“I saved the symphony,” the veteran concert promoter remembers. Back in the fall of 1989, the Denver Symphony Orchestra was bankrupt and its board ready to disband. Reading the bad news, Fey thought he had a possible solution and laid it out in front of the whole orchestra, promising to advance money for the payroll and then move to a weekly pay-as-you-go basis, “like the concert business,” he says. “The musicians finally voted to take a chance with me on September 13th. That was three days before Fey’s wedding at Red Rocks, which meant the honeymoon was postponed while he rallied the city behind his plan, organizing a gala at McNichols Arena to help put the Colorado Symphony Orchestra on solid footing. As thanks, the new CSO put a plaque honoring Fey in Boettcher Concert Hall — the facility that voters just authorized replacing. But Fey’s good work lives on.
Here are the rest of the winners from 1990:
THE BEST OF DENVER 1990
SURVIVAL
Best News About Colorado: Brews more beer than any other state
Second Best News About Colorado: Most places still take checks
Best Bumper sticker: I sold a town home in Aurora
Best Graffiti: Eye-6
Best Name for Mayor Fed's New Baby: James Bond
Best Historic Hero: General Edward Wynkoop
Best Historic Heroine: Mother Maggard
Best Local Girl Made Good: Sheryl Lee
Best Local Boy Made Good: Mike Chappelle
Best Performance by a Local Envelope on the Johnny Carson Show: Mrs. Breast
Best Stupid Human Trick by a Coloradoan: Margaret Ray
Second Best Stupid Human Trick by a Coloradoan: Kendall Babl's letter to MAD
Best Celebrity Tattoo: Peter Boyles
Best Performance in a Scarring Role: Oscar Sotelo
Best Eavesdropping Aid: Leland Kesler's Denver Metro Scanner Guide
Best Suicidal Phone Booth: Circle K
Best Pitch, High and Wide: Sonny Lawson Field
Best New Gang: Kool-Aid Gang
Best Example of How Hard it is to Keep up With The Joneses: John Otis Jones
Best Proof that Working at Rocky Flats Can be Hazardous to your Health Life not Your Wallet: Laura Ann Banks' suit
Best Reason for a Divorce: A 17 year old has affair with 34 year old and kills her husband
Best Well-heeled Crime: Woman attacks boyfriend with pumps at downtown bar
Best Judge — Ambiance: Al Minton
Best Judge — Sentencing: Jacqueline St. Joan
Best Sex Education Program for Kids and their Parents: Capitol Hill Planned Parenthood, 921 E. 14th Ave.
Best Place for a Condom Machine: Norlin Library, University of Colorado
Best Near Mistake on a Medical Study: University Hospital
Best Cow Porn: The censored Colorado State Fair logo
Best Statehouse Legislator: Rep. Sam Williams
Best Way to Have an Ill Wind Blow Somebody Some Good: Sending foreclosed-on mobile homes to Limon
Best Political Decision: Public Utilities Commission
Best Use of Taxpayer Money: The Office of Consumer counsel
Best Abuse of Taxpayer Money: Those Big Damned pillars, I-25 at Speer
Best Bureaucracy: U.S. District court clerk's office, civil division
Best Denver City Councilmember: Mary DeGroot
Best Exception to the Rule that Government Doesn't Work Anymore: Reforms in Colorado's teacher tenure system
Best Job: Being Lieutenant Governor
Best Local TV News Anchor: Bertha Lynn, Channel 7 at noon
Best Small Talk on a TV Newscast: Les Shapiro
Best Radio Talk-show Host: Michael Terry
Best Headline to Make it Past the Copy Desk: “Anal Cyst Periodically Drains” in The Rocky Mountain News, Nov. 2
Best Typo: Westword's “Birthday Bongs”
Best Obituary: Richard D. Blanke's obit in the Rocky Mountain News
Best Ad Slogan: Star's bar
Best Ad Placement: KVOD
Best Column: Leroy Williams's Traffic Beat, The Rocky Mountain News
Best Traffic Direction: Isaiah, 15th and/or 17th St.
Best Place to Park Near the City and County Building: 12th Ave.
Best All-American Parking Lot: Denver Pipe fitters Union
Best Parking Lot Name: Lulu's lot
Best Road to Avoid: The Auraria Pkwy.
Best Invention that Hasn't Sold: Don Stedman's pollution gun
Best Interim Invention Against Foul Air: Dr. Fred Greenblatt
Best View from a Landfill: RPS Hwy.
The Ten Best Places to be Treated Like Dirt: Mile High Cable, Max, The Market, Jay Mariotti's column, Cafe Brazil, Wax Trax, Denver Dept. of Health and Hospitals PR dept., Five points when you need a cab at midnight, Westword's best of Denver headquarters.
