We’ve been so focused on what’s going on in Denver’s street food scene with our own City Council kerfuffles that we haven’t been paying close enough attention to what’s happening up the hill in Boulder. Turns out that Comida, Walnut A Go Go, and the rest of the folks up there are working with their own city council to get a new Mobile Vending Guide approved.
The proposed guide was presented at last night’s city council meeting, and the Boulder vendors (existing and soon to be!) are working to make sure that City Council approves it. If you live in Boulder or just like heading up there from time to time (or, like me, think that Comida has the best Mexican food north of Arizona), drop the Boulder City Council a line and let them know that you feel it’s important that they nurture a business environment that allows these creative entrepreneurs to thrive! I modified the letter I sent to the Denver city council, and since I let you all steal that, I’ll let you steal this too. Of course, modify it so that it fits your feelings on the matter and all that jazz.
Send it to: Council@bouldercolorado.gov
And as always, we’d love to see ’em! CC us at info@denverstreetfood.com.
Dear City Council,
I’m writing to express my enthusiasm and support for Boulder’s growing street food scene. The unique emerging business model of the gourmet food truck (or cart or trailer, in many cases!) has allowed a new crop of energetic entrepreneurs to take advantage of a relatively low barrier to entry to bring a nationwide trend to Boulder and Denver. Serving up amazing food (have you tried the Comida truck’s poblano gordita? Or Walnut A Go Go’s mouthwatering breakfasts?!), these trucks are able to bring interesting and exciting new food options to all parts of your great city. The beauty of the trucks themselves draw curious onlookers and the quality of the food often quickly converts them to rabid fans!
Their mobility adds a feeling of spontaneity and fun to following them, and the interactive nature of their social networking presences pull citizens of Boulder and surrounding areas into a buzzing community of shared interest. Through my involvement in DenverStreetFood.com, I’ve met some incredibly interesting people all of whom share a passion for this scene. There’s a sense of civic pride that’s being tapped into by these vendors that I find heartwarming.
In addition, I’ve been able to watch as our website’s list of active vendors has grown from about 6 to the current list of over 40 vendors in less than a year – several of them located in Boulder, and more are cropping up all the time. That’s over 30 new small businesses on the road in the Denver/Boulder metro area! That’s good news for Colorado. I can’t tell you how much it means to me, as a consumer, to know that if I want to pop out of my office for a quick lunch, my options for a quick bite on-the-go aren’t limited to national chains. I would much rather spend my money on a great meal crafted by a local chef and support a Colorado-grown business.
I understand that the Boulder City Council is currently reviewing a proposed Mobile Vending Code that would create a business environment in which this emerging model can continue to grow and evolve. I’d like to urge you to do what is in your power to make Boulder a food truck friendly city, and by extenstion, a small-business friendly city. Creating an environment where these creative entrepreneurs can thrive and the cultural benefit they provide to the city can grow is in all of our best interests.
Sincerely,
Shelly Drumm
DenverStreetFood.com