Summer is on the way in Colorado, and if you love to cool down with ice cream, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. I always love trying new places, even those that have been around for decades.

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There is one location that should be on every Coloradan's list this summer: Handel's Ice Cream. In 2025, Handel's Ice Cream finally expanded into the state of Colorado with its first location in Aurora. Soon, there will be a location closer to Northern Colorado in Thornton.

Thornton Location Opening Soon

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream will open its second Colorado location at 16689 Washington Street in Thornton next month. To celebrate the grand opening, the first 50 customers at the Thornton Handel's will win free ice cream for an entire year.

READ MORE: Handel's Ice Cream Debuts in Colorado

Handel's Ice Cream opened its first location in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1945. Since the,n the popular ice cream shop has expanded to over 150 locations in 16 states. Each Handel's Ice Cream shop has 48 rotating monthly flavors for you to choose from.

 

With that many options, it may be hard to decide; however, if you win free ice cream for a year from the Thornton location, you can try all of your would-be favorites over the next 12 months. Here are a couple of flavors that caught my eye, and I would love to try:

  • Bananas Foster
  • Blue Monster
  • Caramel Pretzel Crunch
  • Chocoholic Peanut Butter Ripple
  • Graham Central Station
  • Snappy Turtle
  • Tiger Stripes

Thornton Location Opening Soon

For your chance to win free ice cream for a year from Handel's, you will need to visit the Thornton location during the grand opening celebration on Thursday, March 12, 2026. You'll need to be one of the first 50 customers in line, over the age of 18, for your chance to win. More information can be found on Handel's Thornton Facebook post.

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