Best Member of the Colorado Congressional Delegation: Pat Schroeder
SPORTS/RECREATION
Best Name for a New Baseball Stadium: Mile High Stadium
Best Location for a New Baseball Stadium: Stapleton Airport
Best Reason Not to Vote for a New Baseball Stadium: Because the talk-show hosts tell you to
Best Snack at Mile High Stadium: Johnsonville Brat
Best Annual Sporting Event: Fireworks night at Mile High
Best Over-fifty Softball Pitcher: John Dikeou
Best Team in Denver's Over-thirty Baseball League: The Black Sox
Best Place to End a Promising Baseball Career: EFEX, The Tivoli, 901 Larimer
Best Place to Boogie with a Bronco: The Jungle at Avalon, 2430 S. Havana
Best True Confession: The Denver Nuggets
Best Proof in Living Color: The Denver Post sports pages
Best Place to Take a Leak During a Nuggets Game: Colorado Butcher Block
Best Post-Super bowl Deal: Bronco beer
Best Place to Park for a Broncos Game: The Ironworks parking lot readers' choice: don't
Best Bronco: Biff Readers' Choice: John Elway
Best Nugget: Fat Lever Readers' Choice: Alex English
Best New Nugget: Todd Lichti
Best Zephyr: Robert Howsam, Jr., General Manager Readers' Choice: Billy Bates
Best Sport: Essie Garrett
Best College Team: Air Force Academy
Best Pro Team: The Denver Broncos
Best Civilian Team: Boulder Parks and Recs EXPAND team
Best Quick Return on an Investment: Vickers-Total Petroleum Company
Best April Fool's Joke: KOA's free major sporting event ticket giveaway
Best New Dept. Head at a Daily Newspaper: Woody Paige, The Denver Post
Best Radio Sports-talk: Sandy Clough readers' choice: Jim Turner
Best TV Sports Commentator: Ron Zappolo readers' choice: Ron Zappolo
Best Local Sports Show: ÔGood Sports", Channel 56
Best Place for Dinner and a Quiniela: Mile High Kennel Club
Best Reasons to Buy Your Milk bones in Commerce City: Big Tar and Max Trice
Best Place to Find a Headless Cock: Along the tracks, Market St. & 30th
Best Class Field Trip: Buns Unlimited
Best Legal Decision for Adult Field Trips: Coors decision
Best In-town Place to Smooch Against the Panoramic Backdrop of the Front Range: Inspiration point
Best View of a Downtown Denver Sunset: Sloan’s Lake Bowl
Best Outdoor Teen Party Place: Bromwell Elementary School
Best Fraternity/Sorority Prank: Stealing lights of KCFR
Best Place to Watch Fireworks for Free: The Colfax viaduct Readers' Choice: Inspiration Point
Best West Coast Atmosphere: Cherry Creek reservoir
Best Place to get Away from it all Two Seconds from Downtown: Lake Steam baths
Best Place to Get Away From it All Thirty Minutes From the City: Indian hot Springs, Idaho Springs
Best Romantic Weekend Getaway: Fanta-Suites, Heritage Hotel, Evans
Best Local White Water: Clear Creek
Best Lake Fishing: Boyd Lake, Loveland
Best Frisbee Golf Course: Ruby Hill Park
Best Place to Tee off Golfers: Keys on the Green, Evergreen golf course
Best Scenic Public Golf Course: Willis Case
Best Par 3 Hole: No. 13, Arrowhead
Best Indication that Golf is Not a Game for Type-A Personalities: Man arrested for menacing with a deadly weapon
Best Place to Play if you Don't Believe the Part About "Ladies": Bear Creek Golf Club
Best Place to Get Sporting Goods After Garth Bros. Closes: Bigg's
Best Full-Service Golf Store: Colorado Ski and Golf
Best Peter Pan Watching: The Great Train Store, Tabor Center
Best Place to Play Tetris: Eastside Amusement Center
Best Place to Play Backgammon: Rodney's
Best Karate Classes: American Kenpo Karate Academy
Best Underground Skate Shop: IMI jimi
Best Place for Teenagers to Go Bowling: Arapahoe Bowl
Best Way to Get Bowled Over on a Saturday Night: Monaco Lanes
Best Bargain: Denver Rec Centers
Best Showers for Tall People: International Athletic Club
Best Jazzercise Teacher/Nun: Sister Monique Vredeveld
Best Aerobics Teacher: Pearl Manzaneras
Best Exercise Short of Plastic Surgery: Callanetics
Best Infant Swimming Classes: Cindy Asay
Best Baby-Changing Facilities in a Men's Locker Room: Westminster City Pool
Best Way to Put the Country in a City Kid: Martinez Farm Park
Best Bike Path: Wheat Ridge greenbelt reader's choice: Platte River
Best Easy Mountain Bike Ride Thrill: Mount Evans
Best Park to Avoid: Humphreys Park
Best Park: Confluence Park readers' choice: Washington Park
Best Flower Garden: Alamo Placita Park
Best Gardener: Fred Kessler, Denver General Hospital
Best Organic Garden Products: Age-old garden supply
Best Way to Solve Your Yard's Identity Crisis: The Denver Botanic Gardens Herbarium
