Over the past nine years, Suavecito has expanded its line — it now offers business suits, and dresses Mayor John Hickenlooper as well as some of his staffers — and its reputation, collecting media stories from across the country. But that 1999 award in Westword was its first official recognition, and it was a clothes call. “We had barely broken the news to our family at the time,” Peña recalls. “How do you tell your family that you opened a zoot suit shop? For this, you went to Columbia?”
Here are the rest of the 1999 winners:
Best of 1999
People and Places
Best Legal Defense of Beer: Broadway Brewing LLC V. David C. Reitz and The Colorado Department of Revenue
Best Quote About Beer: Four Mile House Bar
Best Liquid Asset: Colorado: A Liquid History
Best Historic Religious Use of Beer: Liberal Church of Denver
Best Bears: Denver Wrangler
Best JonBenet Ramsey Clue, Year Three: Santa Bear
Best JonBenet Character, Year Three: Lawrence Schiller
BEST DAILY J.T. COLFAX UPDATE: Http://I.Am/Jtcolfax
Best Guess for When (If Ever) The JonBenet Grand Jury will Hand Down an Indictment: July 1, 1999, or when Hell Freezes Over Readers' Choice: Never
Best Legal Action in The JonBenet Ramsey Case: Allison Krupski V. The Daily Camera
Best Talk-Show Slogan: Peter Boyles, KHOW-AM/630
Best Talk-Radio Controversy: Marc Mandel, KTLK-AM/760
Best Radio Talk-Show Personality: Reggie Mcdaniel, KOA-AM/850 Readers' Choice: Peter Boyles
Best Music-Oriented Radio Controversy: Sam Stock, KXPK-FM/96.5
Best Hair on a Local Tv Personality--Female: Adele Arakawa, Channel 9 Readers' Choice: Aimee Sporer
Best Hair on a Local Tv Personality--Male: Tom Martino, Channel 4 Readers' Choice: Ed Greene
Best TV Traffic Reporter: Luan Akin, Channel 4
Best Radio Traffic Reporter: Sam Hammer, Jefferson Pilot Communications
Best Cornball Radio Announcer: Dan Drayer, KCFR-FM/90.1
Best Cornball TV Anchor: Jim Hooley, Channel 4
Best Local TV Commercial: Rocky's Autos Attack Ads Readers' Choice: Lewis and Floorwax in The Men's Room with Tyrone Braxton
Best Going-Away Party for a Departing TV Personality: Kevin Corke, Channel 9
Best Local TV Sportscaster: Tom Greene, Channel 7 Readers' Choice: Ron Zappolo
Best Local TV Weathercaster: Ed Greene, Channel 9 Readers' Choice: Ed Greene
Best Local TV News Anchor: Ernie Bjorkman, Channel 2 Readers' Choice: Adele Arakawa
Best Comeback by a TV News Department: Channel 7
Best Newscast: Channel 7, 10 P.M. Readers' Choice: Channel 9
Best Addition to The Rocky Mountain News: "Colorado Then & Now"
Best Addition to The Denver Post: "A Colorado Life"
Best Correction in The Rocky Mountain News: Thursday, May 6, 1999
Best Correction in The Denver Post: Thursday, May 6, 1999
Best Legislative Coverage: "Who's Buying," The Denver Post
Best New Colorado Law: The Ban On Female Circumcision Readers' Choice: Warning Sign On Photo Radar
Best State Legislator: Senator Mike Feeley Readers' Choice: None
Best Unexpected Performance by a Legislator: Representative Bill Kaufman
Best Denver City Councilmember: Susan Barnes-Gelt Readers' Choice: None
Best Bureaucrat: Jim Manspeaker, Chief Clerk, U.S. District Court
Best Phone Manners: Reference Librarians, Denver Public Library
Best Library: Boulder Public Library
Best Place to Check up on The Trojan War: Hellenic Cultural Center
Best Place to Meet African Catholics: St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church
Best Human Rights Archives: Human Rights Initiative, Norlin Library, University Of Colorado
Best Activists: ADAPT
Best Hope for High Schools--Public: Alan Chimento
Best Hope for High Schools--Private: The Service Program, Regis Jesuit High School
Best Way to be a Low-Commitment Volunteer: Mile High Impact/Metro Volunteers!
Best Way to be a High-Commitment Volunteer: Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Colorado, Inc.
Best Good Deeds: Mitzvah Day, Temple Sinai
Best Prescription for Young Readers: Reach Out And Read
Best College Acceptance Letter and Response: Truman Bradley
Best Way to Make Hay While The Sun Shines: Jan Engwis
Best Proof of Government by and for The People: The State Capitol Grounds
Best Epigraph on a Public Building: Third Floor, Denver Art Museum
Best Phantom Sign: The Dog House
Best New Neon Sign: Marlowe's
Best New Outdoor Wall Mural: "A Fine Old Martin,"
Best Traditional Wall Mural: "Confluent Peoples," Confluence Park
Best Mosaic Mural: The Unity Project, Kensington And Longs Peak
Best New Indoor Mural: "Mile High And Rising," Denver International Airport
Best Bug Mural: Davis & Shaw Building
Best Rarely Seen Mural: Colorado State Judicial Building
Best Commercial Folk Art: Mechanical Man, Woody's Welding
Best Window Dressings: House of Rose
Best Billboard: "Great Masters," Denver Art Museum
Best Street Repair: East Colfax Ave.
