Colorado Lost 18 Del Tacos: See Why Grand Junction Didn’t

Have you seen Colorado’s missing tacos? We had 18 locations in Colorado last month, and suddenly, the tacos are gone. Like, all gone. All except for one lone Del Taco, still standing in Grand Junction.

What the heck happened to the Newport Ventures group that operates Del Taco, and why did Colorado lose so many of these restaurants? Continue scrolling to find out if these taco hot spots are really gone for good, and why Grand Junction is the last location in the state to remain open.

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Del Taco: From Expansion to Abrupt Closures

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For Western Colorado diners, this means one thing: if you want Del Taco in Colorado right now, Grand Junction is the only place to get it. Del Taco has been a popular taco spot since growing to nearly 20 locations back in the early 2000s. Last month, the state lost all but 1 location as Newport Ventures filed for bankruptcy, according to KJCT8. Newsweek reports that Del Taco’s corporate office later walked back the closure comments, indicating some closures may only be temporary as they explore reopening opportunities.

Grand Junction’s Del Taco: A Local Franchise That Survived

So how did Grand Junction get so lucky? It’s because our Dell Taco location at 2878 North Avenue is owned and operated locally, and is separate from Newport Ventures. This is why our location can remain open. Local management at Grand Junction’s store said they anticipate customers coming from other parts of Colorado, and appreciate their steady community support here on the Western Slope, which saved them from the closures affecting the rest of the state.

What This Means for Del Taco’s Future in Colorado

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For now, Del Taco corporate leadership says the Colorado closures may only be temporary, and they hope to bring the brand back to additional markets, according to Newsweek. Right now, there is no firm reopening timeline. For now, #WestslopeBestslope now also means Colorado’s lone Del Taco outpost, a reminder of how franchise ownership can sometimes mean survival when larger financial trouble shows up.