“The three guys in this band are my best friends. Even without the music, they’d be my best friends,” said Ty Tullar, a senior at University of Colorado Boulder, and drummer for the Boulder-based rock band, The Dirty Turkeys. 

Though Ty made his way to Boulder from San Diego, his first band, Barefoot, drew the attention of a few local musicians, three Castle Pines natives—guitarist Justin “Russ” Hansen, his older brother, the vocalist, Brad Hansen, and childhood best friend, Sam Baker, bassist. Justin and Sam, now seniors at UC Boulder, first met at Ms. Linda’s preschool and have been inseparable since.  

The Dirty Turkeys began one night in Boulder, when Ty asked Sam to fill in for his band—the two kept jamming after the show ended, realizing there was a natural chemistry between them. Before long, Justin, Sam and Ty were all playing together while Brad was studying abroad—something clicked between them and The Dirty Turkeys was born. It was only after a fateful Thanksgiving they spent together in 2022, when a thermometer exploded in their turkey, did they claim their name. Justin and Brad’s mom, Biz Hansen, came into the kitchen and said, quite infamously, “That’s one dirty turkey!”

Justin recalled one of their first shows at a fraternity house near campus, where he opened the set with a solo performance on a bansuri flute. Since then, they’ve played all over the state, the country, and even booked a gig while visiting Barcelona. The band is incredibly inspired by travel, world music, and nature—drawing on their experiences and connections with land and culture to give their music the unique depth it holds. From Justin’s witnessing of the “cool retro rock scene in Thailand”, to Ty’s childhood of surfing in sunny Southern California, to the band’s creation of Electric Honey, a music festival in the middle of the desert in Moab, their artistic process has always stemmed from the great outdoors. 

For Justin, that love for nature began in Castle Pines. He and Brad were residents of The Village, growing up surrounded by forests and wildlife. Sam lived in Surrey Ridge, similarly nestled in woods and rolling hills. Justin claimed that his music is rooted in his love for nature, and that love came from his childhood in Castle Pines. The brothers were very involved in all things Castle Pines, playing an array of sports, and participating in the Boys’ Team Charity, but their love for the nature they grew up in is what has brought them to where they are now. 

With modern musical influences of Thee Oh Sees and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats alongside an inclination towards the complexities of world music, The Dirty Turkeys describe themselves as a “high-energy, fun, rock-and-roll band”. Justin, the main lyricist, poetically ascribed their unique sound as “being in the middle of an ocean during the storm, Ty is the thunder, I am the lightning, and Sam in the tidal wave.” 

While the band is gaining traction, and setting off for a summer tour after graduation, their growing popularity is secondary to the lasting experiences their friendship and explorations have brought. Their favorite memories are playing outdoor shows and trekking out into the wilderness wherever they tour to. Ty recalled a stand-out memory, and said, “One night in Carbondale, Colorado, on tour last year, we went up into the mountains on a backpacking trip, summited Mount Sopris, came back down, and the same day we played a sold-out show.” 

So, what’s next for the Dirty Turkeys? The college band is taking off on the Cowboy Caravan tour this summer, with a kickoff show on May 7th at the Fox Theater. Before that, their album, Cowboy Caravan, is out on April 11th, with a release show at Little Horse Vintage in Boulder. Their album, recorded by Aiden Roberts, an old friend from Castle Pines, has a few singles already released, with quirky, retro music videos to match. Listen to their music, see their videos, or find more information on their next shows at https://linktr.ee/thedirtyturkeys.

Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali: all of these famous artists revolutionized the painting style ‘Modernism’, but one Castle Pines artist has been on the path to an entirely unique art style, fittingly called ‘Gregism’. Lifelong artist and Canyons resident, Greg Dye captures colorful scenes of the American West in his own method of oil painting. 

Greg has lived in Colorado for fifty-two years and has been an avid artist just as long. Though it would be years before Greg pursued his true artistic vision, he delved into the art world as a teen. He first created comic books and aspired to be an illustrator. Greg’s style evolved with different mediums; he started using pastels when he began his career in commercial illustration, working with advertising agencies and design firms in 1993. IBM, Coors, and American Express are just a few of the companies he collaborated with. However, Greg had always been drawn to fine art, and after becoming a college instructor, he decided his vision was ready to be a reality.

Greg is now solely a professional painter, working in a studio in his Canyons home. He uses his ‘wet on wet’ oil painting technique to bring landscapes to life. His color palette is daringly original, and his method is unique to his spontaneous creativity. Using a large palette knife, he crafts scenery with brightly colored gestural swipes, layering paint until the image comes to life, full of physical texture and light. 

Living in the Canyons for the past four years with his wife, Kristin, his dog, Macy, and feline friend, Kitty Cat, Greg has always been drawn to the great outdoors. “Living in Colorado for 52 years has definitely impacted my art, because I live here. All of these amazing places to hike—that’s my inspiration. I walk outside and my brain starts turning,” he stated. 

