When most people think of Boulder, they usually picture mountain bikes, trail runners, and climbers halfway up the Flatirons. But beyond the hiking trailheads and bike lanes, Boulder's skateboarding scene is rolling strong.
Skateboarding has been part of Boulder's culture for decades. The scene has grown and shifted from old-school street spots to beginner-friendly skate nights while still holding onto its original spirit.
In the mid-90s, much of that spirit came from Brothers Boards, a local skate shop run by the Baptista brothers. Sammy Baptista, a pro skater, and his brother Rob helped support local events and the old YMCA park where the Scott Carpenter Skatepark sits now.
“It was much smaller and more connected,” says Raul Pinto, co-owner of Satellite Boardshop and a pillar in the Boulder skate community. Raul has been instrumental in shaping Boulder's skate landscape, helping to build Greenblock Skatepark, GB2 under the library, and the updated Scott Carpenter Skatepark.
When Brothers Boards closed in the early 2000s, Raul and his business partner JG opened Satellite, which has been a staple in the scene ever since. Today, there are more parks, more events, and more people on boards, but Raul says the roots in the community haven't changed. “It’s pretty rare that a 50-year-old man would be skating ledge learning back tails at the same time a 12-year-old is doing the same.”
That multigenerational energy is what makes the Boulders skate scene so unique. Raul points to Square State Skate as one group helping carry that spirit forward. Started by a crew of local skaters, Square State Skate hosts lessons, camps, and community nights that make skateboarding feel approachable for beginners and especially kids. Raul also notes the impact of community-led groups like Skate with Us, which began as a small crew of women meeting up for chill sessions at Square State. Now they host regular skate nights, building even more connections across communities. With parks like Valmont and Lafayette offering different vibes for different skill levels, the city's skate culture keeps expanding.
That accessibility has also made its way into schools. Danielle Fries, a physical education teacher at Bear Creek Elementary, introduced Boulder Valley School District's ever skateboarding class back in 2017. At the time, she was teaching at Boulder High and pitched a new curriculum focused on the basics of skating. The district approved it, and “Drop into Skateboarding” became an official class.
Now teaching younger students, Danielle runs a spring skateboard unit for 3rd through 5th graders and leads an after-school skate club. “One of my greatest joys is seeing kids—especially girls—who might've felt intimidated by skateboarding gain confidence and control on a board,” she says. Danielle's program covers everything from balance and safety to how a skateboard is assembled. For many of her students, it's their first time stepping on a deck and their first glimpse into the larger community around skateboarding.
From long-time skaters in the community creating parks and legacy shops to local clubs and school programs making skating accessible for everyone, Boulder's skate scene continues to grow and evolve. But at its core, it's still about supporting each other and keeping the community rolling.