Colpar Hobbies: Discover Unique Interests and Enjoyable Activities in 2026

If you’ve come across the term Colpar Hobbies, you may be wondering what it means and what kind of interests or activities it includes. I know how confusing it can be when you discover an unfamiliar hobby term and want to understand whether it is something you can actually enjoy yourself. You might be looking for new ways to spend your free time, explore your creativity, or simply find a hobby that feels different from the usual choices.

In this guide, I’ll help you explore Colpar Hobbies in a simple and practical way. You’ll discover what the term refers to, the types of activities that may be associated with it, and how you can decide whether these hobbies match your interests. Whether you’re completely new to the topic or simply curious, you can use this guide to find ideas that make your free time more enjoyable and meaningful.

What Are Colpar Hobbies?

Colpar Hobbies was a Colorado-based retail hobby shop specializing in hobby kits, models, tools, supplies, and related products. Historical trademark records describe the business as a retail hobby shop featuring hobby kits, products, tools, and literature. The trademark application dates to 2002, while the recorded first-use dates trace the business name back to the late 1960s.

The business became particularly associated with the Denver metropolitan area and served hobbyists interested in several different forms of model and hobby recreation.

Its product categories have included areas such as:

• RC cars and trucks
• RC airplanes
• RC boats
• Model trains
• Plastic model kits
• Model-building supplies
• Paints and finishing products
• Hobby tools
• Rockets
• Science and educational kits
• Accessories and replacement parts

Older hobby directories and publications also identify Colpar Hobbies as a full-line hobby shop carrying trains, radio-controlled planes and cars, free-flight models, jet-related kits, rockets, tools, and model supplies.

Is Colpar Hobbies Still Open?

The original Colpar Hobbies name is no longer the primary retail branding.

The business evolved into Colpar’s HobbyTown, with current locations listed in Aurora, Lakewood, and Littleton, Colorado. Its current website describes the stores as locally owned and operated and highlights RC vehicles, boats, planes, models, trains, and related hobby products.

So if you are searching for the old Colpar Hobbies store, searching for Colpar’s HobbyTown is generally more useful than looking only for the historical Colpar Hobbies name.

Colpar’s HobbyTown Locations

The current business lists three Colorado locations.

Location	Address	Main Focus
Aurora	1915 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014	RC vehicles, models, trains, hobby supplies
Lakewood	3355 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80227	RC, models, hobby supplies and services
Littleton	7981 S Broadway, Littleton, CO 80122	Hobby products, models and RC interests

The business also lists a planned Colorado Springs location at 7870 N Academy Blvd as coming soon. Because store openings and operating details can change, it is sensible to check the company’s current information before traveling.

What Can You Find at Colpar’s HobbyTown?

The modern business retains much of the broad hobby-store character associated with Colpar Hobbies.

RC Cars and Trucks

Radio-controlled cars and trucks are an important part of the current business. Hobbyists can explore RC vehicles, replacement components, accessories, and customization options.

For beginners, an RC hobby shop can be particularly useful because getting started involves more than choosing a vehicle. Batteries, chargers, spare parts, maintenance supplies, and compatible accessories can all become relevant as the hobby develops.

RC Boats

RC boating provides a different experience from land-based RC vehicles.

Instead of concentrating on suspension, tires, gearing, and terrain, hobbyists have to think about water conditions, propulsion, battery management, and keeping equipment properly maintained.

Colpar’s current website specifically lists RC boats among its product categories.

RC Aircraft

Model aviation has long been part of the traditional hobby-shop landscape, and historical listings for Colpar Hobbies specifically mention RC airplanes and other aircraft-related products.

Aircraft modeling can range from relatively accessible beginner models to sophisticated projects requiring substantial knowledge of electronics, aerodynamics, construction, and flight control.

Model Trains

Model railroading is another hobby associated with Colpar Hobbies.

A model railroad can be as simple as a small train layout or as elaborate as a detailed miniature landscape containing buildings, scenery, track networks, locomotives, rolling stock, and electrical or digital control systems.

For someone interested in building rather than simply operating a model, model railroading offers a particularly broad combination of:

• Construction
• Planning
• Electronics
• Painting
• Scenic modeling
• Research
• Mechanical problem-solving

Plastic Model Kits

Plastic modeling allows hobbyists to assemble scale representations of vehicles, aircraft, ships, military subjects, fictional subjects, and other designs.

The hobby is often appealing to people who enjoy detailed, hands-on work but prefer a project that can be completed on a desk or workbench.

