The Hirschfeld legacy in both business and philanthropy spans five generations with Barry representing the fourth generation and his two sons the fifth. Barry Hirschfeld’s involvement for over 50 years in the Denver business community includes owning and working in the areas of commercial printing, entrepreneurial investments and real estate. In recognition of his outstanding business career, he was inducted, along with his grandfather, A.B., and father, Edward, into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2004.
In 1984, Barry assumed the role of President of A.B. Hirschfeld Press, the commercial printing business founded in 1907 by his grandfather, A.B. He served in that role until 2004 when he merged the company with National Printing. Among his many entrepreneurial endeavors was Colorado Carphone (founded in 1984) and Cellular City (founded in 1986). He later sold the Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) portion of Colorado Carphone to Nextel in 1986. Colorado Carphone then evolved into cellular telephones and was the first Colorado Master Agent for the wireless carrier US West Cellular. He sold this business in 1992.
As a teenager, Barry opened his summer Acme Fireworks business and his winter Timberline Trees & Christmas Accessories. Since he was in college, Barry has developed commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate, and this is where his focus is today. His latest innovative construction project is building micro apartments. In addition, Barry’s business activities included serving on the Board of Opus Northwest and the Board of Xcel Energy (22 years). He was Board Chair of the Metro Denver Executive Club and of Employers Council.
Barry’s community involvement started when he was 10 years old and accompanied his grandfather, Senator A.B. Hirschfeld, in his various volunteer projects. Among his current volunteer efforts are his ongoing commitment to conventions and tourism, serving as Board Chair and now as Lifetime Board member of VISIT DENVER for over 35 years. His endeavors on behalf of Denver and Colorado Tourism were recognized by his induction in 2002 to the Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame. Barry currently serves as a Lifetime Trustee of the Denver Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, International Legal Studies Program Advisory Board at the University of Denver College of Law, National Jewish Health, Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, the American Transplant Foundation (founding member), Executive Committee of Colorado Concern and member of the Hundred Club of Denver.
Some of Barry’s past volunteer efforts are Board Chair of the Denver Art Museum, Vice Chair of the Boettcher Foundation, Board Member of the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, Clyfford Still Museum (founding Board Member), Cherry Creek Arts Festival (founding Board Member), the Greenway Foundation Steering Committee and membership in the Colorado Forum. In addition, in 1986 he was appointed by Governor Roy Romer to serve on the Founding Board of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), another organization he was instrumental in creating. In recognition of his dedicated service, Barry has received numerous awards, including the Denver Art Museum Golden Key Award, East High School Hall of Fame (inaugural class), Cal Poly Pomona Distinguished Alum, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, VOA Humanitarian of the Year and the Mizel Institute Community Enrichment Award. In 2018, Barry and his wife, Arlene, received the Community Service in the Arts Award from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation.
Barry always finds time to enjoy golf, his sports cars and motorcycles, the arts, professional sports and especially playing with his granddaughters and grandsons.