A pair of local restaurateurs have brought their love of northern Italian wine, fine dining and steakhouse expertise to Niwot with Fortezza Ristorante, aiming to fill a gap in the area’s dining options.
Located in the former Farow restaurant space at Niwot Road and North 79th Street, Fortezza draws inspiration from theculinary experiences founders Adam and Natalie Moore shared in Northern Italy, as well as Adam’s high-end steakhouse background. Adam Moore describes their connection to the region as an “infatuation.” He has visited Northern Italy almost a dozen times, several visits coming while working as general manager at Denver’s Barolo Grill.
“It has just such a charm to it. It really was just a beautiful area with phenomenal food,” he said.
This isn’tstereotypical Italian American fare of red-sauce pasta, fried cutlets and heavy Parmesan.
“The beauty of northern Italian cuisine is that it’s hyperfocused on local, super high-end quality ingredients, done very well, done very artistically,” he said. “It’s really not about quantity. It’s about quality and doing it right.”
Adam and Natalie Moore, owners of Fortezza Ristorante in Niwot. Courtesy of Fortezza
Among the standout ingredients on the menu are 18-month-aged prosciutto di Parma, 12-year balsamic vinegar and DOP-certified Parmigiano Reggiano.
He recalled visiting producers in Italy whose processes were painstaking and steeped in tradition — from bbarreezes drifting through prosciutto-aging rooms to cows’ diets that shape the flavor of Parmigiano Reggiano.
“It’s just absolutely elegant. Crazy pieces of culinary love,” Moore said.
Northern Italian cuisine also reflects influences from French, German and Eastern European traditions. Pasta is still on the menu, but it’s house-made and ingredient-centered. For example, San Marzano tomatoes may be used in peak season, but at other times chefs rely on brodo or wine-based preparations.
Moore has brought hamachi crudo, inspired by Tuscany’s coastal dishes, to Niwot. While the sea isn’t two hours away, seafood importers deliver next-day catches to ensure freshness.
He also wanted to add a premium steakhouse experience, launching Fortezza with a couple of American Wagyu options.
Both Adam and Natalie grew up in Longmont and met while bartendingduring college. They later worked across Denver’s fine-dining scene, where they met future Fortezza chefs Egan Ma and Dylan Rigolini.
When Farow closed earlier this year, Moore contacted his realtor, looped in Ma and Rigolini, and secured the space in June. Two months later, Fortezza opened with a curated seasonal menu and an extensive wine list.
Northern Italian dishes at Fortezza Ristorante in Niwot. Courtesy of Fortezza Ristorante
Moore is just as passionate about wine as he is about food. He cites Brunello di Montalcino as a favorite.
“You have to age it for three years in oak, then another year in bottle before release,” he said. “They don’t make a dime until half a decade after harvest. The care and thought that goes into it — you see it in their faces.”
Fortezza takes the same approach with its menu: shorter, seasonal and tightly focused. Dishes rotate frequently depending on what’s fresh. Roasted Palisade peaches paired with porchetta and nasturtiums from EsoTerra Farms have already appeared. Other items came off the menu within weeks because ingredients weren’t at their peak.
Wines featured on the list at Fortezza Ristorante in Niwot. Courtesy of Fortezza Ristorante
Fall will bring beets, Brussels sprouts and other cool-weather crops. Moore is eager to use the property’s grower boxes for herbs and greens, inspired by restaurants in Barbaresco.
“We were just having a spritz on the patio overlooking Mont Blanc, and it was gorgeous,” he said. “The chefs were collecting herbs from their garden between cigarette breaks.”
Moore estimated dishes will stay on the menu for about six weeks, giving regulars time to try most items before new ones appear.
“It’ll have the illusion of a bigger menu but just gradually changing with the seasons,” he said.
A U.S. District Court judge has dismissed Boulder’s lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration, which challenged the agency’s position that the city must keep its airport open indefinitely as a condition of federal funding accepted decades ago.
The case was dismissed largely on procedural grounds, without addressing the central legal questions, leaving the airport’s long-term fate in limbo.
City officials have said the lawsuit was not an attempt to close the airport but to clarify whether closure is legally possible. In a statement, city spokeswoman Sarah Huntley said Boulder is reviewing the ruling and weighing its options.
The dispute has been a flashpoint in a broader debate over the airport’s future. Located in northeast Boulder, the facility primarily serves private pilots, flight trainees, gliders and researchers. Opponents of the airport want to repurpose the land for housing, while supporters argue it provides important services and should remain open.
The city’s lawsuit, filed July 26, 2024, sought a court ruling allowing Boulder to close the airport by 2040. At issue is whether federal grants accepted decades ago bind the city to keep the airport open permanently.
