Final Winners and Top Contenders Named
Rick Langenberg and Trevor Phipps
Yes, it’s the final announcements of TMJ’s Best Of 2026 showdown, a competition featuring no lack of contenders and voters, with close to 50,000 ballots filed online; plus a bombardment of comments and additional tallies, via email. Amazing!
Before proceeding further, we want to thank all 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 gaming 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 in the Teller/Ute Pass High Country. Of course, these opinions always change, 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 on those changes.
In our April 14 issue, we focused on the heavily contested casino and gaming competitions, food/restaurant contests, and a few other select business/retail service highlights. For this week (our April 21 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 troublemakers, public heroes, key business managers, despised rumor mongers and much more. Please, no punches or nasty social media posts, as 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, and in a forthcoming printed issue.
TMJ News will highlight select winners in detail. Stay tuned too for more Best Of highlights by TMJ staff members.
With no future delays, enjoy The Best of 2026, Part 2
Regional Business Winners
Best Woodland Park Coffee Shop
Gold – Solid Grounds Coffee House
Silver – Starbucks
Bronze – Java Haus
Honorable Mention – Café Leo
Last Year’s Champ – Solid Grounds
In another repeat championship, Solid Grounds Coffee House, under the helm of Jason and Kim Ledlie, easily captured the title as the finest java stop in the “City Above the Clouds.” This quaint place is so much more than a coffee shop, featuring great pastries, lunch favorites and extremely friendly employees. It also features a great collection of history books for those who just want to hang out. And of course, there is their award-winning java, featuring hand-roasted artisan coffee roasted in-house at 8,500 feet, along with Americano and Latte specialties. All in all, this is a great place to frequent, right in the heart of Woodland Park’s downtown. Many of our voters favor Starbucks, which locally sport two prime locations, and Java Haus.
Friendliest Coffee Shop
Gold – Starbucks/Walmart Center
Silver – Solid Grounds Coffee House
Bronze – Java Haus
In a relatively new competition, and one that received many comments, the large Starbucks center near the entrance to Woodland Park’s Walmart, snagged the gold for the friendliest coffee shop hangout. The vibes there are amazing, not to mention their internet and people-friendly atmosphere and views from the patio. The great staff regularly know 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 Java Haus. Like we stated earlier, getting a cup of java in the Teller high country is a real treat.
Best Antique Shop/Market
Gold – Maudie’s Incredible Emporium
Silver – Trading and Transfer Gift Shop
Bronze – Creations Everlasting
Last Year’s Winner – Maudie’s Incredible Emporium
No competition. Maudie’s is a shop where you can spend hours just browsing through old treasures and rare art. The store contains all kinds of amazing historic artifacts, and just plain interesting items. But both the Trading and Transfer shop, next to the Cripple Creek District Museum and Creations Everlasting, are good alternatives. It’s good to see Cripple Creek still bustling in an effort to preserve the district’s rich past.
Best Bank
Gold – Park State Bank & Trust
Silver – Vectra Bank
Bronze – Community Banks of Colorado
Honorable Mention – ENT Credit Union
Last Year’s Champ – Park State Bank
The reigning best bank champion did it, yet again. Being the only locally operated bank in the area, many prefer Park State to manage their funds. They have won this title for many years. Plus, Park State is a big community player and heavily involved in some signature local projects. Vectra Bank in Woodland Park, though, has been around for decades and remains a popular banking option, and sports a very personable staff. Community Banks of Colorado is also a popular choice among our Teller voters, especially due to the fact that they sport branches in Cripple Creek and Woodland Park.
Best Furniture Store
Gold – Tweeds Fine Furnishings
Silver – Williams Log Cabin Furniture
Bronze – American Furniture Warehouse
Honorable Mention – Walmart
Last Year’s Champ – Tweed’s Fine Furnishings
The mountain-style, high-end furniture at Tweeds is a tough act to follow and continues to attract much popularity every year. The store features everything needed for a home with some local artisans creating the masterpieces. Williams Log Cabin Furniture, meanwhile, has been around for decades, and many like the style of homeware they offer. Other voters, however, seem to prefer heading down the pass to shop at the famous American Furniture Warehouse that became famous due to its use of exotic animals in their television commercials.
