Colorado.com Staff Writer

<p>Wake up, warm up or simply indulge at one of Colorado’s many independently owned coffee shops that make you feel like a local. Each one has an aura of its own and some even function like small-town community centers — think Central Perk in “Friends,” where you can find out all the best things to do while sipping a frothy coffee drink.</p>


Colorado’s Homegrown Coffee Culture

Intro

Farm House Market

Westbound General

Slideshow

<h2>Bean-Slingin’ Shops</h2>
<h3>Morrison Joe</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/morrison">Morrison</a><br />
The sound of locals chattering fills this java purveyor’s picture-perfect courtyard any given morning. Kickstart your day with a chocolate-peppermint latte, then head for a brisk hike in nearby <a href="https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Parks-Forestry-and-Open-Space/A-to-Z-Park-List/Bear-Creek-Lake-Park">Bear Creek Lake Park</a>.</p>
<h3>Beleza Coffee Bar</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/boulder">Boulder</a><br />
The wavy, arched roof of the Community Plaza Shopping Center that houses <a href="https://www.belezacoffeebar.com">Beleza Coffee Bar</a> looks like something out of “The Jetsons.” Perch under it with a thick, velvety espresso milkshake and you’ll shiver with delight.</p>
<h3>Two Arrows Coffee Bar</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/vail">Vail</a><br />
Just steps from Gondola One, ski junkies find their nectar from the caffeine gods at <a href="https://www.twoarrowscoffee.com">Two Arrows Coffee Bar</a> before hitting the slopes. Swill down a morning macchiato with a bowl of chilled maple oats topped with golden raisins and crunchy granola.</p>
<h3>ROOT HOUSE coffee + shop</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/pagosa-springs">Pagosa Springs</a><br />
Nestled on a bend in the rushing San Juan River, the porch at <a href="https://roothouseco.com">ROOT HOUSE coffee + shop</a> was made for chilly days. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket scarf to savor a piping cup of single-origin, pour-over coffee.</p>
<h3>Boxcar Coffee Roasters</h3>
<p>Boulder<br />
Laptop-toting remote workers meet along the exposed brick walls at <a href="/boulder/boxcar-coffee-roasters-boulder-0">Boxcar Coffee Roasters</a>, Boulder’s premier rocket-fuel provider. Taste the shop-roasted Bareknuckle, a heady blend of dark chocolate and caramel.</p>
<h3>Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/lakewood">Lakewood</a><br />
Feeling like a cross between a jungle and a warehouse, <a href="/lakewood/sweet-bloom-coffee-roasters">Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters</a>' hand-brewed Kolla Bolcha from Ethiopia is the way to go.</p>
<h3>Winot Coffee</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/niwot">Niwot</a><br />
When you see a sign festooned with a humongous horseshoe, you’ll know you’ve made it! The bustlin’ La Marzocco machine is covered in pithy magnets and does an excellent foamy cappuccino.</p>
<h3>Sand Cherry Coffee</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/ordway">Ordway</a><br />
Pick up a sweet Vietnamese coffee and peruse the locally made jams and vibrant accessories at the cozy <a href="https://www.sandcherrycoffee.com">Sand Cherry Coffee</a>.</p>
<h3>Westbound General</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/idaho-springs">Idaho Springs</a><br />
At <a href="https://www.colorado.com/breweries/westbound-down-brewing-company">Westbound General</a>, a shot of invigorating espresso comes atop a wooden board cut like an arrow with a mini-pint glass of palate-cleansing water — so, take a picture.</p>
<h3>Soapweed Mercantile &amp; Coffee Shop</h3>
<p>Flagler<br />
Stop by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/soapweedmercantileandcoffee">Soapweed Mercantile &amp; Coffee Shop</a> for a bagel sandwich and one of their speciality drinks, like The Dahlia's white-chocolate mocha notes or the The Honey Bee with local honey and lavender.</p>
<h3>Farm House Market</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/yuma">Yuma</a><br />
Found downtown, <a href="https://www.farmhouse.market">Farm House Market</a> screams Western hospitality. The roof extends out over iron benches meant for shady sipping year-round.</p>
<h3>Howl Mercantile &amp; Coffee</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/salida">Salida</a><br />
With a rich mocha in hand, browse the store at <a href="https://howlmercantile.com">Howl Mercantile &amp; Coffee</a> for too-cool-for-school knapsacks and jean jackets inundated with patches.</p>
<h3>Kiln Coffee Bar</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/grand-junction">Grand Junction</a><br />
The heart and soul of GJ could be <a href="https://www.kilncoffeebar.com">Kiln Coffee Bar</a>. Have a glass of nitro cold brew while resting on a turquoise-metal stool and gossip with locals about the Trumbo-in-the-bath statue down the street.</p>
<h3>Perkatory Coffee House</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/trinidad">Trinidad</a><br />
Lodged in a Romanesque-revival building built in 1892, <a href="/trinidad/perkatory-coffee-house">Perkatory</a> is best for people-watching while knocking back a strong Americano.</p>
