Christian Glass' family opens teen creative space in Lyons
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Creative Grounds in Lyons. Photo: Mitchell Byars/Axios Boulder
Christian Glass' family is turning a downtown Lyons property into the kind of place they think he would have wanted: somewhere young people can hang out and be themselves.
Why it matters: Creative Grounds is designed as a low-pressure "third space" for teens at a time when spaces for young people to gather have dwindled.
"I'm not your mother, and this isn't school," Sally Glass, Christian's mother, told Axois.
Driving the news: Sally and Simon Glass are opening Creative Grounds on Wednesday in memory of their son, who was 22 when a Clear Creek County sheriff's deputy killed him in 2022.
- After the case concluded, the family invested its $19 million settlement over Christian's death, with plans to use the returns to support long-term community projects.
Behind the scenes: Sally Glass told us the family focused on the criminal case surrounding their son's death before turning their attention to what could come next.
- The Glasses, who have a cabin in Lyons, saw an empty restaurant for sale at 160 E. Main St. and imagined it as a gathering spot.
- Sally Glass said the town was "very supportive" of them getting the needed approvals.
What to expect: Over about six months, the walls came down to create more open hangout space and the former kitchen became a pottery studio.
- The center will offer pottery, painting, photography and other creative programming.
- Teens don't have to sign up for anything. They can simply take a class, play games, bring a guitar to the stage or sit with friends in a large outdoor teepee.
- The café will be open to the public in the mornings and on Sundays, with proceeds supporting the center.
- Afternoons and evenings will be reserved for teens and young adults.
The vibe: Christian's creative spirit is woven throughout the space. The building is filled with his artwork and pieces inspired by it, including several large lion murals based on one of his creations.
- "It's a place where you can just come and hang and be," his mother said.
- She said the goal isn't to churn out artists. It's to give young people a place where they can be comfortable and to create opportunities that pull young people away from their phones without turning the center into another place full of rules.
The bottom line: "If Christian would have loved to come here," she said, "maybe lots of young people would love to come here."