It’s here, the first annual Castor Colorado Gift Guide. This project started with a call to artisans across the state, and more than 150 answered. They came from every corner of Colorado: the snowy peaks of Steamboat, the open plains of Pueblo, the red canyons of Grand Junction, the wind-worn edges of Limon, and every small workshop and studio in between. Each application carried its own story of craft and place, shaped by the same grit and quiet beauty that make this region feel alive. From that group, we chose a collection of makers whose work feels true to the state’s creative spirit, and added a few of our favorite local legends to bridge aesthetics. The result is a mix of legacy and new energy that reminds us what makes Colorado such an inspiring place to build and create. In total, 46 small businesses came together to shape this year’s guide, each selected for their craftsmanship, utility, and the kind of beauty that belongs to the untamed West.

Earlier this season, I wrote about what it really means to buy handmade. I talked about how slowing down matters, and how the things we live with carry the time and care of the people who made them. Buying handmade isn’t just about a product. It’s about connection. It’s about choosing things that are made to last, and supporting the hands that keep our creative communities alive. This guide was built with that in mind.

I wanted to make it easier to shop small without losing the story behind the work. So I created eight personas inspired by the kinds of people who make life full. The friend who always hosts. The one who leaves town on a whim. The one who still believes in souvenirs. Each section is a small world of objects that feel personal, intentional, and a little wild in their own way.

This guide is an invitation to look closer. To see the hands behind what you give, to find something that means more than its price tag, and to bring a little of Colorado’s creative spirit into the homes of the people you love