Colleen Smith
Colleen Smith writes and gardens in Denver.
All Stories

Colorado’s urban trees are transplants from other places, but the community — and shade — they create feels like home
If you’ve ever felt the impulse to hug a tree, your kinship is not unfounded. A recent city survey found participants put a higher value on trees than public restrooms,...

This 74 year old’s collection of collections in Congress Park is unlike anything you’ve seen before
In her 1,200-square-foot condo, which has 13 chandeliers, she mixed the candlesticks among her collections of white curios and antique doll heads, dozens of brass picture frames with family photos,...

Q&A: What to do about trees damaged when fierce winds blew through Colorado
Don’t blow off tree care in the aftermath of hurricane-force winds that rocked the Front Range on April 17

How the Denver Botanic Gardens proved it could grow a plant that looks like it came from Dr. Seuss’s sketchbook
Exotically beautiful and impressively tall, echium are the supermodels of gardens’ April display.

How the Denver Botanic Gardens proved it could grow a plant that looks like it came from Dr. Seuss’s sketchbook
Exotically beautiful and impressively tall, echium are the supermodels of gardens’ April display. Now gracing the orangerie, the containerized echium will live outdoors once nighttime temperatures warm to above 28...

At Colorado Ski Chairs, one person’s trashed skis are another’s shot skis
When ready to retire a pair of skis, many repurpose them as wall mounts, fences, racks for coats or bottles of wine. Or, they bring them to Colorado Ski Chairs.

These low-maintenance plants flower in winter and make great last-minute gifts
For those in need of a last-minute gift, these flowering plants might save the holiday.

From high art to Disney-esque, menorahs of all kinds light the way during Hanukkah
Menorahs come in all sizes and shapes, and are made of a variety of materials and range in tone from somber to silly.

This teacher’s passion is fresh produce, and his greenhouse program is getting students into the business of feeding Coloradans
Sam Shroyer is a greenhouse evangelist who is cultivating students, teaching them to grow plants and profits, in the urban horticulture program at Pickens Technical College in Aurora.

Setting a table to remember this Thanksgiving
The dining room table takes center stage on Thanksgiving Day. Denver décor pros weigh in with tips for crafting a centerpiece, keeping candle wax off your linens and keeping dish...