You Have to Check Out Loveland, Colorado’s Wonderful Dam Store

Hundreds of thousands of travelers drive through Colorado every year, especially those headed to Rocky Mountain National Park; how many have stopped at the Dam Store along the way?

One the west side of Loveland, the store has been around for decades; it has stood through floods and witnessed fires. Patrons have stopped in for souvenirs and trinkets, and to climb their legendary tower above the river.

When you think of all the roadside attractions that you'll find across Colorado, this little store by the river should be on your "bucket list" for the state.

Dam Store in Loveland, Colorado is Legendary

It sounds like a curse word, but it's about being literal: It is a store by a dam, so.. they named it Dam Store, at 10103 W US-34, in west Loveland. Kids love to say the name, because they won't get in trouble by doing so.

Being at the western mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon, Dam Store comes up a lot when it comes to any needed closure of Highway 34; authorities use Dam Store as a marker:

Highway 34 is closed through the Big Thompson Canyon from Estes Park to the Dam Store...

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Dam Store is also used as a marker for evacuations due to fires, such as the Cameron Peak Fire and the Alexander Mountain Fire.

Dam Store in Loveland Dates Back to 1906

According to the Denver Post, there was an original Dam Store built in 1906, but when the route of Highway 34 was changed in the 1930's, they moved the store to where it sits now. The store has been owned and run by Olmstead family since 1969.

RELATED: Loveland Becomes First Colorado Location for Anchor Bar

Dam Store Used to Have a Campground?

When the Olmstead's purchased Dam Store, there was a little campground behind it, but they closed it down a year after the Big Thompson Flood of 1976. It had to be scary knowing that there were campers on your property during such a flood.

No Website for Dam Store

Dam Store is definitely a small business, that doesn't need to get complicated. You won't find any website listing items that they provide; they do have a Facebook page, but it doesn't get updated frequently.

Dam Store has maps, snacks, jewelry, and all sorts of trinkets that you can purchase to commemorate your visit; and climbing the (very sturdy) 40-ft tower out back is free.