Denver's Slice of Success: Best Pizza Toppings Across Generations

From downtown Denver to the suburban corridors of the Front Range, pizza remains a mile-high favorite across all age demographics. With the pizza industry projected to reach $50.1 billion in 2024, Denver pizzerias are looking to capture their share of this growing market—but standing out requires knowing which best pizza toppings appeal to each generation of Mile High City diners.

Altitude-Adjusted Appetites: Denver's Pizza Scene

The Denver pizza market is as diverse as the city's population. With competition from established downtown favorites to new artisanal shops in RiNo and LoHi, understanding the best pizza topping combos for each generation isn't just smart—it's essential for survival in Colorado's competitive food landscape.

While Denver's younger diners increasingly seek delivery and takeout options that fit their active lifestyles, the city's established residents often prefer traditional dine-in experiences. Understanding these preferences—along with generation-specific topping choices—can help your pizzeria thrive at any elevation.

Best Pizza Toppings for Denver's Gen Z Crowd

Denver's younger generation brings their adventurous outdoor spirit to their pizza preferences. Known for seeking bold, international flavors, Gen Z diners are driving innovation on menus across the city.

Capture this demographic with creative best pizza topping combos that challenge traditional expectations. The Cheeseburger Pizza trend performs exceptionally well in Denver's college areas, especially when made with high-quality Ultimo!® Ground Beef Crumbles and fresh Peak Fresh Produce®. This fusion approach satisfies Denver's Gen Z appetite while delivering familiar flavors.

Classic Toppings with Rocky Mountain Character

Denver's established customers appreciate traditional flavors with local flair. While they enjoy trying new dishes, boomers and older Gen X customers typically prefer classic pizza foundations with thoughtful upgrades.

Elevate your traditional offerings with a Colorado Charcuterie Pizza: start with an Ultimo! Dough Ball and traditional Ultimo! Pizza Sauce, then top with creamy Bacio® Mozzarella and rich Nature's Best Dairy® Brie. Add locally-sourced charcuterie when possible—the inclusion of Colorado-made cured meats can transform this into a "best of local" specialty that resonates with Denver's appreciation for local producers.

Denver Pro Tip: Four out of five Denver consumers enjoy tomato sauce as their base, but green chile adds a uniquely Colorado twist that performs well across all demographics. Consider offering this regional favorite as a sauce option on your menu.

High-Altitude Considerations: Gluten-Free Options

With Denver's health-conscious population, gluten-free options aren't just nice to have—they're essential. A significant portion of Denver consumers actively seek gluten-free options, which is higher than the national average.

Roma Frozen Gluten-Free Crusts provide a solution that stands up to Denver's demanding diners. Made with clean ingredients like brown rice and tapioca flour, these certified gluten-free, non-GMO crusts create a foundation for your best pizza topping combos without sacrificing quality or taste.

Denver Pro Tip: At Denver's higher altitude, gluten-free crusts may require adjustments to baking time and temperature. Brush your gluten-free pizza crust with olive oil or garlic butter before baking to prevent dryness in Colorado's arid climate while adding flavor and creating a beautiful golden finish.

Delivery Dynamics in the Mile High City

Denver's geography and traffic patterns create unique considerations for pizza delivery. A significant majority of Denver millennials consider takeout and delivery essential to their lifestyle—notably higher than the national average.

With destinations ranging from downtown apartments to mountain-adjacent suburbs, offering multiple ordering and delivery options is crucial. Denver's tech-savvy population expects seamless online ordering, while the city's older residents often prefer phone orders or dine-in experiences.

Denver Pro Tip: Consider using insulated delivery bags specifically designed for high-altitude temperature maintenance. The temperature drop during delivery can be more pronounced in Denver's climate, affecting the quality of your carefully selected best pizza toppings.

Building Your Denver Pizza Success

Understanding the best pizza toppings and best pizza topping combos for each generation of Denver diners isn't just about following trends—it's about creating a menu that resonates with the unique character of the Mile High City. By balancing innovation with tradition and offering flexible dining options, your pizzeria can capture a larger slice of Denver's growing pizza market.

This article was adapted for Performance Food Service Denver from our corporate pizza trends blog. For more insights on the best pizza toppings and topping combinations tailored specifically for the Denver market, contact your Performance Food Service Denver representative.

FAQ’s 

What are the most popular pizza toppings in Denver compared to national trends?

While pepperoni remains the top choice nationwide, Denver shows stronger preference for specialty toppings like green chile, locally-sourced meats, and plant-based proteins. Denver consumers are 15% more likely to order pizzas with three or more toppings compared to the national average, making best pizza topping combos particularly important in this market.

How should I adjust my pizza recipes for Denver's high altitude?

Denver's altitude affects dough rising and baking times. Consider reducing yeast slightly, increasing water content, and extending proofing time. For the best pizza toppings to perform well, pre-cook high-moisture vegetables to prevent soggy crusts, as moisture evaporates differently at altitudes.

What delivery packaging works best for Denver's climate and geography?

Insulated bags with moisture control are essential in Denver's dry climate. Performance Food Service Denver offers specialized pizza delivery solutions that maintain temperature while preventing moisture loss—critical for preserving the quality of your best pizza topping combos during longer delivery routes.

How can I appeal to both Denver tourists and locals with my pizza menu?

Create a two-tiered menu approach: offer "Local Favorites" featuring regional specialties like green chile toppings and Colorado-sourced ingredients, while maintaining "Classic Favorites" with traditional best pizza toppings that appeal to tourists seeking familiar options. This strategy serves both markets effectively.

What are the trending plant-based pizza toppings in Denver for 2025?

Beyond traditional vegan cheese, Denver restaurants are seeing success with Roma® Vegan Italian Sausage-Style Crumbles, marinated mushroom blends, roasted local vegetables, and smoked plant proteins. Performance Food Service Denver can help you source these trending plant-based alternatives to create unique best pizza topping combos for this growing market segment.