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This summer could be a tough one for Colorado as the statewide drought continues. But rest assured that growers are doing their best to get high-quality fruits and vegetables to farmers’ markets along the Front Range for your cooking needs. Denverites know, though, that local outdoor markets are also a great place for pantry items, prepared foods, meats, dairy, eggs, and crafts—especially in the early growing season. That’s why we show up in droves to these seasonal outdoor shopping experiences that stretch from Fort Collins to Castle Rock.
Will the find of the week be Western Slope cherries, Boulder County tomatoes, or a blistering new hot sauce from a local chile grower? Get the goods at the best farmers’ markets in metro Denver and beyond.
Jump Ahead:
Denver
Harvey Park Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., May 2–October 31
- Location: Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, 2250 S. Quitman St., Denver
Harvey Park residents Allie Bronston and Corey Sampson decided to create a farmers’ market for their community after they realized there were no options for grocery shopping within the borders of the neighborhood. This is the first year of the Harvey Park Farmers’ Market and it already promises a lineup of 14 farm stalls and more than 35 food vendors selling everything from locally produced pantry items to freshly prepared food and drinks for breakfast and lunch. Expect hydroponically grown greens from Rebel Farm just a few blocks away, fresh tortillas from Tortilleria Las 3 Americas nearby, and Filipino street food from Federal Boulevard ghost kitchen Paborito, among others. SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks accepted.
Cherry Creek Fresh Market
- Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m.–2 p.m., May 2–October 10
- Location: East parking lot of Cherry Creek Shopping Center (South Steele Street and East Ellsworth Avenue), Denver
There are plenty of reasons to visit this farmers’ market every Saturday at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, not least among them the free validated parking. Stroll the food and craft stands while looking out for some stellar bakeries such as decades-long market favorite Kogler’s Bakery, or seek out something new and unique like handmade jewelry from local producer Saintly. This market also keeps track of what’s in season to help you with your produce purchasing decisions.
City Park Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Saturdays 8 a.m.–1 p.m., May 2–October 31
- Location: 2551 East Colfax Ave., Denver
The City Park Farmers’ Market starts early each Saturday, which makes it easier to get a jump on perusing goods from more than 100 Colorado producers. We especially love this market for its pop-up eateries; Don Zorros Molino and Panda Bao are among this year’s vendors. Beyond fruit and veggies, be on the lookout for specialty purveyors like Yummy Lotus pepper jams and Mountain Girl Pickles. Double Up Food Bucks are accepted.
South Pearl Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Sundays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., May 3–November 8
- Location: South Pearl Street between Arkansas Avenue and Iowa Avenue, Denver
The South Pearl Street historic shopping district already draws plenty of visitors with its widely appealing variety of stores and restaurants, but on Sunday mornings during the warmer half of the year, the South Pearl Farmers’ Market booms. In addition to the usual types of vendors you’d expect at a farmers’ market, some of the street’s brick-and-mortars also set up market booths, so you can pick up a hat or some clever socks to go with your onions and kale. Be sure to check out the international pantry items from local makers at Ruby’s Market.
University Hills Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., May 9–October 31
- Location: 2999 South Colorado Blvd., Denver
The University Hills Farmers’ Market promises a 65-percent food focus, making it a great choice for south Denver residents looking for something to eat and something for their home kitchens. Sixty to 70 booths will be present each week; be sure to stop by Brighton’s Palizzi Farm for pies, preserves, and dried beans and Palisade’s Forte Fruits for juicy peaches and pears. If you like this market but prefer your produce shopping with mountain views, the organization also operates the Evergreen Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday from May 26 through September 22 at 31880 Rocky Village Dr., Evergreen.
The Highlands Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Sundays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., May 10–October 25
- Location: 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard, Denver
Any farmers’ market with its own bar and live music is a win in our books, but this farmers’ market/block party in the heart of West Highland also delivers a strong selection of bountiful produce and ready-to-eat foods. This year’s lineup includes eggs, chicken, and grass-fed lamb from Kit Carson’s Conscious Farms; gluten-free baked goods from Denver’s Bite Me Bakery; and a rotating young entrepreneur’s booth dedicated to students looking to sell handmade products.
People & Produce at Belleview Station
- Hours: Sundays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., May 31–Mid-October
- Location: 6785 East Chenango Ave., Denver
Denver Tech Center’s only farmers’ market has been offering a wide range of fresh produce, food products, and take-home goods from more than 50 vendors for more than half a decade. Enjoy live music and set aside a few dollars to spend at the market’s beer garden. Plus, this is a pup-friendly affair, so feel free to bring your well-behaved fur baby along.
Huerta Urbana Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Fridays 2–5 p.m., June 19–October 30
- Location: 2501 East 48th Ave., Denver
As a pay-what-you-can farmers’ market, Huerta Urbana makes a commitment to ensuring Denverites have equitable access to fresh, healthy foods. Marketgoers can acquire their goods in four ways: paying the full price listed by each vendor; 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. Huerta Urbana skips a few Fridays during the season, so check the market’s calendar before going.
Central Park Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Sundays 8:30 a.m.–12:30p.m., June 21–October 11
- Location: 7601 29th Ave., Denver
This northeast Denver market sets itself apart by being entirely focused on local food and beverages (i.e., there are no craft or informational stands). Plus, all prepared food stands are required to use compostable packaging, so you can feel a little better about your impact on the planet while strolling Founders’ Green on Sunday mornings. Be sure to check out our favorite South American sandwich from Cachai Chilean Food and frozen lasagnas and rare Sardinian pastas from Casa Crobu.
