Mile-High Slices: Exploring Colorado’s Diverse and Delicious Pizza Scene

Here are additional insights and highlights that showcase the state’s diverse and dynamic pizza culture:

Colorado-Style Mountain Pies:

One of the most unique contributions Colorado has made to the pizza world is the “Colorado-style” mountain pie, popularized by Beau Jo’s. These pizzas are known for their thick, chewy crusts, designed to hold up to a heavy load of toppings. What makes them even more distinctive is the tradition of serving honey alongside the pizza, allowing diners to enjoy the crust as a dessert-like treat after finishing their savory slices. This style of pizza is hearty and filling, reflecting the rugged, outdoorsy lifestyle of many Colorado residents.

Farm-to-Table and Local Ingredients:

Colorado’s commitment to sustainability and local sourcing is reflected in many of its pizzerias. Establishments like Cart-Driver and Pizzeria Locale emphasize using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, often from nearby farms. This farm-to-table approach ensures that pizzas are not only delicious but also environmentally conscious. Many Colorado pizzerias also offer seasonal menus that change based on the availability of fresh produce, adding an element of variety and excitement to the dining experience.

Craft Beer and Pizza Pairings:

Colorado Breweries

Colorado’s thriving craft beer scene perfectly complements its pizza offerings. Many pizzerias feature extensive beer menus, often showcasing local brews that pair well with their pizzas. In Denver, Hops & Pie is a standout example, offering a wide range of craft beers alongside their creative, artisan pizzas. This emphasis on pairing pizza with craft beer has become a defining characteristic of Colorado’s pizza culture, especially in cities like Denver and Fort Collins, which are known for their vibrant beer scenes.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Options:

In line with Colorado’s health-conscious reputation, many pizzerias offer vegan and gluten-free options. Boulder, in particular, is a hub for health-conscious dining, and pizzerias like Pizzeria Locale offer gluten-free crusts and vegan toppings to cater to a wide range of dietary preferences. Other spots, like Mellow Mushroom in Denver, provide a variety of vegetarian and vegan pizzas, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a slice, no matter their dietary restrictions.

Pizza with a View:

Colorado’s stunning natural landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for enjoying a pizza. In mountain towns like Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge, you’ll find pizzerias that offer both great food and breathtaking views. For example, High Mountain Pies in Leadville is a beloved spot where you can enjoy a delicious pizza while taking in the beauty of the Rockies. This combination of excellent food and stunning scenery makes dining in Colorado a truly unique experience.

Pizza and Outdoor Adventures:

Colorado Wineries

For outdoor enthusiasts, Colorado’s pizzerias often serve as the perfect post-adventure meal. After a day of skiing, hiking, or mountain biking, nothing hits the spot quite like a hearty pizza. Many pizzerias in mountain towns cater specifically to this crowd, offering substantial pies that are designed to refuel after a day of activity. Whether you’re grabbing a slice at a casual spot in town or enjoying a sit-down meal after a long day outdoors, Colorado’s pizza scene is well-suited to the active lifestyle of its residents.

Late-Night Pizza Culture:

Colorado’s vibrant nightlife also includes a strong late-night pizza scene. In cities like Denver and Boulder, it’s easy to find pizzerias that stay open late, catering to the post-bar crowd. Places like Cosmo’s Pizza in Boulder are famous for their massive slices and late-night hours, making them a favorite among college students and night owls. This late-night pizza culture adds another layer of fun to Colorado’s dining scene.

Pizza Competitions and Festivals:

Colorado also hosts pizza competitions and festivals that celebrate the art of pizza-making. Events like the Denver Pizza Fest bring together some of the best pizzerias from around the state, offering attendees the chance to sample a wide variety of pizzas in one place. These festivals are a great way to experience the diversity of Colorado’s pizza offerings and discover new favorites.

Recognition and Awards:

Colorado Foods

Many of Colorado’s pizzerias have garnered national recognition for their creativity and quality. For example, Cart-Driver and Pizzeria Locale have been featured in various publications as some of the best pizzerias in the country. This acclaim has helped put Colorado on the map as a top destination for pizza lovers.

Diverse Culinary Influences:

Colorado’s pizza scene is influenced by the state’s diverse population, with pizzerias offering everything from classic Italian-style pies to pizzas with Southwestern flair, featuring ingredients like green chiles and chorizo. This diversity ensures that there’s always something new and exciting to try, no matter where you are in the state.

Colorado’s pizza scene is a rich tapestry of flavors, styles, and experiences, reflecting the state’s adventurous spirit and love for good food. Whether you’re indulging in a thick mountain pie in a small mountain town, enjoying a wood-fired creation in Denver, or pairing your pizza with a local craft beer, Colorado’s pizzerias offer something for everyone. Exploring these pizza spots is not just about satisfying your hunger—it’s about experiencing the unique culture and community that make Colorado such a special place.

