Prices at the grocery store keep climbing, so a closet refresh has to come from somewhere smarter. Colorado happens to have some thrift shops where a twenty-dollar bill still buys a whole bag of clothes. We ranked nine of them, from Pueblo to Durango, based on how far a small budget can go.
The winner may surprise shoppers who assume the big chains always have the lowest prices.
1. Steel City Thrift, Pueblo, CO
Every single item in the store is priced under $10. That one rule is why this downtown Pueblo shop takes the top spot.
Steel City Thrift sits at 417 N Santa Fe Ave and calls itself fashion-forward, which shows in how the racks are kept. Clothing, shoes, purses and accessories are clean and organized, so shoppers spend less time digging and more time trying things on.
Fresh finds arrive every week. That makes it easy to stop in regularly without seeing the same racks twice.
The shop also runs on a mission to cut down textile waste. Items that don’t sell are sent to textile recycling partners instead of a landfill.
Plan around the schedule, because the doors are closed Monday through Wednesday. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
Free street parking keeps the trip cheap from start to finish. For anyone on a fixed income, a hard ceiling of $10 per item is about as budget-friendly as thrifting gets in Colorado.
2. 2nd Time Around Thrift llc, Aurora, CO
One dollar for clothes, every day. That price alone nearly stole first place.
2nd Time Around Thrift is a family-owned shop on East Mississippi Avenue in Aurora, and the deals are simple to remember. Clothing runs $1 and shoes run $2, with a weekly sale on top of that.
The store stays organized, and it carries a wide variety of household goods along with the clothing. Busy families can grab kids’ outfits and kitchen basics in one quick stop.
Hours are generous at 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There is a free parking lot plus street parking.
Curbside and in-store pickup are offered too. It narrowly lands at number two only because Steel City’s under-$10 rule covers purses and accessories with the same steady value.
3. Goodwill Outlet, Denver, CO
Forget racks and hangers. At the Goodwill Outlet on Kearney Street, unsold items get piled into large bins and shoppers sort through them by hand.
It is a treasure hunt in the truest sense. Patient diggers can turn up brand-new items for a fraction of what they would cost elsewhere.
The outlet carries clothing, housewares and more from the long-running nonprofit chain. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, it offers plenty of chances to hunt.
Crowds build on most afternoons and evenings, so mornings early in the week may be a calmer bet. Free on-site parking helps.
Bring patience and maybe gloves. The value is real, but it takes effort, which is why it ranks third.
4. Crossfire Thrift – Crossfire Ministries, Colorado Springs, CO
Boutique looks with nonprofit prices make an appealing combination on Austin Bluffs Parkway.
Crossfire Thrift is run by Crossfire Ministries, and its prices tend to come in lower than the big chain thrift stores in the Springs. The clothing is good quality, and men’s clothing is a dedicated part of the mix along with household goods.
The staff are friendly, and the layout feels more like a small shop than a warehouse.
Hours are short, so timing matters. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it gets busiest Tuesday mornings and several afternoons.
There’s a free parking lot and free Wi-Fi, but no public restroom. Plan accordingly before a long browse.
5. Brand Spanking Used, Fort Collins, CO
The name alone earns a grin, but the inventory is what earns a spot on this list.
Brand Spanking Used sits at 227 S College Ave in Old Town Fort Collins. It carries a wide range: clothing, furniture, curated vintage, kitchenware and even Halloween costumes.
Prices stay fair across the board. The shop also supports a nonprofit, so the money spent goes toward more than the register.
I would save this one for a Saturday stroll through Old Town, since it’s right on the main drag. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Costume season is a smart time to check in. Buying a Halloween outfit secondhand can save a household real money each October.
6. Loop Thrift & Vintage, Boulder, CO
Outerwear is the specialty here, and in Colorado that matters. A good winter jacket can cost a small fortune new.
Loop Thrift & Vintage at 1717 Pearl St focuses on outerwear brands and vintage clothing at affordable prices. The racks are carefully curated, with plenty of high-quality name brands.
Pearl Street isn’t exactly known for bargains. That makes a shop offering strong value for what you get even more useful for Boulder County residents.
Hours run 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Late afternoon after work is an easy window.
It ranks sixth because prices are good rather than rock bottom. For a jacket that lasts several winters, though, the math can work out nicely.
7. Heirlooms For Hospice, Grand Junction, CO
Western Slope shoppers looking for furniture should start on Main Street in Grand Junction.
Heirlooms For Hospice is a charitable thrift store at 635 Main St. It mixes unique secondhand treasures with clothing and some impressive furniture pieces, all at reasonable prices.
The clothing and accessories regularly carry good deals. Furniture is where the store stands apart from many others on this list.
Purchases support a charitable cause, which gives every find a little extra meaning.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with Sundays off. Free Wi-Fi is available inside.
Anyone furnishing a first home or downsizing for retirement may find this downtown stop especially handy.
8. Caring & Sharing, Salida, CO
Some thrift stores are just stores. Caring & Sharing in Salida also serves as a community resource.
The shop at 220 W 4th St offers a wide variety of housewares and clothing alongside local resources for residents. It’s a genuine thrift store with real values and loads of variety.
Prices stay extremely reasonable, and the people running it are known for kindness.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Sundays and Mondays are closed.
Salida makes a relaxed day trip from the Front Range or Colorado Springs. Pairing a stroll downtown with a stop here keeps the outing affordable.
9. United Methodist Thrift Shop, Durango, CO
Book lovers in Southwest Colorado have a reason to look past the clothing racks in Durango.
United Methodist Thrift Shop at 986 E 2nd Ave is well organized and carries affordable clothing, housewares and books. The selection is solid, and the prices are friendly to tight budgets.
The people working there are warm and welcoming too.
Hours run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, with Sundays closed.
It rounds out the list as a dependable neighborhood shop. Readers stocking a bookshelf or a kitchen on a budget can count on it.
From Pueblo to Durango, these nine shops prove a little cash still goes a long way in Colorado. Start with Steel City Thrift for the best value, then explore whichever stop is closest to home.
Share this story
