B.O.L.D. 2026 is a five-year regional economic strength and resiliency initiative of the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce. B.O.L.D. 2026 includes four mutually supporting goals that tackle challenges impacting businesses and employees around talent development, housing, childcare capacity, and the business environment. Each quarter, the Chamber will provide this update on initiative outcomes for investors, members, and the community.
Q1 Initiative Accomplishments
- In January, the Chamber released its 2026 Programmatic Overview, which highlights new and expanded programs supporting business visibility, talent development, leadership pipelines, housing and childcare solutions, and pro-business advocacy.
- In March, the Chamber announced that President & CEO Kami Welch will serve as part-time Interim CEO of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, strengthening regional collaboration and continuity during the leadership transition.
- View the B.O.L.D. 2026 Outcomes to Date, presented at the quarterly Investor Briefing.
Thank you to our 2026 Talent Network sponsor, Payroll Vault – Arvada – North Metro Denver! Sign up to join this network to receive updates and program invites at arvadachamber.org/Networks.
- In March, the Metro-West Construction Alliance Sector Partnership, co-facilitated by the Greater Arvada Chamber and Workforce Colorado, released the Selecting and Building Out Commercial Space 2026 Guide, which helps businesses navigate site selection, leasing, permitting, and build-out considerations.
- On March 25, the Chamber and regional partners released a new report on Building the Talent Pipeline for High‑Wage, In‑Demand Aerospace Careers. The effort brings together Red Rocks Community College (RRCC), Education Design Lab, RRCC Foundation, the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce, Jeffco Economic Development Corporation, Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center, Manufacturers Edge, and Jeffco Public Schools, alongside employers Barber-Nichols, CoorsTek, EPOCS, Faustson, Kratos, Lockheed Martin, and Sundyne. By using the Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) approach and building on previous advanced manufacturing work, partners avoided duplicating efforts and created a shared, data-driven picture of what the industry really needs.
- In March, the Chamber hosted a ribbon-cutting for Arvada West High School’s Career Hub, now featuring a dedicated physical space to support career exploration and work-based learning opportunities for students across multiple industries. They are one of 14 Jeffco schools with a Career Hub, where students practice interviewing skills, create a resume, find job shadows, internships, and other work-based learning opportunities. Teachers utilize the Career Hub for finding guest speakers, classroom lessons, and other support for their students. The Greater Arvada Chamber has partnered with Jeffco Public Schools to help launch and support Career Hubs as a critical component of our Talent work in the B.O.L.D. 2026 initiative.
- In March, President and CEO Kami Welch delivered the keynote address at the inaugural Colorado Work-Based Learning Symposium, a statewide event focused on building a strong network of practitioners who drive local economic impact by expanding high-quality WBL experiences.
Thank you to our 2026 Housing Network sponsor, Cardel Homes! Sign up to join this network to receive updates and program invites at arvadachamber.org/Networks.
- In January, the Chamber released its 2026 Colorado Housing Resources for Employees, which includes information and assistance programs to help employees with rent, homebuying, homeowning, and more.
- In March, the Board of Directors voted to support the proposed Welby Gardens Development in west Arvada and assisted businesses in preparing public comments for the April City Council hearing. This development, proposed by AvalonBay Communities, seeks to provide 384 apartments and 50 for-sale townhomes at 17201 W 64th Ave, Arvada, CO 80007. This project would add needed housing stock for middle to moderate-income earners, including young professionals, college graduates, new families, and essential workers in the Arvada community. Read more here.
Thank you to our Childcare Network sponsor, Jovie! Sign up to join this network to receive updates and program invites at arvadachamber.org/Networks.
- In February, the Chamber led a federal advocacy effort urging Colorado’s congressional delegation to protect and restore critical federal childcare funding. In partnership with childcare providers, including Family Child Care Home providers and licensed child care centers, the Chamber submitted a letter and testimonials to U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Ultimately, it urged elected officials to take swift action to restore and safeguard childcare funding as an essential economic and workforce investment.
- In Q1, eight businesses joined the Family-Friendly Workplace Program, reflecting strong community commitment to supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities.
- In Q1, the Chamber entered a partnership with Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) to bring at least one child care solution to feasibility in the Arvada area by Spring 2027, with the Chamber serving as the local anchor partner.
Thank you to our Advocacy Network sponsor, Republic Services! Sign up to join this network to receive updates and program invites at arvadachamber.org/Networks.
- On January 7, the Chamber hosted a business roundtable with gubernatorial candidate Michael Bennet to discuss issues from regulation and affordability to healthcare and housing.
- On January 16, the Chamber convened business leaders, policymakers, and insurance experts for the State of Property & Casualty Insurance, highlighting rising premiums, tightening availability, and collaborative strategies to reduce risk and improve long-term market stability in Colorado.
- On February 12, the Chamber hosted an Advocacy Network Quarterly Briefing with Arvada City Council which included a presentation on strategic priorities from City Manager Don Wick.
- On February 26, the Chamber hosted its 2026 Employment Law Overview, equipping employers with updates on new state and federal workplace regulations for the year ahead.
- In Q1, the Chamber took a position on 26 Colorado bills across the policy pillars of business regulation, talent, childcare, and housing.
Thank you to our 2026 Entrepreneurship Network sponsor, Hoot App! Sign up to join this network to receive updates and program invites at arvadachamber.org/Networks.
- In January, the Chamber released the AI for Business Implementation Toolkit, which helps business leaders assess readiness, identify use cases, and implement AI to improve efficiency.
- On February 9, the Chamber celebrated several new additions to the Business Resource Center, including a media studio for podcast and video recording. The media studio is the home of the Chamber’s new podcast, Arvada Business Today.
- In March, the Chamber partnered with Colorado Inclusive Economy to release its Workforce Playbook for Small and Mid-Size Employers, which provides practical strategies to strengthen teams, improve culture, and identify opportunities to drive business growth through better workforce practices.
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