Denver, CO
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.
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
Subscribe to our new food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.
Originally Published:
DENVER, Colo. (May 16, 2026) – The Orlando Pride (3-5-2, 11 points) were defeated by Denver Summit FC (3-3-3, 12 points) via a 3-1 scoreline in the Club’s first-ever visit to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.
Denver opened the scoring early when Eva Gaetino crashed in at the far post to finish off a corner kick in the 10th minute of play. The home side doubled its advantage in the 54th minute via a Janine Sonis penalty kick.
Orlando was reduced to 10 players in the 63rd minute after Angelina received a direct red card. Despite their numerical advantage, the visitors pulled a goal back in the 76th minute when Barbra Banda broke through on goal from Haley McCutcheon’s pass and slotted home her league-leading ninth goal of the season.
The Summit responded just a minute later as Sonis tallied her second of the night after capitalizing on a rebound inside the Pride’s box, effectively putting the game out of reach.
The Pride will complete their three-game road trip with a visit to San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, May 24 (7 p.m. ET; Victory+).
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“Frustrating. I sound like a broken record right now. Disappointed with the goal that we conceded, a set piece. We struggled with the way Denver were playing out from the back, playing through the lines. We made some good adjustments at halftime. I thought we started the second half really well. The sending off changes the whole game, but I won’t talk about that. And yeah, we were just battling until the end. There were obviously some gaps that started opening. We put ourselves in a really good position at 2-1 with a lot of time left and then let ourselves down with the third goal. We’ll analyze it and move on. We’ve been on the road now for about a week. It’s not gone our way—we’ve got to bounce back, show some resilience and come out stronger against San Diego.”
The Pride will complete their three-game road trip with a visit to San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, May 24 (7 p.m. ET; Victory+).
Denver, CO
Forget Denver, Retire To An Underrated Utah City Near Gorgeous Canyons Instead (And It’s Affordable) – Islands
If you’ve ever made the scenic drive from Las Vegas to the popular Zion National Park, home to one of the five most beautiful canyons in the American West, you’ve likely passed through the city of St. George, Utah, even if you didn’t realize it at the time. For many travelers, St. George is little more than a smattering of gas stations and fast-food joints visible from Interstate 15. Look closer, though, and you’ll find that tucked into the area’s striking red cliffs is an underrated and historic destination, southern Utah’s largest city, and one of America’s top retirement destinations.
Retirees drawn to Denver’s outdoorsy vibe may want to instead consider the canyon views of St. George. Located near several state and national parks, it offers a smaller and generally more affordable alternative to the Mile High City. Plus, while both St. George and Denver get a lot of sunshine — averaging more than 250 sunny days annually — winters in southern Utah are typically milder than in central Colorado.
What makes St. George such a desirable place for retirees? And how is it more affordable than Denver? Let’s look at that and more in this guide to one of Utah’s most gorgeous yet underrated cities.
Retirees can explore mountains and canyons in St. George
St. George is famous for the red sandstone-ridged cliffs that hug the city’s edges and glow bright fire red at sunset. Outdoor lovers can explore the city’s stunning landscape through the numerous hiking and cycling trails, with nearby Snow Canyon State Park (pictured above) being a popular local spot for adventure. Sometimes called Zion’s “little sibling,” Snow Canyon State Park has soaring sandstone cliffs and 18 hiking trails that wind through black basalt, lava tubes, and a slot canyon. It also has four picnic areas, a campground, and a 4.3-mile scenic drive for those wishing to see the sights without having to hike. Whiptail Trail is paved and fairly level, making it a good choice for those unsteady on their feet or in a wheelchair. Snow Canyon State Park is only a 15-minute drive from St. George, and entrance to the park is affordably priced, costing just $10 per vehicle for Utah residents 65 and older.
St. George offers a number of paved and well-maintained walking and biking trails accessible to those with mobility issues. The 5.2-mile loop trail, Mayor’s Loop, tops AllTrails’ list of wheelchair-friendly trails in St. George. And “Nice paved trail, mostly flat. Great for birding,” one reviewer on AllTrails wrote about the 5.3-mile Virgin River Loop, which links to Mayor’s Loop.
In all, St. George boasts over 72 miles of paved trails, allowing retirees to easily partake in a range of outdoor recreational activities — from walking and jogging to cycling and birdwatching. With 14 golf courses located in and around it, this sunny southern Utah city is also becoming well known among golfers as an affordable year-round golf vacation destination.
A variety of affordable activities and a charming, walkable downtown
While St. George may be a city of more than 100,000 residents, its walkable downtown feels charmingly small-town. From the park fountain and old-timey carousel to the Mormon temple and quaint antique shops, St. George has the vintage shine of a bygone era. However, its location less than two hours from Las Vegas and just 30 minutes from Zion National Park means that, small-town vibe or not, St. George is far from isolated.
The community also offers plenty of free and low-cost activities. The Red Hills Desert Garden has trails that wind through more than 5,000 plants and trees, Town Square Park offers free movie nights and an annual art festival, and the St. George Active Life Center provides seniors with more than 100 activities each month, many of which require only a small donation. Moreover, St. George and the surrounding area have several budget-friendly museums, including the free McQuarrie Memorial Pioneer Museum and the Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum, which charges seniors $6.
Whether you’re looking to live in southern Utah year-round or just visit for a vacation, life in St. George is generally more affordable than in cities like Denver. Expenses are about 15% lower in St. George than in Denver, including things like food costs and public transportation. For example, a 10-ride bus card costs $5 for seniors in St. George and $13.50 in Denver.
The Denver Broncos’ 2026 schedule has arrived, with nine games on the road and eight games set for Empower Field at Mile High this season.
The Broncos are set to travel 19,129 miles this year, which ranks 15th in the NFL, according to Bill Speros of Bookies.com. Denver does not have an international game this year, which helped them rank near the middle of the pack in travel. Last season, the Broncos played in London and logged 23,267 travel miles, seventh-most in the league.
Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers will travel 24,816 miles (seventh-most), the Las Vegas Raiders will trek 21,099 miles (13th-most) and the Kansas City Chiefs will log 18,401 miles (17th-most) in 2026.
The San Francisco 49ers (38,105) and Los Angeles Rams (34,847) are set to face off in Australia, giving them by far the most travel miles in the league. The Carolina Panthers (8,740) will have the easiest travel schedule this season.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
-
Finance5 minutes agoIf you teach your kids just one financial lesson, it should be this
-
Movie Reviews23 minutes ago‘Avedon’ Review: Ron Howard’s Admiring Profile of Groundbreaking Photographer Richard Avedon Embraces His Genius, Flair and Mystery
-
Politics47 minutes agoVideo: Cassidy Loses Primary After Drawing Trump’s Ire
-
Lifestyle1 hour agoSunday Puzzle: Between the lines
-
Technology2 hours agoRevamped Siri will reportedly offer auto-deleting chats
-
World2 hours agoNATO ally Poland warns Russia, Belarus pushing illegal migrants toward alliance — and the US
-
Politics2 hours agoTrump warns Iran’s ‘clock is ticking’: Move ‘fast’ or ‘there won’t be anything left’
-
Health2 hours agoFitness influencer says one simple habit can help anyone get back in shape
