Faces & Places Colorado 2025

The Face of WATER SAFETY Goldfish Swim School Scott Payne, Multi-Unit Franchise Owner Pictured: Heather Wilson, General Manager Goldfish Swim School-Wash Park A s the owner of Goldfish PHOTO CREDIT: JENNY FOLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY Swim School’s three Colorado locations— Washington Park, Central Park, and

who build trust and excitement in every lesson.

Fast-forward to late 2023, we welcomed Central Park into the Goldfish family. Then, just this past August, we opened our newest location in Washington Park. Watching our community embrace these schools has been nothing short of humbling. At each location, we’ve built an environment designed to inspire. With 90-degree water, bright and cheerful facilities, and small class sizes, we ensure every child feels comfortable and cared for. Why does this matter? Because drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children aged 1-4, and the statistics are heartbreaking. According to the CDC, incidents among this age group have increased 30% since 2019. But here’s the good news: formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. This isn’t just a statistic to us; it’s a call to action. We know that the safety and confidence of your child start with our team. That’s why we’re dedicated to hiring the best instructors in the business. Offering a starting pay of $20 per hour helps us attract passionate, skilled individuals who share our mission. Our instructors are more than teachers; they’re mentors

Our holistic approach combines technical instruction with a sense of joy and accomplishment. We encourage parents to start their child’s swim journey early—even before their first birthday. Early exposure to water safety builds a foundation that can last a lifetime. And, of course, vigilance around water is essential. Fences, alarms, and knowing CPR are crucial tools that every family should embrace. Our mission extends beyond our pools. Partnering with local hospitals and organizations, we’ve provided complimentary swim lessons for newborns and hosted water safety events throughout Denver. These partnerships are a testament to our belief that every child deserves the chance to learn water safety, regardless of their circumstances. If you’re in the Denver area, I invite you to visit one of our three Goldfish Swim School locations. Join us in making a splash—not just for fun, but for a safer, more confident future for your child. Together, we can empower our children with skills that make a difference.

Superior—I often reflect on our incredible journey to empower children with life-saving swim skills. Teaching kids to swim isn’t just our job; it’s our passion. Whenever I see a child overcome their fear of water, build confidence, and master a new skill, I’m reminded why we do what we do. When we opened Goldfish Swim School Superior in 2019, our mission was simple: to make learning to swim a fun and safe experience for every child. Over the years, we’ve faced challenges, including the disruptions of COVID-19 and the Marshall Fires. Those events tested our resilience and brought out the best in our community. We supported by donating water and supplies to shelters, offering new swim gear to affected families, and even planting 60 trees in Boulder County to aid in the recovery effort. Despite everything, we remained committed to creating a safe haven for children to learn essential water safety skills.

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