Lovers of Popular Celiac Safe Restaurant/Bar in Fort Collins Could Be Out of Luck

A location in Fort Collins that has seen a pasta restaurant and a Mexican restaurant became home to a gluten-free restaurant and cider taproom in late 2020; becoming the new tenant, where Rasta Pasta and La Luz had once been. The Colorado taproom was a location of a cidery based out of of Washington state.

The founder of that company based the name "Locust" on the sound he heard while waiting for an ambulance after being attacked. That sound became the sound of strength, survival and perseverance. Jason Spears survived to start Locust Cider in 2015; five years later, the Fort Collins location opened at 200 Walnut Avenue.

Four years after that, Locust Cider began closing locations, including the Boulder taproom. Fort Collins was spared from the initial closure of half of their 14 locations, but in December of 2025, the company announced more taproom closures, which left the Fort Collins location in a bit a "limbo" state.

According to WashingtonBeerBlog.com, Locust Cider announced the official closing of all but two locations: their Gig Harbor location and Fort Collins. They said the Fort Collins location would be looking for a new managing partner to "..evolve it into a stand alone fully gluten-free celiac-safe restaurant."

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That left the Chef of Locust Cider, Dan Miller, looking to find that "new managing partner," as in a brewery/cidery/restaurant group that would be willing to acquiring or partnering with the Fort Collins Locust Cider to keep the great celiac-safe restaurant/taproom, community hub in operation.

There are very few places that cater to a Celiac-Free diet, as well as being a fun and vibrant place to hang out. Here's hoping that 200 Walnut Avenue doesn't have to change, except for the name.