Spring has sprung, which means we can start shopping at local farmers markets again.
“There are so many new things going on at the market this year, and we are excited about welcoming some new-to-farming, and new-to-us producers,” said Boulder County Farmers Market (BCFM) executive director Mackenzie Sehlke.
Some highlights, she said, include handmade cheeses by Colorado Farm House Cheese; Black Cat Farms launching a stand in the Longmont market; unique hard ciders by Haykin Family Cider; and grass-fed beef by Grama Grass and Livestock, which utilizes public lands in Boulder to feed the cows (helping both the animals and the land).
The BCFM Saturday Boulder and Longmont operations started on April 1, the first of the farmers markets to open for the year. The rest start launching in May and usually go until September or October.
Just as the BCFM has seen growth, so too has City Park Farmers Market (CPFM), which opens May 13.
“We’ve always been a growers-focused market, but the amount, quality and variety of produce grows each year as we learn what the community wants and bring more farms on board,” said Peter Wanberg, co-owner of CPFM, which is in its third year. “We have an amazing team of producers offering the highest quality raw ingredients you can find in Colorado.”
With so many options this year, go to a new market each week, or multiple in one. The opportunities are bountiful, just like the greens, fruits and and other goods coming out of Colorado farms.
(Listed in order of opening date.)
Boulder Farmers Market (Saturdays)
Open: Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Nov. 18.
Things to know: Run by Boulder County Farmers Market, these farmers markets make sure everything is truly local, and focus on produce, protein, plants and dairy. Look for new stands such as Challah Ma’afia & Kitchen, Colorado Farmhouse Cheese Company and Golden Hollow Farms. There also will be monthly artisan markets on the second Saturdays of the month. No pets are allowed.
Features: Around 60 vendors weekly, activities for kids and live music.
Location: Located next to Boulder’s Central Park, on 13th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder; bcfm.org
Longmont Farmers Market
Open: Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Nov. 19.
Things to know: Run by Boulder Country Farmers Market, look for new vendors such as Heaven’s Choice Popcorn, Momo House and Moon Hill Dairy, plus plenty of past favorites. There also will be monthly artisan markets on the fourth Saturdays of the month. No pets allowed.
Features: Plenty of parking; around 120 local vendors weekly; live music; kids crafts and activities.
Location: Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont; bcfm.org
Boulder Farmers Market (Wednesdays)
Open: Starting May 3 on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., through Oct. 4.
Things to know: Run by Boulder County Farmers Market, this is the smaller version of the weekend market, but there are plenty of local farms, ranches and makers to keep the kitchen stocked. Look for newcomers Tamburi Winery, Tostadas and Smoothie Bites. No pets allowed.
Features: Live music and a pop-up beer garden serving local brews.
Location: 13th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder; bcfm.org
Southwest Plaza
Open: Starting May 6 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Oct. 28.
Things to know: Metro Denver Farmers’ Market has been running markets for 40 years and accepts SNAP and EBT cards. It’s a smaller market, mixing local food makers with farmers and handicrafts.
Features: More than 30 vendors including Bavarian Sausage Express, Trubucha, Styria Bakery II and more.
Location: The parking lot at Wadsworth Boulevard and West Bowles Avenue, Littleton; denverfarmersmarket.com
Cherry Creek (Saturdays)
Open: Starting May 6 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Oct. 28.
Things to know: Run by Colorado Fresh Markets, shoppers will find an array of local farms and ranches, coffee, prepared foods and some handicrafts.
Features: Free parking, dozens of vendors.
Location: Cherry Creek Shopping Center at First Avenue and University Boulevard; coloradofreshmarkets.com.
Highlands Ranch
Open: Starting May 7 on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Oct. 29.
Things to know: Run by Metro Denver Farmers Market, which has been running markets for 40 years and accepts SNAP and EBT cards. It’s a smaller market, mixing local food makers with farmers and handicrafts.
Features: More than 30 vendors featuring Rocky Mountain Rice, Brad B Jammin Jam, Martindale Farms and Forte Farms.
Location: Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch; denverfarmersmarket.com.
South Pearl Street Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 7, Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Nov. 12.
Things to know: This lively market is run by Run by Jarman and Co. Events (formally HobNob Events). Check out the online calendar of musical guests, including opening day’s Mark Brut. Fresh produce, meat, cheese, wine, prepared foods and more.
Features: Seats for eating; dozens of vendors; and four entrances (one at South Pearl Street and East Iowa Avenue, one halfway down the block on South Pearl Street between East Arkansas Avenue and East Florida Avenue, and one on the east and one on the west sides of Florida Avenue).
Location: South Pearl Street between East Iowa Avenue and East Arkansas Avenue; southpearlstreet.com/farmers-market.
Erie Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 11 on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m., through Sep. 14.
Things to know: This dog-friendly market is run by Real Farmers Market, and has plenty of room for the kids to run around, too. Pick up goods from Eat a Peach Farms, Jeff Palombo Farms, Alpine Meadow Aromatics, Bjorns Colorado Honey and many more.
Features: Mixture of Colorado farms, handicrafts and ready-to-eat foods; SNAP accepted.
Location: Briggs Street between Wells and Moffatt streets, Erie. realfarmersmarketco.com.
City Park Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 13 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 28.
Things to know: Now in its third year, this market has become a local favorite. It’s small but mighty with local food vendors, farms, honey, plant starters, cheese and more.
Features: There’s plenty of parking available in the East High School parking lot, and the market is located next to City Park.
Location: City Park Esplanade at East Colfax Avenue and Columbine Street; cityparkfarmersmarket.com.
Louisville Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 13 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 14.
Things to know: Run by Real Farmers Market, this market is dog friendly and features live music. Dozens of vendors include Dragonfly Farms, Live Stream Gardens, Rockart Guerreros Chile, Lost Sauces, Bella Luna Candles and more.
