Colorado has plenty of shiny new pizza spots, but some of the best slices in the state come from kitchens that were busy long before your first birthday. This list rounds up eight long-running pizza joints, from a mountain town original that serves honey with its crust to a Pueblo pizzeria that has been baking pies since 1945.
Some sit in historic buildings, some are packed with wild decor, and a few still keep things as simple as they did decades ago. If you like your pizza with a side of local history, these are the spots to save for your next road trip or Friday night.
1. Beau Jo’s Idaho Springs, Idaho Springs, CO
Honey is not a normal pizza topping, but at the original Beau Jo’s it is practically part of the meal. The move here is simple: finish your slice, then drizzle honey on that thick, hand-rolled crust and eat it like dessert.
Beau Jo’s is known for Colorado-style pizza, a hearty, thick-crust pie with plenty of sauce choices. The menu also covers build-your-own calzones, Honey Cheese Bread, Baked Stuffed Mushrooms, and the vegetarian Mountain Pie Society.
Plant-based eaters can look at the vegan Lil Italy.
The building is half the fun. It sits on historic Miner Street in this old mining town along Clear Creek, and the rustic interior includes a mining shaft and a long wood counter.
There is a salad bar, too, which helps balance out all that crust.
I would save this one for the drive home after hiking a fourteener or skiing along I-70. Just plan ahead, because there is usually a wait, especially on Saturday afternoons and Sunday afternoons.
Reservations are accepted, and the restaurant is open daily starting at 11 AM, closing at 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 8 PM the rest of the week.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu, which makes this a solid pick for a hungry group.
2. Carl’s Pizza, Denver, CO
West 38th Avenue has changed a lot over the years, but Carl’s Pizza has stayed stubbornly old school. That is exactly the appeal.
This long-standing Northside pizzeria keeps the setup simple and traditional. You come for standard pies done well, with pepperoni as a classic order and a firm, crisp crust that holds up to a load of toppings.
The homemade sausage shows up on pizzas and sandwiches, and the homemade bleu cheese dressing has its own fan base.
The Italian side of the menu is just as strong. Think Eggplant Parmesan, lasagna, a Meatball Sandwich with Fries, and the Smothered Calzone.
Onion rings and hot wings round out the starters, and cheesecake closes things out.
Carl’s has the feel of a place where going out for pizza used to be a big family treat. It still works that way today.
Practical perks help, too. The restaurant is open every day from 11 AM to 10 PM, there is a free parking lot, and a private dining room is available for bigger gatherings.
Friday evenings and Saturdays get the most traffic, so a weekday lunch is the easy play.
3. Fargo’s Pizza Co., Colorado Springs, CO
Chandeliers, stained glass, a player piano, and an arcade are not what most people expect from a pizza place. Fargo’s has all of them, plus seating for about 500 people.
The Victorian-style building on East Platte Avenue is packed with decor, including sculptures, artwork, and mounted hunting trophies. It has a western feel mixed with old-fashioned grandeur, and it has been a Colorado Springs icon for decades.
The pizza is handmade, with the Big Red Pizza and the Canadian Bacon Pizza among the house favorites. A giant self-serve salad bar is part of the deal, and the carrot cake is a popular way to finish.
Ordering happens at the counter, which keeps things moving even on a packed Saturday. There is also a fireplace, a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables.
This is the kind of place I’d pick for a kid’s birthday, a team party, or relatives who are visiting from out of town. The arcade keeps younger guests busy, and the room is big enough for a crowd.
Fargo’s opens at 11 AM daily and stays open until 9 PM Friday through Sunday. Reservations are accepted, and the free parking lot usually has space.
4. The Sink, Boulder, CO
Look up before you order. The ceiling at The Sink is covered in signatures, and the walls are crowded with graffiti and murals that have piled up over the years.
This family-owned landmark on University Hill, near the CU campus, is one of the most recognizable restaurants in Boulder. It is loud, colorful, and a little chaotic in the best way, with history baked into every corner of the room.
Pizza fans should ask for the Ugly Crust Pizza, one of the two things The Sink is best known for. The other is the Sinkburger, and the burger list goes well beyond it with picks like the Flying Frenchman Grass-Fed Burger and the BBQ Bacon Burger.
The rest of the menu has plenty of range. You will find the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, Sink Two Layer Nachos, milkshakes, and a Cauliflower Buff Mac for vegetarians.
