Signature Spotlight: Colorado Games Company in Estes Park

Looking for a unique Estes Park experience that goes beyond the typical souvenir shop? Colorado Games Company on Elkhorn Avenue is one of those hidden gems that locals love and visitors never forget. This family-owned game and puzzle store brings together handcrafted wooden puzzles, hard-to-find board games, brain teasers, and Colorado-made products in a space that feels more like a treasure hunt than a shopping trip.

In this edition of our Signature Spotlight series, Julie Abel from Signature Home Team sits down with owners Mike and Tracy Stein to learn how a couple from Detroit traded need-based careers for a want-based adventure in one of Colorado's most beloved mountain towns.

From Detroit to Downtown Estes Park: The Story Behind the Store

Mike and Tracy Stein's path to owning Colorado Games Company is the kind of story that resonates with anyone who has ever dreamed of making a big life change. Mike was in home inspection, Tracy was a psychotherapist, and both felt drawn to something different. As Tracy describes it, they were ready to move from "need-based careers" to something rooted in joy and connection.

The opportunity came when Mike found the business listed for sale online. Tracy's initial reaction? She thought he had lost his mind. But curiosity won out, and the family made the trip to Estes Park while moving their daughter out of Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

They sat in the store for three hours, met the previous owner Paul, and felt the magic of the space. Afterwards, over margaritas at Ed's Cantina next door, Tracy posed a simple challenge: give me one reason we shouldn't do this. Neither of them could come up with one.

The family had deep Colorado connections already. Mike had lived in Denver as a child, their daughter grew up spending time in Telluride, and the family had been skiing in the state for years. When their daughter chose CSU, it sealed the deal. They pulled up roots in Detroit and made the move as a family of four.

What Makes Colorado Games Company Unique

Walk into Colorado Games Company at 440 E Elkhorn Avenue, and you'll immediately notice this is not your typical retail experience. Located between Kind Coffee and Ed's Cantina on the Riverwalk, the store feels like a time capsule of quality craftsmanship blended with carefully curated modern offerings.

Handpicked Inventory with a Personal Touch

Every single item in the store has been selected with intention. Mike and Tracy source many of their wooden products from independent makers across the country, reaching out to craftspeople on platforms like Etsy who create items in their garages and workshops. Products come from makers in Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, Florida, and beyond. This is not a store where a computer system dictates what goes on the shelves. If customers ask for something three times, Mike and Tracy take notice and find a way to stock it.

Colorado-Made Products and Liberty Puzzles

One of the store's proudest offerings is their selection of Colorado-made games and products. A major highlight is Liberty Puzzles, the renowned wooden jigsaw puzzle maker based in Boulder. These heirloom-quality puzzles feature signature "whimsy" pieces and are handmade with quarter-inch maple plywood. Having Liberty Puzzles available locally is a big draw for both visitors wanting something authentically Colorado and locals looking for meaningful gifts.

A Try-Before-You-Buy Experience

What truly sets Colorado Games Company apart from big-box retailers is the hands-on experience. Tables are strategically placed throughout the store so customers can test drive games, feel the quality of wooden puzzles, and actually interact with products before purchasing. As Mike puts it, this is the opposite of walking through a large store where everything is sealed in a box. They rotate what is on display so there is always something new to discover.

Four Things You'll Find at Colorado Games Company

The store's inventory breaks down into four main categories that appeal to a wide range of ages and interests:

•       Board Games and Card Games: From beloved classics like Ticket to Ride to hard-to-find specialty games, the selection covers family favorites and serious strategy titles alike

•       Classic Game Standards: Beautifully crafted chess sets, cribbage boards, backgammon, and other timeless games, many made from wood by American artisans

•       Wooden Puzzles and Brain Teasers: A major draw for the store, featuring unique handmade pieces you simply will not find anywhere else, including the Liberty Puzzles collection from Boulder

•       Traditional Jigsaw Puzzles: An extensive selection ranging from accessible options to massive 18,000-piece challenges, including specialized brands like Ravensburger

Tracy also highlights their growing kids' section, which features games designed for children as young as two years old. These are actual games rather than toys, focused on problem-solving skills and engagement. Parents frequently discover their kids playing display games for 30 minutes straight, something that surprises even the most seasoned parents.

