About Blue Pan Pizza
A friendship born in the suburbs of Detroit and a passion for Detroit-style pizza—that’s where our story begins.
Co-founders Giles Flanagin and Jeff “Smoke” Smokevitch have been friends since kindergarten, growing up in Michigan where Detroit-style pizza was more than food—it was a way of life. Years later, their lifelong bond and shared love of great pizza and hospitality became the foundation for Blue Pan Pizza.
In 2015, they opened Blue Pan’s first location in Denver’s historic West Highlands, introducing the Mile High City to their award-winning Detroit-style pizza made with passion, precision, and high-quality ingredients.
Thanks to strong community support, they opened a second, larger location just two years later at 12th and Madison in Congress Park. This family-friendly restaurant quickly became a neighborhood staple, known for its welcoming atmosphere, award-winning pizza, and original artwork by local artist Keith “Scramble” Campbell—an interior detail they’re especially proud of.
What started as a small, 18-seat neighborhood pizzeria has since earned both local and national acclaim, including a feature on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Three full-service restaurants: West Highlands, Congress Park, and Golden
Three locations inside Empower Field at Mile High, serving jumbo slices to Broncos fans and event-goers
A popular food truck bringing Detroit-style pizza to breweries, parks, neighborhoods, weddings, offices, and private events across the Denver area
Each with its own hand-crafted dough, ingredients, and oven temperature
We slow-rise our pizza dough for 72 hours and make it fresh in-house every day, using only the highest-quality ingredients from trusted partners. Every pizza we serve reflects our commitment to craft, flavor, and care.
Behind that craft is Master Pizzaiolo Jeff Smokevitch—a multi-time national and international pizza champion trained by the legendary Tony Gemignani. As a proud member of the World Pizza Champions team, Jeff has represented Blue Pan in elite competitions across Las Vegas, Paris, and Italy.
But Blue Pan isn’t just about awards—it’s about community. Whether you’re grabbing slices at Empower Field, hanging out at our neighborhood spots in Congress Park and West Highlands, enjoying dinner in Golden with mountain views and a kids’ play area, or booking our pizza truck for a party, you’ll always find the same dedication to great pizza and warm hospitality.
From make-your-own pizzas for the kids to seasonal beer and wine for the grown-ups, every detail is crafted with intention, rooted in what Jeff and Giles loved growing up: pizza that brings people together.