The Five Most Famous People From Fort Collins Colorado

This was a very difficult task, to find the "Five Most Famous People From Fort Collins. I could have easily listed 50. We have had U.S. Senators, astronauts, actors,  professional athletes, and even a Supreme Court Justice.

I had to leave some very famous people off my list. Sonny Lubick is the most obvious choice. He may very well be the most well-known person in Fort Collins, but not nationally. Did you know that Jon Heder (Napolean Dynamite) was born in Fort Collins?  How about "The Bachelorette" winner Ryan Sutter? Did you know the guy from "Roots" and "Good Times", John Amos went to CSU? They were left off too. Anyway, here is my list. Write your rebuttal in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

5. Byron "Whizzer" White

Byron “Whizzer” White was born in Fort Collins in 1917 and raise in Wellington.  He retired as justice of the Supreme Court in March of 1993 after serving 31 years. He was the University of Colorado's first All-American. White was a two time All-Pro halfback with Pittsburgh and Detroit. He was a decorated naval intelligence officer in World War II. He is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame, the GTE Academic Hall of Fame and was selected to CU’s All-Century Team.

4. Temple Grandin

A few years ago she wouldn't have made the list, but thanks to the movie and the outstanding portrayal by Clair Danes, Temple Grandin has become Colorado State University's most famous professor. Grandin is a professor of animal science at CSU, a best-selling author, an autistic activist, and a consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior.

3. Thomas Sutherland

The most famous former professor at CSU is Thomas Sutherland. He taught animal science at Colorado State University for 26 years. Sutherland was the Dean of Agriculture at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon when he was kidnapped by Islamic Jihad members on June 9, 1985. He was released on November 18, 1991 after 6 1/2 years in captivity. I was doing a live broadcast from Moby Arena when he triumphantly returned to Colorado State. I still get chills when I think about the moment when he entered the arena to a standing ovation that lasted minutes.

2. John Ashton

John Ashton has long been known as Fort Collins most famous resident and is best known for playing  Sergeant John Taggart in the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, although he has been in dozens of movies and TV shows, including"M*A*S*H" and "Midnight Run".

1. Amy Van Dyken-Rouen

Amy Van Dyken-Rouen has won 6 Olympic gold medals.  She also won several World titles and set a number of American and world records and is the only CSU athlete to ever be featured on a Wheaties box. Van Dyken is married to former Denver Bronco punter Tom Rouen. After her swimming career, she became a public speaker and broadcaster. Amy was recently honored by having a street named after her on the CSU campus.