Explore: The Heartbeat of Discovery
One of the things I love most about the word explore is that it means something different to everyone.
For some, exploration means boarding a plane and discovering a new destination. For others, it means taking a scenic drive through Colorado, hiking a new trail, or spending a weekend uncovering hidden gems right in their own backyard. Sometimes exploration isn't about where you go at all; it's about discovering a new business, learning a new skill, meeting someone with a unique story, or finding a fresh perspective within your own community.
That is exactly what this month's Explore issue is all about.
As I put together these pages, I was reminded that adventure doesn't always require a passport or a packed suitcase. Some of the most meaningful discoveries happen close to home. They happen when we support a local business we've never visited before, attend a community event, explore a nearby park, or simply take the time to appreciate the people and places that make our town special.
In this issue, you'll find opportunities to explore in many different ways. From local businesses that are helping shape our community, to stories of growth, innovation, and service, there is something here for every type of explorer. You'll also discover inspiration for outdoor adventures, regional destinations, and experiences that may encourage you to see familiar places through a new lens.
One of the greatest gifts of exploration is that it keeps us curious. It reminds us that there is always something new to learn, experience, and appreciate. Whether you're venturing across the state, supporting a local entrepreneur, attending a community gathering, or simply turning the pages of this magazine, I hope you find something that inspires you to explore a little more.
This summer, I encourage you to say yes to the road trip, visit the new restaurant, attend the local event, take the scenic route, and introduce yourself to someone new. You never know what opportunities, friendships, or memories may be waiting just around the corner.
Happy exploring!
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Misty Dockins | misty.dockins@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Candice Redman | candice.redman@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Teresa Haines, Mandy Mullen, Norma Perez
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
John Robson, David Grossman with Colorado Photography, Coleman Co Photography & Provided
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
MISTY DOCKINS, PUBLISHER
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Windsor resident, Mandy Mullen, toes the line of the Cocodona 250, an epic course across Arizona. 2: 1st ever “She Means Business” NOCO Women in Business golf tournament hosted at Pelican Lakes! 3: Cre8iv Crew Company helped host a Windsor broker open by Krissy White and Cross Country Mortgage. 4: Windsor High School’s musical “Bright Star” won the Bobby G. Award for choreography and overall musical production. 5: Eagles Peak’s craft group made pillows and blankets for the Children’s Hospital cancer patients. 6: Windsor High School’s vocal jazz ensemble, Wizardry, won the Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble category. 7: Nolan, an Eagle Scout, completed this beautifully crafted flag retirement box for the American Legion.
WINDSOR
8: North Range Behavioral Health accepts Weld County Board of Commissioners’ proclamation declaring May “Mental Health Month.” 9: Newly sworn-in Weld County CASA volunteers stand with Judge Hause to serve abused and neglected youth. 10: Subaru Share the Love supports Imagine Zero of Weld County with a generous donation. 11: 100 Women Who Care Windsor proudly champions Stork Support of Northern Colorado. 12: HOTWORX - Windsor supporting runners at the Weld Your Mettle Race. 13: The Windsor Chamber and community members celebrate Core Fiber’s ribbon-cutting at Luna’s Tacos & Tequila. 14: Windsor Chamber Women of Windsor brunch at Luna’s, proudly sponsored by AesthetiKa
Spa!
DAVID GROSSMAN WITH COLORADO PHOTOGRAPHY
15: Movie-themed finale brought big energy as Just for Kix-Windsor wrapped their regular season with three standout recitals. 16: Thursday nights at Boardwalk Park: live music, community fun, and summer memories. 17: Jody Niswender honored with District 5540’s “Service Above Self” award after 39 years as a Windsor Rotarian. 18: The Windsor Exchange hosted a fun flower-making class with Bloom Barn. 19: NOCO Unify hosted their annual golf tournament, having an absolute blast while raising money for local youth! 20: 10 runners completed 100 miles or more at Weld Your Mettle Ultra, 100 runners in total. 21: Norma Perez, Windsor Chamber’s Executive Director, and Eagles mascot, Slapshot, enjoyed a playoff game.
Want to be seen in the magazine?
NICOLE MORSE
DAVID GROSSMAN WITH COLORADO PHOTOGRAPHY
business monthly
Coco's Cafe Is Opening This Summer
Coco's Cafe founder Esmeralda Betancourt created the café out of a love for community, connection, and welcoming spaces. What began as a small dream in Greeley is expanding into downtown Windsor, at 205 4th Street, this summer. With handcrafted drinks, fresh food, and a warm atmosphere, Esmeralda hopes Coco’s becomes a place where the community can unwind, gather, and enjoy the simple pleasures of coffee, matcha, and good food.
