Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for generations of fans across America. In Colorado Springs, the state’s second largest city, baseball cards have had a rich history and remain an integral part of the local sports culture. From the earliest days of the hobby in the late 19th century up to the modern era, Colorado Springs has been home to avid collectors, stores catering to card fans, and the development of stars whose rookie cards are highly sought after.
One of the first documented baseball card collectors in Colorado Springs was William A. Bell, who began amassing cards as a young boy in the 1890s during the early years of the tobacco card era. By the 1920s, Bell’s collection had grown to over 10,000 cards, one of the largest holdings in the state at that time. Throughout his life, Bell shared his passion with others and helped spark interest in the fledgling hobby. After his passing in the 1950s, his extensive collection was donated to the Pioneer Museum of Colorado, where many of the vintage cards can still be viewed today.
As baseball grew in popularity nationally after World War II, card collecting also boomed in Colorado Springs. Local drug stores and corner markets stocked packs of Topps, Bowman, and other brands for kids to purchase with their allowance money. Trading among friends became a common pastime at schools and parks. In the 1960s, the first dedicated baseball card shops opened in the city to cater to the surging interest. Mile High Cards and Sports Collector’s Paradise were pioneers in providing supplies and a place for the community of collectors to congregate.
A major development for the hobby locally came in the 1970s with the rise of Vinny Castilla, a star third baseman who was drafted out of Harrison High School by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1988. Castilla went on to play 16 seasons in the majors, mostly with the Colorado Rockies, and became a fan favorite known for his power and defense. His rookie cards from 1989 Fleer and Score are among the most valuable in the state given his accomplishments and connections to the local fan base. To this day, Castilla remains involved in the Colorado Springs community and his autographed rookie cards are highly prized.
In the 1980s and 90s, Colorado Springs was home to a booming sports card and memorabilia retail scene. Over a dozen specialized shops lined North Nevada Avenue and other commercial districts, fueled by the speculative bubble surrounding Michael Jordan rookie cards and other investments. Stores like Showdown, The Sports Card Shop, and Stadium Sports offered the latest wax packs, boxes, and supplies as well as a venue for traders. National card shows also began regularly visiting the city and drawing collectors from across the Rocky Mountain region.
As the industry contracted in the late 90s after overproduction and a crash in values, the local retail scene consolidated. Dedicated hobby shops have remained fixtures in Colorado Springs. Today, longstanding favorites like The Trading Post and All Star Sports continue serving collectors with supplies, events, and a sense of community. They’ve also expanded into carrying other collectibles like vinyl records, coins, and comics to diversify their offerings. Meanwhile, online groups on Facebook and Colorado-based websites have helped collectors stay connected in the digital age.
On the field, baseball has also deepened its roots in Colorado Springs. The Colorado Rockies affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, have played at Security Service Field since 1996, giving fans a local pro team to follow and potentially scout for the next generation of stars. MiLB alumni with Colorado Springs ties that have gone on to stardom include Troy Tulowitzki, Nolan Arenado, and Trevor Story, making their rookie cards highly coveted in the Pikes Peak region. Meanwhile, youth and adult recreational leagues thrive across the city’s parks and fields, keeping the national pastime alive for new generations of potential collectors.
Looking toward the future, the tradition of baseball card collecting appears secure in Colorado Springs. While the market has evolved, core fans remain dedicated to building and trading collections. Local shops continue passing the torch to new owners while drawing customers both young and old. Signs point to the hobby persisting through current and future generations in the city, as cards remain intertwined with memories, player attachment, and Colorado sports culture. As long as baseball is played in Colorado Springs, its card collecting community is likely to continue growing as well.
