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.
Read the B.O.L.D. 2026 Outcomes to Date.
Q3 Initiative Accomplishments
Talent
- In August, the Chamber joined over 30 leaders in Edwards, Colorado to learn how to apply Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) to address talent pipeline issues in our state. Greater Arvada Chamber President & CEO, Kami Welch, was among the first to be trained in TPM across the country in 2017. Over the past 8 years, the framework has had a positive impact on talent pipelines locally and nationally, and now we’ll have the opportunity to leverage it more broadly across the state.
- In August, the Chamber hosted the “2025 State of Education,” which brought together education leaders from Jeffco Public Schools and Red Rocks Community College to share updates on the state of education in our region. Superintendent Tracy Dorland and President Dr. Landon Pirius offered insights on student achievement, funding challenges, career readiness, and the critical partnerships between schools, higher education, and the business community.
- In Q3, the Chamber hosted 10 meetings across construction and advanced manufacturing sector partnerships, moving work forward to make it easier for construction businesses to do business in Jeffco and share about the career opportunities that exist in advanced manufacturing.
- In September, the Chamber finalized its Work-Based Learning Online Training. This free 1-hour course provides key information in one place for businesses to start or formalize their work-based learning program. After completion, businesses will receive a copy of the new Work-Based Learning Toolkit and continued support for implementing a WBL plan.
Housing
- In Q3, the Chamber published three Housing Stories of Impact (Intermountain Health, On Tap Credit Union, and Equalized Productions) and created a landing page for this content: www.arvadachamber.org/housingstories.
- In August, the Chamber published top takeaways from a new Common Sense Institute report that ranked Colorado last in housing competitiveness.
- In Q3, the Chamber worked to restructure the KAPS Councils for Housing and Childcare to help engage more businesses in these issues through 2026.
Childcare
- In September, the Chamber created a key findings blog post on a new Common Sense Institute Report that found Jefferson County parents are spending 21.8% of their monthly income on childcare.
- In Q3, the Chamber celebrated new additions to the Family Friendly Workplace Program, including On Tap Credit Union, ArtSPARK Creative Studio, and Footers. The program also held a cohort meeting where businesses learned more about budget and financial planning resources for their employees.
Advocacy
- In August, the Chamber hosted its annual Impression of Session: 2025 Legislative Review & Business Impact. This event convened key state policymakers, advocacy partners, and business leaders to reflect on the 2025 legislative session.
- In August, the Chamber launched the Local Issues Review Team to review key topics affecting our local business environment, bring in leaders and experts related to these issues, and help determine both the impact on businesses and possible courses of action.
- In September, the Chamber published “Outcomes of the 2025 Colorado Special Session,” detailing the state’s special session that focused on key areas around the state budget and AI regulation reform.
- In September, over 60 people attended the Chamber’s “Advocacy After Hours: Meet The Candidates” event, which allowed members of the business community a chance to connect with candidates for the Jeffco Board of Education and Arvada City Council in an informal setting
Entrepreneurship
- In Q3, the Chamber created “Arvada Area Business FAQs” that includes information on permitting, support, funding, and more. This information is published on arvadachamber.org/BRC.
- In July, the Chamber published a blog post detailing nine ways the Business Resource Center can support your business.
- In July, the Chamber hosted its second Evening With an Expert program, with Gina Schley of SheGrows.com. This series gives entrepreneurs a chance to gain valuable insights from those who have navigated the challenges and triumphs of business and leadership in our community.
- In Q3, the Chamber introduced a new monthly program, “AI Study Hall,” which combines an educational presentation and time to workshop learnings into your business strategy.
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