DENVER - The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has named 17 organizations as finalists for its 2022 Business Awards, presented by BOK Financial, recognizing the best in the Denver Metro area business community. A winner will be chosen for each of six categories: disruptor, large nonprofit, woman or BIPOC-owned, small business, small nonprofit and start-up. New this year, we want our community’s input determining which businesses walk away with the title. Community members can cast their vote to help decide this year’s winners. The winners will be announced live at the Business Awards on April 29 at the Infinity Park Event Center.
“The Metro Denver business community has been incredibly resilient during the past two years in the face of some extraordinary hardships,” said Chamber President and CEO J. J. Ament. “We are thrilled to recognize these fantastic organizations and their incredible achievements through this year’s Business Awards.”
The finalists are:
The 2022 Business Awards have been made possible by Community Sponsor Southwest Airlines.
Get to know our finalists:
A Precious Child is more than a resource center; it is a one-stop shop for families in crisis to receive the goods, opportunities and resources they need. These additional resources provide more than a bandage of services; they provide the foundation families require to become empowered to achieve their full potential, for children to grow up to be secure, self-reliant, contributing members of their community. Through five Cradle to Career Initiatives and 11 programs, A Precious Child provides basic essentials to children challenged by poverty, abuse, neglect or crisis situations with resource navigation and case management.
An Artist Prints is a graphic design company that brings over a decade of experience in apparel, promotional and other print forms. The team matches customers with the best production companies to suit their needs.
Barefoot PR is a group of purpose-driven public relations and design professionals who work with nonprofits, foundations, government agencies and companies focused on community impact. The team believes people have the power to change our world for the better and uses their skills to help facilitate this change.
BreakAway Meetings creates custom boxes for attendees of virtual and hybrid events, employee and client appreciation gifts, and hotel welcome gifts for in-person events in the Metro Denver area. Every order is customized to the specific event, attendees, themes and budgets. These custom boxes provide an opportunity to bring people together through a shared experience when meeting in person isn’t feasible. The boxes include locally sourced snacks and beverages, branded swag, event collateral and a branded note with a logo and custom message. Event boxes can be shipped to individual attendee addresses or bulk shipped to one location.
CareerWise Colorado’s youth apprenticeship system creates new, diverse talent pipelines for employers and new career pathways for students to access high-demand, high-paying careers. Student apprentices work toward high school graduation and earn post-secondary credit, industry credentials or both in their chosen career path. Established by the state of Colorado’s Business Experiential-Learning Commission in 2016, CareerWise works with more than 170 employers and 16 school districts to facilitate apprenticeship.
Collective Counseling Solutions was founded in Denver and is a national collective of skilled and passionate clinicians in private practice who share in the common value of accepting insurance benefits for mental health treatment. Therapists live and practice all over the country, offering high-quality mental health counseling to clients of all genders, age ranges, orientations and cultural/ethnic backgrounds. With an emphasis on diversity of specialties, training and education, the team is confident that they are the best way to find a therapist who is licensed and suited to meet each person’s personal needs.
Diverse Talent, LLC, is an executive search and placement firm that specializes in dispelling the notion that a pipeline issue exists between diverse candidates in the STEM, legal, business and nonprofit realm. Diverse Talent’s sister organization Colorado REACH (Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage) specializes in providing diversity, equity and inclusion training and education. REACH was created in Seattle in 1976 to promote inclusivity and understanding. While bringing REACH to Colorado and developing the organization, CEO Michelle Campbell alongside her family had decided to use their 60-plus years of combined experience in the legal and STEM fields to create Diverse Talent.
Dress for Success Denver empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Economic Literacy Colorado’s (ELC) mission of empowering Colorado students to achieve a lifetime of economic understanding and financial security begins with educating teachers, personally and professionally. ELC is Colorado’s only nonprofit dedicated to economic and personal financial professional development for teachers. More than 1,100 K-12 teachers participate in one-day to week-long programs annually, most of which are university-accredited through the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. ELC is also home to a Stock Market Experience virtual investment program for more than 10,000 third through 12th graders, a newly-launched Invest in Girls personal finance program for high school girls, and a soon-to-be full suite of K-12 student programs.
GoQAV – Quality Audio Video is a global leader in design-focused technology solutions for homes and businesses. Awarded best demo space in the world for smart home solutions in 2019, GoQAV continues to innovate and create elements that bring experiences to life in any space while driving emphasis toward interior design. The Experience Center, located in Centennial, is like Tony Stark’s Colorado hideout and the mission is simple: Help educate the design-build community about the latest advancements in energy-efficient interior lighting, hidden technology solutions and wellness within the home.
High 5 Plumbing is a local, family-owned plumbing company that offers comprehensive plumbing, sewer and drain services throughout the Denver Metro area. The business was established in 2012 by professionals with nearly two decades of experience in the industry and a commitment to providing service with honesty and integrity. The company is proud to have opened a second location in the Denver Metro area and plans on continual growth and expansion.