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The Hearing Place Has Expanded!
The Hearing Place is expanding with a new location in Windsor. After acquiring Windsor Audiology in early 2025, the practice is officially transitioning the clinic to The Hearing Place name and relocating to a larger, newly renovated space in the heart of Windsor at 201 10th Street. Patients can expect the same trusted, local care they know and value. Audiologists Dr. Shawna Beasley and Dr. Justine Hoffman will continue serving patients, ensuring a seamless transition.
Illusions Complete Home Solutions Welcomes a New Team Member
Welcome, Mia K., to the Illusions Complete Home Solutions team! Mia is a Colorado State University Interior Architecture and Design student interning with them this summer to learn more about the design world. In her free time, she loves camping, making stained glass, and hanging out with her two dogs. Mia is thrilled to grow her skills in this new chapter! For more information, call 970-391-2422, visit www.illusionscompletehomesolutions.com , or email illusionscompletehomesolutions@gmail.com.
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Photography by @Anna.craze.photo
Life Stories Thanks the Union Colony Exchange Club
Life Stories is grateful for the continued partnership of the Union Colony Exchange Club. Pictured are Life Stories staff with Exchange Club members, recognizing the Club’s generous support of the Life Stories mission. Their ongoing commitment strengthens advocacy efforts for children and families across Weld County. Life Stories deeply appreciates their dedication to creating brighter futures for local youth.
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Windsor Downtown Alliance Achieves 2026 Main Street America Accredited Program
Michelle Vance, Executive Director, and Stephanie Fiegel, Administrative Assistant & Events Coordinator, attended the National Main Street Conference in Tulsa on behalf of the Windsor Downtown Alliance. The WDA earned Main Street America Accreditation for the third consecutive year, recognizing the organization’s commitment to preservation-based economic development, community engagement, and downtown revitalization. This achievement reflects the hard work of the WDA Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, business owners, property owners, and community partners dedicated to strengthening downtown Windsor.
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Pike's Auto Care Celebrates 30 Years of Service in Windsor
For 30 years, Pike's Auto Care has proudly served the Windsor community with trusted automotive repair and exceptional customer service. Owner Sean Pike, a Windsor native, extends his heartfelt gratitude to the customers, employees, and community members who have supported the business throughout the years. He is especially thankful for his dedicated team and the Windsor Chamber of Commerce for championing local businesses. Call 970-686-8473 to schedule your next service.
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Photography by Colorado Photography
ARTICLE BY TERESA HAINES
ALasting IMPACT
When Employees Feel Valued, Everyone Wins
What do Disney, John Elway, and a server from Chili’s have in common? They’ve made BMW/MINI of Loveland team “poach-proof."
By ensuring every employee at BMW/MINI of Loveland feels valued, supported, and cared for, the dealership’s management team has intentionally designed a culture of inclusion and support that simply works. Co-owners John Elway, Todd Maul, and Mitch Pierce have committed themselves to disrupting the status quo by creating an unparalleled workplace culture. While they aren't new to the auto industry, their approach is a breath of fresh air.
Much could be said about Maul’s application of employee engagement strategies, gleaned from the Disney Institute, but it is the anecdotes from proud employees that offer true, personal insight. The supportive culture is reflected in stories of careers built with care. BMW of Loveland’s Service Director, Shelton Sanders, sums it up: “Todd has an intentional approach of how to treat people. It’s the Platinum Rule: Treat people how they want to be treated,” he says.
Others agree that they feel heard, appreciated, and supported in their roles. “Kim (Calaway) has been a mentor to me,” said sales professional Kelly Antuna. “She passes on knowledge and celebrates success.” Antuna’s compliments are echoed by colleagues across every department.
“There is an open-door policy here that lets people feel as if they are heard and appreciated,” said Office Manager Christie DeSimone, who has been with the company for 16 years. Others
point to the energetic vibe, exemplary brand, and fun dynamic as reasons they aren’t likely to seek employment elsewhere.
So, where does the server from Chili’s come into play? More than 14 years ago, a few employees were having lunch at Chili’s. DeSimone was so impressed by their server that she knew the young woman would make a great addition to their team. This conversation started Kimberlee Calaway’s career with the dealership.
