Wax Trax Capitol Hill (New & Used Stores)
638 E 13th Avenue
Denver, CO 80203

(303) 831-7246 (New)
(303) 860-0127 (Used)

Hours:
Sun-Thurs 11am-7pm
Fri-Sat 10am-9pm

Website:
https://waxtraxrecords.com

Wax Trax Records is one of the oldest and most influential record stores in Colorado, originally founded in the mid-1970s and still operating today as a family-owned independent business – and there are a bunch of them. Over the decades, Wax Trax has become deeply woven into Denver’s music culture, especially for collectors who value digging through large selections of both new and used vinyl.

What makes Wax Trax unique is that it has never stayed confined to a single storefront. Instead, it has grown into a multi-location record store network across the Denver metro area, giving it a much broader footprint than most independent shops.

Today, Wax Trax operates four locations, each with its own slightly different personality but the same core identity: a heavy focus on vinyl, deep catalog browsing, and a strong connection to underground and independent music culture.

Wax Trax Locations in the Denver Metro Area

One of the most interesting things about Wax Trax is that it isn’t just one store—it’s a system of connected record shops spread across Denver and Aurora.

Capitol Hill (Flagship Location)

Located in one of Denver’s most historic music neighborhoods, this is the core Wax Trax store and the closest thing to the “original experience.” It carries a large selection of both new and used vinyl and is often considered the heart of the operation. There are two stores at this location, new and down the street, used. I tend to head directly to the used store and flip through new arrivals and then the blues section. Great shop.

Northside (Highlands Area)

A neighborhood-focused location known for being easy to browse and highly curated, while still connected to the larger Wax Trax inventory system. I have found some very reasonably priced albums here.

Broadway Bazaar (South Broadway)

This location blends vinyl with a more eclectic retail mix, including vintage clothing and alternative culture items, making it feel more like a lifestyle shop than a traditional record store.

Stanley Marketplace (Aurora)

A smaller satellite location designed for convenience shopping, with the ability to pull inventory from the main stores when needed.

Together, these locations make Wax Trax one of the most accessible record store networks in Colorado.

A Store Built Into Denver’s Music History

Wax Trax isn’t just a place to buy records, t’s part of Denver’s music identity – long associated with independent and underground music, especially punk, alternative, electronic, and experimental genres. Over the years, it has helped shape the local scene by consistently supporting smaller artists alongside major releases.

For many collectors, Wax Trax is one of those rare stores where you can walk in looking for one thing and leave with something completely unexpected.

Vinyl Selection & Digging Experience

Wax Trax is known for its deep and wide inventory, which is one of the reasons it has remained relevant even as record stores have come and gone.

Expect to find:

• New vinyl releases
• Large used vinyl sections
• Deep genre-specific bins
• Strong selections in punk, indie, electronic, jazz, and metal
• Frequent new arrivals and restocks

It’s a true “digging” store…meaning part of the experience is simply browsing without knowing exactly what you’ll find.

Why Vinyl Collectors Keep Coming Back

Collectors tend to return to Wax Trax for a few key reasons:

• Multiple locations across the metro area
• Consistently strong used vinyl selection
• Deep roots in Denver’s music community
• Frequent inventory rotation
• A more “collector-focused” browsing experience

It’s less polished than some modern retail environments—and that’s exactly why people like it.

My Final Thoughts on Wax Trax

Wax Trax holds a rare position in Denver’s record store landscape. While many shops specialize in either new releases or curated boutique selections, Wax Trax bridges both worlds while maintaining a distinctly local, independent identity.

For collectors, it’s not just another stop – it’s part of the circuit. If Twist & Shout is the “first visit” store for many vinyl newcomers, Wax Trax is often where collectors go when they want to start digging deeper. Personally, I think the 4 stores philosophy cuts two ways…it definitely expands their market and makes finding a record store close to you easier. But on the other hand, it must dilute their used inventory. Rather than going to just one store, you may need to visit a few to find what you’re looking for — but that is part of the charm of Wax Trax.