B.O.L.D. 2026
Key Accomplishments
Talent
Goal: Grow our talent to meet the needs of employers and job seekers.
Housing
Goal: Increase the stock of workforce housing to ensure workers can attain housing within reasonable proximity to their jobs.
Childcare
Goal: Increase childcare capacity to enable caregivers to join / rejoin the workforce and give children the quality early learning experience they need to thrive.
Advocacy
Goal: Ensure elected leaders effectively represent business interests in legislative and policy matters at the local, regional, state and national levels.
Entrepreneurship
Goal: Increase our ability to provide direct one-on-one support and broader collective resources to all businesses.
Talent
Launched the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Partnership | April 2023
Developing sector partnerships is a critical part of the B.O.L.D. 2026 initiative, as the Arvada Chamber and Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center work to catalyze a coordinated regional approach to meet talent needs. Advanced Manufacturing is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in our region, making it a priority for our community to gather leaders to create solutions that are trend-driven by the industry itself. Learn more.
Completed the Work-Based Learning Toolkit | May 2023
The Arvada Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with an action team of education, business and non-profit partners, created this Work-Based Learning Toolkit to help guide businesses through the terminology, data, roles, benefits, and action steps of work-based learning (WBL). WBL connects local students and adults with businesses in an intentional way to engage in real-world work experiences. This equitable, flexible approach to hands-on industry experience is designed to upskill the community’s talent pipeline to directly serve the academic, technical and social needs of the local economy. Learn more.
Launched the Construction & Trades Sector Partnership | August 2023
This initiative aligns with the B.O.L.D. 2026 plan, where the Arvada Chamber (alongside Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center) is committed to fostering a well-coordinated regional strategy to address talent requirements. Given that the Construction field is a major and rapidly expanding sector in our locality, it has become imperative for our community to assemble leaders who can collectively devise solutions in line with industry trends. Learn more.
Launched the G.R.O.W. Jeffco Work-Based Learning Workshop to increase business engagement in Work-Based Learning | September 2023
The Arvada Chamber partnered with the Jeffco Business and Workforce Center and Jeffco Public Schools to launch our first Work-Based Learning Workshop. The focus of the workshop was to support businesses in exploring, engaging, and expanding work-based learning within their organization. Learn more.
Supported the opening of four Career Hubs in Jeffco Schools | September 2023
Career Hubs have launched at four Jeffco High Schools over the past year through G.R.O.W. (Get Ready for Opportunities to Work) Jeffco efforts developed in collaboration with Jeffco Public Schools and the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. Career Hubs were designed to accomplish a system solution with the equitable engagement of partners across the education-to-employment pipeline. Our collective goal is to implement 20 career hubs across Jeffco to reach 30,000 students and 2,500 employers, year-over-year. This initiative addresses the misalignment of school-to-career preparation and is a critical component of our Talent work in B.O.L.D. 2026. Learn more.
Launched HR Leader Cohort | December 2023
The Arvada Chamber hosted a Human Resource Professionals Cohort kick-off at Barber-Nichols on Monday, December 11. The event hosted nine HR leaders from diverse businesses across the Arvada region. Going beyond traditional networking, the HR Cohort offers a platform for the exchange of ideas, implementation of emerging practices, and leadership in revolutionizing HR strategies. Learn more.
Acknowledged for Career Hub efforts at the Jeffco Public Schools Board Meeting | February 2024
“Thank you to the Arvada Chamber for your commitment to our Jeffco schools and career pathways! Your partnership is a great representation of Our Communities: Our Legacy in Jeffco.”
Housing
Published the Employer Housing Toolkit | December 2023
The Arvada Chamber of Commerce created the Employer Housing Toolkit by using insights from economists, community catalyzers, real estate financiers, developers, state agencies, and Human Resources leaders across Jefferson County to guide employers in this employer housing toolkit on A) equipping their target and existing talent to secure attainable missing-middle housing and B) increasing the overall supply of housing in the region. Learn more.
Published Arvada Housing Supply Report with bi-annual updates | January 2024
The Arvada Chamber of Commerce continues to track the proximity of the city’s income-aligned housing inventory relative to where onsite jobs are generally located, by analyzing real time supply of 60-120% AMI (area median income) housing inventory for sale or rent by zip code. Learn more.
