Rick Langenberg and Trevor Phipps
Yes, it’s the final announcements of our annual 2025 showdown, a competition featuring no lack of contenders and voters, with close to 15,000 ballots filed online, and many comments and additional tallies done, via email. Amazing!
Before proceeding further, we want to thank all of our readers, social media viewers, fans, critics, or whatever, as participation records were completely shattered. One fact remains certain: TMJ Best Of participants are quite passionate about what they like (and hate) in our beloved High Country and aren’t lacking when it comes to opinions. This is a trend that continues to escalate from the time we kicked off this Best Of contest, shortly after slots started ringing down Bennett Avenue on Oct. 1, 1991.
Many changes have occurred since that historic limited-stakes start-up date in Teller County and Colorado, and we hope this competition will help give visitors and locals a feel for prevailing views on the Best of the Best. Of course, these opinions always changes, so if you disagree with any of the results, there is always next year. Plus, business personnel and area personalities and local elected leaders commonly change, so we hope to reflect those changes.
In our March 18 issue, we mainly focused on the heavily contested casino and gaming competitions, food/restaurant contests and other business/retail service highlights. For this week (our March 25 edition), we present the finalists for more area-wide competitions, special niche business categories and services; and then the infamous individual showdowns, presenting the best personalities on the Mountain, best trouble-makers, public heroes, key business managers, and much more. Please, no punches or nasty social media posts, as virtually all the finalists are WINNERS in our humble TMJ view.
A full list of winners and finalists will soon be posted on our website and Facebook page for your convenience.
In the future, TMJ News will focus on some of the winners in more detail. Stay tuned too for more Best Of highlights by TMJ staff members.
With no future delays, enjoy The Best of 2025, Part 2.
Special Niche and Regional Competitions
Coffee, Latte and Special Drinks
Best Woodland Park Coffee Shop
Gold – Solid Grounds Coffee Roasters
Silver – Java Haus
Bronze – Café Leo
Last year’s champ: Righteous Grounds
When it comes to enjoying a cup of java, Americano and Latte specialties, voters absolutely love Solid Grounds, which has successfully carried on the traditions set by the Righteous Grounds. The quaint shop, now under the helm of Jason and Kim Ledlie, offers amazing brews, courtesy of the detailed process of roasting their own beans. They also have great pastries, food items and some of the friendliest employees in the area and sport a comfortable shop. Located just up the block a little, the Java Haus got an enthusiastic response in the area coffee world. Many laud too their spacious facility, while Café Leo, snagged bronze. The big winner here is coffee in the Teller high country, as few mountain areas can compete with the diversity and quality of the java provided.
Best Cripple Creek Coffee Shop
Gold – Creations Everlasting
Silver – Common Grounds
Bronze – Gold Camp Café
Last year’s champ: Creations Everlasting
Creations Everlasting repeated again as the favorite spot for coffee in the gaming community. Go there, have a cup of java and talk with owner Edie, and you can see why. But quite a number of responders favored Common Grounds, the relatively new coffee shop in the Aspen Mine Center, featuring self-roasted beans from some of the best coffee regions in the world. And not surprisingly, Gold Camp Cafe fared quite well in this competition.
Friendliest Coffee Shop
Gold – Starbucks/Walmart Center
Silver – Solid Grounds
Bronze – Java Haus
In a new competition this year, and one that received many comments, the large Starbucks center, near the entrance to the Woodland Park Walmart, captured the gold for the friendliest coffee hangout. The vibes there are amazing, not to mention their internet and people-friendly atmosphere. The great staff regularly knows your name and almost have your regular order memorized. Impressive, along with the conversation-friendly atmosphere. Solid Grounds also got many favorable comments in the most-friendly coffee hub spot, as did the Java Haus. Like we stated early, getting a cup of java in the Teller high country is a real treat.
Best Margaritas
Gold – Cantina Verde
Silver – Judge’s Char-Grill
Bronze – 110 Reserve/Peak View
Pets, hair, health and teeth
Best Veterinarian
Gold – Woodland Veterinary Clinic
Silver – Compassion Animal Hospital
Bronze – Rampart Range
Last year’s winner: Woodland Veterinary Clinic
Without question, Teller County is dog, animal and horse country. Folks up here have a special affinity for their four-legged best friends. As a result, the area is a bonanza for dog, cat and beloved pet owners, who may even enjoy their special critters better than their own kids (I know we shouldn’t say that.) For the third consecutive year, The Woodland Veterinary Clinic prevailed as the gold champ in this heavily contested competition. With the personable Dr. Jeff Baier at the helm as the head Vet Doc, The Woodland Vet Clinic easily snagged this title. Plus, the clinic has a great location, in a convenient mini-shopping hub right off Hwy. 24, and boasts a very talented staff. At the same time, many dog and pet lovers praised the Compassion Animal Hospital, located just a little up the road, along with the Rampart Range hospital in the Safeway shopping center. All in all, the vet services offered in Woodland Park and Teller County are pretty amazing.
