Why Ocean First?

The ocean is our lifeline. It provides our oxygen and absorbs our carbon, regulates weather and rainfall, feeds and cures billions of people, and supports the world economy. Perhaps more compelling than any other, however, is that the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.

People often ask, “a scuba shop in Colorado?” Absolutely! What many people don’t realize is that we are all inextricably tied to the ocean. Whether you live on a sandy beach or in the high mountains a thousand miles away, the ocean affects us everyday and in many ways.  At Ocean First, we enjoy introducing people to new ideas, opportunities and experiences, letting them discover what’s possible for the ocean and for themselves.

At its core, our vision is to reinvent the dive industry by shifting the paradigm and creating educated, impassioned ocean stewards.

Ocean First takes a grassroots approach to swim, dive and travel. We use marine science education and ocean conservation to establish industry precedents for accountability and preservation. Our goal is to use the excitement and adventure of the ocean to educate, motivate and empower people to protect it from irreparable harm.

Our blue initiatives continue to expand and evolve. What started with replacing our lighting fixtures and adopting a Zero Waste program has grown to solar PV and thermal systems, a move to reduce all chemicals in our facility, and an industry wide certification program that assesses the sustainability of marine-based tourism operators and provides constructive solutions for improving their business practices. Read more about our blue initiatives.