Colorado Pottery

One of the oldest pottery producing regions in the United States, Colorado can credit generations of ceramic creators to its name. From the ancient American traditions to spirited manufacturers of the 19th and 20th centuries, Colorado is a true beacon of the American pottery tradition.

While American Indian earthenware was the first pottery to be produced in the region, Colorado experienced a burst of ceramic companies around the end of the 19th century thanks to the discovery of a large deposit of clay near Denver.

Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, Colorado began to teem with pottery producers who all carved unique niches for their designs. From the artful tiles created by the Broadmoor Art Pottery and Tile Company to the innovative glazing of Van Briggle ceramics, the state became a hub for both contemporary and coveted ceramic wares. It is these producers that collectors still clamor for today.

Quick Facts

• Ancient pottery fragments discovered in Colorado in 2014 date back to 7th century A.D.
• One of the earliest pottery companies to open its doors in Denver was F.J. White & Son in 1894. Founder Frederick J. White went on to produce hand-thrown pieces that became quite popular and are still coveted by collectors today
• Adolph Coors, Sr. helped to fund the creation of Herold Pottery, which became Coors Pottery a decade later, in Colorado in 1910. Ceramic vessels for malted milk were their first big seller, released during the days of Prohibition