Best Place to Stop and Smell the Roses: High Country Rosarium
Best Bird watching: Barr Lake
Best Politically Correct Way to Shoot Wildlife: The Urban wildlife photo club
Best Macho Way to Shoot Wildlife: Little Gun Outfitters
Best Mountain Cabins: Estes Park Center/YMCA of the Rockies
Best Reason to Head West if You Don't Ski: Silverthorne Outlet Stores
Best Scenic Ski Run: See Forever, Telluride
Best Ski Run: Silver Glade, Telluride Readers' Choice: Mary Jane
Best News for Aging Snowboarders: The Miller Binding
Best Family Skiing: Winter Park
Best In-Town Ski Jump: Church of the Risen Christ
Best Ski Accessory: Ski Graphics
Best Deals on Alpine Equipment: Lowe Alpine Factory
Best Cross-Country Skiing: Meyer Ranch Park, Aspen Park at Turkey Creek
Best Pagan Camping Trip: Dragon fest
Best All-Women Camping Trip: The Gathering
Best Western Redux: Burlington's Old Town Longhorn Cattle Drive
Best Gay Rodeo: Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo
Best Rodeo: Earl Anderson Memorial Rodeo
Best Thrill: Mr. Twister, Elitch Gardens
Best Place to Take a Hike: The Colorado trail
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Best Free Entertainment on the 16th St. Mall: Watching pedestrians dodge cars Readers' Choice: Religious debates featuring vagrants
Best Street Musicians: Adam Starvinski Readers' Choice: (tie) Duane Clark, Chuck Pyle
Best Free Entertainment on the Pearl St. Mall: Busker's Rendezvous readers' choice: People-watching
Best Entertainment for a Buck: Lotto ticket
Best One-Man Tourism Board: Tim Stewart, Duffy's Shamrock
Best Return for Taxpayers Who Voted in Amendment 9: Free admission to DAM
Most Single-Minded Lobbyist: Gully Stanford
Best Arts Organization: The Arvada Center for the Arts
Best Annual Festival: International Heritage Festival
Best Home, Home on the Range: Olde Town Museum and Emporium
Best Answer to Decoupage: The Colorado Gallery of the Arts ÔWonderful World of Art"
Best Morning Out for Seniors: The Seniors' Movie Party
Best Move by a Local TV Station: KBDI, Channel 12
Best Lunchtime Reruns: The Andy Griffith Show" KWGN, channel 2
Best TV Channel for Movie Programming: American Movie Classics readers' choice: Channel 2
Best TV Channel for Late Night Ads: KTVD, Channel 20 Readers' Choice: Channel 31
Best Holdout From the VCR Age: Boulder Public Library film series
Best Multiplex: The Tivoli Readers' Choice: The Tivoli
Best Movie Theatre High Tech: United Artists
Best Movie Theatre Classic: The Mayan Readers' Choice: The Mayan
Best Movie Theater al Fesco: East Drive In
Best Theater Concession Stand The Mayan Cafe
Best Breath of Fresh Air for an Old Mining Town: Creede Rep. Theatre
Best Theatre Lobby: The Aurora Fox Theatre
Best Play Posters: Terry Dodd
Best New Dinner Theatre: The Ascot
Best New Place for a Dinner Theatre: Fitzsimmons Players, Fitzsimmons Hospital
Best Hambone: Jay Dikkers
Best Theatre Comeback: Industrial Arts the Loft Theatre
Best Local Theatre Group: Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Actress: Georgia Athearn in “Outcry", Muddy's Theatre
Best Supporting Actress: Laura Bevis in “Curse of the Starving Class", Actors Ensemble
Best Actor: James Gaskie in “Breaking the Code", Hunger artists
Best Supporting Actor: Michael Shalhoub in “A View from the Bridge", Germinal Stage
Best Ensemble: “Exit the King", Germinal Stage Denver
Best Musical: “My One and Only", Country Dinner Playhouse
Best Excuse for Lugging Old Cars Onstage: “A Little Night Music", DCPA
Best Set: Andrew Yelusich, “Fences", DCPA
Best Director: Sallie Baker, “Under Milkwood", Metro State Theatre
Best Sign That There Aren't Enough Good Plays: They all do the same ones
Best Production: “Serafin: Cantos Y Laegramis", El Centro Su Teatro Readers' Choice: (tie) “Beehive,” “Greater Tuna,” “Murder Most Fowl”
Best Performance Art: Paul Schroeder as “Bob" in “Your Government at Work"
Best Candidates for Purging from the CCAH: Jane Prancan and Dan Kubby
Best Art on TV: “Teletunes", channel 12
Best Modern Equivalent of Jon Gnagy's Art Courses: Arts Students League of Denver
Best Art Auction: Pirate
Second Best Art Auction: Act Up AIDS Auction, News Gallery
Best Art Function to Sneak Into Without Paying: Alternative Arts Alliance, Ice House
Best New Art Cluster: The Wazee Galleries
Best Public Art: “Art on the streets: Paintings in the sky"
Best Public Sculpture: “Athena" by Stephen Daly, not at the Auraria Campus Readers' Choice: “Linda" at DAM
Best Bas Relief/Wall Sculpture: North wall, United Bank bldg.
