Fort Collins Fellas: Recent Episodes
Patrick & Chris
Fort Collins Fellas dives into everything you need to know about Fort Collins, Colorado and the surrounding area. Hosted by Patrick Soukup and Chris Murphy both who were born and raised in Fort Collins. Each month Patrick and Chris will sit down with an influential member of the community from Mayors, Police Chiefs, and Educators. We hope you enjoy!
In this electrifying episode of Fort Collins Fellas, Patrick and Chris sit down with Chad Crager, the Broadband Executive Director for Fort Collins Connection, the community-owned broadband service. Who would have thought talking about internet infrastructure could be so thrilling?
The fellas dive deep into the current progress of the Fort Collins Connection build-out, exploring just how far along the project is and what milestones have been reached. They discuss how residents of Fort Collins can easily access this new high-speed internet service and the steps involved in getting connected.
Chad shares insightful details about Fort Collins Connection's initiatives to support public schools and local businesses, highlighting the significant positive impact the service is having on these critical areas. Additionally, the episode delves into the ambitious growth plans for expanding high-speed internet access into the rest of Larimer County, aiming to bring the benefits of Fort Collins Connection to an even broader community.
Tune in to discover the exciting developments and future plans for Fort Collins' very own broadband network and learn how this initiative is shaping the digital landscape of the region.
In this episode of "Fort Collins Fellas," hosts Patrick and Chris sit down with Jake Stewart, the Chief Growth Officer for The Move Caddies, a local moving company based in Northern Colorado. Jake, a remarkable individual, is the only student from Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins to attend Stanford University and was even drafted by the Detroit Tigers for baseball. Appointed as the Chief Growth Officer in December 2023, Jake shares insights into the dynamic growth occurring in Northern Colorado and his personal journey that led him to this pivotal role. Tune in to hear about Jake's unique experiences and the exciting developments in the region.
In this exciting episode of Fort Collins Fellas, hosts Patrick and Chris sit down with Carol and Tim, the passionate owners of Horse and Dragon Brewing Co. Horse and Dragon has become a local favorite, and Carol and Tim share the fascinating journey of how it all began. They delve into the origins of the brewery’s unique name and the inspiration behind it.
The conversation takes a meaningful turn as Carol and Tim discuss their dedication to making a positive environmental impact. From sustainable practices to community initiatives, they highlight the importance of being eco-conscious in the brewing industry.
The episode also touches on a trending topic: the rise of non-alcoholic beer. Carol and Tim offer their insights into this growing market segment and how Horse and Dragon Brewing Co. is embracing the change.
This interview is a must-listen for beer enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and anyone interested in the stories behind local businesses. Tune in for an engaging and informative discussion with the dynamic duo behind Horse and Dragon Brewing Co.
In Episode #51 of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast, Chris sits down with Scott Marshall, President and CEO of Semester at Sea, a program based out of Colorado State University since 2016. Scott shares insights into his background and journey to leading this unique educational venture. He provides a detailed look at what a typical semester aboard the program entails, including the academic and travel experiences students can expect. Scott also addresses common concerns parents may have, emphasizing the transformative and safe environment Semester at Sea offers. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of how the program enriches students' lives through global education. We hope you enjoy!
The Fellas could not ask for a better guest for the 50th episode of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast! Chief of Police, Jeff Swoboda joins Chris and Patrick to discuss how his department keeps Fort Collins safe, and the steps they are taking to keep Fort Collins one of the top destinations to live in the United States. The conversation also dives into, Drugs, Homelessness, Speeding, Gangs, and the Mental Health response team that was started in 2020. We hope you enjoy!
Have you ever wondered who runs the day-to-day operations for the City of Fort Collins? Well that person is none other than City Manager, Kelly DiMartino. The Fellas are thrilled to welcome Kelly to the podcast. Kelly, is responsible for the overall management of city operations. She is essentially the CEO of Fort Collins. The conversation covers a wide range of topics from the Fort Collins/Loveland Airport to the cities new one-service trash collection and much more. We hope you enjoy!
"Yes In My Back Yard" - The Fellas sit down with Christopher, Peter, and Kate from the grassroots group called YIMBY which advocates for more housing choices in Fort Collins. The timing of this episode could not be better as the Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis recently signed the HB1007 Bill which address the residential occupancy limits in communities all around Colorado.
