Denver, CO

Colorado adds a single Michelin-starred restaurant

Published

1 year ago

September 9, 2024

Colorado adds a single Michelin-starred restaurant

Colorado gained just a single Michelin-starred restaurant on Monday as the vaunted guide company announced its 2024 list of dining recommendations. In addition, the five existing Michelin-starred restaurants all reclaimed their stars from 2023.

Alma Fonda Fina, a high-end Mexican dining room, which opened just nine months ago at 2556 15th St., in Denver’s Lower Highland neighborhood, joined the one-star club, which includes Beckon, Bruto and The Wolf’s Tailor, all in Denver, Bosq in Aspen, and Frasca in Boulder.

“Chef Johnny Curiel started off in his family’s restaurant in Guadalajara, and after years of high-end culinary experience, he revisits dishes and flavors from his upbringing with creativity and finely honed technique delivering results that are both satisfying and delicious,” Michelin wrote in its new guide to Colorado restaurants, which was released Monday morning.

“Resist the temptation to fixate on any one item, as the menu is littered with treasures: perfectly crisped pork belly carnitas make for a brilliant taco on a sourdough flour tortilla, while agave-roasted sweet potato with nutty salsa matcha and luxuriously creamy whipped requesón is a revelation, and vibrant seafood crudos like thinly sliced Maine diver scallop with tomatillo and apple aguachile are downright electric. No desserts are offered for the time being, so there’s no reason to leave any extra room,” the Guide continued.

MAKfam added a wok range to its restaurant to focus on fried rice. (Photo by Lucy Beaugard)

In addition, Michelin added one Bib Gourmand recommendation to its list: MAKfam, a Cantonese-American restaurant that opened in November 2023 at 39 W. 1st Ave. in Denver. Bib Gourmands recognize “eateries for great food at a great value,” according to Michelin.

“What began as a pop-up back in NYC, where owners and married couple Doris Yuen and Kenneth Wan first met, and then became a stall in a Denver food hall, is now at last a full-service restaurant. The winsome, colorful space and the compact menu both celebrate the pair’s Chinese American roots, both having been raised by immigrant families who worked in restaurants.

“Fried crab and cheese wontons and hand-shaped chicken and chive potstickers are inspired by Chinatown favorites and takeout staples, made with particular care and big flavor. Chicken wings with a spicy, tingly málà seasoning are favorites with good reason, and larger dishes, like the familiar-yet inventive corned beef fried rice or spicy garlic butter rice cakes, impress as well,” Michelin continued.

And finally, two Denver restaurants joined the list of recommended eateries, Brasserie Brixton, at 3701 Williams St., and Kawa Ni, at 3200 W. 32nd Ave.

“Opening Kawa Ni this past November has been an exciting challenge, and naturally, there was some concern about fitting into the Colorado culinary community. Thanks to the fantastic team in Denver, we’ve been warmly welcomed beyond expectation, and to earn Michelin recognition within just a year of opening is truly special,” Kawa Ni chef and founder Bill Taibe said in a statement.

There were three special awards this year. The Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award went to Jessenia Sanabria of Sweet Basil; the Michelin Sommelier Award went to Chris Dunaway of Element 47; the Michelin Outstanding Service Award went to Allison Anderson of Beckon; and the Michelin Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award went to Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina.

Two restaurants that were on the 2023 guide are not listed in the 2024 guide: A.J.’s Pit BBQ, which won a Bib Gourmand in 2023, and Potager. Both are in Denver.

“As we celebrate year two of the Michelin Guide in Colorado, we can see the passion and
momentum continue to grow in this culinary community,” said Gwendal Poullennec, the
International Director of the Michelin Guides, in a statement.

“The famously anonymous Inspectors were also eager to shine a light on the growing talent in the local community, with a handful of new restaurants added to the selection,” she added.

This is a developing story.