The city said it accepted two FAA grants for land purchases in 1959 and 1977, both of which stipulated a maximum 20-year obligation. The city argued that the othergrants it received for easements, most recently in 1991, do not require the city to keep the airport running in perpetuity. However, the FAA argued a 1991 grant for about $650,000 to acquire an easement for a project related to realigning a taxiway obligated the city to keep the airport open unless the agency approves its closure.
In a Sept. 15 ruling, U.S. District Judge Nina Y. Wang dismissed one of Boulder’s claims for lack of jurisdiction, indicating the court had no authority to decide the issue. Wang also rejected the city’s constitutional claims, ruling Boulder lacked standing because any harm would not occur until “years in the future.” City officials have said that Boulder’s most recent FAA grant, accepted in May 2020, came with a 20-year obligation, meaning the airport could potentially close in 2040.
The claims were dismissed without prejudice, meaning it was not a judgment on their merits.
The case also has financial implications. Boulder has stopped accepting federal airport grants while the legal fight plays out, a decision that could leave the facility facing a budget shortfall as soon as next year, according to city budget records.During a Sept. 8 candidate forum, Councilmember Matt Benjamin called the lawsuit “frivolous” and urged Boulder to resume accepting federal funding.
“What we do need to do is take that money and let that airport start generating money,” Benjamin said in response to a question about the city’s budget challenges.
Laura Kaplan, a Planning Board member and organizer with the 2024 Airport Neighborhood Campaign ballot committee that sought to close the airport, said the city should continue pursuing legal options now or in the future and avoid accepting new grants that extend obligations beyond 2040.
“Litigation is often a winding road. This ruling on a technicality, without prejudice, is just the current twist,” Kaplan told Boulder Reporting Lab in an email. “The key legal issues remain unresolved. Clearly there are strong reasons why the city should seek to retain self-determination over the future and management of our city-owned land.”
The Boulder Planning Board voted unanimously on Sept. 2 to recommend the proposed Affordable Housing Impact Fee, which would impose a fee on property owners who demolish homes and replace them with larger ones, for adoption by city council. The Housing Advisory Board also voted to recommend the ordinance on Aug. 27.
City council votes are scheduled for Oct. 9 and Oct. 23. If approved, the ordinance would take effect Jan. 31, 2026.
A study commissioned by the city, published earlier this year, revealed that smaller, relatively affordable homes are often replaced with multimillion-dollar redevelopments worth up to $3.5 million more than the originals. These projects drive up demand for attainable housing, and the influx of higher-income residents increases demand for local goods and services, which in turn requires more subsidized housing. Under the current law, most property owners for single-family teardown-and-rebuild projects have their contributions to the city’s affordable housing program waived, despite the impact tied to their redevelopments. The fee is meant to close this loophole.
Two types of residential development would be subject: replacement homes and substantial additions. The fee would be $15 per new square foot. Replacement homes would receive credit for the demolished area, while home additions will have a one-time exemption of 500 square feet. There are also exemptions for projects involving homes under 2,000 square feet and ADUs. Renovations that do not increase the size of the home would not be impacted. The fee would be expected to generate $1.2 million annually.
Planning Board members generally supported the ordinance. They said it would have limited impact on low- and middle-income families and advance efforts to address housing affordability in Boulder.
Unlike water and sewage impact fees, which cap charges at homes of 3,700 square feet, the Affordable Housing Impact Fee would not have a maximum. This is because larger homes are seen as directly increasing the need for additional affordable housing, Senior Housing Manager Jay Sugnet told the Planning Board. All impact fees will be updated every year as part of the budgeting process.
City staff are still working to clarify how basement square footage will be included in the ordinance.
Update, Sept. 24, 2025: Xcel and two telecom companies agreed to a $640 million settlement in the Marshall Fire lawsuits. The trial was canceled.
A trial over Xcel Energy’s potential liability in the 2021 Marshall Fire, Colorado’s most destructive wildfire, begins this week.
The trial, expected to last about two months, involves more than 4,000 plaintiffs, including homeowners, business owners and insurance companies. They argue Xcel is responsible for one of two fires that merged on Dec. 30, 2021, leaving the utility exposed to hundreds of millions of dollars in potential damages.
Investigators traced one ignition to smoldering embers from a controlled burn on the property of the Twelve Tribes, a religious sect, according to a report from local law enforcement. The other fire began about an hour later near the Marshall Mesa Trailhead, where winds up to 100 mph allegedly knocked an Xcel power line loose from its insulator, releasing hot particles that ignited dry grass.
