special the moment was. I could see the dorm that I arrived at in the fall of 1995 as a wide-eyed freshman. Right next door to that was Turner Hall, where I met Jennifer Gonzales for the first time. The memories of courting her, being on staff as RAs, the shooting in McCowen Hall, our graduations, and then several decades later, Andrew and Ari’s graduations. I recorded a video for mom and dad, acknowledging with a sense of humility and disbelief that their son was about to stroll to midfield of the first ever night game as a Councilman for the City of Greeley. I wish they could have been there, and I’m hopeful that maybe they somehow knew, and smiled down upon me. I’m grateful Jen was there, and wish the kids and their partners could have been there as well. 

Lights PT. 1

 Pretty big deal for UNC Football, as Nottingham Field officially has lights! And what better way to kick off the season then with a Friday Fest in the parking lot of the stadium and sponsorship from the City of Greeley.  It was great to see so many friends and city staff, as well as all of Council for the pre-game festivities. We then made our way to the VIB box for free food and drinks for the rest of the evening. 

Cohort

 I was recently selected to participate in the 2026-27 Colorado Municipal League Leadership Academy. This opportunity will bring together 23 elected officials from around the state once a month for a full day of learning. We kicked things off a few weeks ago by gathering in Alamosa at Adams State College. But first, the happy hour and introductions It was fun to meet and start to get to know a wide variety of elected folks, all the way from the City and County of Denver to tiny 300 person towns in the mountains. Our first full day together started at a local co-op farm, a peek at the low flow Rio Grande River, learning about Robert’s Rule of Order, and a panel discussion of several Mayors.