Best Traffic Rotary: Golden Road at Ulysses St.
Best Parking Deal Downtown: Denver Pavilions
Best Airport Baggage Claim: Denver International Airport
Best Elevator--Interior View: The State Capitol
Best Elevator--Exterior View: Terracenter
Best New Building: Mike's Camera
Best New Truck Stop: TA's Commerce City Travel Center
Best Barn: Trevarton Barn
Best New Lofts: Grand Cherokee Lofts
Best New Lofts in a Historic Building: Buerger Brothers Lofts
Best New/Old Construction Site: Vance Kirkland Studios
Best New Use for an Old Building: P.S. 1
Best Historic Building Turned Hotel: Hotel Teatro
Best Reuse of Bowling Lanes: Oxford Hotel
Best Survivor of The Stucco Craze in Cherry Creek: Catholic Archdiocese Building
Best Inspiration for a Fake Town That is Starting to Look Like Its Imitation: Fort Collins
Best History Lesson by a Local Author: Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and The Underground Railway, by Jacqueline Tobin
Best Local-History Book: The Women Who Made The Headlines, By Cle Cervi Symons And Nancy Peterson
Best Book on Gravesites: From The Grave: A Roadside Guide to Colorado's Pioneer Cemeteries, By Linda Wommack
Best Gravesite: Sadie Likens, Riverside Cemetery
Best Friend of Colorado's History: Stan Oliner
Best Display of Suburban History: Thornton Civic Center
Best Comeback in a Park: Return of The Mountain Man Statue, Jim Baker Park
Best Official Denver Holiday: Pam Grier Day, October 13
Best Spare-Change Seductress: The Whisper Lady
Best Place to Avoid if You're a Teenager With a Leather Jacket and an Asymmetrical Haircut: Skyline Park
Best Niche Entrepreneur: Myron Bell
Best Prankster: Jamie Grenney
BEST QUOTE: Allan Sloan
Best Faux Pas While Delivering The Best Quote: Allan Sloan
Best Place to see Celebrities: The Supermax Exercise Yard
Best Jailhouse Lawyer: Robert Wirtz Jr., Fremont Correctional Facility
Goods & Services
Best (Fleabag) Hotel for Pets: Hotel Monaco
Best Do-It-Yourself Pet Wash: Colorado Petfitters
Best Swimming Pool for Poochies: Tenaker Pet Care
Best Tough-Love Dog Training: Sandy Butler
Best Dog-Training Program: Denver Dumb Friends League
Best Doggie Daycare: Mile High Canine
Best Holistic Health for Pets: Ciji's Natural Pet Supplies
Best Vet Who Makes House Calls: Dr. James Watson, Denver Mobile Veterinary Clinic
Best Place to Buy a Leisure Suit and Help a Cat at the Same Time: Maxfund Thrift Store
Best Source of Bowling Shirts: Avenue 13 Five & Dime
Best Celebrity Outfitter: Buffalo Exchange
Best Deals on New Outdoor Gear: Rei Attic
Best Homegrown Sportswear: Fresh Produce Sportswear, Fresh Produce Boulder
Best Place to Get New Heels Put on Old Boots: Denver Place Shoe Repair
Best Shoe-Shine Joint: Rhine's Cobbler Shop
Best Resurrection of a Shoe Store: Garbarini
Best Place to Zoot Up: Zoots By El Suavecito
Best Store at Dia: Que Bueno! Readers' Choice: The Body Shop
Best Store at Park Meadows: J.C. Penney Readers' Choice: Nordstrom
Best Store at Denver Pavilions: Sky Scraper Kites Readers' Choice: Virgin Megastore
Best Store at Cherry Creek Shopping Center: Billy Martin Readers' Choice: Lord & Taylor
Best Store Across the Street from Cherry Creek Shopping Center: Sears Robuck And Co.