After starting as a Client Advisor, she was promoted to New Car Manager, then General Sales Manager, and eventually Assistant General Manager. Currently, she has served as General Manager for the past three years.
Calaway stands as proof that the organization values talent and hard work, promoting from within. "Even though others outside of the organization may have been more qualified on paper,” said Calaway, “leadership believed in my potential and invested in my development, shaping me into the GM I am today."
Calaway’s trajectory is the rule, not the exception. Many managers started in entry-level roles, and when the 2020 pandemic forced many local companies to resort to layoffs, this leadership team stood by their employees, cementing a culture of mutual loyalty. Marketing Director Ashley Accardi recalls gift cards and financial support continuing throughout the shutdown. “They understood that people were struggling. They stood by us, and it meant so much to so many.”
Another time of insecurity came during a buyout in late 2020. Employees were nervous, but the entire team, from the Lot Porter
“There is an open-door policy here that lets people feel as if they are heard and appreciated,” said Christie DeSimone.
The dedicated service, parts and management team, (L-R) Brian Bowden, Shelton Sanders, Kimberlee Calaway, Jason Wares and Christie DeSimone
to the General Manager, was welcomed into the new organization. As Sanders explained, the new owners “held true to their word.” Now enjoying more than 26 years of employment, Sanders calls Maul by his first name, as do many others, but it was meeting John Elway that made him feel truly seen. “This man, who knows a lot of people and is known by a lot of people, said my name when he shook my hand. That was impressive. ”
Parts Manager Jason Wares also claims an exceptional level of pride. Soon to be celebrating 27 years at the dealership, Wares credits Calaway with giving him the tools to succeed. “She has shown real care about my family and me, and that has made all the difference.” The impact is profound; Wares’ son even has the initials BMW, named Braiden Michael Wares.
“Honestly,” Wares continues, “what brought me here was the brand. What keeps me here are the people.”
BMW/MINI of Loveland, the physical reflection to their lasting impact.
Engineering excellence on full display, enticing you to visit the BMW/MINI Loveland showroom.
Experience modern luxury and comfort inside BMW/ MINI Loveland's showroom.
Your
Starts in Downtown Windsor
This July, explore everything Downtown Windsor has to offer, from locally loved restaurants and unique boutiques to relaxing lakeside views and sunny patio dining. Whether you are spending the day shopping, grabbing a drink with friends, or enjoying a stroll around Windsor Lake, downtown is the perfect place to unwind and savor summer.
DOWNTOWN WINDSOR
5 - 8 PM | $35 TICKET
Presented by the Windsor Main Street Partnership & Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce
Going miles.Beyond: 50 Miles on the Poudre River Trail
Urban Ultra
ARTICLE BY MANDY MULLEN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN ROBSON
Richard Czaikowski takes 1st place male! A race that brings fierce competitors like the Wyoming native and runners from all over the country.
At 4 a.m. on April 12, 2026, long before the first hint of sunrise, headlamps flicker to life in the quiet of Bellvue, CO. Sixty-five runners gather at the edge of the Poudre River Trail, their breath visible in the cold, nerves humming beneath months of preparation. There’s no roaring crowd or elaborate start line production. Just the soft shuffle of shoes on dirt and the quiet understanding that what lies ahead will ask more of them than they can fully predict.
Race Director Mandy Mullen, an ultra-runner herself, understands the emotion, anticipation, and uncertainty these runners carry to the start line. Alongside her husband, Nick, and a closeknit team, she moves through the small gathering of athletes, grateful for the chance to support them on a day that will test both body and mind.
The setup is intentionally simple. Unlike many races, there’s no finish line waiting where the runners begin. Once they leave Watson Lake, they won’t return. Instead, they’ll spend the day moving east along the Poudre River Trail through Fort Collins, Timnath, Windsor, and eventually Greeley, crossing county lines, communities, and personal limits along the way. This is the NOCO Urban Ultra.
The course unfolds gradually, tracing the Poudre River through stretches of open trail, neighborhoods, farmland, and growing Northern Colorado communities. Along the way, runners watch the sunrise over the plains, endure the midday heat, and settle into the reflective silence that often comes during long hours on the move.
There are moments when everything clicks; when legs feel strong, conversations flow, and the miles seem to disappear. There are also moments when exhaustion creeps in, the body aches, and the mind begins questioning why anyone would willingly choose to run this far.
But running ultra is about far more than mileage.
It’s about the training runs before sunrise, the sacrifices made behind the scenes, and the willingness to pursue something difficult simply because it matters.
