Will Case Keenum be Denver’s next Peyton Manning? Will Vance Joseph still have a job next year? Can the Broncos bounce back from the oh-so-disappointing 2017 season? We don’t know the answers to these important questions, but we’re sure of one thing: You are going to need lots of snacks to survive the 2018 football season. Stock up on these locally made items so there’s plenty to munch on as you swear, um, cheer at the television.

Il Porcellino’s Queso Salami

Forget that meat and cheese platter: This salami, made from Colorado heritage pork, already has chunks of Haystack Mountain’s Queso de Mano goat cheese inside of it. Oh, and it’s seasoned with Carboy Winery Malbec. $36 per pound, available at Il Porcellino’s Berkeley Deli. (Pro tip: While you’re there, pick up some house-made all-beef hot dogs for grilling). 4324 W. 41st Ave., 303-477-3206

Rollingreens Original Millet Tots

Elevate your totchos by using these ancient-grain tots as the base. These made-in-Boulder snacks are gluten-free and vegan, but most importantly, they’re absolutely delicious. $4.99, available in the frozen aisle at various Whole Foods Market, Sprout’s, King Soopers, and Lucky’s Market locations

Blue Moose Of Boulder Red Pepper Artichoke Dip

Nothing screams “football-game-grub” quite like dip. The red pepper artichoke variety from this Lafayette-based company is one of the best ready-made options we’ve found. $4.99, available at most area grocers

Bubba’s Fine Foods Righteous Ranch Snack Mix

The only downside to this crunchy, super savory, Paleo-approved snack mix (which, oddly enough, is made with seasoned green banana chips, pecans, and cashews)? It’s too easy to polish off an entire bag in one sitting. Ask us how we know. $7.99, available at various Whole Foods Market locations

La Cruz Specialty Foods Hot Salsa

This chunky tomato salsa is pleasantly reminiscent of the Pace Picante Sauce we grew up eating—but a lot spicier. It’s a crowd-pleasing dip for chips or a killer taco topper. $6, available at various Whole Foods Market and Lucky’s Market locations

Bolder Tortillas Blue Corn Chips

Made with Ute blue corn from Southern Colorado, these thin, addictively crispy chips are the ideal vehicle for any dip or salsa you can dream up. $4.99, available at various Natural Grocers and Whole Foods Market locations

Nita Crisp Wheat Crackers

Every cheese platter needs a good cracker. These yeasted flatbreads—packaged by a Larimer County agency that employs people with cognitive disabilities—are just the ticket. $5.49, available at various Whole Foods Market locations

Little Secrets Dark Chocolate Candies

Set out a dish of these M&M-like chocolate candies (which come in flavors such as sea-salted peanut, peanut butter, and toasted coconut) and they’ll disappear faster than Courtland Sutton sprinting down the field. $4.99, available at various Whole Foods Market, King Soopers, and Natural Grocers locations

Let Thy Food Chile Con Queso Dip

Everybody loves queso dip, right? Well, folks who can’t tolerate dairy surely don’t. Luckily, this Denver-based company’s flagship dip gets its cheesy, creamy texture from blended cashews. Gluten-removed beer and Hatch green chiles give it winning flavor. $10, available at various Whole Foods Market locations and at Nooch Vegan Market

 

Callie Sumlin
Callie Sumlin
Callie Sumlin is a writer living in Westminster, and has been covering food and sustainability in the Centennial State for more than five years.