< Previous26 C O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E Be Bold in Boulder C I T Y P R O F I L E — B O U L D E R by S AVA N N A H K I N GC O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E 27 ocated less than an hour’s drive north of Denver, Boulder’s unique and diverse economy off ers its businesses and residents the opportunity to be bolder. Home to more than , people, federally funded research labs, a top research university and several leading industry clusters, Boulder’s dynamic industries help make the city an ideal location for companies wanting to tap into Colorado’s highly skilled workforce. Colorado: Business Comes to Life spoke with Boulder Economic Council Executive Director Clif Harald about Boulder’s key assets for business. e Boulder Economic Council is the economic vitality arm of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, which is a nonprofi t, member supported organization. How would you describe Boulder’s business climate? CLIF HARALD: By many measures, the climate for business in Boulder (and Boulder County) may be the healthiest it’s ever been. Most companies here are prospering, there are many diff erent sources of funding for businesses, residents of Boulder County have the highest educational attainment of all metro areas in the U.S., and there is a very wide range of jobs available for residents. What are some of Boulder’s key assets for businesses? HARALD: By far our most valuable asset is the people who live and work here. Employees of Boulder and Boulder County businesses are talented, skilled, and experienced. ey are innovative, collaborative, intentional, and care deeply about the quality of life and environment here. Many people in our workforce have made a conscious choice to live and work here even though they could have chosen to live in many other places in the region and even around the nation or world. Another important asset is a collaborative network of peer businesses in key local industries such as aerospace, biosciences, energy, technology, natural foods, and outdoor recreation, among others. Other key assets include University of Colorado Boulder, a highly desirable quality of life and place, many diff erent sources of capital to fund growing businesses, and access to all the resources and amenities of the metro Denver area. Can you share some examples of companies that have found success in Boulder? HARALD: ere are so many! ere are successful companies that started here decades ago, like Ball Aerospace, Celestial Seasonings, and Micro Motion, among others. ere are hundreds of startup success stories, including many as diverse as Justin’s, LogRhythm, BI, High Precision Devices, Liberty Puzzles, New Hope, SomaLogic, and Zayo. We’ve also seen the evolution of many companies as they’ve successfully merged with or been acquired by other companies. Today, companies such as Google, Twitter, Medtronic, Corden Pharma, Emerson, NetApp, and others are part of Boulder’s economy because of merger and acquisition activity. What are your key industries and why? HARALD: One of the Boulder economy’s most notable — and unusual — strengths is our industry diversity. Well-established, global industries such as aerospace, biosciences, clean energy, internet/software, natural foods, outdoor recreation, and tourism are perhaps the best- known key local industries. However, there are others like beverages, creative services and scientifi c research that are just as well established here. e reason for this unusual degree of industry diversity is the quality of our workforce, the quality of our environment, CU Boulder, and access to the resources of the metro Denver region, among other attributes of our community. How would you describe Boulder’s quality of life? HARALD: e quality of life in Boulder — including the quality of our environment cannot be overvalued. Certainly, our natural environment is our most treasured attribute: Boulder was the fi rst city in the U.S. to tax itself to acquire land and preserve it from development. In more recent decades, we’ve seen Boulder’s quality of life enhanced creatively, culturally and socially. Arts and entertainment fl ourish here. Our nonprofi t community of cultural amenities such as Chautauqua and the Museum of Boulder is the healthiest it’s ever been. Boulder’s network of social resources, including CU Boulder, continue to grow and evolve as they fi nd new ways to serve constituents throughout our community. Perhaps most signifi cant of all, though, residents of Boulder and Boulder County are creative, collaborative and intentional, and we care deeply about our quality of life and each other. L Photo courtesy of Colorado Office of Tourism 28 C O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E Carbondale: Colorado’s Base Camp C I T Y P R O F I L E — C A R B O N D A L E by S AVA N N A H K I N GC O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E 29 ocated miles west of Denver and miles from Aspen’s stunning ski country, Carbondale is a small town with big-time opportunity. While the city