Laura Hiebenthal crushes her miles while her pacers ride close behind, bringing the ultimate energy and cheering her all the way to the finish line.
Kim Russick from lululemon and miles.Beyond Race Director Mandy Mullen bring the energy, cheering on runners as they crush their goals!
Alexis Templenuevo smiles at the NOCO Urban Ultra, a race that beautifully captures encouragement and resilience.
“The NOCO Urban Ultra is more than a race - it paints
a picture
of encouragement, resilience, and community.” Alexis Templenuevo
For Windsor resident Laura Hiebenthal, this race was training for a mountainous 50 miler later this summer. “I don't know what the Bighorn will bring in June; there will be elevation and big hills and cutoffs to make. There could be snow, mud, rain, possible wildlife encounters, etc. But at least I know I CAN do 50 miles because the NOCO Urban Ultra showed me that I can cover that distance!”
For Severance Mayor Pro Tem Brittany Vandermark, ultrarunning represents possibility.
“Because I love saying I can do something that 99 percent of the population wouldn’t even try,” Vandermark says. “It keeps me going, and I hope it motivates my kids to see they’re capable of anything.”
The trail itself reflects that same spirit of perseverance. According to project manager Zac Wiebe, the trail connection has been nearly 50 years in the making, requiring collaboration between municipalities, organizations, and landowners. When the final section beneath Interstate 25 was completed last year, it opened the door for events like this to showcase the trail in a new way.
Aid stations become pockets of energy and encouragement throughout the day. Volunteers, including the Fort Collins lululemon team, where Mullen serves as an ambassador, provide fuel and motivating words to runners. Alexis
Templenuevo ran on one of two teams representing FIT4MOM, whose members also staffed an aid station. “At 23 weeks pregnant, running reminds me that motherhood and strength can coexist beautifully,” Templenuevo said.
Ultrarunning isn’t reserved for elite athletes. It belongs just as much to the person crossing right before the cutoff as it does to the front runner. The common thread is simple: the willingness to continue forward when things become uncomfortable.
Mullen estimates that nearly four million steps were taken along the Poudre River Trail during this year’s event. Beyond the individual journeys, races like this also bring a unique form of tourism and connection to the region. Runners traveled from across Colorado and nine different states. Many bring family members or friends who spend the day supporting runners while exploring Northern Colorado’s towns along the route.
As the final runners crossed the finish line and the sun disappeared below the horizon, the day came full circle. What began in darkness ended there too, but with a different kind of light; one built through grit, community, and the shared experience of pushing through something difficult together. For every runner, the NOCO Urban Ultra became more than a race; it became a lasting story of resilience, accomplishment, and memories that can never be taken away.
STAY CONNECTED TO
Windsor City Lifesty L e™
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
Windsor Chamber, Reimagined
MEMBERS ARE FINDING VALUE, CONNECTION, AND MOMENTUM
ARTICLE BY NORMA PEREZ
The Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce is experiencing a season of growth that transcends mere membership tallies or expanded programming schedules. It’s a growth rooted in the soil of genuine human connection.
Over the past year, something has shifted inside the Chamber. Networking events have become conversations that continue long after the room clears. Business owners are collaborating instead of simply exchanging business cards. New members are finding a sense of community, and longtime members are becoming re-engaged in ways that feel more personal and purposeful.
That shift did not happen overnight.
When Norma Perez stepped into the role of Executive Director in September 2025, the organization was in a rebuilding season. Like many chambers navigating growth and change, there was a need for renewed energy, stronger member engagement, and a clearer sense of direction for the future.
With experience working alongside more than 11 chambers and associations across the I-25 corridor, Norma brought both perspective and relationship-building expertise to the role. Known for her ability to connect people and create community, she approached the position by listening first, meeting with business owners, hearing honest feedback, and learning what members wanted from their Chamber experience.
That approach helped lay the foundation for many of the changes that followed. Rather than focusing solely on programming, the emphasis became creating spaces where businesses felt supported, welcomed, and connected. Her leadership style, centered around collaboration, encouragement, and visibility within the community, helped re-energize the organization during a period of transition.
As the Chamber began evaluating what businesses truly needed, conversations started happening across Windsor. Business owners shared feedback about what was working, what was missing, and what they hoped the Chamber could become. Some members
admitted they had previously stepped away because they struggled to see value beyond networking. Others expressed a desire for stronger relationships, leadership development, and meaningful ways to stay connected to the community.
Those conversations helped shape a new direction.
