It’s with great sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend Chris ‘CJ’ Johnson on March 5th in his adopted home of Honolulu, Hawaii. CJ was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer, on February 13th, 2025.
CJ was a passionate and dedicated individual—a fierce advocate for cyclist and pedestrian rights, a defender of marginalized communities, and a beloved member of the Fort Collins cycling scene. He was opinionated, idealistic, and kind of a pain in the ass, and we loved him for it.
His contributions to the Fort Collins cycling scene are endless. From 2015 to 2018, CJ served as the first Executive Director at Bike Fort Collins (BFC), where his leadership and vision helped shape the city’s cycling culture. During that time, we worked together on the NoCo Bike Show and several Rides of Silence. Under his leadership, Bike Fort Collins grew in vision and revenue, securing critical grants and expanding its programs, including the Tour de Farms, Ride with Pride, and the first annual Pathways to Health Conference. He played a crucial role in advocating for safer streets and more inclusive cycling policies, ensuring that all cyclists—regardless of background or ability—had a voice in the community.
Chris J. Johnson came to BFC from the Ranch Events Complex, where his work included technical project management on the Ranch’s recent $1.8 million audio-video system overhaul. He held key executive, technical, and communications positions and led bid-writing development for the 2013 and 2015 USA Pro Challenge NoCo stages. He was also a long-active leader in the NoCo cycling community, directing Northern Colorado Cycling Events, co-managing Miiflo Cycling Team, formally known as the First City Cycling Team, race directing the City Streets Criterium series, and developing sponsors for a number of grassroots events, including the 2013 Fort Follies Women’s Grand Prix. He hosted countless community events, including seminars and town hall meetings, and was the creator and co-host of the long-running YGR Live Bike Talk Show series. He was a car-free all-weather commuter, recreational endurance nut, retired Cat 2 roadie, and former Chicago bike messenger.
As Bike Fort Collins’ first Executive Director,, Johnson envisions Bike Fort Collins as a driving force in fostering a world-class cycling community. “Bike Fort Collins is already a great team brimming with talent, dedication, and creativity. My role is to keep everyone in tune and in time, while securing the resources they need and deserve,” he said. His leadership will focus on increasing ridership, strengthening advocacy efforts, expanding regional initiatives, and ensuring safer streets for cyclists of all backgrounds and abilities.
Bike Fort Collins welcomed Chris on board as an accomplished and well-known leader in the bicycling community. His expertise and vision brought a wealth of new ideas and direction to the organization. The entire Board of Directors looked forward to working with and supporting him in his role.
Chris J. Johnson, stepped down and left Northern Colorado in January of 2017. Originally hired in October of 2015, Johnson oversaw a period of tremendous growth for Bike Fort Collins. In 2016, BFC was recognized by BizWest as one of the fastest-growing small businesses in Northern Colorado. The organization received several new grants and contracts, including highly competitive grants from Kaiser Permanente and the Bohemian Foundation. Under his leadership, BFC expanded its advocacy initiatives and public engagement efforts, pressing for increased city funding for cycling infrastructure and spearheading campaigns like Sunday Service Now, which expanded local bus service to Sundays. He also worked with local leaders to secure funding for the 287 “Gap” project and supported Larimer County’s Built Environment Leadership Group.
CJ moved to Fort Collins in 2005. He and his wife, Ananda Luttet, moved from Fort Collins to San Jose in 2018 before settling in Honolulu. In recent years, he had taken up running and had qualified for and was training for the Boston Marathon in 2025. At the time of his passing, he was working with AlohaCare, a community-led, non-profit health plan.
Rest in peace CJ, your contribution to Bike Fort Collins will live on forever.