8 Great Colorado Shops

Granted, we love everything about Union Station in Denver, a historic (and still functioning) train station that has been redeveloped with shops, bars, restaurants and a hotel. Everything inside the station is meticulously curated straight out of a magazine. 

Including 5 Green Boxes, a tiny but packed gift shop near the entrance. This is one of those unique, odd stores you could spend hours in and check off everyone from your shopping list. And if you want more, take a short walk outside to the other store, known as The Big Store.

Prices at 5 Green Boxes vary form $5 to $5,000, and the diversity of items is just as vast. You have to stop in to see for yourself. 

For a funky boutique, Decade in Denver is a no-miss. Since opening in '98, this shop has earned a reputation for great goodies — at a reasonable price. Find clothes, vintage furniture, home decor, jewelry and more. Pick up candles, antiques, trendy clothes, jackets, earrings. You never know what gem you will find. 

There's always something new here. 

If you're visiting up north, downtown Fort Collins is a fantastic destination for window-shopping. While there, families with kids will love in The Clothes Pony. This super cute kids store is known for its fantastic selection of kids clothes, from organic and bamboo materials to funky onesies. 

One cool bonus service The Clothes Pony offers is a shopping concierge service. So if you don't have time to browse, ask the concierge to pick out the perfect pieces for you. 

The Park Meadows Mall is one of the most popular, big malls in Colorado. While it can feel overwhelming to sort through the zillion shopping options there, make sure you pay a visit to Clothes Mentor. 

Granted, this is technically a chain, but the Park Meadows branch feels personal and friendly. This is a resale store with super upscale clothes, brand names and designer items marked about 70 percent off the retail price.

This is a great place to track down a new pair of jeans or sweater, if your packing was insufficient or you just want something new and fashionable, without blowing your vaca budget.  

If you're looking for Western wear — you are in Colorado, after all — head over to Cry Baby Ranch in Larimer Square in Denver.  

This local boutique started as a seasonal shop in the '90s but keeps growing. Today, it's a top place to score quirky and colorful Western-themed clothes, gifts, accessories, gifts and more. 

Boots are a highlight here. Yes, authentic, gorgeous cowboy boots. Cry Baby Ranch calls itself "the Mac Daddy of Liberty Boot Co." It's a full-service Liberty Boot shop; it also carries other boot lines. 

Cry Baby Ranch is also known for its hand-crafted jewelry, many lines locally made. You can even find Western-style furniture and home decor here. 

As a bonus, Larimer Square is a fantastic pocket in Denver to spend the whole day. 

Details, a women's boutique in downtown Littleton, is a cheerful, trendy, eclectic family-owned shop. This is where to go for a unique gift for the hard-to-shop-for person on your list.

From clothes to body products to accessories to jewelry, you can find a ton here. We especially love its selection of humorous gifts, like sassy soaps and silly socks. 

Fort Collins gets a lot of the Northern Colorado spotlight, but head a bit east to the Windsor area and you'll be surprised by some cute local shops. Fine and Funky is a local fave.  

In this locally-owned boutique, you can find fashion trends for reasonable prices. Just plan your visit accordingly: It's only open the first full week of every month. And yes, it's worth the wait.

This shop started as a tiny jewelry kiosk, but its knack for style has kept it growing strong for going on a decade now. 

Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins is one of those rare remaining local, independent bookstores that you could spend all day in. Here, you can find new and used books, housed inside a repurposed old firehouse. 

Looking for a reading recommendation? The staff here knows its stuff. And chances are they have what you're looking for, because Old Firehouse boasts Northern Colorado's largest selection of independently sold books.