Programs like YPN-WISE, the Chamber’s Young Professionals Network, were created to give emerging leaders a place to grow, connect, and become a part of Windsor’s future business landscape. The launch of Strength of Windsor, a men's group, expanded opportunities for connection, complementing the long-standing Women of Windsor group, creating spaces where conversations feel authentic instead of transactional.
The Chamber also reimagined its networking approach through the Leading-Edge Leads Group, focusing less on formal structure and more on relationship building. The result has been a noticeable change in energy at events and within the business community itself. Members are not simply attending; they are engaging, collaborating, and continuing those relationships outside Chamber walls.
Supporting Windsor’s diverse market remains a core focus. The Cobblestone Collective serves brick-andmortar businesses, offering a space to share resources and insights. Launching soon, The Valor Network will be Northern Colorado’s first networking group exclusively for veteran business owners and leaders, focusing on referrals and fellowship.
Behind this growth is a team effort that often happens long after the sun sets over the Rockies.
Executive Assistant Katie McKie, who joined the team in November 2025, has become a steady force behind the scenes. Katie manages the CRM systems that keep the Chamber organized and responsive, facilitates events, oversees digital marketing and social media, and helps keep the day-to-day operations moving smoothly. By helping Windsor businesses stay visible and connected through digital marketing, her role has become instrumental to the organization’s growth.
“Over the past year, something has shifted inside the Chamber. New members are finding a true sense of community, and longtime members are becoming re-engaged in ways that feel more personal and purposeful.”
“This story is ultimately bigger than any one person. It is about a community of business owners, volunteers, ambassadors, board members, and staff working together to build something stronger for Windsor’s future.”
The Windsor Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Executive Director. Photo: David Grossman with Colorado Photography
Furthermore, the Board of Directors and Chamber Ambassadors have also played an important role in shaping the culture Windsor businesses are now experiencing. The Board’s support for new ideas, volunteer time, and investment in the business community has created momentum that goes beyond any single event or initiative. By revamping the Ambassador program, Norma ensured that those representing the Chamber in the community felt recognized, supported, and fully equipped to speak with pride about the organization’s mission.
The Chamber has also made strides in integrating corporate members into the small-town ecosystem. Rather than allowing larger entities to remain distant, the team created opportunities for corporate employees to participate in Windsor’s daily business life. The results are becoming visible in practical ways: new introductions are turning into referrals; local collaborations are increasing; and businesses are gaining exposure through social media campaigns and marketing efforts.
What makes the Chamber’s evolution meaningful is not only the addition of new programs, but the sense of belonging being created within them.
In a growing community like Windsor, businesses want more than visibility. They want relationships. They want support. They want to feel connected to the people and organizations around them. Increasingly, the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce is becoming a place where those connections are taking root.
And while leadership plays an important role in guiding that vision forward, the story is ultimately bigger than any one person. It is about a community of business owners, volunteers, ambassadors, board members, and staff working together to build something stronger for Windsor’s future.
For more information, visit: windsorchamber.net, give them a call at 970.686.7189, or stop by one of their events!
Under Norma’s leadership, the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce is writing a new chapter. It is becoming a place where business and belonging meet, and where intentional connection is the foundation.
Norma Perez, Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Photo: Nick Searle of Searle Studios
The powerhouse team behind Windsor Chamber's growth! Norma Perez and Katie McKie, making big things happen daily.
The next generation of impact. Shaping the future with YPN-WISE, the Chamber’s Young Professionals Network.
THE LONG COURSE
The Mindset Leading Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
COLEMAN CO PHOTOGRAPHY & PROVIDED
Sixteen times, Wayne Fraleigh has stood at the start line of an Ironman—knowing exactly what waits on the other side of the water, the miles, and the hours still ahead. A 2.4-mile swim. A 112-mile bike ride. A full marathon to finish. Seventeen hours to complete it all. It is a distance that tests not only physical
Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies’ CEO Wayne Fraleigh photographed at Ginger and Baker. Photography by Coleman & Co.
endurance, but mental resolve in its purest form. For Wayne, it became something more than a race. It became a framework for how he approaches challenge, leadership, and the quiet discipline required to keep moving forward when the outcome is uncertain.
Today, as Chief Executive Officer of Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR), Wayne leads with a perspective shaped far beyond boardrooms and strategy sessions. Long before that role, his life was defined by endurance of a different kind. As a student-athlete on the University of Arizona football team, he learned discipline early, but it was a devastating, career-ending injury that would ultimately reshape his path. A serious neck injury during a college football game forced everything to stop, stripping away the identity he had built and leaving him to rebuild from a place few ever anticipate. What followed was not immediate clarity, but a gradual shift in perspective—one that would later define how he navigates both personal and professional challenges.