Best Exhibit at the DAM: Making their mark, women artists move into the mainstream, 1970-1985. Readers' Choice: “Linda" by John DeAndrea
Best Hope for Local Music: Rocky Mountain Music Association
Best Voice of the Avant Garde: Creative Music Works
Best Folk Resource: Swallow Hill Music Assoc.
Best Local Music Show: “Teletunes", channel 12
Best Classical Radio: KUVO, 89.3 FM
Best Reason for Old Hippies to Turn on their Radios Again: KDHT, 92.5FM
Best Dolly Parson Look-alike: Melissa Lee
Best Fanzine: Horrendified
Best Little Label in Denver: Capri Records
Best Jazz Recording: Ron Miles, “Witness"
Best Children's Recording: Art Lande, “Three Little Pigs and the Billy Goats"
Best Rock Recording: The Jinn’s, “The Jinn’s"
Best Electronic Recording: Davol, “Mystic Waters"
Best Classical Recording: Alex Kommodore and Rod Garnett, “Redstone"
Best Band Logo/Backdrop Artist: Doug Graham
Best Band Merchandising: The Warlock Pinchers
Best New Band: Psychedelic Zombies
Best Alternative Band: Jux County
Best Dance Band: Shakedown Street
Best Worldly Punks: The Jonez
Best Blues Band: Mollie O'Brien and the Blue Tips
Best Thrash Band: Anathema
Best Heavy Metal Band: Cerium Readers' Choice: Gypsy Rose
Best Big-Hair and Spandex Dudes that Sing About Babes, to Babes: Angellic Rage
Best Hard Rock Band: The Fluid
Best Weird Band: Faex
Best Rock Horn Section: Monkey Siren
Best Rock Band: Big Head Todd and the Monsters Readers' Choice: Subdues
Best Former Denverite about to be a Star: Jill Sobule
Best Graduates of the Local Scene: The Subdues
Best Folkie: Tim O'Brien
Best Kids' Entertainer: Lois LaFond and the Rockadiles
Best Jazz Musician: Ron Miles
Best Fusion Band: Dotsero
Best Jazz Band: Boulder Creative Music Ensemble readers' choice: Dotsero
Best Salsa Band: Conjunto Colores
Best Jazz Vocalist: Carolyn Rich
Best Bebop Player: Fred Wesley
Best Sing-along Bar Musician: Tom Foley
Best Barroom Entertainer: Dinky, Lion's Lair
Best Classical Fan: Trude Holzmann
Best Classical Performance: Donald Pearson and friends, St. John's Cathedral
Best Classical Concert Series: Evenings at 8
Best Classical Concert: Tashi
Best Operatic Production: “The Desert Song", Central City Opera
Best Accompaniment to an Outdoor Concert: KCFR Botanic Gardens Concerts
Best Concert Management: Denver Chamber Orchestra
Best Classical Godfather: Barry Fey, Fey Concerts
Most Dedicated Musicians: Lee Yeingst and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Best Pops Concert: CSO
Most Innovative Concert Series: Arts on the Edge
Best Concert Venue: Gothic Theatre
Best Outdoor Concert Venue: Arvada Center for the Arts
Best Thing to Happen to Local Concerts: Promoter wars
Best Concert of the Year: k.d. lang and the Re-Clines Readers Choice: the Who
Best Excuse to Cancel a Concert: Satan
Best Bohemian Smorgasbord: Penny Lane
Best All-Ages Venue: The Garage
Best Use of Black Lights: Deadbeat club
Best Open Stage: Days Inn Readers’ Choice: Red Rocks
Best Rock Club: Herman's Hideaway Readers’ Choice: Herman's Hideaway
Best Jazz Club: The Voters club Readers’ Choice: El Chapultepec
Best Heavy Metal Club: The Broadway Readers’ Choice: The Broadway
Best C&W Club: The Grizzly Rose Readers’ Choice: Grizzly Rose
Best Club for Seventies Stars: Buffalo Rose
Best Room with Potential: The Palace at Avalon
Best Dance Club: 23 Parrish
Best Comedy Club: George McKelvey's Comedy Club Readers’ Choice: Comedy Works