may have got its start as a mining town and later became an agricultural powerhouse, today the city is tapping into its artistic leanings and outdoor amenities. A small mountain town with some , people in the city and another , in surrounding Garfi eld County, the community has become a haven for entrepreneurs. In fact, more than artists and creative entrepreneurs call Carbondale home. e city is one of fi ve state-certifi ed Creative Districts nestled in Western Colorado, including Paonia, Crested Butte, Ridgway and Salida. e Carbondale Creative District showcases businesses ranging from art galleries to coff ee shops and distilleries. e Roaring Fork Beer Company is one such creative enterprise. Located in the Carbondale Business Park, the brewery was launched in . e company brews, packages and sells craft beers throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. “I chose to create in Carbondale because I love all the people and energy that is in this town,” said Chase Engel, head brewmaster and CEO of Roaring Fork Beer Company. “ ere’s a funky vibe here that isn’t replicated anywhere in Colorado that I knew my business could add to and coexist with that made doing business here an easy and rewarding choice.” With its proximity to Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Carbondale is a magnet for tourists taking in the beauty of Colorado’s central Rocky Mountains. Touted by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the “Top Towns” in its “ Next Great Places to Live and Play,” Carbondale is the active person’s dream community. In fact, the city boasts an altitude of , feet, days of sunshine, low humidity, cool and mild winters and comfortable summers, and abundant places to hike, bike, fl y fi sh and ski. With so many of nature’s gifts in one place, it’s little wonder companies that cater to outdoor recreation are moving into the region. Backbone Media has been headquartered in Carbondale for more than years. e public relations and media agency was founded by two avid climbers and represents some of the biggest names in recreation including Eddie Bauer, Yeti, New Belgium Brewing, Black Diamond and many more. In , Why Cycles, a titanium bike brand, moved from Utah to Carbondale. e company was originally founded by a group of cycling enthusiasts and businessmen in Ogden in early . e company sells its bikes through dealers and direct to consumers on its website. e company cited Carbondale’s proximity to cycling trails and customers as a reason for the move. “We couldn’t be more excited to be in a town like Carbondale. e community, mountains, people and trails combine for an energy that will foster and grow our company,” said company founder Adam Miller. “When the opportunity to move to Carbondale presented itself, we knew it would be a great fi t for all of our employees and shop dogs as well. Why Cycles is eager to settle into town and get to know our new community of fellow bicycle enthusiasts.” While fun and recreation might be the region’s hallmark, the area is home to a variety of other industries with ample room to grow. Carbondale has more than . million square feet of vacant commercial land available within established business and industrial parks. L Photo: Getty Images30 C O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E Colorado Springs: A Deep Well of Opportunity C I T Y P R O F I L E — C O L O R A D O S P R I N G S by S AVA N N A H K I N GC O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E 31 ome to more than Fortune fi rms, fi ve military installations and one of the largest Foreign Trade Zones in the country, Colorado Springs is a magnet for companies looking to tap into the state’s robust economic ecosystem. Located one hour from Denver, Colorado Springs is the state’s second-largest city and growing by the day. In fact, the Brookings Institution named the city the No. Fastest Growing City for Millennials in . Colorado Springs was also named the No. Most Desirable Place to Live by U.S. News and World Report for -. e city boasts an enviable quality of life with its stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and outdoor recreational opportunities. e city is also more aff ordable than comparable locations, falling below the national average for housing, utilities and other costs of living. Forbes called it the No. Most Aff ordable American City in . e region is a hub of activity for industries such as aerospace and defense, IT and cybersecurity, health care and medical technologies, sports and manufacturing. More than aerospace and defense companies are located within the Colorado Springs region including Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. e city is also a home base for some of the world’s most advanced technology companies specializing in global positioning, cybersecurity and more. In early , Polaris Alpha, a leading provider of mission-critical technology software, announced it would expand its Colorado offi ces in Denver and Colorado Springs. e expansion will occur over the next seven years in two phases, the second of which will involve the Colorado Springs facility. e company plans to add , square feet and will hire employees by . “We are extremely excited to accelerate our growth plans in Colorado,” said Jay Jesse, president of Polaris Alpha. “ e state is a major hub in our growing company. We are very bullish on Colorado as a location not only to work, but also to provide a great environment for employees and their families to thrive.” Trisco Foods, an Australian food manufacturer and contract packager, announced in February it would locate its U.S. headquarters and production operations in Colorado Springs. e company purchased a ,-sq.