Hacienda Colorado Continues to Shrink With Closure of Wheat Ridge Location

The Colorado-born "Mountain Mex" chain was acquired by Texas-based Uncle Julio’s in 2019.

March 26, 2025

Hacienda expanded to Wheat Ridge in 2020. Michael Reisch

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Wheat Ridge's restaurant scene has gotten much tastier since 2020, thanks to additions like King of Wings, the new location of Little Brazil, bagel favorite Rich Spirit and GetRight's, one of the top metro area bakeries.

But one spot that opened just before the indoor dining shutdown of 2020 has closed its doors for good. Known for serving "Mountain Mex" fare, Hacienda Colorado was founded by Tim Schmidt in Lakewood in 1998; at one point, the homegrown chain had grown to six Front Range locations, including one on the 16th Street Mall that debuted in 2018.

The following year, the company was acquired by Texas-based chain Uncle Julio’s Mexican from Scratch. On February 18, 2020, it opened the first co-branded Uncle Julio’s – Hacienda Colorado in a new two-story, 9,721-square-foot building at 3298 Youngfield Street in Wheat Ridge. But after a five-year run, that spot closed last week with no announcement from the company; Uncle Julio's has not responded to a request for comment.

The 16th Street Mall outpost of Hacienda Colorado was one of many restaurants that never reopened after the March 2020 indoor dining shutdown. The original in Lakewood shut its doors in 2023, and the location off Colorado Boulevard and I-25 served its final meal last March. That space will reopen soon as the first Denver outpost of another locally-owned Mexican chain, Los Dos Potrillos; it is expected to start serving in April.

In the meantime, if you're craving a taste of Hacienda's margs, queso, fajitas or its signature smashable chocolate piñata dessert, you'll have to visit one of its three remaining locations: in Lone Tree, Westminster and Colorado Springs.

Molly Martin has been the Food & Drink editor at Westword since 2021. Prior to joining the staff, Molly reported on the Denver dining scene for more than a decade and contributed to Thrillist. At Westword, Molly monitors restaurant openings and closings, offers dining recommendations and reports on Denver-area food news and trends. She also publishes such annual lists as Top 100 Bars and Top 100 Restaurants, and contributes to the yearly Best of Denver edition. In 2023, she was recognized with the Colorado Restaurant Association's Outstanding Media Professional award.

A message from Molly Martin: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today