> Mario and Kelly Crobu bring nearly 30 years of combined restaurant experience to their family business, with Mario hailing from Sardegna (Sardinia). Kelly describes their signature dish: 'They originate from a tiny, tiny region in Sardinia, and we worked with a woman when we were there one year to learn how to do the closing process, so those are super special.' The culurgiones feature potato purée filling with pecorino cheese and mint, closed with delicate pleats. The couple emphasizes their commitment to hospitality, believing that shared meals represent 'no better way to spend time with family, get to know a new culture, or to make new friends.'

> Denver-based Furst Class Fungi has been growing mushrooms in Colorado since 2021, aiming to educate and connect their community through mycelium. They currently offer Shiitake, Lion's Mane, King Oysters, and Blue Oyster varieties, along with medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, targeting local restaurants, farmers markets, and individual clients looking to step up their mushroom game.

> "My family has actually grown fruit in Western Colorado since 1907. We started organic farming in 1994 and the farm became 100% certified in 2004," says Steve Ela of Ela Family Farms, the first certified 100% organic, fourth-generation orchard in the Rocky Mountain West.

> Based in Basalt, Colorado, Il Porcellino Salumi earned the Charcuterie Masters' grand champion award in 2020 for their coppa. Owner Bill Miner maintains handcrafted quality despite scaling to 30 states: 'We hand trim all of the meat and mix the spices by hand, stuff it into natural casings, and hand tie it. So it's still a truly handcrafted product.' Using GAP certified heritage breed animals, they produce all-natural, small-batch charcuterie with Good Food Awards recognition.

> Founded in April 2021 by Noelle Trueheart, Phil Cordelli, and Betzi Jackson on three acres in Lafayette that have been continuously farmed for nearly 150 years, Common Name Farm practices regenerative agriculture with a social justice mission. Cordelli explains their philosophy: 'Every small farm is an act of rebellion to the food system that is so often oppressive.' The name itself reflects their values, as Trueheart notes: 'Common Name' honors 'humble farming practices and community spirit' rather than scientific nomenclature. The farm represents 'a belief in art, in magic, in folklore, in community, in feeding,' while donating harvests to Warren Village, Metro Caring, and Kaizen Food Rescue alongside maintaining a 40-member CSA program.

> Founded in 2021 by Patrick Libonate and his wife Leanne after relocating from New York City to Denver, Denver Bone Broth emerged from personal health transformation. Patrick recalls: 'My obsession with bone broth began a little over ten years ago. My wife, Leanne, and I lived in a cozy New York City apartment, and we loved to cook at home.' After experimenting with homemade broths, he noticed significant health improvements: 'Once I started drinking my bone broths regularly, I noticed a change in certain areas of my health. My energy and stamina levels increased, I wasn't having stomach issues, I was sleeping better, dropped a few pounds, and my hair felt thicker.' Disappointed with watered-down store-bought options, they partnered with local Colorado family farms to create small-batch sipping broths, emphasizing: 'Just because it's good for you doesn't mean it taste bad!'

> Founded by Ash in 2021, Not Bad Cooks emerged from pandemic creativity with encouragement from friends and family. Ash explains the origin: 'ash spent most of the pandemic in the kitchen creating our sauce line & we hope you are glad she did.' The company exclusively sells their sauces locally throughout Colorado, maintaining a strong farmers market presence across the state. They operate at multiple weekend markets including Saturday markets at City Park in Denver, Longmont, and Golden, plus Sunday markets at South Pearl in Denver and Lafayette. During off-season months, their products are stocked at select retail partners including Leevers Locavore, Leven Supply, Tom's Seafood, and various local meat markets. The company embraces a casual, approachable brand identity reflected in their tagline 'sauce up your not bad life' and their anti-spam approach to customer engagement: 'no spam in this kitchen. just ordering & saucey updates.' Not Bad Cooks started in 2021 after encouragement from friends & family, bringing Colorado-made sauces to local markets and specialty food retailers.

> Founded in 2021 by Elyes and Aziz, Yummy Yummy Products offers a unique twist on traditional hummus that incorporates their Tunisian heritage and unique flavor combinations, with all dips and salads made exclusively with high-quality olive oil. The Denver-based company provides Pita Chips, Hummus, Salads, Tzaziki, Greek Yogurt, and different options of cheeses, featuring hummus varieties including Classic, Avocado, Spicy Black bean, Spicy Pepper, Roasted Garlic, Beet, Balsamic Vinegar, Cilantro Jalapeño, Spinach Feta Cheese and Artichoke. After discontinuing website delivery service, customers can find their products at numerous Colorado farmers markets including University Hills (Denver Saturdays), Fort Collins (Sundays), and Arvada (Sundays), among many others throughout the state.

> Bruna Piauí Graf started Bruna's Cheese Bread because she couldn't find good pão de queijo in Denver. The Brazilian cheese bread is 'meant to be eaten fresh out of the oven,' made from fresh tapioca flour that's gluten free. When the pandemic ended plans for her food truck, Graf pivoted to selling pre-made frozen dough—just as it's found in Brazil—ready to be baked at home, recreating the warm café culture she remembers from childhood.

The Collective Community Arts Center in Lafayette showcased an exhibit documenting discrimination at the town's 1934 public swimming pool and the civil rights efforts of Rose Lueras and her daughter Rosebelle Vargas. The exhibit, titled Racism & Discrimination at the Lafayette Swimming Pool, 1934, featured bilingual panels displayed through October 11. After the pool's construction in 1934, a White trade only sign appeared at the gate. Lueras organized 25 Latino families to file a lawsuit asserting their 14th Amendment rights. The case was dismissed, and Lueras was killed by a delivery truck in 1935 before trial. Her daughter testified in court at age 13.