ABOUT

Helping our people be successful

This is our passion

Elite Brands launched in 2003 with just two employees. All these years later, our fermentation process has produced a team of 85 current employees who work daily to fulfill our passion for “helping our people be successful.”

Our educated and driven sales staff reside in the Colorado communities we serve. Not just any beverage makes it into Elite’s portfolio. A lot of tasting and talking goes into evaluating brands for quality, sales, and growth potential. From our office bar to campsites and trailheads, we have to love it before our Colorado friends can drink it.

A lifetime in the beverage business

Founder and President Terry Cekola – or Lady Cekola as she was knighted by the country of Belgium in 2018 – knows a thing or two about booze. Having grown up in the industry on the wings of her entrepreneurial father, Joe “Big Joe” Cekola, you might say it’s in her blood. In 1984, Big Joe purchased Imperial Beverage of Michigan, a distribution company established in 1933 after the repeal of prohibition. Two of Terry’s four brothers, Joe and Larry Cekola, run Imperial Beverage.

Fast forward to today where some staff have been with Terry since day one. We think that’s pretty special. Put the booze and 30+ years in the industry aside, and it’s the people and stories that make this industry special for Terry and the Elite Brands team. “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life,” she says.

85

employees

50,000

square foot temperature controlled facility

14

company-owned delivery trucks

51

counties serviced

8,000

square foot cold box

288

brands represented

2003

Elite Brands of Colorado is founded. Terry Cekola purchases a small wine distributor of French and Italian wines and begins business with two salespeople, a cargo van, a driver and part-time office staff.

2004

Our portfolio of wine and specialty spirits grows in additional to our sales team, who are passionate and educated about our products.

2006

We begin to grow a Belgian imports and specialty beer portfolio and find out if our staff of “wine guys” can sell beer.

2008

We carve out a place in the craft beer movement by partnering with California’s Russian River Brewing, one of the most sought-after brands in the country.

2010

Duvel USA moves its Colorado distribution business to Elite Brands, making us the premier distributor of Belgian beer in the state.

2012

We purchase and move into a 50,000-square-foot warehouse with an 8,000-square-foot cold box.

2012

We’re awarded “Colorado Companies to Watch,” an annual Colorado business award recognizing growing companies that fuel Colorado’s economic development.

2016

In preparation for future growth, we made a significant investment in technology with beverage management software upgrades from Encompass Technologies.

2017

We’re awarded “Craft Beer Wholesaler of the Year,” by the Brewers Association. The award was presented at the annual Craft Brewer’s Conference in Washington D.C. and recognizes a beer distribution company that does the most to market, promote, and sell craft beer.