Family-Owned Colorado Kolache Company to Close in July

Construction woes and rent hikes force closure of beloved Fort Collins bakery after 4 years

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:05am

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A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a selection of traditional Czech kolache pastries arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the bittersweet closure of this family-owned business.The closure of the beloved Colorado Kolache Company bakery marks the end of a cherished community hub and family legacy.Fort Collins Today

After four years of serving up traditional Czech pastries in Fort Collins, the family-owned Colorado Kolache Company will be closing its doors in July. The bakery, run by the Agnew family, has faced significant challenges in recent months, including a lengthy construction project that disrupted business and a $1,300 monthly rent increase that has made operations unsustainable.

Why it matters

The closure of Colorado Kolache Company represents the struggles that small, independent businesses can face in the face of rising costs and external factors beyond their control. The bakery had become a beloved community hub, reminding many customers of foods from their home countries, and its shuttering is a loss for Fort Collins' vibrant food culture.

The details

Colorado Kolache Company opened in 2022, bringing the traditional Czech pastry to Fort Collins. The family-run business, led by Angela Agnew and her parents, had prioritized community engagement, hosting birthday parties, coloring contests, and even letting local kids help make the kolaches. However, a lengthy construction project outside the bakery's building since August 2025 severely impacted foot traffic, with customers reporting flat tires and poor communication from the construction crews. On top of that, the bakery is facing a $1,300 monthly rent increase, making it financially unviable to continue operating.

  • Colorado Kolache Company opened in 2022.
  • The construction project outside the bakery's building began in August 2025.
  • The bakery will be closing its doors in July 2026.

The players

Colorado Kolache Company

A family-owned bakery in Fort Collins, Colorado that specialized in traditional Czech pastries called kolaches.

Angela Agnew

Helps run Colorado Kolache Company with her parents and children.

Nancy Agnew

Mother of Angela Agnew and owner of Colorado Kolache Company.

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What they’re saying

“With it being a family business and not a franchise, we can be more of ourselves, and we don't have to answer to a franchise. We can answer to our own beliefs and values, and we can be hokey.”

— Angela Agnew, Co-owner, Colorado Kolache Company

“This dough tastes like home to so many different populations. We had a guy coming here from Cuba and he's like, 'We put sweet cheese on this dough.' We had another woman from the United Arab Emirates. She was like, 'We put cucumbers and feta.' There's another lady from Russia who's like, 'It's called this in my country.' A friend of mine is from Jamaica, and he was like, 'These taste like Jamaican donuts.' It was so amazing that we had such a sense of community and that we didn't taste, like, food. We tasted memories.”

— Angela Agnew, Co-owner, Colorado Kolache Company

What’s next

The Agnew family has not announced plans to reopen Colorado Kolache Company at another location after the July 2026 closure.

The takeaway

The closure of the beloved Colorado Kolache Company highlights the challenges small, independent businesses can face even when they have a loyal customer base and strong community ties. Rising costs, external factors like construction, and the inability to pass those costs on to customers can ultimately force the difficult decision to shut down, a loss for the local food culture.