The Colorado Department of Agriculture announced on June 2 that it is celebrating June Dairy Month by encouraging residents to enjoy locally sourced dairy products, such as Denver Pudding, made with Colorado milk. Milk in Colorado typically travels fewer than 40 miles from farm to store shelves, supporting local farmers and businesses.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the dairy industry contributes over $3.8 billion annually to Colorado’s economy and supports nearly 15,000 jobs. There are about 100 dairy farm families across the state whose work helps sustain rural communities. The department said using ingredients produced in-state—such as milk and butter from Royal Crest, Meadow Gold, or Morning Fresh Dairy—can help reduce food miles and support local economies.
Residents are encouraged to look for the Colorado Proud logo when purchasing ingredients like flour milled from Colorado-grown wheat or seasonal fruit toppings at neighborhood farmers markets. The Farm Fresh Directory provides information on where to find these products in both English and Spanish. The department also recommends topping Denver Chocolate Pudding with locally made ice cream brands including High Point Creamery, Little Man Ice Cream, Sweet Cow, Ice Cream Mill, Josh and John’s, or Colorado City Creamery.
The announcement includes a recipe for Denver Chocolate Pudding shared by Food.com, along with pairing suggestions such as wine from Fox Fire Farms or a homemade latte using locally roasted coffee. Additional recipes can be found at ColoradoProud.com.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture enriches community life by supporting producers and strengthening the state’s food system; it supports more than 36,000 farms and ranches across 30 million acres, employing 195,000 people and contributing $47 billion to the state’s economy; it ranks first nationally for cattle and calves production; it strengthens agriculture by promoting a safe food supply while protecting consumers and the environment; serves producers and consumers statewide; and maintains the Hemp Advisory Committee to guide industry efforts—all according to the official website.