Years later, in 2013, that perspective was tested again in an unexpected way. While serving in a leadership role connected to the former Ironman Sports Medicine Institute in Houston, Wayne was invited to the Ironman World Championships in Kona to learn about their medical set-up. There, standing at the finish line, he witnessed something that reframed what endurance truly looked like. Many athletes crossing that line were not defined by ease or even by physical perfection. They were defined by persistence— blind competitors, amputees, cancer survivors, and individuals who had faced extraordinary setbacks yet still chose to move forward. “I looked at them and thought, why not me?” he says. At the time, he had never run more than a couple of miles, and lingering physical challenges, including his serious neck injury and a heart condition, made the idea seem even more unlikely. Still, he started.
The first endurance event, a half marathon, was difficult in ways he had not anticipated. The first half Ironman brought even more uncertainty when his heart went into atrial fibrillation midrace. He finished anyway. Soon after, doctors told him he would need a cardiac procedure and months of recovery—timing that could have easily marked the end of the pursuit of completing
an Ironman. Instead, it became part of the process. By November 2014, just months after surgery, Wayne completed his first full Ironman, crossing a finish line that represented far more than physical endurance. It marked a shift in how he understood limitations, not as fixed barriers, but as variables to be worked through with patience, resilience, and discipline.
Today, Wayne has competed in 16 Ironman races, completing 13. Each one carries its own set of challenges, but one in particular stands apart. At the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France, he threw his back out the morning of the race. Bent forward, in extreme pain, and unsure if he could even begin, he made a decision that had nothing to do with time or placement. “My dad taught me that it's not what happens to you, but it's how you handle what happens to you. I told myself I’ll push through each discipline until my body is unable to.” Wayne noted. He was eventually pulled for missing the run cutoff, meaning the race would not count as an official finish. Still, he continued and completed the distance. What remained was not a medal, but something far more defining—the understanding that breaking through your physical and mental limits can matter far more than any recognition or reward.
Finishing the 2025 Colorado Marathon
That distinction matters, because for Wayne, the Ironman has never been about the finish line. It is about what the process demands: consistency, resilience, and the ability to stay steady in moments that test both physical and mental limits. Those same principles now shape how he leads Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies. Healthcare, much like endurance racing, is constantly shifting, requiring leaders to make decisions in an environment where variables are rarely within their control. Costs rise, systems evolve, and independent practices face increasing pressure to adapt to stay relevant. Leading through that requires more than strategy. It requires perspective. “You can’t get too high or too low,” Wayne says. “You deal with what’s in front of you and make the best decision you can.”
That mindset carries into how he approaches leadership on a daily basis. Rather than stepping away from the clinical side of care, Wayne remains closely connected to it, maintaining his physical therapy license and spending time with both physicians and staff. The goal is not distance, but alignment—understanding how decisions made at an organizational level impact the patient experience in real time. “If you take care of your team, they’ll take care of the patient,” he says, a philosophy that reflects the same interconnected support system required to complete an Ironman. “It’s never just about you. My support team, especially my wife and kids, have sacrificed a lot for me to pursue this journey. Success comes when the whole team works together to make dreams and aspirations possible.”
Wayne Fraleigh & Ashley Bruning, OCR’s COO participating in the 2026 Ironman
The Fraleigh Family
“I looked at them and thought, why not me?”
Outside of work, that same sense of discipline and connection shapes his approach to life. Rather than separating work and home, he views them as integrated, recognizing that the ability to lead effectively is tied to how well everything else is aligned. Strong in his Christian faith, early mornings begin with devotion, prayer, and exercise, grounding the day before it begins in mind, spirit, and body. Family remains a constant priority, not as something balanced against work, but as something that exists alongside it. It is a structure that allows for both
intensity and presence, a combination that mirrors the endurance required in both racing and leadership.
At its core, Wayne’s story is not about titles or accomplishments. It is about the moments that ask more than expected, and the decision to meet them anyway. Most will never stand at the start line of an Ironman, and they do not need to. The distance itself is not the point. What matters is the question it represents, one that extends far beyond the race course.
What is the challenge that feels just out of reach—and what would it take to pursue it anyway?
