Business Spotlight: Bonfire Burritos - Arvada Economic Development Association

Contact Information

(720) 898-7010

[email protected]

5603 Yukon Street, Unit A
Arvada, Colorado 80002

Business Spotlight: Bonfire Burritos

Exterior of building with green astroturf, man making burritos

Ever since high school, Ian Lanier and his best friends have loved the handcrafted, traditional burritos served out of a Golden camper van under the sign “Bonfire Burritos.” In fact, so deep is their love that when an opportunity presented itself to purchase the company when the original owner retired, the group took it.

“This was a chance to start something that could be our own and revive an offering that we had a deep connection with,” Lanier says. “Our goal was to create a space and offering that felt like we were having people over to our own backyard; something comfortable and fun, where you were just stopping by to just say hi or hang out for a while.”

In 2019, they moved from camper van to brick-and-mortar for the first time. For the next few years, as the popularity and coffee-shop ubiquity of Bonfire Burritos grew, they kept their eyes open for the perfect second location.

Chairs and fire pit set up in front of brown building with Bonfire Burritos sign

The challenge

For Lanier and his business partners, the second home for Bonfire Burritos had to mean something and represent the stage they were in. “We wanted to create a safe, fun, and special environment for the community to gather, with an emphasis on young families. The goal was lofty, as the scope of what we wanted to create had not been done in the immediate area.”

They waited patiently for four years, keeping particularly close tabs on Arvada. “We have always viewed Arvada, and particularly Olde Town, as a sister city to Golden,” Lanier says. “Arvadans are like-minded outdoor people who appreciate high-quality food and meaningful experiences.”

Then Arby’s moved out of their coveted spot at the corner of Ralston Road and Old Wadsworth. Lanier says the waiting paid off, and he and his friends once again seized on the perfect opportunity. But the space needed some love, especially if they were going to create the unique gathering place they envisioned.

Man standing at a cash register taking a man's order at a warmly lit restaurant

The solution

Enter yet another opportunity: AEDA’s Exterior Improvement Grant. The grant opportunity helps Arvada businesses with everything from landscaping to façade painting to lighting and more. Bonfire Burritos was awarded $15,000 to support their vision for a family-friendly, active outdoor space in 2025.

“Our overall investment into rehabbing the building was a full bet. All eggs went in the basket,” Lanier says. “Pursuing the Exterior Improvement Grant was immensely valuable to us in helping realize our outdoor space goals.

“It’s made it feasible to bring home the full vision of what we like to call an urban park.”

Lanier and his business partners have turned the opportunity from AEDA into what they hope will be a positive long-term relationship with Arvada residents and visitors. The yard games, Adirondack chairs, and fire pit seating on the corner lot are full most weekends. He says every business, large or small, should get to know the AEDA team. “Even if your business is still hypothetical or a dream, the resources and connections AEDA have are very powerful.”

The 2026 Exterior Improvement Grant application is open through Monday, March 16. To learn more and apply, visit the grant info page.

Grab brunch or schedule catering for your next team event on the Bonfire Burritos website.

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