Best S&M (Stand and Model) Bar: Bangles
Best Bouncer: The Guitar Crusher, The Little Bear
Best Doorperson: Sharon Goulard, Herman's Hideaway
Best Bartender (Male): Doug Hollaran, Bibelot
Best Bartender (Female): Kathy Moloney, Bayman
Best Tie Collection: Greg Waidman, My Brother's Bar
Best Bar Full of Guys: Hooters
Best Exotic Dancer: Barbie, Mile High Saloon
Best Happy Hour Spread — Single Item: The Manhattan Cafe
Best Happy Hour Spread — Bulk: The Liaison Lounge, Warwick Hotel Readers’ Choice: 23 Parrish
Best Gay Bar: The 90s, Readers’ Choice: Star's
Best Lesbian Bar: XTC
Best Piano Bar: Garbo's Readers’ Choice: Garbo's
Best Sports Bar: Brooklyn's Readers' Choice: Fat and Mike's
Best Neighborhood Bar, East: Mozart Lounge Reader's Choice: Good friends
Best Neighborhood Bar, West: Lane's Tavern
Best Neighborhood Bar, South Central: Seven South Readers’ Choice: Bonnie Brae
Best Bar, Central: My Brother's Bar Readers’ Choice: Wazee
Best Bar, Boulder: West End Tavern Readers’ Choice: The James
Best Mountain Bar: The Bucksnort, Pine Readers’ Choice: The Little Bear
Best Art Openings: Pirate Readers’ Choice: 1700 block of Wazee
GOODS/SERVICES
Best Cheap Voodoo Supplies: Woolworth's
Best Botanica: El Caridad del Cobre
Best Place to buy Candles and Oils for Meditations, Spells and Stuff: The Twelfth House
Best Metaphysical Bookstore: The Nic-Nac-Nook
Best Indication the Sixties are not Dead: Radical Information Project Bookstore
Best Place to Find your Past: The Denver Book Fair, 44 S. Broadway
Best Deals on New Books: Boulder Book Buyers
Best Used Bookstore: Mountain books
Best Comics Shop: Time Warp Science Fiction and Comics
Best Father-Son Western Writing Team: Wayne and Stephen Overholzer
Best Greeting Cards: Legacy Press
Best Place to Buy an Out-of-Town Sunday Newspaper: The Airport
Best Place to Find Specialized Magazines: Newsland
Best Newsletter: New Stork Times, Universal Diaper Service
Best Children's Books: Books for the whole child
Best Child Care Book: The Father's Guide", Dr. Richard Barkin
Best Place to Find Child Care: United Way
Best Used Baby Clothes: Value Village North
Best Place to Find Gramma Porn: Merry Simmons
Best Support for Parents of Kids with Special Needs: Parents Encouraging
Best Kids' Furniture: Little Colorado
Best Teacher: Mr. Woods
Best Thing to Do for Your Kids, Even if They Hate It: Etiquette class, The Brown Palace
Best Place to Have a Baby: St. Luke's Medical Center
Best Midwives: St. Luke's midwives
Best Pediatrician: Children's medical center
Best Hospital Room Service: Mercy Medical Center
Best Massage for Those Who are Embarrassed About Their Bodies: Steve Gomes
Best Person to Call when your Office Makes you Sick: Diane DeMars
Best Affordable Plastic Surgery: University Hospital
Best Affordable Non-Plastic Surgery: Physicians facial contouring
Best Prosthesis: It's me again
Best Dentures: All Denture Clinic
Best Vet: Jan Facinelli
Best Bird Store: Colorado Seed and Pet
Best Affordable Pet Makeover and Charm School: Colorado school of dog grooming
Best Place to Let Your Dog Go to the Dogs: Petsmart
Best Free Food: Reptilian Haven
Best Mohawk Haircut: Flamingo Hair Design
Best Flattops: Sportsman Barber Shop
Best Fake Hair: Kim's wig botik
Best Prom Dresses: Poparama
Best Place to Buy a Slut Dress and Hang Out in It: 1200 block of East 13th
Best Break for Tender Feet: Toth's specialty footwear.