Best Clothing Store
Gold – The Cowhand
Silver – Creations Everlasting
Bronze – Colorado GearLab
Honorable Mention – Goodwill Store and Donation Center (in Woodland Park)
Last Year’s Champ – Creations Everlasting
This year the tides changed slightly as the Cowhand came up as the big winner. The Cowhand specializes in Western-style clothes and hats. As an added plus, they have been in business in Woodland Park for over 60 years, under the leadership of Merry Jo Larsen, a local legend among store owners. Creations Everlasting in Cripple Creek is always a top business on this list with their clothing varieties that include official NFL gear. Colorado GearLab also proves to be a popular hub for outdoor-related clothing. Many, though, favor, the variety of clothing offered at Woodlan Park’s large Goodwill store, off U.S. Hwy. 24.
Most Unique Woodland Park Retail
Gold – Colorado GearLab
Silver – Whole in the Wall Herb Shoppe
Bronze – Tweed’s Fine Furnishings
Honorable Mention – The Cowhand
Last Year’s Champ – Colorado GearLab
As new stores seem to pop up, local retail hubs have tended to get more creative to compete with the big box online stores. But places like Colorado GearLab have proven to provide things that you just can’t find anywhere else. They have served as a real niche for area outdoor buffs and saved many locals a trip down the Pass. Equally as important, they really cater to what people really want. Whole in the Wall Herb Shoppe, located in the Gold Hill Square Shopping Center, snagged the Silver in this heavily competitive contest. They remain very popular by being one of the only places around where one can purchase bulk spices. Tweed’s Fine Furnishings made the list again because they offer a lot more than just furniture.
Best Local Entertainment
Gold – The Butte Theater
Silver – Gold Hill Theatres
Bronze – Local Karaoke Nights
Honorable Mention – Live Music Nights
Last Year’s Champ – The Butte Theater
The Butte Theater in Cripple Creek remains the reigning champion for best local entertainment. If you attend a show at this amazing theater, you can see why. Their live melodrama and musicals seem to cater to everyone. In fact, we would rank the Butte as a contender for one of the best entertainment venues in the entire Pikes Peak region. The Gold Hill Theatres in Woodland Park also strongly maintains a strong rating as a popular place to go to catch a movie. Others prefer to check out the region’s rich assortment of bars to enjoy karaoke nights.
Best Family Entertainment
Gold – The Butte Theater
Silver – Gold Hill Theatres
Bronze – Green Box Arts Festival
Honorable Mention – America’s Mountain Festival
Last Year’s Champ – The Butte Theater
The Butte Theater and Gold Hill Theatres once again top the list as the best places to go to entertain the whole family. Others voted for the Green Box Arts Festival in Green Mountain Falls that offers a large variety of summer events for the whole family, like try some 100 events during a several week period. America’s Mountain Festival was also a favorite for family entertainment and has big plans in store for the festival’s return this summer.
Best Area-Wide Event
Gold – Salute to American Veterans Rally
Silver – America’s Mountain Festival
Bronze – Charis Christmas Performance
Honorable Mentions – Donkey Derby Days, Ice Castles, Cripple Creek Ice Festival, and Woodland Park’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
Last Year’s Champ – Donkey Derby Days
The event category this year was a nail-biter, as voters opted for a wide variety of special events and festivals, which get better every year. But most favored the annual Salute to American Veterans Rally, which takes place in the county each summer. The 2025 event was especially a big hit as the festival returned to Cripple Creek after a lengthy absence when it took a detour to Woodland Park for several years and even got cancelled one year due to COVID. Welcome Home was the main response from locals and many visitors who were enthused about the Rally’s official return to the gaming community. America’s Mountain Festival launched their annual event in July at the site of new Tava House project. It featured major country music stars and became a local event favorite. The live-action performances at the Charis Bible College also draw plenty of visitors to the region especially during the holiday season.
Best Place for Live Music
Gold – Chamonix Casino & Hotel
Silver – Blue Moose Tavern
Bronze – Ute Lodge Bar & Grill
Last Year’s Champ – Blue Moose
The Chamonix has become The Place to Go for live musical acts, featuring many name performers and phenomenal tribute bands that conjure up some great memories. Moreover, they offer a comfortable and ideal venue. Chamonix has really put Cripple Creek on the map when it comes to musical entertainment. But for live up-close, musical entertainment, with enthusiastic crowds, it’s hard to beat the Blue Moose in Green Mountain Falls. But Ute Lodge Bar & Grill has started to attract good music-loving crowds on the weekend, with their impressive entertainment schedule, mostly focusing on acoustic-friendly acts.
