Colorado’s restaurant and hospitality industry once again prepares for one of its biggest nights of the year. The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) has announced the finalists for the 2026 Colorado Restaurant Association Hospitality Awards, known as the HOSPYS, and public voting is open through October 30.
The annual awards recognize the chefs, restaurants, bartenders, bakers, operators, and hospitality teams shaping Colorado’s dining scene. This year’s finalists represent communities across the state, from Denver and Boulder to Grand Junction, Telluride, Steamboat Springs and beyond. New award categories join returning favorites, giving the public an opportunity to recognize the people and businesses making an impact on Colorado’s food and beverage industry.
Voting closes at midnight on Friday, October 30. Visit cohospyawards.com to vote for your favorite finalists in each category.
Celebrate Colorado’s Hospitality Leaders
Among the Restaurant of the Year finalists are Black Cat Farmstead in Boulder, Kizaki and Rougarou in Denver, Molino Chido in Aurora, and Red Gravy in Colorado Springs. The Newcomer Restaurant of the Year category recognizes Amara Kitchen + Wine Bar in Carbondale, Florence Supper Club in Denver, Odd Rabbit in Boulder, Pig and Tiger in Denver, and Shavano in Salida.
The Chef of the Year finalists include Theo Adley of Marigold and Heretík, Arun Astraelis of Blackbelly, Santo and Morso, Johnny Curiel of Fonda Fina Hospitality, Kelly Jeun and Eduardo Valle Lobo of Casa Juani, and Taylor Stark of The Wolf’s Tailor and SHEEP.
Other categories spotlight the people and teams including pastry chefs and bakers, bartenders, food trucks, caterers, hotels and resorts, and hospitality operators. Unlike most programs, the HOSPY Awards also gives clout to top front-of-house staff, back-of-house teams, and restaurant managers.
A Night to Celebrate Colorado’s Hospitality Industry
In addition to announcing the winners across the HOSPY categories, the gala will recognize four professionals entering the Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame and four recipients of the CRA’s additional awards.
MSU Denver School of Hospitality will receive Community Partner of the Year. Cara and Cliff Blauvelt of Odie B’s and Boombots Pasta Shop will be honored as Philanthropists of the Year. Jill Fischer of Cherry Cricket will receive Front-of-House Legacy Employee of the Year. Finally, Gerardo “Gerry” Perez of Mizuna will be recognized as Back-of-House Legacy Employee of the Year, and fans for the restaurant will recognize the name thanks to the long-standing Gerry’s Bread on the menu.
The 2026 HOSPY Awards Gala will take place Monday, November 16, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (1350 Arapahoe St.). Attendees will enjoy a cocktail reception, plated dinner, awards ceremony, and post-awards dessert reception.
Tickets cost $175 for Colorado Restaurant Association members and their teams, and $275 for nonmembers. Find more details and purchase tickets here.
