The MICHELIN Guide expands statewide for 2026 Colorado selection

At the 2025 Michelin ceremony, the Wolf's Tailor become Colorado's first two-starred restaurant. Brent Andeck

We’re pleased to share this announcement from RMFACC member: VISIT DENVER.

By VISIT DENVER Public Relations Staff | Feb. 11, 2026

Today the MICHELIN Guide announced it will be expanding its selection in Colorado to cover the full state in the upcoming 2026 edition. Prior to 2026, the geographic boundaries for the selection covered Denver, Boulder, Aspen and Snowmass Village, the Town of Vail and Beaver Creek Resort. 

“Since the inaugural selection was announced in 2023, the culinary scene in Colorado has continued to evolve and prove itself worthy of being spotlighted on an international stage,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. “Last year, we awarded the first Two MICHELIN Starred restaurant in Colorado, and we look forward to continuing to discover and promote dining establishments across the state, going beyond the main urban areas.” 

The MICHELIN Guide’s anonymous Inspectors are already in the field, making dining reservations and scouting for culinary gems throughout the state of Colorado. The full 2026 restaurant selection will be revealed at a later date this year. 

"We are incredibly proud of Colorado's culinary scene and the role the restaurant industry plays in supporting strong tourism across the state. The MICHELIN Guide’s expansion will help inspire culinary travelers to discover destinations across every corner of Colorado," said Timothy Wolfe, Colorado Tourism Office Director. 

The MICHELIN Guide is constantly observing the evolution of culinary destinations around the world. The Guide’s selection process is determined by anonymous Inspectors and remains completely independent. The MICHELIN Guide is working with destination marketing organizations on marketing and promotional activities only. 

History and methodology The upcoming restaurant selection will follow Michelin’s historical methodology, based on five universal criteria, to ensure each destination’s selection equity: 1) quality products; 2) the harmony of flavors; 3) the mastery of cooking techniques; 4) the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; 5) consistency between each visit and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times a year). 

The MICHELIN Guide remains a reliable companion for any traveler seeking a great meal. The Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage tire sales by giving practical advice to French motorists. Michelin’s Inspectors still use the same criteria and manner of selection that were used by Inspectors in the very beginning, now applied in destinations around the world. 

In 2024, the MICHELIN Guide introduced the MICHELIN Key, providing an ever more comprehensive service, which provides users with recommendations for a complete travel experience. Awarded by the MICHELIN Guide Inspection team based on anonymous stays or visits – independently of existing labels, tourism stars and pre-established quotas – the MICHELIN Keys are an international benchmark for travelers. They aim to guide travelers to accommodations that stand out for their unique hospitality concept, distinctive character, warm welcome and extremely high level of service.  

Most recently, in 2025, the MICHELIN Guide launched the MICHELIN Grape, a new distinction spotlighting wine estates and producers across different regions of the world. The MICHELIN Grape rewards not only the vineyards but also, above all, the men and women who personify them. With this new distinction, the Guide aims to highlight the very best in the world of wine and offer a new benchmark designed for both the curious novice and the passionate expert. 

Michelin announced its first North American Guide in 2005 for New York. Guides have also been added in Chicago (2011); Washington, D.C. (2017); California (San Francisco in 2007, statewide 2019); Florida (Greater Miami, Orlando and Tampa in 2022, adding Greater Fort Lauderdale, The Palm Beaches and St. Pete-Clearwater in 2025, statewide in 2026); Toronto (2022); Vancouver (2022); Colorado (2023); Atlanta (2023), Mexico (2024), Texas (2024), Québec (2024), the American South (2025), Boston (2025), Philadelphia (2025) and the Southwest (2026).

About the Colorado Tourism Office 

The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is a division of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The mission of the CTO is to empower the tourism industry by inspiring the world to explore Colorado responsibly and respectfully. The CTO seeks to advance the strength and resilience of the entire industry through collaboration, inclusivity, innovation and leadership. In 2024, Colorado travelers spent $28.5 billion, generating $1.9 billion in local and state revenues. Additionally, the tourism sector supported 188,510 jobs across the state in 2024. For more information, please visit www.colorado.com. 

About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade 

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.