Fletcher Flower

Fletcher Flower’s roots in the car business go back to 1904, when his great-grandfather opened a carriage and bicycle business in Montrose. He was then awarded the Ford franchise in 1908 and then the Dodge Franchise in 1915. The business was passed down from generation to generation.

Fletcher is the fourth-generation car dealer in the family. Subaru was added to the dealership line-up in 1974, making Flower Subaru, the longest-running Subaru dealer in Colorado.

Fletcher left Montrose and graduated from Colorado State University. He worked in Denver for 10 years, providing business advisory services for large companies. At one point, he decided he wanted to be the person hiring advisors instead of the one giving consulting advice. His father had contacted him about coming home and working in the family business. Fletcher believes it is one of the best decisions he has ever made.

When Fletcher went to work at the dealership, it was truly a mom-and-pop business, where his dad was the dealer and sales manager and his mom kept the books. His brother was a salesman, and his sister did titles and finance. His great grandfather, Sid Hartman, drove the first car over Red Mountain Pass in 1917, just outside of Ouray by backing over the last bit of the pass when the car stalled approaching the summit.

Originally, there were 18 employees, including Fletcher, at the dealership. Today, there are four locations and more than 100 employees.

Fletcher believes one of the best parts of being a dealer is the opportunity to be involved with so many great organizations in his community. Also, he feels the need to be a leader in giving back to in his community.

For example, he was a major sponsor with the Boys and Girls Club’s new facility, the new hospice facility, the new community recreation center, and the new cancer center. Fletcher is most proud of developing his family’s small dealership into a business that people respect and makes his community a better place to live.

Fletcher was Colorado’s nominee for the 2020 TIME Dealer of the Year award. He is humbled to be associated with so many great people who have made this a well- respected industry in Colorado and is proud to be inducted into the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame.