Gunnison KOA

Camping has always been part of Dave and Susie Taylor's life. They share many fond memories of camping vacations with their two sons and daughter. So their decision to purchase the Gunnison KOA in March 2004 was a natural extension of a lifestyle they've always loved.

Both are originally from Chicago, but both went to college out West, and later settled in Denver. They've lived in Arizona and Denver, where Dave now owns a temporary labor company and Susie is a medical technologist during the campground's off-season.

They've always been tent-campers, Susie said, and spent several years visiting Dave's parents while they work camped at the Gunnison KOA. They liked the campground, and the former owners, and when it went on the market, they made the decision to buy it, even though they weren't quite ready for retirement. So Susie runs it while she takes a leave of absence, and Dave commutes on weekends.

"We very much enjoy working with the camping public," Susie said, adding that being respectful of all campers and greeting them by name adds a personal touch. "We truly enjoy making others happy. We greet them and make them feel like they're 'number one.' We want them to have a good time."

They take pride in the changes they've made to the campground, and keep the grounds lush and beautiful with flower displays.

Susie said family is very important to her and she has enjoyed being a Mom, though they're now in a transition stage, after their daughter graduated from college, and their son will enter college this fall. Dave enjoys hiking and also does triathlons and biathlons.