DENVER — A husband and wife duo in Colorado started a small business called Red Rocks Spirits.
“We jumped into this a couple months ago and it’s been a lot about the hustle. We don’t know any other way to do anything," said owners, Ashley and Willis Blankenship.
The couple started the vodka company in a small warehouse about 18 months ago. Before Red Rocks Spirits, Ashley was a stay-at-home mom with several side gigs. Her husband, Willis, was a longtime air traffic controller, but had to retire due to medical issues.
“He was forced into medical retirement, and we were like what do we do now? So, we started looking for a plan B and we jumped both feet into this company," said Ashley.
The couple quickly pivoted to an industry they weren't familiar with.
While learning the ins and outs of the spirits industry, they received a call from the Colorado Rockies.
"I thought it was fake. We were like no there’s no way. We never thought it would be possible. I mean it’s just us two running the company. We don’t have a lot of manpower, but they reached out and they were willing to work with us and make sure they can use a local company instead of a big company," said the couple.
The couple secured a three-year deal to be the official vodka of the Colorado Rockies.
“Being at the stadium and seeing Coors field having the Red Rocks Spirits advertised all over the place it’s just so surreal. It’s so cool, it’s awesome," said Willis.
The company has several logos around Coors Field, plus a bar near section 106.
“Hopefully we’ll be sold or served in a whole lot more bars and restaurants, maybe more event centers as well. I mean we want to be everywhere," said the couple.
The Rockies have a couple more games this week, so you can catch Red Rocks Spirits at Coors Field while you can.
