Fort Collins Fellas

Episode 74 – Brewing Boldly with Angie Grenz of Verboten Brewing
Fort Collins Fellas Podcast with Patrick & Chris

In this second installment of a two-part spotlight on women-owned breweries in Northern Colorado, the fellas sit down with Angie Grenz, owner of Verboten Brewing. Originally rooted in Loveland, Verboten recently expanded into Fort Collins, taking over the former Black Bottle Brewery location—a major move for the already beloved craft brewery.

Angie shares the story behind Verboten’s founding, how she and her team built a loyal following, and what inspired them to grow into the Fort Collins market. The conversation also dives into the challenges and triumphs of running a brewery, the evolving craft beer scene, and what sets Verboten apart in a town full of incredible beer.

Whether you’re a hop head, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just love supporting local businesses, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Cheers to good beer and great conversations!

Episode 73 – Brewing Community with Natalie Yoder of Stodgy Brewing

In this episode of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast, Patrick and Chris sit down with Natalie Yoder, co-owner of Stodgy Brewing, one of Fort Collins’ standout breweries. Opening its doors in September 2020 in the former Forney Industries space on Laporte Avenue, Stodgy quickly became a local favorite—thanks to its commitment to using locally grown ingredients, a welcoming atmosphere, and one of the best patios in town.

Natalie shares the story behind launching a brewery in the midst of a pandemic, how her passion for craft beer led her to co-found Stodgy, and what it’s been like to be part of the growing movement of women in the brewing industry. The conversation also touches on Natalie’s deep ties to the local community and her efforts to support other small businesses in Fort Collins.

Whether you're a beer lover, a small business supporter, or just want to hear from someone making a real impact in Fort Collins, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode 72 – Growing Roots with Jesse Eastman of Fort Collins Nursery

In this episode of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast, Patrick and Chris welcome Jesse Eastman, President of Fort Collins Nursery, a beloved local institution with deep roots in the community. Originally founded in the early 1930s as Kinghorn Nursery, Fort Collins Nursery has been helping gardeners grow and thrive for generations—and Jesse is carrying that legacy forward with passion and expertise.

The conversation takes listeners on a journey through the nursery’s rich history before diving into Jesse’s wealth of gardening wisdom. From seasonal planning tips to common mistakes to avoid, Jesse shares actionable advice for green thumbs of all levels. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you'll walk away inspired and ready to get your hands in the soil.

If you love gardening, Fort Collins history, or hearing from local leaders making a difference, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Episode 71 – Championing Sustainability with Tellus Outdoors

In this episode of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast, Patrick and Chris sit down with Joe and Melissa Basta, the inspiring husband-and-wife team behind Tellus Outdoors, a Fort Collins-based outdoor apparel company with a bold mission: to lead the industry in sustainability. Founded in 2022, Tellus is setting a new standard by using at least 75% recycled materials in all their products and donating 100% of their net profits to environmental initiatives that fight climate change.

Joe and Melissa share the personal motivations that led them to start Tellus and open up about the challenges—and rewards—of building a purpose-driven company from the ground up. The conversation covers everything from sourcing sustainable materials to supporting the local economy and creating real impact in their community and beyond.

If you're passionate about the outdoors, sustainability, or simply love hearing about local entrepreneurs doing big things, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode 70 – The Timeless Grit of Vortic Watches with R.T. Custer

In this inspiring episode of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast, hosts Patrick and Chris sit down with R.T. Custer, Co-Founder of Vortic Watches—a local Fort Collins company turning heads in the global watch community. From breathing new life into vintage American timepieces to landing on the wrists of Hollywood celebrities, Vortic’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.

R.T. shares the behind-the-scenes story of building a business in Fort Collins, navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and how the company battled—and won—a major legal challenge that nearly shut it down. It's a powerful conversation about perseverance, innovation, and what it really takes to turn a bold idea into a nationally recognized brand.

