About FERAL
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Founded: 2016 by Jimmy Funkhouser
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Locations: Denver, CO (Tennyson St) & Grand Rapids, MI (Wealthy St)
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Specialty: New & Used Outdoor Gear
Since opening in a small bungalow on Tennyson Street in 2016, FERAL has grown into a leading independent outdoor retailer, known for our used gear program and community-first approach. Below is a complete archive of our awards, major press features, and interviews.
Awards & Recognition
Consistently voted the best outdoor shop in the Rockies by local readers and editors.
5280 Magazine | Top of the Town A premier "Best Of" award in Denver.
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2025 Winner: Best Local Outdoor Gear Store (Readers' Choice) – View Award
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2024 Winner: Best Local Outdoor Gear Store (Readers' Choice) – View Award
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2023 Winner: Best Local Outdoor Gear Store (Readers' Choice) – View Award
Westword | Best of Denver Celebrating the best local businesses in the city.
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2025 Winner: Best Outdoor Gear Store (Readers' Choice) – View Award
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2023 Winner: Best Store for a Warm Welcome (Editors' Pick) – View Award
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2021 Winner: Best Outdoor Gear Store – View Award
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2018 Winner: Best Outdoor Gear Store – View Award
Elevation Outdoors | Peak Gear Awards- 2022 Winner: Best Outdoor Shop (Rockies Region) – View Feature
Featured Press: The Denver Post
Chronicling FERAL’s evolution from a neighborhood shop to an industry leader.
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2024 | Industry Leadership: FERAL cited as a thriving exception during a tough year for outdoor retail, driven by its used gear model. Read: "Outdoor gear industry sees challenges after 'insane' growth"
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2022 | The Resale Boom: A deep dive into how FERAL is leading the "recommerce" revolution in Colorado. Read: "The resale market for used outdoor gear is booming in Colorado"
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2021 | Supply Chain Insight: Founder Jimmy Funkhouser discusses post-pandemic supply chain crunches. Read: "Why you may soon have a hard time buying outdoor gear"
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2018 | The Resurrection: The story of how the community crowdfunded $100k to save FERAL and move it to its current location. Read: "Gear shop Feral reborn in old movie theater"
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2018 | The Struggle: Documenting the fight against gentrification on Tennyson Street. Read: "Feral gear shop moving in Denver's changing Berkeley neighborhood"
National Coverage & Key Moments
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People Magazine: "Indiana Man Ditches 10-Year Corporate Career to Open Dream Outdoor Shop" The viral origin story of Jimmy Funkhouser leaving corporate life. Read Article
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Visa / Westword: "Denver Outdoor Gear Shop in Visa Commercial with Peyton Manning" FERAL served as the backdrop for Peyton Manning's national Visa campaign. Read Article
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Yahoo! Entertainment: "How a Love for the Outdoors Transformed a Former Corporate Climber" Read Article
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GearJunkie: "Best Independent Outdoor Gear Shops in the USA" Read Article
- Outside Magazine "The Smartest Thing Anyone Has Ever Said to Me" Read Article
- New York Times: "36 Hours in Denver: Things to Do" Features FERAL has one of the don't miss stops for a tiime-limited trip to the Mile High City. Read Article
Expansion & Business News
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MLive (Grand Rapids): "New outdoor equipment shop opening in Grand Rapids" Read Article
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Crain's Grand Rapids: "Denver outdoor retailer plans Grand Rapids store" Read Article
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WOOD-TV (NBC): "FERAL: Denver's used outdoor gear store coming to GR" Read Article
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The Colorado Sun: "Tariff turmoil may fuel outdoor retail industry’s efforts to elevate secondhand gear" Read Article
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303 Magazine: "Meet FERAL – The Outdoor Shop That Believes New Gear Doesn't Have to Be New" Read Article
- Shop Eat Surf Outdoor "Specialty Retailer Feral Used Gear Model Boosts Bottom Line" Read Article
Podcasts & Interviews
Deep dives into entrepreneurship, resilience, and the outdoor industry.
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Like a Bigfoot Podcast (Ep. 70): "Jimmy Funkhouser - Starting Feral Mountain Co, 'Year Without Fear'" Recorded in 2017: The raw, early days of the business. Listen Now
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Through the Dip Podcast: "Find Your Music and Play It Loud with Jimmy Funkhouser" A discussion on resilience and pushing through the hard times. Listen Now
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Adventure Sports Podcast: "Starting An Outdoor Gear Store From Scratch" Listen Now
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Elevate Denver Podcast: "Meet Jimmy Funkhouser with FERAL" Listen Now
- Retail Recon Podcast: "Adapting and Thriving: Jimmy Funkhouser’s Path to Outdoor Retail Success with the Feral" Listen Now
