December 20, 2021

Support Local in Colorado Springs

Beyond profitability, more than capitalism, local businesses in Colorado Springs are set apart by their values. Companies are raising the bar in terms of social responsibility and environmental sustainability, giving back from the many successes over the past year. By supporting them this holiday season, residents not only stimulate the local economy but help serve the needs of the local community.

Here are a few of the businesses that are defining Colorado Springs’ purpose-driven economy:

Frayla Boutique

Frayla Boutique on East Fountain Boulevard sells ethically made products, many of which originate in the U.S. The business was nominated for the National Institute for Social Impact’s 2021 PRISM Award — a celebration of social impact businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Colorado.

Goat Patch Brewing

Community engagement is one of Goat Patch Brewing’s foremost values, and it’s apparent based on their It Takes a Tribe initiative. The brewery gives everyone who purchases a pint of their special ale a wooden nickel to place in the box of one of two non-profits. At the end of each year, the company donates 25 cents per wooden nickel to the organization.

Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Inc.

As one of the top destinations in the U.S. for outdoor sports, it should not be surprising that many businesses are committed to the preservation of the local environment. Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Inc. (MER) was founded in 2010 as a consignment gear shop, donating to relief programs that work with soldiers returning from combat that suffer from PTSD. The social business has since grown and now donates 100% of net profits to local nonprofits like Rocky Mountain Field Institute (an organization that conserves and protects public land in Southern Colorado) and Kids on Bikes (an MER partner that provides kids with access to bikes in their local communities).

Old Town Bike Shop

For over 40 years, Old Town Bike Shop has worked to combine physical fitness with environmentalism. In 2021 the company joined 44 other organizations throughout Colorado Springs in having solar panels installed. The shop’s central location in Downtown Colorado Springs also allows them to support the community through programs like Bike Clinic Too — an initiative that provides those living in poverty with reconditioned bikes for reliable transportation.

Sasquatch Cookies

Sasquatch Cookies donates 10% of its profits to Springs Rescue Mission, a non-profit that provides food, clothing, shelter, and services to those critically in need of help in the region. Sasquatch also donates their day-old cookies to the Marian House and uses recycled, degradable, natural, or sustainable packaging to reduce waste.

The Men’s Xchange

The Men’s Xchange is a premier thrift boutique helping men who are disadvantaged. The shop operates on community donations, and every dollar spent in-store helps maintain a team of personal stylists and mentors that coach shoppers on men’s issues and how to look their best in a professional setting.

Trails End Tap Room

On Thursday evenings from April to October, Trails End Tap Room donates 15% of proceeds from beer sales to local non-profits that support ecological health or humanitarian needs as part of their Love Up Thursday initiative.

Local businesses are sparking the social consciousness of all who live here, trailblazing a sense of purpose that not only envisions what is, but what can be. Contact us to learn how your socially-minded business might fit into the Pikes Peak region’s charitable community.