Coffee that funds a teen program.

A nonprofit cafe on the second floor of our business campus. Sales help fund Happy Crew's work with Douglas County teens.

Become a member How it started

The second floor at Happy Crew Coffee House: orange sofas, lime green chairs, string lights, and a wall of garage-door windows — The second floor, 9044 Forsstrom Drive. Photo: Happy Crew Coffee House.

The Happy Crew Coffee House badge: an engraved bear holding a cup of coffee, ringed by the cafe's name, above the words Supporting Happy Crew since 2025 — The second floor, 9044 Forsstrom Drive. Photo: Happy Crew Coffee House.

How Happy Crew started.

From Happy Crew's own account and local reporting.

2007
It starts in a living room.
Amy Mays, a youth director and counselor, starts Happy Crew as a weekly meeting for a few students at her Highlands Ranch home.
2014/15
Eight teenagers lost in one school year.
Teen suicides spike in Douglas County. A group of high school students decides to answer with one line: "No more on our watch."
YOU MATTER.
The students set up at an Einstein Bros. Bagels in Castle Rock and hand out candy bars printed with those two words.
2023
A $240,000 county grant.
Happy Crew serves 171 students and has outgrown the house. Douglas County grants $240,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, enough for a first year's rent and startup costs.
The new home, 9044 Forsstrom Drive. Photo: Business Foundry.
December 2024
The last meeting at Amy's home.
The Crew meets at Amy's home for the final time, with more than 80 teens coming each week.
80+
teens a week in one living room
75
students on an average night that school year
183
different teens by spring 2025
March 2025
The cafe opens on the second floor.
Happy Crew Coffee House opens on Monday, March 3. Coffee through the day, and in the evening the same room hosts the Crew.
Photo: Happy Crew Coffee House.
2026
A student from 2015 now chairs the board.
Evan Teal was at the first meetings in 2015. This fall the Crew adds Middle Crew, for middle school students.
26
student leaders shaping the topics
Sep 14
high school Crew nights begin
Sep 16
Middle Crew's first meeting

Sources: The Happy Crew, Happy Crew Coffee House, Castle Pines Connection (2025), and Douglas County Lantern (August 2026).

What happens on Monday nights.

Dinner comes first. Then students split into small groups picked at random, and a team of 26 student leaders decides how each topic gets handled, with Amy Mays coaching.

Recent nights have covered test anxiety, talking with parents, conflict, active listening, and suicide prevention. On Monday nights the Crew has our whole business campus for its small groups.

When: Monday nights through the school year
Who: Any high school student, no requirements. Join at any time.
To start: Text Amy at (303) 916-1515

If a teen you know is in crisis right now, call or text 988 for free support, any hour.

A mental health cough drop.

Amy Mays, on what students learn to offer a friend who seems sad or shut down. Douglas County Lantern, 2026.

Inside the cafe.

Garage doors that open toward the Front Range, and tables you can work at.

A garage door rolled up to the balcony railing and a wide Colorado sky, with blue armchairs and an orange sofa in front

Afternoon light on an orange sofa under string lights, with potted palms by the windows

Blue armchairs beside an open garage door, with string lights and a silver duct overhead

Photos: Happy Crew Coffee House.

The details.

Where: Second floor of 9044 Forsstrom Drive in Lone Tree, our business campus.
Hours: Open daily. Spring and summer, 7am to 3pm. Fall, 8am to 2pm.
On the menu: Espresso, cortado, and cappuccino at $4. Latte, chai, and matcha at $5 or $6. A bonfire burrito at $8.50.
Students: The $25 student membership adds 25% off from noon to 3pm on weekdays.
Evenings: The whole second floor rents for evening events of up to 100 people.
Run by: The Happy Crew, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Contact: (303) 916-1515 or hello@happycrewcoffeehouse.com

Ways to support Happy Crew.

Order a coffee.
No membership needed. Sales help fund the teen programs.
Become a member.
From $25 a month in credit. What you don't spend becomes a donation.
Sign up your company.
From $500 a month, with coffee cards printed with your name.