About Us

Mauka to Makai. Mountains to the Sea.

At Moonrise Coffee Roasters, our passion is rooted in two paradises — the mountains of Colorado and the shores of the Hawaiian Islands. We’ve been blessed to experience the beauty and wonder of Mauka to Makai (Mountains to the Sea), finding belonging, inspiration and abundance in both places where connection to nature and community thrive.

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Born of Aloha. Grounded in Colorado. Driven by Intention.

At Moonrise Coffee Roasters, we love to appreciate the beauty of Mauka and Makai - mountainside and seaside. More than that – we are so in love with our kids and cherish our amazing ‘Ohana. Our vision for Moonrise sparked during a magical trip to a Maui – the vibe in every local coffee shop had us wondering, “Could we bring the tastes and vibes of paradise home to Colorado?” Our passion was further fueled during many dark and early mornings nursing and changing our babes – also a magical experience with enough delicious coffee! We had never seen the moon so much as on those nights, but amidst the darkness we had some clarity, vision for what we could create. We decided to draw upon our entrepreneurial, barista-ing, retailing, serving, bartending, social enterprising, non-profiting, philosophizing experiences to make a plan for coffee + community – Aloha style. This means we source only top tier beans from Maui and all over the world, and we air-roast with care and intention, and our café is full of people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences, who can all agree that Aloha -style authentic connection can translate to any language.

Born of Aloha, we are acknowledging the love of, and participation in authentic connection, something we are proud to say is alive and well here in The Mile High City and throughout Colorado. If you have ever been blessed to visit a Hawaiian Island, you know that the first requirement of receiving Aloha is to just show up…the abundance in the experience of Paradise comes with the quality of our participation. We invite you to experience the Aloha with our growing Mile High ‘Ohana, all you have to do is show up for a cup of coffee.

Paradise isn’t just a place —it can be a feeling that begins with a Smell, a Sip, a Savor.

Whether you’re sipping in our café or brewing at home, you’re part of our ‘Ohana.

01

Sourcing the World’s Best Beans

We partner with farmers and co-ops from Ethiopia to Central America to Maui, choosing beans that reflect their region’s unique character. Every relationship is built on shared values—ethical farming, environmental care, and a passion for exceptional coffee.

02

Selecting for Quality and Flavor

Once green beans arrives, our team carefully evaluates each batch for aroma, density, and moisture content. Only beans that meet our exacting standards — bright, complex, and full of character — make the cut. This ensures that every roast captures the best of its origin and maintains consistency from mountains to sea.

03

Air Roasted to Perfection

Instead of the traditional drum method, we air roast — a process that suspends beans on a bed of clean, hot air. This allows each bean to roast evenly from all sides, producing a smooth, balanced flavor without bitterness or burnt notes. The result? Coffee that’s bright, clean, and true to its natural essence.

04

Small Batch, Fresh Roast

Every batch is roasted fresh to order. By keeping our batches small, we can monitor each roast closely, fine-tuning temperature and timing to bring out the bean’s full potential. You’ll taste that care in every cup — consistent, aromatic, and undeniably smooth.

05

Brew, Savor, and Sip Into Paradise

We believe great coffee is more than a drink — it’s a ritual, a solo pause, an invitation to gather. Moonrise coffee is intuitively crafted to shine across all brewing methods- including your reusable K-cups! Each sip of espresso, pour-over or French press reflects Aloha from mountains to see – from our ‘Ohana to yours.