Art and Debbi Stapp to be inducted into Boulder County Business Hall of Fame

Art and Debbi Stapp of Stapp Interstate Toyota were honored with induction into the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame, recognizing the Stapp family's decades-long commitment to excellence and community involvement. The couple was nominated by longtime community leader Leona Stoecker, a testament to the impact the Stapps have made across Boulder County.

"It is an incredible honor to be recognized by your peers for your life's work," said Debbi Stapp. "As new families move into our area, we hope this recognition will help them feel comfortable coming to Stapp Interstate Toyota for service on their vehicles and car purchases. The Stapp family is dedicated to providing support and service to our community."

After graduating from Colorado College in 1971, Art began his professional career with the Denver Water Board. But when his father, Bob Sr., offered him the chance to co-purchase a Toyota franchise in Longmont, Art pivoted toward entrepreneurship. While completing his MBA and working at Lyons Toyota in Boulder, he joined the family venture, launching Longmont Toyota in 1974.

The original dealership, just a small operation on South Main Street, grew steadily under Art's leadership. In 1988, the Stapp family added a Mazda franchise, and in 2007, they moved to a new state-of-the-art facility off I-25 in Frederick, becoming Colorado's first Toyota Image 2 dealership.

Even as the business expanded, Art remained a steady and humble presence, working six days a week and mentoring employees who saw him as more than a boss. Over the years, the dealership earned 17 Toyota President's Awards and three Mazda President's Awards of Honor, reflecting a legacy of integrity and excellence.

In 2016, Art and Debbi's long-standing charitable efforts were formalized into the Stapp Inspires Campaign, led by Debbi. Since then, the campaign has contributed more than $1 million to organizations such as A Woman's Work, Roberta's Legacy, Longmont Meals on Wheels, Rise Against Suicide, and Habitat for Humanity.

Art was especially passionate about supporting education and athletics in the St. Vrain Valley School District, where all three of his sons, Brion, Clint, and Kyle, were educated. When Clint attended Niwot High School, Art helped fund a new weight room and went on to support the school's Innovation Lab, arts programs, and athletics. He was posthumously inducted into the Niwot High School Hall of Fame in 2024.

One initiative particularly close to Art's heart was the Educator's Spotlight, which honored outstanding teachers and staff at Niwot High School. The Stapp family also sponsors the Arts Student of the Week column in the Left Hand Valley Courier, through Niwot High School Boosters, Inc.

Art Stapp passed away in 2023, but his legacy lives on through the business, the family he nurtured, and the community he uplifted. The Hall of Fame induction is not just a recognition of past achievements, it is a tribute to a spirit of generosity and leadership that continues to inspire.

The 2025 induction ceremony will be held the evening of Sept. 17 at the Boulder Jewish Community Center. The event is open to the public, with online registration available later this summer on the organization's website.