Where the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains meet, the state of Colorado sprawls across some of the most beautiful and pristine landscapes in the United States.
Silver rivers cut gorges and valleys through its snow-capped peaks. Towns cluster in the folds of its rocky terrain, while cities blanket the foothills of the Rockies. The Centennial State is rich in indigenous and Western history, a land of miners, cowboys, and ancient peoples.
It’s no wonder John Denver’s song has become a state anthem because Colorado truly lulls you into a Rocky Mountain high you’ll want to remember.
Take a look at the 14 best souvenirs from Colorado to bring home with you.
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1. Aspen leaf jewelry
Colorado is famous for its quaking aspen groves, which beckon visitors with their fluttering, golden leaves.
Some jewelers have mastered the technique of dipping aspen leaves in gold, silver, or other metals to preserve the beauty of aspen trees. Others recreate the leaves with elegant-crafted pieces made in Colorado.
Freshen up your style with a necklace, bracelet, or other accessories that echo the spirit of Colorado’s aspens.
2. Gemstones, fossils, and more
Much of Colorado’s modern history and development has been based around mining. The Rocky Mountains are rich with all sorts of gemstones, fossils, and precious metals, making such items great Colorado souvenirs.
In many of the old mining towns like Leadville, Canon City, and Durango, you can shop for mountain mementos like iron pyrite, geodes, and more at Colorado gift shops in museums and shopping districts.
3. Honeyville honey and jams
What souvenir from Colorado is better than one you can taste? Honeyville Speciality Honeys is a family-run operation that for generations has tended to bees and curated some of the sweetest, richest honey in Colorado.
Honeyville bees buzz around the wildflowers of the La Plata Mountains near Durango, Colorado, and produce honey that tastes like the very land it came from. Honeyville’s products extend to delicious jams, jellies, syrups, and other innovative honey-based products.
4. Western wear and apparel
With their wide-brimmed cowboy hats, fine leather boots, big-buckled belts, and crisp blue jeans, it’s no secret that cowboys have style. Not only is cowboy apparel a good look, but it’s often high-quality and functional.
Across the state, you can find many stores with clothes and accessories made in Colorado. After swinging by a Western wear and apparel store, you’ll fit right in at the state’s rodeos and ranches, where cowboy culture continues to thrive.
5. Rocky Mountain whiskey
Across the state, independent whiskey distilleries harness the natural conditions of Colorado to craft potent, flavorful whiskey. For anyone who enjoys a strong spirit, whiskey is one of the best souvenirs from Colorado.
From aspen-aged rye whiskey to spring water single malt, Colorado’s whiskey expressions have a range that reflects the geographic diversity of the state.
6. Anything Blucifer
If you’ve ever been to the Denver International Airport, you’ve probably seen that massive, 32-foot-tall blue mustang with glowing red eyes. Yeah, that’s Blucifer.
Because of its sinister appearance and history, Blucifer has achieved a status somewhere between meme and infamy. Anything Blucifer, such as a sticker or a T-shirt, makes a great Denver souvenir or gift to someone with an interest in Americana curiosities.
7. Colorado blue spruce Christmas tree
While aspens may be an icon, the Colorado blue spruce is Colorado’s official state tree. The blue-needled tree makes for a great Christmas tree. If your visit to Colorado overlaps with the holiday season, why not head to a nursery and take home a tree yourself?
It may be tempting to buy a blue spruce seedling to plant in your garden, but the trees can disrupt ecosystems in other parts of the country and suffer from frequent diseases in non-native climates.
8. Outdoor gear
These days, outdoor activities are integral to Colorado’s culture. If you’re thinking of hitting the Centennial State’s mountain peaks and hiking trails, you’ll want to make sure you have the right gear. Locally-purchased outdoor gear also makes a great Colorado souvenir for those of you who enjoy the great outdoors.
In Colorado, you can find some of the best outdoor gear brands, whose products are often high-quality, locally sourced, and eco-friendly.
9. Enstrom’s almond toffee
For generations, a family in Grand Junction has been crafting confectionaries that are beloved across the Centennial State. Enstrom’s Candies has expanded across the state and has all sorts of delicious candies and sweets, but its most popular confectionery is the almond toffee.
