Not everyone needs a cowboy hat. But if you’ve found yourself pricing out boots, listening to country music you swore you’d never like, bingeing the latest Taylor Sheridan drama, or wondering if you can pull off turquoise jewelry, it may be too late. Consider this your guide to Colorado’s Western-style ecosystem—from bespoke Aspen hatters to Denver institutions that have been outfitting cowboys for generations.
Jump Ahead:
Where to Find Cowboy Hats in Denver
- Where: 217 S. Galena St., Aspen; 227 S. Bridge St., Vail
- Vibe: Ranch royalty
When your hat costs more than your ski pass, you’ve arrived. Kemo Sabe has a cult following among celebrities and mountain mavens, offering bespoke designs decked out with everything from diamonds to tiny daggers to exotic duck feathers. Find prime-real-estate storefronts in Aspen and Vail.
- Where: 5505 W. 20th Ave., Suite 134, Edgewater
- Vibe: Cosmic cowgirl
Less pony, all party, this vibe is more at home in the honky-tonk than on the range. Skip the pricey felt toppers and go for a cheeky trucker hat instead: At Tela Tequila, a bachelorette-core shop in Edgewater, you’ll find options stamped with lines like “This is my cowboy hat” and “Tini bit country.” Intricately stitched details add sparkle.
- Where: 8246 E. Northfield Blvd., #1415, Denver (Central Park); 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
- Vibe: Old-school wrangler
Colorado’s Western style has long been shaped by Mexican influence, and El Forastero, an apparel retailer with two metro-area locations (Central Park and Aurora), leans into that legacy by carrying brands like Richie Moon, a local label whose hats’ wider, upturned brims provide lots of shade.
- Where: 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver (Golden Triangle)
- Vibe: High-desert horse girl
The gift shop at the Denver Art Museum is full of beautifully crafted, Indigenous-made pieces. Instead of an oversize brim, try fastening a scarf featuring designs by Shoshone-Bannock tattoo artist Kira Murillo around your head. (Bonus: It’ll protect your hairdo and fit nicely under a riding helmet should you actually mount a steed.)
Where to Find Cowboy Boots in Denver
- Where: Boulder
- Vibe: Ranch royalty
Not in a rush? Good. The proprietor of Holly Henry Custom Boots in Boulder moves at the same pace as a trail ride. The Houston-born artist crafts each order by hand from sustainably sourced leather. (Don’t hem and haw too long, though—her waiting list is backed up to 2027.)
- Where: 2559 16th St., #101, Denver (LoHi)
- Vibe: Cosmic cowgirl
A space cowgirl’s grounding piece should still feel out of this world. Make your vision reality at Lucky Bastard Custom Boots in LoHi, where Brian Tomajko and his team build boots from scratch. Go full whimsy with turquoise butterfly inlays, hand-tooled florals, or even cherry red leather dotted with tiny hearts.
- Where: 16456 E. Airport Circle, Aurora
- Vibe: Old-school wrangler
Roper-style boots are designed for function first, with a shape that stays steady in the stirrup. You don’t need a ranch job to wear them, but the point is, you could saddle up at any moment. Roper, a family-run, primarily online retailer, has outfitted the real deal for decades. Its Aurora HQ opens for occasional sales; keep an eye out on social media…