Best Low-End Shopping District with a Play Area for the Kids: Tennyson Terrace
Best Place to Buy a Little Black Dress (That May Not Be Black): Max Clothing Store
Best Place to Spot Society Matrons Spending Their Husbands' Salaries: Auer's
Best Paris-Flea-Market-Style Store: Decade
Best Flea Market: Ballpark Market
Best Street for an Out-Of-Town Packrat: Antique Row
Best Street for Outfitting your Historic Home: Larimer St. Between 22nd and 27th Streets
Best Recycled Building Materials: Bud's Warehouse
Best Tip for Vintage-Furniture Collectors: Large-Item Pickup Notices
Best Antique Mall: The Brass Armadillo
Best Neighborhood Antique Shop: The Cluttered Closet
Best Import Antiques: Cashi
Best Decorator Fabrics and Notions: Concinno Home Furnishings
Best Place to Design your Fantasy Bathroom: Water Works
Best Chairmen of the Board: Luke and Pete Buckley, a One Zero
Best Place to Get a Gargoyle: West End Gardener
Best Garden Furniture: Toem
Best Selection of Football Nodders: Yankee Trader Antiques
Best Kids' Gadgets: The Right Start
Best Educational Toys: Lakeshore Learning Store
Best Vintage Toys: Toybox Treasures
Best Accessory Boutique: Vertu
Best Hole-In-The-Wall Boutique: Leo's
Best Tibetan Singing Bowls: Wind Horse Gallery
Best Way to Keep the Flies Out: Clearview Glass And Glazing
Best Place to Stock Up on Souvenirs: Foss Drug
Best Place to Stock Up for Y2k: True Value Hardware Factory Surplus Store
Best Y2k Advice--Not That Anyone's Listening: Y2k Workbook: Business Needs Assessment and Change Management
Best Funeral Home: Bullock Mortuary
Best Vine Line: Argonaut Grapevine, www.Argonautliquor.com
Best Online Public Service: www.Civic.Nu
Best Free Service: Shop and Vote Early Voting Program Readers' Choice: The Onion
Best Free Service by a Courthouse: Warm Welcome Court Child Care Center
Best Free Service at a Gas Station: Sinclair Service Station
Best Place to Pee While You Fill Er Up: Diamond Shamrock
Best Plane Deals: Frontier Airlines, Www.Frontierairlines.Com
Best Travel Information for the Disabled: Access-Able Travel Source, www.Access-Able.com
Best Porno Booths: Denver Public Library
Best Parking at a Porno Store: Fascinations Sexy Superstores
Best Place to Do It Yourself with a Buddy: Kitty's
Best Narcotics Anonymous Meeting: 2200 W. Alameda Ave., #15
Best Laundromat Amenity: Sunny's Ice Cream & Laundromat
Best Laundromat Entertainment: Smiley's Laundromat
Best Mendhi Painter: Sourabh Sathi Aeolian Art and Music Center
Best Folk Art: Authentic Arts, Inc.
Best Photography Books: Camera Obscura Gallery
Best Place to Donate Your Old Books: Friends of the Aurora Public Library Book Outlet
Best Used Bookstore: Ichabod's Books
Best Survival of a Bookstore Against All Odds: Capitol Hill Books
Best Place to Buy Zines: Bakamono
Best Luthier: Edward Dick
Best Place to Buy a Guitar: Wildwood Music
Best Guitar Invention: Janssen Armrest, www.Jguitarp.com
Best Neighborhood Music Shop: Crescendo Music
Best Used Stereo Store: Moondance Audio and Second Sound
Best Store for New Cds: Twist & Shout Readers' Choice: Tower Records
Best Store for Used Cds: Cheapo Discs
Best Store for Used Vinyl: Jerry's Record Exchange
Best Selection of 45s: Don's Discs
Best Farmers' Market: East High School Esplanade on Sundays
Best Place to Buy a Cuban Cigar: Cuban Cigar Factory
Best Esoteric Selection of Bottled Beer: Union Liquors
Best Wine Store: City Wine
Best Salami, Olio E Formaggio: Vinnola's Italian Market
Best Meat Market: Pappa's Fine Meats & Deli
Best Global Grocery Sign: Big T Super Foods
Best Place to Buy Seasoning Meats: Ace Super Market
Best Wall of Tortillas: Safeway
Best Selection of Wacky Fruits: Cub Foods
Best Place to Buy Dandelion Greens: Alfalfa's Market
Best Deli: Tony's Meats & Specialty Foods
Sports and Recreation
Best National Anthem Singer: Jake Schroeder
Best Sports Team: Denver Broncos Readers' Choice: Denver Broncos
Best New Career for John Elway: President and Ceo, Promise Keepers Readers' Choice: Football Team Owner/Coach
Best Sports Talk-Radio Host: David Treadwell, Ktlk-Am/760
Best Name for The New Football Stadium: John Elway/Auto Nation Usa Stadium Readers' Choice: Mile High Stadium
Best Bronco: Bubby Brister Readers' Choice: Terrell Davis
Best Sports Quote: Shannon Sharpe, Denver Broncos
Best Broncos Couple: Ed And Lisa Mccaffrey
Best Reminder of Sic Transit Gloria: John Elway, May 1, 1999
Best Rockie: Larry Walker Readers' Choice: Larry Walker
Best Rockies Pitcher: Brian Bohanon
Best Radio Announcing Team: Wayne Hagin and Jeff Kingery, Koa-Am/850
Best Investigative Sports Reporting: Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post
Best Addition to Coors Field: Virtual Pitching Machines
Best Transport to Coors Field: Running Rabbit Pedi-Cab Inc.
Best Av: Patrick Roy Readers' Choice: Patrick Roy
Best Nugget: Antonio Mcdyess Readers' Choice: Antonio Mcdyess
Best College Football Coach: Gary Barnett
Best Coach: Tom Collen Readers' Choice: Mike Shanahan
Best College Athlete: Becky Hammon
Best College Football Player: Corte Mcguffey
Best Foot: Jeremy Aldrich
Best Girl's Foot: Katie Hnida
Best Way to Get in the Swim: Swimming Queers United in Denver (Squid)
Best Chukkers: Colorado State University Rams
Best Sports Mascot: Annabel Bowlen Readers' Choice: Rocky The Leprechaun
Best Colorado Athletes on a Cereal Box: Cherry Creek Girls' Swim Team
Best Sporting Gesture: Jefferson County High School Baseball Teams
Best Race Driver: Buddy Lazier
Best Local Thoroughbred: Defensive Move
Best Greyhound: Em's Blue Bayou
Best New Sports Venue: Pepsi Center
Best Public Golf Course: Riverdale Dunes
Best Example of No Honor In Your Own Country: Julie Marshall
Best Kick-Ass Aerobics: Charlie's
Best Place to Score a Knockout: 20th Street Gym
Best Balls: The Fitball, www.Fitball.com
Best View of Other People Exercising: Bally Total Fitness
Best Bike Ride--Urban: 16th Ave. from York St. to Broadway Readers' Choice: Cherry Creek
Best Bike Ride--Rural: Bighorn Sheep Canyon, Between Howard and Corndale Readers' Choice: Waterton Canyon
Best Bike Trail Guide: Take a Bike, by Glen Hanket
Best Mountaineering Books: Chessler Books
Best Dirtboarding Course: Jason Mccroy Mountain Bike/Board Course, Berthoud, 1-800-Ski-Bert
Best New Park: City of Cuernavaca Park Along The South Platte River Off 20th St.
