Entry No. 18 — the Denver file — filed under: bookstore
Kilgore Books & Comics
A narrow, hand-curated used bookstore wedged into the row next to Wax Trax on 13th, with no flashy storefront to slow you down. The shelves rotate constantly through alt-lit, philosophy, sci-fi, and a deep run of indie comics and zines, and they keep a local consignment corner that quietly bankrolls Denver artists. It's the kind of place you've driven past a hundred times on your way to the record shop without clocking it. Cash for trades, seven days a week, noon to six.
The story
You have probably walked past 624 East 13th Avenue without noticing the door. Wedged into an 800-square-foot slot in the same Capitol Hill brick row as Wax Trax Records, Kilgore Books & Comics was opened on June 1, 2008, by Luke James and Dan Stafford. They did not build it for mainstream bestsellers or plush lounging; they squeezed a razor-sharp selection of alt-lit, philosophy, strange sci-fi, and underground graphic novels into a room barely wider than a hallway.
When the original founders prepared to leave Denver, they passed the shop to John Kuebler—a regular customer who had started working the front counter in 2008 and officially took over ownership in August 2015. Under Kuebler, Kilgore maintained its reputation as a strict filter against used-book clutter. Rather than letting stale stock pile up into dusty mountains, the shop constantly weeds and rotates its shelves daily to keep inventory moving and strictly curated.
The room doubles as an underground publishing node and local art anchor. In 2010, Kilgore expanded into publishing independent comics—backing work by creators like Noah Van Sciver and Karl Krumpholz—while reserving dedicated consignment racks upfront for Denver zine-makers, chapbook writers, and self-published illustrators trying to get their first printed work into human hands.
What it's like
Expect a squeeze. The single main aisle is narrow enough that passing another browser requires a brief choreography, and there are no chairs or nooks to settle into. You will not find fluff on these shelves; every spine has been vetted, from vintage sci-fi paperbacks and philosophy texts to indie comic trade paperbacks and local zines. The move here is to grab a weird find under $10 off the shelf or consignment rack, pay at the counter, and walk it down 13th Avenue to a neighborhood coffee shop or bar to read.
The move: Split up at the door and each pick a weird book under $10 for the other person, then walk it over to a Cap Hill coffee shop or bar to read the first page aloud and defend your choice.
📍 Before you go It's on the 13th Avenue retail strip in Capitol Hill, between Washington and Pearl — the easiest landmark is the Wax Trax Records sign, since Kilgore tucks into the same row and the storefront is small enough to stride right past. This is a dense, residential-edged neighborhood, so plan on metered street parking or a spot on the side streets, and walk the block on foot. It runs daytime-only, so come in the afternoon rather than for an evening outing, and bring cash to be safe. Pair it with a flip through the records next door and a nearby Cap Hill coffee shop or bar afterward. Hours shift seasonally — check ahead.
- 📍 Capitol Hill
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 624 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80203 (next to Wax Trax Records, between Washington & Pearl)
Hours: Open daily, roughly 12pm-6pm; confirm by phone (303-815-1979) before a long trip.
Pair it with
- The 1Up Arcade Bar - Colfax — Walk two blocks north to Colfax to trade your newly picked-up zine or comic for a cold drink and 90-plus classic arcade cabinets.
- 12 Spirits Tavern — Take your cheap paperback three blocks south to this carriage-house basement bar set inside the historic 1891 Croke-Patterson Mansion.
- Potager — Head three blocks east for seasonal farm-to-table dining operating quietly inside a Cap Hill brick rowhouse since 1997.
- The Espinosa Brothers' Heads at the Colorado State Capitol — Take a four-block walk west toward the State Capitol grounds, where two severed heads were secretly stored in 1863.
Good to know
Do they buy used books and comics for cash?
Yes, Kilgore buys used books and trade comics for cash or store credit seven days a week between 12pm and 6pm.
Can local artists sell their self-published zines or comics here?
Yes, they maintain a dedicated local consignment corner for DIY comics, chapbooks, and zines from local creators.
Where should I park when visiting?
There is no dedicated lot, so plan on metered street parking along 13th Avenue or searching for a spot on nearby Capitol Hill residential side streets.
What are the store hours?
The shop is open daily from roughly 12pm to 6pm, though hours shift seasonally; call 303-815-1979 to verify before making a trip.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Westword · Official site · Yelp · voyagedenver.com · eratomag.com
last checked: 2026-06-07