A finished model is only one part of the experience. Assembly, surface preparation, painting, weathering, and display can all become separate skills to learn.

Paints and Finishing Supplies

Painting is an important part of many modeling hobbies.

Depending on the project, hobbyists may need model paints, brushes, masking supplies, adhesives, finishing products, and other tools.

For beginners, starting with a modest set of essential supplies is generally more practical than purchasing every specialized product immediately.

Tools and Accessories

A hobby shop becomes particularly valuable when a project requires a specialized tool or replacement component.

Instead of treating tools as an afterthought, experienced hobbyists often build their collection gradually around the projects they actually undertake.

This approach helps avoid buying equipment that never gets used.

Why Hobby Shops Matter to Beginners

One advantage of a traditional hobby shop is that the hobbyist is not limited to choosing a product from an online listing.

A physical hobby store can provide an opportunity to:

• Compare different types of equipment
• See the scale and physical size of products
• Ask questions about compatibility
• Find replacement parts
• Get advice about starting a project
• Discover related hobbies
• Talk with other enthusiasts

Colpar’s current website specifically emphasizes expert support and services such as repairs and customization, positioning its stores as more than simple retail outlets.

Colpar Hobbies History

Colpar Hobbies has roots extending back to the late 1960s.

A Better Business Bureau profile for Colpar Hobbies lists the business as having started locally on July 3, 1969. Historical trademark information also records first use of the Colpar Hobbies name in the late 1960s.

The business therefore represents more than a recent hobby retailer. It became part of the Denver-area hobby-store landscape during a period when specialized brick-and-mortar hobby shops were an important source of models, kits, tools, parts, and knowledge.

The Transition to HobbyTown

The business later became associated with the HobbyTown brand.

A 2019 Hobby Merchandiser article reported that Fred Beardslee had worked at the store since the 1980s before becoming its owner in 2010. The article also described Colpar Hobbies becoming a HobbyTown co-branded franchise and the stores subsequently operating as Colpar’s HobbyTown.

That transition explains why people researching the older Colpar Hobbies name may encounter Colpar’s HobbyTown when looking for the business today.

What Hobbies Is Colpar’s Best Known For?

Colpar’s history and current product range make it particularly relevant to hobbyists who enjoy hands-on, technical, or model-based activities.

Hobby	Difficulty	Typical Starting Cost	Space	Best For
RC cars	Beginner–Advanced	Moderate	Small–Medium	Driving and mechanical projects
RC trucks	Beginner–Advanced	Moderate	Small–Medium	Off-road RC and customization
RC boats	Beginner–Advanced	Moderate	Medium	Water-based RC
Model trains	Beginner–Advanced	Moderate–High	Medium–Large	Building detailed layouts
Plastic modeling	Beginner–Advanced	Low–Moderate	Small	Detailed construction
Model aircraft	Intermediate–Advanced	Moderate–High	Medium	Aviation and technical interests
Painting models	Beginner–Advanced	Low–Moderate	Small	Artistic finishing
Customization	Intermediate–Advanced	Variable	Small–Medium	Modification and experimentation

Costs vary considerably depending on whether you are purchasing a basic beginner kit or building a more sophisticated collection or project.

How to Choose a Hobby at a Colpar Store

If you are new to the hobby world, the sheer range of products in a specialized store can be overwhelming.

A better approach is to decide what kind of experience you want.

Choose RC Cars If You Like Action

RC cars are a good starting point for someone who wants to operate a hobby rather than spend most of the time constructing a model.

They can also provide a pathway into mechanical maintenance, customization, electronics, and racing.

Choose Model Trains If You Like Building Worlds

Model railroading is particularly suitable if you enjoy long-term projects.

Rather than focusing only on one finished object, you can gradually develop a complete miniature environment.

Choose Plastic Models If You Prefer Detailed Desk Projects

Plastic modeling is a strong choice if you enjoy concentration, precision, painting, and craftsmanship.

It can also be started on a relatively small workspace.

Choose RC Aircraft If You Want a More Technical Challenge

Model aviation combines building, electronics, control systems, and flying.

Because aircraft operation involves additional practical considerations, beginners should learn appropriate operating and safety practices before attempting to fly.

What Should a Beginner Buy First?

The answer depends on the specific hobby.

For a plastic model, the essentials may be relatively simple: a suitable kit, appropriate adhesive, basic tools, and materials for finishing.