If you grew up in Fort Collins during the 80's and 90's there is a good chance you hit up The Wright Life in Downtown Fort Collins. Patrick sits down with the founder Bill Wright, who founded the alternative sports store in 1981. Bill was the first one to carry Snowboards in Colorado and the first shop to carry Skateboards in Fort Collins since the closing of Bombergs Bicycles in 1979.
The Fellas are thrilled to have the owner of Ginger and Baker, Ginger Graham join the podcast. After a very successful business career Ginger and her husband Jack Graham opened Ginger and Baker in November of 2017. The Restaurant, Market, and Bakery have become a staple in Fort Collins, and a must visit for visitors and locals alike. The conversation dives into the state of the local restaurant economy, why Ginger and Jack chose Fort Collins, and the importance of community. A fascinating conversation about business and Fort Collins that we hope you all enjoy.
The Fellas sit-down with the Mayor of Timnath, Mark Soukup. Timnath is a little town just outside Fort Collins that has become the center of major growth happening in Northern Colorado. In this interview Mark discusses many topics from; Top Golf! The Harmony Club, the Ladera Project, In-N-Out Burger, and the number one issue Timnath voters cared about when Mark ran for Mayor. Patrick and Chris can't thank Mark enough for coming on and sharing his story about one of the fastest growing communities in Northern Colorado.
The Fellas couldn't be more excited to have the head football coach of the CSU Rams, Jay Norvell join the podcast! The conversation dives into all the drama that is happening around college athletics, from the transfer portal to NIL money. Coach also talks about why he came to CSU and his love for Fort Collins. A jam packed episode that we hope you all enjoy! Cheers.
The Fellas are thrilled to sit down with the Executive Director of the FoCo Cafe, Dexter Beasley. Dexter stepped into the roll back in February of 2023. The FoCo Cafe is a volunteer-driven organization with a mission to build community by providing nutritious and delicious meals to the people of Fort Collins regardless of their ability to pay while using mostly local, organic, and sustainably grown ingredients. FoCo Cafe is the first non-profit restaurant in Fort Collins.
The fellas had a great time breaking down last years numbers and make their bets on what 2024 has in store. If you like charts and data you'll love this episode:) Let's make 2024 the best year yet! Enjoy
The fellas sit down with Clay Frickey, Planning Manager for Fort Collins. A great interview to kick off 2024! Clay has worked for the city of Fort Collins for 10 years but recently took over as the full time Planning Manager in October of 2023. Clay is in charge of the "City plans" which are essential frameworks that guide the growth, development, and sustainability of a community. The biggest project that is getting the most attention lately is the "Easy Mulberry Plan" which was adopted by City Council on December 5th. The 2023 East Mulberry Plan serves as an update to the previously adopted 2002 East Mulberry Corridor Plan. The Plan incorporates new goals, the Plan policy direction and action items for the next 10-20 years based on extensive business-owner and resident feedback within the area and internal policy discussions amongst City staff. This and much more are discussed in EP 41 of Fort Collins Fellas.
The Fellas sit down with Tim Washburn who is the president of Integrity Technologies. Tim started his IT career back in 2006 as a student worker at CSU. In 2016 he started Integrity Technologies. Cyber security has become a top priority for small, medium, and large corporations. Tim is a local expert in this field and shares some great insight, and tips on how to protect yourself in this ever growing technology world.
Patrick and Chris sit down with Jamie Livingston & Sarah Dick the founders of NoCo Women in Business. Their vision began in 2021 when they met, and in 2022 NoCo Women in Business was founded. They gathered a group of women seeking a deeper level of connection beyond conventional networking circles. Within a mere year, the group blossomed from a modest dozen to an impressive gathering of over 125 inspirational women!
Patrick and Chris sit down with Matt Robenalt, the Executive Director of the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority.
Did you know that Remington Street was originally planned to go right through what is now Old Town square? More amazing stories about what Fort Collins could have looked like if it wasn't for the DDA! A great conversation you don't want to miss.
Created in 1981, the DDA uses tax increment financing to stimulate redevelopment in the central business district. The Authority focuses on projects that have benefit for the entire community. It uses its financial resources to directly leverage private investment.
Typically the DDA will partner with a developer, business owner, or property owner in a manner that “induces” a private investment in real estate improvements. The DDA’s participation in such public-private partnerships ranges from a few thousand dollars to investments in excess of $5 million.
