150 Years of Colorado.
THE PIONEERS WHO SHAPED IT.

Meet The Pioneers Who Made Colorado What It Is.

Stranahan’s Colorado 150: The Pioneers

Stranahan’s is kicking off a summer-long celebration of Colorado’s 150th anniversary with the release of: Colorado 150: The Pioneers. This official list recognizes trailblazers across food, arts, outdoor recreation, conservation, sports, hospitality, business, and community leadership — both historic figures and modern-day originals whose influence continues to define Colorado today.

Visit our Instagram and tell us who you’d add to the list.

“When you look at Colorado’s history, it becomes clear that the state was shaped by people who were brave enough to blaze a trail of their own, build something and contribute to Colorado lore”

Justin Aden, Head Blender at Stranahan’s

MEET THE PIONEERS

  • First to Forge

    Jack A. Weil

    Founder, Rockmount Ranch Wear

    Jack A. Weil was the founder of Rockmount Ranch Wear and a pioneering figure in Western apparel who helped popularize the snap-button cowboy shirt, now an iconic symbol of American Western fashion. Through Rockmount, the Colorado-based company he founded in Denver in 1946, Weil blended authentic ranch wear with innovative design that influenced generations of musicians, cowboys, and fashion brands. His impact helped establish Denver as a center of Western style and preserved the heritage of cowboy culture in American fashion.

  • Peak Performers

    David Carle

    Hockey Coach

    David Carle is the head coach of the University of Denver hockey program and one of the most successful young coaches in college hockey. Under his leadership, DU captured national championships and reinforced Colorado’s reputation as a powerhouse in collegiate hockey. Carle’s leadership and player development continue to shape the next generation of elite athletes.

  • First to Forge

    The Buckhorn Exchange

    The Buckhorn Exchange

    The Buckhorn Exchange is Denver’s oldest restaurant and one of Colorado’s most iconic historic landmarks, founded in 1893 by former buffalo hunter Henry H. "Shorty Scout" Zietz. The restaurant famously holds Colorado Liquor License No. 1 and became known for its Old West atmosphere and extensive collection of frontier memorabilia celebrating the state’s cowboy and mining heritage. Today, the Buckhorn Exchange remains a lasting symbol of Denver’s frontier history, hospitality, and culinary tradition.

  • First to Forge

    Mark Sirangelo

    Aerospace Leader

    Mark Sirangelo is an aerospace executive and entrepreneur best known for leading Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems division and helping launch Sierra Space as a major commercial space company in Colorado. He played a key role in advancing private-sector space innovation through programs focused on space transportation, orbital infrastructure, and national security technologies. Sirangelo’s leadership helped strengthen Colorado’s position as one of the nation’s leading hubs for aerospace and space commercialization.

  • First to Forge

    Dale Katechis

    Founder, Oskar Blues Brewery

    Dale Katechis is the founder of Oskar Blues Brewery, the Colorado craft beer company credited with pioneering the canned craft beer movement in the United States. By putting high-quality craft beer into cans at a time when the industry relied almost entirely on bottles, he helped transform packaging trends and expand the reach of independent breweries nationwide. Katechis also built a culture around live music, cycling, and outdoor adventure that helped shape Colorado’s modern craft beer identity.

  • First to Forge

    Mike Arzt

    Co-Founder, The Public Works & Battery621

    Co-developed Denver's original award-winning creative workspace at Battery621 and built a career pioneering brand storytelling at the intersection of adventure culture and world-class creative execution.

  • State Shapers

    Luis Benitez

    Conservation Leader

    A mountaineer and former state outdoor recreation director who championed conservation, resilience, and the power of outdoor experiences to build stronger communities — including six summits of Mount Everest.

  • Masters of Their Craft

    Martha McGee and Molly Casey

    Founders, NINE dot ARTS

    Built a Colorado-based art consulting firm that integrates original artwork into public and commercial spaces nationwide, elevating the role of art in placemaking and community development.

  • First to Forge

    Steve Ells

    Founder, Chipotle

    Transformed consumer expectations around quick-service food by pioneering the fast-casual dining industry with an emphasis on responsibly sourced ingredients and open-kitchen preparation.

