Home of: Shawn Welder

MEEKER | Longtime Meeker resident Shawn Welder is this week’s “home of” honoree. Shawn’s family moved to Meeker in the early 1970s. Shawn attended middle school and high school in Meeker. After getting out of the Army at 23, he worked for a horse business in Summit County for four years. He then accepted a job to be a ranch manager for a large ranch in Summit County where he did ranching and outfitting work. He moved back to Meeker in 2001.
Shawn and his brother Brian own and operate Welder Outfitting, providing all-season fishing, horseback riding, camping, hunting and snowmobile recreational services. Shawn also takes care of the Welder Ranch along the White River.
Shawn has three sons. Keegan, 18, lives in Craig and works for a contractor. Keegan plans to head to college in the fall. Shawn’s other sons are 16-year old twins, Kalin and Kolin. They also live in Craig and are juniors at Moffat County High School. Shawn’s sons help him with the outfitting business in the summer and occasionally on weekends.
Shawn’s parents are Frank and Jean Welder of Meeker. Frank is a retired hydrologist. Jean is a health professional with a background in Tai Chi, yoga and holistic health.
“I got into outfitting as my excuse to be outdoors and be involved in so many different forms of recreation. Summer and fall are busy times and it’s hard to get away, but now that I’m self-employed I’ve had opportunities to travel with my boys. We went to Alaska for a month last summer and have been fishing along the Gulf Coast several times. My favorite place in the world is the high country of Colorado,” Shawn said.
“I think having a personal connection with the people I do business with makes Meeker great. I’m proud to be from the Meeker High School Class of 1980 and that so many of my classmates still live here and have given back and supported our community,” Shawn added.