<h3>Loyal Coffee</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/colorado-springs">Colorado Springs</a><br />
Sleek lines, gold-framed menus and hexagon-tile floors give <a href="/colorado-springs/loyal-coffee">Loyal</a> a cool-girl feel. Park yourself at a booth and get the soft-boiled eggs balanced on sourdough bread with a cortado.</p>
<h3>Prodigal Son’s Coffee House &amp; Eatery</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/craig">Craig</a><br />
Signs that say “gather” and “family” dot the walls of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Prodigalsonscoffeehouse/">Prodigal Son’s</a>, making it feel like your mom’s living room. Nab a butter-pecan latte before taking off for a day of hiking at <a href="/dinosaur/dinosaur-national-monument">Dinosaur National Monument</a>.</p>
<h3>Big Shooter Coffee</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/kremmling">Kremmling</a><br />
Make sure to snap a pic of your to-go joe. The <a href="/kremmling/big-shooter-coffee">Big Shooter Coffee</a> logo of a cowboy holding two massive mugs is too cute not to share on the ’gram.</p>
<h3>East Simpson Coffee Company</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/lafayette">Lafayette</a><br />
The skinny, Western-esque storefront of <a href="https://www.eastsimpsoncoffee.com">East Simpson Coffee Company</a> will beckon you with guitar circles and friendly faces. Sit for a spell while indulging in a Colorado-honey latte.</p>
<h3>The Crown</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/breckenridge">Breckenridge</a><br />
Situated on the top floor of a 1980s red-brick, split-level galleria, <a href="/breckenridge/the-crown">The Crown</a> has a house-blend cold brew with vanilla so good it’s worth the frigid hands.</p>
<h3>Camp 4 Coffee</h3>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/crested-buttemt-crested-butte">Crested Butte</a><br /><a href="https://camp4coffee.com">Camp 4 Coffee</a> housed in a quaint tiny cabin, plastered in a hodgepodge of vintage license plates. Even better, it's been voted “Best Coffee Joint” every year since <em>Crested Butte News</em> started its Best of the Butte poll way back when.</p>
<h2>More of a Tea Connoisseur?</h2>
<p>Sit down for a creamy tea at one of these rooms.</p>
<ul><li><a href="/boulder/boulder-dushanbe-teahouse">Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse</a></li>
<li><a href="https://lynnstea.com">Lynn’s Tea Shop and Cafe</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/littleton">Littleton</a></li>
<li><a href="https://carriageshoppestea.com">The Carriage Shoppes Tea Room</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/elizabeth">Elizabeth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://babestearoom.com">Babe’s Tea Room</a>, Denver</li>
<li><a href="http://creationseverlasting.com">Creations Everlasting Tea Room</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/cripple-creek">Cripple Creek</a></li>
<li><a href="/boulder/ku-cha-house-of-tea">Ku Cha House of Tea</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/fort-collins">Fort Collins</a></li>
</ul><h2>Get Baked — Colorado’s Best Confectioneries</h2>
<p>Here’s what we recommend at each of these sugary spots around the state.</p>
<ul><li><a href="https://thirdculturebakery.com">Third Culture Bakery</a> (<a href="/cities-and-towns/aurora">Aurora</a>) — Mochi muffin</li>
<li><a href="/telluride/the-butcher-baker-cafe">The Butcher &amp; The Baker</a> (Telluride) — Fruit tart</li>
<li><a href="https://www.moxiebreadco.com">Moxie Bread Co.</a> (<a href="/cities-and-towns/louisville">Louisville</a>) — Chocolate-hazelnut eclair</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bakersboutiquegj.com">The Baker’s Boutique</a> (Grand Junction) — Cookie-dough cupcake</li>
<li><a href="/boulder/boulder-baked">Boulder Baked</a> — Caramel-apple pie</li>
<li><a href="https://tasteofdenmarkco.com">Taste of Denmark</a> (Lakewood) — Almond kringle</li>
<li><a href="/frisco/butterhorn-bakery-cafe">Butterhorn Bakery &amp; Cafe</a> (<a href="/cities-and-towns/frisco">Frisco</a>) — Coconut macaroon</li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/bakeries-dessert/hopscotch-bakery">Hopscotch Bakery</a> (<a href="/cities-and-towns/pueblo">Pueblo</a>) — Lavender shortbread</li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/cafes-coffee-shops/smiley-cafe">The Smiley Cafe</a> (<a href="/cities-and-towns/durango">Durango</a>) — Gluten-free oatmeal-butterscotch cookie</li>
<li><a href="https://www.smellthatbreadbakery.com">Smell That Bread Bakery</a> (<a href="/cities-and-towns/steamboat-springs">Steamboat Springs</a>) — Chocolate-and-candied-orange croissant</li>
<li><a href="/salida/the-biker-the-baker">The Biker &amp; The Baker</a> (Salida) — Cream puff</li>
</ul><h2>Want More?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/explore-5-colorado-cities-5-different-ways">Explore Colorado's cities five different ways</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/awesome-adaptive-winter-sports-colorado">Find Black-owned shops and restaurants to try this winter</a></p>
