Economy – Local

Arvada Receives $100K Grant for Housing Initiatives

The City of Arvada has been awarded a $100,000 Housing Grant from the Colorado Gives Foundation. The grant aims to assist nonprofit organizations and government entities in Jefferson County in expanding affordable housing options and providing transitional housing for individuals exiting homelessness. The City’s Homelessness Response team will use the funds to sustain transitional housing…more

Arvada to Begin Street Maintenance in Olde Town

The City of Arvada will start regular street pavement maintenance in the Olde Town Arvada Pedestrian Zone on May 11, 2026. This project aims to enhance safety and aesthetics in the popular business district. As part of the maintenance, all outdoor seating areas, parklets, fireplaces, and electric lights along the streets will be removed. The…more

PNC To Cut 18% of FirstBank Staff in Lakewood

Lakewood’s Economic Development Office said it is working with state and county partners to provide rapid response services for employees who could be affected by potential layoffs related to a WARN notice filed by PNC/FirstBank. The office said it has been in direct communication with PNC/FirstBank to better understand workforce needs and to offer support…more

School of Mines Wins $6.97M Army Contract

The U.S. Army has awarded a $6,971,053 cost-no-fee contract to the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, for work connected to environmental security technology certification, according to a notice on the Department of War website. The contract is for Project ER25-9767, focused on remedial technology engineering related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Bids were…more

Arvada and Wheat Ridge Lead Surge in Jeffco Spring Hiring

The Jefferson County labor market is showing significant signs of a “spring awakening,” according to the latest BdB Hiring Index released today. The weekly tracker, which monitors job openings across the county’s primary municipalities, reveals a broad upward trend in recruitment activity as local businesses gear up for the second quarter. Arvada has emerged as…more

Leadership Shift at Jeffco EDC

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

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