Best Save of an Old Ball Field: Paco Sanchez Park
Best New Ball Field: Coca-Cola All-Star Park
Best Labyrinth: Sacred Circle Church of Religious Science
Best Labyrinth for Bonding with your Pet: Joyce Leake's Labyrinth
Best Squirrels: Washington Park
Best Festival for Dogs: Bark in the Park: A Canine Carnival, City Park
Best Place to Walk Your Dog--Urban: Sixth Avenue Pet Supply to Ooh La Poochez
Best Place to Walk Your Dog--Rural: Marshall Mesa
Best Dog Bath: Cheesman Park Fountain Renovation
Best Weed-Maintenance Crew: Kashmir Goat Brigade, Denver Parks and Recreation
Best Birdwatching Aid: "Better Birdwatching In Colorado" CD-Roms
Best Use of Horse Sense: Pegasus Program, Normandy Farms and Stables
Best Aquatic Exhibit That's Not at Colorado's Ocean Journey: Greenway and Nature Center
Best Sea Monster: Squiggles, Arvada Center for The Arts and Humanities
Best Indoor Playground: Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Best Emergency Playground: Behind Tower Records
Best Old Queens: Denver Primetimers
Best Archaeological Dig: 25th St. and Broadway
Best Boneyard--Outdoor: Denver Basin Project, Denver Museum of Natural History
Best Boneyard--Indoor: Ray Troll's Cruisin' The Fossil Freeway, Denver Museum of Natural History
Best Open-Space Acquisition: Goltra Ranch, Clear Creek Canyon
Best Smooth Sailing: Salty Dog Sailing Club, www.Saltydog.org
Best Smooth Sailing for Kids: Community Sailing of Colorado, Ltd.
Best Mountain Garden Shop: Evergreen Nursury
Best Neighborhood Greenhouse: Logan Street Gardens
Best Rose Garden Behind Bars: Jefferson County Sheriff's Complex Rose Garden
Best Community Garden: Troy Chavez Memorial Peace Garden
Best Place for an Outdoor Wedding: Eagle's Nest Lookout, Mount Falcon Park, Indian Hills
Best Budget Romantic Spot: Romantic Gardens, Denver Botanic Gardens
Best Vacation for Stick-In-The-Muds: Colorado Mud Package, Vail Cascade Hotel
Best B&B for the Gluttonous: Cottonwood Inn And Gallery
Best Beach--Urban: Confluence Park Readers' Choice: Cherry Creek
Best Beach--Rural: Sandbeach Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park Boulder Resevoir
Best Place to Forget You're in the City: Four Mile Historic Park
Best Way to Get Back to Nature--Without Actually Sleeping in Nature: Steamboat Lake State Park
Best Weekend Getaway in the Wrong Direction: Lake Mcconaughty, Ogallala, Nebraska
Best Kid-Friendly Ski Vacations: Winter Park Resort
Best Double-Diamond Ski Run: Prima, Pronto, Logshoot, Highline, Vail Readers' Choice: Outhouse at Mary Jane
Best Ski Lift: Eagle Bahn Express Gondola Readers' Choice: Super Bee
Best Adrenaline Junkies: Team Vail
Arts & Entertainment
Best Annual Festival: Mike The Headless Chicken Day, Fruita Readers' Choice: Taste of Colorado
Best Free Entertainment: Sun Café Readers' Choice: 16th Street Mall
Best Off-Key 16th Street Mall Musician: Adam Stawinski
Best Eccentric Dance Troupe: Maroon Bells Morris Dancers
Best Old-Fashioned Escape Artist: Lamont Ream
Best Chinese Lion Dancers: Shifu Howie Solow and the Shaolin Hung Mei Pai Kung Fu Association
Best Pipe Dream for Downtown Aurora: Aurora Pro Country Music Hall of Fame
Best Comedy Improv Group: A.C.E.
