By Jack Larson

Lightning-fast installations, friendly service and affordable pricing are the names of the game for Fort Collins Heating and Air. It’s a pillar in the Fort Collins community. 

Fort Collins Heating and Air was founded in 1996, over 25 years ago, by one man named Glenn Frank.

“It’s a very hard thing to build an entire business from the ground up, maintain that business and become successful enough to support your employees and their futures,” Frank said. 

Frank, did not only wants to continue the legacy of his late grandfather’s company, the Fort Collins Sheet and Metal Company. He also wants to make a difference in the lives of those in his local community using his company’s resources.

“What we’ve built this company into over the years has been incredible,” Frank said. “I’m so grateful for my partners and employees that helped me build Fort Collins Heating and Air into what it is and I think we have really done some awesome things for Fort Collins.”

Frank’s company provides heating installations and services, air conditioning installation and services, air duct maintenance, plumbing services, sheet metal fabrications and extensive community outreach. The company’s slogan is easily recognizable to Fort Collins’ natives. “Big enough to serve, small enough to care,” Fort Collins Heating and Air Conditioning.

“It takes tireless effort and persistent determination which nobody seems to teach people anymore,” Frank said. “You will fail in the beginning when you are trying to run your own business but you have to keep going with it no matter what if you ever want to become successful.”

To give back, Frank talked about one program in particular where Fort Collins Heating and Air gives away one furnace annually to a Northern Colorado resident through a lottery selection. 

The goal of the program is to establish a good relationship between the company and members of the Fort Collins community. It is also meant to serve people in need who can’t afford furnaces or other heating and cooling appliances. 

Frank talked about a recent 2021 winner. Her name is Colleen C; She has lived in Fort Collins for nearly 50 years and won the appliance that she needed as the  2021 Furnace Program Winner.

“My house was built in 1969, and it has the original furnace. I’m not sure how the furnace continues to work, except that I ask God to keep it working every winter,” Colleen said. “I am a widow and retired. I’ve lived in my home for 41 years. Although it should be paid for by now, my husband had an extended terminal illness, and we had to refinance the house to help pay medical expenses.”

Colleen explained why she needs a new furnace. “The house needs lots of upgrades/remodeling, and I am trying to do a little each year, said Colleen. “Although my furnace is working so far this year, it doesn’t heat efficiently, and I’m not sure about whether it is leaking dangerous gasses.” 

Frank said he is most proud of this program and how it has helped people in need across the Fort Collins Community.

“Colleen’s story is incredible but heartbreaking to hear at the same time,” Frank said. “It’s the things like this program that I love so much about our company.”

Colleen expanded on her condition. She said, “I do not have the money to replace my furnace, but it would be such a gift to have a new furnace that I knew would be reliable and safe.”

Frank, realizing the need in the community, said, “I know it still may seem like a small thing to us or to people that can afford it but it can mean the world to someone who really does need it and I’ve definitely seen that over the years.”

Through hard work and dedication, Frank has achieved and continues to achieve his goals and aspirations of continuing his family’s legacy and giving back to his hometown community of Fort Collins. 

Fort Collins always has been and will be home for Frank along with his employees that work alongside him. There is no other community he would rather be working in than Fort Collins.

Through Frank’s hard work, he has built a successful business in Fort Collins for over 25 years and counting. 

Glenn Frank is a person that will be recognized in the Fort Collins community. The blue, yellow and orange flames on company fleet trucks in Fort Collins will always be synonymous with Frank’s life and work.