History of Total Automotive + Fort Collins 4×4
Fort Collins 4×4 has a rich history dating back to 1985 when Bob Schlepe, a passionate automotive enthusiast, established the business. Driven by his love for cars and a desire to provide exceptional service, Bob opened a repair shop off east Mulberry Ave. Bob moved the business to the long-time location at 1101 N. College Ave in the old Peterson Volvo building in 1992. Bob remained the owner until the early 2000s when he sold it to the owner of John’s 4×4 in Boulder. Fort Collins 4×4 changed it’s name to match the Boulder location and was John’s 4×4 in Fort Collins for quite some time. The shop changed hands for a very short time and fell into some hard times. The business was taken over my now owner, Ross Houk, in January 2014 and re-opened under the old name, Fort Collins 4×4. After 10 years under Houk’s ownership, the business has expanded and re-located to it’s new location at 6024 S. College Ave to accommodate growing demand and provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for customers.
In the early years, Fort Collins 4×4 focused primarily on servicing 4×4 vehicles, catering to the needs of off-road enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. The shop’s expertise in repairing and modifying these specialized vehicles quickly gained recognition, and the shop gained a loyal following among local residents. As the business grew, Fort Collins 4×4 expanded its services to encompass a wide range of automotive repair and maintenance, catering to all types of vehicles. In Northern Colorado we love our trucks, Jeeps, SUVs and Vans, so we adopted this tag line in our signage during the recent move. From ‘Mom-x-4’s’ (minivans) to rugged offroad vehicles, we value all of our customers. Our commitment to quality and dedication to providing personalized customer service remained at the forefront of our business’s philosophy. We have many long-time employees who value honesty.
In January of 2023, Fort Collins 4×4 relocated to it’s current home at 6024 S College Ave. Our beautiful facility was fully remodeled by our amazing friends and community members, providing an excellent experience for both customer and employees alike. We invested in the latest technology and training to ensure its team of technicians remains at the forefront of automotive repair expertise. Our new facility has 14 lifts which can accommodate large commercial trucks, duallies and high top vans. After being in the facility for a year, we decided to expand our services to also serve the car community by co-branding as Total Automotive + Fort Collins 4×4.
Today, Total Automotive + Fort Collins 4×4 stands as a testament to the combined passion, expertise, and dedication of Ross Houk & the long standing staff members. The business continues to thrive, serving the Fort Collins community with a comprehensive range of automotive repair services, upholding its reputation for quality, integrity, and exceptional customer service.
A special thank you to all of the customers, construction workers and loyal friends who helped us get into the new facility. It was not without nail biting, sleepless nights and lots of dirt, but we all did it together. We feel so fortunate to have such an amazing community that desires to see local businesses succeed. Thank you!