Plaintiffs say Xcel was negligent for failing to maintain its equipment and surrounding vegetation and for not shutting off power during dangerous wind conditions. Xcel has denied that its power lines caused the fire, arguing that evidence of a power line fire alone does not prove negligence. If found liable, a separate proceeding will determine damages. Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for destroyed property, smoke damage, evacuation costs, lost income and emotional distress, among other consequences of the fire.
Xcel has prepared thousands of exhibits for the trial, which is likely to feature detailed testimony on fire science, weather and the power grid. Jury selection is expected to take the first two days, with opening statements scheduled for next week. The trial is set to be livestreamed from courtroom G beginning Sept. 25 at 8 a.m.
Exploring the Great Outdoors: A Guide to Colorado's Best Hiking Trails
Colorado is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, towering mountains, and diverse ecosystems, making it one of the premier destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, the state offers countless opportunities for hiking while catering to all skill levels. This guide will explore some of Colorado's best hiking trails, showcasing their unique features, scenic views, and essential tips.
1. Rocky Mountain National Park: Bear Lake Trail
The Bear Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-see for anyone visiting Colorado. This 1-mile loop is perfect for families and novice hikers. The trail is easily accessible, and its boardwalks make it suitable for all ages. The path is lined with wildflowers in the summer, and the view of Bear Lake with the backdrop of the rugged peaks is simply stunning.
Highlights:
Scenery: Crystal-clear lake, wildflowers, and impressive mountain vistas.
Wildlife: Keep an eye out for elk, deer, and various bird species.
Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early fall when the trail is dry.
2. Mount Elbert: The Highest Peak in Colorado
For those seeking a challenge, the hike to Mount Elbert, the tallest peak in Colorado at 14,440 feet, offers a rewarding experience. The standard route, the South Mount Elbert Trail, spans approximately 9 miles round trip. The hike is strenuous but well-marked, featuring switchbacks that lead to the summit, where views stretch for miles.
Highlights:
Elevation Gain: Around 4,700 feet, suitable for experienced hikers or strong novices.
Weather: Be cautious of changing weather conditions, and start early to avoid afternoon storms.
Camping: There are campsites near the trailhead for those who wish to break the hike into two days.
3. Flatirons: Chautauqua Trail
The Flatirons in Boulder provide iconic views and varied terrain. The Chautauqua Trail offers a 1.4-mile hike that can be extended to challenging scrambles if desired. The well-marked paths lead hikers through picturesque pine forests, layered rock formations, and sweeping vistas of the Boulder Valley.
Highlights:
Accessibility: Located near the city, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists.
Activities: Ideal for hiking, rock climbing, and photography.
Facilities: The Chautauqua Park offers picnic areas and restrooms.
4. Maroon Bells: Crater Lake Trail
The Maroon Bells, often referred to as the most photographed mountains in North America, offer a stunning backdrop for hikers. The Crater Lake Trail, a 3.6-mile round-trip hike, takes you around the shimmering lake, with opportunities for stunning reflections of the peaks at sunrise and sunset.
Highlights:
Photography: Incredible opportunities for capturing nature, especially at dawn.
Wildlife: Early risers may spot moose and other wildlife drinking from the lake.
Permit Requirements: Ensure you obtain a reservation during peak season to access the site.
5. Lost Creek Wilderness: Goose Creek Trail
The Goose Creek Trail boasts roughly 6 miles of pristine wilderness hiking. This area within the Lost Creek Wilderness offers a mixture of rolling hills and granite formations. It is often less traveled, providing solitude amid lush forests and beautiful landscapes.
Highlights:
Solitude: Perfect for those looking to escape the crowds.
Scenic Features: Spectacular rock formations and pristine streams.
Access: A short drive from Deckers, making it ideal for a day trip from Denver.
6. Garden of the Gods: Perkins Central Garden Trail
The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs features stunning red rock formations. The Perkins Central Garden Trail is an easy, 1.5-mile loop that is wheelchair accessible, providing excellent views of the surrounding geology. The park is free to visit and offers various visitor amenities, making it ideal for families.
Highlights:
Accessibility: Paved paths make it suitable for all ages and abilities.
Activities: Rock climbing, visitor center exhibits, and guided walks.
Location Benefits: Close proximity to Colorado Springs makes it easily accessible.
7. Indian Peaks Wilderness: Mitchell Lake Trail
Mitchell Lake Trail is a relatively easy 2.2-mile hike that leads to a stunning alpine lake surrounded by jagged peaks. This trail offers scenic views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and is perfect for families looking for a half-day excursion.