Best Pet Groomer
Gold – Clearwater Grooming & Pet Care
Silver – Woodland Pet Salon
Bronze – Mama Mia’s Pet Spaw
Last year’s winner: Clearwater Grooming & Pet Care
Clearwater Pet Grooming took the gold for another consecutive year as the best place to go to keep your pets looking good and healthy. Their downtown location is a huge plus, not to mention their personable staff. The business also sports a variety of additional services, such as pet setting and nutritional help. Woodland Pet Salon, also located downtown, also made a strong showing, as did Mama Mia’s Pet Spaw.
Best Area Hair Salon
Gold – A Wild Hair
Silver – The Salon
Bronze – The Bliss
Last year’s champ – A Wild Hair
The Teller County area probably has more hair salons than any other type of business, and Best of participants clearly favored A Wild Hair in Divide. Located behind the Market, if the Wild Hair isn’t the friendliest hair salon on the mountain, then this title doesn’t exist. The salon is known for their great service, specialties and amazing staff and ability to adjust to tough situations, such as the COVID epidemic, several years ago. In fact, their front door is filled with award certificates from this newspaper and other publications. In many ways, A Wild Hair has become a mini-community hub, and is a prime spot for rumors, besides getting award-winning cuts. Many of our participants, though, favored the Salon and The Bliss.
Best Chiropractor
Gold – Powell Chiropractic
Silver – Reason Chiropractic
Bronze – Ute Pass Family Chiropractic
The Teller County area is a mecca for chiropractic services, especially with the infusion of retirees and senior citizens, who just need those frequent adjustments, or encounter a bad back for no reason. Then, we have our occasional bad weather days, or times when our fine folks do something stupid on the ski slopes or even on the golf course. Once again, Best Of participants clearly favored Powell Chiropractic, which sports a spacious office and fitness area and mini-gym. Dr. Dave, as he is affectionally known, has served the Woodland Park area for several decades and more, and better yet, has maintained a staff with incredible longevity and experience. This occasion was celebrated last summer. Reason Chiropractic and Ute Pass Family Chiropractic also fared well in this competition.
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Silver – Cannabis Depot
Bronze – Maggie’s Farm
Entertainment, Family Fun and Live Music
Best Local Entertainment
Gold – Butte Theater
Silver – Gold Hill Theatre
Bronze – Woodland Park City Council/RE-2 School Board Meetings
Year after year, readers seem to love the live melodramas and other performances put on by the Butte Theater. With their new manager Lauren Smith, many like the variety of live shows offered by the Butte throughout the year, covering a huge gamut of genres. After being closed for a short period, the Gold Hill Theatres have once again emerged as a winner. TMJ readers also seem to actually like the antics of the Woodland Park City Council vs. school board battles.
Last Year’s Champ: Butte Theater
Best Family Entertainment
Gold – Butte Theater
Silver – Cripple Creek District Museum
Bronze – Gold Hill Theatres
For those wanting to take the family out for a night of entertainment, the Butte Theater proves that Cripple Creek isn’t just for those over 21. The large variety of plays and the fact that the audience gets to play a role probably contributes to the Butte’s success. Their community shows also area a big hit. The Cripple Creek District Museum has been popular for the last couple of years. to their live music on summer weekends. Readers also seem to enjoy taking their families to a movie at Woodland Park’s Gold Hill Theatres.
Last Year’s Champ: Butte Theater
Best Local Place for Live Music
Gold – Blue Moose Tavern
Silver – 110 Reserve
Bronze – Crystola Roadhouse
Last year’s champ: Blue Moose
Blue Moose is The Place for a live music show on the weekends or a karaoke outing. Area bands love playing there, and an amazing interaction exists between the performers and Tavern-goers. Great too for people watching, as Blue Moose is not devoid of colorful characters. But many enjoy the new entertainment expansion at 110 Reserve or the great dance floor at Crystola.
Specialized services
Best Real Estate Agent
Gold – Kellie Case
Silver – Carrie Miller
Bronze – Jessica Schwab
When it comes to buying or selling a home, Kellie Case seems to be the most popular real estate agent, according to readers. She has made a good name for herself through her long stint in local politics and remains a preferred choice when buying or selling a home. Carrie Miller snagged the silver this year as her name can often be seen on signs all around Cripple Creek. Once a popular local bartender Jessica Schwab has become one of the readers’ most favorite real estate agents.
