Big O’s Ron Lautzenheiser never tires of lending a helping hand.
You would never hear this come from Ron Lautzenheiser, but he’s kind of a big wheel in the Fort Collins tire business.
While he’s already known as a business leader and champion of community causes in Fort Collins, the co-owner of three Big O Tire franchises in Northern Colorado now finds himself in the national spotlight. “Without my son Jim, I could not have the time or the means to give back on this level.”
Tire Business, an industry trade publication – with more than 30,000 subscribers – has named Lautzenheiser as its 2025 Tire Dealer Humanitarian of the Year. “There are 25,000 dealers in the U.S. who give so much back,” Ron shares. “It is truly humbling to the one named Humanitarian of the Year.”
The award, which recognizes an independent tire dealer “who has made significant contributions to the betterment of their community through charitable and/or public service work,” includes a $2,500 donation to a charity of the winner’s choice, so Ron chose Project Self-Sufficiency of Northern Colorado, which supports single-parent families working towards financial stability.
The award was presented on October 24 by Akron, Ohio-based Tire Business senior reporter, Kathy McCarron, at an event honoring Ron at the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce.
Even before he launched his first Big O franchise in 1996 alongside his son Jim (they now run 4 local shops), Ron had been heavily invested in Fort Collins.
Along with his son Jim, Ron launched their first Big O franchise in 1996, and they now run 4 local shops. Ron became passionate about redeveloping the blighted northern part of Fort Collins, especially after he invested in a new Big O Tire store on North College Avenue and became one of the early leaders of the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA).
Ron Lautzenheiser’s professional journey exemplifies a remarkable transition from corporate leadership to community-driven philanthropy. Recognizing the untapped potential of the north side of Fort Collins, he became a “pivotal force in community development,” working closely with city officials, shares then-Mayor Ray Martinez. “Lautzenheiser’s commitment extended beyond urban development into meaningful nonprofit initiatives,” Martinez shared on a recent podcast.
Ron and his wife Katie learned that building community is about more than bricks and mortar, which subsequently became the driving force behind Project Smile – a program that provides free dental and eye care for needy children in Fort Collins. Since its inception, Project Smile has served over 10,000 children! Lautzenheiser also helped start Coats & Boots, which collects and distributes winter coats, boots, and hats to more than 1,000 kids each year.
“The first phase of my life was learning, the second phase was earning, and the third phase — returning — is the most meaningful phase,” Lautzenheiser waxes.
In addition to Project Smile and Coats & Boots, Ron volunteers his time and resources for PS-S, and Jim and Ron’s Big O shops provide vehicle inspections, tire rotations, wheel balancing, and alignment checks for PS-S families. “What began as a strategy for community perception evolved into a genuine passion for supporting local families and individuals.”
The Lautzenheisers’ good causes also include the local environment. Ron and Jim have previously joined with other Big O dealers in the region to give away trees in recognition of Arbor Day. In total, Ron and his Big O shops have generated over $100,000 in donations for various local charities.
“As businesspeople, Jim and I have always believed that taking care of our customers also means taking care of the community around us,” Ron said. “I’m honored that Tire Business wants to single me out, but it’s also an award for our employees and to all the people in Fort Collins who have stepped up to help us support these charities that we feel so strongly about.”
Ron becomes the 32nd winner of the Tire Dealer Humanitarian of the Year Award, which Tire Business calls a “cornerstone of the magazine’s commitment to highlighting ethical leadership in the tire and automotive service sectors.”
Photo courtesy Mantooth Co.
Tire Business senior reporter Kathy McCarron presents Ron Lautzenheiser with the tire industry “Humanitarian of the Year” award on October 24, alongside former Fort Collins mayor Ray Martinez.