Shopping Local with Colorado Mills {$500 Giveaway}

This post is sponsored by Colorado Mills. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own.

I’m not sure if you guys knew this, but I’m from Colorado.

….I kid, I kid. Of course you knew that, and if you didn’t, I suspect the name of this blog kind of gave it away, no?! But in all seriousness, that is a rarity around these parts {a few days ago a reader referenced natives as “special unicorns”!} with the influx of people moving to the Denver area.

I love my state, and I do what I can to support it wherever possible. For me, this largely entails shopping at local businesses whenever possible. My family owns a small business and I know how hard it can be to do battle with the big guys, so I’m always willing to spend a few extra dollars if it supports a Colorado-based company.

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And truth be told, I was reticent when Colorado Mills reached out to me for this giveaway. Shopping isn’t really a hot topic around this site, and I was not sure that it would be a great fit. But then I started poking around the category of stores at the mall and spent some time chatting with Brenda, the marketing director. And you know what I learned? There are quite a few local love stories at Colorado Mills!

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These aren’t those love stories. These are Will and me acting like we’re 9 years old again

Will and I headed to the mall a few weeks ago to peruse the stores and snap a few photos. In the process, I learned a lot about many of the small businesses. Y’all, I fell in love with a few {and there is one in particular where we had a tough time not buying ALL THE THINGS!}

Take A Borgata for example. This store is filled with clothing and trinkets by Colorado-based designers and artisans. As I walked around the store looking at everything, I found myself exclaiming, “I need this!” or “Can we put this on our living room wall?” There are so many unique Colorado products that I haven’t seen anywhere else, and it gave me a few gift ideas.

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I need to buy this for a hundred different people

Or Cleveland Creek Log Furniture. While it may not sound like a local company, I immediately fell in love with this family-owned, Colorado-based business. I briefly spoke with the owner on the phone {when calling to ask permission to snap a few photos} and he reminded me of my parents and our small company. The business is a part of your livelihood; sure. But it’s more a part of your family, and of your soul.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that they carried the most amazing log tables that I’ve ever seen. They had one that was this polished slab table with curled and gnarled branches as legs. Will was DYING.

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When did moose become cool? I don’t even care; I love this

Finally, we swung by Kataluma Chai, another Colorado-based business that immediately grabbed my undying affection with approximately 4 million varieties of chai. I have a deep, intense love affair with chai and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen so many choices available!

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But all of this aside, I suspect you want to know how you can win the $500, amiright?!

Here’s the deal: Colorado Mills is giving away one $500 Visa gift card to a lucky person. Of course, they are hoping that you locals spend it at any of their stores, but if you’re not local? It’s accepted wherever Visa is accepted…so pretty much everywhere.

The only required entry below is to follow their account {@ShopColoradoMills} on Instagram. And of course you should, if only because I’m hosting a TAKEOVER this Thursday! So if you want to see some more of the IG madness, hop over on Thursday and see what kind of snaps I’ll be sharing. Deal?

Entries will be accepted via the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway will close at midnight on Sunday, June 26.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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56 Comments

  • Reply Lindsey at

    Wait, a chai-specific store!? My dreams have come true! I’d probably use the whole gift card there ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply KN at

    Awesome giveaway! Might have to add this to my list of places to check out on our upcoming trip. If I win I promise to use it at our local outfitter (here on the east coast!)

  • Reply Whitney Vestal at

    Hmmm, I would use the gift card for some office furniture! That cleveland log furniture place is pretty cool! And maybe an orange julius or two! ๐Ÿ™‚ I actually live pretty close to the Mills!

  • Reply Sara at

    I go in the log furniture place every time I’m at Colorado Mills, I’d love to be able to afford something there!

  • Reply Kelly D at

    I would buy summer clothing and shoes for my kids.

  • Reply Amelia M. at

    I would LOVE chai, or log furniture for that lodge-inspired home I am dreaming of someday ๐Ÿ˜‰ Or maybe just a new bed ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thanks for the chance!!!!

  • Reply Morgan at

    I love chai! I literally just finished drinking a chocolate chai latte. As for the gift card, I’d probably spend it at my local bike shop. I’ve been wanting a single speed mountain bike so I’d love to put it towards that. Or maybe some other outdoor gear!

  • Reply Adam Buchanan at

    i need a reason to go back to CO

  • Reply Andrea Vince at

    My hubby & I love Colorado Mills! We recently moved down to Lone Tree from the Baker District so we’re much further away now, but we still like to take a special trip there every other week or so ๐Ÿ™‚ I would more than likely use the gift card at A Borgata….love their clothing items.

  • Reply Will G at

    I would use it to buy a new receiver.

  • Reply Lindsay at

    Perhaps towards a gorgeous log table?! Would likely just put a small dent in the overall cost though.

  • Reply Paulina Dao at

    In the process of moving and would love new art and prints for my place!

  • Reply Nina R. at

    Visiting Colorado Mills has been on my list for the six years I’ve lived here, so if I won the gift card I would go on a shopping spree there and come home with some decor for my condo since it still looks like I just moved in … even if it’s been a year!

