It’s easy to get sidetracked doing silly things like hiking or drinking copious amounts of microbrews when you’re in the Centennial State, but tons of amazing record stores are well worth your time between hitting the dispensaries and the ski slopes. Although Denver is very much the cultural center of the state and it has a ton of amazing record stores, some of Colorados best record stores are outside the state capital.
Most college towns seem to operate as a breeding ground for all things music and art, and in this regard, Colorado is no different. The quaint college towns of Boulder and Fort Collins are rife with creativity and contain some of the best record stores and music venues in the entire state. Heading west into the mountains provides one of the most unique crate digging experiences you’ll find anywhere as you browse your way through record stores situated just minutes from Colorado’s famous Ski slopes.
Between Colorado’s abundant mountain towns and the many cities along the Front Range, there are plenty of shops to give you a heavy dose of nostalgia and some fresh tunes.
Paradise Found Records
If you’re visiting Denver and you have the time, a short drive to Boulder should be high up on your itinerary. The college town has built up quite the reputation for being a hippie haven. Nestled just beneath the striking Flat Irons, the city of Boulder is home to the largest college in the state (Sko Buffs!) and one of my favorite record stores. While record stores outside major cities are often doomed to bins of poorly kept used records, Paradise Found has one of the largest selections of new records in the entire state. All the mainstays you would expect are present here. Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, and other standards are abundant. Contemporary artists are also very well-represented here, so new releases big and small should be fairly easy to find.
The location of Paradise Found is also a big plus, situated right on Boulders Pearl Street Mall it’s nice being able to check out some records, grab a drink and dinner without having to get back in the car.
Check out my full review of Paradise Found Records here.
Driver 8 Records
Next up in Colorado’s Front Range is Driver 8 Records in Fort Collins, Colorado. Fort Collins has several great record stores, but Driver 8 Records might be my favorite. Located in historic Old Town Fort Collins, Driver 8 records is one of the youngest record stores in the state. Boasting a small but mighty selection of records, this is a shop whose offerings have been carefully curated by the shop’s owner. Featuring a healthy mix of genres, the records here range from essential jazz records like Kind of Blue, to vinyl-collector favorites like Blonde on Blonde and Kid A and many others. Basically, if you’ve ever looked at your record collection and thought to yourself “Oh my god, how do I not own a copy of Funkadelic!?” Then this is the shop for you.
Check out my full review of Driver 8 Records here.
Toast Records and Bakes
Way down one of the most remote corners of the Centennial state is the adorable and adventurous town of Durango, Colorado. Although most people will know Durango for its outdoor activities and proximity to the famous Telluride Ski Resort, Durango is a town worth exploring in its own right. While you’re strolling the streets of this old west city, you’ll want to swing into Toast Records and Bakes. Half record store and half bakery and cafe, this place has the calming vibe that vinyl collectors like myself dream of. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here enjoying the ambiance, a tasty muffin, and a hot coffee while checking out the vinyl they have to offer. Small-town record stores are what keep this hobby alive and so damn interesting and Toast Records and Bakes is one of Colorado’s best record stores and worth a shout for the most unique.
Libby’s Old School Records
Even with the resurgence of record sales in recent years, it can still be challenging to keep the doors open for record stores that try to work out of larger retail spaces. Luckily, places like Libby’s Old School Records have turned their small and humble shops into a strength. You’ll likely be stopping in Frisco, Colorado to get gas on your way to one of I-70’s numerous ski resorts and to admire one of the most gorgeous valleys in the state. When doing so, you might as well swing into a record store. One of the cutest record stores I’ve ever been to, the school bus theme works perfectly to the shop’s unique, narrow layout. There are tons of great records available here and an incredibly groovy vibe. Slow down, spin some vinyl, and enjoy the picture-perfect landscape on your way out.
Leech Pit Records
LeechPit records hold a very special place in many people’s hearts. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Leechpit is so much more than a record store. A vintage clothing store, a used record store, an antique store, and the counterculture center of southern Colorado. This place is a must-visit for music fans visiting The Springs. LeechPit has a stellar record collection and is packed with so much cool stuff you could spend days searching and still be finding new trinkets to take home with you. Stop by, get yourself a new leather jacket, a record, and a ‘Keep Colorado Springs Lame’ sticker so the locals know you’re cool.
Check out my full review of Leech Pit Records and Vintage here.
The variety of Colorado’s landscapes alone make it one of the best places in the world for a good ol’ fashioned road trip. Colorado’s Front Range is bursting with culture and has some of my favorite record stores in the country. No trip to Colorado is complete without taking a long winding drive through mountains. Here, you’ll find humble communities with gorgeous landscapes and some of the most unique record stores you’ll find anywhere in the world.