Covid-19 killed a lot of things, but bowling wasn’t one of them. In fact, according to Wheat Ridge Lanes owner Spencer Frame, the pandemic did the opposite: it helped create a bowling renaissance in Wheat Ridge.
“After Covid, people really wanted to get together because they were isolated for so long,” Frame says. ““In the post-Covid world, people want to get together, throw some balls, have some good food, and enjoy each other’s company.”
Today’s bowling culture is more diverse than it’s ever been. “It’s not just a man’s sport,” Frame says, referencing multiple all-women teams competing in local leagues. The LGBTQ community has also found a home on the lanes, along with bowlers spanning ages six to 85. The sport’s accessibility is part of what makes it special: “It’s a very low floor and a very high ceiling for anyone and everyone,” Frame says.
Unlike many sports requiring natural athleticism or expensive equipment, bowling welcomes everyone. A beginner can enjoy their first game, while dedicated bowlers spend years perfecting their technique. “I’m not a great bowler, but I love the game,” Frame says. “Everyone can get a strike. It might take some longer than others, but there’s nothing like the thrill of knocking them all down.”
At Wheat Ridge Lanes, all leagues use a handicap scoring system, so beginner bowlers can compete with those who’ve bowled for decades. “Even if you’re not that great, you can still compete with someone that is a scratch bowler,” Frame explains.
In Wheat Ridge, the competitive bowling scene exists alongside a casual bowling culture that’s appeared in recent years. Frame has noticed younger bowlers embracing this subculture, exemplified by the laid-back aesthetic of movies like “The Big Lebowski” and “Kingpin.”
This cultural shift has created a divide between authentic, local bowling alleys and corporate chains. The difference, Frame says, matters to Wheat Ridge bowlers. “I feel like we are the best lanes in the region,” he says.
nights that allow bowlers of all skill levels
to compete together. PHOTO COURTESY OF
WHEAT RIDGE LANES
Recently, Wheat Ridge Lanes hosted a celebration of life for a longtime bowler, drawing a wave of community support. Frame saw the event as a perfect example of what makes bowling culture so special: “The people that come here on a regular basis, whether that’s just to grab steak night or have a pickle shot or be part of a league – that’s what this place is. Those people,” he says.
Frame’s philosophy is simple. “I’m a fan of fun, more than just bowling,” he says. “There’s not enough fun in the world, and we need to have fun, especially with all the stuff going on. I’m just proud that I’m able to provide the place where people want to go have fun.”
Wheat Ridge’s post-Covid bowling boom proves that genuine human connection isn’t something people want to give up. And in a world increasingly dominated by screens and algorithms, sometimes the best connection comes from throwing a 15-pound ball down a wooden lane.
