Since 2012 Kokopelli Outdoor Inc. has designed and manufactured award winning packrafts, inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddle boards that are ruggedly designed to last and purposefully built for ultimate portability and packability. Kokopelli products are sold around the world to avid paddlers, campers, hikers, overland and van life enthusiasts, bikers, climbers, anglers and hunters with the purpose of simplifying and elevating the outdoor experience.
KOKOPELLI PACKRAFT WAS FOUNDED OUT OF A GARAGE in Denver, Colorado. Our vision is to create the opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to explore nature in its most serene settings. We set out to accomplish this by developing a line of high quality packrafts – through extensive research and development, and by listening to our customers wants and needs. Additionally, we serve as a resource for learning how to use your packraft, finding packrafting trips in your area, and learning about the equipment and techniques that will keep you safe out on the water.
OUR COMPANY was founded on the single principle of innovation. In the early years this meant we were solely focused on innovating our packrafts. As we expanded, this has grown into a focus of innovating the sport through three foundational pillars: Performance, Education, and Community. Performance represents the continual development of high end packrafts made out of cutting edge materials, with design and user experience as our primary focus. We seek to grow the sport responsibly through proper education and safety training through our own means, as well as with affiliated partners. Finally, we understand that packrafting is a special sport and every packrafter out there in the community shares a unique connection with one another through their passion for this incredible activity. We build relationships through opportunities paddling with our fellow packrafters, as well as engaging with our followers off the water; whether it’s joining together to help promote a good cause or grabbing a brew at the local pub.
INSPIRED We are inspired by all of the adventurers out there who take our products to the edge of the earth. We love sharing your stories and photos. Be sure to tag us @kokopelli so we're able to see them and maybe we'll share your story on our Instagram feed.
Kelley founded Kokopelli in 2012 out of his garage with two of his best friends. He grew up in Colorado spending time on long desert river trips with his family where he fell in love with rivers and camping. He also enjoys skiing, hiking and drinking beers with new friends.
Favorite Packraft: Twain
Zach started his career as a raft guide right out of high school. During college he saw a post looking for help with a new start up company that was making rafts out of a garage. He jumped on the opportunity and has been with Kokopelli since almost the very beginning. If you are in Colorado you will probably see Zach out on the Poudre River chasing high spring flows in his kayak.
Favorite Packraft - The Rodeo
Kyle aka Raj is another Coloardo Native. He joined the team in 2022 and hit the ground running. Raj loves surfing, mountain biking and hitting huge cliffs on his skis.
Favorite Packraft - Twain Lite
Tristan started packrafting in 2016 when his girlfriend bought him a Kokopelli for Christmas. He instantly fell in love and went off the deep end with it. He became one of our ambasadors and kept bothering us until we gave him a job here. When he isn't out packrafting he's out rock climbing, snowboarding, canyoneering, or taking anything he can get his hands on down the river.
Favorite Packraft - Nirvana Self Bailing
Adrian grew up playing soccer in Nebraska and wasn't much of an outdoorsy guy. Zach asked him to come help ship some boats one day during the busy season and then brought him on full time. With access to packrafts Adrian also fell in love with watersports and you'll probably see him out on the lake with his pup Buttercup or at the local rock climbing gym.
Favorite Packraft - Rogue R-Deck
Mr. Ohio moved to Boulder a few years ago. He worked for a few other outdoor brands until he found us in 2022. When Erik isn't out hiking to alpine lakes to paddle you'll find him trail running up the Flat Irons trying to set a new PR.
Favorite Packraft - Hornet Lite
Patsy has also been with Kokopelli from the very beginning (she's Kelley's Mom). Patsy loves long multiday river trips with her husband Kenny. When she's not rowing a big oar frame raft, she's out in her garden.
Favorite Packraft - XPD