  • Masters of Their Craft

    Adam Cayton-Holland

    Writer and Performer

    Co-creator of Those Who Can't and a longtime champion of Denver's comedy scene, he helped elevate Colorado as a nationally recognized hub for stand-up and independent entertainment.

  • Masters of Their Craft

    Detour (Thomas Evans)

    Artist

    Known for large-scale portrait murals and interactive public installations, he transformed public spaces across Colorado into vibrant storytelling canvases and helped establish Denver as a contemporary public art destination.

  • First to Forge

    Tony Garcia

    Playwright and Director

    Shaped Colorado's arts and cultural identity through decades of Chicano theater leadership at Su Teatro, elevating Latino voices and inspiring generations of artists across the state.

  • First to Forge

    Justin Gold

    Founder, Justin's

    Transformed premium nut butters into a major natural foods segment, contributing to Colorado's reputation as a hub for health-conscious food innovation and mission-driven consumer brands.

  • First to Forge

    JESS GRABER

    Founder, Stranahan's American Single Malt Whiskey

    Opened Colorado's first legal post-Prohibition distillery in 2004, pioneering both the craft distilling movement and the American single malt whiskey category.

  • State Shapers

    Ron Sega

    Astronaut

    An engineer and astronaut who flew multiple NASA Space Shuttle missions and helped advance America's space exploration capabilities, strengthening Colorado's role as a national center for aerospace innovation.

  • First to Forge

    Dale Katechis

    Founder, Oskar Blues Brewery

    Credited with pioneering the canned craft beer movement in the U.S., transforming packaging trends and expanding the reach of independent craft breweries nationwide.

  • State Shapers

    Tim Taylor

    Co-Founder & President, Colorado Succeeds

    Pioneered new partnerships between business and public education in Colorado through Colorado Succeeds, a business-led nonprofit focused on improving education and workforce readiness across the state.

  • Masters of Their Craft

    Meow Wolf

    Immersive Arts Collective

    Their Denver installation, Convergence Station, became one of Colorado's most ambitious cultural attractions and helped position the state as a leader in experiential and immersive entertainment.

  • Peak Performers

    Annelise Loevlie

    Co-Founder, Icelantic Skis

    Co-founded Icelantic Skis and helped redefine what a modern ski brand could represent by combining athlete-driven performance with bold artistic design and deep mountain culture values.

  • First to Forge

    Lara Merriken

    Founder, LÄRABAR

    Pioneered the modern natural snack movement by introducing one of the first widely successful whole-food energy bars, influencing consumer demand for cleaner, simpler convenience foods.

  • First to Forge

    Mark Sirangelo

    Aerospace Leader

    Helped launch Sierra Space as a major commercial space company and strengthened Colorado's position as one of the nation's leading hubs for aerospace innovation and space commercialization.

  • First to Forge

    Dylan Taylor

    CEO, Voyager Space

    Advances commercial space exploration through Voyager Space while helping establish Colorado as a major hub for aerospace entrepreneurship and private space industry investment.
LIMITED COMMEMORATIVE RELEASE

COMING SOON.
Bottled in Bond.

Stranahan’s first-ever Bottled in Bond. The oldest of its kind ever released in Colorado. Eleven years in the making, honoring Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th.

NOTIFY ME WHEN AVAILABLE
LIMITED COMMEMORATIVE RELEASE

COMING SOON.
Bottled in Bond.

Stranahan’s first-ever Bottled in Bond. The oldest of its kind ever released in Colorado. Eleven years in the making, honoring Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th.

NOTIFY ME WHEN AVAILABLE

Colorado Day at Stranahan’s.

August 1st is Colorado Day, and Stranahan’s is throwing a birthday party worthy of 150 years. Join us at the Denver Distillery for a day of celebration, special pours, and a proper toast to the Centennial State. Stay tuned for the full lineup.

Book a Colorado Day tour
See full event details

BE PART OF COLORADO’S 150TH.

Be the first to know when Bottled in Bond drops, get invites to Colorado Day, and follow the 150 all summer long

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