Atmos Energy has been awarded The Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce October Business of the Month for their commitment to safety, exceptional customer service, and commitment to supporting our local community.
As the country’s largest natural gas-only distributor, Atmos Energy delivers reliable, efficient and abundant natural gas to more than 3 million distribution customers throughout Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Atmos Energy holds the vision to modernize their business and infrastructure, while continuing to invest in safety, environmental sustainability and their local communities. Every year, Atmos Energy invests approximately $2 billion a year in system upgrades to provide their customers with safe and reliable gas services for generations to come.
For the Chaffee County community, Atmos Energy does quite a lot to give back to our local organizations. As a partner of the Boys & Girls Club of Chaffee County, Atmos Energy helps by donating book vending machines to the non-profit. Atmos Energy is a sustaining sponsor of Salida Mountain Trails, local school districts and education foundations, events for the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and The Salvation Army. Atmos Energy also partners with community assistance agencies to help customers in need pay their utility bills.
To learn more about Atmos Energy, check out their website at www.atmosenergy.com.
If you would like to see the complete history for Business of the Month, please call the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce at (719) 539-2068.
Salida Chamber Ribbon Cuttings RECAP: October 2024
Get to know the new businesses we’re honored to welcome as chamber members this month. Don’t hesitate to reach out and say hello. After all, connection, community and collaboration are what membership in the Salida Chamber of Commerce is all about!
Badfish Surf Shop joined the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce and was welcomed into our membership with a ribbon cutting presentation.
Boasting the title of the highest elevation for a surf shop in the world, Badfish Surf Shop, with its flagship store in Salida, is a local company that provides everything you need to embrace the mountain surf lifestyle. From creating some of the first river surfing specific surfboards, to making paddleboards, rafts and related accessories, Badfish now sells their products all over the US as well as Canada and Japan.
Badfish Surf Shop was started by world travelers and river enthusiasts, Zack Hughes and Mike Harvey, who settled down in Salida, Colorado in the late 1990s to raise their families. Mike was designing whitewater parks throughout North America and saw the potential for surfing rivers in a new way. Meanwhile, Zack had been experimenting with ideas for a river surfing board in Salida, shaping short river boards in his garage from blue board home insulation. In the summer of 2009, Mike tried a paddleboard on the Arkansas River for the first time and immediately saw the potential for a SUP to surf a river wave. He walked over to Zack’s garage shaping bay a few blocks away and asked Zack to make him a SUP board specifically for river surfing—and Badfish was born. In 2017, the final ingredient was added to the team when former professional kayaker and longtime paddlesports industry expert Luke Hopkins came on board. Luke, Zack, and Mike bring decades of paddling experience to designing Badfish products, without ever losing sight of the spark of creativity that began in Zack’s garage.
Visit Badfish SUP in person at 148 E. 1st St., or online at badfishsup.com to check out their variety of high-quality boards, rafts, accessories, apparel, and expertise.
The Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce celebrated The Faricy Boys Automotive membership with a ribbon cutting presentation.
For nearly 80 years, the Faricy family has proudly served southern Colorado through their car dealerships. Starting with Owen Faricy opening a small dealership in Pueblo in 1942, The Faricy Boys have expanded across the state, adding several locations. In 2021, they acquired their third dealership—the former Town & Country in Salida. Over the decades, The Faricy Boys have represented a wide range of brands, including Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram.
Since acquiring Town and Country, Brandon Bizzell, General Manager of The Faricy Boys Salida location, has focused on transforming their service department into a top-tier operation. Determined to improve service times, he proactively hired skilled mechanics from across the country to expand on their talented team. The Faricy Boys Automotive is committed to setting a new standard in the industry, rooted in the core values of integrity, loyalty, and love.
The Faricy Boys is your complete destination for all things automotive, offering a wide selection of new and used cars, as well as financing and mechanical services. Their knowledgeable team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect vehicle to meet your needs. Community involvement is also of high importance to The Faricy Boys. This past fall, they brought back the locally loved Fall Colors Car Show as a fundraiser for the Chaffee County Search and Rescue. The Faricy Boys are also a sponsor to the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce’s annual Kickoff to Winter on November 9th at the SteamPlant. Attendees at the event will have the chance to see The Faricy Boys’ 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV up close, with an exclusive $8,900 discount available for the vehicle.
Stop by 931 Hwy 50, Salida, CO, to meet with one of The Faricy Boys’ experts today, and let them help you find the vehicle of your dreams!
Blue Coyote Ranch is part of the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce and we celebrated their membership with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Sitting on 34 acres of pristine piñon pine forest and pastureland, Blue Coyote Ranch is a peaceful and secluded mountain retreat just minutes away from downtown Salida. Blue Coyote Ranch is a locally owned and operated hospitality property that focuses on providing lodging for groups of 6 to 39 people. This is an ideal place to host weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats and other events.
With multiple gathering areas on the property, Blue Coyote Ranch has many amenities including a 20’ x 20’ stage with electrical hookups and lighting, a communal dining area inside their lodge, an outdoor dining space for up to 64 people, a large propane fire pit, a hot tub, hiking trails to historic homestead cabin ruins, corn hole sets and horseshoe games, and is even dog friendly, for an additional fee. Blue Coyote Ranch holds a special place in the hearts of its owners, Sara and Mike Duffin, who were married on-site in 2022.
To book your next retreat or corporate gathering and experience the magic of stargazing under the Rocky Mountains, call (719) 539-2002.
Quarterly Nonprofit Recognition: Salida Community Center
In Chaffee County, there is an organization devoted to building a stronger, more unified society. The Salida Community Center has been honored as the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Quarter, celebrating its dedicated commitment to humbly serving our community.
The Salida Community Center’s mission is to promote an environment of support and advocacy to adults by fostering opportunities for fellowship, recreation, health and wellness, life-long learning and partnering with other community organizations.
The Salida Community Center is dedicated to addressing the needs of the broader community and those facing hardship. Among its key programs are the CSFP-Senior Food Program, which serves 150 seniors each month, and the TEFAP-Emergency Food Program, providing essential groceries to over 900 low-income individuals, families, and seniors monthly. The Center also runs a backpack program that supplies students with food, and a family support initiative that offers necessities like shampoo, soap, and deodorant.
Beyond these services, the Salida Community Center provides a conveniently located and affordable meeting space for local nonprofits and other groups. The SCC is responsible for the local Flag Program which places flags in town over six holidays. It also hosts some of Salida’s cherished annual events, including the Easter Egg Hunt, Pancake Breakfast, Bingo for Seniors, and Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
The Thanksgiving dinner is scheduled for November 28th, and the Christmas dinner on December 25th. Both events will run from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Last year, the Salida Community Center proudly served approximately 900 Thanksgiving meals, with over 400 deliveries to those in need, and over 600 meals for Christmas, including over 300 which were delivered. The traditional holiday menu will feature turkey, ham, dressing, and all the trimmings. These meals are free for all area residents and visitors. For those unable to come to the center, the SCC offers meal deliveries within a five-mile radius of Salida.
The Salida Community Center is funded entirely through grants and donations, with all work done by dedicated, unpaid volunteers. They serve because they see the need, value and sense of unity that comes from helping others. The Salida Community Center believes in the possibility of a brighter future. To learn more about their mission or to find out how you can get involved, contact the SCC at (719) 539-3351.
Member Monthly Highlights
All business information and articles are located under the Chamber News button. All registrations, tickets, and save-the-date information for upcoming events are located under the Featured Events button. All monthly ads, discounts, specials, and coupons are under the Discounts button. See this month’s full calendar of events here.