Best Cheap Foundations: Ross Dress for Less
Best Cheap Sunglasses: Various vendors, 16th St. Mall
Best Place to Live out Flying Fantasies: Prestige toys for big boys
Best Antique Toys: Yankee Trader
Best Toy Source for Special Kids: Special toys 4 special kids
Best Durable Doll Houses and Furnishings: Pine Playthings
Best Fabric Store: Elfreide's Fine Fabric
Best Fibre Store: Skyloom Fibres
Best Make-your-own Jewelry: Promenade's Le Bead Shop
Best Stone Beads: Bead trader
Best Seed Beads: Western Trading Post
Best Photographic Supplies: Lindahl's Photo Sales
Best Party Planner: Keith Wallach, Paper, Scissors, Stone
Best Way to Show that you Care Enough to Really...: Thomas Floral
Best Legal Hallucinogen: Mind Flight Corporation
Best Gas Station for Those Who Cut it Close — Downtown: Conoco
Best Gas Station for those Who Cut it Close — to Hell and Gone: Bandimere Speedway
Best Auto Electrical System Mechanic: Soon's Husky Service
Best Place to Find Parts for Studebakers: Royal Gorge Studebaker
Best VW Repair: Straight-a-way
Best Volvo Repair Guy: Keith Nelson Thomas, Empire Volvo
Best Muscle Cars: Soneff's Master Garage
Best Way to Make Those Wheels Fly: Garald W. Tindall, Enable Travel services
Best Recycling Service: Eco-cycle
Best Trash Picking: Boulder Spring clean-up
Best Trash Pickers: Arapahoe Resource Recovery
Best Thrift Store: Second-hand Annie's Readers’ Choice: DAV
Best Source for Help when Your House Falls Apart: Dan Densmore
Best House Painter: Dick Veit
Best House Inspector: John Crump, Colorado Real Estate Inspection Services
Best Little Woodshop for Big Projects: Real Woodworking
Best Architectural Detail at Retail: Permanent Lace Curtains
Best Venetian Blind Preservers: Herb Jones Venetian Blinds
Best Place to be Put Through the Wringer: Foothills Appliance
Best Hat Cleaners: Bluebird Cleaners
Best Place to Frame your Mother-in-law: TJ Maxx
Best Sax Repair: Kurt Sterling, Sterling music
Best Music Store: Rockley music center
Best Place to Get Free Jazz Lessons: Denver Public Schools
Best CD Selection: JB&H Records & Tapes
Best Place to Rent John Wayne Movies: Critic's choice
Best Video Rentals: Videotique Readers’ Choice: King Soopers
Best Deal on a Used Computer: Used Computer Store
Best Furniture Store for Computer Owners: Premier Furniture Co.
Best Free Money Orders: Money Express Check Cashing
Best Employment Agency: CWEE
Best Place to Learn to be Humble: Starkey International Institute for Household Management
Best Store With a Conscience: Aardvarks to Zebras
Best Store Without a Conscience: Cry Baby Ranch
Best Window Display: Card Blanche Readers’ Choice: Circa 1900
Best Place for 3-D Chatchkas: The Hologram Cart: Tabor Center Market
Best Colorado Souvenirs: Union 76 truck stop
Best Mexican Souvenirs: Manos
Best Example of Earth Day in Action: Happy Seat, the outdoor disposable toilet
Best ABC Product — Low End: Pig Out Popcorn
Best ABC Product — High End: Lil stinker readers choice: Boyer's coffee
Best Try-it Before you Buy it Deal: The tattered cover
Best Place to Buy One Cigarette: Penny Lane
Best Place to Buy a Quart of Beer: 17th St. Liquors
Best Wine Merchant: The Vineyard
Best Neighborhood Liquor Store: Logan Liquors
Best Suburban Liquor Selection: Applejack
Best Cake pans: Ace Hardware Perl-Mack
Best Rye Bread: La Petite Boulangerie
Best Inexpensive Wedding Cakes: Albertsons
Best Exotic Bakery: Mama Pirogi's and other peasantries
Best Idea for Coffee Junkies: Boyer's coffee bags
Best Source for Sake Lees: Pacific Mercantile
Best Italian Deli: Vinnola's Italian Market
Best Mexican Cheeses: Lola's Gourmet Mexican Deli
Best Hot Stuff: The Big Chile
Best Local Condiment: Mady's Olde Tyme Beer Mustard.
Best Beef: Maverick Ranch Lite Beef.
