Summer’s in full swing, and that means one thing: It’s ice cream season.

Whether it’s classic milkshakes and sundaes, or creative rolled ice cream tacos, there’s nothing better than a refreshing frozen treat to beat the heat in Colorado Springs this summer.

To help you find the best spots to cool down, we’ve pulled together a list of the seven best frozen treat shops, according to Gazette readers who voted for the 2025 Best of the Springs magazine.

Note: Click on the shop’s name to visit their website and view their menu.

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7.Caffeinated Cow

As the name suggests, the Caffeinated Cow sells both coffee and ice cream at their neighborhood cafe in southwest Colorado Springs. The shop has been operating in the Colorado Springs area since 2018 and is  family- and veteran-owned. The menu is locally-sourced and includes malts, milkshakes, sundaes, floats and a rotating ice cream flavor list that includes vegan options. The current list on their Facebook page includes flavors like green tea, apple pie, and yellow cake.

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6. The Ice Cream Lab

Located in the Rockrimmon area, The Ice Cream Lab isn’t your typical dessert spot — its flash-freeze technology (using liquid nitrogen at around –325 ℉) sets it apart and powers its playful ‘science lab’ theme. On the menu: Nitro sundaes, nitro shakes, rolled ice cream sundaes, rolled ice cream tacos and Dragon’s Breath (nitro charged cereal). Cookie butter,  banana cream pie, matcha, and birthday cake are a few of the flavors on the menu.

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5. Colorado City Creamery

This long-standing, old-fashioned ice cream parlor has been in Old Colorado City since 1979. Colorado City Creamery makes their ice cream from scratch inside the parlor and offers nearly 30 original flavors, and four seasonal flavors. Among the specialty flavors listed on their menu: Pikes Peak Trail, French Silk and Café de Leche. Don’t forget to check out their sundae bar, cakes and pies!

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4. Lolley’s Ice Cream

Located in Monument’s historic district, Lolley’s makes over 16 flavors of ice cream in-house, with a special emphasis on having gluten-free, natural ingredients. This year, their special summer flavors include key lime pie, banana cream pie and vegan pina colada. Also on the menu: A loaded Cookie Dough Caramel Craze Milkshake that’s topped with a mini chocolate chip cookie, a cookie dough pop, a macaron and whipped cream.

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3. Rizuto’s Ice Cream

Rizuto’s, which recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary, serves up both soft-serve and hard-packed ice cream, Italian gelato, sundaes, snow cones and more. Located off of Barnes Road, this ice cream spot regularly concocts new creamy creations and also offers fun seasonal treat deals, so be sure to check their Facebook page for the latest.

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2. BJ’s Velvet Freez

BJ’s Velvet Freez is serving up frozen treats with a side of nostalgia in central Colorado Springs. This spot on North Union Boulevard is a Colorado Springs stable that is still going strong after 54 years. They’re serving up all the classics here, from root beer floats to dipped cones, malts, shakes, and sundaes. Also on the menu: A Peanut Delight, “Icebergs” with 16 different mix-in options, and waffle bowls.

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1. Josh & John’s

Josh and John’s was ranked No. 1 by Gazette readers in the 2025 Best of the Springs magazine. They’re now serving up their craft ice cream at four locations around Colorado Springs, with their newest shop now open in the Creekwalk shopping center. One of their standout flavors is Purple Mountain Majesty — a creamy taro-based ice cream featuring chocolate-covered raspberry cups. Also on the menu: Oatmeal Cookie, Malted Mazel Toff and a dairy-free Cookie Butter Crumble.