8 Colorado Doughnut Shops Serving Some Of The State’s Most Memorable Treats
Everyone thinks they know doughnuts. Grab one from a chain, eat it in the car, forget it by noon.
But Colorado has a few shops quietly doing something different, and once you find them, the bar is ruined forever. The state has a way of surprising you.
Between the peaks and the plains, between ski towns and sunbaked desert roads, people are frying, glazing, and filling dough in ways that feel almost personal. Like someone made it specifically for you.
These are not afterthoughts on a breakfast menu. They are the reason locals set an alarm, drive across town, and show up before the doors open.
The state does a lot of things well. This might be one of the best.
Go find out for yourself.
1. Sweet Coloradough
Fresh doughnuts and mountain air make a surprisingly perfect pair. Sweet Coloradough in Glenwood Springs has been turning that idea into reality one glaze at a time.
Find them at 2430 S Glen Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.
Every doughnut here is handcrafted with serious care. The team sources premium ingredients, often pulling from Colorado farms to keep things fresh and local.
That commitment to quality shows up in every single bite.
Flavors rotate with the seasons, which keeps things exciting year-round. Summer brings bright berry glazes that taste like they were picked that morning.
Fall rolls in with pumpkin spice options that smell like a cozy sweater.
Travel and Leisure named this shop the best donut in the state back in 2018. That kind of recognition does not come easy, and they have clearly kept the standard high.
The doughnuts here are almost too beautiful to eat.
Almost. You will absolutely eat them anyway, and you will not regret a single second.
The textures are soft, the flavors are bold, and the creativity is obvious. This is not your average gas station doughnut situation.
If you are passing through Glenwood Springs on a road trip, make this a planned stop. Do not leave it to chance.
Arrive early because the best flavors disappear fast, and you deserve to try at least three before making any decisions about your favorite.
2. Parlor Doughnuts
Layered doughnuts sound fancy, and at Parlor Doughnuts, they absolutely are. Located at 95 Lincoln St, Denver, CO 80203, this shop has reimagined what a doughnut can actually be.
The result is something closer to a croissant-doughnut hybrid that you will think about for weeks.
Each doughnut is built from multiple thin layers of dough, creating a texture that is light, airy, and almost impossible to describe without eating one first. The flakiness is real.
The softness is equally real.
Toppings range from a simple vanilla bean glaze to elaborate combinations of caramel, nuts, and fruit compotes. Every option feels intentional.
Nothing here is thrown together for the sake of variety.
The shop itself is clean and modern, with plenty of natural light streaming in. It feels like the kind of place where the food matches the setting perfectly.
Bright, polished, and genuinely impressive.
Parlor is a great choice when you want something that feels a little more elevated than your average morning doughnut run. It works beautifully as a weekend treat or a weekday reward for surviving a tough morning.
Either reason is valid.
If you are visiting Denver and only have time for one doughnut stop, this one competes hard for that spot. The layered doughnuts are genuinely unlike anything else in the city.
Go with an open mind, a solid appetite, and maybe a coffee to make the whole experience complete.
3. Nok’s Donuts
Mochi doughnuts are having a moment, and Nok’s Donuts in Lafayette is doing them right. You will find this shop at 400 W South Boulder Rd #2300, Lafayette, CO 80026.
It is the kind of place that makes you realize how much variety the doughnut world still has to offer.
The mochi doughnuts here have a chewiness that sets them apart from traditional fried dough. They are soft, satisfying, and surprisingly light.
Once you try one, it is hard to go back to the standard version.
Nok’s also crafts artisanal cake doughnuts using fresh, natural ingredients. The flavors lean toward the not-too-sweet side, which is a genuinely welcome change.
You can taste the actual ingredients rather than just a wall of sugar.
Vegan and gluten-free options are available here, which makes it easier for more people to enjoy the experience. Inclusive menus matter, especially in a doughnut shop where everyone deserves to participate.
No one should have to stand outside watching others eat.
The atmosphere feels like a community hub rather than just a quick grab-and-go spot. People linger, chat, and seem genuinely happy to be there.
That kind of energy is hard to fake and even harder to manufacture.
Lafayette might not be the first city you think of for a great doughnut, but Nok’s makes a compelling case. Plan a visit on a weekend morning, order something you have never tried before, and enjoy every chewy, creative bite.
4. The Donut Mill
Some bakeries earn their reputation over decades, and The Donut Mill in Woodland Park has been doing exactly that since 1977. Sitting at 310 W Midland Ave, Woodland Park, CO 80863, this place is a mountain-town institution that has fed generations of road-trippers and locals alike.
The history here is baked right into the walls.
The apple fritters are the stuff of legend. Packed with real apple chunks and cinnamon, they hit every note you want from a fritter.
Big, messy, and absolutely worth the napkins.
The cinnamon rolls here measure between 10 and 12 inches, which is not a typo. They are enormous, gooey, and deeply satisfying.
Sharing one is technically an option, but good luck making that decision in the moment.
Bear claws and fritters round out a menu that does not try to be trendy. This shop sticks to the classics and executes them with the kind of confidence that only comes from decades of practice.
