When times are tough, the tough get going. Straight to the chocolate.
And not just any chocolate, but “the good chocolate,” the kind that Diane Keaton means in “Annie Hall,” when “a spider the size of a Buick” requires an irresistible bribe for her rescuer.
So does Colorado. From mountains to plains, you can find emergency chocolate in every corner of the state.
Roberta’s Chocolates
4840 W. 29th Ave., Denver; 303-824-2069,
Owner Roberta Poirier, who opened shop in 1995, has a stock of 10,000 chocolate molds, including a lightbulb mold (incandescent, not halogen). The inventory recently expanded into fudge, including a seasonal version made with pumpkin.
Wen Chocolates
1541 Platte St., Denver; 303-477-5765,
These upscale boutique chocolates include the Violette, a black violet tea-infused dark chocolate sprinkled with candied violet petals; and the Molotav Pineapple, a tropical mix of chocolate, pineapple, peppers, rum and brown sugar. During the holidays, Wen sells chocolate Santas made from a vintage mold.
Seth Ellis Chocolatier
5345 Arapahoe Ave. #5, Boulder; 303-589-6700, sethellischocolatier
Try the nutmeg-infused caramel snobinette, the candied lemon quarter enrobed in dark chocolate, or the Sun Cup, an elegant chocolate-sunflower butter treat. There’s no retail store at the factory, but chocolates are sold nearby at Ozo Coffee, 5340 Arapahoe Ave #F., and at outlets including Whole Foods, Pharmaca and Glacier Ice Cream in Longmont.
Belvedere Belgian Chocolate Shop
Denver, Boulder, Glenwood Springs and other locations; 303-663-2364, belvedere
Owner Johan Devries, a native Belgian chocolatier, prides himself on using a 5-quart KitchenAid mixer to make the fillings for his artisan chocolates. Try the milk chocolate filled with real strawberries, the Belvedere dark chocolate cherry cordial (completely unlike the unpalatable gooey maraschino cherry version) or the melting-soft butterfly caramels.
Georgetown Valley Candy Co.
500 Sixth St., Georgetown; 303-569-2778,
Founded by Nina Goeringer — and now operated with her husband, Rube, and son, Scott — this confectionery company recently added an artisan chocolate line featuring spice infusions, including peppery Aztec tiles and smoky chai.
Miner Decadence Chocolates
1536 Miner St., Idaho Springs; 303-567-1704,
Try the almond butter toffee with Belgian chocolate, the homemade marshmallows (peppermint!) or seasonal candied orange peel. Or get a scoop of Oh My Gawd It’s Our Rocky Road gelato, with Belgian chocolate, handmade marshmallow and trademark toffee.
Enstrom Candies
701 Colorado Ave., Grand Junction; 970-683-1000, visit for other locations
Lending the air a caramel scent, this venerable institution’s signature toffee has given tourists and decamped Colorado residents a taste of Colorado since 1929. Look through the window in the recently expanded 55,000-square-foot mother-ship facility to watch workers pour liquid toffee from copper vats onto cooling tables.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
265 Turner Dr., Durango; 970-259-0554,
This is where the magic started in 1981, the year before owner Bryan Merryman got busy franchising. His sweet successful empire long ago outgrew the Rocky Mountains, with outposts in the British Virgin Islands and United Arab Emirates.
The Choke Cherry Tree
4760 W. Highway 160, Pagosa Springs; 970-731-4951,
This singular store, celebrated by tourists for its novelty candy poops, also makes serious truffles, caramels and candies. The newest truffle flavor: cardamom.
Telluride Truffle
104 Society Dr., Telluride; , 970-728-9565
Chocolatier Patty Denny names her fresh truffles with a nod to ski-town lingo — Black Diamond (salted tequila dark chocolate), Timberline (white chocolate and orange), Powder Day (white chocolate with almond), Bunny Hill (banana-infused milk chocolate). Since 1997, these have been among Telluride’s most popular and sought-after souvenirs.
