History and Mission

CKS (Colorado Kayak Supply) is the oldest and largest paddling shop in Colorado. Established in 1978, CKS has grown from a manufacturer of fiberglass kayaks and original water specific outerwear to a full service paddling retail store and demo center. CKS Paddlefest was a vision that started back in 2001 to get people thinking about paddling even before the snow melted from the peaks. The original Paddlefest took place in Summit County, Colorado until it was moved to the Arkansas River. This move has allowed Paddlefest to become bigger each year and more accessible for boaters wanting to try out gear on the water. It also has given participants the opportunity to learn, play and watch other boaters on the water throughout the weekend's festivities. A few more years into it, we blended in live music, a used gear swap, pro kayaking competitions, guest speakers, biking, running, bouldering, vendors, manufacturers, workshops, special events and much more. Paddlefest is the highly anticipated, interactive and hands on paddling event of the year for all ages and ability levels