Oro, a newly reimagined hotel in downtown Colorado Springs will open spring 2025. The new dining concept will pay homage to Colorado’s rich history while celebrating the art of Italian cooking. Oro, with its rustic-meets refined cuisine and a carefully curated cocktail and wine program, will become a staple in downtown Colorado Springs’ culinary landscape.
The menu for the restaurant will be created by Chef Aaron Barnett. A James Beard Award-nominated chef renowned for his mastery in French and Italian cuisine, Barnett was commissioned to conceptualize it by Giant Squid Ink. Oro’s menu will be a combination of tradition and innovation, based on a menu based on the best ingredients.
“At Oro, we’re bringing traditional Italian techniques to life with high-quality ingredients found right here in Colorado,” said Chef Barnett.
By bringing a fresh perspective to iconic flavors, we’ve created dishes that are refined and inviting—perfect for weeknight dinners, special occasions and everything in between. Oro’s Italian culinary experience will be defined by a playful and light approach. Menus will feature local ingredients such as Colorado-raised bison and lamb, along with fresh produce that highlights the agricultural bounty of the state. The menu will be based on artisan pastas and expertly-grilled meats. It will be both accessible and indulgent.
Starters include bison carpaccio, parmigiano Reggiano, and Calabrian Chili Oil or a delicate Scallop Crostini topped with basil, chili butter, and lemon. Pasta lovers can enjoy rigatoni Bolognese, with Mama’s Sunday Sauce or the rich simplicity that is cacio epe, featuring bucatini pasta topped with black pepper. Beyond traditional pasta dishes, signature entrées such as the whole roasted bronzino with salsa verde and the 20-ounce bistecca Colorado will showcase the kitchen’s expertise in balancing rustic flavors with refined execution.
Joel Gunderson will curate the beverage list to complement each dish on the menu. He is a nationally recognized wine specialist and James Beard Award semi-finalist, known for his innovative work at Giant Squid Ink. The restaurant’s extensive list of wines will take guests on a trip through Italy’s many wine regions.
They’ll find Sangiovese in Tuscany, Nebbiolo in Piedmont, and Falanghina in Campania, along with premium Champagnes from the Pacific Northwest, California, and other New World selections. A thoughtful cocktail menu will feature Italian classics like the perfect negroni, spritz and other favorites. It will also include unique creations blending classic sophistication with a Colorado flare.
The Mining Exchange Hotel is managed by Practice Hospitality and continues to expand their offerings to create an exciting guest experience. Oro will embody the spirit of reinvention, just like the hotel. The warm and elegant interiors will create a cozy environment.
Oro, a dining destination for guests and locals alike, is a natural extension to the hotel’s vision of creating spaces where people can gather, connect, and experience the best that the region has to offers. Oro invites guests to celebrate, sip and savor, whether they are stopping in for a midweek meal, a celebratory cocktail or a well-earned beef steak.
Klaudio Simic said that Oro’s arrival marked an important milestone in Mining Exchange Hotel’s evolution. The restaurant will complement the hotel’s food and beverage offerings, including the popular Golden Hour, the indoor-outdoor courtyard bar, and BLK MGK – the hotel’s specialty espresso bar.
Oro will also be committed to encouraging community engagement and collaborative efforts. Special programming, such as chef’s tastings and wine dinners, will give guests immersive experiences that extend beyond the plate.
