There’s no bad time of year for ice cream, but summer is prime season for a cold, creamy treat. Nothing beats the heat like a scoop or two of ice cream after a hike, kids’ game, family gathering or first date. But who needs an excuse? We scream for ice cream 24/7/365.
Colorado Springs ice cream lovers have lots of great options to choose from, whether they lean toward old-school favorites or creative new flavors. So who serves the best ice cream in Colorado Springs? Here are your winners for Best Ice Cream Parlor, chosen by the voters in our annual People’s Choice Awards.
Brain freeze never tasted so good.
Rizuto’s
Chip Rizuto had a lifelong dream of owning an ice cream shop, and that dream became reality in 2005. Rizuto’s Ice Cream & Sweet Shop got its start at Barnes and Oro Blanco then. This year it opened a second location in Southeast Springs in the former home of Stompin’ Groundz.
Lines out the door are not unusual at Rizuto’s. There’s a loyal following for their fresh flavors and old-school ice cream parlor vibe. The giant soft-serve cones are the go-to. But you can also get hard-packed ice cream, Rizuto’s Italian gelato, sundaes, banana splits, snow cones, cotton candy, gourmet popcorn and more sweet treats. You’ll usually find a member of the Rizuto family working, and for Chip and his crew, ice cream is all about putting smiles on people’s faces.
North: 4785 Barnes Rd.
South: 2050 Jet Wing Dr.
The Ice Cream Mill
Red, white and blue — and ice cream. The Ice Cream Mill leans into the refreshing American tradition, and its interior is designed to look like an Old West frontier town. There are rocking chairs, a covered wagon and a grist mill paddlewheel. Small-batch, fresh-churned, traditional hard ice cream is the specialty at this east-side favorite near Woodmen and Powers.
The Ice Cream Mill is a true mom-and-pop shop. Owners Rick and Cindi Hinds are Black Forest-based retirees who opened their new venture in 2024. There’s a strong sense of community here, and the Hinds believe ice cream should be for everyone — so you’ll always find a variety of dairy-free and vegan options too.
5620 East Woodmen Rd.
And the Winner of the Best Ice Cream Parlor in Colorado Springs Is…
Josh and John’s
Is this any surprise? It shouldn’t be. Josh and John’s is a hometown legend. Started by two Colorado College grads, Josh Paris and John Krakauer, in 1986, the eponymous small business celebrated 40 years this summer. Josh, who sold his share and has taught high school math in Massachusetts for decades, even returned for a reunion. We talked with John ahead of that milestone as he prepared to open a seventh location, the first drive-thru. “The ice cream is better today than it was 40 years ago,” he told us then. Read the full story here.
What makes Josh and John’s ice cream so good? Pure ingredients, creative flavors, strong community involvement and continual innovation all play a part. It all adds up to incredible super premium ice cream that’s as good or better than anything in the country. The taro-based Purple Mountain Majesty is an elixir of the gods, but my family might fight me that Colorado Cookies & Cream is better. I’m happy to do a taste-off again and again. I know I’m not alone as you readers have agreed in crowning Josh and John’s the People’s Choice Champion for Best Ice Cream in Colorado Springs.
J&J’s has seven Scoop Shops along the Colorado Front Range, but the Springs has always been home. Here’s where to find them locally, not including the Scoop Bus that goes mobile to events.
Downtown: 329 N. Tejon St.
Garden of the Gods Drive-Thru: 870 West Garden of the Gods Rd.
Mountain Shadows: 6896 Centennial Blvd.
Flying Horse: 2710 North Gate Blvd.
Creekwalk: 120 E. Cheyenne Rd.
Looking for more sweet treats? Here are our earlier picks for Best Ice Cream in Colorado Springs. And with more new shops opening recently or on the way, including Lolley’s, Ice Guys and The Ice Cream Lab, I guess we’re due for some updated research!
Find all of our People’s Choice Awards winners here.
