We caught up with longtime Highlands Ranch resident Brian Willie to ask about his gigs with local media, the Broncos and the South Metro Fire Department. We found someone who tells stories, in pictures and words, of families, neighbors, his community, and the region.
What brought you to Highlands Ranch, and how long have you been here?
I’m a Colorado native, originally from Colorado Springs, so staying close to home has always mattered to me. After graduating from Mesa State University (now Colorado Mesa University) with a degree in journalism, my career took me to Salt Lake City and then Phoenix.
In 2000, I was hired as a sports photojournalist at 9NEWS. My wife, Mollie, and I were excited to move back to Colorado. We bought a brand-new home in the developing Southridge, and what we thought would simply be a great place to live while starting our careers quickly became much more — it became home.
In 2019, with the help of longtime friends, Dave and Krista Simonson, we moved from Southridge to Westridge, starting a new chapter while staying close to the place we love.
One of the best surprises after moving into our Westridge home was discovering that our street is part of the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot route. During our first year in the new house, we set up a small water station in our driveway. The following year, the race organizers adjusted the start line, and our driveway became the official one-mile mark.
It’s now a neighborhood tradition on Thanksgiving morning to cheer on and support the families participating in the 5K. It’s our small way of giving thanks and connecting with neighbors.
What is your favorite thing about this community?
What I love most about Highlands Ranch is the genuine sense of community — it’s tight-knit, welcoming and full of families who truly care about one another. In my role as the Public Information Officer for South Metro Fire Rescue, I get to see firsthand how people come together during both celebrations and challenging times.
I also appreciate how the community continues to grow and become more diverse, bringing together people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. That diversity shows up everywhere — from community events like the microbrew festival, Oktoberfest, and the Sunday farmer’s market, even the annual ice cream social that started as an open house to welcome SMFR Station 18 to the community.
On a personal level, my favorite moments are the simple ones — biking or walking the trail system with Mollie, neighborhood block parties or summer evenings in the driveway while kids play in the street. Those everyday connections make Highlands Ranch feel less suburban and more small-town.
Who else in your family calls HR home?
We've lived here for 26 years, and raised our son, Tyler, who graduated from Mountain Vista High School in 2019. Watching him grow up in this community, from youth sports to high school, is something we’ll always be grateful for.
Mollie has been an elementary school teacher in the Douglas County School District in Highlands Ranch for 19 years, and she currently teaches second grade at Arrowwood Elementary. Over the years, she’s had the joy of teaching and mentoring so many local kids. It’s pretty special when former students still come up to say hello at the grocery store or out at dinner.
Tyler grew up playing hockey locally with the Littleton Hawks and later skated for Mountain Vista’s varsity team. Today, he’s still involved in the sport he loves, just in a different role, working his way up as a professional ice hockey official. He currently officiates in the AHL, ECHL and internationally with the IIHF, with more than 250 professional games under his belt. This April, he’ll be one of only three USA Hockey officials from the United States selected to work the U18 World Championships in Slovakia.
Your current role is public information officer of South Metro Fire, but you had a unique career before this job. Why is your current role your "dream job?"
Growing up here in Colorado, I had two dreams: to become a firefighter or to be on the sidelines at Mile High Stadium covering the Denver Broncos. Somehow, my career path gave me a chance to experience both worlds.
As a sports photojournalist at 9NEWS, I began covering the Denver Broncos when I arrived in 2000. Even after leaving the daily news, I stayed connected to the team, capturing game highlights and post-game interviews. I've not missed a home game in 13 straight seasons.
Over the years, I covered two Super Bowls, Stanley Cup championship runs, three Olympic Games and I’ve been honored with multiple regional Emmy Awards. I’ve also had the unique opportunity to meet and interview five U.S. presidents.
One unforgettable chapter included being featured in the Netflix documentary “Trainwreck: Balloon Boy,” reflecting on my role as the first journalist on scene when the balloon landed and confirming live on air that no child was inside.
Now, serving as South Metro Fire’s PIO, my job combines two things I love, storytelling and the fire service.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me at a local ice rink serving as a hockey official, staying active and out and about in the community.
Looking back, it feels like life found a way to bring together all the things I care about: storytelling, service and community.