1st Ironman race in Cozumel-2014
2024 RunDisney 10-miler with son, Noah
events
JULY 4TH
Celebrate Fourth of July with the Town of Windsor!
100 North 5th Street, Windsor | 12:00 PM
Enjoy a full day of festivities at Boardwalk Park! Explore local food trucks and vendors along 5th Street from 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Don’t miss Those Crazy Nights, a Journey tribute band, performing on the Main Stage from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks display launching shortly after 9:15 p.m. (weather permitting). tinyurl.com/mr3uut7u
JULY 4TH
Steve and the Cruisers at American Legion Windsor
624 Ash Street, Windsor | 7:00 PM
Celebrate the Fourth of July at the Windsor Legion! This event is open to the public, with no cover charge. Enjoy billiards, popcorn, a full bar, and you can even bring your own eats while groovin' to your favorite pop and rock hits from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and beyond. The fun starts at 7 pm! tinyurl.com/muw9hrjc
JULY 11TH
Mike Ippolito Live at Mash Lab Brewing
4487 Highland Meadows Parkway, Windsor | 4:00 PM
Visit Mash Lab Brewing for live music with Mike Ippolito, a guitarist and singer/songwriter based in Fort Collins, CO. Mike loves to come through this Windsor staple and play music every year. He brings his energetic mix of blues, folk, jazz, rock, and soul back to Mash Lab on Saturday, July 11th. Free show, 4-7 pm. mashlabbrewing.com/events-calendar
JULY 16TH
Elevate Academy: Open House and Ribbon Cutting
1290 Main Street, Windsor | 4:00 PM
Visit Elevate Academy on July 16th from 4-7 p.m. to celebrate their ribbon cutting while enjoying an open house of their beautiful, new cosmetology academy! Learn about their training programs and services by visiting their website at elevateacademywindsor.com/
Paws-itive Impact: Big Bones Canine Rescue
To celebrate National Pet Day, Heidi and her team recently stepped up for Windsor’s local four-legged community by donating 250 pet wipes to Big Bones Canine Rescue! Supporting local animal shelters is just one of the ways Heidi loves giving back to the community we all call home.
Ready to protect your pack? From pet-friendly households, to your auto and life policies, Heidi’s team has you covered. Connect with us today to get a fast, accurate insurance quote based on your actual needs!
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JULY 18TH
Blues & Brews Presented by the Windsor Main Street Partnership
217 5th Street, Windsor | 5:00 PM
It’s back and better than ever! The Blues & Brews Crawl returns to Downtown Windsor for an evening packed with live music, local flavor, and small-town fun! Stroll through downtown as you sample delicious craft brews from local Northern Colorado breweries while enjoying live blues music from multiple artists filling the air. To purchase your tickets, visit: ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/BluesBrewsCrawl.
JULY 18TH
Treasure Island Demonstration Garden Sunken Garden Renovation Project
1524 7th Street, Windsor | 9:00 AM
Volunteer and help care for this vibrant community space with Windsor Recreation at the Treasure Island Demonstration Garden. Community Volunteer Days are free and open to all. Advance registration is required to participate. Join neighbors in supporting public spaces, enjoy time outdoors and stay for a picnic lunch following each event. Register here: tinyurl.com/4dfakvss
JULY 24TH
Movies in the Park at Overlook
650 Audubon Boulevard, Severance | 7:00 PM
Set sail on a night of adventure with How to Train Your Dragon! Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and the whole family. Come around 7:00 PM. The movie starts around dusk (exact time to be determined). Free to attend. For more information, visit: townofseverance.org/288/ Movies-in-the-Park
JULY 24TH
Movies in the Park, The Goonies at Boardwalk Community Park
100 North 5th Street, Windsor | 8:00 PM
Bring a lawn chair and relax in one of Windsor’s beautiful parks while enjoying the movie, "The Goonies," with family and friends. Movies are free and begin at dusk. Please review film ratings before attending. Experience a welcoming evening outdoors with your community. bit.ly/4iMUGLU
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Summer is the perfect time to start braces or clear aligners. With fewer school commitments and sports schedules, patients can adjust comfortably and begin seeing progress right away. At Wood Orthodontics, we focus on a relaxed, low-stress experience— helping kids, teens, and adults feel confident from day one.