Greg has accomplished his dream, and attributes it to the principle of discovering oneself. “A lot of people imitate illustrators and fine artists. I wanted to find my own style. What I’m doing now is learning how to imitate myself. I imitate no one, I look to no one, I just look into myself, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” he stated. While Greg found his voice through painting, he urges everyone to continue learning and experimenting with their passions, and claimed, “It’s a process, even if you’re not a painter, we’re all trying to discover ourselves.” 

Here in Castle Pines, art is all around. As Greg has proven, inspiration can come from stepping out the door and hitting the trail. Looking outward at the sprawling nature that makes Castle Pines special, remember to look inward, and never stop learning, exploring, and discovering oneself. 

Greg’s paintings will be featured at the Breckenridge July on Festival on July 4 and are on display in six galleries across the state. For information on where to see his art, visit www.gregdye.com, email him at greg@gregdye.com, or check out his Instagram @greg_dye_art. 

As the new year begins, the excitement and joy of the holiday season now passed, the long, cold winter months ahead can start to feel daunting. For Coloradans, avoiding cabin-fever can be quite easy, as any adrenaline junkie or winter sport enthusiast would agree. Take to the slopes, strap on a pair of skis, lock into a snowboard and enjoy all the Rocky Mountains’ have to offer. 

For the adventurous, winter is a season of endless entertainment, and snowmobiling is another way to get in on the fun.

Rob Holsman, a Vacquero resident, partakes in snowmobiling as often as he can, and has ventured out on the motorized sleds in various mountain towns over the years. Yet there is one place that has stood out to him among the rest.

“Grand Lake is the best spot for snowmobiling,” Rob claimed, citing a rental company called On the Trail as an ideal experience for anyone, from amateurs to aficionados. “From their lodge, you can get right on the trail, and even keep the snowmobiles at your rental cabin. We would wake up and take off right from our back door, and in the evenings, we could ride into town for dinner.” 

Aside from the charming mountain experience he recalled, there are many other benefits to Grand Lake’s park. Designed by On the Trail, the park includes professionally groomed trails, spanning “hundreds of miles” through the Arapahoe National Forest. For newer adventurers, the professionally kept trails are marked with guideposts, creating a convenient, safe and inviting experience for interested newcomers this winter.

Aside from the park’s welcoming features for newer riders, it has countless perks for seasoned enjoyers. Rob discussed what he thinks makes a good snowmobiling spot.

“There’s a balance of open space and forest riding, with lots of elevation changes and professionally kept hills. In Grand Lake, the park leads to the top of the Continental Divide for some stunning views.”  

Rob claimed his favorite parts of snowmobiling are those unbeatable views, some of which would be inaccessible without the powerful sleds, and of course the exhilaration.

“The park has lots of courses designed for more challenging, exciting rides. ‘Chicken Hill’ is one of my favorite spots to hit when I’m riding there. It’s a very, very steep hill and you have to have the guts to ride up it. If you’re not sure of yourself, you could tumble…”

Fear not, for this park allows riders to choose their own adventure. Whether a wild ride is on the agenda, or a safe venture into the great Rocky Mountains is what would spice up the occasionally dreary winter months, snowmobiling is an exciting option for all.

January 2025 Issue

While October days were still hitting the eighties, and fall—let alone a snowy start to ski season—felt like a dream that would never come true, Adrienne Markey, ski-buff and former Village resident, was helping children hit the slopes in a frozen winter-wonderland year-round. Adrienne, a current University of Colorado Boulder senior, has been skiing since before she can remember, and teaches children at the ski school, Shredder, in Boulder. 

Though she technically grew up in Castle Pines, Adrienne was truly raised on the slopes in Winter Park. She cited her dad, Sean Markey, as the reason skiing was a central part of childhood. She stated, “My dad was always super busy, and skiing was some of our only time together. He used to have my sister and I try to race him, but he was so fast! I stared to realize I loved the speed, so in eighth grade I joined the team.” 

Adrienne went on to race for the Winter Park Ski Team until senior year at Rock Canyon. The chaos of school, social life, full-time training, structured workouts, and highly competitive racing was rigorous, and the competition wound down with the pandemic and a torn ACL. Now, Adrienne skis for fun, and has used her knowledge to teach children since October 2021. 

As someone who grew up cherishing skiing, Adreinne understands the impact she has on the children, and the lessons she imparts through her position. She stated, “All interactions that kids have mold who they become, and it makes my job super meaningful. It has taught me so much about patience and empathy.” Adrienne also mentioned, “It is cute to see dads come in with their daughters and ski in princess dresses. Skiing is all about having fun and getting outside—you can be silly, especially around the kids. It is very freeing.” 

Adrienne cited skiing as the reason she made some of her best friends, spent time with family, and gave her opportunities to travel, racing all over the state with the team—why would she not want to pass that joy to the next generation of ski-bums and racers? Skiing created a bond that connected generations of her family, bringing them together for days of frozen fun and lasting memories. Adrienne held on to the timeless gift the Rockies have given her, and decided to convey it to the children she instructs in hopes that skiing will bring them years of delight with their families as well. 

Though she mentioned Telluride as the best ski day, her favorite spot to jump on the lift and fly down the mountain will always be Winter Park, which holds a special place in her heart. 

November, 2024 Issue