B.O.L.D. 2026
Talent

B.O.L.D. 2026 (BOLD – Big Opportunities for Leaders to Deliver) 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.
Our Goal
Grow our talent to meet the needs of employers and job seekers.
Summary
We will ensure Arvada and Jefferson / Adams Counties develop, retain, and attract the skilled workers needed by area employers; we will ensure a competitive advantage for area employers through quality workers and for workers through quality jobs.
B.O.L.D. 2026 Talent
Challenges
Linkage to business health, the regional economy and our standard of living.
In Arvada and Jefferson / Adams Counties – and throughout the world – a lack of talent impedes the ability of employers to serve their customers/clients – and threatens the ability of employers to survive and thrive. An inadequate talent pool can erode employer margins as they pay more for scarce talent, and it can slow production, degrade quality, and disrupt supply chains. When employers struggle, the regional economy struggles, and incomes and our standard of living decline.
Inadequate supply of available talent.
Employer demand continuously outpaces the supply of qualified workers; nationwide in February 2022, there were only 58 unemployed workers for every 100 job openings; in Arvada in February 2022, there were 3,126 open jobs listed on Indeed alone and a low 3.7% unemployment rate; various factors are impacting the supply of available talent
- Employee resignations / turnover
- Declining number of women in the workforce
- Declining births and fertility rates
- Declining population growth
Inadequate skills alignment.
Workers don’t have the skills needed by many primary employers
- Skills gap. 78% of hiring managers say a skills gap persists across industries
- Uneven educational outcomes (high school graduation rates) / workforce preparedness
Barriers. As a region, we are not progressing fast enough in knocking down barriers to talent availability. See subsequent workforce housing and childcare sections for details on these barriers
Lack of regional coordination.
Jefferson / Adams Counties do not have a coordinated talent / workforce development effort to serve businesses and workers; businesses, non-profits, and schools work in silos leading to talent gaps and negatively impacting businesses and job seekers.
Our Work
Catalyze a coordinated regional approach to meet talent needs
- Talent KAPS Council (Coming Soon!)
- Champions Program
- Proud member of the Tri-County Workforce Development Board
- Sector Partnerships (Coming Soon)
- Talent Pipeline Management (TPM)
Take immediate action to connect employers to talent
Increase career awareness & work-based learning opportunities
Support employers in retaining and attracting talent
- Top Challenges Summit
Updates and Resources
Make Your Business Thrive By Building An Adaptive Team by Kelsey Ashton, Jefferson County Public Library
In today’s fast-paced and uncertain world, it’s increasingly important for organizations to have an adaptable team -- One that can handle the pressure of disruption and adjust to changing circumstances. As important as adaptability is, it isn’t a skill we’re born...
5 Ways to Build a Collaborative Team by Jefferson County Public Library
Collaboration is an essential ingredient for a successful business and an effective team. Yet, a collaborative work environment doesn’t just create itself. Below are 5 tips you can implement right now to beginbuilding a collaborative work culture. 1. Collaboration...
How To Compete In Today’s Market – A Recruiters Top 7 Guide by Jon Drogheo, MEd-HR, Jefferson Center for Mental Health
There are thousands of job seekers in the market place right now and many are competing for the job you have applied to or want to apply to. When you submit your resume someone, and it is a someone, is reading what you sent. In addition, they, we, are looking at other...
B.O.L.D. 2026 Goals
1
Grow Your Talent
Grow our talent to meet the needs of employers and job seekers.
2
Increase Stock of Workforce Housing
Increase the stock of workforce housing to ensure workers can attain housing within reasonable proximity to their jobs.
3
Increase Childcare Capacity
Increase Childcare Capacity to enable caregivers to join / rejoin the workforce and give children the quality early learning experience they need to thrive.
4
Strengthen Business Environment: Advocacy
Ensure elected leaders effectively represent business interests in legislative and policy matters at the local, regional, state and national levels.
5
Strengthen Business Environment: Entrepreneurship
Increase our ability to provide direct one-on-one support and broader collective resources to all businesses.