Crafty bean scene.

• Author: Newman, Laura Cook
• Position: FOOD & BEVERAGE

TO DIE-HARDS, the black-velvet and rich fragrance is more than buzz-worthy--its a recharging refreshment with $30 billion in annual U.S. sales attesting to its eye-opening appeal.

Shop-by-shop, roaster-by-roaster, Colorado is earning its star on the coffee-lover's map. What's making this emerging coffee scene unique?

PEOPLE

"The unique thing about the craft of coffee is that at every level, the human element is key," said Philip Goodlaxson, roastmaster at Corvus Coffee Roasters in Denver. "From sourcing coffees, which builds relationships with farmers who care deeply about their craft, to using senses: taste, sight, smell, when roasting the bean. Coffee is a socially impactful craft."

Similarly, brothers Tommy and Tim Thwaites of Coda Coffee Co.--named "2014 Roaster of the Year" by Roast Magazine--owe much of their success to people. And not just the 45 employees at their Denver location, but also the team of global farmers they work with to ensure that every element of the supply chain is safe and sustainable.

The siblings grew up in the Seattle coffee scene. Coda earned a coveted B Corporation certification for working to enrich shareholders and the planet simultaneously. These self-titled "worldly dogooders" are also in development to use a waste product (chicken manure) to create rich fertilizer for South American coffee farmers.

The Thwaites brothers' passion for their brand and mission is contagious. Older brother Tommy emphasizes: "We are big believers that if you enjoy what you do, work is a lot easier." That sentiment and bottomless "friggin' awesome" coffee are attributes that draw quality employees to Coda.

MICRO

Smaller operations that roast less than 100,000 pounds of beans annually are considered "micro roasters." Novo Coffee, founded in 2002, is one of the veteran micro roasters making mega waves. The family business operates two antique roasters out of a nondescript warehouse a few blocks from Coors Field. Last year, it expanded consumer reach by opening two hipster-magnet coffee shops in Denver.

The demand for higher quality coffee coupled with relatively low startup costs minimizes the barriers to entering this growing industry. "It seems like every day we're reading about a new roasting company opening or an existing one expanding," said Novo co-founder Jake Brodsky. "Competition has definitely increased, but so has the size of the market as restaurateurs, chefs, baristas and end-consumers are demanding...