For an RC vehicle, the requirements can extend beyond the vehicle itself. Depending on the model, you may need a battery, charger, transmitter, spare parts, and maintenance supplies.

For model trains, the initial purchase may involve track, a locomotive, rolling stock, power or control equipment, and scenery depending on the type of layout you want.

The most useful strategy is to choose one specific project first, then buy the supplies required for that project rather than purchasing a large collection of equipment before you know what you enjoy.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Buying Too Much Equipment

A large hobby store can make it tempting to buy every tool and accessory that looks interesting.

Start with what your first project requires.

Choosing a Project Above Your Skill Level

An ambitious project can be rewarding, but a highly complicated first build can also become frustrating.

A manageable project gives you a chance to learn basic techniques before adding complexity.

Ignoring Replacement Parts

For RC hobbies especially, replacement components are part of normal ownership rather than evidence that the hobby has gone wrong.

Understanding which parts are compatible with your vehicle can save time later.

Focusing Only on the Finished Product

Many hobbyists discover that the building, troubleshooting, painting, tuning, or customization process is as enjoyable as the finished model.

Choose a hobby based on the process you actually want to spend time doing.

Is Colpar Hobbies Good for Beginners?

A specialized hobby retailer can be useful for beginners because the purchase is only one part of getting started.

Colpar’s current business explicitly offers expert support, repairs, and customization, while its product range spans RC vehicles, models, boats, planes, trains, and related hobby products.

For someone who does not yet know the difference between several types of models or accessories, being able to ask about compatibility and project requirements can be especially useful.

Colpar Hobbies vs. a General Toy Store

The biggest difference is specialization.

A general toy store may sell ready-to-use products primarily intended for play. A hobby retailer is more likely to serve people who want to build, modify, maintain, collect, operate, or master a hobby.

That distinction matters because hobby projects frequently involve:

• Replacement components
• Specialized tools
• Paints
• Adhesives
• Batteries
• Chargers
• Model-building supplies
• Upgrades
• Technical advice

A specialized shop can therefore become part of the hobby itself rather than simply being the place where the initial product was purchased.

Where Is Colpar Hobbies Located?

The current Colpar-branded HobbyTown business has Colorado locations in Aurora, Lakewood, and Littleton. The Aurora location is listed at 1915 S Havana St, while the Lakewood location is at 3355 S Wadsworth Blvd and the Littleton location is at 7981 S Broadway.

The business’s current site should be checked for the latest store hours, inventory information, services, and location details before making a trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Colpar Hobbies?

Colpar Hobbies transitioned into the Colpar’s HobbyTown brand. The current business operates stores in Aurora, Lakewood, and Littleton, Colorado.

When did Colpar Hobbies start?

Historical records place the origins of Colpar Hobbies in the late 1960s. The Better Business Bureau lists a local business start date of July 3, 1969, while trademark records list first use of the name in 1968.

What does Colpar’s HobbyTown sell?

Its current website lists RC cars and trucks, boats, planes, models, trains, and other hobby products. It also promotes repair, customization, and expert support.

Do Colpar’s still sell RC cars?

Yes. RC vehicles are a major part of the current business, including RC cars and trucks.

Does Colpar’s sell model trains?

Yes. Model trains are included among the hobby categories highlighted by the current business.

Where is the original Colpar Hobbies location?

Historical Colpar Hobbies listings include locations in the Denver metropolitan area. The business has since operated under the Colpar’s HobbyTown branding, so older addresses should not automatically be treated as current store locations.

Is Colpar Hobbies the same as Colpar’s HobbyTown?

Colpar’s HobbyTown is the modern continuation of the Colpar hobby-store business under the HobbyTown brand. Historical reporting describes the transition from Colpar Hobbies to the co-branded HobbyTown model.

What hobby should a beginner start with?

There is no single best choice. RC cars suit people who want hands-on operation and mechanical tinkering, plastic modeling suits detailed desk-based craftsmanship, and model trains are particularly appealing to people who enjoy long-term layout building.

Conclusion

Colpar Hobbies is a historic Colorado hobby-shop name with roots dating back to the late 1960s. Although the original branding has changed, the business continues through Colpar’s HobbyTown, with Colorado locations serving RC enthusiasts, model builders, train hobbyists, and other hands-on hobbyists.

For someone discovering the business today, the most important distinction is simple: search for Colpar’s HobbyTown rather than assuming the original Colpar Hobbies name is still the current retail identity. Its modern selection continues to cover many of the hands-on hobbies that made the original shop relevant to generations of hobbyists.