Launched Business Housing Advocate Program | March 2024
The B.O.L.D. 2026 Housing Initiative seeks to engage business and community leaders in awareness and advocacy efforts to increase access to housing for the region’s workforce. The lack of accessible and affordable housing for the workforce results in a smaller talent pool, difficulty with talent recruitment and retention, and economic instability due to effects from workforce challenges. A key element of this initiative includes advocacy and as a result, the Arvada Chamber launched the Business Housing Advocate Program for business leaders experiencing the impact of housing access on their workforce, recruitment and retention strategies, and economic success. Learn more.
Provided Arvada Housing Strategic Plan Letter of Support at City Council Meeting | May 2024
Launched Business Housing Advocate Workbook | June 2024
The Business Housing Advocate Workbook is a resource for any business leader, regardless of industry of business size. The workbook aims to help leaders understand how housing barriers affect their business, learn how to provide testimony, and develop their own narrative for future advocacy efforts. Business leaders play a crucial role in achieving this goal through advocacy and testimony at the local, regional and state levels. Through testimony, specifically, leaders can share their experiences and support policies and initiatives that improve housing access for the workforce. Learn more.
Hosted the first B.O.L.D. 2026 Housing Tour to educate about workforce housing options at AVi at Olde Town with 18 attendees | August 2024
In August, the Arvada Chamber hosted its first Housing Tour at AVi at Olde Town in partnership with Foothills Regional Housing as an educational opportunities for local business leaders and community leaders to learn more about workforce housing solutions in and out of the region. At AVi at Olde Town, Foothills Regional Housing is seeking to create vibrant, stable communities in areas of opportunity via bold and strategic initiatives, and to provide families and individuals with housing options driven by compassion and respect throughout Jefferson County. Foothills Regional Housing currently manages 22 properties with 1,285 units across Jefferson County, three of which are located in Arvada. Read more.
Childcare
Won the Children's Champion Award from Triad Early Childhood Council | June 2023
The Arvada Chamber received the Triad Children’s Champion Award from the Triad Early Childhood Council, which represents public and private stakeholders engaged in collaborative planning and decision-making to improve quality, access, and equity outcomes for young children. Other winners recognized with the Chamber include Colorado EPIC, Kelly Varney (Jeffco Public Schools – Colorado) and Sweet Dream in a Bag.
Launch Family Friendly Workplace Certification Program with 5 pilot businesses | December 2023
In collaboration with Healthlinks, the Arvada Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to introduce the Family Friendly Workplace Certification Program! This innovative initiative aims to address workforce challenges by assisting Arvada regional businesses in attracting top talent.
This program involves three phases of certification. First, businesses complete an organizational survey on their family-friendly policies and practices and receives a customized evaluation. Then, businesses receive 1:1 consultation and resources, including employer toolkits, and trainings, to support and strengthen their family-friendly policies and practices. Finally, program businesses join a cohort of varying sizes and sectors to connect quarterly to learn about best practices and share updates. Learn more.
Hosted Family Child Care Home Provider Focus Group | January 2024
Hosted B.O.L.D. 2026 Childcare Summit with 30 attendees | February 2024
On February 28, the Arvada Chamber of Commerce hosted the B.O.L.D. 2026 Childcare Summit, a half-day event that explored innovative strategies, best practices, and regional resources addressing the critical issue of workforce childcare challenges. Learn more.
Hosted kick-off Family-Friendly Workplace Cohort | March 2024
Presented on the B.O.L.D. 2026 Childcdare Initaitive at the Triad Early Childhood Conference to partners and childcare providers | April 2024
Launched Childcare KAPS Council | June 2024
The Arvada Chamber of Commerce announced its Childcare KAPS Council to help Arvada and the region enable caregivers to join/rejoin the workforce and give children the quality early learning experience they need to thrive.
