Meet DARREL STUTZMAN | OWNER CAREFREE DISPOSAL

We had the good fortune of connecting with DARREL STUTZMAN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DARREL, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have been in the trash business for close to 40 years. My father, brother, son and many close family friends worked along side me for a local company that prided itself on great service and outstanding customer relations. Unfortunately for us, the owners decided it was time to retire the business and sold to a large corporation based out of Canada. Though I worked a couple more years under the new management, it was clear that corporate life was not for me and so I too decided to retire. Within two months of my leaving the company it was clear there was a huge gap in service in my hometown of Colorado Springs, Co. Customer service in the trash industry had taking a huge hit and my friends and family around the community were suffering for it. I decided to buy a truck and take care of my small Westside family when it comes to trash. Within another two months it was clear the demand for reliable trash service was greater than anticipated and so I brought in partners and expanded to more local areas. We have now been in business for two years in March, and have gone from one truck and a small area, to a fleet of 11 and service most all of Colorado Springs. We will not be expanding more than that in hopes of keeping our 5 star status and ensuring each and every customer continues to receive the best in customer service, loyalty and reliability, keeping trash services Carefree and 100 percent local.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started with Bestway Disposal on the back of a truck and worked my way up to operations manager over the decades. It was a wonderful company that provided well for my family, many of whom worked for the company as well over the years in one capacity or another. I was provided the knowledge and connections in the industry that have allowed me to succeed in my own endeavors. I hope to build my company Carefree Disposal into one that leaves a legacy for my children and grandchildren to succeed for decades to come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I definitely would show them all the land has to offer in the surrounding areas. Garden of the Gods is a must and my local hangout spot when I was young right down the block from our High School. We would definitely have dinner at Senior Manuels, a great local Mexican Restaurant. A visit to the Broadmoor hotel and area is wonderful, especially during the holidays when the lights are up and the hotel has huge displays of confectionary art. A day would be great for a drive up Pikes Peak (where I raced the hill climb race to the clouds personally several times when younger). We also love to ride our Harley Davidsons up to Bishops Castle during warm weather, and everyone should see the splendor of the Royal Gorge with a drive up the backroads to Canyon City. We all love to take day rides in our ATVs up in Terryall as well.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I started this business with my long time friends Scott Saunders and Renae Rockwell. Though they jumped right in with me, our children Melissa Stutzman, and Ricky Saunders have also joined us and taken on huge rolls in the company. My grandson Cole Stutzman, brother Dennis Stutzman, son in-law Josh and many others have stepped up to the plate to help as well. Our main shoutout has to be to our local community! Friends, family, and customers make our business what it is. We have not spent anything on advertising and all business has come from word of mouth! We are grateful for our support from loved ones and those who appreciate great customer service!

Website: https://www.carefreedisposal.com/

Instagram: @carefreedisposal

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carefreedisposal/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarefreeDispos1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carefreedisposal/link

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/carefree-disposal-colorado-springs

Image Credits
Melissa Rose Photos (Melissa Stutzman)