Colorado continues to grow and expand, welcoming people from all over the world. Now, Boulder is also a growing home to many people with Hispanic backgrounds. America is a melting pot of cultures and immigrants that make each neighborhood, town, and city wonderful and diverse places to call home. Boulder is no different. Let’s celebrate the invaluable accomplishments that Hispanic Americans have made to our personal communities and our country as a whole.
What is National Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a national holiday celebrated each year from September 15 – October 15. President Lyndon Johnson started an observation week in 1968 that was subsequently expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. This month seeks to celebrate “the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.”
In order to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we can patronize hispanic-owned businesses throughout Boulder County. Fortunately, there are so many to choose from in and near Boulder. While we can’t capture all of them in one list, we’ve selected a few to highlight.
La Momo Maes Bakery
Started in 2011, La Momo Maes Bakery is a family-run operation specializing in all things sweet. The bakery features cases upon cases of fresh-baked goods from cakes and pastries to desserts and fruit tarts, this Longmont bakery has it all. Stop by any morning before work and enjoy its full-service coffee bar to go along with your Mexican wedding cake cookie.
Efrain’s of Boulder
Since the late 90’s, Efrain’s of Boulder has been serving up authentic Mexican dishes to adoring patrons. Spicy chiles and bold flavors are part of every dish that Efrain’s serves up. This cantina specializes in Northern Mexican cuisine and has a long standing tradition of running successful restaurants in Longmont, Boulder, and Lafayette for over 30 years. Don’t miss the chance to dine on delectable blue corn enchiladas and pork tamalés.
Abuelita’s Empanadas
This Longmont-based, family-run eatery makes delightful, flakey empanadas that can’t be beat. Like many great locally-owned, authentic restaurants, Abuelita’s Empanadas doesn’t keep regular hours, but rather informs its dedicated following each day via Facebook, when folks can get fresh, hot empanadas.
Dulceria El Bombon
If you’re in the market for authentic Mexican candies, Dulceria El Bombon is the place to go. This candy store sells colorful, sweet treats of all sizes. Elevate your trick-or-treat game with a surplus of Mexican candy from this Longmont dulceria. It even offers giant piñatas to make every celebration extra special.
Rosarios Peruvian Restaurant
Travel to South America without ever leaving the country by having dinner at Rosario’s Peruvian Restaurant. As the only Peruvian restaurant in Boulder County, this restaurant serves up authentic dishes from the beautiful country like bistek a lo pobre, anticucho, and sudado.
National HIspanic Heritage Month gives us a great opportunity to learn more about the people, cultures, and histories that shape our local and national landscapes. Supporting Hispanic-owned businesses allows our city and county to continue being a place of stability and diversity.