In this episode of the "Fort Collins Fellas" podcast, hosts Patrick and Chris are joined by the esteemed Mayor of Fort Collins, Jeni Arndt, for a candid and enlightening conversation. With the local election just a week away, the timing couldn't be more perfect for this in-depth discussion on crucial issues facing the community.
The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the pressing issue of housing affordability in Fort Collins. Mayor Arndt provides insight into the challenges the city faces and her administration's efforts to address this concern. The conversation also delves into the U+2 ordinance, its impact on residents, and the ongoing debate surrounding it.Listeners will gain valuable insights into the Land Use Code and its implications for the city's development and growth, as Mayor Arndt discusses the complexities and considerations involved in this aspect of local governance.
Spring 44 was an opportunistic business venture that sprung from an idea and a resource that was just too good not to explore. Fast forward many years and Spring 44 is an amazing spirit being distilled in our backyard in Northern Colorado.
Jeff and his team are great entrepreneurs here in town andwe are lucky to have them. The road is just starting for these guys and we’re excited to see where it goes!
In this episode the Fellas sit down with Corbin Horse, the charismatic owner of The Foundry Barbers, a renowned barber shop in the heart of Fort Collins. Corbin shares his inspiring journey of starting a business in this vibrant Colorado city, offering valuable insights into entrepreneurship and community building.Join the Fellas for an engaging conversation that delves into the essence of Fort Collins' thriving community, the art of grooming, and the remarkable success story of The Foundry Barbers. Whether you're a fellow entrepreneur, a style enthusiast, or simply curious about the spirit of Fort Collins, this episode is sure to be a cut above the rest.
In this episode the Fellas are joined by a true horticultural expert, Chad Miller. Chad wears many hats as the Director of the CSU Flower Trial Gardens and serves as an Assistant Professor of Landscape Horticulture at Colorado State University.
The CSU Flower Trial Gardens have become an absolute must-visit destination for all Fort Collins residents during the spring and summer months. These gardens are not your average green space; they're a vibrant tapestry of colors and a living encyclopedia of plant diversity from across the globe.Chad Miller shares his wealth of knowledge and passion for horticulture, offering tips and ideas that will help you enhance your own outdoor spaces. From selecting the right plants for your climate to creating stunning garden designs, you won't want to miss this conversation.
Clyde Wood is the VP of Commercial & Mixed Use at McWhinney, and is in charge of the redevelopment of the old Foothills Fashion mall in Midtown Fort Collins. An hour long conversation that covers the timeline of the project to what's staying and what's going. A must listen episode for all Fort Collins residences.
Patrick sits down with Zach Roth, who founded Elevated Accounting & Tax, LLC in Windsor Colorado. The conversation dives into how entrepreneurs can be successful in Northern Colorado with the ever growing population. Biggest tax tips individuals can use when renovating their homes, and much more. Zach is local to Colorado and graduate of UNC Greeley.
The Fellas were joined by Tim Jordan from Palmer Flowers. Palmer Flowers is a staple here in Fort Collins. Originally started by Spiro Palmer in the early 80's. In 2015 Palmer Flowers merged with Front Range Flowers which was owned and operated by Tim & Danielle Jordan. At that time Tim took over operations and has been running Palmer Flowers ever since.
Extra special episode this week! We have one of the top female athletes in the history of Colorado State University athletics joining the fellas for a sit-down interview. Janay, is a two time Olympian competing in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer games. Earning a bronze medal in the long jump in 2012 at the London games. She also happens to be married to our co-host Patrick Soukup:)
Dr. Scott Shrake serves as the Executive Director for the Institute for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business at Colorado State University. As the Director of the Institute, Dr. Shrake promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, product development, and commercialization for students, faculty, and community members.
In this podcast episode, the fellas interview Tristen Fay, the head golf professional for the Fort Collins Country Club. The discussion revolves around the membership options available at the club, including the various amenities such as the pool, tennis courts, and of course, the golf course. Tristen talks about the future of the club, specifically in the context of the growth in northern Colorado and how it is affecting the club's plans. Tristen also touch upon the importance of fostering a sense of community within the club and making it a welcoming and inclusive space for all members.