Best Jerky: Dale's exotic game meats
Best “Hold the Junk" Junk Food Delivery: Domino's
Best Selection of Jell-o Flavors: King Soopers
Best Neighborhood Market: Green's Market. Readers’ Choice: FBC Foods
Best Business Rebirth: Wild Oats
Best Cruising for a High-Rent Date: FBC
Best Supermarket Banter: Safeway
Best Ethnic Selection in a Mega Market: Safeway
Best Answer to Paper or Plastic: Canvas grocery bags
Best Milkman: Royal Crest Dairy
Best Newspaper Route: Sagebrush News
Best Bookstore: The Tattered Cover
Best Record Store: Wax Trax
Best Used Record Store: Albums on the hill
Best Movers: Movemasters
FOOD/DRINK
Best Fast-Food Drive Through for English Autos: Taco Bell
Best Carpet Resurrection: The Log Cabin Inn
Best Anatomically Correct Atmosphere: 14th St. Bar & Grill
Best Decor: Adirondacks, The Tivoli
Best Romantic Atmosphere: Cafe Giovanni
Best Accordion Accompaniment: Bonnaci's Italian Cafe
Best East Coast Atmosphere: Avenue Bar & Grill
Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors: North Woods Inn
Best Place to Take Visitors from Russia: Casa Bonita
Best Children's Menu: Wheat Ridge Dairy and Bakery Readers’ Choice: Showbiz Pizza
Best Place to Take Kids Who Think Seeing Back to the Future Should Get Them Extra Credit in History: Gunther Toody's Diner
Best Unofficial Study Hall: Village Inn
Best Mountain Dinner for Two: The Sapphire Rose Inn
Best Cheap Mountain Restaurant: Neapolitan's
Best Food as Art: European Cafe
Best Fruit as Art: Tommy's Oriental Restaurant
Best Interior View of Boulder: Viet Hua Restaurant
Best Family Restaurant with a View: Summit View Lounge
Best Outdoor Café — People Watching: Pasta Jay's
Best Outdoor Café — Cat Watching: My Brother's Bar
Best Outdoor Café — Pastoral: Maria's Bakery
Best Outdoor Cafe: La Coupole Readers’ Choice: Rick's
Best Owner/Waiter: Ennio Bonifazi, La Fontanella
Best Waitress: Cathy Coppolecchia Readers’ Choice: Sue at Oinks
Best Bartender/Restaurant Manager: Yin Boey, Twin Dragon
Best Wine List: Flagstaff House Readers’ Choice: Chives
Best Wine by the Glass: Chives
Best Cheap House Wine: Mike Berardis
Best Beer Selection: Pearl St. Grill Readers’ Choice: Old Chicago
Best Kamikazee: McCormick's Fish House
Best Vodka Selection: Little Russian Cafe
Best Grappa Selection: Bibelot
Best Martini and Tofu Dinner: The Cinema Lounge
Best Frou-Frou Drink: Juanita's, 1700 Vine deep throat at the punch bowl
Best Tea Service: Annie's cafe
Best Iced Coffee: Tommy's Oriental
Best Cup of Coffee — Ambiance: Muddy's
Best Cup of Coffee — Price: FBC
Best Cup of Coffee — Presentation: Newport's, The Tivoli
Best Cappuccino: Al Fresco
Best Espresso and Trivia: Classic Coffee
Best Trivial Espresso: The Market
Best After-Dinner Drink: Pagliacci's
Best Homemade Desserts: Cafe Giovanni
Best Ice Cream Flavor: Ginger, Lickety Split
Best Old-Fashioned Malt Shop: Pinky's malt shop
Best Hangover Breakfast: O'Shea's, Copper Mountain
Best Cheap Breakfast: The Butcher Block II Readers’ Choice: McDonalds
Best Cinnamon Roll: York St. Cafe
Best Biscuits and Gravy: Eddie Bohn's Pig n Whistle
Best Diner: Dot's Diner
Best Steak and Eggs: Juanita's Mexican Deli
Best Eggs Benedict: Mocha Cafe
Best Sunday Brunch: Today's Gourmet Café Readers’ Choice: Simms Landing
Best Acid Flashback for Breakfast: Le Peep
Best McDonald's with a Player Piano: Main St., Limon
Best Food Court: Express food court, Cross Roads Mall, Boulder Tabor Center
Best Booth in a Food Court: Gray Horse
Best Food Cart on the 16th St. Mall: Hot Dogs, 16th & Glenarm Readers’ Choice: 16th & Glenarm
Best Food Cart Off the Mall: Taqueria Mexico Van, City and County Building
Best Power Lunch: Martines
Best Side Dish at the Denver Jail: White bread
Best Burgers: Reivers Readers’ Choice: My Brother's Bar
Best Bar Burgers: Tom's Tavern
Best Mom and Pop Hamburger Stand: Tami's burger haven
Best French Fries: Acappella's Readers’ Choice: McDonalds
Best Hot Dog: 7-11 Readers’ Choice: Mustard's Last Stand
Best Fish and Chips: Walnut Brewery
Best Deli: Taste of Europe Readers’ Choice: The Bagel Deli
Best Photo Display in a Deli: Celeta's Deli
Best Subs: Pasquini's Pizzeria
Best Sandwiches: The Gourmet Alternative
Best Pastrami Sandwich: Finley's
Best Club Sandwich: Colorado Cafe
Best Tongue Sandwich: Zaidy's deli
Best Pig Ear Sandwich: Zona's Tamale House
Best Hot Beef Sandwich: Newbarry's
Best Hash: Mexicali Cafe
Best Meatloaf: The Trinity Grille
Best Barbecue: M&D's Bar-B-Que and Fish Palace Readers’ Choice: Big Eddies
Best Ribs Not In a Rib Joint: Rick's Cafe
Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Green's
Best Caesar Salad: Boccalino
Best Appetizer: Shrimp fritters, Zenith, The Tivoli
Best Place to Binge Without Purging: Healthy Habits.
