Denver, CO
A local’s guide to Colorado restaurants, breweries and coffee shops at Denver International Airport
Sure, you can hit up a Dunkin Donuts, a Starbucks or a McDonald’s at Denver International Airport — and sometimes it’s traveling that gives us license to be bad like that — but a better option is to try some of Denver’s homegrown food and beverages from local businesses.
While these restaurants, coffee shops and breweries don’t actually own or run their airport branches — that is done by large concessionaires — many of them do take an active role in maintaining the quality and consistency of their offerings. Here’s a rundown of where to go.
CONCOURSE A
Breckenridge Brewery
This brewery was founded in the little ski town of the same name way back in 1990. The airport location serves the company’s beer and offers a full bar. Near gate A71. More info.
Dazbog Coffee
This chain was founded in Denver in 1992. Located near Gate A48. More info.
Denver Central Market
Similar to its location in the River North Art District, Denver Central Market at the airport offers upscale grab-and-go items in food hall fashion. There’s a breakfast spot, meats and cheeses, Sushi Rama and Vero Italian, with pizza and pasta. Located near Gate A48. More info.
Denver Chophouse
This longtime eatery and pub near Coors Field was started by the Colorado family that also created the Rock Bottom and Old Chicago chains. The DIA spot is focused on steaks, burgers and the like. Located near the train escalators. More info.
Mercantile Dining & Provision
An outlet of longtime Denver chef Alex Seidel’s Union Station staple. Breakfast, sandwiches and restaurant-quality dinners. Located near the escalators to the train. More info.
Novo Coffee
Small, upscale Denver coffee chain and roasting company founded in 2002. Located near the escalators to the train. More info.
Snarf’s Sandwiches
The much-loved sandwich chain was started in Boulder in 1996 by Jimmy “Snarf” Seidel and now has many locations throughout Colorado, Missouri and Texas. Near Gate A73. More info.
CONCOURSE B
Elway’s
Former Hall-of-Fame Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway started his own steakhouse back in 2004, and the DIA location has been around since 2013, serving steaks, seafood, salads and more. Located near the escalators to the train. More info.
Etai’s Bakery Cafe
One of several artisan bakery concepts begun by Denver’s Baron family, Etai’s serves up hot and cold sandwiches and paninis. There is also a full bar. Near Gate B23. More info.
Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli
Heidi’s began in the early ’90s in Denver’s Highland Square and later expanded to multiple locations. It serves sandwiches, wraps, salads and smoothies. Near Gate B87. More info.
Modern Market
Originally founded in Boulder, this chain of healthy eateries serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner and includes gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Near the train escalators. More info.
New Belgium Brewing
Known for its ubiquitous Fat Tire, New Belgium is one of Colorado’s first craft breweries. Its DIA operation serves plenty of New Belgium beers, along with breakfast burritos, sandwiches, burgers, salads and some beer-infused items. Near Gate B30. More info.
Salt & Grinder
This New Jersey-style deli from renowned Denver restaurateur Frank Bonanno serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Located near the train escalators. More info.
Smashburger & Bar
Although Smashburger is now a national chain, it was founded in Denver with a single location. The menu consists of gourmet burgers, chicken sandwiches and veggie burgers, plus craft beer. Near Gate B44. More info.
Snooze: An A.M. Eatery
Wildly popular Colorado-founded breakfast spot with multiple locations around the country. The DIA outlet serves all day. Located near the train escalators. More info.
Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs
It doesn’t get more “small business” than Steve’s, which operates out of a stand on East Colfax Avenue. Gourmet hot dogs and local craft beers. Near Gate B24. More info.
CONCOURSE C
Dazbog Coffee
This chain was founded in Denver in 1992. Located near Gate C47. More info.
Great Divide Brewing
One of Denver’s first craft breweries, Great Divide serves its wide variety of award-winning beers, along with breakfast, lunch and dinner classics Near Gate C32. More info.
La Casita
A true Denver original, La Casita was founded by the family of the late longtime local politician Paul Sandoval. While it specializes in tamales, you’ll also find burritos, green chili, quesadillas and other Mexican food. Located near the train escalators. More info.
Little Man Ice Cream
One of Denver’s favorite locally-owned ice cream shops, Little Man offers its signature sweet treats, as well as boozy shakes (including one called the Illuminati Shake, which is an ode to the conspiracy theories surrounding the airport). Near Gate C27. More info.
