Economy – Local

Released: BdB’s List of Women-Owned Businesses

Jeffco BdB has unveiled its updated ranking of women-owned small businesses in Jefferson County for 2026. The list highlights the expanding role of female entrepreneurs in various industries. The list, which features 176 companies, is organized by the number of current employees, showcasing significant contributions to the local economy. Leading the list is Real Estate…more

Commissioners at Jeffco Town Hall: “Perfect Storm” of Funding Cuts, Public Safety

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

Jeffco 500 Hiring Index: Density Hits Record Highs Amid Winter Surge

Jefferson County’s labor market has shifted from a summer lull to a highly competitive environment, with the percentage of major firms looking for talent increasing sixfold since August. According to a six-month analysis of 500 high-visibility companies (the Jeffco 500)—the Jeffco 500 Hiring Index—the regional hiring benchmark climbed from a modest 5% in mid-August 2025…more

Lakewood Faces $42M Budget Shakeup Following Landmark Tax Ruling

The City of Lakewood is moving to refund over $42 million to telecommunications companies after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled its Business & Occupation (B&O) tax expansions unconstitutional. In a presentation to the City Council on January 26, 2026, city officials outlined a “Next Steps” plan to settle the massive debt and adjust the municipal…more

Vail Resorts Reports Drop in Ski Season Metrics

Vail Resorts Inc., a ski resort operator based in Jeffco, reported a significant decline in several key ski season metrics for the period through January 4, 2026, compared to the same time frame the previous year. This data, focused on its North American destinations, revealed a 20% drop in total skier visits. Additionally, lift revenue…more

SBA Q3 Data Drops: Loan Recipient List for Q3 Now Available

Jeffco BdB has updated its SBA Loan recipient data and posted the list of Jefferson County businesses that received loans in the third quarter of 2025. A total of 54 companies received funding, with a diverse range of industries represented among the top 27 borrowers. Leading the list was Supplize on Sixth Avenue Ltd., which…more

New Noise Walls Completed on I-70

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and contractor Hamon Infrastructure have finished installing 3.5 miles of new noise walls along Interstate 70 between Pecos Street and I-76, an area crossing Denver and Jefferson counties. This project is part of a two-phase initiative. The first phase replaced one mile of walls between Tennyson Street and Lowell…more

Evergreen’s Saigon Landing Closes After 20 Years

Saigon Landing, a Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Evergreen, has closed its doors after nearly two decades of service. Founded by Victor Chan in August 2005, the restaurant shared a message on its website expressing gratitude to the community for their support and memories over the years. The farewell note concluded with a heartfelt thank you…more

Jeffco Schools to Cut 150–160 FTE Positions

Jefferson County Schools is moving forward with a plan to resolve a minimum $45 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2027, which includes the elimination of approximately 150 to 160 budgeted Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions within central departments. The detailed plan, presented to the Board of Education on November 13, 2025, outlines strategic cuts designed…more

Jeffco EDC Announces 2025 Gateways Award Winners

The Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC) has announced the winners of the 2025 Gateways Awards, recognizing the individuals, initiatives, and collaborations shaping the area’s economic landscape. The awards ceremony took place at the Social Capitol Events Center in Arvada, bringing together over 300 leaders from business, civic, and community sectors. “The Gateways shine…more

Local, National Wendy’s Stores Eye Closures

The Wendy’s Company announced quarterly earnings on November 7, which included plans to begin closing U.S. locations in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company stated it is targeting a “mid-single-digit percentage” of its stores but did not specify a precise percentage. Currently, there are 5,880 Wendy’s locations nationwide, implying closures could affect between 235…more

New Enterprise Zone Boundaries Approved for Jeffco

The Colorado Economic Development Commission has approved new boundaries for the Jefferson County Enterprise Zone Program, which provides tax credits for businesses within designated areas based on activities like job creation and training. These revisions, which occur every ten years, will take effect on January 1, 2026. Key tax credits available include a 3% investment…more