Love this thread. I'm missing Colorado today:
Gunnison, CO: High Alpine Brewing: Kölsch, IMO. It's exceptionally well done. Other beers are good, too. Pizzas are excellent, and not just a lazy brewery add-on. Back Country Cafe: Awesome breakfast spot. Anything with green chile is good, the San Juan Eggs Benedict are the proverbial shiz. Sherpa Cafe: Displaced refugees stuck around and opened a Nepalese/Indian joint. Great.
Crested Butte, CO: The Secret Stash: Very good pizza, good atmosphere, Meat Candy appetizer is awesome.
Tincup, CO (glorious middle of nowhere): Frenchy's Cafe: Great lunch stop if you're doing any of the surrounding trails/passes or fishing the area. Beautiful setting in an old mining town. Kids can fish in the stocked pond out front. Great burgers, incredibly good desserts.
Salida, CO: Patio Pancake Place: Excellent unpretentious breakfast joint in a great town. Again, anything with green chile is good.
Buena Vista, CO: The Buena Viking: Good if pricey burgers from a trailer in the outdoor seating area of Deerhammer Distillery.