The best pizza I ever ate in Colorado

Best Pizza I ever ate in Colorado. Poppy's Pizza & Grill, Rocky Mountain Pizza. HeidiTown.com
Rocky Mountain Pizza at Poppy’s Pizza & Grill in Estes Park, Colorado.

Nothing gets people more excited than soliciting their opinions about where to find the best pizza. I asked the question on Twitter and got five immediate responses. Responses were still trickling in a day later.

The fact is that we all have very different opinions about what makes a great pizza and I think a lot of this depends on the region where we grew up.

With that in mind, here are my picks for the best pizza in Colorado. Granted, I’m no pizza professional and I would love to hear your picks too.

Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Montrose

Colorado Boy’s Rustica is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever put in my mouth. It features garlic oil, cheese, artichokes, roasted peppers, capicola ham and gorgonzola.

I recommend sitting at the back bar and watching the pizza makers put these delicious creations together. Everything that goes into this pizza is fresh, fresh, fresh.

Pair your dinner with one of Colorado Boy’s award-winning beers and life is good, very good.

High Mountain Pies, Leadville

This tiny restaurant seats eight, maybe, but there’s a big backyard for summertime guest to enjoy.

The pizza here is awesome and you can create pretty much anything you want. Love extra jalapenos? Be careful what you ask for, they don’t skimp on toppings here.

Even if you can’t find a seat and the weather outside is frightful, get a pie to go. You will not be disappointed.

Poppy’s Pizza & Grill, Estes Park

Poppy’s makes a pizza that has had me coming back for several years. It’s the Rocky Mountain and it features smoked trout, capers, cream cheese, red onions and mozzarella. It may sound a bit odd, but I’m telling you that this combination is divine.

Always busy, I’m definitely not the only one who loves Poppy’s.

Hernando’s Pizza Pub, Winter Park

I’ve left a lot of dollar bills on the walls at this place. A longtime favorite of many Coloradans who grew up skiing in Winter Park, Hernado’s Pizza Pub is a must-stop anytime we’re in town.

Honorable Mention

I couldn’t finish this piece without including an honorable mention category. We stumbled into Pablo’s Pizza in Grand Junction a couple of years ago. Their pizza was so good that I still remember how pleased we were with our lunch there.

If you enjoy New York Style pizza, you’ve got to go to Antonio’s Real New York Pizza in Estes Park. The Godfather will make you a New York style devotee.

21 Comments


  1. We have always been partial too to BeauJo’s in Idaho Springs because of the honey they provide you to eat your crust with.

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    1. Ryan grew up going to BeauJo’s and he really likes their pizza. I think it’s fine, but have never been a big fan.

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  2. Need to give Hernando’s Pizza Pub in Winter Park a try!!

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    1. I did a quick update, Ruth. Since I hadn’t started promoting this one yet, I quickly added Hernando’s. I’ve probably gone there more than any of the others I’ve mentioned! They have amazing pizza!

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      1. Bravo!!…..
        Another place to try is White House Pizza in Carbondale!!

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    1. I wish they’d open a Front Range location! Thanks for stopping by HeidiTown, Ivy.

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    1. You are not the first person to recommend Hot Tomato, Jerry! It’s definitely on my pizza radar.

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    1. Poppy’s is awesome. Great food and excellent service which really stands out in Estes Park where a lot of servers seem to come and go at other establishments. I’ve seen the same wait staff at Poppy’s for a long time. That says a lot about a restaurant. Thanks for popping by HeidiTown, Dallas.

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  3. Recently heard about Paxti’s Pizza in Denver. Supposedly closest deep Dish Chicago Style pan pizza in Colorado. We haven’t been yet. Anybody ever try?

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    1. I’ve tried Patxi’s a few times. It’s pretty good, but not quite on the same level as your famous Chicago deep dish places like Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s. Personally, I thought their pizza sauce was just a little off and the crust doesn’t have that nice corn meal-ishness to it like the Chicago guys. Worth checking out though if you are really in a deep dish mood.

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    2. I have not been to Paxti’s and this is the first time I’ve heard of it. I do love deep dish pizza because I like bread. 🙂

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  4. Colorado Boy is amazing. I feel blessed to live less than a mile away. On another note, I really dislike driving through Pueblo, but on my last trip though I stumbled across Angelo’s Pizza Parlor. Amazing pizza, friendly staff and good craft beer. Definitely comparable to Colorado Boy.

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    1. I have been meaning to make a trip to Pueblo. It’s one of the only Colorado towns we haven’t explored. I’ve heard they have amazing Italian food and good Mexican food too. We’ll look up Angelo’s when we go. Thanks for the suggestion, Sarah! And lucky you living close to Colorado Boy. 🙂

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  5. Love High Mountain Pies! I had Pablo’s for the first time at the Palisade Wine Festival. It was wonderful! I’ll have to give the others on your list a try.

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    1. I am so hungry right now. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by HeidiTown, Mandy!

      Reply

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