Gold – Clearwater Grooming & Pet Care
Silver – Mama Mia’s Pet Spaw
Bronze – A-Plus Pet Spa
Last Year’s Champ – Clearwater Grooming & Pet Care
Clearwater Grooming & Pet Care 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, (you can trek right over to Memorial Park, right after your dog gets a good scrubbing as a reward) not to mention their personable staff that pay close attention to the needs of your animals. The business also sports a variety of additional services, such as pet sitting and nutritional help. Mama Mia’s Pet Spaw made a strong showing, as did A-Plus Pet Spa in Colorado Springs.
Best Veterinarian
Gold – Woodland Veterinarian Clinic
Silver – Rampart Range Veterinary Hospital
Bronze – Compassion Animal Hospital
Last Year’s Champ – Woodland Veterinarian 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 fourth 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. The clinic has a perfect location in a convenient mini-shopping hub right off Hwy. 24. Clearwater also features a very talented staff. At the same time, the Rampart Range Vet Hospital, located in the Safeway shopping center, has gained growing praise, and the Compassion Animal Hospital continues to attract a strong following. All in all, the vet services offered in Woodland Park and Teller County are pretty amazing.
Best Hair Salon
Gold – A Wild Hair
Silver – Spirit Soul & Hair Salon
Bronze – Parvarti Salon
Last Year’s Champ – A Wild Hair
The Teller County area probably sports 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 A Wild Hair isn’t the friendliest hair salon on The Mountain, that 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. 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 prime spot for rumors. As for the Silver and Bronze winners in hair care arena, we experienced a definite “changing of the guard” this year, with Spirit Soul & Hair Salon and Parvarti Salon, both located in Woodland Park, making major strides in the top rankings.
Best Chiropractor
Gold – Powell Chiropractic
Silver – Teller County Chiropractic
Bronze – James Wiley
Last Year’s Champ – Powell 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 voters clearly favored Powell Chiropractic, which features a spacious office and fitness area and mini-gym area. 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. As for other back docs heavily favored in our area, many voters chose Teller County Chiropractic and Ute Pass Family Chiropractic, run by James Riley.
Best Area Dentist
Gold – Forest Edge Dental
Silver – Dr. Stephenie Kaufmann
Bronze – Rampart Family Dental Center
Last Year’s Champ – Forest Edge Dental
The 2026 Best Dental showdown on The Mountain ended with similar results as the previous year, with Forest Edge Dental grabbing the gold. Their win is attributed to their affordable prices and ability to accept a variety of insurance plans and offer specialized packages of their own. Forest Edge also boasts a highly trained staff. This is the fifth consecutive year they have won the gold in this competition. Many voters favor Dr. Stephenie Kaufmann, a mainstay in the community for years, and the Rampart Family Dental Center.
Best Real Estate Agent
Gold – Carrie Miller
Silver – Jessica Schwab
Bronze – Allyson Cantrell
Honorable Mention – Kellie Case
Last Year’s Champ – Kellie Case
When it comes to buying or selling a home, Carrie Miller is rated as the most popular real estate agent, according to readers. Miller snagged the gold this year as her name can often be seen on signs all around Cripple Creek. Once a popular local bartender, Jessica Schwab has also become another favorite real estate agent. Allyson Cantrell is new to the list, but she also received votes from readers who think she is the best.
Best Liquor Store
Gold – Banana Belt
Silver – Gold Hill Liquors
Bronze – Cripple Creek Liquor
Honorable Mention – Lagree’s Liquors Divide
Last Year’s Champ – Banana Belt
Many have preferred shopping at Banana Belt for years for their adult beverages of choice, as they have won this contest for years. Readers tend to like their good selection and cheap prices and their Banana Buck point system. Gold Hill Liquors in Woodland Park also sports a huge selection of spirits and such that Best Of voters tend to enjoy. Cripple Creek Liquors is a popular choice for those in Southern Teller.
