Absolutely Colorado: Beulah coffee shop offers space for community, regathering

BEULAH, Colo. (KRDO) -- It’s been one week since evacuation orders were lifted in the town of Beulah amid the "Aspen Acres" fire.

Some residents have come back to the relief of their home still standing, while others are left with ashes.

As people returned to Beulah, Stompin’ Grounds, a local coffee shop, immediately opened its doors to give people a space to be with one another — even if the coffee shop wasn’t fully ready itself.

They lost a lot of their inventory, including everything in their fridges, when the power went out.

“We made a pot of coffee and grabbed a few pastries and put them out and let people come and have a place to be and hug each other. There was no money involved," said Morgan Deharo-Brown, one of the owners.

Stories of devastation and hope have poured in as people pour their cups. One couple had just finished building their home when the fire took it all. A local artist who commissions pieces here at the shop lost everything — except the ones still hanging in the store.

“We’ve always been a place where I think people come to be near each other and gather and hang out," Deharo-Brown said. "I definitely think there’s a little more of that togetherness."

Through the devastation, Morgan said she’s only seen positivity from customers. The community in Beulah has refused to back down.

“People who lost everything, still asking what they can do to help other people in this community," Deharo-Brown said. "It’s inspiring. It’s a beautiful thing to see how this community has really shown up for each other.”

Stompin’ Grounds is mainly serving drinks and bagels for now, but they hope to be back to their full menu in the next couple of weeks as they work to replace their food loss.

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