Whether you’re a seasoned tinkerer, an aspiring artist, or you simply miss the feel of glue on your fingertips, the Front Range is brimming with ways to unleash your creativity.
Makerspaces—shared community workshops stocked with tools and equipment—are helping locals stretch their imaginations, learn new skills, and connect with fellow makers. These collaborative hubs come in all flavors: some lean high-tech with 3D printers and laser cutters, while others focus on fiber arts or metalworking. But many offer classes for beginners, memberships for regulars and a supportive community where ideas can spark and grow.
Here are nine makerspaces in and around Boulder where you can fire up your creative energy this season.
TinkerMill (Longmont)
TinkerMill bills itself as Colorado’s largest makerspace, with nearly 800 members and 13,000 square feet of space. Inside its sprawling warehouse, you’ll find everything from a 4kW laser (which can cut materials up to an inch thick) to a fully outfitted machine shop and textile corner.
New to making? No problem. TinkerMill offers workshops for all levels, including soldering basics, 3D printing certifications, and even intro to electricity for ages 8 and up. And the collaborative atmosphere means you’re just as likely to get advice from a master machinist as you are a hobbyist quilter. Standard memberships are $70 a month, and drop-in tours happen weekly. tinkermill.org
BLDG 61 & Studio 24 (Boulder)
Boulder’s public library system has embraced the maker movement with not one but two creative hubs: BLDG 61 at the main branch and Studio 24 at the new North Boulder location. BLDG 61 offers over a dozen equipment and software options, including an industrial-scale laser cutter, 3D printers, woodshop tools and sewing machines. At Studio 24, the vibe is more intimate, with a focus on helping members learn DIY skills in gardening, home repair, mending, cooking and more.
Both spaces are free to use (no library card required), and programs and appointments are available for ages 12 and up, making them some of the most accessible (and inspiring) places to create in Boulder. boulderlibrary.org/makerspaces
Solid State Depot (Boulder)
Founded in 2010, Solid State Depot is a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating a maker’s mindset, and members here share expertise in everything from coding and robotics to welding and woodworking. Open to members 24/7, the warehouse-style shop is divided into zones and includes all the equipment you could want, from CNC routers to laser cutters.
Classes, workshops, and community meetups encourage skill-sharing, while the open format means you can dive into projects at your own pace. Regular dues are $85 per month, with tiers for students, seniors and families. ssdmakerspace.org
Studio 775 (Lafayette)
Located inside the Lafayette Public Library, Studio 775 is free with a library card and open to all ages, with drop-in hours Monday through Thursday and regular open houses and workshops to grow your skills.
The bright, tech-forward workshop is stocked with tools like Cricut cutters, 3D printers, a Glowforge laser printer, a sewing and embroidery machine and even a Canon photo printer. Patrons can also access design software on iMacs, plus watch a library of video classes from the Creativebug and Craftsy archives. lafayetteco.gov/2097/Makerspace—Studio-775
Denhac (Denver)
Founded in 2008, this Denver institution is the third longest-running hackerspace in the United States, and predates the popularization of the term “makerspace” altogether. Its mission: to provide a place for tech enthusiasts, artists and inventors to explore without limits.
Inside, you’ll find equipment for electronics, 3D printing, automotive working and more—but the real draw is the passionate community, which operates as a cooperative to run the nonprofit. The space is open to members only ($45 per month), which grants you access to the space, open houses, hack nights and workshops on everything from beginner metrology to couture sewing techniques. denhac.org
Inks & Drinks (Westminster)
For those who like their creativity paired with a cocktail, Inks & Drinks offers a playful spin on the makerspace model, with options to make your own plant terrarium, macrame purse or decorated (faux) animal skull or bust.
Just reserve a three-hour table, arrive with your crew and pick out a project, which average $30 to $70, with options available for higher or lower budgets. Visit the bar for wine, beer, cider and premixed cocktails or mocktails, and let the knowledgeable staff start each project with step-by-step instructions before setting you loose. inksanddrinksparties.com
Clear Creek Makerspace (Wheat Ridge)
At 7,500 square feet, Clear Creek Makerspace is one of Colorado’s largest hubs for hands-on creativity, stocked with more than $300,000 worth of advanced equipment, including laser cutters, 3D printers, woodworking and metalworking tools and more.
Membership comes with 24/7, year-round access, free storage and meeting space and discounts on classes and events. Newbies can pop into a weekly tour to see the space in action, or sign up for a class—many of which are open to the public. Clear Creek also runs its Growing U program, offering entrepreneurship workshops and micro-grants to help turn creative projects into small businesses. clearcreekmakerspace.com
Hardy & Fuller (Denver)
Founded by BIPOC queer artist Ashe Thorne, Hardy & Fuller is a makerspace dedicated to the metal arts, with an overarching goal of making the craft more welcoming and inclusive. After nearly a decade teaching, Thorne launched Hardy & Fuller to create a space where BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled and female-presenting makers could thrive in an industry that often excludes them.
The shop offers classes and membership-based studio access in six areas: blacksmithing, knifemaking, welding, plasma cutting, jewelry and fabrication. Memberships are available for $150 per month, and classes for all skill levels are available to the public. hardyandfuller.com
The Craftsman & Apprentice (Denver)
This kid-focused workshop proves that making isn’t just for grownups. The Craftsman & Apprentice offers camps, after-school programs and birthday parties where children learn hands-on skills like woodworking, sewing, and printmaking.
From “juice box happy hours” to Saturday morning “wake and make” sessions, each activity lets kids create in a cohort of their peers. The bright, welcoming space also occasionally offers adult workshops, but its real magic lies in giving the next generation of makers a chance to play, think creatively and make something cool with their hands. craftsmanandapprentice.com
