The Saturday morning crowd at the Highlands Ranch Farmers Market was buzzing with excitement last weekend, and for good reason — those first crates of Palisade peaches aren’t quite here yet, but Colorado’s spring produce is absolutely stealing the show. June is that magical moment when our state’s food scene shifts into high gear, and I spent the month tracking down the most exciting seasonal discoveries worth your attention.
Farmers Market Must-Haves This Month
Peak Season Produce at Denver Markets
Colorado farmers markets hit their stride in June, and honestly, the timing couldn’t be better. The Boulder County Farmers Market on Saturdays (4600 North Broadway, Boulder) and the Union Station Farmers Market on Wednesdays (1701 Wynkoop Street, LoDo) are now loaded with local treasures that would make any locavore weak at the knees. Expect peak asparagus runs — I’m seeing thick, jade-green stalks from farms in Longmont and Erie that snap crisply when you bend them — fresh sugar snap peas that practically sell themselves, and the first tender lettuces coming from high-altitude farms that take advantage of our cool mountain nights.
The trick with June markets? Timing matters enormously. I made the mistake of rolling into the Boulder market at noon on a recent Saturday and watched the last bunch of those gorgeous purple radishes get loaded into someone else’s tote bag. By 10am on Saturdays, the good stuff is gone. Wednesday markets at Union Station tend to have slightly later rushes, but by early afternoon the selection thins considerably.
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Hidden Market Gems Beyond the Usual Suspects
Beyond the expected, there are treasures hiding in plain sight if you know where to look. I’ve been tracking hakurei turnips from Cielo Farms in Castle Rock — these delicate white Tokyo turnips have a sweetness that surprises people who think they hate turnips. They only last a few weeks in peak season, so grab them when you see them.
Jodar Farms in Fruita has been bringing spring onions to market that are practically glowing with freshness, and those gorgeous Newton Orchards apricots from the Western Slope are just starting to trickle in. I spotted the first flat last Saturday and practically cleared them out. Fair warning: these won’t last — apricot season is brief, and the window closes fast. Get them while you can, and maybe hoard a few pounds for preserves if you’re feeling ambitious.
Colorado Artisan Cheeses Worth Seeking Out
Mountain Milk Dairy Standouts
Colorado’s artisan cheese scene has matured beautifully over the past decade, and June is the perfect time to explore local creameries. Haystack Mountain Dairy in Longmont produces the beloved Camelot Middle white cheddar that’s won national acclaim — it’s sharp without being harsh, with a crystalline texture that develops beautifully when aged. Look for it at the Boulder market or call ahead to their creamery (5531 Ute Highway, Longmont) to arrange a visit.
The fresh goat cheeses from Pigs Mtn Cheese in Aurora have been showing up on menus across South Denver, and I spotted their chevre at a couple of farm-to-table spots in Wash Park recently. The herbed varieties are particularly good — the dill and garlic scape versions seem made for June vegetables.
Where to Find Them Around Denver
The creamy Bandit Peak from C Lazy U Ranch in Granby is the kind of cheese that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about Colorado food. It’s a mountain-style cheese, buttery and dense, with a natural rind that adds complexity. Find it at specialty retailers like Marczyk Fine Foods (7700 East Cleveland Place, Greenwich Village) or the Boulder Cheese Shop (921 Walnut Street, Boulder). These cheeses shine on summer boards alongside local honeycomb and those early apricots I mentioned — honestly, this combination might be the most Colorado thing you can put on a plate right now.
Western Slope Fruit Forward
Early Season Stone Fruits
The Grand Junction area is known for producing some of the state’s most beloved stone fruits, and while peak peach season is still weeks away, June brings early cherries and apricots that deserve serious attention. I’m seeing Rainer cherries from Glade Park orchards appearing at specialty grocers, and they’re a welcome precursor to the bing cherry explosion that’s coming in July.
If you’re heading to the mountains or Vail this month, stop by Eddie’s Vail Liquor and Gourmet (229 East Lionshead Circle, Vail) — yes, they carry produce too, and their Western Slope sourcing is impeccable for a resort-area store. The cherry selection has been surprisingly good.
Preserves and Canned Goods from Local Producers
Local jam makers are already working with early summer fruit, and The Colorado Jam Co. in Paonia creates preserves that capture that brief window of peak ripeness beautifully. Their apricot preserves are particularly special this year — I’ve been spreading them on morning toast and the exceptional sugar content from our warm spring really comes through. You can find their products at certain farmers markets and specialty food stores around Denver, though stock is limited. If you see them, grab a jar or two — they make excellent gifts and the season is fleeting.