Best Electrician
Gold – Ace Electric
Silver – Woodland Electric, LLC
Bronze – Hardcastle Home Services
Honorable Mention – Woodland Park Electric
Last Year’s Champ – Hardcastle Heating and Home Services
Ace Electric is the area’s number one, go-to company for anything electrical related. The business has been around for years and provides quality service. Woodland Electric, LLC is another local option that received several votes. Hardcastle Home Services also remains a local favorite for getting any type of construction work done including electrical.
Best Plumber
Gold – Woodland Park Plumbing
Silver – Persing Plumbing
Bronze – Teller Plumbing and Heatin
Honorable Mention – Hardcastle Home Services
Last Year’s Champ – Persing Plumbing
To top the list this year, Woodland Park Plumbing proved to be the favorite when things go wrong with the pipes. Kevin Persing with Persing Plumbing also remains to be a good option when something inside the house goes wrong. Teller Plumbing and Heating is another company residents prefer to call when things at home break.
Best HVA
Gold – Hardcastle Home Services
Silver – Teller Plumbing and Heating
Bronze – Woodland Park Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
Last Year’s Champ – Hardcastle Home Services
Hardcastle topped the Best Of list once again by providing heating and cooling services, which is their mainstay. As part of their expansion effort, the new and improved company can do just about anything needed around the house including carpentry.
Teller Plumbing and Heating is also another one to call with any issues at home. Also, readers tend to enjoy the professionalism of the crew at Woodland Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.
Best Hardware Store
Gold – Woodland Hardware
Silver – Ace Cripple Creek
Bronze – Colorado Building Supply
Honorable Mention – Tractor Suppl
Last Year’s Champ – Woodland Hardware
Woodland Hardware once again captured the gold in this competition. In their mega store, which actually was the first business to open inside Woodland Station, they are usually stocked with just about anything one could need. In the summertime, many frequent the store for their garden-related supplies, and their large selection of grass seed. Ace True Value is also a frequented store for those in the more rural areas of Teller. Colorado Building Supply (formerly known as Foxworth-Galbraith) is also known to have just about anything someone needs around the house.
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Gold – High Stakes Leafery
Silver – Maggie’s Far
Bronze – Native Root
Honorable Mention – C.R.E.A.M. Dispensary
Last Year’s Champ – High Stakes Leafery
Shortly after Cripple Creek voters gave the idea of retail marijuana the thumbs up, High Stakes Leafery, located just outside the main drag off Hwy. 67, took the plunge into this industry. And not surprisingly, voters once again rated High Stakes as the top reefer dispensary in the region. With its knowledgeable staff and competitive prices, the dispensary has become a popular spot in Cripple Creek. Some though, prefer the trek down the Pass for their cannabis products at Maggie’s Farm or Native Roots in Manitou Springs. And now that Colorado Springs has made recreational marijuana legal, more folks are heading down to places like the C.R.E.A.M. Dispensary for a larger variety of prices and selections.
Best Jewelry Store
Gold – Lane Mitchell
Silver – Shane Company
Bronze – Luisa Graff
Honorable Mention – The Cowhand
Last Year’s Champ – Lane Mitchell
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. This year Luisa Graff also made the list as a key out-of-town destination for jewelry.
Best Car Repair Shop
Gold – Hometown Garage
Silver – Schumacher’s Auto
Bronze – Bad Rock Auto
Honorable Mention – Vahsholtz Automotive
Last Year’s Champ – Hometown Ga
Hometown Garage, located in Woodland Park, was yet again picked by voters as the number one place to go when having car trouble. The staple has been around for years, and the locals say they are fair and honest. Schumacher’s is another shop that has been around for decades. Bad Rock Auto is another popular spot for vehicle repairs.
Best Car Dealer
Gold – Mike Maroone
Silver – Phil Long
Bronze – Alpine Auto Group
Last Year’s Champ – Phil Long
Since Teller County lacks options to purchase a vehicle, most are forced to shop in the Springs at places like Mike Maroone. Mike Maroone proves to be another dealership that offers decent rides for mountain folks. Phil Long is one of the oldest car dealers in Southern Colorado and voters still seem to like using them for vehicle purchases. Alpine Auto Group earned the Bronze as people who live in the high country often use them for new car purchases.
