Debbie Herring and Wayne Werbelow are an active retired couple who have made their home in the Ptarmigan Country Club neighborhood. After 38 years of careers in IT—primarily with AT&T, Lucent, and Avaya—the couple retired in 2017. Both have a background in Computer Science. Their professional paths crossed at Kansas State University, where they met pursuing their graduate degrees. Since retiring, they have embraced an energetic lifestyle filled with hobbies, volunteer work, and family adventures.

 

Debbie, originally from Columbus, Ohio, and Wayne, from Thermopolis, Wyoming, moved to the Ptarmigan neighborhood in June 2023, drawn by their desire to be closer to family. Their son, Travis Werbelow, and daughter-in-law, Nicole Cornell, live nearby in Timnath with their children, Graham Werbelow (6) and Maggie Cornell (2). Wayne and Debbie’s daughter, Kadi Fedde, and husband, Cameron, recently relocated from New Zealand to Loveland with their young daughter, Stella (1). This proximity to loved ones was key to Wayne and Debbie’s settling in Ptarmigan.

 

“We love the neighborhood and the house, and being close to our family has been a great blessing,” Debbie says. They also appreciate the area’s access to recreation, shopping, and dining, making it a perfect location to enjoy their retirement years.

 

Debbie and Wayne’s deep sense of community is evident through their involvement in local organizations and volunteering. Both are members of the Fort Collins Newcomers Club, where Wayne serves as a technical officer managing the club’s website while Debbie helps coordinate presentations for the Travel Interest Group. The couple are also coordinators for the club’s wine-tasting events. Debbie and Wayne have also rekindled their love for music by joining the Northern Colorado New Horizons Band, where they play flute and tuba, respectively, while continuing to learn and perform.  Wayne also contributes his musical talents by playing the tuba in the Fort Collins First United Methodist Church's Instrumental Ensemble. Debbie and Wayne also usher during church services.

 

While relaxation is essential to the couple, so is staying mentally active. Debbie and Wayne are avid readers who participate in multiple book groups, which allow them to explore new genres and connect with others. They both keep their minds sharp by staying up to date on the latest news and trends, ensuring that they’re continually engaging with the world around them. Debbie also enjoys scrapbooking.

 

The couple has been involved in the Breckenridge Film Festival for several years. Wayne states, "We each lead specific film categories: Debbie oversees Short Dramas, while I focus on Animation." Their passion for film curation allows them to contribute meaningfully to the arts, ensuring high-quality films are selected for festival screening.

 

Beyond the arts, their commitment to the outdoors shines through with their work as Summit County Ranger Patrol volunteers, helping answer hikers’ questions and watching out for trail hazards.

 

One of the Herring-Werbelow family's defining features is their love of travel and outdoor adventures. Debbie says, "We have a strong tradition of spending time in Breckenridge, where we enjoy skiing, hiking, and attending local events together. Physical and boxed escape rooms have become another family activity that brings everyone together for a fun challenge. Other outdoor activities we enjoy include playing pickleball and tennis." Looking ahead, Debbie and Wayne are excited about more travel in the coming years. Italy has been their favorite destination to date.

 

Debbie and Wayne also value spending time with their grandchildren. Graham is a regular visitor, and they often host their grandkids for fun activities. Family dinners, especially their signature dish of salmon with asparagus and risotto, offer the perfect setting to bond over a delicious meal. The couple’s love for their family is at the heart of many of their activities, and they cherish the moments spent with each other.

 

Their son, Travis, immerses himself in abstract art, painting vibrant and thought-provoking pieces in his spare time. Daughter-in-law, Nicole, enjoys volunteering in Graham's kindergarten class and unwinding with jigsaw puzzles. Kadi and Cameron, both adventurers at heart, spend much of their time hiking, camping, and even creating their own ultralight gear for outdoor excursions. Cameron’s passion for photography leads him to capture stunning landscapes, while Kadi finds her creative outlet in woodburning projects.

 

A favorite family motto, the Serenity Prayer, reflects their approach to life: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” This mindset of acceptance and courage guides their busy, fulfilling, and interconnected life in Ptarmigan.

 

With their active involvement in the community, ongoing passions for music and travel, and deep love for family, Debbie and Wayne continue to make the most of life. Their story is a testament to the importance of family, community, and living life to the fullest, no matter what your stage of life is.