75 Years of Community, Connection & Service

Since 1951, Blue has grown alongside the communities we serve — empowering members, supporting local causes, and helping people achieve what matters most. Explore the impact we’ve made together over the last 75 years.

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Cheers to 75 Years!

For 75 years, Blue has grown alongside its members and communities, guided by the credit union philosophy of people helping people. That spirit remains at the heart of the organization today and is reflected in a yearlong anniversary celebration centered on gratitude, generosity, and shared stories.

Our anniversary initiative is designed to make the celebration both meaningful and impactful by investing directly in the communities that have supported Blue along the way.

142K

Members Worldwide

Years Serving Our Communities

$35.5M

Member Dividends in 2025

Growing Together Since 1951

F.E. Warren AFB Federal Credit Union is officially chartered

•June 23, 1951: F.E. Warren AFB Federal Credit Union is officially chartered.
•Formed by a group of civilian personnel on the base.
•Early operations were extremely manual:
◦Members contributed small amounts
◦Passbooks were used
◦Volunteers helped run operations

Membership expanded and foundation strengthened

•1955: Charter amended to allow broader membership.
•By late 1950s:
◦~2,500 members
◦~$1 million+ in assets
◦Established as one of Wyoming’s largest credit unions at the time

Building reputation and trust

•Continued steady growth.
•Strong reputation built within military and civilian communities.
•Focus remained on service and financial stability.

Major operational upgrades begin

•1974: Credit union moved into a new building across from the base — first major operational upgrade.
•1975: Shirley Howard becomes a key operational leader and later CEO.
•By the late 1970s:
◦~10,495 members
◦~$12.7M in assets

Serving the broader community begins

•1984: First branch opens outside base property, marking a major strategic shift toward serving the broader community.
•Membership and accessibility increase significantly.
•By the end of the 1980s there were around 14,659 members and $46.7 million in assets.

Reaching new scale and modernizing

•Late 1990s:
◦~20,000 members
◦~$100M+ in assets
•1999: Shirley Howard retires as CEO, and new leadership begins modernization efforts.
•Expansion of services and increased community reach.

Multi-branch model emerges

•2000: New main branch built at 5105 Randall Ave.
•2003: Third branch opened in the Dell Range area.
•2004: Fourth branch opened in south Cheyenne.
•2005: Stephanie Propps becomes CEO and President.
•Strategy: Serve the entire Cheyenne market and move beyond a military-only identity.

First location in Wellington, Colorado

•January 2, 2008: First Colorado location opens in Wellington.
•Strategic expansion beyond the Wyoming market.
•Beginning of multi-state regional growth.
•The Blue Foundation is created (formerly the Warren FCU Foundation) in 2012.

The moment Blue Federal Credit Union is born

•Merger with Community Financial Credit Union in Fort Collins.
•New unified identity: Blue Federal Credit Union.
•Membership grows to ~70,000.
•11 branches across Wyoming and Colorado.
•~$900M in assets.
•Marks the shift from a military-focused credit union to a regional financial institution.

First-of-its-kind advisory-style branch

•Old Town Fort Collins branch opens in October 2018.
•Introduces a modern, interactive branch design.
•Emphasis on advice over transactions.
•Raises Blue’s visibility in Northern Colorado.

Accelerating multi-market growth

•Acquisition of Denver and Granby locations through former Liberty Savings Bank branches.
•+2,100 new members.
•+$100M in deposits.
•Strengthens Blue’s Colorado footprint.
•Shows momentum from a regional to a multi-market institution.
•Blue becomes a major sponsor and strategic partner of Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Blue establishes its long-term home

•New World Headquarters opens in Cheyenne.
•70th anniversary celebrated.
•Symbolizes transformation into an established regional brand.
•Supports a growing workforce and member services.
•Anchors a long-term vision for community and innovation.

Meeting our members where they are

•Blue announces a partnership with TPC Colorado on what is now called the Blue Championship – a tour stop on the Professional Golf Association’s Korn Ferry Tour.
•The Blue Sport Stable naming rights partnership launches in 2023
•Blue becomes the naming sponsor of Blue Arena, home of the Colorado Eagles in Loveland.
•Blue enters a formal partnership with Laramie County Community College and announces the Blue Recreation and Athletics Complex in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

A milestone year of growth and community impact

•Boost Center by Blue opens.
•Major expansion of community programming.
•Aventa Credit Union merger completed on March 1, 2024.
•+6 branches added across Southern Colorado.
•Solidifies Blue as a major regional credit union.

A historic milestone for Blue Federal Credit Union

•75 Years of Service: From 1951 to 2026.
•Transformed from a small military-based credit union to a thriving regional financial institution.
•Serving 142,000+ members across Wyoming and Colorado.
•Managing $2.18B+ in assets.
•Committed to the next 75 years of member-focused service and community impact.

Blue Employees Volunteering for Habitat 4 Humanity in Denver, Colorado.

