The 5 Best Places To Work (Fewer Than 20 Employees) Around Summit County

In a small workplace, every person can have an outsized influence on the culture. Employees often work directly with owners and managers, take on varied responsibilities and see more clearly how their individual contributions affect customers and the organization as a whole. Summit County’s smaller employers span industries as different as automotive repair, retail, hospitality, nonprofit work and outdoor recreation, but close-knit teams are a common thread. The Best of Summit recognizes workplaces where fewer than 20 employees come together around a shared purpose, specialized expertise and service to the community.

Utopia Tire & Auto Repair

Utopia Tire & Auto Repair emphasizes relationships within both its crew and the Summit County community it serves. Owners Ray and Jennifer Ramirez brought decades of business experience to the company after making Summit County home, while several members of the Frisco service crew have worked there for multiple decades. That continuity gives the shop a team with substantial experience in mountain driving and vehicle repair. Head mechanic Mark Saavedra began working as a mechanic while serving in the Marines and has nearly 40 years of experience, while General Manager Tim Paich specializes in helping drivers select tires for Colorado conditions. Shop Manager Jordan Rasmussen brings his own years in Summit County and a hands-on mechanical background to the operation. Utopia requires its mechanics to maintain ASE certifications and describes honesty, integrity and compassion as central to its approach to repairs. The company also supports other local businesses, schools and nonprofits in Summit and Park counties.

A&A Pet Supply & Feed

A&A Pet Supply & Feed operates as a locally focused pet store where product knowledge and individual customer service shape the day-to-day work. Its inventory covers dogs, cats and other animals, bringing food, treats, toys, supplements and pet-care supplies together in one independent shop. Working in a specialty retailer gives employees the opportunity to learn about the products they sell and help customers sort through choices based on an animal’s needs. The business also serves customers looking for feed and supplies beyond the conventional dog-and-cat categories, broadening the knowledge required behind the counter. That hands-on format makes interaction with local pet owners a regular part of the job rather than an occasional responsibility. For a small team, the work combines retail operations with the practical problem-solving that comes with helping customers care for the animals that share their homes and mountain lifestyles.

Saved by the Wine

Saved by the Wine connects hospitality work with a cause that has been part of the business since its founding in Summit County in August 2020. Owner Allison Buffum built the wine bar around her interests in wine, food, dogs and mountain community, and today the business remains women-owned and operated. Its team works across a concept that includes a global wine selection, cocktails, whiskey and wine flights, fondue, charcuterie, comfort food and house-made desserts. Events add variety to the workplace, with weekly trivia and special tastings joining other social gatherings throughout the year. The business also gives employees a connection to its animal-welfare mission: 2.5% of net profits go to local animal shelters, with $6,000 donated to date. A dog-friendly patio reinforces that identity while giving the Dillon restaurant another way to connect its hospitality operation with the cause behind its “Save Animals By Drinking Wine” philosophy.

Building Hope Summit County

Building Hope Summit County has grown from a one-person operation into a small team working to improve the community’s mental health system. Launched in 2016, the organization focuses on reducing stigma, expanding access to care and strengthening emotional well-being through mental health navigation, scholarships, training, support groups and community connectedness events. Its staff brings backgrounds in counseling, social work, education, nonprofit development, organizational management, communications and community programming. Building Hope explicitly describes its team as central to its success and says it works to build an equitable, inclusive culture that values each person’s contributions. The organization’s mission also carries into its approach to employment: Its workplace resources encourage employers throughout Summit County to manage employee stress, create safer environments, support open conversations about mental health and help staff members seek assistance when needed. Employees work within a collaborative network that includes local governments, nonprofits, health providers and other community partners.

The Colorado Angler

At The Colorado Angler, time behind the counter and time on the river are closely connected. Owner and guide Andrew Petersen leads a team whose members bring fishing experience from Colorado and destinations across North America and beyond. Several employees divide their responsibilities between the Silverthorne fly shop and guiding, allowing firsthand experience on local waters to inform conversations with customers. The guide roster includes veterans with decades of fishing experience as well as staff members who have built their careers around exploring rivers, teaching anglers and spending as much time outdoors as possible. That experience supports guided float and wade trips while also strengthening the knowledge available in the shop. Employees regularly fish Colorado waters themselves, giving the team current insight into conditions, techniques and equipment. The result is a workplace centered on a shared pursuit, where professional responsibilities grow directly from the activity that brought many staff members to the mountains in the first place.

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