If you’ve lived in the southwest Denver metro area for a while, you know the drill. You tell someone you’re heading to the "Coal Mine King Soopers," and they know exactly where you’re going. It’s that busy, familiar hub at the corner of Coal Mine Avenue and Pierce Street in Littleton.
But have you ever actually stopped to think about that name?
Kinda weird, right? You’re pushing a cart full of organic kale and LaCroix over ground that carries a name usually associated with soot, pickaxes, and dark tunnels. Most people assume "Coal Mine" is just a colorful pioneer name or some marketing gimmick from the 70s. Honestly, the reality is a lot more grounded in the actual dirt beneath the parking lot.
The Intersection of King Soopers Coal Mine and Pierce
Let’s get the logistics out of the way first. The King Soopers Coal Mine and Pierce location (officially Store #620) sits at 6760 S. Pierce St, Littleton, CO 80128. It’s the anchor of the Coal Mine Shopping Center.
For the locals in Columbine Knolls and the surrounding neighborhoods, this isn't just a grocery store. It’s the community's nervous system. You see your kid’s teacher in the pharmacy line. You run into your neighbor at the Starbucks inside.
But why "Coal Mine"?
It’s not just a street name. It’s a literal description of the area's geological and industrial history. Before this was a sprawling suburban paradise of cul-de-sacs and manicured lawns, this part of Jefferson County was part of the northern Colorado coal field.
What Really Happened with the Coal Mines?
Early settlers in the late 1800s weren't looking for mountain views; they were looking for fuel. The Laramie Formation—a layer of sedimentary rock about 65 to 69 million years old—runs right under our feet here. It contains significant sub-bituminous coal seams.
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While the most famous Colorado mines were down south in Trinidad or up north in Lafayette and Erie, the area near Pierce Street had its own smaller operations.
Farmers in the late 19th century would often find coal outcroppings on their land. They’d dig "slope mines" or small vertical shafts to pull out enough fuel to heat their homes through the brutal Colorado winters. Eventually, these grew into commercial ventures.
The Legend of the Tunnels
There’s always been a bit of suburban folklore about the King Soopers Coal Mine and Pierce area. You’ll hear stories at backyard BBQs about "abandoned tunnels" running right under the grocery store aisles.
Is it true?
Well, sort of. While there isn't a massive, hollow cavern directly under the produce section—engineers are generally too smart to build a massive brick-and-mortar store on a sinkhole—the region is definitely undermined.
The Colorado Geological Survey has spent decades mapping these "legacy" mines. In many parts of Littleton and Lakewood, the ground is considered "subsided" or at risk for it because of those old 1880s shafts. Basically, the name Coal Mine Avenue is a permanent reminder that the pioneers were digging deep into this soil long before we were paving it.
Why This Specific Location Still Matters
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a grocery store intersection in 2026.
It's because the King Soopers Coal Mine and Pierce location represents the evolution of the American West. We went from resource extraction to suburban consumption in less than a century.
- Convenience: It’s one of the few spots where you can hit the pharmacy, grab a dozen eggs, and get your hardware at the Ace next door without moving your car.
- Community Identity: People here don't say "the grocery store on Pierce." They say "Coal Mine." It’s a linguistic marker of the neighborhood.
- Resilience: This area has survived the ups and downs of the Colorado economy, from the coal busts to the tech booms.
Navigating the Shopping Center
If you're heading there, keep in mind that the parking lot at Coal Mine and Pierce is notoriously "cozy." It’s a busy spot.
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Pro tip: The pharmacy has its own separate entrance and a drive-thru, which is a lifesaver during flu season. If you're looking for the King Soopers fuel station, it's right there on the corner, though it often has some of the longest lines in the zip code because the prices stay competitive.
Misconceptions About the Name
Let’s clear up a few things that people usually get wrong about this spot.
First, King Soopers didn't name the street. The street name was already established based on the historical mining activity in the South Park and Foothills region. The store simply adopted the geographic landmark.
Second, there is no "King Sooper mine." I’ve actually heard someone ask if the store was built inside an old mine. No. It’s a standard 50,000-square-foot retail build. The only thing you'll find underground here are the utility lines and the ghosts of 19th-century miners' ambitions.
Third, Pierce Street itself is a major artery. It runs from the northern parts of Lakewood all the way down into the heart of Littleton. The intersection with Coal Mine creates a "hard corner" that is prime real estate. That's why the shopping center is always 100% leased.
Actionable Insights for the Neighborhood
If you live near King Soopers Coal Mine and Pierce or you're thinking of moving to the area, here’s what you actually need to know:
- Check Your Property Records: If you're buying a home in the immediate vicinity, check the Colorado Geological Survey’s mine subsidence maps. Most modern builds are fine, but it’s always good to know what’s under your foundation.
- Shop the "Secret" Times: This King Soopers gets slammed between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. If you can swing it, go after 8:00 PM. The shelves are usually restocked for the next day, and the Coal Mine/Pierce traffic has died down.
- Support the "Side" Shops: The center has a great mix. There's a UPS store, a Baskin Robbins, and an Ace Hardware. It’s one of those rare places where "one-stop shop" isn't just a marketing slogan.
- Use the App: The King Soopers at Coal Mine and Pierce is a high-volume "Pickup" location. If you hate navigating the crowded aisles, their curbside service is actually one of the more efficient ones in the district.
The next time you're standing in the checkout line at King Soopers Coal Mine and Pierce, take a second to think about the layers of history beneath your feet. From the 60-million-year-old rock to the coal miners of the 1880s, to the suburbs of today, this corner is a lot more than just a place to buy milk. It's a literal bridge between Colorado's rugged past and its busy, suburban present.
For anyone looking to dive deeper into the local history, the Littleton Museum has some incredible archives on the early mining claims in the area. It's worth a visit if you want to see what Pierce Street looked like when it was just a dirt track for coal wagons.