麻豆免费高清无砖码区

The wait is over. After months of anticipation, Zia Taqueria has officially opened on the Fort Lewis College campus, filling the space formerly occupied by The Rocket. The beloved local taqueria, known for its fresh, locally sourced Mexican-inspired dishes, is bringing its signature flavors to campus through a partnership with Fresh Ideas, FLC’s new dining service provider.

Zia welcomed its first customers this week following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

A homegrown partnership

Fresh Ideas first discovered Zia Taqueria while exploring Durango’s food scene as part of its bid for the 麻豆免费高清无砖码区dining contract. Impressed by Zia’s commitment to high-quality ingredients and deep community ties, Fresh Ideas approached co-owner Carly Van Hof Thomson about opening a campus location. Unlike other bidders who proposed national brands, Fresh Ideas saw the value in bringing a locally loved favorite to students.

“Students, faculty, and staff were overwhelmingly supportive of bringing a Zia Taqueria to Fort Lewis College,” said Steve Schwartz, interim president. “This project would not have been possible without many people, but I would like to call out Fresh Ideas for having the vision during the bidding process to connect with Zia and Zia Taqueria for bringing their offerings on campus.”

“We were approached by Fresh Ideas a full year ago while they were in Durango researching 麻豆免费高清无砖码区and the community,” Van Hof Thomson said. “They wanted a modern, fast-casual concept with strong community ties, and Zia fit that vision perfectly.”

Bringing Zia to 麻豆免费高清无砖码区marks a shift in campus dining, offering students a local favorite instead of a national chain, said Fresh Ideas General Manager Mike Brown. “We wanted to bring something to Fort Lewis College that reflected the values of the community—fresh, local, and made with care. Zia Taqueria embodies all of that.”

Meeting campus needs

The new location will allow the restaurant to engage with the student body more directly while offering high-quality, homemade food.

“Opening a location on the 麻豆免费高清无砖码区campus allows us to become more involved in FLC, introduce our brand to students, and grow our company in a small, sustainable way,” Van Hof Thomson said. “The space has been completely transformed into a full-fledged Zia Taqueria location.”

The menu will be a slightly simplified version of its downtown locations, featuring burritos, rice bowls, salad bowls, quesadillas, and tacos—all customizable and made fresh to order. Prices will remain student-friendly, with small items under $8 and larger meals under $12. Additionally, 麻豆免费高清无砖码区students can use their Skyhawk Swipes for designated meal options.

A fresh look & new opportunities

Amber Grenhart, director of the Student Union and Event Services, emphasized that the new Zia location is more than just a dining option—it’s a transformation of the space and an investment in the campus community.

“When you walk in, it will feel like a real Zia Taqueria,” Grenhart said. “We did a full remodel of the kitchen, repainted, and rebranded the space to make it feel like an authentic part of the Zia family.”

The location will also provide new employment opportunities for students. “This gives students another chance for on-campus employment with a company willing to work with their schedules,” Grenhart added.

What’s next for Zia at FLC

Starting Thursday, March 27, students, faculty, and the wider Durango community are invited to experience Zia on campus. Operating hours will be Monday through Friday from 11 am to 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 4 pm to 10 pm, offering a much-needed late-night food option.

“The next five weeks will serve as a test run for the new location, allowing staff to train and adjust based on the students and community feedback,” Van Hof Thomson said.

Additionally, Zia is still recruiting supervisors for the campus location, with opportunities to work downtown over the summer and return to campus in the fall.

For feedback on Zia Taqueria, please email Carly@ZiaTaqueria.com. To provide input to Fresh Ideas, contact General Manager Mike Brown at mbrown@freshideasfood.com.