Imagine a city with a small-town vibe. One where you might find the mayor providing technical advice on how to give a perfect pie to the face at the city’s annual festival in honor of a headless chicken. A large, green dinosaur named Grrreta sits front and center in the heart of the city, Circle Park.
Yet, this unique little city was recently named as one of the 50 Best Places to Live in the US by Money Magazine. How does Fruita balance protecting its funky culture with being economically viable enough to be named in Money Magazine?
Lifestyle magazine’s theme of kids and pets for the month of August couldn’t be more fitting for a visit to Fruita and to chat with the new Mayor, Matthew Breman.
At first glance, Mayor Breman may not seem like the type of person to give a pie to the face. But it only takes a moment or two of conversation before you know that he very much is the type. He was actually trained on it in a large organization, Nickelodeon. But before he goes more in-depth, he will tell you about making “poop circles” in chalk on the pavement before a parade, so the kids can take bets on where the horses will leave their mark.
Fruita definitely has a different vibe. And it’s a good thing.
After he earned his undergraduate degree in technical theater, Mayor Breman spent ten years at Nickelodeon and was involved in over 2000 episodes of children’s programming, from a season of Blue’s Clues, to Clarissa Explains it all, to Double Dare and Guts. He recalls the “Kid’s Bill of Rights” that hung in each office at Nickelodeon. While he can’t remember each one, he distinctly recalls one of them, “Kids deserve to be seen and heard” and it's stuck with him.
He met his wife Katherine at Nickelodeon, and later went on to earn his MBA in International Finance and Marketing. And after a short stint at Disney, the future Mayor Breman and his wife, with their combined household of six cats and a dog, moved to Fruita, Colorado. They were looking for a community where they could be involved.
And involved he has been. Mayor Breman was on the Board of the United Way of Mesa County for twelve years, on the board of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and then the Fruita City Council. He recently joined the board of Eureka! McConnell Science Museum.
He describes serving on the Fruita City Council as a natural progression from his previous volunteer work. It was not an “ego thing” or for political gain, it was about continuing to serve his community. He and his wife had discussed running for office over the years but never went for it until their son, now 21 and living in Israel, was older.
This last April, he was elected Mayor of Fruita after running unopposed.
It turns out it he really enjoys being Mayor, in fact he loves it. “It’s a lot of phone calls. A lot of phone calls about cats,” he laughs. Like most communities, Fruita struggles with the cat population. “But ultimately, that’s what people care about, the smaller things like getting their trash picked up on time.” Mayor Breman wants to hear all about it. “It’s our job to do the things like read boring contracts.”
Not only does he facilitate conversations with residents, he facilitates problem-solving with the City Council on where the city is going and on responsible growth. Fruita is growing, but it’s important to the City to keep the small-town feel everyone loves. The goal, according to the mayor, is make sure Fruita is not driven by tourism, it’s driven by the residents of Fruita. In turn, that will create a place with a culture that draws tourists in and makes them want to be part of it. He finds his fellow Council members and others at the table to be a great group of people to achieve this with. “If you can at least agree on the outcome, you can figure out how to get there, even if opinions differ on how to do it.”
Fruita has new kid and dog friendly things to note:
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Reed Park is in the process of being revamped with a new playground and other amenities. The merry-go-round in the old park was nostalgic for many people who didn’t want to see it go. The ancient merry-go-round was not in great shape, so an artist is making chairs from it to go in the park.
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Fruita Bark Park is right next to the Dinosaur Museum and features separate parks for small and large dogs and Fruita boasts many family and dog-friendly trails.
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The City has recently started a small fund for “micro events”. A recent movie night at the pool featured the Little Mermaid and other kid-friendly events like game nights are in the works.
Mayor Breman feels fortunate to be able to serve his community professionally and on a volunteer basis. As Fruita looks to the future, residents can rest assured that they are in good hands with their new Mayor at the helm. A mayor who enjoys phone calls about cats and finds “poop circles” hilarious seems to be the perfect fit for funky and unique Fruita, Colorado.
"Kids deserve to be seen and heard." - Mayor Breman, inspired by Nickelodeon's values.
Here are some more details about Fruita that might pique your interest:
Outdoor Adventure Capital
Mountain Biking Mecca: Fruita is internationally renowned for its mountain biking trails. The Kokopelli Trail System and the 18 Road Trails offer varying levels of difficulty, making it a paradise for both beginners and seasoned bikers.
Colorado National Monument: This breathtaking area offers hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives through stunning red rock formations and canyons.
A Rich Agricultural Heritage
Fruit Orchards and Vineyards: Fruita’s name itself hints at its agricultural roots. The town is famous for its delicious peaches and other stone fruits.
Cultural and Historical Richness
Dinosaur Journey Museum: Part of the Museums of Western Colorado, this museum showcases the region’s rich paleontological history.
Historic Downtown Fruita: This charming area is filled with unique shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Community Spirit and Quirky Traditions
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival: Celebrating one of the quirkiest local legends, this festival is a testament to Fruita's unique charm.
Fruita Fall Festival: A beloved annual event featuring parades, live music, and local crafts.