6 places in Boulder you’ll see in a new reality dating TV series

New York City is known as the city that never sleeps. For some, it’s also known as the city that never stops sleeping around.

“Dating here is trash,” Ash, a Big Apple single, says in the opening minutes of “Swiping America,” a new series from Max (formerly HBO Max) that follows four New Yorkers on a nationwide mission to find love the new-fashioned way.

Over the course of eight episodes, Ash and her co-stars Reagan, Kesun and Kris travel to eight cities, from Ashville to Austin and beyond, looking for potential partners via dating apps, much like the average Millenial or Gen-Z traveler. But there’s a catch: The film crew following the singles chooses who they’ll date.

During the sixth week of their dating adventure, the whole crew lands in Boulder where, similarly to other cities, the four stars entertain several 30-minute speed dates with their matches before choosing one for a proper local excursion.

Ash, Reagan, Kesun and Kris always make sure to get to know a city before diving head-first into the pool of local singles. In Boulder’s case, that means shopping at a dispensary and sharing a joint (and more than a couple laughs).

“Swiping America” is billed as a “rom-doc,” which is both an innovative title and format for what would otherwise be called reality TV. Crafted much like a documentary, the show includes character-building interviews, backstory B-roll, and a more structured presentation than traditional reality shows.

The format may at first feel jarring for fans of “Love Island,” “The Bachelor,” “Love is Blind” and similar shows, but it grows on the viewer, and each episode also offers a mini-tour of local food and drink establishments.

Here are six places in and near Boulder that earn a cameo in “Swiping America,” which is now streaming.

Wildsong Ranch

The local episode of “Swiping America” opens with a visit to Wildsong Ranch in Longmont where Ash, Reagan, Kesun and Kris get a lesson in building genuine connections. Here against the backdrop of the foothills, however, the connections are with horses instead of people. The four learn how to communicate and lead the animals in an exercise that will presumably help them be more intuitive partners. May the horse be with you, indeed. wildsongranch.com

Boulder Theater

The singles don’t go on dates to the historic Boulder Theater, but for a few split seconds, viewers see it as a signature of downtown. Meanwhile, Ash lists some insightful facts about the town; for example, did you know roughly one-third of Colorado ladies have done the deed with another lady? The theater’s marquee lists Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives as the upcoming show, suggesting filming took place in April 2022. z2ent.com/boulder-theater

Hotel Boulderado

The speed dating round in each “Swiping America” city is referred to as Date Zero, during which each of the New Yorkers posts up at a different table within the same bar to meet their matches. In Boulder, they convene in the sleek ambiance of License No. 1 cocktail lounge at Hotel Boulderado where plenty of Colorado cliches also make an appearance in conversation.

“Congratulations, you’re in probably the most populated guy city in the U.S. when it comes to ratios,” says one of Reagan’s would-be suitors. “It’s called ‘Menver.’”

As for what the New Yorkers should eat while in town: “I’m sure someone’s told you about Rocky Mountain oysters,” one guy tells Kesun before elucidating the delicacy.

After one of Ash’s matches notes her aversion to camping, the local woman suggests the two go glamping instead – to which Ash replies, “But why?” boulderado.com

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

Opened in 1998, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is among the most unique buildings in Colorado. According to 5280 magazine, it’s the only Persian-style teahouse in the Western Hemisphere and was gifted to the town of Boulder by the mayor of Dushanbe (the capital of Tajikistan) in the 1980s after the two places became sister cities. The restaurant features brightly colored ceramic panels on the exterior, hand-carved wooden columns on the interior, and beautifully ornate paintings on its ceiling – all of which make it the perfect backdrop for Kris’ solo date. boulderteahouse.com

Lucid

Denver’s LGBTQ+ scene gets a cameo all its own when Ash and her date attend a drag show at Lucid, at the time a fairly new gay bar in the Mile High City. The two dine, dance and tip the performers in what turns out to be a rare trip to an LGBTQ-focused establishment throughout the series — surprising considering half the starring singles are gay. Unfortunately, Lucid closed in August 2022, prior to the series release.

Crown Rock Trail