Features: Check the vendor schedule online to make sure your favorite is there that week. SNAP benefits are accepted.
Location: 824 Front St., Louisville; realfarmersmarketco.com.
Rebel Marketplace
Open: Starting May 13, the market runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of the month, until Oct. 21.
Things to know: This small market was put together by James Grevious, and is neighborhood run. A lot of the goods come from urban farms.
Features: Hyper-local produce, handicrafts, prepared foods, baked goods and more.
Location: Del Mar Park, 312 Del Mar Circle, Aurora; rebelmarketplace.com
Southlands Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 13 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through the end of September (depending on weather).
Things to know: Run by The Local Colorado.
Features: Mixture of local produce and handicrafts.
Location: Southlands Shopping Center, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, Aurora; thelocalcolorado.com.
University Hills Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 13 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., until Oct. 28.
Things to know: Small market in the University Hills Plaza parking lot. Plenty of free parking.
Features: Local produce, handmade goods, food trucks, prepared food, jewelry and more.
Location: University Hills Plaza, 2500 S. Colorado Blvd.; uhplaza.com.
Parker Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 14 on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through the end of October (depending on weather).
Things to know: More than 100 vendors set up stalls at this market, run by The Local Colorado.
Features: Mixture of local produce and handicrafts located in historic downtown Parker.
Location: 19565 Mainstreet, Parker; thelocalcolorado.com.
Highlands Square Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 21 on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 15
Things to know: This is the second year Jarman and Co. Events (formally called HobNob Events) have run this Highland neighborhood hotspot. The vendors haven’t been announced, but the live music schedule is us with Emelise Munoz kicking off on opening day.
Features: Mixture of handicrafts, local meat and produce, prepared food, plants and more.
Location: At 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard; highlandssquarefarmersmarket.com.
Festival Park Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 28 on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., through the end of September (depending on weather).
Things to know: Run by The Local Colorado, in downtown Castle Rock.
Features: Mixture of local produce and handicrafts.
Location: 300 Second St., Castle Rock; thelocalcolorado.com.
Evergreen Farmers Market
Open: Starting May 30 on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., until Sep. 26.
Things to know: The market is now run by Bonanno Concepts and Jump Ahead events. It’s moved locations this year to El Rancho. Look for free parking right next to the market.
Features: Shop for tamales, pasta, prepared foods, baked goods, clothing, wellness items, distilleries and more.
Location: El Rancho, 29260 US-40, Evergreen; farmersmarketscolorado.com.
Denver Union Station Farmers Market
Open: Starting June 3 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Sept. 16.
Things to know: Run by Jarman and Co. Events (formally HobNob Events), the vendor list has yet to be announced. However, the live music lineup is set, with Zea Stallings and Jessica Lawdan kicking off the first market.
Features: In front of Union Station in the heart of downtown, with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.
Location: Denver’s Union Station, at 17th Avenue and Wynkoop Street; unionstationfarmersmarket.com.
Golden Farmers Market
Open: Starting June 3 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 7.
Things to know: It’s the 21st year of this lively market, and shoppers can expect live entertainment and plenty of local artisans, goods from Colorado ranches and farms, handicrafts and more.
Features: The market accepts SNAP and participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program, and there’s a special booth on the north side of the market to help people out.
Location: Golden Library’s west parking lot, 1019 10th St., Golden; goldenfarmersmarket.org.
Arvada Farmers Market
Open: Starting June 4 on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., through the end of September.
Things to know: Parking can be tricky, but it’s worth it, especially at the end of summer when Western Slope peaches are in season.
Features: You can walk around with libations in Olde Town Arvada, where vendors sell a mix of produce, handicrafts, packaged goods and prepared foods.
Location: 5702 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada; arvadafarmersmarket.com.
Lakewood Farmers’ Market
Open: Starting June 10 on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Sep. 30.
Things to know: Metro Denver Farmers’ Market has been running markets for 40 years, and this is one of the smaller ones. Expect around 15 vendors including Galicia Farms, Garden Coffee, J & J Salsa, Forte Farms and more.
Features: Accepts SNAP and EBT cards.
Location: 9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood; denverfarmersmarket.com.
Cherry Creek (Wednesdays)
Open: Starting June 14 on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Aug. 16.
Things to know: Run by Colorado Fresh Markets, the Wednesday market is smaller than the Saturday one, but there’s still plenty of great local produce, drinks and artisan-made goods.
Features: Free parking and dozens of vendors.
Location: Cherry Creek Shopping Center at First Avenue and University Boulevard; coloradofreshmarkets.com.
Littleton Aspen Grove
Open: Starting June 14 on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Sept. 27.
Things to know: Metro Denver Farmers’ Market has been running markets for 40 years and accepts SNAP and EBT cards. The market does close when things are sold out.
Features: Around 20 vendors, but the list wasn’t available as of press time.
Location: Aspen Grove, 7301S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton; denverfarmersmarket.com.
Castle Rock Farmers Market
Open: Starting June 17 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. until Oct. 7.
Things to know: As the top market in Castle Rock, this venture has been going strong for 30 years. The vendors are a mixture of farms, handicrafts, apothecary goods and more.
Features: Look for seasonal produce by C & R Farms, local meat raised by Snow Creek Ranch Steaks, and even emu oil made by Emusement Acres.
Location: 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock; originalcastlerockfarmersmarket.com.
Central Park Farmers Market
Open: Starting June 25 on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Oct. 8.
Things to know: Dozens of vendors sell beverages, baked goods, farm produce and more.
Features: Live music or a live DJ every day the market runs, starting with RONDO.
Location: Founders Green at Central Park, on Syracuse Street and 29th Avenue; centralparkfarmersmarket.com.