Meet Joshua Villa | Outdoor Colorado President and Mentor

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

Hi Joshua, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I grew up always living in the outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing, hiking, exploring. I always loved the thought of fresh air running through my nose or my hair but most of all I loved the fact that I got the opportunity to do with my grandfather and my dad. At 8 years old, my brothers and sister and I started a Junior Bass Club, we were kids, so we named is Northern Colorado Fighting Fish Sticks. Overtime the name has evolved to a more professional name known as Northern Colorado Juniors Bass Club. Bringing in friends’ family and other kids to join us for little tournaments. Giving other kids the opportunities to gain friendships, relationships and a good hobby to enjoy, but also allowing them to win prizes and plaques. As I grew older and made my way into high school, I started a Bass Fishing Club known as Windsor Wizards Bass Fishing. This then sparked many other schools in the surrounding area to start up a club as well, introducing even more kids to the sport of fishing. I graduated in 2015 and still till this day I captain kids for their tournaments. My Non-Profit I started in December 2020, the same year my grandfather passed away. I Wanted to create something in his memory, So I created Outdoor Colorado. My grandfather as well as my dad taught me everything I needed to know about hunting and the Morals and ethics behind the lifestyle. I wanted to take that and give it back to kids who don’t have the opportunities to do so. The time I got to spend with my grandfather created memories fishing together and hunting really made me not only appreciate our relationship more, but it really made me want to do something that could inspire, and change, and give to other kids. This is why we do not charge any money to the parents or kids for our service. The Creation and inspiration of Outdoor Colorado comes from my grandfather, Frank Villa Sr.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always lived in Windsor; CO It is my hometown. I am Excited about the growth that is happening, but it does limit our areas for the outdoors, but more growth means more kiddos to reach. I am excited for what the future holds, I don’t know what will happen, but I know that living day to day will push us further and further living right here and right now. I am excited or the growth of Outdoor Colorado, there is a lot we can do. From this point on I got to where I am I believe because of the individuals in my life, Past coaches, parents, grandparents, siblings, girlfriend, Family and friends. I can’t say thank you enough to them for their support. We struggled as kids, we didn’t have a whole lot, but we had opportunities and because of those I am where I am today. It was not easy, but it was worth it. I have learned so much already, from sports I have learned that progression takes time. being almost obsessed with it can help you reach your goals. I have one state championships, from wrestling and fishing. This has taught me to be humble and be proud of what I accomplished but also learn to say thank you to the people around me. I have had surgeries this has helped with learning to be mentally strong and to push myself towards those uncomfortable situations. I have lost and Won in many things but each of these has made me a better person.

I would like the world to know that Outdoor Colorado is here to stay, we are here as mentors to our next generations and further carrying on the lifestyle, good morals, and good ethics for the future to come. The outdoors is a place of freedom, a place of imagination, fear, growth, and life, and we want to carry this on forever. It isn’t about the kill or the fish or the next picture it is about teaching kids to not be afraid, to struggle with growth, to create memories, the relationships. To keep the Wild, well Wild! to help sustain life. Yes, we hunt, yes, we fish, and it is all about the kids and wildlife to respect the animals, the fish, the outdoors so that it may go on for a lifetime.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I am an outdoor type of person. I would take them to hanging lake, Arthurs Rock, Horsetooth Reservoir, Pikes peak, even Estes Park, all of these places share the outdoors, and they are beautiful, wildlife, water, wind, rain, and fresh air. I would take them to serious Texas BBQ a great place we have here, there is one in Loveland and one in fort Collins, the restaurant originated in Durango, CO. You can get food and drinks there as well, I great place to just walk and have fun is Downtown fort Collins, it has some very nice people, and you can walk up and down looking at shops. They even have events sometimes where it’s like a farmers’ market or a festival. If they came around September, there is a festival every year called the Windsor harvest festival. where there are tons of food trucks, music, booths and even a parade to watch.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shout out to My Mother and Father and My Girlfriend. Echo Villa, Frank Villa, and Nicayla Sirios. Each of these individuals play a special role in my life and each one of them make me strive to be a better person in different ways every day. My Mother is a huge support on my financial side, helping me make right decisions to help my future, as well as always giving me good advice for my life. “Never look back and say to yourself, I wish I would have done more” Echo Villa. Frank Villa My father pushes me to better every day, The way my father lives his life by giving back non-stop is incredible. I strive and get advice on how I can be a better person just like himself. My Girlfriend Nicayla, we have been together for 7 years, since sophomore year of Highschool and she is my Rock, my soul, and the person that is always pushing me to be the very best I can be. Always helping me with decisions, being there for me when things get hard and always saying “We will get there, we just have to keep going”. She is the one that grounds me and helps me get through day in and day out.

Website: https://outdoorcolorado2020.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor_colorado_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorColorado2020/

Image Credits
Outdoor Colorado