The fellas chat about Great Plates which runs from March 1 – March 14. The Downtown Fort Collins’ award-winning dining promotion and fundraiser for the Food Bank for Larimer County returns for a 18th year! Great Plates of Downtown is a celebration of the Downtown dining community and features 50 participating restaurants serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all day menu specials for $25.00, and a la carte items for just $2.50.
In this episode of the Fort Collins Fellas, hosts Chris and Patrick are joined by Mike Calhoon, the Director of Parks for Fort Collins, who is known as the Ron Swanson of the city. They discuss the extensive bike path system in Fort Collins, which has been a priority for the city since the 1970s. Mike shares insights into the city's approach to designing and maintaining the bike paths, and how they have become a crucial part of the city's transportation infrastructure.
The trio also talks about the city's parks and golf courses, which are an important part of the community. They discuss how the parks are designed to meet the needs of the community, from providing spaces for sports and recreation to protecting natural habitats. They also touch on the city's golf courses, which are known for their quality and affordability.
Finally, Chris, Patrick, and Mike talk about the Infrastructure Replacement Program, which is a major initiative for the city.
The fellas sit down with the new owner of Outpost Sunsport, Riley Siddoway who recently purchased the famous ski shop late last year from Randy and Nancy Morgan who founded the shop 50 years ago. We hope you enjoy!
The Fellas sit down with AnnMarie Kirkpatrick this week. For those who are big in the Fort Collins running scene you already know who AnnMarie is. AnnMarie, help found the the Front Range Elite running club, and competed in the US Olympic Trials in 2020! She now works for the City of Fort Collins in their Active Modes department helping with "Bike to Work" "Open Streets" and making Fort Collins a better place to live:) It was a great interview. We hope you enjoy!
Show Note Links:
http://www.frontrangeelite.com/
https://www.fcgov.com/fcmoves/
https://www.letsdothis.com/us/e/mountain-avenue-mile-193227
The new Land Development Code in Fort Collins is the most controversial real estate change to hit Fort Collins in years! The fellas sit down with Rebecca Everette, Fort Collins Planning Manager to discuss the changes that could be coming to Fort Collins, and how it affects all residences.
Patrick and Chris look back on what has been a great season 1 of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast. The fellas also share their favorite podcast, books, movies, and more from 2022! Thank you all for listening and we look forward to season 2!
The fellas are getting ready for 2023, and the best way to prepare is to get your mind and body right! Rachel Pastor is a master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programing and the founder of the Fort Collins Fitness Festival. Rachel also has a new podcast coming out called "Anatomy of Love"
We hope you enjoy and thank you to all our listeners this year who have made Fort Collins Fellas the #1 Podcast for all things Fort Collins!
Who loves Chocolate!! The fellas sit down with the owner of Nuance Chocolate shop, Toby Gadd. Nuance has the largest selection of single-origin chocolate bars in the World and it's located right here in Fort Collins! We hope you enjoy.
In this episode the fellas discuss the famous holiday lighting ceremony in Downtown Fort Collins. The history of the ceremony and how it all started. Plus, which restaurants are open on Thanksgiving and fun events to attend over the holiday weekend.
The Fellas sit down this week to chat with the Republican Candidate for Governor of Colorado, Heidi Ganahl - Heidi is running against the current Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis - Election is Tuesday Nov 8th!
Heidi discusses her two big campaign issues; Making Colorado a zero % Income Tax state and her 10 Billion dollar Transportation Plan. The fellas also discuss child education, crime, housing affordability, and much much more!
We hope you enjoy and remember to VOTE on November 8th, 2022!
The Fellas discuss what is on the ballot for Colorado during the 2022 mid-term elections next month. From legalizing psychedelics, tackling the growing affordable housing market, tax changes, and much much more! We hope you and enjoy and remember to VOTE this November!
The fellas sit down with Joe Parker the Athletic Director for Colorado State University. Joe joined CSU in 2015 and recently just signed a 5 year extension. Joe discusses the challenges universities are facing with the N.I.L (Name Image Likeness) rules, the future of CSU athletics, and much much more! We hope you enjoy.
The fellas dive into the schedule of events for the upcoming holiday season for Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. From the Budweiser Events Center to the Lincoln Center in downtown Fort Collins, take a listen and schedule your holiday fun!
