Dorothy and Bill Harmsen were the most endearing sort of dreamers. They left his cushy pilot’s job and life in Minnesota for an old ranch in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. She grew flowers. He tried woodworking. They settled on ice cream, opening the first Jolly Rancher Ice Cream Store in Golden on May 28, 1949. They look happy in the pictures.
Business was going okay that first summer. But ice cream doesn’t sell in the winter in Golden, so they pivoted to confections and the Jolly Rancher candy we know today was born.
The rest is history, as they say. Jolly Ranchers took off, eventually being sold to the Hershey Company in 1997, where they sit proudly today in a popular line of mass-market candies and treats.
[Golden History Museum & Park]
Jolly Rancher Started as an Ice Cream Store in Golden in 1949
Posted on October 3, 2022 | Updated on September 30, 2025
Paul Karolyi
Jolly Ranchers never forgot their Colorado roots. (Paul Karolyi; Screengrab of https://www.hersheyland.com/jolly-rancher, September 30, 2022)
Share article
Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
A Day In Denver History
A Day In Denver HistoryJanuary 12
Remembering Denver's Barbecue Riot of 1898
And its full-circle moment at this year's National Western Stock Show
A Day In Denver HistoryNovember 6, 2025
Why Denverites Honor 'Daddy Bruce' Randolph Every Thanksgiving
He was a model for community-level philanthropy, serving families in need across the Mile High City.
A Day In Denver HistoryOctober 7, 2025
Denver Quiz: Mile High Hauntings
How well do you know Denver's spookiest spots?
A Day In Denver HistorySeptember 15, 2025
A Denver Landmark Celebrates 150 Years
Looking back at a century-and-a-half of one of Denver's oldest education institutions.
A Day In Denver HistorySeptember 8, 2025
The History of Denver's Evans School Building
How this historic building went from an elementary school to a modern beer hall and event space.
A Day In Denver HistoryAugust 4, 2025
Where Denver's Most Beautiful Greenspaces Came From
Here's how one man's touch shaped how we experience the outdoors today.
A Day In Denver HistoryJuly 22, 2025
Denver Quiz: Do You Know These Denver Mayors?
Mike Johnston marked the halfway point of his term as Denver mayor last night with his “State of the City” address, a peek into what he h...
A Day In Denver HistoryJune 18, 2025
The History of Lincoln Hills
Just in time for Juneteenth, History Colorado opened its updated exhibit on Lincoln Hills, one of the country’s first mountain resorts fo...
The latest in Denver
Sponsored
Best Online Casinos for Real Money You Can Trust Today
Find the best online casinos for real money with fast payouts, big bonuses, and top games. Compare sites and start playing now.
Keep It LocalSeptember 3
Why Denverites Love Leevers Locavore
Buy a drink from Queen City Coffee at the café inside Leevers Locavore, plus a pastry to keep you alert on the drive up.
Keep It LocalSeptember 3
Where to Stock Up For a Fall Road Trip
Spinelli’s Market is known for its deli sandwiches featuring local ingredients, like a creamy goat cheese spread from Haystack Mountain a...
Denver's BestSeptember 1
Your Guide to Denver in September 2026
The very best of what to do around Denver in September 2026.
Denver Life HacksSeptember 1
How to Squeeze the Last Drops Out of Summer
Justine’s Pick: Quiet Times at Rocky Mountain National Park
Keep It LocalAugust 27
Why Denverites Love Hearth and Seoul
Buy the Blue Moon Floral Milk Bath for a coconutty bath mixture with lavender and rose that will put you instantly at ease.
Keep It LocalAugust 27
Where To Find Cozy Fall Goods
Fluffy bath towels, vibrant accent rugs, and trendy pillow covers are among the many cozy items available at Brass Bed.
Keep It LocalAugust 20
Where To Buy Houseplants in Denver
The Denver shops where you can find the perfect plants and develop your green thumb.