Best Shrimp Dish: New Saigon
Best Seafood — High End: Newport's, The Tivoli Readers’ Choice: Mostly Seafood
Best Seafood — Low End: Gulf Coast
Best Seafood Pig Out: The Garden Terrace
Best Creole Food: Lucile's
Best Steaks in the Most Unlikely Spot: The Cruise room
Best Steaks: Morton's, The Tivoli Readers’ Choice: Black Angus
Best Cheap Chicken-Fried Steak: Davies’ Chuckwagon Diner
Best Chicken Fried Steak: Ross — The Steak Place Readers’ Choice: The Black-Eyed Pea
Best Rack of Lamb: Cliff Young's
Best Bread Basket: Pomodoro
Best Pizza: Paisan's Readers’ Choice: Bonnie Brae
Best Designer Pizza: Al Fresco
Best Cheap Italian: Valente's Readers’ Choice: Saucy Noodle
Best Expensive Italian: O Solo Mio Readers’ Choice: Al Fresco
Best Pasta: Strings
Best Lasagna: Grande Giovanni's
Best Minestrone: Pagliacci's
Best Antipasto Plate: Pomodoro
Best Italian Appetizer: Three Sons
Best French Restaurant: Tante Louise Readers’ Choice: Le Central
Best Place to Give a Second Chance: Le Central
Best Greek Restaurant: Pete's Kitchen Readers’ Choice: Central 1
Best Indian Buffet: Royal Peacock
Best Karma-Free Indian Buffet: Rahda-Govinda Krishna Temple
Best Chinese Restaurant: Panda Cafe Readers’ Choice: Imperial Garden
Best Egg Rolls: Tommy's Oriental
Best She Cha and Cha Cha: Wang's Mandarin House
Best Way to Execute a Dissident Duck: China Jade
Best Japanese Restaurant: Toshi's Readers’ Choice: Kobe An
Best Sushi Bar: Sushi Heights Readers’ Choice: Kobi An
Best Do It Yourself Sushi: Mori
Best Vietnamese: Long Binh Readers’ Choice: T-Wa Inn
Best Vietnamese Roast Duck: Chez Thoa
Best Thai Restaurant: J's Noodles Readers’ Choice: J's Noodles, Erawan Café (tie)
Best Thai Food in a Former Dancing School: Sukhothai
Best Current Dancing School and Mexican Food: Mariachi Musical Productions
Best Real Southwestern Food: The Fort
Best Nachos: Juanita's Uptown
Best Chips and Salsa: Mexicali Cafe Readers’ Choice: Blue Bonnet
Best Burrito — Vegetarian: Taqueria Patzcuaro
Best Burrito — Carnivorous: Benny's Place Readers’ Choice: Blue Bonnet
Best Green Chile: Casa de Manual Readers’ Choice: Blue Bonnet
Best Taco: Mexico City Lounge Readers’ Choice: Blue Bonnet
Best Chile Relleno: Rosa Linda's Readers’ Choice: Blue Bonnet
Best Ceviche: El Chalan
Best Mexican Restaurant: El Taco de Mexico Readers’ Choice: blue Bonnet
Best Lunch Under Five Bucks: Blackened Chicken Tostada
Best Dinner Under Five Bucks: Golden Tempura Bowl Readers’ Choice: No such thing
Best Early Dinner Deal: Marc's Restaurant
Best Midnight Meal: Toshi's Reader's Choice: Chives
Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying: The Flagstaff House Readers’ Choice: Cliff Young's
Best Refresher Course for Jaded Diners: The New York Connection
Best New Restaurant: La Coupole Readers’ Choice: Cafe Brazil
Best Restaurant Overall: Zenith, The Tivoli
Best Brewpub: Wynkoop Brewing Company
Best Fried Chicken: Foucher's Readers’ Choice: White Fence Farm
Best Meal Deal: McCormick's
Best Crispy Chile Rellenos: La Fiesta
Best Ice Cream: Lickety Split
