It’s no secret that college kids are tired. Whether it’s restless nights in the library or simply the stress of the quarter system, life as a university student moves fast. However, DU’s newest club changes the pace. Every Friday, Denver’s Coffee Club gives students the opportunity to slow down, relax and caffeinate.
Coffee Club was created by first-year Nick Allen, who saw it as an opportunity to foster a community of coffee lovers. Coffee had always played a role in Allen’s life, so it became an obvious choice for the club.
“My dad has always been really into coffee too, so we always had it in the house. I think one day I just started drinking it too and haven’t really looked back,” Allen said.
Part of the inspiration for the club occurred in Allen’s hometown of Tucson, Ariz.
“During my senior year, a friend and I decided to try 20 different cafes and rate them, so that’s when I started getting into the specifics of coffee,” Allen said. As a result, he wanted to create a club that allowed for the experimentation of coffee.
Once he got the idea for Coffee Club during winter quarter, starting it was relatively straightforward, with the main obstacle being funding.
“We had to sell ourselves well to get our funding, but there’s been a lot of support for it from the start,” Allen explained. “I think all the engagement we’ve had so far really proved what we can do.”
The engagement has been beyond successful, with over thirty members attending the club’s first meeting in the Dimond Family Residential Village room 195. With only two meetings under their belt, Coffee Club is still improving.
“We’re still working out a few kinks with making the coffee and trying to have espresso too, but that should be coming together and we’re about to buy a new espresso machine, which will help a lot,” said Allen.
The Coffee Club is not just for drinking coffee. It’s also to learn about the tasty drink. Every week, someone gives a presentation on the coffee of their choice.
During the first meeting, freshman Martin Tobon presented his family’s farm in Colombia. Members then got to taste these delicious hand-picked coffee beans from Tobon’s farm.
The second meeting featured President Allen and Vice-President Aidan Rosenthal-Pitts, who presented on the monopolization of coffee chains while treating members to Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.
The main goal of the club is to expand.
“The more people we can get out the more fun we’ll all have,” said Allen. The club also plans to expand beyond DU’s campus by touring a roastery and trying cafes in Denver.
The club meets every Friday at 11 a.m. This week’s meeting will feature coffee from the Wagon Coffee Roasters. This sustainable & eco-friendly women-owned business helps women in recovery through employment.
To join, register on CrimsonConnect and embrace the club’s mantra: Drink coffee, talk coffee.
“The coffee is always good, and it’s free. I honestly have no idea how anyone could pass it up,” said Allen.