Best Shoe Store
Gold – Zebz OutFooter
Silver – The Cowhand
Bronze – Colorado GearLab
Honorable Mention – Red Wing Outlet
Last Year’s Champ – Zebz OutFooter
When it comes to protecting feet while out exploring in the mountains, readers once again prefer the selection at Zebz OutFooter. Besides having a good choice of hiking boots and shoes, many also like their socks. When this store opened several years ago, it definitely filled a niche, as locals now don’t have to make the lengthy trek to the Springs for such items. The Cowhand is one of the city’s longest running businesses, and many love their selection of cowboy boots. Colorado GearLab also made the list with a decent selection of shoes, including snowshoes.
Best Grocery Store
Gold – Safeway
Silver – City Market
Bronze – Divide Market
Honorable Mention – Natural Grocers
Last Year’s Champ – City Market
Safeway this year surpassed City Market in the Best Grocery Store competition. This could be attributed to their larger selection, and a bigger variety of options. The Safeway center in Woodland Park also is known for having amazing deals from time to time. City Market is still a popular grocery choice, based on voter preferences, especially during special sales. Divide Market, though, picked up the bronze as many appreciate the convenience, especially for those who reside in our more rural areas.
Best Area Bed and Breakfast
Gold – Cripple Creek Hospitality House
Silver – The Hotel St. Nicholas
Bronze – The Edgewood Inn
Honorable Mention – Pikes Peak Paradise
Last Year’s Champ – Cripple Creek Hospitality House
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 Hotel St. Nicholas in Cripple Creek is another top favorite, along with the Edgewood Inn, nestled just up Rampart Range outside of Woodland Park/
Best New Business
Gold – Rascally Rabbit
Last year’s Champ – Cantina Verde
The Rascally Rabbit is the new bar and restaurant in Cripple Creek, located at 329 E Bennett Ave. It represents a rebranding from the Gold Camp Café and has received many positive responses since opening in early 2026. Operated by Jeff Hellner, the co-owner of The District Kitchen & Saloon, it offers unique food items, featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner, a full liquor license, and a pool table. Moreover, it gives the town more dining and gathering spot options.
Best Business for Store Browsing
Gold – Creations Everlasting
Silver – The Painted Bear (In Green Mountain Falls)
Bronze – Maudie’s Incredible Emporium
This list speaks for itself in a new competition this year. All three are great for spending extended time and enjoying life as a tourist.
Best Area Internet
Gold – Teller Wifi
Silver – Vero Fiber
Bronze – T-Mobile
Honorable Mention – Century Link
Last Year’s Champ – Vero Fiber
Teller Wifi has recently taken the county by a storm by providing quality internet at affordable prices. The team has shown its presence by sponsoring Clint Vahsholtz on his most recent journey up Pikes Peak. Vero Fiber remains to be popular when it comes to keeping people connected to the World Wide Web. T-Mobile and Century Link also received many votes for being favorite internet providers.
Best Area Non-Profit
Gold – Aspen Mine Center/Community of Caring
Silver – TCRAS (Teller County Regional Animal Shelter)
Bronze – Charis Bible College
Honorable Mention – Two Mile High Club
Last Year’s Champ – Aspen Mine Center
No competition. For the third consecutive year, and since this particular competition began, the Aspen Mine Center has snagged the gold as the region’s top non-profit organization. Their work in rallying support for southern Teller’s pursuit for a much-needed childcare center, “A Place for Kids,” is truly remarkable. Kudos to the collective work of Ted Borden, Mary Bielz and Lisa Noble and many others. The Aspen Mine too is a resource hub that remains unrivaled, sporting two amazing facilities. And to think this hub started from the failure of a former casino, the Aspen Mine. Actually, this was a favorite gaming stop for many locals. TCRAS fared well in this competition, showing once again that Teller is an animal-crazed area, and Charis Bible College and the Two Mile High Club.
Best Area Business Events
Gold – Woodland Park Chamber After Hours
Silver – Charity Golf Tourneys
Bronze – Cripple Creek Home Rule Town Halls
Honorable Mention –County Forums against Gun Control Restrictions
Last Year’s Champ – Woodlan Park Chamber After Hours
The WP Chamber’s After Hours gatherings continue to draw huge crowds and serve as a great way to network and socialize. These events seemed to take off once the COVID restrictions eased up. Maybe, folks were penned up for too long. The charity golf tourneys are rated as another great way to do business, even with the rough conditions that plagued the Shining Mountain Golf Club last summer. And yes, the Cripple Creek Home Rule Town Halls and the County Forums on Gun Control were big hits.
