The 13 Best Colorado Gifts for Foodies

This is the definitive gift guide for those who are hungry, thirsty, and sweet-toothed. For those who’d rather pull a bag of caramels out of their stocking than socks. For those who consume calories not just to survive, but also to thrive.

For those folks on your list—anyone, really—turn to these 13 locally made treats, meats, drinks, and eats, which are sure to please and make for a deliciously easy holiday shopping season.

Latkes and Caviar Kit from Odell’s Bagel

For the foodie who has everything, something they probably don’t have, yet: a stack of latkes from the super-buzzy Odell’s Bagel with house-cured salmon roe ($50) or white sturgeon caviar ($70) to spread upon them like fishy little bubbles of holiday cheer. (Orders open around December 12, for pickup December 19 through January 2.) Snag a half-dozen bagels for yourself while you’re at it; you need sustenance to fuel all this brilliant gifting. Pre-order online or at Odell’s Bagel (3200 Irving St.)

Mile High Pie Co. Pies

Whether your giftee eats the whole thing or serves it to the unannounced guests who always seem to drop by during the holidays, who wouldn’t want to receive a chocolate chunk pecan or strawberry rhubarb pie (starting at $30) from Mile High Pie Co.? Or, take a savory meal off the board with a green chile chicken pot pie or quiche. Order online or find them at retailers around town

Eagle Rock Ranch Meats Holiday Beef Box

So long as it isn’t reindeer, meat is totally fair game for gifting, right? Family-owned and -operated Eagle Rock Ranch in Jefferson raises some of the best-tasting beef you’ll find. The Holiday Beef Box ($149) is a sampler of New York strips, chuck roast, ground beef, and hot dogs—the perfect gift for carnivores young and old. Available online and at Eagle Rock Ranch Mercantile (530 Front St., Fairplay)

Chile Crunch

In our opinion, there are two things that every human needs to live: water and jars of spicy/crispy/garlicky oil to put on everything edible. Since water is a kind of boring gift, go with Denver-based Chile Crunch ($14). The all-natural Mexican-inspired condiment goes great on pretty much anything, from fried rice to eggs to pizza. Find it at Whole Foods or order online

Wander & Graze Charcuterie Board

How to win the holidays? Send a Wander & Graze charcuterie board ($90 to $170)—loaded up with meats and cheeses from Longmont’s Cheese Importers, olives, fruit, nuts, candy, and jam—to the door of friends, family, teachers, waxers, pug sitters, and the gal who saved all your data after your laptop crashed. Available online and for pickup at Wander & Graze (4826 W. 38th Ave.)

Suti & Co. Shortbread Cookie Tin

You’re likely to find a whole lot of gifts (including a little treat for yourself) if you stop into the cafe/shop/hygge wonderland that is Boulder’s Süti & Co. Just make sure one of the Scandinavian goodies you leave with is this hand-painted tin (by local artist Kristen Abbott) filled with six dozen mini shortbread cookies ($75). Chef/owner Andrea Uzarowski uses her great-grandmother’s recipe—and lots of Danish butter. Order online or pick up at Süti & Co. (2031 16th St., Boulder)

Flatiron Pepper Co. Chile Flakes

Save your family from generic red pepper flakes with these Denver-made gourmet chile blends (from $8, or $45.95 for a small gift set). Maybe the Hatch Valley Green for your sister? The Sweet Heat for the hubby? And, of course, the Carolina Reaper and ghost pepper-y “I Can’t Feel My Face” for Granny. Next year is going to be a whole lot more flavorful. Available online

Rocky Mountain Hot Cocoa

Level up everyone’s hot-cocoa-sipping experience with this all-natural, locally made, on-the-go mix (four pouches for $16). Perfect for camping, ski resort parking lots, or just lazy days at home, you need only rip open the bag and add hot water to get a mug (or thermos) full of steamy, chocolatey goodness. Available online

Lottie’s Meats Sausage Pack

Lottie’s is on a mission to increase pork consumption in the United States, one artisanal sausage starter pack ($52) at a time. Founded by two sisters, the local company packs up brats, its signature smoked pork sausage ( aka “big kid hot dogs”), ground pork, and ground Calabrian chile sausage to give your office Secret Santa a taste of the world’s most popular meat via their family farm. Available online and at local retailers

Moon Raccoon Baking Co. Caramels

Top off stockings with caramels ($14 for eight) from farmers’ market favorite Moon Raccoon Baking Co. The chewy, creamy confections come in mango or miso, unique flavors that put a delightful twist on the nostalgic candy. Order online

RedCamper Jams and Mostarda

It may not be picnic season right now, but this Denver-based company is bottling Colorado summertime for year-round enjoyment. The small-batch piñon peach preserves and cherry fig mostarda ($15 each) are particularly good, or give the gift of not having to choose with one of their tasty sampler sets (from $27). Available online or at local retailers

Sfoglina Pasta of the Month Club

If you can think of a better gift than carbs arriving at your door each month, well, please give it to us. But we’d be pretty darn pleased if someone gifted us Sfoglina’s pasta of the month club ($12 per month), which makes a 12-ounce bag of different noodle shapes—all made from heirloom, heritage grains—magically show up in your kitchen 12 times a year. Available online

Pinemelon Gift Card

When the foodie in your life has such a vast collection of local meats, cheeses, treats, and snacks that you don’t know how to add to their stash, let them find a new favorite with a Pinemelon gift card (from $25). The local grocery delivery company is like a year-round farmers’ market, stocking 200-plus Colorado farmers and makers, so even the most devoted locavores are bound to find something fresh—and delicious. Available online