Best Poetry Readings: Bemis Library Poetry Jam Sessions
Best Claim to Literary Fame: Poetry Bug
Best Publication by Members of a Literacy Program: Discoveries, Boulder Public Library Literacy Collection
Best Revival Press: Rue Morgue Press
Best Revival: The Bicycle Thief, Mayan Theater
Best Art-Film Festival: Stan Brakhage Film Festival
Best New Film Festival: Mountain States Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Best Ethnic Film Festival: Chicano Independent Filmmaker's Fest
Best Travelogue: Sweeney's America
Best Film Guide by a Local Author: The Fifty Greatest Jewish Movies, By Kathryn Bernheimer
Best Space Cadets: Star Wars Campers
Best Movie Theater Seats: United Artists Denver West Theatre
Best TV Movie That Blew Up Denver Real Good--Not That We Got to see it Here: Atomic Train
Best Typecasting Of A Denverite: Michelle Beisner
Best Casting Against Type of a Denverite: Trygve Lode
Best Movie Featuring Cartoon Characters Created by Coloradans: The Wilmot Movies Readers' Choice: South Park
Best Movie Featuring Humans Playing Cartoon Characters Created by a Coloradan: Boulderdaze
Best Web Site Dedicated to South Park: www.Realsouthpark.com
Best Film Appearance by a Local Band: The 8-Bucks Experiment
Best Friends of the Arts: Hugh Grant and Merle Chambers
Best Underappreciated Grassroots Arts Entrepreneur: Tony Garcia Most Graceful Exit: Barbara Demaree
Best Cultural School: Bantaba World Dance & Music
Best Cultural Anniversary: The Aspen Music Festival And School
Best Strum Und Drang: Mike Johnson, Washboards International
Best Arts Festival: Celebrate Colorado Artists
Best Gallery Openings: Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver Readers' Choice: Pirate
Best Museum Exhibit: Sean Scully: Works on Paper, 1975-1996, Denver Art Museum Readers' Choice: Toulouse-Lautrec from The Metropolitan Museum of Art at the Denver Art Museum
Best Gallery Show--Solo: Virginia Folkestad's Musical Chairs: A Competition for Position, Arvada Center for The Arts and Humanities Readers' Choice: Tony Ortega: 15 Year Retrospective at William Havu
Best Gallery Show--Group: Co=Excellence '98, Emmanuel Gallery Readers' Choice: 100 Years of The Art of Taos at Foothills Art Center
Best Solo Painting Show--Representational: John Hull Narrative Paintings, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Best Solo Painting Show--Abstraction: Bruce Price's Truncated Infinities & Floating Absolutes, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Best Solo Show by an Emerging Painter: Evan Colbert's 99 Colors, Ilk at Pirate
Best Solo Show by an Emerging Sculptor: Stasis: Sculptures By Emmett J. Culligan, Pirate
Best Ceramics Show: When Wood Turned to Stone, Spark Gallery
Best Design Show: Forging a New Century, Denver Art Museum
Best Photo Solo Show: Andres Serrano: A Survey, Ron Judish Fine Arts
Best Photo Group Show: Florals: Unique Visions, Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver
Best Group Show--Colorado Artists: 12 Artists in Common, William Havu Gallery
Best Group Show--Out-of-Towners: Pop! Selections From The Colorado Collection, Cu Galleries
Best Rediscovery of a Forgotten Painter: Ben Zion: In Search of Oneself, Mizel Museum of Judaica
Best Rediscovery of a Forgotten Photographer: Ferenc Berko: Sixty Years of Photography, Camera Obscura Gallery
Best Solo Show by a Deceased Artist: Gustave Baumann Woodblock Prints, Foothills Art Center
Best School of Paris Show--20th-Century Division: Picasso: His Print Work, Metropolitan State College Center for The Visual Arts
Best School of Paris Show--19th-Century Division: Toulouse-Lautrec From The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Denver Art Museum
Best Companion Exhibit to a Museum Blockbuster: Contemporaries of Henri Toulouse-Lautre, Colorado Vintage Poster Gallery
Best New York School Show--Modern Division: Poindexter Collection of Modern American Masters, Denver Art Museum
Best New York School Show--Contemporary Division: Sans Titre, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Best New Public Art: "Yearling," By Donald Lipski Readers' Choice: "Yearling"
Best Coordination Between Institutions: Inventing The Southwest: The Harvey Company and American Indian Art, Denver Art Museum; Spirit of Spider Woman, Colorado History Museum
Best Dysfunctional Art Show: Family Impressions, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Best Political Show: Red Menace: Art and Film Under Fire, Singer Gallery
Best Colliding Worlds Exhibit: Cuban Jewish Art Today, Mizel Museum of Judaica
Best Use of Feathers: Feather Paintings, Rule Modern and Contemporary Gallery
Best Found Art: Reed Weimer's Bobwire Collection, Arvada Center for The Arts and Humanities
