Patsy's Candies.

• Author: Peterson, Eric
• Position: [small biz] COLORADO COOL STUFF - Patsy Maheney - Brief article

Founded in 1903 by namesake Patsy Maheney, Patsy's Candies is one of the state's oldest operating companies. Today it's a family business, owned by the Niswonger family since 1956.

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Wes and Annette Niswonger run Patsy's with help from sons Mike and Si and daughter Christine. The big push since 2008 was to move to all-natural recipes, doing away with artificial flavors and hydrogenated oils.

"We can differentiate ourselves with a better product in an all-natural product," Mike says. "It's a lot different than what a big candy...