A Credit Union Rooted in Colorado's Growth: Our Story

How Did It Start?

Here's how eleven people and a conference room turned into a Colorado institution.

On September 17, 1979, eleven Martin Marietta Aerospace employees gathered in the Engineering Building, Module 213A.

That afternoon, the group signed an application for a Federal Charter. It was the official first step toward founding what would become Red Rocks Credit Union.

Over the next few months, momentum built fast:

— Eighteen name suggestions were submitted. "Red Rocks Federal Credit Union" came out on top.
— The board approved office hours: 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., five days a week. (A modest start, by any measure.)
— A $5 membership fee was set.
— The credit union's first employee, Charles "Rich" Richards, was hired as Office Manager for $11,000 a year.

By February 14, 1980, Red Rocks Federal Credit Union officially opened its doors.

The first annual meeting was held on March 27, 1980, where forty-five people showed up. The board reported total assets of $101,524 and total income of $1,564.

It wasn't glamorous. It was volunteers doing the work themselves, one decision at a time.

"As volunteers, we have hassled one another, supported all, coerced, begged, missed many dinners; more importantly, we have started something that our successors can be proud of." — Fred R. Bennett, Jr., to fellow board members prior to the first annual meeting

The Numbers At a Glance:

— Founding members: 11
— First-year members: 2,533
— First-year assets: $101,524 → $600K
— Membership fee: $5

What started as a handful of engineers solving a problem for their coworkers became the first thread of a much bigger Colorado story.

Growing Up With Colorado's Front Range

As Colorado's Front Range grew, so did we.

The 1980s and 1990s were a season of steady, scrappy growth. Red Rocks Credit Union was building the systems, branches, and reputation that would carry it into its second act.

A few milestones along the way:

1985

The credit union began issuing Visa credit and debit cards through United Bank and opened its first full-time, full-service office at Littleton Systems Center.

1986

63% of members were Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace and Data Systems employees. Members' first home loans closed in October.

1987

The new SouthPark office opened, and Red Rocks Credit Union became the fastest-growing credit union in the region.

1990

The credit union celebrated its 10th anniversary.

1993

Patrick Ahern was hired as President, a name that would go on to define decades of the credit union's leadership.

1994

Red Rocks Credit Union became the first federally chartered credit union in the country to attain a Community Charter under new NCUA policies. It also won its first "Leaders in Lending" award for its "Mad Money Mortgage" promotion.

Through the eighties and nineties, the growth was showing up in the numbers:

One quote from a board chairperson in 1994 captures the spirit of the era well:

"Red Rocks Credit Union continues to evolve into a cutting-edge financial institution. We need educated leadership on our board and committees to become a strong partner with management in looking towards the future." — George Flanders, Board Chairperson

Becoming a Hometown Institution

Somewhere between 2000 and 2019, Red Rocks Credit Union stopped being a credit union for just aerospace employees and became a hometown institution for Colorado's Front Range.

Opening the doors wider

In 2000, Red Rocks Credit Union helped found the Chamber of Commerce of Highlands Ranch, right inside the credit union's own branch. By 2013, membership officially expanded to anyone who lives or works in Arapahoe, Douglas, or Jefferson County, opening the organization up to a much larger slice of Colorado. Today, membership is open to anyone who lives and works in Colorado, so the circle keeps growing.

Growing into who we are today

By 2017, Red Rocks Credit Union crossed the $250M deposit milestone, with assets growing from $88.3M in 1999 to $342.9M by 2019.  Around the same time, the credit union adopted new Core Values including 'Relentless Care for Others' that still shapes it today. 

In early 2025, Red Rocks Credit Union came full circle, reopening a branch on Lockheed Martin's Waterton campus, the same company (once Martin Marietta) whose employees founded the credit union back in 1979.

Here's to the Next Chapter

Colorado's 150-year story is still being written, and so is ours.

From eleven people in a conference room to communities across the Front Range, Red Rocks Credit Union has grown because our members and neighbors kept showing up.

If you're ready to be part of what comes next, we'd love to have you!