In 1971 two potters who owned a waterbed shop placed an ad in the local newspaper offering exhibition space in their store. Craftspeople were invited to participate for a $5 fee. Those who did were the nucleus of the Boulder Arts & Crafts Cooperative.

In 1976 the Pearl Street Pedestrian Mall was constructed and the group rented a space there. With more space, they searched for more members. The Co-op moved to the current 4000 square foot space in 1984. That year membership and sales doubled.

Boulder Arts & Crafts is located in the Ehrlich Building. Constructed between 1906 and 1910, it was designed by T.W. Crockett, a Boulder architect who also designed the Citizen's Bank Building and the Earl Building.