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What is more delightful than enjoying a cold, sweet treat on a scorching day in Colorado? Ice cream is a classic dessert beloved through the ages. Numerous small businesses in the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area serve delicious ice cream. Here are five places you could get ice cream in the heritage area:

Fort Collins Locations

1. Josh & John’s

Josh & John’s was established in 1986 with five locations across Colorado. The Fort Collins location is in the Bucking Horse area of Fort Collins with an outdoor grass space across the parking lot from the historic Jessup Farm. The first Josh & John’s store was on Kiowa Street in downtown Colorado Springs featuring the inaugural ice cream flavor created by John, one of the founders.

2. Walrus Ice Cream

Walrus Ice Cream was established in 1987, creating premium ice cream and delectable treats by hand in their locally owned store on Mountain Avenue in Fort Collins. They use the finest, all-natural ingredients, which is a premium mix without eggs or gluten. There are 29 ever-changing flavor choices daily and sherbert, sorbet, and low-fate frozen yogurt options too.

3. Old Town Churn

Denver-based Little Man Ice Cream opened their Fort Collins location, Old Town Churn, on October 27, 2018 in The Exchange, a new retail, restaurant and entertainment destination built around a community plaza. Crafted from a Fir wood and accented with a one-ton forges steel hand crank, Old Town Churn pays tribute to the agricultural roots upon which Fort Collins was built. For ice cream connoisseurs, Churn features exclusive Little Man Ice Cream flavors including: “Boilermaker” pairing local New Belgium Brewing Fat Tire caramel beer plus a shot of bourbon with cinnamon toast crunch, “Matcha Honey” made with local raw honey, and “All Nighter” made with an Espresso fudge.

Ariel photo of the Fort Collins Exchange, featuring the Old Town Churn on the right.

Aerial photograph of the Fort Collins Exchange, featuring the Old Town Churn on the right.

Windsor Locations

4. Windsor Lake Coffee

Windsor Lake Coffee opened in December 2018 and is a family-owned café in Old Town Windsor with a selection of specialty coffees, teas, baked goods, pies, lunch and ice cream concoctions. They source locally from suppliers like Coda coffee, Morning Fresh Dairy, and Little Man Ice Cream. The charming atmosphere is abuzz with energy, featuring Harry Potter-themed lattes.

Inside Windsor Coffee.

Inside view of Windsor Lake Coffee.

Greeley Locations

5. Jenny’s Malt Shop & Diner

Jenny’s Malt Shop & Diner has been family owned and operated for over 25 years. The store offers sweets and diner food. On the sweet side of things, there is Hawaiian shave ice, fizzlers, shakes and malts all available in over 100 flavors, in addition to floats, sundaes, ice cream, popcorn, churros, and funnel cakes. They have a select few gourmet goodies, including cinnamon chews and chocolate covered bananas.

We’ve highlighted five local, small businesses here. Visit Yelp.com for a full list of places to get ice cream in the heritage area.