Slow-roasted Colorado lamb shoulder or rack from the Western Slope, rubbed with mountain herbs, salt and garlic; the state's premium pasture-raised lamb on Denver tasting menus.

Colorado lamb has been a Front Range ranching staple since the 1880s, raised on the Western Slope and San Luis Valley pastures. The state ranks among the top US lamb producers. Mountain States Rosen marketed Colorado lamb to white-tablecloth kitchens nationally from the 1970s. Frasca's Friuli kitchen, Bistro Vendome and Rioja all run lamb-shoulder courses through the year; the slow-roast preparation owes to Italian and Greek immigrant kitchens on Federal Boulevard and in Globeville from the early 20th century.

4 editor picks for Colorado lamb in Denver, ranked by editorial score. All Denver signature dishes · Colorado lamb across every city.