Whether you're a watch enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or just love a great underdog story, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

In Episode 69 of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast, hosts Patrick and Chris sit down with Justin Clapp, Executive Director of KRFC 88.9 FM, Fort Collins’ beloved community radio station. With a decade of experience at KRFC and a deep passion for local music, Justin shares the behind-the-scenes story of how the station operates, its mission, and its role in uplifting Northern Colorado’s music scene.

The conversation dives into KRFC’s impressive roster of over 75 DJs, the station’s unique commitment to local programming, and how Fort Collins and its vibrant arts community collaborate with KRFC to support and showcase homegrown talent. Whether you're a local music lover or curious about how community radio helps shape Fort Collins culture, this episode delivers an inspiring look into the power of grassroots media.

Episode 68 – The Return of Commercial Flights to Northern Colorado (with John Kinney)

In this episode of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast, Patrick and Chris sit down with John Kinney, Director of the Northern Colorado Regional Airport, to talk about something locals have been waiting on for years—the return of commercial air travel to the region. The good news? There’s real momentum, and commercial flights could be landing (and taking off) from Northern Colorado sooner than you think.

John shares insights into the newly completed terminal building that officially opened at the end of 2024, what needs to happen next, and how he’s working with national carriers to determine who will be the first airline to bring service back to the area. From infrastructure to logistics to economic impact, this episode gives a full breakdown of the path ahead—and why the days of driving to DIA may finally be numbered.

If you're curious about the future of travel in Northern Colorado, this is a must-listen.

Fort Collins Fellas Podcast – Episode 67

Guest: Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer for Fort Collins

In this episode, Patrick and Chris sit down with Jacob Castillo, Fort Collins’ Chief Sustainability Officer—yes, you heard that right! What exactly does a Chief Sustainability Officer do for the city? With a team of 50 and a $15 million budget, Jacob plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Fort Collins.

The conversation spans a wide range of topics, from the local political climate to the challenges of affordable housing and sustainability initiatives. Jacob shares insights into how his department tackles economic resilience, environmental policy, and social equity, all while navigating the realities of city governance.

It’s an eye-opening discussion about the work happening behind the scenes to make Fort Collins a more sustainable and livable city. We hope you enjoy this fascinating episode!

Patrick and Chris sit down with long time city council member from District 5, Kelly Ohlson.

Kelly Ohlson is a long-serving Fort Collins, Colorado, City Council member representing District 5, which covers the west-central part of the city. A resident since 1973, when he moved to attend graduate school at Colorado State University, Ohlson has deep roots in the community. He holds a degree in Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University and a master’s in education from CSU. Over his career, he’s been a public school teacher, historic building renovator, and a three-term Larimer County Public Trustee appointed by the governor. Ohlson’s political tenure includes serving as Fort Collins mayor in the mid-1980s, mayor pro tem for four terms, and council member across multiple stints (1983-1987, 2005-2013, and elected again in 2021). Renowned for his conservation efforts, he’s led eight campaigns to protect over 75,000 acres of open space and natural areas in Fort Collins and Larimer County, earning him the inaugural Kelly Ohlson Natural Areas Conservation Award in 2022. Married to Linda Stanley, a CSU senior research scientist, Ohlson is known for his pragmatic, compassionate leadership and commitment to public service, though he announced in November 2024 that he won’t seek reelection when his current term ends in 2025.

Episode 65: Building a Digital Marketing Powerhouse with J.B. Kellogg

In this episode of the Fort Collins Fellas podcast, Patrick and Chris sit down with J.B. Kellogg, Co-Founder and CEO of Madwire, a leading digital media technology company headquartered in Fort Collins. Founded in 2009, Madwire specializes in providing business management and marketing solutions tailored for small businesses and franchises through its flagship platform, Marketing 360.

The conversation covers a range of topics, including J.B.'s journey in building a successful digital marketing company right here in Northern Colorado, the challenges and strategies of hiring top talent in the region, and the evolving role of AI in the marketing industry. From entrepreneurship to innovation and the future of digital marketing, this episode is packed with insights for business owners, marketers, and anyone interested in the local tech scene.

Tune in for an engaging discussion and get inspired by J.B.'s story and expertise!