Highlights:
Flora and Fauna: Watch for wildflowers and various wildlife, including marmots and pikas.
Accessibility: Located near Nederland, make it an easy day trip from Boulder.
Seasonality: Best visited late spring through early autumn to avoid snow.
8. Pikes Peak: Barr Trail
The Barr Trail is a challenging yet rewarding 13-mile trek that leads to the summit of Pikes Peak, one of Colorado's famed "Fourteeners." The trail is well-marked and offers climbers stunning views, diverse ecosystems, and plenty of elevation gain.
Highlights:
Difficulty: Suitable for experienced hikers due to elevation and length.
Historical Significance: The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes place on this legendary route.
Altitude: Be prepared for thin air; acclimatization is advisable.
9. Crested Butte: Snodgrass Trail
The Snodgrass Trail is a 3-mile hike known for its wildflower displays and panoramic views of Crested Butte. As you make your way through lush meadows, this relatively easy hike is great for all levels and offers fantastic photo opportunities.
Highlights:
Access to the Mountain Biking Trails: Connects to various biking routes for those looking for more adventure.
Wildlife Viewing: Perfect for spotting deer and various birds.
Scenic Views: Offers picturesque vistas of the surrounding mountains, especially in the fall.
10. Estes Park: Emerald Lake Trail
A short yet rewarding hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Emerald Lake Trail spans just 3.5 miles round trip. It leads you to a breathtaking glacial lake with views of surrounding granite peaks. This popular trail is well-marked and offers opportunities for engaging with nature.
Highlights:
Accessibility: Suitable for families and beginner hikers.
Beauty: Stunning views of Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake.
Seasonal Considerations: Best enjoyed in summer and fall; check for snow in spring.
By exploring these trails, hikers can experience the diverse beauty of Colorado's outdoor landscape. Each path offers its own level of challenge, unique views, and a chance to immerse oneself in the natural world. Whether you're seeking solitude, family-friendly paths, or scenic vistas, Colorado's hiking trails promise unforgettable adventures.
Send Boulder County food event listings (classes, dinners, tastings and baking contests) to nibbles@boulderreportinglab.org. Catch up on past bites: You can read previous editions of Nibbles on BRL anytime.
For generations of Coloradans, Longmont was a drive-through city. You had to drive through Longmont along US 287 to get to Estes Park and Fort Collins.
Some locals looked down on Longmont as Boulder County’s “low-rent cousin.” They called it “Longtucky” or “the turkey factory town,” a reference to the long-closed Butterball plant on Main Street. Longmont diners jammed the Diagonal Highway on weekend nights on their way to eat in Boulder.
In 2025, the traffic flow — not to mention the perception— has reversed. Longmont is winning awards for livability and is now a more affordable city to open food businesses and restaurants.
Foodies may reasonably ask: What can I eat in Longmont that I can’t find in Boulder?
For an appetizer, the city is home to Bella La Crema, Colorado’s only freshly churned butter bar, and Cheese Importers, the state’s largest selection of cheeses and charcuterie from around the world and across Colorado.
And nestled in Longmont are Dryland Distillery, a much-honored, Colorado-focused spirits maker; Robin Chocolates, a veteran-owned artisan truffle shop; and Leckerlee, a nationally known baker of lebkuchen, the spicy German cookies.
Where else but Longmont can you sample Guatemalan coffee and fare (Chí Kapé), sci-fi-themed ales (Outworld Brewing), scratch-made doughnuts fried in tallow (Amazin Glazed), and onigiri, Japanese rice balls (Kawaii Konbini)?
Restaurant Week serves up menu of Longmont tastes
Restaurant week participants include (left to right): 99Bar Saloon and Smokin’ Daves BBQ. Courtesy of Longmont Restaurant Week
Since Boulder’s First Bite week ended in 2024, Longmont Restaurant Week is the only sampling event of its kind in Boulder County.
Longmont Restaurant Week offers dining deals at $25, $35, $45 and $55 from Oct. 3-12 at more than 40 restaurants, breweries and cafés.
“We have expanded the Restaurant Week mindset of upscale meals with wine to finding new affordable places to dine,” says Jessica Ferguson, the owner-director of Longmont Restaurant Week.
“Most of these dining weeks are run by visitor and business organizations. Here, it’s an independently run event and we can take a more inclusive approach.”
In Longmont, parking is free on and around Main Street. “That’s where a lot of the restaurants are located close together. You can usually just walk in one without a reservation,” Ferguson says.
300 Suns Brewing: $25 gets you a trio of deviled eggs, a choice of a burger or chicken sandwich with a side dish, and a beer, cider or cocktail.
