Chris Perret has served the Peak to Peak area in many capacities over the years. His current endeavor is to drive people from the mountains to destinations they could not reach otherwise. He was inspired to start Peaceful Rides when he himself received a DUI. His arthritis was making his chosen career as an auto mechanic tough so as Perret says, “It’s good to reinvent yourself when you are retiring.” He started Peaceful Rides on October 12, 2017.
Peaceful Rides provides a service for people going to shows in Boulder and beyond, or local venues such as the Caribou Room. He serves wedding parties, those going to medical appointments (currently he is helping three cancer patients) and as an airport shuttle as well. He is the transportation for the local seniors bringing them to Rockies games, the Botanical Gardens for the pumpkin contest and to museums in the Metro Area. Other customers may need a ride to drop off a car or pick one up at the shop. His newest gig is driving for Clinica to serve mountain patients.
People used to ask Perret to drive for them as they had had DUIs. So, he decided to get a van and do it larger. Currently the company has three vans: one 7, one 12 and one 15 passenger van. He is currently considering another driver as Perret can’t always drive when asked and could use some help.
Currently, Peaceful Rides is the only service of its kind in the mountains, but Perret wants to remain friendly and noncompetitive. He says, “there’s enough pie for everyone.” His favorite part of what he does is having happy people ride with him. He loves when the whole crew had a good time and got back from a show or partying safely. Weddings are fun because he has a van of happy people who didn’t have to worry about driving in the mountains, as it can be scary for people coming from the “flatlands.”
People often wave at him with peace signs from the side of the road, and that makes him happy and fulfilled. He enjoys the senior trips a lot.
Perret is not new to the area. He has been a community leader and served Nederland as mayor for two years, as trustee for four years and was also on the planning committee and parks and open space board. He left Nederland for greater Gilpin County last year. He is really enjoying being a grandpa and is currently building houses as well. Some may know Perret through his involvement with the “hockey scene” as a coach for 20 years. As mayor he supported the creation of the Nederland rink and skate park. Previously he had coached at Mud Lake and in Scully’s yard.
The business is an asset to the community and Perret is the heart of that peace being spread throughout the mountain region.
Peaceful Rides is located in mid-Gilpin County. To schedule a ride you can call or text 303-588-9317.
Sponsored by Gilpin County, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