Why Locals Love Colorado Games Company

While tourists make up a significant portion of the store's traffic, it is the local community that has truly embraced Colorado Games Company. Locals notice when new inventory arrives. They come in having eyeballed something for months, then leave with two or three additional items they had never seen before.

The puzzle selection is a particular favorite with Estes Park residents, and for good reason. When snow can linger well into May and June in the mountains, a quality puzzle is more than entertainment. It is a lifestyle essential. Locals pay attention to the inventory and are quick to request specific items, like a particular Ravensburger puzzle that one customer asked for by name. Mike and Tracy sourced it, and it became a regular part of the store's collection.

The store has also embraced online sales through their website, responding to customers who wanted to support the business from afar. During the holiday season, online orders exceeded expectations as people chose to shop local rather than default to major retailers. It is that kind of community-driven support that reflects what makes Estes Park special.

A Store That Listens and Evolves

One of the most refreshing things about Colorado Games Company is how responsive the owners are to their community. Mike and Tracy have rearranged the store layout three times since taking ownership, responding to customer feedback to make the space more intuitive and enjoyable to browse.

They also brought in D&D dice after younger customers kept asking for them, and Tracy even invited a knowledgeable customer behind the counter to help with the initial ordering. That openness and willingness to learn is part of what they consider their superpower. Because they did not come from the gaming world, they listen without bias and stock what people actually want rather than defaulting to personal preferences.

The previous owner Paul built a foundation of unique wooden games, handmade puzzles, and specialty items. Mike and Tracy have honored that legacy while expanding the inventory to serve the full range of customers who visit Estes Park, from multigenerational families to dedicated hobbyists.

Visiting Colorado Games Company: Hours and Location

Colorado Games Company is located at 440 E Elkhorn Avenue in downtown Estes Park, right along the Estes Park Riverwalk. You will find them between Kind Coffee and Ed's Cantina and Grill.

Seasonal Hours (May through December): Open 7 days a week, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Winter Hours (January through April): Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Every item in the store is also available on their website at coloradogamescompany.com, updated in real time. You can also reach them by phone or email, but Mike and Tracy especially love when you stop in and experience the store in person.

Why Local Businesses Matter in Mountain Communities

Stores like Colorado Games Company represent what makes Estes Park more than a tourist destination. They are the fabric of a real community where business owners know their customers by name, listen to what people want, and create experiences that big-box retailers and online giants simply cannot replicate.

For those considering a move to Estes Park or Northern Colorado's mountain communities, the local business scene is a huge part of the lifestyle that draws people here. It is the kind of place where you can walk along the Riverwalk on a summer evening, stop to work on one of the outdoor puzzles Colorado Games Company leaves out for passersby, and feel the genuine warmth of a town that values connection over convenience.

Discover More Estes Park Local Businesses

Colorado Games Company is one of many local businesses that make Estes Park an incredible place to live and visit. Check out more features in our Signature Spotlight series on the Estes Park Living YouTube channel, where we highlight the businesses and people that make this community special.

Whether you are planning a visit, thinking about relocating, or already call the Estes Valley home, we would love to be a resource for you. At Signature Home Team, we specialize in helping discerning buyers and sellers navigate the Estes Park real estate market with authentic local expertise and five-star service.

Reach out today to discuss your mountain living goals, or explore our YouTube channel for more insights into life in Estes Park and Northern Colorado.

Relevant Links

•       Colorado Games Company Website

•       Liberty Puzzles - Handmade Wooden Puzzles from Boulder, CO

•       Estes Park Riverwalk

•       Signature Spotlight Series - Estes Park Living YouTube Playlist

•       Estes Park Living YouTube Channel

•       Signature Home Team Home Buyer Guide

•       Signature Home Team Home Seller Guide

•       Sign Up for Our FREE Northern Colorado & Estes Park Market Report

•       Join the Everything Estes Park Facebook Group

•       Follow Signature Home Team on Instagram

•       Follow Signature Home Team on Facebook

•       Request a Home Valuation

•       Preferred Lending Partner - Harriette Woodard, Bank of Colorado

About the Author: Julie Abel is a licensed real estate agent with Signature Home Team, brokered by Keller Williams Top of the Rockies, specializing in Estes Park and Northern Colorado mountain communities. She shares insights about real estate and mountain living through the Estes Park Living channel.