Build-Outs Of Summer: Copper Door Coffee Roasters In Denver, Colorado

As our Build-Outs of Summer series rolls on, we turn our attentions to Denver, Colorado’s Copper Door Coffee Roasters. The brand’s been in business for the last 7 years, roasting wholesale, but a recent change of ownership now puts the business squarely in the hands of Hannah Ulbrich. She claims Copper Door is “Denver’s only 100% woman-owned coffee company,” and they’re currently building out a cafe in the city’s Mayfair neighborhood. To help support this build-out, Ulbrich has launched a Kickstarter campaign. Copper Door’s Kickstarter has just 3 days left to go as of press time, and is quite close to reaching its goal.

Let’s learn more about what Copper Door has planned for Denver. If you feel inspired or want to get involved, that Kickstarter is located here.

As told to Sprudge by Hannah Ulbrich.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your company, and how it all got started?

I’m Hannah, a wife, mother, and the owner of the only woman-owned roasting company in Denver. Copper Door Coffee has been in the Denver area for over 7 years. As an online and wholesale business owner, I’ve seen the market for specialty coffee grow, and it is time to offer a great cup of coffee to my already amazing customer base here in the community.

Can you tell us a bit about your new space?

Copper Door will be the only craft coffee roasting cafe in east Denver. The spot I found is in my community, so I’m excited to continue to grow so close to home. It was a former ice cream shop, and it needs some work to get it ready for microroasting. I’ll be roasting on site, so I can really bring the freshest coffee to my community.

What’s your approach to serving coffee?

I believe that coffee is personal. I offer light roasts with citrus accents and dark roasts with caramel notes. My customers all have different palates, likes, dislikes, and I want them to all enjoy my coffee, not just the way I like it.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

I roast on a 3 kilo US Roaster Corp roaster. A Synesso Hydra will be pulling the shots. We will also offer crafted pour-overs, and drip coffee for those on the go. All of these machines will be fueled by 100% wind-power. Making great coffee is important, but so is doing it in a sustainable way. Why not make great coffee and the world a little better while you’re at it?

What’s your hopeful target opening month?

This is a tricky one. I’d love to see the doors open in late August, but with permits and construction, it will probably be September. I’m a perpetual optimist though.

Are you working with craftsmen/women, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

As the only female-owned roasting company in Denver, I’ve gathered some amazing women to highlight what we can do in fields generally dominated by men. Karrie McBryde is a local glass blower making my bean jars. Erin Lindstrom is a local welder who is sweating copper and creating some great pieces for the shop.