Michael Jay Brooks

Michael J. Brooks (Mike) passed away due to natural causes on January 20, 2026, at his home in Granby, Colorado. Mike was a well-known and beloved resident of Granby and will be forever remembered for his profound love of animals and as a pillar of the community that he served for more than 40 years.

Mike was a native Coloradoan, living in the state his entire life. Born in Denver, Mike revealed from an early age his love for animals and always had the dream of becoming a veterinarian. He often brought home pond water from a nearby park to transform tadpoles into frogs. With his first dog “Bullitt” by his side, Mike would bring home many animals to nurture, including kittens, magpies, turtles, rabbits, and even skunks. He took care of even larger animals after relocating to nearby Parker in 1972, where he and his dad Gary also shared the hobby of racing homing pigeons.

Mike attended Douglas County Junior and Senior High Schools in Castle Rock, where he was active in sports and excelled in academia. After graduating high school in 1976, Mike’s passion for animals led him to Colorado State University, where he earned two undergraduate degrees in Animal Sciences and Biology. After graduating CSU in the spring of 1981, Mike found employment as a National Park Service Ranger in La Poudre Pass for the summer, further enhancing his love of conservation and forwarding environmental causes. In the fall of that same year, Mike was accepted into the prestigious College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at CSU, earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1984. After veterinary school he briefly worked at an ambulatory equine practice in Parker before his love of the mountains brought him to Granby, where he established his veterinarian practice.

Mike would dedicate the rest of his life to the Granby and Grand County communities, serving as a popular and beloved veterinarian of large and small animals for more than 40 years at Brooks’ Veterinary Service. He treated all animals ranging from any type of house-pet to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, cows, horses, racoons, bobcats, wild birds, and even a pelican. Mike was known for his no-nonsense approach by many, as well as his kindness and compassion by others. His clinic was often voted Best of Grand County through the years, earning that honor as recently as 2025.

As Mike’s veterinary practice grew, so did his influence throughout Grand County. Mike acquired acreage in the county upon which he designed and built his own home and developed a small cattle ranching business. Along with four of his neighbors, he established a conservation easement thus preventing any type of future commercial or residential development. Mike also served on the board of the Grand Fire Protection District No. 1 and was awarded Board Member of the Year in 2024. He always stood up for animal rights and land conservation and mentored many aspiring students.

Despite having little free time, Mike took pleasure in camping in remote areas, fly-fishing, and exploring countries like Tahiti, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand. He frequently skied at local resorts and competed as a roper in rodeos. As an avid lover of fishing, he once caught and released a 200 lb. Pacific Blue Marlin off the Kona Coast of Hawaii.

The impact Mike has also had on his relatives is immeasurable. He was always up for a family get-together or trip, and he loved reminiscing about his years growing up in Colorado. His dry sense of humor, his dedication to his family, and his presence in our lives is irreplaceable.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother Jeanette Temmer Brooks of Denver. He is survived by his father Gary R. Brooks and wife Gail of Sun City, AZ; sister Michele (Shelley) Brooks McCoy and husband Ricky of Mason, OH; brother Martin (Marty) Brooks and wife Denise of Las Vegas, NV; and bother Marc Brooks of Denver. Mike is also survived by nephews Bryce Brooks of Denver; Tyler Brooks of Littleton, CO; Ryan McCoy of Springboro, OH; and nieces Alyssa Brooks Killian of Brighton, CO; Whitney McCoy of Mason, OH; and Samantha Brooks of Denver.

The family has been overwhelmed by the show of support from the Granby and Grand County communities, Mike’s friends, neighbors, and relatives. We plan to have a celebration of Mike’s life in late spring of this year. Information will be posted as the time draws nearer.

 Until then, if you would like to donate to The Grand County Pet Pals Animal Shelter Building Fund, you may do so by following this link: https://gcpetpals.org/donate-today/. Mike generously supported this effort and would have loved any additional support.