Buckhorn Exchange

The Buckhorn Exchange sits in a brick building with wide windows and is filled with over 500 mounted animals and 125 historical firearms displayed throughout. The restaurant spans two dining levels, with taxidermied heads and vintage objects covering nearly every wall surface from floor to ceiling.

Founded in 1893 by Henry Zietz, this restaurant became significant when it received Colorado's first liquor license after Prohibition ended. The original document still hangs on display, marking a turning point in both the restaurant's story and the state's relationship with alcohol sales.

The mounted animals and firearms covering the walls tell the story of frontier hunting traditions and how people of that era lived off the land. Walking through the rooms, you encounter these relics at every turn, which transforms the dining experience into a conversation about survival and self-reliance from that time.

The restaurant operates across two levels and welcomes reservations to secure your table. It sits just across from a light rail station, making it easy to reach by public transit or nearby parking.

The menu offers meat from rattlesnakes, alligators, and Rocky Mountain oysters prepared using traditional recipes from pioneer days. Trying these uncommon proteins lets you taste how people actually ate when settling the frontier.