Colorado’s farmers’ markets are the pulsing heart of the summer—a playground for fresh produce fanatics and artisan good enthusiasts to trawl through—in search of something delicious. Some of our favorite markets have already begun their season (we’re looking at you,
Boulder County ), but most are holding their opening days sometime between now and the first week of June. Here’s the what-when-where lowdown on our favorite farmers’ markets in metro Denver, Boulder, and beyond.
Jump Ahead
Denver
There are plenty of reasons to visit
this farmers’ market set up on Saturdays at Cherry Creek Shopping Center—chief among them being the free validated parking. Stroll the food and craft stands while looking out for some stellar bakeries: Reunion Bread, Black Box Bakery, and decades-long market favorite Kogler’s Bakery are all among the market’s ranks.
In its fourth year of operations, the
City Park Farmers Market is opening a week early this year—good news considering its stands represent more than 100 Colorado producers. We especially love this farmers’ market for its pop-up eateries—
the Easy Vegan and
Samosa Shop are among the returning vendors—and also look out for its monthly chef demo series; this year’s lineup includes
Caroline Glover of Annette ,
Michael Diaz de Leon formerly of Brutø , and
Kenneth Wan of MAKfam .
Farmers Market Central Park sets itself apart by being entirely focused on local food and beverage (i.e., there are no craft or informational stands). Plus, all prepared food stands must serve on compostable materials, so you can feel a little better about your impact on the planet while strolling Founders’ Green on Sunday morning. Those living by DIA territory in luck: The
Green Valley Ranch Farmers’ Market gives area residents the chance to enjoy the best of the harvest season. Northeast Denverites should head to Town Center Park on Wednesday evenings to stock up on peaches, mushrooms, jarred goods, soaps, and the like.
Any farmers’ market with its own bar is a win in our books, but
Highlands Square Farmers Market in the heart of West Highland also delivers on a strong selection of bountiful produce and ready-to-eat foods. Make a morning meal out of your visit and wander around, breakfast in hand, while enjoying the live music. As a pay-what-you-can farmers’ market,
Huerta Urbana makes a commitment to ensuring Denverites have equitable access to fresh, healthy foods. Market goers can acquire their goods in four ways: paying normally at full price; paying as much as they can, with the rest covered by the market; paying above full price and donating the overage to help the market cover other shoppers; and paying through SNAP, WIC, and Double Up Food Bucks.
Over its 47-year history,
Metro Denver Farmers’ Market has expanded to four locations dotted across metro Denver’s western and eastern reaches. That means that whether you’re stationed in Lakewood or Littleton, you’ll have a solid spot nearby to shop for the best that Colorado has to offer in edible and non-edible goods.
The historic shopping district that is South Pearl Street already draws in plenty of visitors with its widely appealing variety of stores and restaurants, but on Sunday mornings during the warmer half of the year,
South Pearl Farmers Market really booms. In addition to the usual types of vendors you’d expect at a farmers’ market, some of the brick-and-mortars on South Pearl also set up market booths.
Entering its seventh year,
University Hills Farmers Market has a 65 percent food focus, meaning that it’s a great choice for south Denver residents looking for something to eat
and something to add to their homes. Sixty to 70 booths will be present each week. The organization that manages University Hills Farmers Market also operates a summer market in Evergreen.
Arvada
Arvada Farmers Market in pedestrian-friendly
Olde Town Arvada is entering its 16th season, so there are plenty of delicious goodies to discover this summer. While you’re at it, make a day out of exploring the small businesses and local eateries lining the charming northwestern suburb’s Olde Town area.
Aurora
Rebel Marketplace founder James Grevious has long been in the urban farming game, so he understands firsthand how growing food is essential to the advancement of one’s community. That principle is put to work at this five-year-old, hyperlocal farmers’ market, which provides the space for neighborhood farms in Aurora, along with other community artisans and entrepreneurs, to thrive. Rebel Marketplace’s main season starts in June, but a special opening day will be held on Mother’s Day weekend.
South Aurora residents should wake up bright and early Saturday morning to bustle through Town Square in the Southlands Shopping Center, where they can shop for seasonal produce, freshly prepared food, and locally made crafts and bath products.
Southlands Farmers Market is operated by the Local Colorado, who also puts up farmers’ markets in Parker and Castle Rock.
Boulder Area
To say that the
Boulder County Farmers Market is a staple of its community is an understatement. Not only has it been operating since 1987, but its April throughNovember season is the longest of any market in the state. Plus, the market’s food access programs, which include SNAP and WIC, help provide local residents—more than 14,000 last year—with fresh produce. This year, 175 vendors will sell their wares between the Boulder and Longmont locations.
We recommend heading to the website for
Real Farmers Market , which operates both the Louisville Farmers Market and Erie Farmers Market, before you head to either market itself. There, you can select the date on which you’re visiting and find a list of vendors that will be in attendance, meaning you’ll never miss out on your favorite farmer or maker. (Note: The Erie Farmers Market will be closed on Thursday, July 4.)
Fort Collins
Fort Collins Farmers Market celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, making it Colorado’s oldest farmers’ market co-op. The Colorado Agricultural Marketing Cooperative, which operates the farmers’ market, works hard to ensure that there’s a robust selection of locally grown produce, prepared foods and drinks, and other craft goods throughout its whole season.
For almost five decades,
Larimer County Farmers’ Market has provided bounties of fresh produce to residents of northern Colorado. Overseen by the Colorado State University Extension, the farmers’ market has been fundraising this spring for its Market Days for Older Adults program, which provides older low-income adults visiting the market with vouchers for produce purchases.
Glendale
Debuting this year,
Glendale Farmers Market is a new project of the
Hispanic Restaurant Association (HRA), whose mission is to “educate and elevate the Hispanic community,” according to president John Jaramillo. Established in part to provide aspiring food entrepreneurs in the HRA Academy program a chance to develop their skills in a real-world sales environment, this farmers’ market will also connect shoppers to Colorado producers like Miller Farms and
Antelope Creek Ranch Wagyu , as well as a global selection of prepared food stands.
Golden
Abutting a babbling stretch of Clear Creek,
Golden Farmers Market brings in around 2,500 visitors every week. Be among the crowd and enjoy perusing 70-plus vendors while listening to a live music set that runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Note: The Golden Farmers Market will be closed on Saturday, July 27, for Buffalo Bill Days.)
Westminster
This 16-year suburban farmers’ market sets up every Sunday in the Macy’s parking lot at Orchard Town Center. Expect to find fresh produce; retail goods such as breads, sauces, and teas; and handmade crafts among the 40-plus booths available at each market.
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