Colorado Innovators: Nick Forster, Founder & Host of eTown

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Nick Forster — Founder & Host of eTown — for an intimate look at how music, community, and purpose have intertwined throughout Colorado’s creative evolution.

Nick recounts hitchhiking to Colorado as a teenager in the 1970s, stumbling into Boulder’s live music scene, and helping define it through his work at the Denver Folklore Center and the formation of the bluegrass band Hot Rize. From late-night gigs at the Colorado Coal Company to international tours and a Bluegrass Hall of Fame induction, Nick’s journey traces the heart of Boulder’s musical DNA.

He shares how a tour through Europe ultimately inspired the creation of eTown, a nationally syndicated show built on connection, sustainability, and civic spirit. Nick and Dan discuss how eTown Hall became a solar-powered community hub, how the arts can revitalize local economies, and why Boulder must reinvest in its creative infrastructure.

They also dig into the emerging Boulder Roots Music Festival, the impact of Sundance’s arrival, and how bringing artists, entrepreneurs, and audiences together can spark a new cultural renaissance on the Front Range.

Learn more about eTown: https://www.etown.org/

Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/book

To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com