Best Folk Artist: Carlos Santisteven
Best Art Show in a Back Room: Robert Motherwell: Prints From The Studio, Robischon Gallery
Best Out-of-The-Way Art Exhibit: Mindscapes: The Aerial Photography of Adriel Heisey, Cu Museum of Natural History
Best Day of The Dead Show: Jose Guadalupe Posada: Mexican Printmaker, Museo De Las Americas
Best New Lodo Gallery: Ron Judish Fine Arts
Best Old Gallery in a New Neighborhood: William Havu Gallery
Best New Gallery in an Old Neighborhood: Carol Keller Gallery
Best Display Window at an Art Gallery: 8 Oz. Fred
Best Art Rescue: Dianne Vanderlip, Denver Art Museum
Best Save of a Sculpture: Harry Bertoia, Sounding Sculpture I, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Best Art Neighbors: Jan and Fred Mayer
Best Artful Afternoon for Kids: Saturday Afternoons, Denver Art Museum
Best Place to View Coffeehouse Art: St. Mark's Coffeehouse
Best Real Live Action Figures: The Theatre Group
Best Hags: Herstory Series, Her Acting Group
Best Web Site Dedicated to Musical Theater: www.Potopera.com
Best Theater Production: The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Denver Center Theatre Company Readers' Choice: Picasso at The Lapin Agile
Best Theater Company: Denver Center Theatre Company Readers' Choice: Country Dinner Playhouse
Best New Play: The Elevation of Thieves, Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Reader's Theater: The Dead, Hunger Artists Ensemble Theatre
Best Musical: Quilters, Actors Ensemble
Best Children's Theater: Arvada Center for The Arts and Humanities
Best Environmental/Experimental Production: The Merchant of Auschwitz, Lida Project Experimental Theatre
Best Director: Laird Williamson, Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Actor: Bruce Turk, Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Actress: Jennifer Bledsoe, Horsechart Theatre Company
Best Musical Performance by an Actress: Karen Lamoureaux in Nine, Trouble Clef Theatre Company
Best Flighty Femme Fatale: Rebecca Buric In The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Avenue Theater
Best Diva: Gordana Rashovich in Master Class, Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Heroine in the Making: Amanda Brodjeski in to Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, Morrison Theater Company
Best Heart in the Highlands: John Moriarty, Central City Opera
Best Medium with a Message: Shadow Theatre Company
Best By-Product of Titanic Hype: Scotland Road, Sinking Ship Presents
Best Great Leap Forward: How I Learned to Drive, Curious Theatre Company and The Acoma Center
Best Pearl-Producing Irritant: Germinal Stage Denver
Best Pastel Poetry: Love's Labors Lost, Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Best Triple Threat: Robert Westenberg, Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Commission of Random and Senseless Acts: Denver Cacophony Society, www.Cacophony.Org/Denver
Best Kids' Music Act: Lois Lafond and The Rockadiles
Best Place to Learn "8 Potatoes": Swallow Hill Music Association
Best Bluegrass Radio Show: Rocky Mountain Bluegrass, Kckk-Fm/104.3
Best Commercial Radio Station: Khow-Am/630
Best Non-Commercial Radio Station: Kvcu-Am/1190
Best Commercial Radio Dj: Caroline Corley Readers' Choice: Willie B. Hung, Kbpi-Fm/106.7
Best Non-Commercial Radio Dj: Sassy Hacket, Kvcu-Am/1190
Best Radio Web Site: www.Denverradio.net
Best Local Recording: The New Frontier: A Collection of Colorado Punk Bands Readers' Choice: "Friend of Mine, Columbine"
Best Pop-Rock Recording: Hooray for Tuesday, The Minders
Best Hip-Hop CD: Prime Suspect, 2960
Best Art-Rock Album: In Extremis, Thinking Plague
Best Roots CD: Big Red Sun, Molly O'brien
Best Celtic CD: Saint Bartholomew Feast, Colcannon
Best Jazz CD: Coward of The County, Ginger Baker & The Djq20
Best Jazz CD Reissue: Between The Lines: The Complete Studio Recordings, Boulder Creative Music Ensemble
Best Uncategorizable Local Recording: Siege on Hamburger City, Hamster Theatre
Best Local-Label Success Story: W.A.R.?
Best Local-Music Web Site: www.Denver-Rocks.com
Best Concert: Lauryn Hill and Outkast, Mammoth Events Center, February 27, 1999 Readers' Choice: Shania Twain
Best Outdoor Venue: Red Rocks
Best Theater: Fox Theatre
Best Rock Club: 15th Street Tavern Readers' Choice: Herman's Hideaway
Best Atmosphere at a Rock Club: Lion's Lair
Best C&W Club: The Grizzly Rose Readers' Choice: Grizzly Rose
Best Blues Club: Brendan's Pub Readers' Choice: Brendan's
Best Jazz Club: El Chapultepec Readers' Choice: El Chapultepec
Best Swing Club: Mercury Cafe Readers' Choice: 9th Avenue West
Best Punk Club: The Raven Readers' Choice: 15th Street Tavern
Best Gay Bar: The Compound
Best Mod Squad: Quid At Streets of London Pub
