"We had taken nothing, and made it something, and it had gathered us and in some strange way healed us a little too." Mother-daughter cut flower farm in Arvada.

> Founded five years ago by Robbie Smith and Ashley Paige, Denver Pops began with a single stand at City Park Farmer's Market and has grown to sell over 300,000 popsicles annually. The couple prioritized family involvement from the start, with Smith explaining: 'We have two kids and we wanted to do something where we could involve them.' Their 10-year-old daughters Bella and Chloe assist during summer visits, making it 'a dream come true, because we get to hang out with our kids while we work.' Denver Pops features 34 flavors made exclusively with locally sourced ingredients without artificial additives or dyes. Regarding their self-distribution strategy, Paige states: 'We want to make sure we deliver the best product possible.' Beyond farmers' markets, they now supply Whole Foods, recreation centers, campgrounds, and vendors statewide, with expansion into franchising underway.

"Care, Craft & Quality Ingredients." Fresh, homemade soups and stews made from scratch.

"We hope to inspire your adventure, curiosity and impact through specialty coffee." Donating 10% back to National Parks and Forests.

"All-Natural Handcrafted Chocolate and Caramel - Always Gluten Free. Vegan and Dairy-Free Options." Handcrafted in Northern Colorado.

> Founded by James Beard-nominated chef Kelly Whitaker in Boulder, Dry Storage operates as a comprehensive grain-to-table operation featuring a mill, bakery, cafe, and research laboratory. Whitaker built a 3,000-square-foot milling facility that grinds 200 acres of Colorado grains using traditional granite stone, producing nearly 1 million pounds of milled flour in its first year. He describes this as 'a regional grain opportunity at the highest level,' connecting distillers, maltsters, brewers, and bakers to regional farmland. Using five heirloom grain varieties chosen for regenerative properties, Whitaker explains that locally-grown grains are 'culturally relevant' to Colorado and views grains as 'a beautiful medium for year-round menus.' The operation serves sourdough, French baguettes, English muffins, and seeded loaves alongside natural wine and craft beer, aiming to 'change the white-bread sandwich mentality' while selling flour to retail customers and wholesale to chefs.

> "Our cows eat nothing but grass. They're on land that's very expensive. It's not subsidized by the government," says Clint Buckner of Buckner Family Ranch, exemplifying their commitment to high-quality, sustainable livestock farming on 850 acres of Boulder County land.

> James Beard-nominated chef Kelly Whitaker built Dry Storage, a 3,000-square-foot micro-mill, bakery, and cafe in Boulder that grinds 200 acres of Colorado grains into flour using traditional granite stone. Sourcing '10 to 15 heritage grain varieties grown across the country, from Sonora wheat to Rouge de Bordeaux,' Whitaker frames Dry Storage as the next step toward building a 'regional grain economy' in Colorado. Miller Colton Steiner predicts: 'In the next year, [the question] will be: Who _isn't_ using heirloom grains?'

Cannon Street Ceramics at 200 W. Cannon Street opened in March 2019 when founder Kyle Gutierrez transformed his garage into a community-oriented ceramics studio offering pottery classes, workshops, equipment rentals, and gallery space in the heart of Old Town Lafayette. Gutierrez established a monthly raffle program where local artists donate pieces with all proceeds benefiting charities of the artists' choosing, explaining his philosophy that 'No matter who you are or where you are there's something that you can do to help someone.' During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gutierrez created a free community clay project by leaving clay on the studio's driveway for residents to sculpt at home, then firing and painting their creations—and though offered without cost, participants requested a donation option which Gutierrez directed to a food drive that raised over $500. The studio offers 6-week adult pottery classes Monday, Wednesday, or Friday evenings from 6-8pm where students learn to make cups, bowls, plates, and vases, plus advanced classes Tuesdays and Thursdays for experienced potters and 4-week kids' pottery classes focused on hand-building techniques. Beyond the studio, Gutierrez works as a substitute teacher for Boulder Valley School District and during Teacher Appreciation Week crafted thank-you mugs for all 37 Casey Middle School teachers, demonstrating how creative passion can fuel genuine community service and transforming ceramics from a commercial enterprise into a vehicle for charitable impact throughout Lafayette.

> Since 2019, Pupusas Familia has been delighting foodies at Boulder County farmers markets with authentic Salvadoran pupusas—stuffed corn tortillas that are the most popular dish from El Salvador. The food truck offers naturally gluten-free pupusas in vegan, vegetarian, and meat flavors, providing accessible options for diverse dietary needs. Their menu ranges from simple cheese pupusas to more elaborate combinations like pork carnitas & pinto beans to vegan black beans, ensuring something for everyone. Pupusas Familia also serves breakfast pupusas stuffed with chorizo, egg, and cheese, bringing traditional Salvadoran flavors to morning market-goers. As part of the Boulder County Farmers Markets system, which includes locations in Lafayette, Boulder, and Longmont, Pupusas Familia has built a loyal following among those seeking authentic Central American cuisine made fresh at local markets. Their filled masa corn patties are hand-crafted on-site, offering customers a taste of El Salvador's rich culinary heritage right here in Colorado's Front Range.