Many people like to light candles to invite warmth and coziness into their homes. But, how many of us are really aware of what we’re burning? It turns out there may be some unwelcome guests lurking within our candles’ hidden ingredients list. However, there are clean options available right in our own backyard. The next time your wick burns low, check out these three local candle companies that you can trust to be crafted with the utmost care and thoughtfulness.

Alpine Bee Candles

Steamboat Springs, CO

Kristen Pappas and her husband Greg decided to start making their own candles about six years ago when she realized she was getting headaches from the candles they had been burning. “I researched what ingredients are in typical candles and promptly threw away what we were burning. I didn't want the kids breathing things like petroleum, bleach and carcinogenic chemicals,” Pappas recalls. Unable to find a safe alternative, the family began to make their own.

Alpine Bee candles are made from all-natural ingredients, including local beeswax, essential oils, phthalate-free fragrance oils, coconut oil, cotton wicks and recycled/recyclable containers. I had the opportunity to test these candles and am happy to report that the luxurious smells waft through the room without being over-powering, and it didn’t give me a headache. The wax also burns quite slowly, ensuring you get the most out of your purchase. My favorite scent so far is the Black Currant.

Perhaps most importantly, Alpine Bee Candles supports our local bee ecosystems through donation and education. “We donate 5% of sales to organizations like PACE (Pollinator Awareness Through Conservation & Education), which is an awesome program through the Denver Butterfly Pavilion. We have also donated to local organizations and beekeepers teaching kids how to protect pollinator populations and beekeeping,” shares Pappas.

Customers can find Alpine Bee in various retailers in Steamboat Springs and beyond; its in-store options branch as far out as Park City, Utah. Email their team at contact@alpinebeecandles.com for a full list of retailers. You can also buy directly from the website where they offer free shipping: alpinebeecandles.com.

Aspen Clean Candle

Basalt, CO

Three years ago, owner of Aspen Clean Candle, Jill Kosdrosky, retired from corporate America to start a candle company out of her home base, an idea that had been in the back of her mind for a while. Her research uncovered some pretty startling facts: most soy candles are made with toxic fragrances, which can contribute to headaches, allergies and other health problems. “People deserve a clean candle,” Kosdrosky believes. “It’s been stupidly hard (to create one) but fantastic.”

She uses 100% American soy wax with zero additives. The scents are derived from essential oils or safe synthetic oils. “Some essential oils can’t be burnt, because they create toxic byproducts. For example, citrus will create formaldehyde when burnt,” Kosdrosky explains. Her main goal is to educate the consumer, so she prints the ingredients list on her label. People are different and have different allergies and/or needs; they should be able to confidently choose what best suits them, she says.

Kodrosky is also committed to developing relationships. Inside every order you will find a handwritten note from her, thanking you for your purchase. Additionally, Kodrosky enjoys giving back to her community and donates one dollar off of every purchase to help U.S. veterans.

You can find Aspen Clean Candle on Instagram at @aspencleancandle and buy the candles online at aspencleancandle.com.

Pearl Street Lights

Boulder, CO

Kerry Humphrey’s journey began back in 2014 when she started rescuing empty beer bottles from the trash to repurpose them into something more. “After those first few attempts, I found it so inspiring that something that was going to end up in the trash was able to be transformed into something beautiful, useful and full of light,” Humphrey recalls. Nowadays, their colorful glass containers are made from at least 50% recycled materials, which can be repurposed at home or recycled through their program for a discount on your next purchase.

Pearl Street Lights’ candles are made from 100% soy wax with no additives, preservatives, phytates or dyes. Soy wax burns cleaner and longer than traditional paraffin wax for a non-toxic experience. They also use their exclusive Illumaduo wicks, which “enhance your experience by adding a nice crackling sound reminiscent of a wooden fireplace,” Humphrey says.

The Giveback Line of their candles is a partnership between three local nonprofits: Dress for Success Denver, Judi’s House and Colorado Circles for Change. Each organization had a personal hand in creating their candle — from fragrance to naming. 20% of the profits from these candles goes directly back to the respective organizations.

Pearl Street Lights has several retail partners, which you can find on its website. Or, order online with free shipping on orders over $50: pearlstreetlights.com.

Originally published in the Spring 2022 of Spoke+Blossom.

Local Candle Companies Light the Way to a Cleaner Future

Alpine Bee Candles

Aspen Clean Candle

Pearl Street Lights