Best Tea Dance: Sunday Afternoons at Centerfield (aka The Foxhole)
Best New Mixed Club: Jaded
Best All-Ages Club: Playscool at Trax 2000 Readers' Choice: Synergy
Best After-Hours Club: Amsterdam Readers' Choice: Amsterdam
Best New Club: Soma Readers' Choice: Vinyl
Best Freakbeat Night: "Burn-Out" At The Skylark Lounge
Best Club DJ: Little Mike Readers' Choice: Paul Merritt
Best Way to Show off for Good-Looking People While Drinking $1 Pints: Trivia Night At The Hornet
Best Place to Hear Grateful Dead Music: Quixote's True Blue
Best Place to Remember The 70s: Polly Esther's
Best Place to Enjoy Laughably Bad Punk Rock (It's Ok, They Know They Suck): Cricket On The Hill
Best Place to Hear Live Bluegrass Served up by a Legislator: Tom Plant's Acoustic Coffeehouse
Best Intimate Concert Hall: Soiled Dove
Best Rock Band: The Czars Readers' Choice: Big Head Todd and The Monsters
Best Hip-Hop Act: The Don Kronicals Readers' Choice: Hilltop Klick
Best Country Act: Slim Cessna's Auto Club Readers' Choice: Slim Cessna's Auto Club
Best Blues Musician: Otis Taylor Readers' Choice: Chicago Skinny
Best Reggae Band: Wailer B. and Axiom
Best Ska Band: Five Iron Frenzy
Best Jazz Musician: Fred Hess Readers' Choice: Dotsero
Best High School Jazz Band: Denver School of Arts Jazz Workshop
Best Swing Band: Joel Kaye's Neophonic Big Band Readers' Choice: Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra
Best Neo-Swing Band: Money Plays 8
Best Swing Publication: All Swing Event
Best Latin Band: Conjunto Colores
Best Acoustic Musician: Tony Furtado
Best Dance Band: Hillbilly Hellcats Readers' Choice: Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra
Best Band Name Change: Acoustic Junction
Best Band Name: Sci-Fi Uterus
Best Band Featuring Morning-Show Personalities: Lewis & Floorwax & The Groove Hawgs
Best Band Featuring a Bureaucrat: T.C. And The Destroyers
Best Bottle Band: Judge Roughneck
Best Evidence That It's Tough Being a Super Freak: Rick James
Best Local Proof That Elvis Lives: Elvis Culture: Fans, Faith and Image, By Erika Doss
Best Proof that Elvis Visited Denver: Elvis's Denver Police Badge
Food & Drink
Best Menu for the Millennium: Palace Arms at The Brown Palace Hotel
Best Way to Preserve Colorado's Culinary Status for The Millennium: Chef's Collaborative 2000
Best Foie Gras: Mel's Bar and Grill
Best Escargots: Tante Louise
Best P T: Today's Gourmet/Highlands Garden Cafe
Best Lobster: Papillon Cafe
Best Place to get Food on a Stick--and Act Stuck-Up: Vesta Dipping Grill
Best Wolfgang Puck Restaurant: Wolfgang Puck's Concourse B, Denver International Airport
Best Cheap Breakfast: Us West Cafeteria Readers' Choice: Pete's Kitchen
Best Brunch Served By Drag Queens: Bump and Grind
Best Sunday Brunch Buffet: Garden Terrace at the Inverness Hotel Readers' Choice: Simms Landing
Best … La Carte Brunch: Janleone
Best Dim Sum: Golden Plate
Best French Toast--Traditional: Mccoy's
Best French Toast--Gourmet: Racine's
Best Pancakes: The Original Pancake House
Best Power Breakfast: Tuscany at The Loews-Giorgio
Best Breakfast for the Powerless: Crown Burger
Best Place to Corner Your Legislator: Columbine Deli at the State Capitol
Best Power Lunch: Mattie's House of Mirrors Readers' Choice: The Palm
Best Power Lunch--Ladies' Division: Palettes at The Denver Art Museum
Best Power Lunch--Naked Ladies Division: Diamond Cabaret Steakhouse
Best Lunch Buffet: Little India Readers' Choice: Mr. Panda
Best Downtown Chinese Lunch Buffet: Mandarin Garden
Best Asian Buffet: Taste of China
Best All-You-Can-Eat Deal: Boettcher Bistro
Best Dinner Under $5: Richard Lee Noodle House
Best Place For Dinner After 10 P.M.: Radex Bistro Readers' Choice: Pete's Kitchen
Best 16th Street Mall Vendor: Philadelphia Filly
Best Food Court Vendor: Kelly's Coney Island, The Tabor Center
Best Alternative to a Food Court Vendor: The Pub at Nordstrom
Best Outdoor Patio--Rural: Dick's Hickory Dock Readers' Choice: Emerald Isle
Best Outdoor Patio--Urban: Fado Irish Pub Readers' Choice: Rock Bottom
Best Salad Bar: Whole Foods Market Readers' Choice: Healthy Habits
Best Caesar Salad: Panzano
Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Watercourse Foods Readers' Choice: Watercourse
Best Vegetarian Baked Beans: Wolfe's Barbecue
Best Vegetarian Dish in a Non-Vegetarian Restaurant: Q's
Best Kids' Menu: Ilios
Best Restaurant to Let Kids be Kids: Joe's Crab Shack
Best Restaurant for a Kid's Birthday Party: Assignments Restaurant at The School of Culinary Arts
Best Tree House at a Restaurant: White Fence Farm
Best Sandwiches: Tree House Cafe
Best Soups: Emily's Gourmet-To-Go
Best Hot-and-Sour Soup: Pavilions
Best Hot-as-Hell Soup: Bangkok Grill
Best Chicken Soup: New York Deli News
