CKS River Supply: A Buena Vista Fixture of Community + Adventure
Every town has a heartbeat. In Buena Vista, Colorado, ours runs with the Arkansas River. For nearly 50 years, CKS River Supply has been at the center of it all, outfitting paddlers and inspiring adventurers. We’re proud to play a part in shaping the outdoor community that makes Buena Vista so magnetic.
From Humble Beginnings to River Hub
Founded in 1978 by Jim Stohlquist in Nathrop, Colorado, CKS began as a small paddling shop with one mission: to get more people on the water. What started as a passion project soon became a cornerstone of the Arkansas Valley’s outdoor scene.
The journey looked something like this:
1978: Founded by Jim Stohlquist in Nathrop, CO.
1999: Merged with Summit Kayak under Cheryl and Earl Richmond.
2004: Relocated to Main Street in Buena Vista, anchoring river culture downtown.
2015: Split into two businesses: CKS River Supply (brick-and-mortar) and CKS Online.
2016: Longtime raft guides Brad and Megan Kingman became the proud owners of CKS River Supply.
2024: The shop moved into a brand new, purpose-built location just one block east of the historic building on Main Street.
Today’s CKS: Family-Owned and Adventure-Forward
Now proudly owned by Brad and Megan Kingman (hi, it’s us!), CKS remains a family-run business rooted in river life. We started out as raft guides, worked every odd job in the book, and eventually carried the torch of this iconic shop.
We’ve since traded our questionably dangerous rafting, kayaking, and SUP missions for family river days with our two boys, Parker and Carson. We still spend as much time as possible outside — running the shop, floating the river, and helping visitors discover the same sense of wonder that first drew us here.
What Makes CKS Special
Step inside and you’ll feel it immediately: CKS is a true paddler’s shop.
The gear: The largest selection of kayaks and whitewater equipment in the Western U.S.
The people: Every staff member is a paddler, ready to share advice, stories, or local info.
The experience: No online carts or anonymous checkouts, just face-to-face expertise and gear you can actually touch, test, and trust.
Whether you’re renting a SUP for the day or gearing up for an expedition, you’re in the hands of people who live the river life every day.
The Role of CKS in Buena Vista’s Outdoor Culture
Buena Vista is so much more than just another mountain town. With the Arkansas River running right through the city, paddling is part of its DNA. And CKS has long been the hub where it all comes together:
Hosting and sponsoring river events, like PaddleFest, that kick off summer in BV.
Supporting nonprofits and conservation groups that protect our waterways.
Equipping travelers and locals with the tools to explore safely and sustainably.
Shorehouse + CKS: Basecamp Partners
Just down the block, Shorehouse Hotel and CKS River Supply share more than a name, they share a purpose: to connect people to this valley in thoughtful, grounded ways.
Wake up in your suite at Shorehouse, grab a coffee, and walk to CKS to gear up for your day on the river. Come back in the evening to a hot shower, a slow dinner, and a quiet night under the peaks.
It’s the perfect balance of paddle and rest, motion and stillness, adventure and ease.
Plan Your Stay
Make Shorehouse your home base while you explore Buena Vista’s river culture and trails. Book your suite, meet the crew at CKS, and see why this small town at the edge of the mountains keeps so many of us coming back for one more run.
