Colorado is never short on coffee shops. Don’t settle on the common joe-on-the-go found on every corner — visit a unique and local hangout and try something new. We took a sip around and found a few coffee shops that you might want to put on your “best brew” list.
SOLAR ROAST, PUEBLO
A great cup of coffee is just as much about the roasting process as it is about the beans. But Mike and David Hartkop — owners of Solar Roast Coffee — will tell you that it’s the power of the roaster that really brings out the flavor. Made 20 years ago from an old satellite dish, a bunch of mirrors, a broccoli strainer, and a dream, the world’s only commercial solar coffee roaster was invented by the brothers. Many revisions later, it has evolved into a stateof- the-art modern marvel that can roast up to 150 pounds of coffee each hour. Solar Roast sells by the cup or the pound in their thriving shops in southern Colorado. To learn more, visit solarroast.com.
KILN COFFEE BAR, GRAND JUNCTION
Kiln Coffee Bar in Grand Junction is a gathering place to meet with friends, have a good drink, enjoy scintillating conversation, and stay awhile. The coffee bar was one of the first in the area to offer a pour-over. Co-owner David Foster says it is one of Kiln’s most popular options. He says, “When you order a pour-over, you’re able to select a higher quality of bean, which is nice as there’s less acidity overall, and it tends to be a smoother coffee experience.” To learn more about Kiln and its handselected coffee beans, visit kilncoffeebar.com.
RUMORS COFFEE AND TEA HOUSE, CRESTED BUTTE
Founded in 2009 by Crested Butte native Danica Ramgoolam and her husband Arvin, Rumors is a quaint coffeehouse on Elk Street in downtown Crested Butte. When asked about its intriguing name, Danica says, “Our small town can sometimes be a rumor mill, so we thought what better name for a coffee shop than Rumors, where you can get all the latest spin on things.” Indeed, Rumors customers love the local vibe. To learn more, visit Rumors online at rumorscoffeeandteahouse.com.