ABOUT THE DENVER METRO CHAMBER
Colorado has always attracted people who love to build and create. To start businesses. To launch ideas. To take risks. To make a mark. But building a great city and thriving economy doesn't happen by chance. The future belongs to regions that work together to create it.
For more than 150 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been driving those conversations. From the early days of connecting our railroads to guiding the growth of today's global industries, we unite business leaders, policymakers, and community voices to shape one of America’s most vibrant regions. Our mission is steadfast: Economic Empowerment for Every Coloradan.
OUR APPROACH
As a coalition of change, our membership drives resilient economic progress that benefits everyone who calls Colorado home. That means:
Convening the public and private sectors to align around shared priorities.
Advocating for smart, balanced public policy that fosters opportunity without unnecessary barriers.
Helping small businesses thrive while attracting global employers.
Developing the next generation of civic leaders.
Staying focused on the big picture—regional competitiveness, quality of life, and long-term prosperity.
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President & CEO
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
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President & CEO
As president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the leading voice for Colorado's business community, J. J. Ament is focused on effectively advocating for small and large businesses in our region. Before being appointed to his current position, he served from 2017 to 2021 as the chief executive officer of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, a part of the Chamber family of organizations and the largest privately funded and governed economic development organization in Colorado. With experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, J. J. brings a unique combination of expertise to the role.
An investment banker for most of his career, he participated in more than $15 billion of transactions for governments and public-private partnerships throughout the U.S. before leaving the industry in 2016. J. J. has been a member and chairman of the Colorado Economic Development Commission, where he considered state economic development incentives, grants and tax credits for business and tourism projects statewide.
EVP of the Chamber & President of Leadership Foundation
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EVP of the Chamber & President of Leadership Foundation
Kristen Blessman is Executive Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber and President of Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. She has over 20 years of leadership experience, including strategic marketing, business development and executive management; working within nonprofit as well as for-profit businesses. Blessman is also an entrepreneur, having started multiple ventures. She is a change-agent leader with a focus on revenue development through the areas of innovation, strategic planning, start-up social enterprise, rebranding, and award-winning marketing and advertising campaigns.
Blessman served as the President and General Manager of PBS12, Impact Media for Colorado. As CEO of PBS12, Blessman re-invented the hyper local media landscape for Colorado by telling local stories that inspire. Blessman was brought on as president of the organization to do what she does best; bring innovation, advocacy and change to the nonprofit media organization. Under her tenure, the organization launched entirely new local programming, spearheaded several local content partnerships and won an Emmy and Telly award and best new program from the Colorado Broadcaster’s Association.
Kristen currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Western Colorado University and has served on the boards of The International Women’s Forum of Colorado, The American Marketing Association, and The Denver Press Club. She also serves as an advisory board member and guest faculty for the Jake Jabs School for Entrepreneurship at CU Denver and is a Civico Governor’s Fellow.
EVP of the Chamber & President of the Metro Denver EDC
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EVP of the Chamber & President of the Metro Denver EDC
Raymond H. Gonzales brings over 26 years of leadership experience across government administration, including roles such as New Mexico’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary under Governor Bill Richardson and County Manager for Adams County, Colorado. Passionate about economic development, Raymond leads the Metro Denver EDC, uniting over 100 cities, counties, and agencies to foster regional prosperity through business attraction and expansion activities, overseeing billions in potential capital expenditures and the creation of thousands of jobs.
He has been instrumental in advancing the Colorado-Wyoming Engine, a key initiative funded through the National Science Foundation, driving regional innovation and collaboration. Raymond also serves as Executive Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber.
CAREERS
At the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, every role contributes to building a stronger Colorado. We’re looking for people who want to be part of something bigger than a job. People who believe in collaboration, long-term thinking, and making real impact. Here, your work connects directly to the leaders, companies, and ideas that move Colorado forward.
ABOUT US
