Colorado's pizza restaurants number in the hundreds. The places hat have opened and then closed, also number in the hundreds. For one to last over five decades is a testament to how much locals love it.

Panhandler's Pizza in Fort Collis Celebrates 50 Years in 2025

Imagine - The year is 1975: Gerald Ford is into his second year of being President, "Jaws," was the movie everyone was going to see and talk about, The Eagles, Barry Manilow, Elton John, Chicago, and Hot Chocolate were topping the charts.

And a little pizza shop in Fort Collins was beginning a legacy.

Panhandler's Pizza in Fort Collins
TSM/Dave Jensen
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Many memories were made for over 30 years when Panhandler's Pizza was over by Campus West. Dates, pizza parties, family gatherings.

Panhandler's Pizza existed from 1975 to 2017 at 1220 West Elizabeth, near the CSU campus. The joint saw decades of students and locals coming through their doors to enjoy there pies to go, or to sit down at one of their tables with the classic red/white checkered tablecloths.

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In 2017, CSU's growing enrollment brought on needing to tear down the location where Panhandler's (and other businesses) was to bring in student housing. With that, it looked like Panhandler's would disappear into The Choice City's history books.

Student Housing near CSU
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The properties that were where Panhandler's once was were all bought for $6 million to construct a six-story upscale student housing complex, complete with a rooftop pool.

RELATED: 4 Guys Drive 500+ Miles for Fort Collins Pizza Challenge

But, instead of the owners just letting Panhandler's go, they sold it all (trademark, recipes, procedures) to a longtime employee, Louann DeCoursey. DeCoursey re-opened Panhandler's at a new location, across town at 2721 S College Ave, Unit 4B in March of 2018.

Panhandler's Pizza in Fort Collins
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March of 2025 marked 50 years of Fort Collins (and the country) having Panhandler's Pizza around, serving their unique Midwest Cross pizza (Mix of Detroit style and Chicago Style) pan-style pizzas, by the slice or as a whole pie.

Panhandler's had a week long celebration, the last week of March 2025, including live music and slice deals (including .99 slices.)

MORE - 30 Fort Collins Restaurants That Did Not Make it 50 Years

MORE - Former Brewery Become Pizza Hot Spot in Loveland

Colorado has more than a few award-winning pizza joints across the state; Loveland became home to the second location of award-wining pies out of Longmont.

Gallery Credit: Dave Jensen

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