Modern Market
Originally founded in Boulder, this chain of healthy eateries serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner and includes gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. Near the train escalators. More info.
Root Down
Justin Cucci’s eclectic farm-to-table restaurant is a must-stop for many frequent travelers through DIA, and a longtime staple at the airport. Serving upscale seasonal dishes, with a full bar. Located near the escalators to the train. More info.
Smashburger & Bar
Although Smashburger is now a national chain, it was founded in Denver with a single location. The menu consists of gourmet burgers, chicken sandwiches and veggie burgers, plus craft beer. Near gate C51. More info.
Superfruit Republic
A Denver-based fast-casual chain primarily serving acai bowls as well as juices and grab-and-go items. Near the escalators to the train. More info.
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DENVER (KDVR) — With the mild winter and warm start to spring, beekeepers are seeing swarms earlier in the year and expect the season to be longer than usual.
Gregg McMahan is a dispatcher for the Colorado Swarm Hotline. It’s usually his job to send a beekeeper to collect a swarm when someone calls, but on Sunday afternoon, he decided to handle one himself.
“Nice little swarm,” McMahan said. “It’s tricky, though, because it’s hanging on a fence.”
A warm winter and spring mean swarm season has begun four weeks early.
“Never seen it like this ever,” McMahan said.
This call is to a house on Denver’s east side. When McMahan arrived, he saw a swarm had taken up residence on the fence.
“Absolutely typical, it is on the small side,” McMahan said.
He got to work, first luring them into a box when he spotted a good sign.
“See all these girls, they got their butts up, they’re fanning their wings. That’s telling us the queens in here,” McMahan said.
With the queen in hand, the rest began to follow her into the box.
McMahan said two years ago, he had 400 calls like this. Last year, only 100, the Swarm Hotline was as unpredictable as the weather, which has caused bee activity earlier in the year than ever.
“It makes it hard on the bees, you know? Two days ago, I’m collecting swarms in the snow,” McMahan said.
Rescuing them is integral to Colorado’s ecosystem. McMahan hopes people give a beekeeper a call instead of spraying them or harming them in any other way.
“They do a phenomenal amount of pollination within this state. Not only our native flowers but all the other flowers that people bring in,” McMahan said.
Slowly but surely, the swarm left the fence and moved into the box. McMahan loaded them into his truck to deliver them to their new home.
“Westminster to the Stanley Lake Wildlife Refuge, so these girls will have lakefront property tonight,” he said.
As he wrapped up, McMahan’s phone was buzzing more than the bees. Just another call to start a swarm season, he thinks, could be a long one.
“This year I’m already 20 swarms deep, so I’m expecting way more than 100 this year,” McMahan said.
To have a bee swarm removed for free from your property anywhere statewide, the Swarm Hotline number is 1-844-SPY-BEES.
For the first time in the team’s history, Altitude Sports is broadcasting Denver Nuggets home games in Spanish. Kroenke Sports and Entertainment announced it has contracted a team to broadcast its games in Spanish for the playoffs.
“I think that is what the public wanted,” said Ivan De La Garza, producer for the broadcast team.
A team of three people, two commentators and a producer, sit in a press box at the top of Ball Arena. Their commentary is then synced with the traditional Altitude broadcast video and shared on the Altitude Plus application.
“With the Nuggets winning in the last five years, there is a tremendous amount of following from Latino people trying to listen to and watch the games in Spanish,” said Andres Casas, color commentator for the broadcast.
Casas said he strives to bring the same energy fans get during soccer broadcasts into the basketball broadcasts.
“That excitement that gets you. We want people to feel they are at the game,” Casas said.
“It has been so amazing to be a part of the Spanish broadcast for the Nuggets. I have been a fan of the Nuggets for my whole life,” said Jena Garcia, play-by-play commentator.
Garcia said it has been a dream come true to help bring this broadcast to her community.
“I’ve always desired to hear a Spanish broadcast, just as a fan. To be a part of it is just incredible,” Garcia said.
Those working in the broadcast said they are honored to help expand the reach of the Nuggets and sports in accessing diverse communities.
“We love sports. We are passionate, we are loud. We like to get together and enjoy sports,” De La Garza said.
“The Nuggets have a huge following, especially on the Spanish side. So, it is great for them to be able to listen to what is going on, game by game, especially into the playoffs,” Casas said.
“It is just another step of access that they are getting to be a fan of basketball,” Garcia said.
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