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 Joins Protect Our Rivers as a Founding Partner and Leader in Protecting Local Rivers in Colorado
Our team is excited to welcome Kokopelli as the newest Founding Partner of Protect Our Rivers! For those of you who aren't familiar with Kokopelli, they're a packraft powerhouse based out of Longmont, Colorado. Since they started in 2012, they've been manufacturing the best packrafts on the market.
They've made huge strides in innovation, spreading the sport's popularity to several countries worldwide and inspiring adventurers to take Kokopelli's products to the edge of the earth. As Kokopelli enters into their 10th year of business, they've made a huge commitment to protecting rivers and the other magical places we treasure.
"We've been strategic on who we bring on as Founding Partners, and they all make substantial contributions to sustain our organization," says Sarah Nelson, Executive Director of Protect Our Rivers. "We connected with Kokopelli around our mutual belief that small actions lead to greater change, and people have the personal power to make a difference."
Katherine Williamson, Community Manager of Kokopelli agrees, "There is no project that is too big or too small for a community that really cares. Picking up one piece of trash might seem like a small act, but in the long run, the habit becomes an instinct that becomes second nature. If we all work together, we can preserve all water alike for generations to come."
Kokopelli will be a critical player in funding and participating in large-scale cleanup events and educating people on the pathway of trash from source to sea. Partnering with Kokopelli will help Protect Our Rivers get more people involved and engaged with our programs, which will be powerful in making a more significant impact.
"River cleanup events benefit ecosystems and communities in a plethora of ways including preserving biodiversity, building communities and protecting our drinking water for our children in the years to come," adds Katherine. Plus, when you actively participate in a clean up you get to meet amazing people that share the same vision as you, get some good exercise and you get to be outside!"
We are kicking off our partnership with Kokopelli with our first cleanup of the 2022 season with an event on St. Vrain Creek in celebration of World Water Day, March 22nd. "We are most excited to not only pair with a local organization but to start doing multiple river cleanups a year, starting our backyard," adds Katherine. "We know that all efforts, big or small, will make a big difference."
To sign up for the 2022 St. Vrain cleanup event, visit protectourrivers.org, and to learn more about Kokopelli, visit kokopelli.com.
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
