In the Beginning
Our story starts in the beginning. Two brothers joined together to start The Gas Connection, Inc. with the vision to become the best in the industry. After almost 40 years of 14-17 hour days and endless dedication to their company and its customers, Greg and Kevin Fanger grew their little company of two, then based out of their garage, into what it is today: Colorado’s leading gas line installation company with over 30 employees and 300,000 loyal customers.
Their first customers were with the pool & spa companies that needed gas lines installed for the large pool heaters. Back in the 80s, hot tubbing was all the craze and there was a huge demand to have gas lines installed to keep hot tubs and spas warm through the Colorado winters. From Aspen, Vail and all along the front range, there was no shortage for the demand on hot tubs, pools, and spas.
Then came the popularity of converting wood-burning fireplaces to gas logs in the late 1980s. This drastically reduced emissions and allowed customers to use their gas log fireplaces even during the “Red Flag Days” which was instituted to battle the notorious brown cloud. That brown cloud was not only causing our beautiful skyline to become an eyesore, it literally burned the eyes and became a respiratory health hazard. With converting 18 to 24 wood-burning fireplaces a day to gas logs, the brothers took solace in knowing that hundreds of tons of pollutants were eliminated from being dumped into Colorado’s once fresh air.
With pool & spa companies keeping them busy in the summertime and fireplace conversions keeping the winter months busy, it seemed like a good time to incorporate all things that involved gas line installations. This included commercial gas lines of every type and size, gas lines for the customers of appliance stores and partnering with plumbing, heating and commercial contractors to install the gas lines they needed.
In the early 2000s, the outdoor kitchen took hold with homeowners wanting to spend more time in the great outdoors. Backyards became the place for families and friends to hang out with the addition of gas fire pits, gas fireplaces, BBQ grills, and pizza ovens. When the outdoor kitchen became popular so did the super-efficient infra-red heaters that would extend the season well into the winter.
Our Story | Truly a Family Business
The Gas Connection, Inc. truly is as ‘family-owned’ as it gets. Our President Greg’s wife, Jan, remembers spending countless date nights completing estimates, cutting and threading pipe and soaping gas lines and fittings. She has since come in from the field, raised five new employees of The Gas Connection and currently manages the company’s accounting department.
Each of Greg and Jan’s five children and one son-in-law contribute to our story and have also had the opportunity to learn and contribute to the success of The Gas Connection. They have served and continue to serve customers as Gas Line Installers, Office Administrators, and the Installation Manager. They take great pride in the legacy their dad and uncle have built and are very grateful for the skills and work ethic The Gas Connection has instilled in them.
The Fanger Family and The Gas Connection would not be where they are today without their larger family made up of every employee at the company. Veteran and new employees alike along with customers, contractors and retailers are welcomed into this family-owned business; playing an essential role in continuing The Gas Connection’s legacy of hard work and loyalty while also supporting the original vision of being the best in the industry.
