Tailwind Nutrition is donating its leftover stock of its active hydration solution to La Plata County’s first responders and athletes.
The company said in a news release Dec. 12 that the donations are part of Tailwind’s commitment to give back to its hometown of Durango, where the company was founded. Its headquarters and manufacturing facility are in Durango.
“Tailwind was founded 11 years ago in Durango, and we have remained committed to supporting our hometown community since Day One. We are proud to work with these exceptional community partners,” said Chris Jacobs, Tailwind’s chief revenue officer.
The Durango Fire Protection District and Upper Pine River Fire Protection District are among seven entities that’ll receive donations.
Tailwind Nutrition was founded in Durango in 2012 by Jeff and Jenny Vierling, local athletes who sought to figure out better ways to perform in their respective sports. The Vierlings originally released Tailwind’s endurance fuel supplement after struggling to finish the Leadville 100 because of nutritional issues.
The physical nature of firefighting means that staff battle dehydration year-round in their work and training, and Tailwind looks to help keep first responders healthy and help ensure the community is safe.
Jacobs said the company is donating roughly 25 to 30 cases of the active hydration product to each entity.
The main purpose was to get rid of surplus product while benefiting the community and its first responders, emphasizing that community outreach is something the company really cares about.
Jacobs also said it benefits the environment to donate the product to prevent it from going in the landfill if the company disposes of it.
The company has vastly expanded in Durango, opening its new production facility near the Durango-La Plata County Airport at 325 County Road 309A.
Operations Manager Brer Bales told The Durango Herald in November 2022 sales have increased about 20% each year. Tailwind ships internationally to 36 different countries, and its products are sold in more than 1,000 different bike and rock climbing stores.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
