Each year, the holidays roll around and with it, ample opportunities to shop for loved ones, visit restaurants and purchase decorations. Although there is pressure to get it all done just in time, the holidays are also an opportunity to show love to your business neighbors by supporting local small businesses across the state.
To save you some time and point you directly to all of the incredible small businesses you can support this season, we’ve compiled a #ShopLocalColorado resource guide below. Whether you are purchasing gifts, looking for local restaurants, need a holiday getaway or any other inspiration, we have you covered.
Local holiday gift guides
The Colorado Tourism Office has developed a Colorado Winter Gift Guide to inspire you whether you want to gift a piece of Colorado or keep it for yourself. This guide ranges from experiences and gifts for creatives to local libations and adventure seekers.
Another great way to support local businesses by purchasing their one-of-a-kind gifts is exploring Colorado’s holiday markets. All the delights of the winter season can be experienced at Colorado’s specialty markets, where Santa makes regular appearances, handcrafted gifts overshadow items bought at the mall and sweet treats abound.
Manufacturer's Edge developed the 2021 Holiday Gift Guide to discover a few new Colorado-made products to add to your wishlist.
Statewide business directories
If you are seeking small businesses across Colorado that you can support this winter, we recommend exploring local directories that businesses can register their information.
The Minority Business Directory is Colorado’s most comprehensive database of minority-owned businesses. These businesses offer products, services and experiences that might be exactly what you are looking for.
The Winter Outdoor Recreation Directory offers incredible experiences for adventure seekers. The directory makes it easy for experienced and novice recreationists to find avalanche safety information, winter guide and outfitter services and educational material.
The Colorado Enterprise Fund Small Business Directory is intended to serve as a resource for you to view some of the small businesses they work with and visit their websites or storefronts to shop their goods and services.
If you're looking to support employee-owned businesses this holiday season, explore the Holiday Gift Guide: Colorado Employee-Owned Businesses and take a look at businesses that have been featured through the Employee Ownership Office.
The DreamSpring Directory was created to amplify the businesses in their network. In this directory you'll find links to businesses created by the vibrant entrepreneurs in the DreamSpring community. Scroll down to Colorado to learn more about businesses in our great state.
Winter wonderland experiences in Colorado
Travelers seeking a winter wonderland this holiday season need look no further than Colorado for glistening snow, sleigh bells, pine forests, marshmallows for toasting, caroling and pure winter joy. This winter season kicks off with destinations filled with holiday cheer, the return of many cherished holiday events, magical lodging packages and unique holiday markets to find gifts for everyone on the list. And, for those who cannot travel to Colorado for the holidays, give the gift of a one-of-a-kind treasure that is made in Colorado. Explore the Colorado winter wonderland experiences.
Join the #ShopLocalColorado movement
As you shop, eat and experience your way through Colorado this winter, consider supporting Colorado’s local businesses by joining the #ShopLocalColorado campaign. We have developed social media copy and graphics so all you have to do is copy and paste. We encourage you to explore the ShopLocalColorado toolkit to learn more.