-ft. facility and will open in mid-. Initially, Trisco will produce a range of highly specialized food goods that are used in the treatment of a swallowing disorder known as dysphagia. Over the next fi ve years, the company plans to create more than jobs and will use its extensive R&D capabilities and -plus years of food manufacturing expertise to help introduce unique and innovative food solutions into new markets, both locally and across the globe. “Colorado Springs was chosen as an ideal location for our international expansion. With good access to the entire United States, as well as a growing specialty food manufacturing culture, we see great opportunities for the future,” said Mike Tristram, CEO of Trisco Foods. “Colorado Springs is an exciting and fast-growing region and mirrors the balanced but hard-working lifestyle of our hometown in Brisbane, Australia. We believe that food brings families together, and we have been warmly welcomed to the Front Range family in Colorado.” Trisco chose Colorado Springs for its U.S. headquarters for a variety of reasons including its workforce, location and aff ordability. “ e region is very business-friendly, due in part to the intelligent and highly skilled workforce, centralized interstate access, excellent incentive packages and low-cost utilities,” said Alex Travnicek, Trisco’s project manager for this expansion. “In particular, Colorado Springs has an active, outdoor and healthy lifestyle that is analogous to the work-life balance Trisco strives to promote. As a Colorado native, I am extremely excited and proud to help establish such a genuine and employee-focused company in my hometown.” H Photo: Getty ImagesC I T Y P R OF IL E — DU R A NG O Durango: The Land of Startups by S AVA N N A H K I N G 32 C O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F EC O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E 33 ounded in by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, Durango has a long history of economic momentum behind it. Located in the southwestern corner of the state, Durango in La Plata County is a well- known location among outdoors lovers. Perhaps less well-know, but no less important, the region is also home to several other thriving sectors including natural resources, food and beverage manufacturing, lifestyle fi rms, and technology fi rms. Durango has been called “the next big thing” by Outside Magazine and in , Durango was named one of the Top Coolest Small Towns by Budget Travel. With its natural beauty, history, cultural diversity and robust tourism industry, the city off ers community and a high quality of life. e city of nearly , attracts more than , visitors annually. With a labor force of ,, Durango has become an appealing location for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Over the next years, the county is projected to grow by %. “Durango is known not only for its Old West heritage and abundant outdoor activities, but also as a charming, yet cutting-edge place to visit,” says Frank Lockwood, Executive Director with Durango Area Tourism Offi ce. “ ere has never been a better time to explore all that Durango has to off er, from Mesa Verde National Park and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, to the newly opened Lake Nighthorse recreation area to art galleries, shops, restaurants, and award-winning microbreweries.” As the self-proclaimed “City of Brewerly Love,” Durango’s craft beer scene is positively hopping. e city is home to award-winning local breweries as well as Colorado’s second oldest establishment. In , Crafted Beverages of Southwest Colorado, a regional marketing eff ort, received a total of $, in matching grants from Durango Area Tourism Offi ce and the Colorado Tourism Offi ce. e initiative is an eff ort to encourage agricultural tourism and the “drink local.” While the historic city is popular among tourists and beer lovers, it also supports a thriving entrepreneurial community. e South West Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE) is an intensive -month startup program located in Durango helping to boost the region’s small and growing businesses. e program has been recognized nationally by Product Hunt, Tech Crunch, CNBC, and Nasdaq. Several successful companies have found success through the program in Durango including Tailwind Nutrition, StoneAge Tools, GitPrime and MuniRevs. GitPrime, a team productivity software founded