COLORADO - The retail landscape across the Centennial State is shifting. From the busy shopping districts of the Front Range to the mountain communities in the High Country, the familiar storefronts we see in our towns are changing.
While some areas like Northern Colorado are seeing new growth, many household names are shrinking their footprints or leaving the state entirely. For Colorado shoppers, this means it’s time to use those gift cards and prepare for empty storefronts at local plazas. Based on recent bankruptcy filings, corporate restructuring announcements, and ongoing "fleet optimization" plans, here are six major retail chains closing locations in Colorado this year.
1. Big 5 Sporting Goods
This is the most recent and surprising hit for Colorado outdoor enthusiasts. The sporting goods chain has confirmed it is shuttering multiple locations along the Front Range to start the year.
Stores in Denver, Wheat Ridge, and Fort Collins have been marked for closure. For many locals, these stores were the go-to spot for affordable camping gear and youth sports equipment. The company has launched liquidation sales at these specific locations, with doors expected to lock for good by mid-winter.
2. Big Lots
The discount furniture and pantry retailer filed for bankruptcy protection and has been aggressively shedding stores to survive. Colorado has been one of the states most significantly impacted by these cuts.
A large cluster of stores has been marked for closure, including locations in Aurora, Grand Junction, Littleton, Longmont, and Colorado Springs. Shoppers looking for bargain patio furniture or home goods should expect aggressive "store closing" sales at these sites as the brand wipes out a large portion of its local footprint.
3. Walgreens
The pharmacy giant is in the midst of closing roughly 1,200 stores nationwide to cut costs. Colorado is seeing a specific wave of these closures right now.
The company confirmed a batch of closures hitting the Denver metro area, specifically in Aurora, Denver, Federal Heights, and Arvada. Walgreens is targeting locations that are not profitable enough to sustain rising labor costs or are too close to other existing stores. If your local pharmacy is on the list, you will likely receive a notification about your prescriptions being transferred to a nearby branch.
4. LL Flooring
Formerly known as Lumber Liquidators, this flooring retailer is closing its doors entirely. After failing to find a buyer during its bankruptcy process, the company announced a total liquidation of all stores nationwide.
This affects locations across the Front Range, specifically in Longmont, Loveland, and Thornton. Homeowners who were planning renovations should know that "all sales are final" and installation services have ceased. The storefronts will go dark once the remaining inventory is sold off, leaving empty boxes in major retail strips.
5. Macy’s
The iconic department store continues its strategy of exiting struggling malls to focus on its best-performing sites. Macy's has confirmed a new round of closures as part of its "Bold New Chapter" plan.
In Colorado, the company has focused its cuts on the Northfield Stapleton location in Denver. As Macy's shifts its focus to its "luxury" banner and top-tier malls (like Cherry Creek or Park Meadows), industry analysts warn that other anchor stores in older regional malls could be vulnerable to future announcements.
6. Advance Auto Parts
The auto parts giant is pumping the brakes harder than almost any other retailer this year. Advance Auto Parts announced a massive restructuring plan to shutter over 700 locations nationwide by mid-2026.
Colorado is expected to feel the impact as the company consolidates its footprint. The strategy involves focusing on its "Pro" business (selling to mechanics) rather than retail DIY stores. This means smaller, redundant locations in the state—particularly those in saturated markets—could be consolidated into nearby hubs. If you have a warranty on a car battery or part, you should check if your local store is remaining open.