Colorado’s 2024 Bib Gourmand restaurants

Ash’Kara, 2005 W. 33rd Ave., Denver
Basta, 3601, Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
The Ginger Pig, 4262 Lowell Blvd., Denver
Glo Noodle House, 4450 W. 38th Ave., Denver
Hop Alley, 3500 Larimer St., Denver
La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, 2233 Larimer St., Denver
MAKfam, (new) 39 W. 1st Ave., Denver
Mister Oso, 3163 Larimer St., Denver
Tavernetta, 1889 16th St. Mall, Denver

Colorado’s 2024 Recommended restaurants

A5 Steakhouse 1600 15th St., Denver, 80202
Barolo Grill 3030 E. 6th Ave., Denver, 80206
Blackbelly Market 1606 Conestoga St., Boulder, 80301
Boulder Dushanbe Tea House 1770 13th St., Boulder, 80302
Bramble & Hare 1970 13th St., Boulder, 80302

Brasserie Brixton (new) 3701 N. Williams St., Denver 80205
Dio Mio 3264 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
Element 47 675 E. Durant Ave, Aspen, 81611
Fruition 1313 E. 6th Ave., Denver, 80218
Guard and Grace 1801 California St., Denver, 80202
Hey Kiddo 4337 Tennyson St., Denver, 80212
Kawa Ni (new) 1900 W. 32nd Ave., Denver 80211
Marco’s Coal Fired 2129 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
Mawa’s Kitchen 305 Aspen Airport Business Center, Ste. F, Aspen, 81611
Mercantile Dining and Provision 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, 80202
Mirabelle 55 Village Rd., Beaver Creek, 81620
Noisette 3254 Navajo St., Denver, 80211
Oak at Fourteenth, 1400 Pearl St., Boulder
Olivia, 290 S. Downing St., Denver

Osaki’s, 100 E. Meadow Dr., Vail
Prospect, 330 E. Main St., Aspen
Q House, 3421 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Safta, 3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Santo, 1265 Alpine Ave., Boulder
Smok, 3330 Brighton Blvd. #202, Denver
Splendido at the Chateau, 17 Chateau Lane, Beaver Creek
Stella’s Cucina, 1123 Walnut St., Boulder
Sweet Basil, 193 Gore Creek Dr., Vail
Temaki Den, 3350 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Wyld, 130 Daybreak Ridge Rd. Avon
Zoe Ma Ma, 2010 10th St., Boulder

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Originally Published: September 9, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

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Denver, CO

Denver police investigating fatal shooting in Valverde neighborhood

Published

3 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Denver police investigating fatal shooting in Valverde neighborhood

February 14, 2026 / 11:49 AM MST
/ CBS Colorado

One person was injured and another killed in a shooting in Denver’s Valverde neighborhood on Saturday morning.

Officers were called to the scene in the 1500 block of W. Maple Avenue around 5:40 a.m. The Denver Police Department said one victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Another was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a leg injury, the severity of which is unknown.

CBS

Authorities have not yet released information on what led up to the shooting or if a suspect is in custody. Footage of the scene shows evidence markers surrounding a white Toyota.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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Denver, CO

AMBER Alert issued for 4-year-old ‘forcibly’ taken by man with violent history in Adams County, CBI says

Published

15 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

AMBER Alert issued for 4-year-old ‘forcibly’ taken by man with violent history in Adams County, CBI says

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — An AMBER Alert has been issued for a missing 4-year-old boy who was allegedly taken by a man who has a violent history, according to an alert from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday evening.

According to the alert, Sean Chavez, 4, was “forcibly removed from his residence” by 45-year-old Jeremy Chavez. The boy has “medical impairments,” the alert reads, and requires medication that he does not have with him.

Jeremy Chavez is “known to be violent” and it is “unknown if he is armed,” CBI said.

Denver7 is working to establish a timeline for this developing situation, but CBI said Sean Chavez and Jeremy Chavez were last seen around 4 p.m. At 6:20 p.m., Jeremy Chavez was seen driving a stolen 2024 black Chevy Silverado with Texas license plate 817-X970 near 109th and Dahlia, CBI says.

