While some Colorado retailers are eager to prevent customers from openly displaying firearms in their establishments, not all are hostile to the practice. Doug and Cindy Manyik, owners of the Buffalo Ridge Trading Post in Colorado Springs, put up a sign five years ago inviting patrons to open carry in their store. “It’s definitely been a real positive thing for us,” Doug told The Gazette. “I’ve had people specifically come and shop here and bring their friends because we’re gun-friendly.” He says his customers’ response has been “99 percent positive.”
Many other local businesses in largely pro-gun Colorado Springs allow open carry, as do some large national retailers. “I shy away from ones that don’t,” says gun owner Chris Walsh, who had created a database for finding pro-gun businesses.