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Discover the Liberty Puzzles Factory Tour in Colorado

Step inside the world of beautifully crafted wooden jigsaw puzzles at Liberty Puzzles in Boulder. Famous for their intricate “whimsy pieces,” laser-cut designs, and museum-grade artwork reproductions, Liberty Puzzles offers an intimate behind-the-scenes tour of how these heirloom-quality puzzles are made.
Why it’s special:
Liberty Puzzles is one of the few American companies handcrafting premium wooden puzzles using a blend of traditional artistry and precision laser-cutting—a rare look at a craft that’s nearly vanished.

History/Story of Liberty Puzzles

Founded in 2005 by Christopher Wirth, Liberty Puzzles revived the classic wooden jigsaw tradition from the early 1900s. What began as a small artisanal project has grown into a nationally recognized puzzle studio producing thousands of unique designs. Each puzzle is cut from birch plywood using proprietary patterns inspired by historic puzzle-making.

What You’ll See & Do at Liberty Puzzles

Tour the laser-cutting room to see puzzles being precisely carved from natural wood
Watch artisans sort, sand, and inspect puzzle pieces by hand
Learn how artwork is mounted onto wooden sheets before cutting
See how “whimsy pieces”—special shapes formed into animals, landmarks, and symbols—are crafted
Explore displays featuring vintage puzzles, retired designs, and iconic artwork
Browse the retail shop featuring hundreds of designs and factory-exclusive puzzles

Hands-On Elements: Sample puzzle displays, whimsy-piece demo boards, tactile wood samples, puzzle assembly table.
Photo/Video Policy: Photography allowed in designated areas; no filming of proprietary cutting patterns.
Souvenirs & Extras: Wooden puzzles, special-edition boxes, posters, accessories, and retired pieces available only in-store.

Pricing of the Liberty Puzzles Factory Tour

Factory Tour: Free
Groups (8+): Reservations required
Puzzle purchases optional

Practical Info for Visiting Liberty Puzzles

Duration: 20–30 minutes
Format: Guided factory walk-through + showroom exploration
Schedule & Seasonality: Limited tour days; typically mid-week
Working Hours: Usually 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (tour times vary)
Audience: Puzzle lovers, families, collectors, craft enthusiasts, art fans
Accessibility: Mostly accessible; laser room may have tight walkways
Safety & Restrictions:

Stay behind marked lines near laser cutters
No touching cut pieces in production areas
Languages: English
Group & School Visits: Groups welcome; ideal for art and design classes
What to Bring/Wear: Comfortable shoes, interest in puzzles or design
Facilities: Retail shop, small museum displays, restrooms, parking
Closures & Downtime: Laser cutters don’t run continuously; activity varies by day

Nearby

Pearl Street Mall
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA)
Avery Brewing Company
Boulder Creek Path

FAQs About Visiting Liberty Puzzles Factory

Will I see the laser cutters running?
Often yes—weekday mornings offer the best chance to see active cutting, but production varies.

What are “whimsy pieces”?
These are custom-shaped puzzle pieces—like animals, people, and symbols—integrated into the design. You’ll see how they’re created during the tour.

Can I buy puzzles that aren’t available online?
Yes—the Boulder retail shop carries exclusive, limited-run, and discontinued designs only sold onsite.

Is the tour good for kids?
Kids enjoy the whimsy pieces and puzzle displays, though young children must stay close to adults near machinery.

Do they design their own artwork?
Liberty licenses world-class art and creates original designs, all adapted for puzzle format by in-house designers.