--- title: Big Agnes started by sketching plans on beer-stained napkins. 20 years later, the gear company is a local hero. description: Discover how Big Agnes, a local gear company, has become a beloved community hero in Steamboat Springs after 20 years. Learn about their work-life balance, giving back, and commitment to their ski town roots. image: https://rcedp.org/hubfs/BigAgnes1_082321.jpg --- Theme + Migration = $1489 (Pay for the Theme Only). 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[Consumer Expenditures](https://rcedp.org/data/consumer-expenditures) - [Wages](https://rcedp.org/wages) - [Businesses](https://rcedp.org/businesses) - [Talent & Education](https://rcedp.org/data/talent-pool) - [Economic Reports](https://rcedp.org/economic-reports) - [News](https://rcedp.org/news) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [RCEDP Team](https://rcedp.org/team) - [Mentor Network](https://rcedp.org/mentor-network) - [Economic Development Council](https://rcedp.org/edc) - [Board of Directors](https://rcedp.org/board-of-directors) - [Donate](https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Routt-County-Economic-Development-Partnership) # Big Agnes started by sketching plans on beer-stained napkins. 20 years later, the gear company is a local hero. By [Colorado Sun](https://rcedp.org/news/author/colorado-sun) August 31, 2021 at 5:14 PM 1 Minute Read STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Bill Gamber, co-owner, co-founder and president of tent, sleeping bag—and now, pack—maker Big Agnes, stoops over and picks up an empty Diet Coke can from a willow bush next to the bike path, just a block away from the company’s new headquarters. It’s a small gesture, really, but one that’s symbolic of his company’s role and fondness for the community, where it’s been based since its founding 20 years ago.  We’re on our way to the skateboard park at the city-owned Howelsen Hill ski area, where he’ll watch Fritz, the youngest of his three sons, skate the ramp while, as usual, multitasking; he might as well also use the time to host an interview. When he takes Fritz to Steamboat Springs’ bigger skate park, he “watches” him while fly fishing his beloved Yampa River.  Such multitasking, and that of his partners Rich Hager and Len Zanni, is largely what has led the company to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, a milestone for any outdoor gear company, let alone one that has managed to remain in a ski town all along. Over two decades, the entrepreneurs have learned the fine art of work-life balance, juggling kid shuttles with supply chain issues, recreation with R&D efforts, and personal lives with P&L statements. Throughout it all, they’ve also all continued to give back to the community they love.   [Read The Full Article](https://coloradosun.com/2021/08/31/big-agnes-steamboat-gamber-colorado-outdoor-industry/)   ## Recommended For You [![](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Screenshot%202023-10-11%205.53.12%20PM.png)](https://rcedp.org/news/colorado-mountain-towns-top-the-list-of-top-micropolitan-areas-in-the-united-states) 1 Min Read ### [Colorado mountain towns top the list of top micropolitan areas in the United States](https://rcedp.org/news/colorado-mountain-towns-top-the-list-of-top-micropolitan-areas-in-the-united-states) [![Picture of Denver 7](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Denver%207.png) Denver 7 January 8, 2023 at 5:58 PM](https://rcedp.org/news/author/denver-7) [![](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Robin%20Hall%20-%20SP.jpg)](https://rcedp.org/news/new-steamboat-business-focusing-on-childrens-outdoor-apparel-niche) ### [New Steamboat business focusing on children’s outdoor apparel niche](https://rcedp.org/news/new-steamboat-business-focusing-on-childrens-outdoor-apparel-niche) [![Picture of Steamboat Pilot & Today](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/P%26T%20Logo.jpg) Steamboat Pilot & Today July 17, 2021 at 5:01 PM](https://rcedp.org/news/author/steamboat-pilot-today) [![](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Smartwool3.webp)](https://rcedp.org/news/when-smartwool-left-steamboat-springs-workers-who-stayed-behind-got-a-kick-in-the-shorts-to-recalibrate) 1 Min Read ### [When Smartwool left Steamboat Springs, workers who stayed behind got a “kick in the shorts to recalibrate”](https://rcedp.org/news/when-smartwool-left-steamboat-springs-workers-who-stayed-behind-got-a-kick-in-the-shorts-to-recalibrate) [![Picture of Colorado Sun](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/CO%20Sun.png) Colorado Sun August 9, 2022 at 5:32 PM](https://rcedp.org/news/author/colorado-sun) #### Stay Connected Get the latest local business resources and stay informed about long-term economic sustainability initiatives. --- ![logo-white](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/logo-white.png) Routt County, Colorado +1 (970) 717-0721 [info@rcedp.org](mailto:info@rcedp.org) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/RCEDP) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/routt-county-economic-development-partnership/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/rc_edp/) [Follow us on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/user/31yb7rxgbioad423hr67hisepumu?si=1c120763ec024429) - [Events](https://lu.ma/rcedp) - [Entrepreneurship](https://rcedp.org/entrepreneurship-center) - [Business Support](https://rcedp.org/business-retention-expansion) - [Key Industries](https://rcedp.org/key-industries) - [Yampa Valley](https://rcedp.org/overview) - [Data](https://rcedp.org/data/communities) - [News](https://rcedp.org/news) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [Donate](https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Routt-County-Economic-Development-Partnership) Copyright © 2024 Routt County Economic Development Partnership [Privacy Policy](https://rcedp.org/privacypolicy) | [Terms and Conditions](https://rcedp.org/termsandconditions) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Colorado Sun", "url" : "https://rcedp.org/news/author/colorado-sun" }, "dateModified" : "2023-10-11T23:15:17.678Z", "datePublished" : "2021-08-31T23:14:00.000Z", "headline" : "Big Agnes started by sketching plans on beer-stained napkins. 20 years later, the gear company is a local hero.", "image" : [ "https://rcedp.org/hubfs/BigAgnes1_082321.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://rcedp.org/news/big-agnes-started-by-sketching-plans-on-beer-stained-napkins.-20-years-later-the-gear-company-is-a-local-hero", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://rcedp.org/hubfs/RCEDP-logo-color.png" }, "name" : "Routt County Economic Development Partnership" } } ```