Marisol Solarte-Erlacher, M.A., LPC and Associates was previously a psychotherapy group practice and has transitioned to consultation, training and coaching for companies and nonprofit organizations to help mitigate the impact of trauma and build resilience in their workforce, with particular emphasis on working with BIPOC employees. Over the past 15 years, the company has provided trauma therapy to help individuals resolve and heal their most difficult life experiences. The team has specialized in providing services to communities that are historically underserved. In 2020, the company started the Resilience and Resistance Podcast. The podcast is about successful Black and Indigenous people and women of color who are overcoming trauma and becoming resilient.
MIKADO International is a culture-first advertising agency that strives to create a more connected world through multicultural marketing. Founded in 2010, MIKADO empowers organizations to celebrate diversity, equality and inclusion in their communication to achieve unparalleled success while building a brand for the world tomorrow. With diversity in its DNA and heart in the agency’s work, the team’s mission is to bring consciousness to cultural marketing through a collaborative mindset. It is a diverse and inclusive company that is enriched with people from all walks of life. MIKADO is proudly both a certified minority and woman-owned company.
Mile High United Way, the first United Way in the world, was founded in Denver 135 years ago in 1887. Working side by side with the community, Mile High United Way takes on critical human services issues facing our seven-county footprint including the Metro Denver, Boulder and Broomfield communities. Through community programs and initiatives, the organization focuses on community priorities: giving all children a strong start, supporting education and academic success, and creating economic opportunity for all.
Rupp’s Drums is a locally owned music retail business selling new, used and vintage drums, electronics, world percussion, parts and accessories. The company also offers rentals, repairs and private drum lessons. In addition to the products and services offered at the Denver store, Rupp’s Dream hosts a large number of drum-related events throughout the year and provides drums for Denver’s biggest annual music festivals, such as the Westword Music Showcase and the Underground Music Showcase.
Tributary Real Estate leverages its trusted relationships, depth of experience and robust real estate knowledge to provide a customized approach to commercial real estate brokerage and investment services in Denver. Founded in 2015, the company believes that the best results come from building lasting, mutually beneficial relationships and works hard every day to cultivate those relationships with clients and within the Denver community. From site selection through negotiation and closing, the team serves both local and national clients of all sizes and across all industries to ensure their success now and into the future.
WeeCycle was founded in 2008 and strives to improve the welfare of families and their children raised in poverty. The organization collects “weecycle” and matches essential baby gear, including baby formula, baby food, diapers and wipes, to families in need both directly through mobile distributions and through its 60-plus primary community partner organizations and an additional 60-plus secondary partners serving individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, under-employment and single mothers, as well as organizations serving immigrants and refugees. By “weecycling” baby gear, the organization helps keep children clean and safe and contributes to a healthier environment for their future.
2020 has delivered more than its share of challenges, hitting many of our businesses and their employees hard. In addition to the challenges facing our private sector, we also want to remind our members that many nonprofits that are critically important to our economic success and are also struggling with many of the same issues: trying to keep their employees on payroll, finding a way to deliver their services in a safe manner, and having less revenue coming in at the very time that demand for their services are increasing.
And fortunately, our elected leaders recognize this reality, too. Colorado lawmakers and Gov. Jared Polis allocated funding in a special session last week to support some of these nonprofits, particularly those in arts, culture and entertainment, and food banks.
Many of our members are looking for ways to support nonprofits and the Coloradans they serve. Here are a few ideas. ?
Here’s another idea:
More than half of the organizations funded by the Science and Cultural Facilities District have experienced significant or nearly total loss in earned revenue during the pandemic, and 33% of the jobs created by these organizations have been lost to furlough, layoff or elimination. That’s why government and culture leaders launched the “Gifts of Art from the Heart” to encourage people to support their favorite arts and cultural organizations this season. Consider making a donation, giving a membership, subscription or class, or buying from local artists. Learn more.
Our Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation alumni modeled the collective impact we can have on our Alumni Giving Day on Nov. 18, donating $22,550 to support the Leading Colorado Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the 173 alumni who donated that day, and congrats to the Leadership Denver 2015 class for bringing in the most money and most donations of any class! We’ll have another chance to support the scholarship fund (which ensures everybody who is interested in participating in our leadership programs isn’t prohibited because of resources) at the virtual Leading Colorado event on March 10, when we’ll also announce the 2021 9NEWS Leader of the Year. Once again, we have three outstanding finalists – and this year they are all currently working in the nonprofit sector.
As a Chamber member, you can vote for your top finalist after the Meet the Finalist event on Jan. 27. Learn more about Leading Colorado and register today.
Our last idea is one that will inspire you on how your business can give back to the community — The Civic 50 Colorado. The Civic 50 Colorado, an initiative of Points of Light, recognizes the 50 most community-minded small, medium and large companies in Colorado. B:CIVIC is a promotional partner of the initiative. See the 2020 honorees.
Stay well and please help support the wellbeing of others this year.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.
In the U.S., more than one in six children don’t have consistent access to nutritious food – that’s about 13.1 million kids under the age of 18. And in Colorado, one in five kids don’t always know when or where they’ll get their next meal.
We know that food – and access to it – can make an impact on your health, your paycheck and your success.
We sat down with Kathy Underhill, CEO of Hunger Free Colorado, to learn how they are working to make sure every Coloradan has access to a healthy and nutritious meal.
