A Day in the Life of 'Building Roots' Hosts Ben and Cristi Dozier

In the quaint town of southern Colorado's Pagosa Springs, Ben and Cristi Dozier — hosts of HGTV's Building Roots — live and work in a Rocky-Mountain picturesque world. The husband-and-wife renovation duo is surrounded by daily inspiration: quaint shops, charming scenery and famous hot springs known for their healing powers. We sat down with Ben and Cristi to see what a day in their lives looks like. It involves running Root Design Company, managing Root House Coffee, raising kids and making time for each other. Whew! It’s all in a day’s work.

“We always start the day with coffee and conversation. I don’t know if we hardly ever have a day without that,” says Cristi. “It’s one of my favorite habits and rituals as a couple.” Cristi and Ben bring chairs, along with a pot of coffee, down to the river’s edge and spend time connecting with the nature of Pagosa while reading and journaling. “When we moved here [from Austin], we wanted to change our daily routine,” says Ben.

After coffee by the river, Ben walks their youngest child to school and then hits Root House Coffee + Shop for a smoothie and a cappuccino.

A quick walk back down the river leads Ben to his office, a renovated barn on the Dozier's property outfitted with fly fishing gear, drawings hanging from the ceiling and walls, and his grandfather’s mechanic’s desk from his time in the Air Force. “I’ll chip away at one of our many businesses ... emailing, scheduling site meetings, and that takes up most of my day,” says Ben.

When he feels stumped, Ben steps just outside his front door to toss a line in the river and clear his head.

While Ben hops out of bed to greet the day, Cristi likes a slower pace. “I love my time at home,” she says. “Ben’s usually out the door to walk our youngest to school, and I’m still in my robe and do more things at home before I’m ready for the day.” Cristi handles sourcing all of the furniture, decor and soft finishings for their projects. She starts by pulling images from websites or out of books from their vendors, then creates a mood board.

Cristi’s first outing is typically a walk to the coffee shop. “I handle all of the ordering for the retail," she says. "We have great vendors we work with, and it’s one of my favorite things to do." If it gets too busy at the coffee shop and she needs to focus, Cristi sneaks off to her favorite spot to work — the cozy lobby of a boutique hotel across the street.

Since Pagosa is a small town, Ben and Cristi often meet during the day for coffee, lunch or a stroll down the river. “We operate within a half-mile radius,” says Cristi. “We only drive if we go on site visits or to the grocery store.”

“We always end up at this little dive bar around the corner at 4 o’clock,” says Ben. “And they’re working happy hours, where we’re doing meetings and we take our computers there. It’s quiet that time of day.” Ben and Cristi finish the work day there and then walk home along the river.

Cristi starts to think about dinner around 5 p.m. Once or twice a week she and Ben have date nights while the kids eat leftovers. On the other nights, they cook. Lately, they’ve been making campfire meals over the bonfire or grilling since their kitchen is under construction. “We’ll eat off paper plates and then throw our plates in the fire, and that’s how we do our dishes,” says Cristi.

Nights are dedicated to the family. “We’re either fireside with our family or courtside — whether it’s football or basketball — watching one of our kids,” says Ben. Marshmallows and scenic views are abundant.