Bannister, who began his chalk art career on a dare in 2009, produced “Looking Up,” a happy woman’s face, in front of Clear Fork Cider, 4965 Iris Street. Bannister was glad for the work because all his spring gigs, including a commission to create work in front of Coors Field for opening day, were canceled because of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Colorado producers are transforming local fruit into sessionable sippers—and winning international awards. Here’s what you should be drinking right now at five Front Range cideries.

Cider maker Jay Kenney chooses hard-to-find apples that produce delicious flavors.Clear Fork Cider

The hard-cider revolution first blossomed across Colorado about five years ago, and today it’s in full flower. Some Front Range cideries import the vast majority of apples or juice and then ferment the fruit into booze. Others, like Haykin and Clear Fork Cider in Denver, try to use as much Colorado fruit as possible in their elixirs. Relying upon Colorado apples was tough last year, as a spring frost killed most blossoms statewide before they could mature.