The almond toffee was initially introduced as a topping for the candy store’s ice creams. After so many people requested the candy itself, the Enstrom family decided to start selling what has become their signature product.
10. Colorado souvenir shirts
It’s a universal truth that when it comes to souvenirs, you can never go wrong with a cool T-shirt. Whether it’s a cozy keepsake for yourself or a gift for a loved one, a Colorado souvenir shirt is a safe bet.
Fortunately, Colorado has no shortage of local businesses who craft unique designs featuring all things Colorado — mountains, city skylines, iconic locations, and more. No matter where you go in the Rocky Mountain state, there’s a shirt for you.
11. Palisade peaches
The town of Palisade in western Colorado is famous for its eponymous peaches, made juicy and sweet by the rich soil and cool summers.
You can find Palisade peaches under pop-up tents on roadsides and in parking lots, as well as in grocery stores and food markets. If you’re in Colorado during the summer, pull over wherever you see the first “Palisade Peach” road sign and peach or more.
Palisade peaches are a great Colorado souvenir to bring home with you — if you can resist eating them all in one go.
12. Melanzana fleece
Handmade, hyperlocal, and purchasable by appointment only, Melanzana fleeces are a perfect souvenir from Colorado for someone interested in modern, independent fashion brands.
Based in the high-altitude town of Leadville, Melanzana crafts microfiber fleeces and other outdoor apparel with US-produced products.
Because everything is handmade on-site and demand is high, you have to make an appointment ahead of time to shop. For Melanzana, prior planning is essential.
13. Passport to Your National Parks
The National Parks Service operates 12 units in the state of Colorado, including four national parks.
If you plan to visit some of these sites, a perfect souvenir from Colorado is a Passport to Your National Parks. With this small booklet, you can swing by ranger stations to stamp your passport at Rocky Mountain National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, or any other NPS unit in Colorado.
What makes this Colorado souvenir so great is you can take it with you to more than 400 NPS units across the country. Since the Passport to Your National Parks inspires so much adventure, it’s a gift that never stops giving.
14. A little pot from Colorado
This made-in-Colorado souvenir is literally a little clay pot from Colorado. It’s a great gag gift to bring home to friends and family, but a cute memento in miniature all the same. You can find little pots from Colorado in gift shops around the state and online.
Make sure to read the next point though if you’re thinking about buying some real pot.
What NOT to bring home with you — Marijuana
As Colorado is heavily associated with legal marijuana, many visitors are drawn to the state by its many dispensaries and weed culture. For those of you 21 or older who enjoy consuming marijuana, Colorado is an excellent place to purchase regulated, safe weed.
That being said, it is illegal to leave Colorado’s borders with any marijuana products. While tempting, weed of any form is not the best souvenir to take with you from the Centennial State.
Additionally, since it’s still federally illegal, the use of marijuana is also prohibited in national parks, forests, and other public lands. If you plan to consume, be certain to enjoy your Rocky Mountain high within the state’s borders and off public lands.
Where to buy Colorado gifts and souvenirs
Now that you have an idea of what Colorado souvenir you want, let’s check out some Colorado gift shops, food stores, and other locations to go shopping.
Looking for some Colorado clothing and accessories? Check out FM Light and Sons in Steamboat Springs for quality Western clothing and Melanzana in Leadville for exclusive gear. Browse this Made in Colorado to order aspen leaf jewelry from local creators and other handcrafted items.
Additionally, you can find retro hats and Colorado souvenir shirts at local businesses like Coralun Vintage, Souled-Out, the Colorado Store, and 1876.co.
There are too many whiskey distilleries to list, but be sure to check out Locke + Co, Stranahan’s, and Breckenridge Distillery’s websites to find stores selling the whiskey near your stay.
Prepare for your next wilderness excursion with gear from Colorado brands like Big Agnes in Steamboat Springs and Kelty in Boulder.
For Colorado food products like Enstrom Candies, Honeyville Honey, and more, the Cherry Creek North shopping district in Denver is home to hundreds of businesses selling the best products made in Colorado.