Consistency is their superpower.
Woodland Park sits at a higher elevation on the way to some spectacular scenery. Stopping at The Donut Mill before heading up into the mountains makes the whole trip feel more intentional.
Fuel up properly before the altitude kicks in.
This is the kind of place that earns worldwide fans, not just local ones. People plan their routes around it, and that says everything.
Arrive early, bring cash just in case, and order more than you think you need.
5. Amy’s Donuts
Fifty flavors is not a menu, it is a commitment. Amy’s Donuts at 2704 E Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 takes doughnut variety seriously, and the selection proves it every single morning.
Walking up to that display case is an experience in itself.
The range covers both dense, satisfying cake doughnuts and light, airy raised versions. Whatever texture you are in the mood for, Amy’s has it covered.
That flexibility alone puts this shop in a different category.
Maple Bacon Fudge is one of the standout options, hitting sweet and salty in a way that just works. Reese’s Pieces doughnuts bring a peanut butter punch that fans of the candy will immediately recognize.
Nutella Crumb rounds things out with a hazelnut richness that is hard to walk past.
The shop opens early, which makes it a perfect stop before a long day of exploring Colorado Springs. Early risers are rewarded with the freshest options and the quietest atmosphere.
It is a genuinely peaceful way to start a morning.
Amy’s does not rely on gimmicks or shock value to draw people in. The quality of the doughnuts does all the talking.
Every flavor combination feels thought-out rather than thrown together for attention.
This is the kind of shop that becomes a routine rather than a one-time visit. Once you find your favorite flavor, you will plan your mornings around it.
Start with three different types and narrow it down from there.
6. Voodoo Doughnut
Portland gave the world Voodoo Doughnut, and Denver was smart enough to welcome it with open arms. The shop at 1520 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218 brings the same wild energy that made the original famous.
Nothing here is ordinary, and that is absolutely the point.
The menu reads like a dare. Doughnuts are topped with cereal, candy bars, and yes, even bacon.
Each creation feels like someone asked “what if?” and then actually followed through.
The signature voodoo doll doughnut is the star of the show. It comes shaped like a little figure, complete with a pretzel stick pressed into the center.
It is creepy, clever, and completely delicious all at once.
The vibe inside matches the menu perfectly. The space has a hip, irreverent energy that feels different from every other doughnut shop in the city.
You come for the sugar, but you stay for the atmosphere.
This is a great spot to bring someone who thinks they have seen everything. Watch their face when the box opens.
The reactions alone are worth the trip across town.
Voodoo is not trying to be subtle, and that honesty is refreshing. They know exactly what they are, and they do it with full confidence.
Order something that sounds ridiculous, trust the process, and enjoy one of Denver’s most entertaining sugar experiences from start to finish.
7. Hurts Donut Company
The name alone should tell you something about the portion sizes. Hurts Donut Company at 6165 Barnes Rd #150, Colorado Springs, CO 80922 leans hard into bold flavors and even bolder presentations.
This is not a place for small appetites or shy taste buds.
The menu features creative topping combinations that push the boundaries of what a doughnut can hold. Cereal, candy, and colorful glazes pile high on each creation.
Every order feels like a small celebration.
What makes Hurts stand out in a crowded market is the sheer fun of the whole experience. The shop has an energy that makes you want to order something ridiculous and enjoy every second of it.
Doughnuts should be fun, and this place fully agrees.
The size of each doughnut is genuinely impressive. These are not delicate little pastries meant to be savored in two bites.
Plan accordingly and maybe skip the big breakfast beforehand.
Colorado Springs has a solid doughnut scene, and Hurts contributes something distinct to the mix. The playful identity of the brand feels consistent from the branding to the actual product.
That kind of follow-through is harder than it looks.
Bring a group if you can, because sharing the experience makes it even better. Order a variety, spread them out on the table, and let everyone pick their favorite.
It turns a simple doughnut run into something worth talking about for the rest of the day.
8. Pikes Peak Summit House
Eating a doughnut at 14,115 feet above sea level is an experience that very few people can claim. The Pikes Peak Summit House at 5089 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO 80809 serves doughnuts at the top of one of the most iconic peaks in the entire country.
The altitude alone makes this stop unforgettable.
The Summit House doughnuts have become a genuine tradition for people who make the trek to the top.
The thin mountain air actually affects how the doughnuts are made. High-altitude baking requires adjustments to recipes, and the kitchen here has clearly mastered those changes.
The result is a doughnut that tastes earned and genuinely special.
Panoramic Rocky Mountain views surround the Summit House on every side. Eating a warm doughnut while looking out over that landscape feels cinematic.
It is the kind of moment you try to describe to people later and can never quite capture in words.
The Summit House is more than just a food stop at the end of a long climb. It is a destination experience wrapped around a surprisingly great doughnut.
The combination of effort, altitude, and reward makes every bite taste better than it would anywhere else.
Plan your visit for clear weather if possible. The views from the top of Pikes Peak are worth the drive, and the doughnut waiting at the end makes the whole adventure feel perfectly complete.
