Holly Arnold Kinney and her brother Keith were raised in a replica of Bent’s Old Fort, now the world-famous Fort restaurant built by her father, acclaimed restaurateur Sam Arnold. Located in the scenic foothills of Morrison, Colorado, the Arnold family lived on the second level while the first floor housed the restaurant. As a young girl, Ms. Kinney learned the restaurant industry through holding many positions in the family business including busser and tortilla girl. Frequent trips with her father to London, Vienna, Switzerland and Mexico helped Kinney develop culinary knowledge and a worldly perspective at an early age.
In the 1970’s, Kinney was an account executive for KDEN News Radio in Denver and became the top billing sales representative. In 1978, General Electric Broadcasting Corporation’s KOA Radio hired Kinney as an account executive.
In 1981, Kinney founded Arnold Media Services (AMS), a public relations firm specializing in specialty food products and the restaurant industry. Swiss company Jacobs Suchard USA, makers of Toblerone Brand, hired Arnold Media Services to manage all promotions and media relations in the United States. This account launched AMS into the national and international markets. For more than 20 years, AMS provided public relations, marketing, advertising and promotion services for local, national and international clientele including Nestle Specialty Foods Division, the National Bison Association, Hatch Chile Company, Colavita and Monari Federzoni Balsamic Vinegar. In 2002, Arnold Media Services became the in-house public relations, advertising and graphic design agency for The Fort restaurant.
The passion that Kinney developed for history at a young age inspired her to partner with her father in founding The Tesoro Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization committed to protecting and making available to the community the artistic treasures and history of the American past in the Southwest. Bringing to life the traditions and events that shaped Colorado’s history and the Southwest’s heritage, Kinney has created a series of living history events, including: The Indian Market & Powwow, The Spanish Market & 1830s Rendezvous, The Historic Dinner and Lecture Series, Historic Summer Concert Series, and the Christmas Eve Las Posadas reenactment. The Tesoro Foundation offers historic tours of The Fort and provides historic interpreters to present the Mountain Man & Woman Trunk Show for students at area schools.
In 2001, Kinney returned to her roots at The Fort, becoming her father’s business partner and 49% owner of the landmark restaurant. Active in the day-to-day management of the restaurant, Kinney was the driving force behind the introduction of a new tequila menu and an extensive wine list offering more than 130 varieties of fine wines. The Fort’s wine list has been honored by Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for four consecutive years since 2005.
Ms. Kinney launched the web-based Fort Trading Company in 2003. Marketing and selling The Fort’s world-renowned buffalo, elk and quail to customers around the country, Kinney has helped to fuel the healthy food trend of low-fat, high-protein and hormone-free meat. Since its inception, The Fort Trading Company’s product line has expanded to offer Colorado lamb, custom blended spices, and is the sole online provider of Coleman Natural products.
Holly Arnold Kinney became the sole owner and proprietress of The Fort LLC in December of 2006. Always inspired by her father’s vision and her upbringing at The Fort, Kinney remains loyal to The Fort’s historical and fine culinary roots.
In addition to owning and operating The Fort, The Fort Trading Company, The Tesoro Foundation and Arnold Media Services, Kinney currently serves on the Executive Committee on the Colorado Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors. She also serves on the advisory board of Colorado’s Department of Agriculture Colorado Proud program. She is the former president of the Colorado Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. Kinney is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP), American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF), Meeting Planners International (MPI), Denver Metro Convention and Visitor Bureau’s Dining Committee, Denver Metro Convention and Visitor Bureau’s Marketing & Communications Committee and Tour Colorado.
