I Explored Small-Town Colorado To Try 14 Donut Shops (And Found 6 That Were Pure Bliss)

I spent a few weeks exploring Colorado’s mountain towns with one simple goal: to find the best donuts around. Every stop felt like a small adventure, from little roadside bakeries to cafes sitting quietly near ski slopes.

Some spots served solid donuts that hit the craving just fine, while others went way beyond expectations. A few of those places made me want to turn the car around just for another box.

Traveling through those towns, I realized Colorado doesn’t just do mountains well, it knows how to make a donut worth the drive.

1. Sweet Coloradough (Glenwood Springs)

Walking into this spot felt like discovering a hidden gem that locals have been keeping secret for years. The creativity here goes beyond basic glazed and sprinkled options.

Everything gets made fresh daily, and you can taste the difference in every bite. The flavors rotate seasonally, which means there’s always something new to try when you visit.

I grabbed a maple bacon donut on my first visit, and the balance between sweet and savory was absolutely perfect. This place earned its spot on my bliss list without question.

2. Powder Day Donuts (Steamboat Springs)

Right in the heart of ski country, this shop knows how to fuel hungry skiers and tourists alike. The selection stays classic, with reliable favorites that hit the spot every time.

Portions are generous, and the prices feel reasonable for a mountain town. The staff keeps things moving quickly, even during busy morning rushes.

You won’t find fancy experimental flavors here, but what they do, they do well. It’s a solid choice when you need something sweet before hitting the slopes or exploring town.

3. Durango Doughworks (Durango)

Durango surprised me with this exceptional bakery that takes donuts seriously as a craft. Each creation shows real attention to detail, from texture to flavor combinations.

The dough itself has this perfect lightness that makes it hard to stop at just one. They use quality ingredients, and you can actually taste the difference compared to chain shops.

My favorite was their cinnamon roll donut, which somehow captured everything great about both pastries in one. This shop absolutely deserves to be called pure bliss, and I’d drive out of my way to visit again.

4. Loback’s Bakery (Buena Vista)

This family bakery has been serving Buena Vista for decades, and they stick to what works. The donuts are straightforward and dependable, perfect for grabbing with your morning coffee.

Prices remain incredibly reasonable, especially compared to tourist-heavy mountain towns nearby. The atmosphere feels welcoming and unpretentious, like stepping into someone’s kitchen.

Nothing here will blow your mind, but sometimes you just want a good, honest donut. They deliver on that promise consistently, which counts for something in my book.

5. Montrose Donut & Deli (Montrose)

Montrose isn’t exactly a tourist hotspot, which makes this donut shop feel like a true local hangout. The selection covers all the basics without trying to reinvent anything.

What stands out is the consistency and the fact that everything tastes fresh. The staff knows most customers by name, which adds to the friendly small-town vibe.

I stopped here on a road trip, and while the donuts were perfectly fine, nothing made me desperate to return. It serves its purpose well for the community, offering reliable sweetness at fair prices.

6. Faire Society Café & Pâtisserie (Pagosa Springs)

French technique meets Colorado mountain charm at this surprising little cafe tucked into Pagosa Springs. The donuts here lean toward European pastry style rather than American diner fare.

Each piece looks almost too beautiful to eat, but trust me, you’ll want to dig in immediately. The flavors are sophisticated without being pretentious, striking that perfect balance.

I tried their lavender honey donut, and it transported me straight to a Parisian patisserie. This place absolutely earned its spot on my pure bliss list, offering something truly special in an unexpected location.

7. Donut Haus (Estes Park)

Estes Park gets packed with tourists heading to Rocky Mountain National Park, and Donut Haus handles the crowds beautifully. The variety here is impressive, with both classic and creative options available.

Everything tastes incredibly fresh, and the texture of their raised donuts is spot-on fluffy. They manage to maintain quality even during their busiest summer months.

My son and I stopped here after a morning hike, and we both agreed these were some of the best donuts we’d ever had. The blueberry cake donut remains one of my all-time favorites from this entire journey.

8. The Donut Mill (Woodland Park)

Just outside Colorado Springs, Woodland Park hides this absolute treasure of a donut shop. The Donut Mill produces some of the lightest, most perfectly textured donuts I encountered on my entire trip.

Their glazed donut is simple perfection, proving that sometimes the basics done right beat fancy flavors. The shop itself feels cozy and welcoming, with friendly service that makes you want to linger.

I’ve returned here three times since my first visit, and it never disappoints. This place absolutely belongs on the pure bliss list for anyone serious about finding exceptional donuts.

9. Baked In Telluride (Telluride)

Telluride prices apply to everything here, including donuts, but the quality matches the upscale mountain town vibe. The baked goods lean toward healthier ingredients and interesting flavor profiles.

Everything looks Instagram-worthy, and the taste generally backs up the appearance. The shop attracts a steady stream of tourists and locals willing to pay premium prices.

The donuts are good, no question about that, but I’m not sure they justify the cost compared to other shops I visited. Still, if you’re already in Telluride and craving something sweet, you won’t be disappointed.

10. Daylight Donuts (Breckenridge)

Breckenridge’s Daylight Donuts location serves the standard franchise fare you’d expect from the chain. The donuts are perfectly acceptable, especially when you need a quick sugar fix before skiing.

Nothing here feels particularly special or unique to Colorado, but that consistency can be comforting. Prices are reasonable for a resort town, which counts as a small victory.

I grabbed a couple glazed donuts here one morning, and they did the job without leaving any lasting impression. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need, even if it won’t make your list of memorable food experiences.

11. Daylight Donuts (La Junta)

Out on the eastern plains, La Junta’s Daylight Donuts serves a community far from Colorado’s famous mountains. The shop provides exactly what locals need without any pretense or fancy additions.

Prices here are noticeably lower than mountain town bakeries, which makes sense given the location. The selection stays basic, covering all the traditional favorites reliably.

This franchise location does its job serving the community, though there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about the experience. If you’re passing through La Junta and need a donut, it’ll satisfy that craving just fine.

12. Debbie’s Drive In (Granby)

Granby’s Debbie’s Drive In brings back memories of classic American roadside stops from decades past. Donuts here are just one part of a larger menu featuring burgers and breakfast items.

The focus clearly isn’t on artisan baking, but rather on providing quick, affordable food to locals and travelers. Everything tastes like standard diner fare, which has its own nostalgic appeal.

I appreciated the old-school vibe more than the actual donuts, which were pretty basic. Still, places like this add character to small Colorado towns, even if they won’t win any culinary awards.

13. Sugar Lips Mini Donuts (Copper Mountain)

Copper Mountain’s ski village houses this delightful mini donut stand that serves them hot and fresh. Watching them get made right in front of you adds to the whole experience.

The size makes it easy to try multiple flavors without feeling too guilty about it. They come dusted with various toppings, from cinnamon sugar to powdered sugar and beyond.

My grandkids went absolutely crazy for these on our ski trip, and honestly, I couldn’t stop eating them either. The combination of fresh, hot, and perfectly sweet earned Sugar Lips a definite spot on my pure bliss list.

14. Rosy’s Donuts (Salida)

Salida’s Rosy’s Donuts operates as a straightforward neighborhood bakery without any fancy marketing or trendy additions. The donuts follow traditional recipes that have probably remained unchanged for years.

Locals clearly appreciate having this reliable option in town for their morning routines. Prices stay low, and the selection covers all the expected classics without surprises.

The donuts here are fine, doing exactly what they’re supposed to do without exceeding expectations. For Salida residents, that consistency probably matters more than impressing food bloggers passing through town.