The Beau Jo’s Legend and Colorado-Style Pizza:

Beau Jo’s Pizza is arguably the most iconic pizzeria in Colorado, known for inventing the state’s signature “Colorado-style” pizza, also known as “mountain pies.” Founded in 1973 in Idaho Springs by Chip Bair, Beau Jo’s was created to cater to the hearty appetites of miners and outdoor adventurers. The thick, doughy crusts were designed to support heavy toppings and were served with a side of honey to turn the leftover crust into a sweet treat. This unique approach to pizza quickly became a hit and has since become a beloved Colorado tradition. Beau Jo’s is now a statewide chain, and its mountain pies are a must-try for anyone visiting Colorado. The pizzeria has become so famous that it’s considered a rite of passage for newcomers and a nostalgic staple for locals.

The Rise of Pizzeria Locale in Boulder:

Colorado Pizza

Pizzeria Locale, co-founded by restaurateurs Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, is another success story from Colorado. The duo, who also run the award-winning Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, wanted to create a pizzeria that brought authentic Neapolitan pizza to the region. They traveled to Naples to study the art of pizza-making and then imported a custom-built wood-fired oven from Italy to ensure their pizzas were as authentic as possible. Pizzeria Locale’s success in Boulder led to a partnership with Chipotle Mexican Grill, resulting in several fast-casual locations across Denver. The original Boulder location remains a top spot for pizza lovers, and its story is a testament to the power of passion and authenticity in the restaurant industry.

Denver’s Cart-Driver: A Pizza Place in a Shipping Container:

Cart-Driver, located in Denver’s RiNo (River North) district, is famous not only for its delicious wood-fired pizzas but also for its unique setting. The pizzeria operates out of a refurbished shipping container, a nod to the neighborhood’s industrial past. Founded by Kelly Whitaker, who is also known for his sustainable food practices, Cart-Driver quickly gained popularity for its Neapolitan-style pizzas made with organic, locally sourced ingredients. The shipping container concept, combined with high-quality food, has made Cart-Driver one of Denver’s most talked-about pizza spots. Its story reflects Denver’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, where small spaces and big ideas come together to create something special.

The Controversial Pineapple Debate at Hops & Pie:

Hops & Pie, a beloved craft beer and pizza spot in Denver, became part of a national debate over pineapple on pizza. The controversy reached a peak in 2017 when Iceland’s president humorously suggested banning pineapple as a pizza topping. Hops & Pie, known for its eclectic and creative menu, embraced the debate with their own take on a pineapple pizza, adding jalapeños and bacon to the mix. The pizza became a hit, sparking conversation among Denver’s foodie community about the boundaries of pizza toppings. Hops & Pie’s playful approach to the pineapple debate exemplifies Colorado’s culinary creativity and willingness to push boundaries in the kitchen.

The Secret Society of Pizza Makers at The Walnut Room:

Colorado Foods

The Walnut Room in Denver, a pizza joint and live music venue, is home to a local legend known as the “Secret Society of Pizza Makers.” According to the story, a group of passionate pizza makers from across Denver would meet at The Walnut Room after hours to exchange tips, recipes, and ideas. This informal gathering of pizza enthusiasts helped foster a sense of community among Denver’s pizza makers and contributed to the collaborative spirit that defines the city’s food scene. While the “Secret Society” may be more myth than reality, it highlights the camaraderie and shared love for pizza that exists within Colorado’s culinary community.

Mellow Mushroom’s Rocky Mountain High:

While Mellow Mushroom is a national chain, its Denver location became famous for its “Rocky Mountain High” pizza, a tribute to Colorado’s cannabis culture. The pizza features toppings like mushrooms, jalapeños, and feta cheese, and its name playfully references Colorado’s legalization of recreational marijuana. The pizza gained media attention for its clever nod to local culture and became a popular item on the menu, particularly among tourists looking for a fun and memorable dining experience in Denver.

The Pizzeria Locale and Chipotle Connection:

Pizzeria Locale’s success in Boulder caught the attention of Chipotle founder Steve Ells, who partnered with the pizzeria to create a fast-casual version of the concept in Denver. This partnership allowed Pizzeria Locale to expand beyond its original location while maintaining its commitment to quality ingredients and authentic techniques. The collaboration between a local pizzeria and a national brand like Chipotle is a unique story of how Colorado’s culinary talent can reach a broader audience while staying true to its roots.

These stories reflect the diverse and vibrant pizza culture in Colorado, where innovation, tradition, and community come together to create memorable dining experiences. Whether it’s the creation of a new pizza style, the rise of a local pizzeria to national fame, or the playful embrace of culinary debates, Colorado’s pizza scene is full of interesting and inspiring tales that highlight the state’s love for this beloved dish.