What is the Oldest Business in Colorado?

Numerous reminders of Colorado's rich history are still around in the form of things like museums, ghost towns, and plenty of abandoned places that it's ill-advised you visit in person because of safety and legal reasons.

Read More: Gold Hill Colorado is Home to the State's Oldest Operating School |

However, one landmark that has been around since the state's infancy is not only still around and accessible to those who wish to visit it, but it is still fully operational all these years later.

Keep scrolling to learn about the oldest continuously-running business in Colorado.

What is the Oldest Business in Colorado?

While it currently appears to be temporarily closed, R&R Market in the small Colorado town of San Luis is known as the oldest continuously-running business in the state.

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R&R Market was originally built and opened in 1857 as a general store and has been serving the town of San Luis ever since.

Not only does the store predate Colorado's entry into the United States as a state in 1876, but it has also overcome numerous obstacles that nearly took away its distinction as the oldest continuously operating business.

For example, R&R Market survived an attack by Native Americans in 1858, and again stood strong against a fire in 1895, and another fire in 1945.

The business was sold in 2022, and its name was changed to San Luis People's Market, but against all odds, the building at 367 Main Street in San Luis, Colorado, remains the oldest of its kind in the state.