Bison appears across Fort Collins menus as short ribs, burgers and roasts, the state's heritage protein cooked with more sweetness and less fat than beef.

Bison ranching returned to Colorado's grasslands in the twentieth century, and CSU's agricultural orbit keeps the supply chain close to Fort Collins. The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market braises bison short ribs inside the Elizabeth Hotel, while Austin's American Grill runs bison plates beside its open-flame rotisserie on Mountain Avenue. Leaner than beef with a faintly sweet, iron-rich depth, bison rewards long braises and careful grilling, and locals treat it as the default special-occasion red meat.

2 editor picks for Colorado bison in Fort Collins, ranked by editorial score. All Fort Collins signature dishes · Colorado bison across every city.

The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market ★ 4.4

$$$BrasserieOld Town

The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market serves brasserie plates and bison short ribs inside Fort Collins' Elizabeth Hotel, with a retail wine wall to browse.

OrderBison short ribs with a bottle pulled from the wine market shelves

TipLate-night menu runs to 23:00 nightly and the Bowerbird coffee counter opens at 06:00, so it covers both ends of the day.

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Austin's American Grill ★ 4.1

$$AmericanOld Town

Austin's American Grill roasts and grills over an open flame on Mountain Avenue in Fort Collins, bison plates and cast-iron cornbread with honey butter.

OrderOpen-flame rotisserie chicken with the skillet cornbread

TipThe cast-iron skillet cornbread with honey butter is the non-negotiable side; a second branch sits out on Harmony Road.

DirectionsView

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

Colorado bison makes more sense with someone from Fort Collins explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.

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