The
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
BUILT TO B LO
JULY 24TH
Family Camp Out with Windsor Recreation at Boardwalk Community Park
100 North 5th Street, Windsor | 5:00 PM
Enjoy an evening of outdoor adventure at Family Camp Out. Activities include a campfire, fishing, paddle boats and a movie on the big screen at dusk. Set up camp in the afternoon before the event begins. A family dinner and light breakfast are included. Registration is required; the cost is $15 per person. To register, visit: tinyurl.com/yvsdfpmd
JULY 24TH
IOME and Peculier Celebrate Self-Care on International Self-Care Day
301 Main Street, Unit A, Windsor | 4:00 PM
A day dedicated to you! Celebrate International Self-Care Day with IOME, Guilt-Free Self-Care, and Peculier Ales. Enjoy giveaways, chair massages, local vendors, discounts, and more! Relax. Refresh. Reconnect. You deserve it! For more information, email: info@iowemenow.com.
JULY 25TH
Summer Color Explosion at Kiddie Academy in Windsor
4701 Oakmont Street, Windsor | 10:00 AM
Kiddie Academy Windsor’s big summer event is returning this July!! The theme this year is Summer Color Explosion! Register for a FREE high-energy and high-visual sensory experience of colorful fun while celebrating family and community. There will be local vendors, activities and games, food, and more! Register here: tinyurl.com/2vm3dsdx.
JULY 31ST
RESONANCE: A Synergistic Healing Immersion
631 Birch Street, Unit D, Windsor | 6:00 PM
Join True Therapeutics and New Leaf Acupuncture for an intimate evening combining Spinal Flow and Esoteric Japanese Acupuncture. Experience deep relaxation, nervous system regulation, and renewed balance through two powerful healing modalities working in harmony. Tickets are $180 per person, limited to 8 participants. To register, call: 720-201-7852.
matched Comfort
H e a t i n g
W e u n d e r s t a n d t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f h a v i n g a n
e f f i c i e n t a n d r e l i a b l e h e a t i n g s y s t e m . T o e n s u r e a
c o m f o r t a b l e e n v i r o n m e n t i n y o u r h o m e o r
c o m m e r c i a l p r o p e r t i e s a n d l o w e r e n e r g y c o s t s ,
y o u ’ l l w a n t t o k e e p y o u r h e a t e r i n e x c e l l e n t
w o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n
A i r C o n d i t i o n i n g
S m a l l p r o b l e m s c a n t u r n i n t o b i g g e r i s s u e s i n t h e f u t u r e
I f y o u d o n ’ t w a n t t o g e t s k y - h i g h r e p a i r b i l l s f o r y o u r a i r
c o n d i t i o n i n g s y s t e m , y o u ’ l l w a n t t o m a k e s u r e y o u h i r e
p r o s f o r m a i n t e n a n c e , r e p a i r s , a n d i n s t a l l a t i o n s e r v i c e s .
F o r t r u s t w o r t h y a s s i s t a n c e , g e t i n t o u c h w i t h u s W e o f f e r
t h e s e r v i c e s y o u n e e d w h i l e g i v i n g y o u p e a c e o f m i n d .
W a t e r H e a t e r s
H o w o f t e n h a v e y o u h o p p e d i n t o t h e s h o w e r ,
e x p e c t i n g t h e w a t e r t o b e h o t e n o u g h t o t h a w y o u
o u t , o n l y t o h a v e i c y w a t e r r a i n d o w n o n y o u ? I f
y o u r w a t e r h e a t e r i s m a k i n g i t d i f f i c u l t f o r y o u t o
h a v e t h e h o t s h o w e r s y o u w a n t , i t m a y b e t i m e t o
g e t t h e u n i t c h e c k e d o u t
I n d o o r A i r Q u a l i t y
I n d o o r a i r q u a l i t y r e f e r s t o t h e c l e a n l i n e s s a n d
f r e s h n e s s o f t h e a i r i n s i d e a h o m e H V A C s y s t e m s p l a y
a r o l e i n i n d o o r a i r q u a l i t y b y f i l t e r i n g o u t p o l l u t a n t s ,
c o n t r o l l i n g h u m i d i t y l e v e l s , a n d e n s u r i n g p r o p e r
v e n t i l a t i o n T r u s t o u r c o m p a n y t o h e l p y o u a c h i e v e
o p t i m a l i n d o o r a i r q u a l i t y f o r a s a f e r a n d m o r e
p l e a s a n t l i v i n g o r w o r k i n g s p a c e
get your spot before it’s gone
GOLF COURSE
MAXIMIZE YOUR IMPACT ON AND OFF THE COURSE
ISIBILITY BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER
INFLUENTIAL LEADERS AND DECISION MAKERS WITH THE COMMUNITY
