Colorado’s Homegrown Coffee Culture

Bean-Slingin’ Shops

Morrison Joe, Morrison

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 Bear Creek Lake Park.

Beleza Coffee Bar, Boulder

The wavy, arched roof of the Community Plaza Shopping Center looks like something out of “The Jetsons.” Perch under it with a thick, velvety espresso milkshake and you’ll shiver with delight.

Two Arrows Coffee Bar, Vail

Just steps from Gondola One, ski junkies find their nectar from the caffeine gods here before hitting the slopes. Swill down a morning macchiato with a bowl of chilled maple oats topped with golden raisins and crunchy granola.

ROOT HOUSE coffee + shop, Pagosa Springs

Nestled on a bend in the rushing San Juan River, this porch was made for chilly days. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket scarf to savor a piping cup of single-origin, pour-over coffee.

Boxcar Coffee Roasters, Boulder

Laptop-toting remote workers meet along the exposed brick walls at Boulder’s premier rocket-fuel provider. Taste the shop-roasted Bareknuckle, a heady blend of dark chocolate and caramel.

Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters, Lakewood

Feeling like a cross between a jungle and a warehouse, this industrial parlor’s hand-brewed Kolla Bolcha from Ethiopia is the way to go.

Winot Coffee, Niwot

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.

Sand Cherry Coffee, Ordway

Pick up a sweet Vietnamese coffee and peruse the locally made jams and vibrant accessories at this cozy Main Street cafe.

Westbound General, Idaho Springs

Here, 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.

Boho Brew, Flagler

Holler for a fancy salted-caramel frappe at this tiny plains gem and nestle into a plush, bowl-shaped chair to converse with your table neighbor.

Farm House Market, Yuma

Found downtown, Farm House screams Western hospitality. The roof extends out over iron benches meant for shady sipping year-round.

Howl Mercantile & Coffee, Salida

With a rich mocha in hand, browse the store for too-cool-for-school knapsacks and jean jackets inundated with patches.

Kiln Coffee Bar, Grand Junction

The heart and soul of GJ could be Kiln Coffee Bar. 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.

Perkatory Coffee House, Trinidad

Lodged in a Romanesque-revival building built in 1892, Perkatory is best for people-watching while knocking back a strong Americano.

Local Coffee House, Aspen

Grab the thick, wooden table under the gallery wall with a flat white — Abraham Lincoln and a stately polar bear will watch over you as you talk about which ski run to hit next.

Loyal Coffee, Colorado Springs

Sleek lines, gold-framed menus and hexagon-tile floors give Loyal a cool-girl feel. Park yourself at a booth and get the soft-boiled eggs balanced on sourdough bread with a cortado.

Ghost Town, Telluride

Nestled in the corner of an alley, Ghost Town’s low-slung building is always swarming with people vying for the extra creamy butter-brew coffee — yes, it is bean juice made with unsalted butter.

Prodigal Son’s Coffee House & Eatery, Craig

Signs that say “gather” and “family” dot the walls of Prodigal Son’s, making it feel like your mom’s living room. Nab a butter-pecan latte before taking off for a day of hiking at Dinosaur National Monument.

Misty’s Coffee Shop, Silt

Order a shaken, not stirred, Shakerado (espresso, half-and-half, maple syrup) to sip at a dark wood table, under twinkling lights in Misty’s snug salon.

Big Shooter Coffee, Kremmling

Make sure to snap a pic of your to-go joe. The cup’s logo of a cowboy holding two massive mugs is too cute not to share on the ’gram.

East Simpson Coffee Company, Lafayette

The skinny, Western-esque storefront of East Simpson will beckon you with guitar circles and friendly faces. Sit for a spell while indulging in a Colorado-honey latte.

The Crown, Breckenridge

Situated on the top floor of a 1980s red-brick, split-level galleria, the house-blend cold brew with vanilla is so good it’s worth the frigid hands.

Camp 4 Coffee, Crested Butte

This tiny cabin, plastered in a hodgepodge of vintage license plates, has been voted “Best Coffee Joint” every year since Crested Butte News started its Best of the Butte poll nearly a decade ago.

More of a tea connoisseur?

Sit down for a creamy tea at one of these rooms.

• Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
• Lynn’s Tea Shop and Cafe, Littleton
• The Carriage Shoppes Tea Room, Elizabeth
• Babe’s Tea Room, Denver
• Creations Everlasting Tea Room, Cripple Creek
• Ku Cha House of Tea, Fort Collins

Get Baked — Colorado’s Best Confectioneries

Here’s what we recommend at each of these sugary spots around the state.

• Third Culture Bakery (Aurora) — Mochi muffin
• The Butcher & The Baker (Telluride) — Fruit tart
• Moxie Bread Co. (Louisville) — Chocolate-hazelnut eclair
• The Baker’s Boutique (Grand Junction) — Cookie-dough cupcake
• Boulder Baked — Caramel-apple pie
• Taste of Denmark (Lakewood) — Almond kringle
• Butterhorn Bakery & Cafe (Frisco) — Coconut macaroon
• Hopscotch Bakery (Pueblo) — Lavender shortbread
• The Smiley Cafe (Durango) — Gluten-free oatmeal-butterscotch cookie
• Smell That Bread Bakery (Steamboat Springs) — Chocolate-and-candied-orange croissant
• The Biker & The Baker (Salida) — Cream puff

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