The Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation is undergoing a significant transition in its executive leadership. Carrie Kelly, who served as the organization’s President and CEO since August 2025, has stepped down from her role to return to the private sector. In a prepared statement related to the staffing change, the EDC said: “Jeffco EDC has…more
Jefferson County commissioners and department heads convened a virtual town hall to address a tightening fiscal landscape and evolving public safety challenges. The discussion centered on a “perfect storm” of human services funding cuts, the increasing frequency of utility power shut-offs, and new leadership within the county’s vast open space system. Commissioner Rachel Zenzinger opened…more
The Allergy Free Baking Company announced in an email to its customers today that it will be closing its doors on January 31, 2026. The decision comes after careful consideration by the owner, Elizabeth Kuetemeyer, who expressed gratitude for the support and loyalty shown by customers over the years. The owner emphasized that the bakery…more
The 2025 engagement data from Jeffco BdB highlights a significant market focus on diverse and high-growth business sectors within Jefferson County. Leading the year’s rankings, Minority-Owned Small Businesses in Jefferson County recorded the highest volume of significant interactions with 3,694 downloads and charting tool uses, followed closely by Veteran-Owned Small Businesses in Jefferson County at…more
Jefferson County offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 17, due to anticipated power outages. Xcel Energy has announced a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to mitigate the risk of wildfires and ensure public safety. Power will be turned off across the Golden Campus, Evergreen, and other areas within the county. As a result, Jeffco…more
Private sector employment increased by 42,000 jobs in October, with year-over-year pay rising by 4.5%, according to the ADP National Employment Report produced by ADP Research in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab. This report furnishes an independent measure of the labor market using anonymized payroll data from over 26 million private-sector employees in…more
Jeffco BdB has expanded the businesses considered for its Jeffco 500 list of high-performing businesses, resulting in some new brands appearing on the list for the first time. The highest-ranked company, new to the list, is Xero Shoes with a Super Score of 87, followed closely by Noodles & Co and Kong Company, with scores…more
Jeffco BdB, ADP Release Updated Employment/Hiring Reports While national employment figures indicate a cautious hiring landscape, a new report from Jeffco BdB reveals a tale of two economies within Jefferson County, with robust growth in some areas masking stagnation elsewhere. The Jeffco 500 Hiring Index, tracking the county’s top businesses, showed a stable, slightly positive…more
Casa Bonita, the iconic Denver restaurant, has announced it will eliminate several beloved characters, including Black Bart, Captain Isabella, Amazon Ani, and the Sheriff. This decision follows a $40 million renovation funded by owners Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The Actors’ Equity Association, which represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, has responded by…more
The PNC Financial Services Group has agreed to acquire FirstBank Holding Co., headquartered in Lakewood. This acquisition will significantly enhance PNC’s presence in Colorado and Arizona. As of June 30, 2025, FirstBank had $26.8 billion in assets and operated 95 branches primarily in Colorado and Arizona. The deal will substantially increase PNC’s branch network in…more
Eleven Jefferson County-based companies have earned national recognition on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, a prestigious annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The companies were recognized for their impressive revenue growth between 2021 and 2024. This year, a total of 117 Colorado companies made the list, highlighting the state’s resilience…more
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo., July 31, 2025 – The Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation has announced the appointment of Carrie Kelly as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, beginning mid-August. With over 15 years of leadership experience, Kelly has a strong background in community and economic development. Kelly’s career includes significant roles across various sectors,…more