Taking Care of Business: Tell me briefly about the work of Hunger Free Colorado and how the organization got started?
Kathy Underhill: Hunger Free Colorado is a statewide nonprofit organization that connects families and individuals to food resources and fuels change in systems, policies and social views, so no Coloradan goes hungry.
We launched in 2009 from a merger of two nonprofit organizations to bring a more a unified, statewide voice to the issue and solutions surrounding hunger.
TCB: How does access to healthy food impact the success of an individual?
KU: Access to affordable, nutritious food supports the foundation for optimal health and well-being throughout our lives. The consumption of healthy food boosts the development of babies’ brains and bodies, fuels children with the energy needed to excel in and out of school, reduces the risk of chronic diseases in adults and keeps seniors stable and independent. Lack of sufficient food does exactly the opposite—stunting growth, hindering education, swallowing motivation, slowing productivity and deteriorating one’s health across the lifespan.
TCB: What are some of the factors that hinder Coloradans from being able to access healthy food?
KU: It is estimated that nearly one in eight Coloradans face times where there is not enough money to buy food, and this could be due to a job loss, low wages, health issues or another misfortune. Those on a tight budget often have to choose between paying rent or buying needed medications instead of purchasing groceries.
TCB: As the state’s leading anti-hunger organization, how does Hunger Free Colorado leverage collaboration to ensure Coloradans are healthy?
KU: Collaboration is essential if we want to remove roadblocks and increase access to nutritious food, so all residents and communities can prosper. We know when people work together and rally behind a shared vision, positive changes are possible and can have lasting impacts that support the health and well-being of our residents and the state of Colorado.
TCB: What can the business community do to help ensure Coloradans have sufficient access to nutritious, affordable food?
KU: Those in the business community can support Hunger Free Colorado’s innovative work in many ways. Sponsoring our annual fundraising and awareness event, Hike for Hunger; making a financial investment to broaden the impact of programs and initiatives like our statewide food resource hotline; and actively participating in coalitions and councils that aim to boost food access and economic growth.
TCB: Why do you love doing business in Colorado?
KU: Colorado’s ‘can do’ spirit is what makes doing business here like no other place. When we first started seven years ago, Colorado ranked in the bottom 10 nationally for participation in every single federal nutrition program, and at the same time, we had the fastest growing rate of child poverty. Once our community became aware and understood the issues, folks jumped in to solve the problem. The willingness and selflessness of others makes Colorado unique. And, on a lighter note: while we work hard together, we also play hard!
Laura James is the marketing and communications coordinator for the Denver Metro Chamber.
When you take on the challenge of fundraising for an organization, you make a sacrifice for the betterment of someone or something else. Whether it’s your time or your funds, you forego a personal benefit and donate that energy to the organization. But what benefits do you receive from fundraising? It’s actually a lot more than just that warm fuzzy feeling of doing something good for someone else. Here are four things you gain from fundraising for an organization.
Looking for an opportunity to get involved? Join the 2016 Spring Challenge Campaign, a fundraiser that will allow you to develop new relationships, engage more deeply in the Chamber and help it increase its impact. The challenge kicks off on April 13.
Dorothy Ostrogorski is a membership representative for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Here in Colorado, we pride ourselves on having one of the smartest, most innovative workforces in the nation. But did you know that our state also leads the way in community involvement? More than 1.3 million Coloradans volunteered 160.3 million hours of service to community organizations in 2012.
Giving back is part of the DNA of our business community, and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Impact Denver (ID) program is passing that civic DNA to the next generation of business leaders. This year’s class is no different. They’re looking for nonprofits that need a few extra hands to complete a short-term project. Proposals are due on Friday, Dec. 19. Click here for more details or to apply.
Here are a few of the ways that Impact Denver leaders have impacted our community through these projects:
Denver City Lax: In 2014, an ID team worked with Denver City Lax (DCL), an organization that reaches out to youth in underserved Denver neighborhoods through the sport of lacrosse, creating and executing a plan to market and support the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship Games and collaborating with 7News Denver to increase awareness of the Games and DCL.
Junior Achievement: A group of ID participants partnered with Junior Achievement (JA) in 2013 to create a volunteer recruitment, retention and training plan to attract young professionals. But first, the team had to experience the volunteer programs they were marketing. They went through volunteer training and taught over 200 students in eight different metro area high schools. After the project was completed, the JA staff implemented many of the ideas and recommendations.
Reach Out and Read: When a team from ID ’12 began its project with Reach Out and Read’s gently used books program, the task was to deliver children’s books to locations around the metro area. This group went above and beyond, creating a sustainable plan to partner with a pharmaceutical company that visited many of the same locations to deliver the books, increasing the efficiency of the book delivery process and lightening the burden of delivery for the Reach Out and Read staff.
This year’s Impact Denver class will launch in January with more than 90 young professionals who are ready to kick start their community engagement. These projects present a great opportunity for local nonprofits to expand their volunteer base and work with a small group of energetic professionals from Impact Denver who can help these organizations have an impact in the community.
Danielle Mellema is the communications and marketing specialist for the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation.
