Rob Gordon – Familiar Face

Have you been out for a walk in the morning in Niwot and then midday stopped at the Niwot Liquor Store to pick up provisions, and perhaps in the late afternoon you were on your way to meet friends on 2nd Avenue, and on each outing you chanced upon the familiar face belonging to Rob Gordon?

Gordon gets around town like no one else. Why? Because Gordon walks dogs and housesits; he’s a clerk at the liquor store; he works at the Niwot Inn; he does yard work around town; and he delivers newspapers every week for the Left Hand Valley Courier. A day where Gordon is here, there, and everywhere in town has become the norm and we wanted to learn more about him.

Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - Tell us about your background and how you came to live in Niwot.

Rob Gordon (RG) - I was born in West Palm Beach, FL and moved to Colorado to attend college. I attended the University of Colorado receiving a degree in economics, and the University of Florida receiving a degree in accounting. After living in Boulder for many years, I moved to Niwot in 2004. I moved here, because a good friend of mine said to me, "You've got to live in Niwot, Rob!” That was some of the best advice I've ever received in my life!

LHVC - What jobs will we find you working and where else have you worked in the area?

RG - Over the past several years, I have developed a personal services business that initially focused on pet care. I still do pet care, but I also perform a variety of other services. I also currently work at the Niwot Liquor Store, Niwot Inn and for the Left Hand Valley Courier. For several years I did accounting work for a financial advisor and for the Daily Camera. I’ve also worked for the Niwot Market.

LHVC - In what ways do you connect with the community?

RG - I first made connections in Niwot when I joined the Niwot Historical Society in 2005. It fascinates me to connect with people in a town with an ongoing, unique history of nearly 150 years now. After attaining jobs at Niwot Liquor, Niwot Inn, and the Niwot Market, it became very apparent to me that there seems to be a natural quality in this town for making connections with people. I really enjoy helping people and when I started to create work for myself, I came to realize that the personable, friendly people of this unique community would enable my success. I am not sure if I could have had this kind of success in any other town. I deeply appreciate the people here in Niwot.

LHVC- What are your proudest accomplishments?

RG – I’m proud of purchasing my condo here in Niwot in 2004, it was one of my best decisions ever. And I’m also proud of my business and the services I provide.

LHVC – What challenges have you had in your life and how did you deal with them?

RG – One of my biggest challenges occurred in 2008 when the Great Recession hit me. I had traveled and came back to Niwot without work. I was so fortunate to have Bert Steele offer me a job at the Niwot Market. This was my first opportunity to connect with the folks here. I soon redefined my work by providing personal services. It was a tough time economically, but I kept afloat and now have a new way to earn a living that is prosperous and enjoyable.

LHVC What are your hobbies and passions?

RG I love traveling, hiking, exploring, biking, golf, and softball! I also enjoy learning about something every day, especially in the fields of history, geology, and science, I also love animals.

LHVC – You mentioned your travels. What was your favorite trip and what plans do you have for future trips

RG – My favorite trip was my 68-day trip to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. It was such an eye-opening experience to see how very different cultures are on the other side of the globe, while realizing how similar we are as human beings, especially when I would see people smile and laugh about everyday situations. I just need Alaska, Washington and Oregon to have visited all 50 states. And I would like to go to Eastern Europe and try to connect with some of my father’s family in Croatia. I’m also interested in taking a train to Poland, Hungary, Austria and Germany.

LHVC Is there something people would be surprised to learn about you?

RG I am a pretty left-brained guy who is into numbers and (perhaps useless) facts, but the artist in me comes out when I am behind the camera.