It started with some burnt kettle corn on the front lawn.

About four years ago, husband-wife duo Ryan and Angela King were looking for a way to earn a little extra cash. So the couple, located in Fort Lupton, bought a kettle and some ingredients with the hopes of selling homemade popcorn.

After some trial and error in making batches of kettle corn in their yard, the delicious smell lured in their first customer, who was taking a walk in the neighborhood.

Soon, they were vending at local pumpkin patches, adding more treats to the menu like mini doughnuts and cotton candy. The business continued to grow — and in October 2023, they decided to take it on the road.

Now the two serve goodies around the Front Range with their food truck, Emergency Mini Treats. The eatery operates out of a retired heavy- rescue fire truck, on par with its mission of spreading appreciation for first responders, a purpose especially close to the pair since Ryan has worked in law enforcement for more than 15 years.

The concession-style food truck can be booked for private and public events around the Front Range — from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs to Boulder. Currently, the truck is working out of Cripple Creek for the Ice Castle showcase.

“This business has definitely been very rewarding and fulfilling with our purpose,” Angela said. “Our mission is to just spread sweets and smiles wherever we go.”

As the business grew, Angela quit her accounting job to manage the truck full time. That career shift has improved her mental health, she said, especially as a mom of four. It also gives her a chance to be fun — including busting out the truck’s mascot “Sparky” every now and then, she said.

“I left my job last year just kind of struggling with mental health, depression. I think a lot of moms can relate,” Angela said. “So I was like, how do I be fun and bring an experience to the food truck … so all last year I brought my silliness out.”

The menu has expanded with the business. Like its name, the food truck serves up “emergency treats,” which Angela describes as fun food for a hot summer day or snack foods. They sell snow cones, cotton candy, hot dogs, nachos, lemonade, pretzels, mini doughnuts and, of course, kettle corn.

“There’s nothing fancy about it, but just our wide array of treats — our emergency treats — is really what makes it unique,” Angela said.

The food truck always dons a first responder flag. This helps educate people about who first responders are and what they do, Angela said. Many people are surprised to learn that first responders also include 911 dispatchers and health care workers, she said.

The show of appreciation is never missed by first responders, who often share their own stories with them.

“Being a wife of an officer, there’s a lot of just heavy burdens that the whole family kind of carries,” she said. “A lot of them open up and are very vulnerable about their story. I think the general public often forgets that these are real humans too, and it includes so many different industries.”

First responders receive special discounts from the truck, and often the owners randomly select a responder to treat to a free meal. They also donate their extra food to local units and departments. Recently, the truck has partnered with Revital Colorado, a nonprofit that supports first responders.

“This food truck has become more than just a food truck, and it has really been a mission to kind of educate everybody and remind everybody, ‘Hey, if you see your first responder today, go thank them,’” Angela said.