The fellas are thrilled to have Fort Collins High School Principal, Penny Stires join the podcast this month. Penny is the first female principal in the history of FCHS and recently took over in March of 2022. The episode dives into a ton of topics, from school safety, teacher pay, how Covid changed the landscape of education, and much much more! We hope you enjoy.
It's back to school time here in Fort Collins! Patrick and Chris discuss the breakdown of the Poudre School District, from High Schools to Charter Schools. Later this month the fellas sit down with the new principal of Fort Collins High School, Penny Stires.
Patrick and Chris sit down with the current mayor of Fort Collins Jeni Arndt! This episode is a must listen/watch for anyone currently living in Fort Collins or looking to move to Fort Collins. Topics discussed include Managing Growth, U+2 Occupancy Rule, North College development, Homelessness, Water rights, and so much more. We hope you enjoy.
Market update time! Patrick and Chris give an update on the current housing market and the latest on Interest Rates. A wild time for sure! Short episode packed with great information if you're buying or selling.
June is all about food on the Fort Collins Fellas podcast! Patrick and Chris sit down with Gerard Boyle, the owner and operator of DC Oaks and Penrose Taphouse, which are two of the most popular restaurants in Fort Collins. Gerard has over 20 years’ experience in the restaurant scene in Fort Collins. He opened Penrose during the pandemic and discusses how he was able to survive. The fellas also discuss the future of the food scene in Northern Colorado, and how the growing population, along with the post Covid world has changed how business is done. We hope you enjoy!
Patrick and Chris are tackling the restaurant and food scene in Fort Collins for the entire month of June! In this episode the fellas sit down with Kat Reeves the owner of Bistro Nautile, and her incredible Chef, Ryan Damasky. Bistro Nautile is a French farm to table restaurant located in the heart of the restaurant scene on West Oak street in downtown Fort Collins. From the importance of farm to table, to the changing food landscape in Fort Collins, this conversation takes a deep dive into past and future of food in Northern Colorado. We hope you enjoy.
Patrick and Chris sit down with Darin Atteberry, former city manager of Fort Collins. Darin, was the city manager for nearly 17 years and provides amazing insight into how the governing body of Fort Collins works. His love and knowledge of Fort Collins is truly incredible, the fellas are already planning for a 2nd interview later this year. We hope you enjoy!
In this episode Patrick and Chris discuss the booming Food Truck scene in Fort Collins. With summer finally here that means it's time for food trucks. They discuss all the information you'll need for the Fort Collins Food Truck Rally that is held in City Park every summer. Also, which breweries provide food trucks to their customers. And finally their personal favorites. If you love food, and specifically food from a truck, you'll love this episode. Enjoy!
Patrick and Chris sit down with Curt Bear, the founder of the "LoCo Think Tank" (est 2014) and the host of "The LoCo Experience" podcast. The conversation covers everything from the state of small business in Northern Colorado to Joe Rogan! We hope you enjoy.
BEER! If there is one thing people know about Fort Collins, it's that we have beer. And plenty of it. Fort Collins is home to some of the most iconic micro brews in the world. From New Belgium to Odell. In this episode Patrick and Chris discuss their favorite Fort Collins breweries. Cheers, and we hope you enjoy!
Patrick and Chris are thrilled to have Ann join the Fort Collins Fellas podcast! Ann is the President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Fort Collins. Ann has been involved with the Chamber for almost 20 years! The conversation tackles many topics. What does a Chamber do for the community. What is the relationship between City Council and the Chamber. Ann, also address the biggest business concerns tackling Fort Collins, and her thoughts on hot housing market. We hope you enjoy!
In this episode Patrick and Chris discuss some tips on how to win an offer in this super competitive market. From appraisal gap coverage to the importance of getting pre-approved, and some tips on how to write an offer that will separate you from other buyers. We hope you enjoy!
Patrick and Chris sit down with the former Mayor of Fort Collins, Wade Troxell. Wade was the Mayor from 2015 - 2021. This episodes dives into the history of Fort Collins, and how the city was built. The conversation covers the growth of Fort Collins, and what the future holds for our favorite "small" town. We hope you enjoy!
Fort Collins Fellas dives into everything you need to know about Fort Collins, Colorado and the surrounding area. Hosted by Patrick Soukup and Chris Murphy, both who were born and raised in Fort Collins. Each month Patrick and Chris will sit down with an influential member of the community from Mayors, Police Chiefs, and Educators. We hope you enjoy!