  • Reply Kathy at

    We love supporting local. Even though we live in Salt Lake, we are still considered local, right? Would love to use the gift card for gifts for family.

  • Reply Julie at

    Love that mall and could use new decor thanks.

  • Reply Aaron at

    I would use the Visa gift card for new clothes and groceries.

  • Reply Amy at

    I live right by the Colorado Mills and did not know any of these stores existed! I would definitely take the gift card there to check them out!

  • Reply Meg at

    If there is a local gear store, I’m all in.

  • Reply Trinh Quinonez at

    I would use the gift card on printing supplies.

  • Reply Andrea L at

    Probably something house or wedding related!

  • Reply donna at

    i would use it towards new athletic wear ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply Christopher Mason at

    Traveling to visit my brother in Colorado.

  • Reply Kayley at

    I’d be tempted to use the gift card to get a PS4.

  • Reply Catalina at

    I would use it to buy a grill for the patio for this summer days!

  • Reply Heather S at

    I would save it for our vacation we have planned to Hawaii in October!
    @kaizenfashion

  • Reply Jen T at

    I don’t live in Colorado, but would use the gift card towards my upcoming vacation!

  • Reply Sara at

    That moose is awesome, so that and a bunch of chai. My kids may talk me into some Legos, too, though.

  • Reply Julia at

    I would use it for a plane ticket to CO and make sure to stop by Colorado Mills for some souvenirs!

  • Reply judith at

    running gear

  • Reply RFC at

    I would totally, 100% use this gift card *IN* Colorado, no lie. We are so stoked for our TransRockies Run experience, but holy moly are we racking up some bills preparing to get/stay there, haha. So needless to say, if I win, this $500 will go directly to local businesses in Colorado, in the form of food/coffee/travel/lodging once we get there ๐Ÿ˜›

  • Reply Kia Ruiz at

    Hopefully something fun – probably more Le Creuset cookware from the store at Colorado Mills.

  • Reply Rachel at

    I would use this to buy a patio set.

  • Reply marie at

    i would get more shoes and clothes

  • Reply Whitney S at

    Travel? Or baby stuff. Adulting is thrilling!

  • Reply Kristen @ Muddle + Joy at

    As another Colorado native who only just recently moved back home, I’d love to shop for the gear I need to properly explore this beautiful state ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply Bobbie at

    I would get camping and running gear. Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway!

  • Reply Mellisa at

    I’m due for a trip back to Denver to visit my bestie and do some hiking so Colorado Mills sounds like a perfect destination! I love chai so I have a good idea where I’d want to spend a big chunk of that gift card ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • Reply Joan at

    Would look for something from Colorado Mills for sure. And then try to get to Colorado again. How I miss the mountains and the clear water streams. Manna for my soul.

  • Reply Morgan Youngblood at

    Would it be wrong to buy $500 worth of Chai?

  • Reply Eric Orozco at

    How about a trip to Colorado? ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply steph at

    I have several friends who have just moved to Colorado….I could go visit them!

  • Reply Amanda S at

    Furniture! Count me in. Honestly, I had no idea that there were local stores in that mall. I only go there for some Whole Foods salad bar or Mod Market. Or a quick bite somewhere on my way to work from running NTM in the morning.

    So thanks for the heads-up!

  • Reply Kristi at

    Awesome giveaway! I’d definitely check out Colorado Mills. I’m in Northern Colorado and haven’t been there in recent years. Would love to go spend some money at that mall!

  • Reply Nataly Carbonell at

    I would go shopping with my family! ๐Ÿ˜€

  • Reply linda at

    i would use it for clothing and home decor ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply Maggie at

    I would use it for a little bit of everything but mostly an excuse to go shopping!

  • Reply Jane Chrestensen at

    What a great giveaway oppurtunity! Thank you!
    We’d love to head up and check out Colorado
    Mills. We are down in Parker and don’t make it there often, but have been and enjoy it!
    Thanks again!

  • Reply Laura at

    I’d use it for some new things to decorate my home… all bought in Colorado ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply Jackie LaMaire at

    I would love to use this gift card to decorate my house with some awesome colorado stuff, especially the living room! Also, it would be nice to buy a few gifts for friends back home that are CO products. Thanks!

  • Reply Gage at

    I would spend it on my two kiddos (12 &14) – I would buy them some new clothes and shoes and maybe a couple goodies for them too, thanks! Cheers!

  • Reply Laura at

    I just moved to the Golden area and I look forward to checking out the mall, my son would love the carousel! I would totally buy some new decor for our new house!.

  • Reply Rachel at

    Love shopping local! I would use the gift card for some new climbing gear ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply julie at

    I would let my daughters go crazy

  • Reply Geoff Hart at

    I’d use that card for when Heather and I get to CO for the Trans Rockies!! Beer, food, lodging, gear, all that good stuff.

  • Reply Patrice at

    Great giveaway! I got here in the nick of time!

  • Reply julie at

    i really need new business wear ๐Ÿ™‚

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