Last Year’s champ: James Dean
Best Liquor Store
Gold – Banana Belt Liquors
Silver – Cripple Creek Liquors
Bronze – Gold Mine Liquors
Last year’s champ: Banana Belt Liquors
When it comes to buying adult beverages, voters love the prices and selections at Banana Belt Liquors in Woodland Park, the winner of this title repeatedly. Their easy-to-use Banana Belt discount card is an added plus, along with their regular assortment of special tastings. Many voters, though, opted for the more small-scale liquor outlet with Cripple Creek Liquors. Also, finishing in the top running among area liquor stores was Gold Mine Liquor station on Teller One.
Best Electrician
Gold – Hardcastle Heating and Home Services
Silver – Ace Electric
Bronze – Woodland Park Electric
When it comes to having repair work done on homes, Hardcastle has been a favorite for HVAC and plumbing work for quite some time. Since Hardcastle has opened its doors, it now offers just about every type of service for a house from plumbing to electric. Ace Electric is also a go-to company for anything electrical related. Woodland Park Electric is another local options that received votes.
Last Year’s Champ: Hardcastle
Best Plumber
Gold- Persing Plumbing
Silver- Woodland Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
Bronze- Hardcastle Heating and Home Services
To top the list this year, Kevin Persing with Persing Plumbing proved to be a local favorite. His customers say his rates are affordable and he always shows up with a smile on his face. Caleb Lopez and Mark Keesling with Woodland Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning have also become popular with the classes they teach at the Woodland Park Library, Hardcastle remains a go-to for just about anything that goes wrong in a home.
Best Car Dealer
Gold – Phil Long
Silver – Mike Maroony
Bronze – Spradley
Since Teller County lacks options to purchase a vehicle, most frequent the Springs at places like Phil Long. Phil Long is one of the oldest car dealers in Southern Colorado and voters still seem to like using them for vehicle purchases. In addition, they now sport some impressive music venues, demonstrating their commitment to the community.
Mike Marooney is another dealership that offers decent rides for mountain folks. Spradley earned the Bronze as people who live in the high country often use them for new car purchases
Last Year’s Champ: Phil Long
Best Car Repair Shop
Gold – Home Town Garage
Silver – Vahsholtz Automotive
Bronze – Schumacher’s Alignment & Tire
Home Town Garage this year located in Woodland Park was picked by readers as the number one place to go when having car trouble. The staple has been around for quite some time and the locals say they are fair and honest. The Vahsholtz family has worked on cars for multiple generations of local families and readers still tend to prefer them over others. Schumacher’s is another shop that has been around for decades pleasing the locals.
Last Year’s Champ: Vahsholtz Automotive
Best Heating and Air Company
Gold – Hardcastle Home Services
Silver – Woodland Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
Bronze – Teller Plumbing and Heating
Hardcastle topped the Best Of list once again by providing heating and cooling services which is their mainstay. However, now the new and improved company can do just about anything needed around the house including carpentry. Although the business is rather new, readers tend to enjoy the professionalism of the crew at Woodland Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. Teller Plumbing and Heating is also another one to call with any issues at home.
Last Year’s Champ: Hardcastle
Other Winners
Gold – Cripple Creek Hospitality House
Silver – Edgewood Inn
Bronze – Pikes Peak Paradise
When it comes to a more personal and homely night out, the Cripple Creek Hospitality House once again took the top spot. The hotel situated in one of the city’s former hospitals has historic charm and is filled with stories behind the doors. The Edgewood Inn nestled just up Rampart Range outside of Woodland Park is also popular due to exquisite views of Pikes Peak. Pikes Peak Paradise is another unique bed and breakfast spot that voters enjoy.
Last Year’s Champ: Cripple Creek Hospitality House
Best Area Non-Profit Organization
Gold – Aspen Mine Centers/Community of Caring
Silver – Two Mile High Club
Bronze – Friends of the Forest
Honorable mention – TCRAS
Last year’s champ: Aspen Mine Centers
In yet another triumph for the Aspen Mine Center/Community of Caring, this popular organization, which played a big role in rallying support for an additional sales tax increase to benefit the RE-1 District’s new trade/construction center, easily defended its title as the region’s top nonprofit. The Aspen Mine is known for their plethora of services and revered model as a one-stop center hub. It has become a prime example of putting non-functioning casinos into a huge community resource. The Aspen Mine now sports two facilities and an amazing staff and an impressive thrift store. The Aspen Mine has emerged as one of the community’s finest nonprofit jewels. Special kudos to Ted Borden, Lisa Noble and Mary Bielz. But many Best Of voters heavily praised the work of the Two Mile High Club in taking care of the Creek’s prime community ambassadors, its herd of donkeys. They turned the Donkey Derby Days festival from a so-so event that suffered from the COVID epidemic to a major special event sensation. The Friends of the Forest group also fared quite well in this competition.