in , was recently acquired by Utah-based Pluralsight, an online training platform focusing on subjects like web development, IT certifi cation and security training, for $ million. “Durango has a large entrepreneurial community with many resources and access to funding to help business launch and grow,” says Elizabeth Marsh, SCAPE Director. New companies who land in the Durango area also benefi t from proximity to Fort Lewis College, Pueblo Community College — Southwest, and San Juan College. Another of SCAPE’s companies, AGILE Space Propulsion is working on new technologies using D printers to create thrusters for robotic lunar landers. AGILE is working with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center to accelerate the development and production of one of the hardest and longest lead time systems on a lunar lander: the descent engines. e company was founded by former Rocketdyne propulsion engineer Daudi Barnes. Barned moved from Los Angeles to branch out on his own and founded his fi rst company, Advanced Mobile Propulsion Test (AMPT) in . “Durango off ers an excellent environment for both work and play,” the company notes. “As a tourist town and regional hub, Durango has amenities found in much larger cities, including excellent restaurants, hotels, live music and nightlife. Located near the San Juan mountain range in Southwest Colorado, Durango off ers easy access to all of the activities in the Four Corners Area. Durango is a unique mountain community; our employees and customers love to work, live and play here.” F Photo courtesy of Visit Durango34 C O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E The Rural Jump-Start program has boosted companies on the Western Slope, and stands ready to help rms get a foothold across rural Colorado. R UR A L E C O N O MI C D E V E L OP ME N T by ADAM B R U N S n the Map roStar GeoCorp. Dude Solutions. Visual Globe. e names fairly ooze with the cool, sleek, futuristic vibe of the tech world. ey’re growing in a semi-rural area known more for mountain biking, tourism and agriculture, thanks in part to the Rural Jump-Start Zone Program launched by the Colorado Offi ce of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) in . e program allows a business to operate free of most business and income taxes for eight years, provided the company hires fi ve net new employees over a fi ve-year period and doesn’t compete with an existing Colorado business. e new hires benefi t from state income tax relief too. Among the program’s requirements is partnering with a local institute of higher education. In this case, that institution is PColorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, whose president Tim Foster was an early champion of the Jump-Start approach. “ e reason I joined other leaders in our community in developing and passing the Rural Jumpstart tax incentive program a number of years ago was to help Colorado’s Grand Valley reach its tremendous potential,” he says. “CMU is graduating high-quality students — who know how to work hard — into the workforce pipeline, and employers from around the country are taking notice.” He says the tax incentive coupled with the Grand Valley’s way of life, access to outdoor recreation opportunities and dramatic cost of living diff erences makes the area extremely competitive. “People want to live in ‘the west we were promised,’ and once businesses fi nd out they have access to talent and an extremely competitive tax structure, they’re sold on Mesa County,” he says. e region has dominated the list of more than a dozen Rural Jump-Start benefi ciaries. While the program — set to sunset at the end of — is available to eligible counties (see map), only of them have developed full Rural Jump-Start Zones, and nearly all of the companies taking part thus far ( of ) are in Mesa County. Several are manufacturers, part of the reason the GJEP projects manufacturing will grow by .% in Mesa County by . Nearby Montrose hosts one Jump-Start company, with another pending. READY FOR TAKE OFF Some have turned their jump-start into a launch pad. ProStar Geocorp, for example, which develops geospatial intelligence software specifi cally designed for asset-centric industries such as utilities and pipelines, has received multiple Advanced Industries Accelerator (AIA) grants from the state. “ProStar Geocorp has been a trailblazer in the tech industry, not only on the local or state level, but internationally as well,” said Tim Fry, chair of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) when the fi rm got its second AIA grant in November . “ProStar is literally placing Colorado’s Grand Valley on the map for tech innovation.” Visual Globe, which operates in the same sphere, was approved by the Colorado Economic Development Council for Jump-Start in C O L O R A D O: B U S I N E S S C O M E S T O L I F E 35 Ultra-energy-ef cient home manufacturer Phoenix Haus is among more than a dozen rms bene ting from the Rural Jump-Start Zone in Mesa County in Colorado’s Grand Valley. Photo courtesy of Phoenix HausNext >