KAPS stands for Kick-Ass Problem Solvers and the Childcare KAPS Council combines partners from childcare, regional collaborative partners, and businesses together to support the B.O.L.D. 2026 Childcare goal. In its initial phase, the Childcare KAPS Council will focus on raising business leaders’ awareness and understanding of the region’s challenge with childcare access and affordability and the impact this has on business success. The KAPS council will also promote strategies that employers can implement to mitigate these challenges to boost talent recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, the KAPS Council will be working to develop an actionable strategy for B.O.L.D. 2026 to support and engage childcare providers. Read more.
Published the Employer Childcare Toolkit | September 2024
Advocacy
Won the Highest Achievement in Government Affairs Award from the Colorado Chamber of Commerce for our comprehensive advocacy strategy | October 2023
Through the B.O.L.D. 2023 initiative, Advocacy KAPS Council, the Jefferson County Business Lobby (JCBL), and consistent outreach to elected officials at all levels of government, the Arvada Chamber strives to stay informed on the latest policy developments while advocating for a strong local economy. Read 12 accomplishments from the Arvada Chamber in 2023 around pro-business advocacy and elected official engagement.
Launched the Voter Guide with 7,000+ views in the first year | October 2023
In 2023, Arvada ballots included city council elections and school board elections, as well as two statewide ballot measures: Proposition II and Proposition HH. We encouraged our local business community to review the outlined information and determine the impacts for their business. Learn more.
Launched an education strategy for supporting employers in navigating new Colorado Laws | March 2024
The Q1 2024 Arvada Business Pulse Survey, which saw 143 responses, asked business leaders which Colorado laws they would like additional support around implementation. The Arvada Chamber has assembled explainer posts for the top five Colorado laws selected in the survey. Learn more.
Hosted first B.O.L.D. Policy Changes Forum | May 2024
At the B.O.L.D Policy Changes Forum, hosted by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, veteran business reporter and current Colorado Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Sealover summed up the 74th General Assembly session as “one of the best 120 day sessions in a long time, if you just eliminate the first 110 days,” a comment that encapsulated the activity in the last weeks of the session where some bills made it across the finish line, new bills were introduced, and some died on the calendar.
Hosted at the new Arvada Chamber offices in Arvada, Sealover moderated a panel of experts in the areas of K-12 Education, Housing, and Child Care who shared their insight and observations on the 2024 legislative session highlighting the importance of bi-partisan policy-making, building internal relationships with elected officials, the need for policies that support a thriving local economy, and a glimpse ahead to the work to be continued in 2025. Read more.
90% Candidate Engagement for County and State elections | September 2024
Entrepreneurship
Launched Size Up Arvada in Partnership with Arvada Economic Development Association | January 2024
The Arvada Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA), is pleased to announce SizeUp Arvada, a free online tool that makes powerful market research and business intelligence available to local businesses. Learn more.
Celebrated a successful launch of the Business Resource Center with 100 meetings and events and over 1250 visitors. | September 2024
The Arvada Chamber’s Business Resource Center is your one-stop destination for all things business success! Think of us as your business resource librarian: here to help you navigate the vast landscape of resources, programs, and opportunities available to support your entrepreneurial journey.
Whether you’re a startup looking for guidance, an established business seeking growth strategies, or anything in between, our center offers a wealth of resources to help you thrive. Learn more.
Latest B.O.L.D. 2026 Updates
B.O.L.D. 2026 Mid-Inititative Report
This month, the Arvada Chamber reaches the midpoint of our B.O.L.D. 2026 initiative. B.O.L.D. 2026 is a five-year strategy to support the health of all businesses and organizations across the region. The Chamber, alongside regional private and public partners, is...
Impacts of Improving Access to Affordable Child Care: Findings from the Common Sense Institute
By Tess McShane, Director of Housing & Childcare Colorado is currently ranked 8th in the country for most expensive childcare, and 11th for the most expensive state to have a child. While it is recommended that parents spend no more than 12% of their income on...
What Lane Does Business Play in Housing? Takeaways From the B.O.L.D. 2026 Housing Summit
By Tess McShane, Director of Housing & Childcare The Arvada Chamber hosted its first B.O.L.D. 2026 Housing Summit on November 21, 2024, which convened business leaders, community leaders, and housing partners to connect, learn, and explore strategies together. As...