Best New Business
Gold – Cantina Verde
Silver – District Kitchen & Saloon
Bronze — Common Grounds
The Cantina Verde has transformed a vacant facility in Green Mountain Falls, which was once used by the old Mucky Duck, into a popular restaurant that has almost become a community hub. Needless to say, this project, orchestrated by Jesse Stroope Molly Ambrose and other well-known people in the community, involved a considerable amount of renovation, perseverance and adjustments. The end product, though, is that GMF now features one of the top restaurants in the area. Moreover, The District Saloon also got many high marks for their long-awaited debut in Cripple Creek, as did Common Grounds, a well-needed addition to the Aspen Mine Center.
Most Unique Business
Gold – Creations Everlasting
Silver – Our Reserve Art Gallery
Bronze – The Painted Bear
Last year’s winner: 315 Survival
From a store that features everything from NFL and Major League Baseball merchandise to incredible clothing items and even jewelry, Creations Everlasting is worth a definite detailed time of store-browsing. Also, don’t miss their great art displays, just outside the store on the weekends. Our Reserve Art Gallery in Woodland Park and The Painted Bear in Green Mountain Falls closed the ranks on the Most Unique.
Best Area Business Events
Gold – Woodland Park Chamber After Hours
Silver – Teller Sheriff Town Halls
Bronze – Charity Golf Tourneys
Last year’s champ: Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce
The chamber’s After Hours gatherings continue to draw huge crowds and serve as great ways to network and socialize. These events took a beating after COVID, but have completely rebounded. The sheriff’s forums on gun control, meanwhile, are events not to miss, and these gatherings could only get livelier with Sheriff Mikesell announcing his intentions to run for governor of Colorado. And to think that pursuit once was fodder for an April Fools story in the Mountain Crackpot.
Best Area Shoe Store
Gold- Zebz Outfooters
Silver- The Cowhand
Bronze- Walmart
When it comes to protecting feet while out exploring in the mountains, readers prefer the selection at Zebz Outfooters. Besides having a good choice of hiking boots, many also like their socks. The Cowhand is one of the city’s longest running businesses and many prefer their selection of cowboy boots. Walmart also made the list probably for their cheap prices.
Best Area Grocery Store
Gold- City Market
Silver- Safeway
Bronze- Walmart
When it comes to getting groceries locally, many tend to like the smaller store at City Market. Their selection is good, and their prices can be pretty cheap especially when catching their special sales. Safeway is also on the list as they too are known to have amazing deals from time to time. Walmart has quite the grocery selection and on some things it’s hard to beat their prices.
Best Building Supply Store
Gold- Foxworth-Galbraith
Silver- Woodland Hardware
Bronze- Lowe’s
When buying building supplies, locals like the convenience and variety offered at Foxworth-Galbraith. The knowledgeable staff can help customers find exactly what they need for their latest home project.
Woodland Hardware is also a go-to spot when looking for supplies for a remodeling project. If a home repairer can’t find what they need in Woodland Park, many tend to travel down the pass to Lowe’s.
Best Hardware Store
Gold- Woodland Hardware
Silver- Foxworth-Galbraith
Bronze- Ace True Value
Woodland Hardware once again made the top of the list as they usually have just about anything one could need. In the summertime, many frequent the store for things for their garden and their large selection of grass seed.
Foxworth-Galbraith is also known to have just about anything someone needs around the house. Ace True Value is also a frequented store for those in the more rural areas of Teller.
Best Jewelry Store
Gold- Lane Mitchell Jeweler
Silver- Shane Co.
Bronze- The Mercantile
For years, many have enjoyed the selection of jewelry offered at Lane Mitchell Jewelers in Manitou Springs. The “Premier Jeweler of the Pikes Peak Region” makes custom designs perfect for any occasion. Maybe due to the radio commercials, the Shane Company always seems to score high on the Best Of list. The Mercantile in Cripple Creek also offers rare Colorado products.
Best Internet
Gold – Teller WiFi
Silver – Vero Fiber
Bronze – Century
Best Lawyer
Gold – Justin Fisch
Bronze – Family Law Group