Sugarbeet: The $45 multi-course meal can include potato croquetas with jamón ibérico and manchego, a bowl of Thai green curry, and entrées such as Arctic char, bistro steak, maple-glazed chicken or pumpkin risotto.
According to Ferguson, Longmont has experienced a food-and-drink boom.
Ferguson points to the Alleyway Collective, a new food establishment open inside the Abbott & Wallace Distillery tasting room. “The Collective is operated by chef Edward Perea from Summit Tacos and they serve in both the St. Vrain Cidery as well as Abbott & Wallace,” she says.
“He has a bone marrow dish on his charcuterie plate that you have to try.”View the complete menu for Longmont Restaurant Week.
Hummus from Falafayette in Lafayette. Credit: Falafayette
The garbanzo bean dip is ubiquitous at supermarkets and on menus, and it usually tastes about the same. At Falafayette, owner Adam Bratter crafts the silkiest, most craveable hummus I’ve encountered.
He waxes poetic about the three-day process of soaking, cooking and grinding certified organic garbanzos into hummus or falafel. For hummus, Bratter blends in tahini (sesame seed paste), fresh lemon juice, salt, cumin “and other spices,” he says.
Bratter dishes this culinary blessing from his Falafayette food trailer, semi-permanently parked behind Romero’s K9 Club & Tap House in Lafayette.
The simple menu was inspired by flavors that Bratter sampled at legendary falafel shops in Israel and Miami.
One bowl tops hummus with tahini sauce, olive oil, veggies and pickles. A side order of hot fries for dipping is recommended.
For Falafayette’s memorable sandwiches, Bratter starts with thick, soft pita loaves from New Jersey’s Angel’s Bakery. Freshly fried falafel balls, hummus and veggies are topped with three house-made sauces: tahini, s’chug (like green chimichurri) and pickled mango sauce.
Falafel sandwich from Falafayette in Lafayette. Credit: Falafayette
The stand is typically open year-round for Tuesday and Friday lunch, dinner on Wednesdays, and occasionally other days. Check social media for the current schedule. It’s essentially a one-man business, so savvy Falafayette regulars always order ahead online.
Falafayette also hosts a booth at the Lafayette Farmers Market selling hummus and green sauce.
Falafayette owner Adam Bratter will talk about his abiding passion for hummus with John Lehndorff on Radio Nibbles, airing at 8:20 a.m. Sept. 25 on KGNU, 88.5 FM, and streaming at kgnu.org.
Local food news
Sustainable seafood advocate Sheila Lucero enters Colorado food hall of fame: Chef Sheila Lucero, Culinary Director of Jax Fish House and a champion of sustainable seafood, will be inducted into the Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame.
Boulder County eateries among finalists for the 2025 Hospitality Awards (The Hospys): The honors from the Colorado Restaurant Association recognize hospitality professionals. Chef of the Year finalists include Johnny Curiel (owner of Boulder’s Cozobi Fonda Fina). Finalists for Colorado Restaurant of the Year include Marigold in Lyons and Boulder’s Black Cat Farmstead. Diners can vote for their favorites.
Chef Sheila Lucero, Culinary Director of Jax Fish House. Credit: Big Red F
Openings
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaiihas opened a location at 2850 Baseline Road, with a menu including the “Bad Ass One” sandwich — Spam, egg, Swiss, pineapple and BBQ on a sweet bun.
Rasoi House by Spice Roomis serving Indian cuisine at 390 McCaslin Blvd. in Louisville, most recently the location of Biryani Bliss.
Culinary calendar
Learning to bake rugelach and make kimchi
Sept. 28: Journey Culinary, Longmont’s culturally immersive cooking school, offers a class in baking Jewish holiday treats, rugelach and kimchi. Register here,
Oct. 5: Boulder’s Friends Farm is hosting a hands-on fermentation class that takes newbies through the process of safely fermenting veggies. Register here.
Colorado markets and farm stands are jammed with fresh produce as the growing season concludes. Frankly, a lot of the apples, cabbages, squashes and tomatoes are ugly, bruised, misshapen or oversized.
In the farming world these items are referred to as “seconds” or “utility” produce – still edible, nutritious and tasty but cosmetically challenged. The uglies are often hidden under market and farm stand counters and sold by the case for a much lower price.
This produce is perfect for juices and sauces, baking pies, dehydrating, freezing for later use, and for preserving, pickling and fermenting.
For fermenting, pickling and beer and cider ingredients, equipment and advice, visit Boulder Fermentation Supply, where you can sip ales from next-door Vision Quest Brewery while shopping for yeast.
Deep food thoughts
“Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.” — Dave Barry
