Founder of Outdoor Colorado, EMT/firefighter at the Frederick-Firestone Fire District
28 Years Old • Evans
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I grew up in Windsor with my two parents, Frank and Echo Villa, and my siblings, Micaela, Jacob and Seth. We all went to school in Windsor and spent many of our days with our father and grandfather, Frank Villa Sr., out on the riverside, at the lake or camping. My father was a firefighter in Greeley for a long time, and that is the path I was driven toward as I progressed in age and knowledge.
Explain your career, achievements and professional highlights.
My career is interesting, and I love it. Nothing is ever the same other than the process of operations. We provide 911 medical and fire response to the area we work in. I’ve completed numerous certifications, including my EMT, Firefighter II and Red Card for wildland firefighting. I’m also working toward becoming an instructor for Aims Community College to give back to the next generation of firefighters.
In what ways do you give back to the community?
Along with doing PR events in the community for firefighting, I volunteer for the Northern Colorado Junior Bass Club and help run the high school bass fishing club with my boat. I also run my own nonprofit, Outdoor Colorado, where we provide outdoor experiences to the next generation of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. We want everyone to experience something they may not have before while creating memories and learning new things. We provide all of our services to anyone for free.
What do you consider the biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
I would say my biggest accomplishment was making the nonprofit become real and operational. I was told by many that it couldn’t be done and that it would take much more than I could provide, but I proved them wrong. I created Outdoor Colorado in memory of my grandfather, who passed away in 2020. He and my father showed me what it means to be an outdoorsman.
Tell us something unique about you.
I look to the future, but I still live my life on a day-to-day basis. This is something I have always believed in. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, but if the guy upstairs deems it so, then live for today, not tomorrow.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
In five years, I hope to progress at my fire department by joining a special ops team, and I want my nonprofit to grow in our community even more. In 10 years, I want to be a lieutenant and lead with confidence, and I want the past kids from my nonprofit to come back as adults and be mentors for the next generation.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
It’s OK to have humility when you mess up. Be open to criticism from your mentors, as they are there to help and watch you grow as an individual. Be open to trying and failing, then trying over and over again. Always look for the good in every situation. It’s there; you just have to look for it.
Why is the outdoors important to you?
The outdoors, for me, is a way of life. It has shaped me by teaching me patience, consistency, hard work, dedication, confidence and how to be self-sufficient. The outdoors is beautiful and remarkable, but it’s also grueling and dangerous because of the wildlife and hazards. You must have respect for what is to come on the journey ahead. I love it because every hunting and fishing trip will always be different—it doesn’t matter if you’ve gone for a week or your whole life. On top of all of this, I get to share these experiences with friends, family and new acquaintances. I give it all to my grandfather and father for teaching me everything I know.
Why do you feel like firefighting is part of your calling?
I have learned many things as a firefighter, and just like the outdoors, each day is different. You can never be absolutely perfect, but you are part of a team that works hard to do what needs to be done professionally and proficiently. What I enjoy about the fire service is that we all lead in the same direction, helping our community become better each day. Whether it’s the chance to be in the back of the ambulance and change someone’s life or to gear up in front of kids to help them understand the job, it’s fun but grueling work. As a firefighter, you are always learning, growing and changing. It’s a family that provides service to those in need, and I get to be that person to come.
Local business shoutout:
I’d like to shout out my parents, who sell products to families and individuals looking to not only improve their health but also lead a healthy lifestyle. Their business is fully online, so they rely mostly on word of mouth. I use a lot of their products, and I really do enjoy each one. You can shop their store at amway.com/en_us/myshop/hebehopeglobal.