There is also a full vegan menu.
A couple of planning notes help here. The Sink does not take reservations, and parking on the Hill can be tough to find, so walking or biking in is a smart move.
Hours run from 11 AM to 10 PM most days, with later closing at 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Friday nights and Saturdays draw the biggest crowds.
5. Do Drop Inn, Pueblo, CO
Pizza with Pueblo green chile on top is about as local as a slice can get in southern Colorado. At the Do Drop Inn, that chile topping is a big reason the place has earned its spot as a hometown classic.
The pizza here comes on a thick, slightly sweet dough with generous toppings. It is a style that people tend to have strong opinions about, and plenty of Pueblo families have been choosing it for years.
The building on South Santa Fe Avenue is part of Pueblo history, and the restaurant spreads across two levels. Beyond pizza, the menu covers pastas and other Italian staples, including lasagna.
The cheese sticks and the house sauce are standouts.
Here is a detail many visitors miss: the Do Drop Inn opens at 8 AM and serves breakfast. That makes it one of the few pizza joints on this list where you can start your day.
Hours are 8 AM to 8 PM most days, with later closing at 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays, so plan around that.
Reservations are accepted, parking is free, and dogs are welcome. Sports fans will also find games on TV.
6. Leon Gessi New York Pizza, Colorado Springs, CO
Folding a slice in half is the right way to eat pizza at Leon Gessi. This long-standing Colorado Springs shop has built its name on New York-style pies, far from the East Coast.
The crust is thin and crisp, and the balance of sauce, cheese, and toppings is the main draw. A slice of pepperoni is the classic order, and cheese slices are a simple, reliable pick.
The menu also stretches into subs and calzones. The sausage calzone, with plenty of mozzarella, makes a filling alternative if you want something other than a slice.
Leon Gessi keeps things laid-back. Service is counter style, and the space is casual and comfortable, which makes it an easy stop for a quick lunch or a relaxed family dinner.
Reservations are not taken, so just show up.
One handy detail sets it apart from most pizza places: the doors open at 10 AM every day. That early start is great for a late-morning slice.
Closing time is 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 8 PM on Sundays. Weekday evenings are the quietest time to go, and the free parking lot on Palmer Park Boulevard usually has room.
7. Ianne’s Pizzeria Inc, Pueblo, CO
Since 1945, Ianne’s has been feeding Pueblo. That makes it one of the oldest pizzerias on this list and a true multi-generation tradition.
Plenty of Pueblo families have a story that goes like this: parents brought home Ianne’s pizza when the kids were little, and now those kids bring their own children. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident.
The family-run shop on West Northern Avenue bakes its pies in the oven with a well-loved sauce and quality toppings. A combination pizza is a popular order if you want a little of everything.
Pizza is only part of the story, though. Ianne’s also serves pasta, lasagna, burgers, and a Sausage Grinder.
The fried chicken, lightly spiced and served on a bed of fries, has a following all its own.
Drink refills are unlimited, and the raspberry tea is a nice touch. The vibe is casual and quiet, which suits a low-key lunch.
Ianne’s offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery, but it does not take reservations. Hours run 10 AM to 9 PM most days, with 10 PM closing on Fridays and Saturdays.
Friday evenings and Saturdays are the busiest stretches.
8. Pantaleone’s, Denver, CO
Reality TV fans might recognize this one. Pantaleone’s appeared on Season 7 of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, and the episode has sent new pizza lovers to this South Holly Street shop ever since.
The TV spotlight is fun, but the pizza is the real reason to go. Crusts are handmade, with a crisp, fresh bite, and the sausage pizza is the signature order.
The Meatball Pizza is another strong pick, and a sprinkle of oregano on top is part of the house style.
For sides and sweets, look for the Caesar salad, a Greek salad, and cannoli. The menu also includes full vegetarian and vegan options, which is not always easy to find at an old-school pizzeria.
The space leans nostalgic and casual. It is a counter-service spot, so it works well for a quick weeknight dinner or a pickup order on the way home.
Pantaleone’s is open every day from 11 AM to 9 PM. Mornings and early afternoons are calm, while Friday evenings and Saturdays fill up fast.
A free parking lot makes the stop easy.
From a mountain town honey crust to a TV-famous Denver pie, these eight spots prove that Colorado pizza history is still very much on the menu. Pick one close to home, then work your way down the list.
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