Brian Scott Collins

Brian Scott Collins passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on June 26, 2026, at the age of 51. In one final act of generosity, Brian gave the gift of life through organ donation.

“Sunny days seem to hurt the most

I wear the pain like a heavy coat

The only thing that gives me hope

Is I know, I'll see you again someday

Someday, someday”

- Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney

Brian was born on October 29, 1974, in Glenwood, Colorado, to Bruce and Betty Collins. He was blessed with an eventful childhood, filled with adventures and cherished memories alongside his parents and his sister, Bethany. They lived in Paonia right on "P" Hill, but lived most of Brian’s childhood in Glenwood Springs where he enjoyed the outdoors, played baseball and basketball, joined Cub Scouts, loved video games, and started his DJ business, Noisemaker Productions. He graduated from Glenwood High School in 1993, excelling in DECA, woodshop, and biology.

Brian met his wife, Amy McMillan Collins, in 1994 through mutual friends. They dated for about a year before Brian proposed. Brian and Amy had a whirlwind romance and were married on August 24, 1996, in Hotchkiss, Colorado. In 1998, they welcomed their first child, Conner Collins. Just a few years later in 2001, they welcomed their second child, Carson Collins.

It became a running joke in the family that Brian and Amy got really good at moving. They lived in Nucla, Telluride, Montrose, Lafayette, Brighton, Arizona, Glenwood, Hotchkiss (for seven years), and finally settled into their forever home in Paonia in 2015.

Brian would do anything for his wife and children. They were the most important people in the world to him. Brian made sure to attend all of his children's sporting events, graduations, and life's biggest milestones. Near the end of his life, Brian wrote that the person who had influenced him most was his wife, Amy Collins: "She showed me life outside my bubble and introduced me to a family who took me in as their own and made me the person I am today."

Brian was welcomed with open arms into Amy's very large family. He cherished spending time at the McMillan family cabin, and enjoyed countless trips to Lake Powell with Amy's siblings and their children. He was also the first person any family member called whenever they needed help; whether it was fixing a laptop or TV, getting the generator running at the cabin, or fixing car problems.

Brian's personality was larger than life, and his laugh and smile could light up any room. His family affectionately called him "Broski," a nickname that perfectly fit someone who was not only a brother, but also a trusted friend and companion to so many.

In his free time, Brian most enjoyed fishing and boating at Lake Powell, hunting with his son, cooking (often watching MasterChef and proudly considering himself a "foodie"), snowboarding and bowling in his younger years, shooting off fireworks, building campfires, spending time outdoors, DJing events, listening to music (country, rock, and especially Kenny Chesney), and watching sports (the Broncos, any college football game, and the Avalanche).

Brian's legacy lives on in everyone who knew and loved him. His kindness, generosity, laughter, and unwavering love for his family touched countless lives and will continue to do so for generations. Although Brian's family was always his greatest pride and purpose, his work reflected many of the same qualities that defined him: integrity, curiosity, dedication, and an incredible ability to learn anything he set his mind to.

Brian completed undergraduate coursework in Criminology and Criminal Psychology at Colorado Mountain College. That experience sparked his passion for law enforcement, leading him to attend the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy in Glenwood Springs where he became a Colorado Certified Police Officer. From 1995 to 2000, Brian served in law enforcement as a Police Officer with the Parachute Police Department, a Deputy Sheriff with the Montrose County Sheriff's Office, and later a Corporal with the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office in Telluride.

During his years in law enforcement, Brian quickly became known for his talent with electronics and technology. After hours, departments frequently asked him to wire patrol cars' emergency lights. That natural ability eventually inspired a career change into high-end audio and video electronics.

For eighteen years, from 2000 to 2018, Brian worked as a Lead Install Technician and later Project Manager completing custom AV installations in Aspen, Vail, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and many other locations for celebrities and high-end clients. Brian especially loved the occasional "bring your family to work" days because Amy, Conner, and Carson got to see incredible homes and the home theaters he had built.

Wanting to work closer to home and spend less time commuting, Brian joined RACS, LLC, a drilling contractor in Delta, Colorado, as an HR Manager from 2018 to 2021. He later accepted an opportunity with Watson Hopper in Delta returning to his roots as an Electrical and Electronics Technician fabricating and programming control boxes for the next few years.

Then, inspired by his son, Brian decided to return to law enforcement by joining the Colorado Department of Corrections. After graduating from the CDOC Academy, he served as a Sergeant at Delta Correctional Center where he concluded his professional career.

Brian was a man of many talents and consistently one of the smartest people in any room. Beyond his many careers, he also worked in home construction, private security, and even drove snowcats. He truly could do anything he set his mind to. Brian once told his daughter, "Honestly, the biggest lesson is to do something you love in your career. If you don't love it, it's just a job, and you're never going to give it 100%." Brian was never afraid to try something new. No matter where life took him or what career he pursued, his reason for working never changed: providing for the people he loved most.

Brian is survived by his wife, Amy Collins. His children, Conner and Carson Collins. His parents, Bruce and Betty Collins. His sister, Bethany Collins. His mother-in-law, Patty McMillan. His brother-in-laws (Justin McMillan, Jason McMillan, and Kent Marsh), sister-in-laws (Stacey Marsh, Angelique McMillan), and his many nieces and nephews. His uncle and aunt, Malcolm and Susan Collins, and their two sons.

Brian is predeceased in death by his maternal grandparents, Harold and Polly Anne Estes. His paternal grandparents, Alan and Beatrice Collins. His aunt, Margaret Estes. His father-in-law, Mike McMillan. His grandparents-in-laws, Tony and Pearl Stimac.

Services and reception will be held on September 5th, 2026 at Zack’s BBQ Pavilion (721 E Bridge St, Hotchkiss, CO) starting at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Donor Alliance at https://www.donoralliance.org/contribute/.