Screenshot of CBI alert

Jeremy Chavez is described as a white man with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs about 225 pounds. Sean Chavez has green eyes and blonde hair.

While they have the same last name, it is not yet clear if they are related. Joanna Small, public information officer with the Commerce City Police Department, said police believe they are a biological father and son, but that has not been confirmed as of publishing time.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation amber alert feb 13 2026

Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio was at a scene near E. 109th Avenue and Jasper Street in Commerce City, where a person — suspected to be Jeremy Chavez — is refusing to come out of a home, despite police and SWAT orders over a megaphone.

“Jeremy, come out of the house with your hands up. You are under arrest by Commerce City police,” Lavezzorio heard police say over the loudspeaker at the scene.

Joanna Small, public information officer with the Commerce City Police Department, said authorities were able to locate the stolen pickup truck and use stop sticks to bring it to a halt, but “no individuals were inside the vehicle when we recovered it.” She confirmed the truck was recovered near the home around 109th and Jasper.

Police initially responded to the home after a suspect ran through an open back door. The homeowners or renters, who were inside, fled out of the house and are safe.

Small said police believe the suspect in the home is Jeremy Chavez, but they have not been able to verify that. She explained that the department is “working it as if it is” related to the AMBER Alert and missing 4-year-old.

No other details were available as of 9:30 p.m. about the missing boy.

Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio asked if police would change their approach if they learned the boy was inside the home.

“One hundred percent,” Small answered. “If it’s a hostage situation, it’s going to be very different than if it’s just an individual in the house by himself. Without us having that information, we have to work the situation very carefully.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Denver, CO

Denver Broncos host open house for community to present new stadium plans at Burnham Yard

Published

1 day ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

Denver Broncos host open house for community to present new stadium plans at Burnham Yard

The Denver Broncos organization hosted its second open house for the community on Thursday to present plans for the new stadium at Burnham Yard. The Broncos said the plans include parking, public transportation, a community open space and tailgating on game days.

The second open house for the community on the new Broncos stadium plans at Burnham Yard.

CBS

“I love it, I’m happy, no, really I am,” said neighboring resident Peggy Sandoval.

The organization not only wants input from the community on the plans but also wants to educate them on why they believe the Broncos stadium will bring entertainment, community, and football together.

“We are laser-focused on delivering this site,” said Denver Broncos president Damani Leech. “We want it to be a great place for fans to go on gameday, but also a place every day, for this community that surrounds it, but also for the City of Denver.”

The proposed design for the new stadium at Burnham Yard calls for 58 acres in a decommissioned railyard off I-25 between 6th and 13th avenues to the north and south, and Seminole Road and Osage Street to the west and east. The team says it offers an accessible location in the heart of Denver while highlighting the site’s historic character as part of the redevelopment.

Denver Broncos president Damani Leech

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CBS

“It’s not that I’m not open to it, it’s just that I think we need to be careful about how we bring it into the community and how we protect people who have lived here in terms of their property values and being safe from developers,” said Christina Eyre, communications officer for Osage Lofts residence.

Plans beyond the stadium include restaurants, entertainment venues, retail space, housing, and offices.

“It’s important for this to be a multi-modal transportation hub. We have about 7,000 parking spaces at the current stadium that we control. I think our expectation is that we have a similar amount here. We plan on investing in and with RTD to make sure transit is avaliable option for fans on gameday,” said Leech.

Initial concepts provided by the Broncos show developers are addressing traffic concerns in the La Alma Lincoln neighborhood. The light rail will be relocated to establish walkways and bicycle connections.

“I think it’s going to be super important that the space inside the yard is connected to La Alma Lincoln Park,” said Eyre.

Leech said that there is no specific timeframe for when stadium renderings will be ready. They told CBS Colorado that they do anticipate entering into a community benefits agreement sometime in the next year, with a timeline to break ground on the project in 2027, and completion set for 2031.

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