75 Years = 75 Acts of Kindness

Blue branches hosted 75th Anniversary celebrations on June 23, 2026, inviting members, employees, and community partners to join in the festivities.

A signature part of the anniversary was 75 Acts of Kindness, a branch-led initiative that brought Blue’s commitment to doing good to life in a tangible way. Each branch identified local nonprofit organizations, invited members to vote on a nonprofit to receive a $500 donation, and completed a second act of kindness through volunteer service with another nonprofit in its community.

What Makes Blue’s Giving Distinct:

Local-first focus: Money stays in Wyoming and Colorado communities
Blended impact model: philanthropy, education, and access to financial tools
Rooted in purpose: Not just donations—long-term community building

Local Impact in Action

The 75 Acts of Kindness winners are a meaningful reminder that where you bank matters. When members choose Blue, they are part of something bigger: a financial cooperative built to give back, lift up local communities, and help more good happen close to home.

Wyoming

Laramie

UW Plaza Branch: Safe Project

Cheyenne

Yellowstone Branch: K9s 4 Mobility

Dell Range Branch: DAV & Meals on Wheels

F.E. Warren Air Force Base Branch: Veteran’s Rock

7th Avenue Branch: Black Dog Animal Rescue

Blue Diamond Branch: Safehouse

South Greeley Branch: Safehouse

Colorado

Northern Colorado

Wellington Branch: Animal Friends Alliance

Old Town Branch: CASA of Larimer County

Drake Branch: ChildSafe

Boardwalk Branch: Animal Friends Alliance

Loveland Branch: Loveland Veterans Honor Monument

Metro Area

Granby Branch: Grand County Advocates and Troublesome Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation

Boulder Branch: Boulder Humane Society

Erie Branch: Passing Hats

Lafayette Branch: Sister Carmen

Superior Branch: USA Hockey 80+ Hall of Fame

Huron Branch: Life Line Puppy Rescue

119th Branch: Broomfield FISH

Yale Branch: Project Angel Heart

Southern Colorado

Dublin Branch: The Humane Society of Pikes Peak Region and Care and Share

Cascade Branch: Silver Key Senior Services

Salida Branch: Ark Valley Humane Society

Pueblo Branch: Boys & Girls Club of Pueblo County

Crestone Branch: Community Care Collective

Center Branch: Center Youth Viking Club

Real Members.
Real Stories.

Share Your Story

For 75 years, Blue’s story has been shaped by the members we serve. Every account opened, goal reached, challenge overcome, and milestone celebrated has helped make Blue what it is today.

That’s why, as we celebrate this anniversary, we’re sharing member stories from across our communities. These stories remind us where we started, what matters most to our members, and how we can continue showing up in meaningful ways for generations to come.

Because the future of Blue isn’t just about where we’re going. It’s about the people we’re growing with.

“I joined a small community local credit union. It was in the small city of Broomfield, Colorado. There was also a small branch at the facility where I worked. After Blue took over, they expanded, of course. Getting bigger and bigger. However, the customer service kept growing as well. I have always been nothing more than absolutely impressed with the customer service at every branch I’ve visited. Although I wasn’t located very close to any branch, I continued to go to the one in Westminster, Colorado. In particular, Eric and Brianna have always been nothing but stellar. Not just to me, but to everyone who walks in. I no longer live close to that branch or any branch within 100 miles. I have maintained my membership at Blue. I still maintain my checking and savings accounts with Blue. Whenever I have any questions, I call the branch in Westminster, and they always assist me. I will not change my financial institution. It is truly the people who work there that make me want to stay a member. I can do my banking anywhere. I will always stay with Blue Federal Credit Union.”

– Scott

Member Since 1993

“My dad opened a savings account for me in 1998 when I was only 7 years old. In the mid-1970s, he joined Warren Federal when he was an Airman stationed on F.E. Warren AFB from California. My mom was working at Warren after moving to Cheyenne from Oklahoma with her older brother, who was also stationed on F.E. Warren. My parents met in that old military building. They married and had 3 children, whom all still bank with Blue, even out of state. Fast forward to the present day, I still have my same 5-digit account number. Despite having joined the AF and moving around the U.S., Blue has remained our primary banking facility. I have opened savings for my sons and my husband. Rather than finding a local bank here in Alabama, I will remain with Blue. After all, without the AF my parents would not have been in Cheyenne, without F.E. Warren the credit union would not have opened, had Warren not opened, my parents wouldn’t have met, and my story could never have begun, and I would not have been happily banking with my credit union for the last 28 years.”

