12 Colorado Throwback Snacks That Taste Like Recess And Powder Days
From the first scrape of a snow shovel to the last bell before winter break, Colorado’s snacks taste like pieces of memory. They carry the chill of mountain mornings, the sweetness of after-school freedom, and that unmistakable crunch of something made close to home.
Some were born in high-altitude kitchens, others in family garages that turned into local legends, but all share the same spirit, bright, simple, and just indulgent enough.
I’ve tracked down a dozen that still hold that spark of nostalgia and flavor: snacks that bridge slopes and schoolyards, road trips and rest stops, reminding you that in Colorado, even a bite can feel like fresh air.
1. Enstrom Almond Toffee
Walk into a Colorado market in December, and you can smell Enstrom before you see it—the buttery perfume of roasted almonds and caramelized sugar drifting through the air.
The family-run Grand Junction company still makes every batch by hand, a tradition dating back to 1960. Each bite cracks, melts, and coats your tongue in chocolate and toasted almond sweetness.
The flavor feels both decadent and honest, like something perfected quietly over generations. I never trust a holiday table without a box nearby. It’s not dessert, it’s ritual.
2. Hammond’s Candies
There’s something theatrical about walking into Hammond’s factory in Denver—bright colors, spinning machines, and the rhythmic pull of sugar ropes stretching in the air.
The brand’s been making candy since 1920, with recipes that haven’t lost their vintage edge. Their signature lollipops and caramel marshmallows are all hand-pulled and wrapped, glimmering like childhood itself.
If you visit, you can watch the candy makers through a glass wall. Trust me, it’s hypnotic, like watching art you can eventually eat.
3. Jolly Rancher
That first taste of a Jolly Rancher hits sharp, bright, and unapologetically sweet, like a lightning bolt made of fruit. The original factory stood in Golden, Colorado, long before the candy became a global legend.
They called it “rancher” because they wanted to evoke friendliness, a bit of Western sincerity. Green apple, watermelon, cherry, each one bursts louder than it should, then lingers. The texture, glossy and unyielding, dares you to crunch before it melts.
I always go for watermelon; it tastes like a sugar-coated dare you somehow win every time.
4. Boulder Canyon Potato Chips
Open a bag of Boulder Canyon chips and you hear that telltale crunch before the first bite even lands. These kettle-cooked wonders are the mountain hiker’s soundtrack; bold, loud, and deeply satisfying.
Founded in the mid-’90s, the brand made its mark by cooking in avocado and olive oil long before it was trendy. Every chip carries a hint of golden blister and a whisper of salt that feels earned, not sprinkled.
The simplicity is their secret weapon. If you’re pairing, try the sea salt & cracked pepper with a cold IPA, it’s Colorado harmony in a bite.
5. Honey Stinger Waffles
Tear open a Honey Stinger waffle, and the scent alone feels like sunshine on snow. Based in Steamboat Springs, the company started as a cyclist’s fuel but evolved into everyone’s mountain snack.
The founders knew what athletes crave, simple energy disguised as dessert. The thin honey-filled layers melt just enough to keep you going, balancing sweetness with that gentle crunch.
They’re ideal mid-hike or during long drives through high country. Personally, I stash a few in my jacket pocket before a powder day, there’s no better trail reward than honey and crisp air.
6. Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups
Justin Gold began making nut butters in his Boulder kitchen, grinding peanuts after work and labeling jars by hand. His simple idea, to make natural snacks taste indulgent, changed everything.
When he launched his signature peanut butter cups, the world noticed. They’re smoother and richer than the candy aisle classics, with that faint salt kiss balancing every bite of organic chocolate. The flavor feels both elevated and familiar.
And the best part? You can find them almost anywhere in Colorado, quietly proving that good taste doesn’t need an ad campaign.
7. Bobo’s Oat Bars
Walk into Bobo’s Boulder bakery and the smell alone could calm a blizzard. Made from rolled oats, brown sugar, and real fruit, they taste like something your mom packed before a field trip.
The company started from a single mother-daughter baking session, and that origin shows in every chewy square. Nothing rushed, nothing artificial.
I reach for the maple pecan flavor whenever I need grounding; it feels like eating kindness disguised as breakfast.
8. Larabar
At first glance, Larabars look minimalist: no coating, no drizzle, no gimmick. But that’s the whole point. Created in Colorado by Lara Merriken in 2000, they were born on trail runs and perfected in home kitchens.
Each bar has fewer than ten ingredients, often just dates, nuts, and fruit. That simplicity carries a quiet confidence, you can taste every component. There’s honesty in that kind of snack.
If you’re new to them, start with the cherry pie flavor; it’s the closest thing to dessert you can carry in your pocket.
9. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Caramel Apples
The first bite into a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory caramel apple is an event. The glossy caramel shell shatters with a snap before giving way to crisp fruit. The mix of buttery chew and orchard freshness feels theatrical.
Founded in Durango, the company still crafts its apples with meticulous care, hand-dipping and finishing them in small batches. The storefronts smell like sugar and nostalgia.
Every fall, I make an excuse to buy one, even if it’s just to remember how simple joy can stick to your fingers.
10. Duke’s Smoked Shorty Sausages
There’s something deeply satisfying about opening a bag of Duke’s and catching that first whiff of real smoke. These Shorty Sausages taste like they came straight off a campfire, not a factory line.
Made in Boulder with hickory wood and bold seasoning, they skip the sugar rush for genuine depth. The texture is firm, the snap is clean, and each bite has a hit of peppery warmth that lingers.
They’re road-trip gold.
If you’re heading into the mountains, stash a bag, no snack pairs better with altitude and silence.
11. Perky Jerky
It started as a curious idea, jerky infused with guarana, the same energizing plant found in natural energy drinks. The result? A tender, slightly caffeinated snack that’s equal parts fuel and flavor.
Born in Denver, Perky Jerky focuses on lean cuts and a marinade that keeps the texture almost silky. Flavors like sweet & spicy or teriyaki have an unexpected brightness that makes them addictive without being overpowering.
It’s the kind of snack that surprises you, tastes indulgent, feels healthy, and somehow makes the drive home feel shorter.
12. Rocky Mountain Popcorn
Open a bag of Rocky Mountain Popcorn and you’re greeted by a puffed-up avalanche of nostalgia. The kernels are big, round, and crisp, the kind that don’t leave you digging for dental floss.
Based in Englewood, this snack became a local staple by focusing on pure ingredients and just the right amount of seasoning. White Cheddar is the local hero, but caramel and kettle are just as tempting. Each handful feels light yet indulgent.
I once finished a whole bag before hitting Loveland Pass. Zero regrets, just buttery fingerprints.