From Beaver Nuggets to world-famous bathrooms, here’s everything you need to know about Colorado’s Buc-ee’s in Johnstown.
As a Colorado native who attended college in Texas, I was especially excited about Buc-ee’s Colorado debut because it felt like a little piece of my college days had made its way north.
If you’re not familiar with Buc-ee’s, it’s commonly described as “the Disneyland of gas stations.” But even that is an understatement since “gas station” doesn’t entirely encapsulate what Buc-ee’s is. Yes, there are hundreds of gas pumps, but most people aren’t stopping by Buc-ee’s to fill up on gas. Instead, they’re stopping by for the homemade fudge, brisket sandwiches, Beaver merchandise, and seemingly endless aisles of unique road trip snacks.
Buc-ee’s might be better described as a part convenience store, part road trip destination. Since its initial opening in Texas in 1982, Buc-ee’s has adopted a cult-like following, with people traveling from all over to visit.
Its popularity has driven its growth, with over 50 stores across 12 states, Colorado now among them. And while Buc-ee’s locations are consistent from place to place, each one is also slightly unique.
Here’s everything you need to know about Colorado’s only Buc-ee’s.
Buc-ee’s opened in Johnstown in March 2024
Colorado’s very first (and only) Buc-ee’s opened in March 2024 in the small town of Johnstown, just outside of Berthoud. It’s about an hour north of Denver and right off I-25, which makes it an easy stop for road trippers heading through the Front Range.
The opening wasn’t without pushback. Some Johnstown residents raised concerns about light pollution and weren’t happy to see land that had previously been used for farming turned into a massive commercial site. Others in the farming community expressed concern that Buc-ee’s was part of a larger trend in which development was taking priority over the preservation of small towns and agricultural land.
On the other hand, supporters point out that Buc-ee’s has helped put Johnstown on the map. It has brought new revenue into the city that can be reinvested into infrastructure and local improvements. The store has also driven increased traffic to nearby businesses and created more than 250 local jobs.
116 gas pumps keep traffic moving
While Buc-ee’s is known for just about everything but its gas, you won’t forget it is, in fact, a gas station when you see over 100 pumps lined up outside. The Colorado location has 116 of them to be exact, which makes it easy to find a spot, fill up, and then head inside for the good stuff.
Interestingly enough, and different from most gas stations, Buc-ee’s also has a strict “no 18-wheelers” policy. The idea behind it is to keep the experience more family-friendly and reduce the traffic congestion you typically see at large highway stops. Instead, Buc-ee’s is designed primarily for passenger vehicles, which helps maintain smooth traffic flow.
EV Charging Station
In addition to the 116 gas pumps, Colorado’s Johnstown location features an EV Charging Station, making it easy for those who drive electric vehicles to charge their car before heading back on the road.
Food available around the clock
It doesn’t matter what time of day you’re road tripping past Buc-ee’s because it’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Which means there’s always delicious food available, no matter what meal (or snack) you’re craving.
Brisket sandwich
Perhaps the most popular food option at Buc-ee’s is its brisket sandwich, which you can get any time of day at the Johnstown location. You can choose between sliced or chopped brisket and grab one warm from the grab-and-go bins at the Texas Round Up station. Or, if you prefer your sandwich without sauce, you can order one made to your liking.
If you’re not interested in BBQ, there’s plenty of other favorites to grab, such as kolaches, tacos, sandwiches, burritos, and more.
Big Red
Looking for a drink to pair with your sandwich? Try a Big Red. This red cream soda was created in Waco, Texas, and has become one of the state’s most iconic beverages. So, if you want to fully embrace Buc-ee’s Texas roots, then a Big Red is the perfect beverage pairing.
Beaver Nuggets
Imagine a caramel puff meets caramel corn. What you’re picturing is the infamous Beaver Nugget: hands down the most popular snack item at Buc-ee’s. In addition to the original caramel flavor, other varieties include Sea Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Sweet, and Milk Chocolate, as well as savory options like White Cheddar and White Cheddar Habanero.
Given the popularity of this snack, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Johnstown Buc-ee’s happens to be located on Nugget Road.
World Famous Jerky
Are you really surprised that a place with Texas roots has world-famous jerky? You can browse flavors on a floor-to-ceiling wall filled with more than a dozen varieties, including jalapeño honey, Korean BBQ, bohemian garlic, ghost pepper, traditional mesquite, and so many more.
Sweets on sweets
Get your sweet tooth fix with in-house, hand-cut fudge. There are more than 20 flavors to choose from, including banana pudding, birthday cake, blueberry cheesecake, butter pecan, chocolate walnut, cookies and cream, dark chocolate sea salt caramel, key lime pie, peanut butter, red velvet, rocky road, and tiger butter (a combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla).
If you can’t decide which flavor to try (with good reason, because there are a lot of choices), Buc-ee’s offers sampler boxes ranging from 12 to 24 pieces.
There are also plenty of other sweets to choose from, with an entire wall dedicated to everything from gummies and dried fruit to typical candy favorites.
The restrooms are famously clean
Nothing is as welcome on a road trip as a clean bathroom. And while Buc-ee’s does a lot of things well, it does bathrooms exceptionally well. In fact, Buc-ee’s has become famous for having some of the cleanest restrooms in America. In fact, Buc-ee’s bathrooms are what first put it on the map.
The bathrooms are large with plenty of stalls and a very dedicated cleaning crew. Unlike your typical gas station bathroom, you won’t have to worry about waiting in a long line or squatting over a dirty toilet halfway through your drive.
Plus, if you’re traveling with kids, the large bathrooms provide plenty of space for diaper and clothing changes, as well as any other bathroom emergencies that might pop up.
Buc-ee’s didn’t forget about your dog
Traveling with a pup? Not a problem. Buc-ee’s didn’t forget about the four-legged friends. After you fill up your tank and before you head inside, stop by the dog park outside the store.
There’s a dedicated space for pups to use the restroom, stretch their legs, and play before loading back up in the car. After all, road trips are better when everyone gets a chance to take a break.
The name “Buc-ee’s” comes from a toothpaste commercial mascot
Before I end this article, I should probably make sure we all know how to say BUCK-ee’s and where the name came from.
The name is the result of a combination of things personal to founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin. He created it by combining his childhood nickname, “Beaver,” the name of his lovable childhood Labrador retriever, “Buck,” and, somewhat randomly, the Ipana toothpaste mascot, “Bucky Beaver.”
So yes, that smiling, buck-toothed rodent you see on highway billboards, t-shirts, bumper stickers, and seemingly all over the U.S. originated from a childhood nickname, a dog, and a cartoon beaver advocating for clean teeth.
