Eugene is one of those rare personalities in our town who refuses to let fear, risk, or rising costs stand in the way of a vision.
At a time when opening a restaurant feels harder than ever, he took on an aging, struggling building and brought it back to life—transforming it into Colorado Plus, a brewery filled with energy, purpose, and an outstanding menu. From what many still call the best burger in town to the unforgettable three-beet salad, it became a place people returned to again and again.
For many of us, it was more than a restaurant. Especially during COVID, Colorado Plus became a gathering place—a steady, welcoming space where conversations happened, ideas were shared, and relationships were built. Committees met there. Businesses took shape there. In many ways, pieces of Wheat Ridge’s future were discussed within those walls.
And Eugene is not alone.
Our town is built on people like him—Ryan, Jeff, Joe, Mark, Bud, and so many others—who continue to push forward, sharing their passion for food, hospitality, and community despite the challenges.
On May 31st, Colorado Plus will close its doors.
Eugene will remain the building’s owner, leasing the space to King of Wings, who plans to introduce a new concept centered around pizza and burgers—a model that has already seen strong success elsewhere. It’s an exciting next chapter for the space.
I asked Joe DeMott, part owner of Clancy’s, how he sees this impacting the 38th Avenue corridor. He shared,
“I think it’ll be good. They really bring in an outside crowd from Denver, and that’ll give Clancy’s more exposure to those millennial youngsters. More restaurants clustered together is always good—it creates a spontaneous entertainment district.”
He’s right. Momentum matters.
Transitions, however, aren’t always easy. We saw that when Right Coast Pizza became Rolling Smoke. Yet even then, success found its way—especially during Clancy’s St. Patrick’s Festival, where Rolling Smoke’s food truck sold out time and time again.
As for Eugene, this is far from the end.
His next chapter is already taking shape—a smaller, more intimate concept, centered around cooking his mother’s recipes. Knowing Eugene, it won’t be long before we’re all lining up again.
Eugene, thank you—for your passion, your resilience, and for giving Wheat Ridge a place that meant so much to so many. I have asked the city to honor Eugene in an upcoming council meeting. Let’s hope this happens soon.
Another heartfelt thank you this week goes to Jerry DiTullio, who has stepped away from his campaign for Colorado State Treasurer. A former mayor and longtime advocate for Wheat Ridge, Jerry has always been a champion of local decision-making and community pride. There’s no doubt he’s already thinking about what comes next. Best wishes, Jerry.
And finally, a special thank you to Irene Eggers, who shared a remarkable story in this issue. Her mother was admitted to the Lutheran Sanatorium on May 15, 1928, suffering from tuberculosis. At a time when treatment options were limited, a doctor took a bold step—injecting calcium into her veins—and ultimately saved her life. Irene graciously invited me into her home to share photos and memories from that era. For a moment, it truly felt like stepping back in time. Irene, thank you for trusting us with your family’s story.
As always, thanks for reading.
~ Guy
