B.O.L.D. 2026 | Q1 2024 Outcomes

B.O.L.D. 2026 is a five-year regional economic strength and resiliency initiative of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber developed BOLD 2026 in consultation with private and public sector leaders and partners in Arvada, Jefferson / Adams Counties, Metro Denver and the state of Colorado. Each quarter, the Arvada Chamber will provide this update on initiative outcomes for investors, members, Champions, and the community.

• On March 28, the Arvada Chamber hosted its B.O.L.D. 2026 Annual Meeting at Social Capitol. The Chamber presented an update of new resources and data pertaining to the initiative’s four goal areas. The event’s keynote speaker, Lori Rosendahl, CEO of Foothills Regional Housing, also presented the State of Housing. View a copy of the full event presentation here.
  
  
• Read the B.O.L.D. 2026 Outcomes to Date, presented at the Annual Meeting.
  

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• On Thursday, January 11, 30 employers participated in the GROW Jeffco Work-Based Learning Workshop. The Arvada Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Red Rocks Community College, Jeffco Business and Workforce Center, Jeffco Public Schools, and the Colorado Apprenticeship Hub hosted the one-day event to give attendees a detailed overview of how they can explore, engage, and expand in work-based learning opportunities for their organization. READ MORE.
  
  
• On February 1, the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Colorado Gives Foundation, hosted a special event to celebrate how Jeffco employers, training providers, and funders are working together to help learners land in-demand jobs without debt. The event officially launched the Colorado Pay It Forward Fund and highlighted related initiatives that are creating a better tomorrow for all. Arvada Chamber President & CEO, Kami Welch, opened the conversation by highlighting our B.O.L.D. 2026 work and reviewing the overall goal of aligning community resources to a shared vision of strengthening the talent pipeline. Talent innovations highlighted at the event included the Colorado Pay it Forward Fund, which finances Colorado’s best talent pipelines, and stackable credentials that streamline the learner journey to great jobs. READ MORE.
  
  

In March, the Business Housing Advocates kick-off training convened several business leaders from Arvada to learn about advocacy and how to testify to support income-aligned housing access for the workforce. Attendees heard from presenters, Ben Taylor, Lincoln Avenue Communities, and Brian Rossbert, Housing Colorado, to learn about opportunities for housing advocacy at the local, regional, and state level, importance of business voices in advocacy, and the process for testifying. READ MORE.

• In January, the Arvada Chamber announced a Family Friendly Workplace Certification Program in collaboration with Healthlinks. 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. READ MORE.
  
  
• 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. Thank you to the more than 30 regional partners, providers, and engaged business leaders who attended to learn how to be part of the solution and drive positive change in our community! Read the top takeaways from the Summit, plus business resources to engage in childcare solutions.
  

• In February, the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA), announced SizeUp Arvada, a free online tool that makes powerful market research and business intelligence available to local businesses. SizeUp Arvada helps to level the business playing field by empowering Arvada entrepreneurs and small businesses with important data insights that typically only large corporations can afford to access. Entrepreneurs can use the software to estimate the viability of their future or current business and test assumptions of their business plan. Users simply input their business industry and location into the tool, and it generates research that is individually customized for each company. READ MORE.

• The Arvada Chamber hosted the State of Homelessness on January 19 as part of its Community Impact Forum series. Britta Fisher (Colorado Coalition for the Homeless) provided a keynote overview of homelessness data in Jefferson County and then joined a panel discussion with Cassie Ratliff (Family Tree), Scott Spears (Olde Town Arvada Business Owner), Arvada Municipal Judge Kathryn Kurtz, and Kelly Dunkin (Colorado Gives Foundation). View a video recording of the event and six key takeaways from the forum here.
  
  
  
• The Arvada Chamber hosted the “New Laws For 2024” employment law webinar with HRx Services. The presentation, titled “Goodbye 2023, and Hello 2024,” was designed to guide businesses through crucial regulatory changes that will shape the employment landscape in Colorado. Hear from HR experts on the latest updates, offering insights into new laws, compliance requirements, and key considerations affecting employers. Watch a recording of the webinar.
  
  
• 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 assembled explainer posts for the top five Colorado laws selected in the survey: FAMLI, Minimum Wage Increase, Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, Colorado SecureSavings, and the POWR Act. Read below for each legislation’s eligibility, key dates, and the requirements for businesses. READ MORE.
  
  
• The Arvada Chamber launched Muster, which allows business leaders to opt in to receive opportunities to testify and engage elected officials. Sign up here.
  

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