– Stephanie

Member Since 1998

“I think my story really proves how Blue FCU is a cut above the rest. I worked at a different credit union in Fort Collins when I became a member of Warren FCU. Funny enough, I was referred by a colleague who I worked with at this credit union. The big buy-in for me was the accelerated savings account that earned $5 in interest alone in one month. A great product indeed, one I might mention has stayed at a consistent value over the years (thank you!). Additionally, I had no interest in opening an account at the credit union I worked at because their products paled in comparison to Blue, with little to no benefit to members. I ended up making Blue my primary financial institution and have been a loyal member since. Over the years, I’ve referred multiple fellow members with excitement for their earning potential and have felt my money is safe and respected at Blue. Also, customer service is top-notch, and I’m a stickler for good customer service. All smiles, knowledgeable and helpful staff. I am a lifer, no doubt, and really appreciate the support with every financial move I make! Thanks for being a bank I can trust and somewhere that truly values my member experience!”

– Malanie

Member Since 2014

“I actually was with Community Financial Credit Union. Blue Credit Union took over Community Financial, and I’ve been with Blue ever since. I’ve met a couple of bank associates whom I really trust. They’ve always gone that extra distance. Total time between Community Financial and Blue Credit Union is about 38 years.”

– Rick

Member Since 2009

“When I first got here to town from out of state, I found out that I could become a member of the credit union, and I have enjoyed being a member since 1986. I have enjoyed all of the folks there who have come and gone, and especially those who have been there for many years. With my rental investments, I’ve been able to work on setting up a system where the tenants can deposit directly into my account and have it traceable for their deposits. The interest rates have been competitive and fair, and the system has been quite user-friendly, and if I have any issues, they’ve been resolved quickly. I appreciate the reliability of the folks and the systems.”

– Kermit

Member Since 1990

“I joined Blue when it was Warren FCU in the early 2000s. I joined so that I could deposit money so that I could purchase my first guitar set with my own card. I was about 13, and I was so excited to finally get my own bank account. I’ve stayed with Blue because of the people and the perks. I was even able to purchase my first home with the help of a Blue loan officer who made the process so easy!”

– Jared

Member Since 2004

“We joined FE Warren CU around the time we married in 1974. We started saving to buy a home and were able to make a down payment in 1976 on a home in the Avenues in Cheyenne. In 1983, we purchased a larger home in the county east of Cheyenne. We kept the Avenues home as a rental until 1986. The rental income helped us with the mortgage payments on both homes until we sold the rental property. Consequently, we were able to pay off the mortgage on our county property in 1994. This allowed us to start seriously saving for the kids’ college and retirement. Blue FCU was our main banking institution through all of these years until we moved out of Cheyenne in 2020. We took advantage of Blue’s extreme checking and at least two savings accounts, as well as CDs. Even though we no longer live in Cheyenne, we are still members of Blue FCU and keep a savings account there.”

– Mardy & Carolyn

Member Since 1978

Doing Good, Together

Through the Blue Foundation, the Boost Center, and community partnerships across our footprint, we’re creating meaningful connections and investing in brighter futures for everyone.

Blue employee leaning down to talk with an older member.

Blue Foundation

The Blue Foundation opened in 2012 with the mission, “To champion, fund, and celebrate local nonprofit causes that keep our community and people strong, financially stable, and healthy.”

The Blue Foundation:

Provides financial support (grants & donations) to nonprofits
Community resilience – Supports large-scale giving efforts (like disaster relief contributions)
Financial well-being -Funds community programs and initiatives
Housing stability – Awarding grants to local nonprofits

Learn About the Foundation

Boost Center

The Boost Center by Blue Foundation opened in 2024 with the mission:

“To lift up those in our community who are struggling, helping them not only meet their needs but also move beyond the challenges that brought them here. We’re here to provide a boost right when it’s needed the most – because everyone deserves the chance to move forward.”

The Boost Center connects individuals and families with real-life support when they need it most. Through trusted community partnerships, the center helps people access resources like housing assistance, job support, financial coaching, counseling, workshops, and resource navigation—all designed to strengthen well-being and create pathways forward.

Explore the Boost Center

Stephanie Propps Handing a Check to United Way of Laramie County

Community Impact & Crisis Response

Blue believes strong communities are built through connection, compassion, and showing up when it matters most. From supporting local nonprofits to helping members navigate unexpected challenges, we’re committed to creating meaningful impact in the places we call home.

Blue invests in our communities through:

Large-scale support efforts (like wildfire funding)
Ongoing nonprofit partnerships
Financial education and empowerment
Community event investment
Individualized support for members in need

Explore Our Community Hub

A group of people sitting at the Blue's 70th Anniversary celebration.

June 23, 2026

Member Appreciation Day

From branch celebrations to acts of kindness, Blue’s 75th Anniversary was more than a look back. It was a reflection of a legacy built through service and a future shaped by community.

As Blue celebrated this moment, the credit union remained focused on what has always mattered most: showing up for members, investing in local communities, and creating lasting impact together.

On June 23 to celebrate 75 years of Blue Federal Credit Union, each branch hosted their own Member Appreciation Day, focused on giving back to our members and a non-profit chosen by our communities.