You would never hear this come from Ron Lautzenheiser, but he’s kind of a big wheel in the Fort Collins tire business. While he’s already known as a business leader and champion of community causes in Fort Collins, the co-owner of three Big O Tire franchises in Northern Colorado now finds himself in the national spotlight.
Tire Business, an industry trade publication with more than 30,000 subscribers, has named Lautzenheiser as its 2025 Tire Dealer Humanitarian of the Year. Lautzenheiser is the 32nd winner of the Tire Dealer Humanitarian of the Year Award, which Tire Business calls a “cornerstone of the magazine’s commitment to highlighting ethical leadership in the tire and automotive service sectors.”
“There are 25,000 dealers in the U.S. who give so much back,” Lautzenheiser says. “It is truly humbling to the one named Humanitarian of the Year.”
The award, which recognizes an independent tire dealer “who has made significant contributions to the betterment of their community through charitable and/or public service work,” includes a $2,500 donation to a charity of the winner’s choice. Lautzenheiser chose Project Self-Sufficiency of Northern Colorado (PSS), which supports single-parent families working toward financial stability.
The award was presented on Oct. 24 by Ohio-based tire business senior reporter Kathy McCarron at an event honoring Lautzenheiser at the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce.
Along with his son Jim, Lautzenheiser launched their first Big O franchise in 1996, and they now run four local shops. Lautzenheiser became passionate about redeveloping the blighted northern part of Fort Collins, especially after he invested in a new Big O Tire store on North College Avenue and became one of the early leaders of the North Fort Collins Business Association.
Lautzenheiser’s professional journey exemplifies a remarkable transition from corporate leadership to community-driven philanthropy. Recognizing the untapped potential of the north side of Fort Collins, he became a “pivotal force in community development,” working closely with city officials, shares then-Mayor Ray Martinez. “Lautzenheiser’s commitment extended beyond urban development into meaningful nonprofit initiatives,” Martinez shared on a recent podcast.
Lautzenheiser and his wife, Katie, learned that building community is about more than bricks and mortar, which subsequently became the driving force behind Project Smile, a program that provides free dental and eye care for children in need in Fort Collins. Since its inception, Project Smile has served more than 10,000 children. Lautzenheiser also helped start Coats & Boots, which collects and distributes winter coats, boots and hats to more than 1,000 kids each year.
“The first phase of my life was learning, the second phase was earning and the third phase—returning—is the most meaningful phase,” Lautzenheiser says. “Without my son Jim, I could not have the time or the means to give back on this level.”
In addition to Project Smile and Coats & Boots, Lautzenheiser volunteers his time and resources for PSS, and his Big O shops provide vehicle inspections, tire rotations, wheel balancing and alignment checks for PSS families.
“What began as a strategy for community perception evolved into a genuine passion for supporting local families and individuals,” he says.
The Lautzenheisers’ good causes also include the local environment. The father and son previously joined with other Big O dealers in the region to give away trees in recognition of Arbor Day. In total, their Big O shops have generated more than $100,000 in donations for various local charities.
“As businesspeople, Jim and I have always believed that taking care of our customers also means taking care of the community around us,” Lautzenheiser says. “I’m honored that Tire Business wants to single me out, but it’s also an award for our employees and to all the people in Fort Collins who have stepped up to help us support these charities that we feel so strongly about.”
