Some things are worth keeping. We call them elevated basics, when truly they are anything but basic. They are foundational, classic staples that have withstood the test of time. At Colorado Co-Op, this thoughtful approach is found in the details: the familiar shelves, the front counter dating back to the store’s early days, and the tradition of wrapping purchases in brown paper finished with a ribbon.
Even as fashion changes, those small touches remain. For nearly 30 years, Colorado Co-Op has occupied its place downtown on North Tejon Street, offering a carefully curated collection of women’s clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. Established in 1996 by Chris Colean, the boutique has built its reputation around timeless pieces with just enough edge to feel distinctive.
From Compliance to Curation
Denise Sheridan came to the store in 2020, first as a manager and eventually as its owner. Her path to retail, however, began long before that. “I always had an interest in fashion and curating,” Sheridan says.
Born and raised in Iowa, Sheridan moved to Colorado Springs and worked in environmental health and safety, a career that required a very different kind of focus: rules, regulations, compliance. Fashion was not her formal career path, but it was always part of her world. Her mother owned a retail store in Minneapolis, and although Sheridan never worked there, she absorbed the rhythms of the business simply by growing up around it.
The Art of the Edit
Taking over an established business came with an appreciation for what had already made the store special. Sheridan has intentionally maintained some of its traditions while introducing brands and discoveries that reflect her own eye the historical pieces of fashion that have lasted longer than any trend. Several brands she carries today are those her mother once carried, creating an unexpected thread between generations.
The buying process is part instinct, part research and part discovery. Sheridan travels to markets in New York for spring and fall collections, looking for fabrics, construction and details that stand out. A pleat, a twist, an unusual texture or an exceptional fabric can be enough to catch her attention. The goal is not to fill the store. It is to curate it.
The result is a collection designed for women who appreciate quality and want an elevated look without feeling overly formal or inaccessible. The result is a collection that balances polished yet relaxed pieces with pieces that can transition easily from everyday life into something more special.
The Pieces That Earn Their Place
A great white shirt. A well-cut blazer. A slip or column dress. Black pants. A pair of jeans that actually fits. Then come the finishing pieces: a belt, handbag, necklace or pair of shoes. Sheridan and her small team help customers see the possibilities in those foundational pieces, showing how one item can be styled several different ways. The emphasis is less on chasing every trend and more on finding something that earns a place in a wardrobe.
More Than a Transaction
Customers are invited to come in, look around, touch the fabrics, try something on and spend a little time. In an era of fast shipping, inexpensive mass-market clothing and endless online choices, Sheridan believes there is still something valuable about seeing, feeling and experiencing a garment in person. But she cautions, “High pressure is not our style.” That belief may be one of the reasons Colorado Co-Op has endured for the last 30 years.
A Creative Second Act
For Sheridan, the business also represents a creative counterpoint to her earlier professional life. Retail gives her the opportunity to use an entirely different side of her brain from her previous profession. There is more creativity, more interaction and, she says, more fun, even if it comes with longer hours and plenty of work behind the scenes.
Thirty Years and Counting
Today, Colorado Co-Op remains intentionally small, personal and selective. Its merchandise continues to evolve, but its purpose remains remarkably consistent: to offer women quality, individuality and a reason to shop differently. The store is still doing what it has done for decades: introducing Colorado Springs women to something they may not find anywhere else, one carefully chosen piece at a time.
Colorado Co-Op
315 N. Tejon St.
719.389.0696
coloradoco-op.com
“High pressure is not our style," Sheridan says.