Arvada
Arvada Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Sundays 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m., June 7–September 27
- Location: 5702 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
The Arvada Farmers’ Market in pedestrian-friendly Olde Town Arvada is now in its 18th season, and there are plenty of delicious goodies to discover this summer. But farmers’ market season doesn’t have to end when the weather gets chilly. Arvada brings this market back on Saturdays in December from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. While you’re at it, make a day out of exploring the small businesses and local eateries lining the charming northwest suburb’s Olde Town area.
Aurora
Southlands Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Saturdays 8 a.m.–1 p.m., May 9–September 26
- Location: 23975 East Town Square Ave., Aurora
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. The Southlands Farmers’ Market is operated by the Local Colorado, who also hosts farmers’ markets in Parker and Castle Rock.
Rebel Marketplace
- Hours: First and third Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., May 9 and June 6–Oct 17
- Location: Del Mar Park, 12000 East Sixth Ave., 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 the community. That principle is put to work at this seven-year-old hyperlocal farmers’ market, which provides the space for neighborhood farms in Aurora, along with other community artisans and entrepreneurs, to thrive. Double Up Food Bucks are accepted. This year, Rebel Marketplace is also running a night market with local food and product vendors, artisans, and family-friendly activities on the last Wednesday of each month from May through August at the Hoffman Heights Library.
Boulder County
Boulder County Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Saturdays 8 a.m.–2 p.m., April 4–November 21; Wednesdays 3:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m., May 6–October 7
- Location: 13th Street between Arapahoe Avenue and Canyon Boulevard, Boulder
To say that the Boulder County Farmers’ Market is a staple of its community—and the entire Front Range—is an understatement. Not only has it been operating since 1987, but its April through November season is the longest of any market in the state. Plus, the market’s food access programs, which include Double Up Food Bucks, Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus, and WIC, help provide all local residents with fresh produce. The nonprofit also operates a market in Longmont on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Expect more than 150 producer-only vendors between the two locations.
Real Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., May 9–October 10 in Louisville; Thursdays 5 p.m–8 p.m, May 7–September 17 in Erie
- Locations: 824 Front St., Louisville; Briggs Street between Wells Street and Moffat Street, Erie
You’ll find everything from Palisade peaches to natural body care products at these two markets in Boulder County, but if you have your heart set on shopping a specific vendor, we recommend heading to the Real Farmers Market website. Here you can browse participating vendors by date, so you’ll never miss out on your favorite farmer or food producer.
Fort Collins
Fort Collins Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Sundays 10 a.m.–2 p.m., May 3–November 8 and Wednesdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m., June 3–September 30
- Location: 1001 East Harmony Road, Fort Collins
The Fort Collins Farmers’ Market has been operating since 1984, making it the oldest market co-op in the state. The Colorado Agricultural Marketing Cooperative, which runs the farmers’ market, gathers a robust selection of locally grown produce, prepared foods and drinks, and other craft goods throughout its season. Visit booths from the Bigglesworth Sausage Party, Loveland’s Eden Valley Farm, and Aspen Glo Tallow, among many others. Double Up Food Bucks and Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus are accepted.
Larimer County Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., May 17–October 25
- Location: 200 West Oak St., Fort Collins
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Larimer County Farmers’ Market, which provides bountiful fresh produce to residents of northern Colorado. Overseen by the Colorado State University Extension, the farmers’ market includes community programs such as Market Days for Older Adults, where low-income participants receive vouchers for produce purchases. Double Up Food Bucks and Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus are also accepted. Shopping is easy since the market’s website includes a complete vendor list, product search, market map, and transportation and parking guide.
Golden
Golden Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Saturdays 8 a.m.–1 p.m., May 30–October 3
- Location: 1019 10th St., Golden
Abutting a babbling stretch of Clear Creek, Golden Farmers’ Market brings in around 2,500 visitors every week. Be part of the crowd and enjoy perusing 70-plus vendors while listening to live music that runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Double Up Food Bucks are accepted. (Note: On July 25, the Golden Farmers’ Market will temporarily relocate to Golden High School for Buffalo Bill Days.)
Littleton & Southwest Suburbs
Metro Denver Farmers’ Markets
- Hours: Saturdays 8 a.m.–2 p.m., May 2–October 31 in Littleton; Sundays 10 a.m.–2 p.m., May 1–November 1 in Highlands Ranch; Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m., June 13–October 3 in Lakewood; Wednesdays 3–7 p.m., June 24–October 14 in Sterling Ranch
- Locations: South Wadsworth Blvd. and West Bowles Ave., Littleton; 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch; 9077 West Alameda Ave., Lakewood; 8100 Piney River Avenue, Littleton (Sterling Ranch)
Metro Denver Farmers’ Market spans nearly 50 years and four locations. So whether you’re stationed in Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, 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. If you’re headed for the Highlands Ranch market, bring extra hands so you can wrangle a whole cherry pie or two from Legacy Pie Co. Double Up Food Bucks are accepted.
Westminster
Orchard Farmers’ Market
- Hours: Sundays 9 a.m.–2 p.m., June 1–September 28
- Location: 14535 Delaware St., Westminster
This suburban farmers’ market sets up every Sunday in the Macy’s parking lot at Orchard Town Center. Expect to find fresh produce from growers like Palisade Peach Shack; specialty goods such as gourmet blends from Mile High Spice Co.; and handmade crafts, like intricately designed cutting boards from Azalea Engraving, among the 40-plus booths at each market.
