Larry Krug has been a part of corporate America but in 2007 he hung up his own shingle and became an entrepreneur. This is what brought him to buy Gilpin Car Wash. He was buying a separate commercial building and saw that the car wash was for sale. He couldn’t believe the price as it was a bank owned troubled asset, so he purchased it.
Krug’s intent was not all about money, he saw a need to have this service for the local community. With the over abundant number of dirt roads, and the water law which prohibits washing your car with your own well water – there definitely is a need.
Gilpin Car Wash is the only car wash along the Peak to Peak from Allenspark to Idaho Springs. There is no other carwash in an 18 mile range and that would be out of the mountains on the Front Range. There are three self-serve bays and one automatic car wash. One of the bays is oversized so that RVs and large commercial vehicles can get a bath as well. One of the two vacuum stations has shampoo and spot free remover. Krug also stores large vehicles in the space behind the wash including RVs, containers, etc.
The favorite part of what Krug does is “building the business, talking with customers, as they are the lifeblood. Most of the business is repeat local customers.” He feels fortunate that he continues to grow every year.
Campers from Rollins Pass and motorcyclists that get caught in monsoons also find the wash to be convenient. They do offer a Frequent Wash Program for repeat customers to receive weekly discounts.
Krug is the management team who uses hard work and great problem-solving skills to get where his business needs to be. He has one employee. He only sees growth for the business as the population increases. COVID was great for him as everyone was going outside. His biggest barrier is the low population density along with encouraging people to wash up at Gilpin Car Wash rather than going down the hill.
To become a part of the Frequent Wash Program, text: “Gilpin Wash’’ to 833-433-3307. The car wash is located at 130 Jankowski Drive, Black Hawk. They can be reached at 720-232-1595. Check out their website www.gilpincarwash.com.
Sponsored by Gilpin County, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