Best Pho: Saigon Bowl
Best Bagel Sandwiches: Finster Bros. Bagel Bakery, Cafe & Deli
Best Hamburger: The Punch Bowl Readers' Choice: My Brothers Bar
Best Over-The-Top Hamburger: Diamond Grill
Best French Fries: Dazzle Readers' Choice: Mcdonald's
Best Mashed Potatoes: Cafe Bohemia
Best Place for a Family to Flock to: Kapre Lounge & Fried Chicken #1
Best Lamb Shank: Saffron Restaurant
Best Lamb Sandwich: Pete's Central 1 Restaurant
Best Steakhouse: Sullivan's Steakhouse Readers' Choice: Outback
Best Steak Tartare: Jou Jou
Best Cheap Steak: Mickey's Top Sirloin
Best Roast Chicken: Pasta Pasta Pasta
Best Fried Chicken: Castle Cafe
Best Chicken Wings: Cherry Cricket
Best Chicken-Fried Steak: Moonlight Diner
Best Fried Calamari: Cafe Brazil
Best Crabcakes: Sullivan's
Best Catfish Stew: Blue Plate Kitchen
Best Barbecued Ribs: Brothers Bbq Readers' Choice: Dick's Hickory Dock
Best Barbecued Chicken: Brett's Bar-B-Que
Best Plate of Spaghetti: Patsy's Inn Italian Restaurant
Best Plate of Ethiopian Spaghetti: Red Sea Restaurant
Best Thick Pizza: Parisi Readers' Choice: Beau Jo's
Best Thin Pizza: Vigitony's Mama Mia's Readers' Choice: Pizza Hut
Best Bagels: Moe's Broadway Bagels
Best Breads: Denver Bread Company
Best Bakery: Trompeau Bakery
Best Enormous Chocolate-Chip Cookie: Old Chicago
Best Cookies: Colorado Cookie Company
Best Dessert Menu: Tom's Home Cookin'
Best Late-Night Dessert: Rialto Cafe
Best Pie: City Pie and Bread Company
Best Ice Cream: Gelato D'italia
Best Drive-Through: Valente's Italian Restaurant
Best Renovation of a Gas Station: Swing Thai
Best Blast From The Past: Mcdonald's
Best Place to Refuel: Haji Babba
Best Name for a Coffeehouse: Buzz Fill 'Er Up
Best Wine List--Selection: Flagstaff House Readers' Choice: Del Frisco's
Best Wine List--Price: Legacy Grill Readers' Choice: Pasquini's
Best Wine List--by the Glass: Today's Gourmet/Highland's Garden Cafe Readers' Choice: Trios Enoteca
Best New Bar: Pacific Star Readers' Choice: Enoteca
Best Old Bar: Don's Club Tavern Readers' Choice: My Brother's Bar
Best Happy Hour for Elk: Estes Park Brewery
Best Place to Soak up Beer and Atmosphere: Mountain Sun Pub And Brewery
Best Place for Hard-to-Find Draft Beer: Falling Rock Taphouse
Best Place for an Eye-Opener: Williams Tavern
Best Single-Malt Scotch Selection: Pints Pub
Best Brewpub: Walnut Brewery Readers' Choice: Wynkoop Brewing Company
Best Local Microbrew--Ale: Sawtooth Ale, Left Hand Brewing Company
Best Local Microbrew--Wheat: Easy Street Wheat, Odell Brewing Company
Best Local Microbrew--Fruit: Old Cherry Ale, New Belgium Brewing Company
Best Cocktail For History Buffs: John F. Coulson, Prescription Manhattan, The Painted Bench
Best Martini: Barolo Grill Readers' Choice: Purple Martini
Best Pre- or Post-Movie Saloon: Maggiano's Little Italy, Denevr Pavilions
Best Bartender: Cap'n Johnny Kaskela, Legends
Best Tequila Selection: Hacienda Colorado
Best Margarita: Dixons Downtown Grill Readers' Choice: Rio Grande
Best Chips and Salsa: El Noa Noa Restaurant Readers' Choice: Benny's
Best Place to Get a Mexican Hamburger with Extra Chile at 8 A.M.: Lucero's
Best Breakfast Burrito at any Hour of the Day or Night: Pete's Kitchen
Best Breakfast Burrito: The Silver Bullet Readers' Choice: Pete's Kitchen
Best Cheese Enchilada: Mexico City Lounge
Best Pupusas: La Praviana
Best Taco: La Cascada
Best Dessert Taco: Christy's
Best Burrito: Chipotle Readers' Choice: Chipotle
Best Tamales: La Casita, La Casa de Tamales
Best Chiles Rellenos: Tacos Jalisco
Best Green Chile: La Loma Readers' Choice: Benny's
Best Green Chile to Go: Colorado Caliente
Best Red Chile: La Cocina de Marcos
Best Seafood Restaurant: Jax Fish House Readers' Choice: Jax Fish House
Best Sushi Restaurant: Sushi Den Readers' Choice: Sushi Den
Best Japanese Restaurant: Domo
Best Chinese Restaurant: Kay Shang Readers' Choice: P.F. Chang's
Best Thai Restaurant: Taste of Thailand Readers' Choice: Bangkok Grill
Best Vietnamese Restaurant: Thai Hiep Restaurant Readers' Choice: New Saigon
Best Indian Restaurant: India's
Best Ethiopian Restaurant: Arada Restaurant
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Damascus Readers' Choice: Jerusalem
Best Mediterranean Restaurant: Aubergine Cafe
Best Cuban Restaurant: El Azteca
Best Argentinian Restaurant: Santa Fe Grill
Best Italian Restaurant: Carmine's on Penn Readers' Choice: Carmine's on Penn
Best French Restaurant: La Chaumiere Readers' Choice: Le Central
Best Place to eat when Someone Else is Paying: The Swan at The Inverness Hotel Readers' Choice: Morton's
Best Romantic Restaurant: Alice's Restaurant, Gold Lake Mountain Resort Readers' Choice: Briarwood Inn
Best New Restaurant: Radex Bistro3 Readers' Choice: Sullivan's
