Power outages impose immediate, measurable costs on small restaurants. Boulder’s recent four-day outage—implemented by Xcel Energy as a fire-prevention measure during hurricane-force winds—underscored the economic exposure facing independent operators. In a market where margins are thin and working capital is tied up in perishable inventory, hours without power can translate into weeks of lost profit. This decision-making framework emerged in the wake of the Marshall Fire, wh

Ever wonder why your morning latte costs more this year than last? While you might blame inflation or supply chain hiccups, the real culprit behind rising coffee prices is hiding in plain sight: government policies. As someone who's been roasting beans and serving Boulder's coffee community for years, I've watched these policy changes ripple through our industry like dominoes falling. What starts as a bureaucratic decision in Washington ends up affecting the price of your dai

Walking into a coffee shop shouldn't feel like deciphering a foreign language, but let's be honest: it often does. Between all those Italian names and similar-sounding drinks, it's no wonder many people default to ordering the same thing every time or feel overwhelmed staring at the menu board. Here's the good news: most coffee drinks are built from just three basic components: espresso, milk, and water. Once you understand how these elements combine, navigating any coffee me

Walking into Ruzo Coffee on any given morning, you'll hear a symphony of milk steamers working their magic. But here's the thing: not all milks are created equal when it comes to that perfect espresso drink. Whether you're a longtime oat milk devotee or still figuring out which alternative works best for your taste buds, we've got you covered. Let's dive into the world of milk alternatives and see how each one plays with our carefully roasted espresso blends. Spoiler alert: t

Choosing local in Boulder isn’t just feel-good—it’s measurable flavor. Fresher beans, shorter supply chains, and hands-on roasting add up to better cups at Boulder coffee shops and North Boulder coffee shops alike. Short version: it tastes better, and it feels better. Fresher Beans, Brighter Cups Coffee peaks 3–10 days after roasting and fades fast after about two weeks. Chain stores rely on long storage and shipping, which mutes sweetness and aromatics. At Ruzo, we roast s

Coffee costs are up in 2025. With higher Arabica and Robusta prices, tough weather at origin, shipping delays, and new tariff pressures,...

Walk into Ruzo Coffee on Broadway and you’ll notice two things right away: the smell of freshly roasted beans and the art lining our...

Hey Boulder coffee lovers! Ever wondered what goes on behind the counter at Ruzo? We roast right here in Boulder so your cup is fresher,...