Castle Pines Connection recently told the story behind Gelato&Co., and it is one we are proud to share: how a family passion picked up in Italian piazzas became two gelaterias in Douglas County.
It started on a family trip
For years the Barsness family travelled through Italy and kept finding themselves pulled into neighborhood gelaterias by the smell of freshly baked waffle cones. It was less a dessert than a ritual, and it stuck. Dean Barsness, his wife Susan and their son Jonathan decided to learn the craft properly, studying the techniques, textures and generations old traditions that define real Italian gelato.
That study turned into Gelato&Co., now open at 1509 Park Central Drive in Highlands Ranch and 830 New Memphis Court in Castle Rock.
What makes gelato different
Gelato is churned slowly, so it takes in far less air and stays dense and silky rather than frozen hard. It is also served at a warmer temperature, and that is the part most people notice first. Fewer ice crystals means the palate never goes numb, so the flavor arrives immediately and stays.
Made fresh, by hand, every day
Five full time pastry chefs produce every batch on site, balancing ingredients by hand. The precision matters. Layering and mixing has to be done with enough care that the batch stays consistent from the first scoop to the last.
The case holds more than 20 varieties at any time, alongside pastries and desserts, and roughly half the selection rotates monthly. The current line up is always listed on our Colorado stores page.
Flavors worth the drive
Pistacchio is made the traditional way with premium pistachios, no shortcuts, whatever the sourcing costs. Palisade Peach brings Colorado fruit at peak season and becomes a summer favorite the moment it appears. Lavender Honey is the unexpected hit for adventurous palates, while Pineapple Mint sorbet surprises almost every first time visitor. As Jonathan puts it, “People taste it and their eyes get really big.” For anyone looking for a signature, Kroc Choc blends hazelnut, chocolate, vanilla and almond, and has the most loyal following of all.
A place to slow down
The Barsness family sees the shop as a gathering place first, somewhere families, friends and neighbors stop, sit and take their time. That is the part of Italy they were trying to bring back, along with the recipes.
Find opening hours, directions and the flavors available right now on the Gelato&Co. Colorado page, or head straight to Highlands Ranch or Castle Rock.
Read the full story by ViVi Somphon on Castle Pines Connection: Gelato&Co., bringing Italy to Colorado