Denver Restaurant Seasonal Menus
South Broadway Area Spots
Denver’s restaurant scene fully embraces Colorado produce in June, and several South Broadway establishments have updated menus showcasing local ingredients in creative ways. The emphasis right now is on Colorado lamb from Pagosa Springs — rich, slightly gamey, and perfect for those early summer grills — heritage pork from Woody Creek that has beautiful marbling, and whatever greens are coming out of those high-tunnel greenhouses in Brighton.
A word of caution: restaurant availability changes weekly during this season. Don’t call a restaurant asking specifically about a dish you read about last week — the kitchen may have moved on to whatever arrived in that morning’s produce delivery. This is actually a feature, not a bug, but it means some flexibility is required if you’re chasing specific ingredients.
Cherry Creek Seasonal Selections
In Cherry Creek, several farm-to-table restaurants have built relationships with specific Front Range farms, allowing chefs to receive what’s best each week rather than ordering from a fixed menu. This style of cooking means every visit offers something different based on what’s at peak ripeness — it makes repeat dining more interesting, but it also means you can’t plan a specific meal in advance. Just show up hungry and trust the kitchen. The best restaurants doing this work in Cherry Creek right now are worth seeking out for their spontaneity alone. Related: The 12 Colorado Artisan Food Producers You Need to Know in 2026
Local Pantry Staples for Summer Cooking
Colorado Honey and Apiaries
The honey situation in Colorado is particularly exciting right now — local varietals from hives pollinating clover fields around Greeley and the wildflower-rich areas near Golden offer distinct flavor profiles that imported honey simply cannot match. Rocky Mountain Honey in Englewood sells at multiple farmers markets and their wildflower blend has notes of lavender and clover that remind me why we buy local. Find them at the Highlands Ranch market or their home location (3442 South Chambers Road, Englewood) if you want to stock up. Related: Colorado Spring Food Finds: Seasonal Local Discoveries for June 2026
What I appreciate about Colorado honey is the terroir — you can actually taste the landscape. A honey from hives near Boulder will taste different from one sourced around Greeley, and I love explaining this to friends who think honey is just honey.
Heritage Grains from Mountain Mills
For baking and cooking, seek out heritage grain flours from Colorado Mountain Maling in Salida and milled grains from Sourcese in Fort Collins. These small mills work directly with Colorado farmers growing ancient wheats and heritage corn varieties suited to our altitude, giving bakers flour with genuine terroir. The flour from Colorado Mountain Maling produces bread with a nutty complexity and beautiful crust that commercial flour just can’t replicate. Sourcese focuses on sourcing and milling, and their cornmeal makes the kind of cornbread that converts cornmeal skeptics.
Find these at specialty markets like Marczyk’s or call ahead to the mills for direct purchasing — both ship within Colorado and are happy to sell directly to home bakers.
Craft Beverages Using Local Ingredients
Colorado-Grown Spirits
Distilleries using Colorado agricultural products continue to expand, with Stranahan’s in Denver producing whiskey from locally-sourced grains — their facility at 4380 Lipan Street is worth visiting for a tasting, and you can see the operation while learning about their sourcing philosophy. Peach Street Distillers in Palisade captures Western Slope fruit in their brandy offerings, and June is ideal for visiting their tasting room (150 South Bridge Street, Palisade) before the summer crowds arrive on the Western Slope.
The drive to Palisade is worth it for the fruit alone, honestly, but adding a distillery stop makes it a perfect day trip.
Artisan Shrubs and Fermented Drinks
For non-alcoholic options, fermented drinks and drinking vinegars from local producers have found their moment. Companies like Happy Dirt in Lyons are creating drinking shrubs from Colorado fruit that work beautifully in sparkling water or cocktails — their versatility makes them pantry staples in my kitchen. I’m currently obsessed with their apple cider shrub drizzled into club soda with a sprig of mint.
These products are increasingly available at local grocery chains and specialty food stores, which is fantastic. Happy Dirt products can also be found at the Boulder and Lyons farmers markets, and their online ordering ships locally.
Start Your June Food Adventure This Weekend
Here’s your actionable plan: head to the Highlands Ranch Farmers Market (near Town Center Drive and University) or Boulder County Farmers Market this Saturday morning — aim to arrive by 9am for the best selection. Seek out those Cielo Farms hakurei turnips and spring onions from Jodar Farms. Grab a jar of Colorado Jam Co. apricot preserves if you spot them. Pick up some Rocky Mountain Honey wildflower blend and plan to make that cornbread with Sourcese cornmeal.
June marks the beginning of Colorado’s most abundant food season — but also the start of the busy period. Markets get more crowded, certain items sell out faster, and restaurant menus shift weekly. The advantage is that everything is fresh, local, and at peak flavor. By July, peaches arrive in force and tomatoes start showing up from high-altitude farms, but right now is about those delicate spring vegetables, early stone fruits, and the intersection of winter’s stored goods with summer’s first offerings.
Get out there. Your Colorado food adventure starts this weekend.