The Michelin Guide has announced an expansion to cover all of Colorado for its 2026 selection, making restaurants statewide eligible for prestigious stars. This move, supported by the state, aims to boost culinary tourism and recognize eateries beyond major cities. Mountain town chefs see it as a chance to elevate their communities.
The Michelin Guide, known for its elite restaurant ratings, previously limited its evaluations in Colorado to urban and resort areas like Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Snowmass Village, Vail, and Beaver Creek Resort when it launched there in 2023. Now, the guide will assess establishments across the full state starting for the 2026 edition, thanks to a partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office that covers the costs.
Governor Jared Polis welcomed the development in a statement: "I'm so excited that restaurants across our entire state now have the opportunity to gain recognition in the famed Michelin Guide." He added that it would "shine a spotlight on more communities and strengthen the entire restaurant industry."
This expansion opens doors for smaller locales, particularly mountain towns, to attract culinary tourists. At The Carlin in Breckenridge, Sydney Nelson, regional vice president of operations for Destination Hospitality, noted the pride in potential consideration: "Even the thought of winning an accolade like that is a huge point of pride." She emphasized accessibility: "For us, the highest reward is the opinions of the people. We want to have something that's accessible to everyone."
Chef Josiah Gordon highlighted how such recognition could raise standards in areas where 85 percent of customers are first-time visitors: "Having places willing to put their foot down and say we're going to do excellence in everything we do really elevates the ball game." While prioritizing employee work-life balance, Gordon aims to deliver memorable experiences.
In Crested Butte, Soupcon's chef and owner John Leonardi envisions a shift in tourism focus: "For the first time ever, the draw is a restaurant, not ... skiing." He believes a star could draw global attention to overlooked spots and their towns.
Inspectors are already scouting venues, with the next guide expected later this year.
