Member News

27J honors SACFD

South Adams County Fire Department is honored to receive the Community Partnership Award from the 27J Schools SkillsUSA Program! The award was presented during a recent District Board Meeting by Adam Nelson, Veronica Washburn, Amy Bailon, and Taylor, a current SkillsUSA student.

We’re proud to partner with 27J SkillsUSA and support programs that invest in students, develop future leaders, and strengthen our community. Partnerships like these create meaningful opportunities to connect education with real-world experiences and help prepare the next generation for success.

Thank you to the 27J and SkillsUSA team for this recognition and for the important work you do to support students and our community!

Brand Your Trucks!

Wrapped vehicles get thousands of views daily. Reinforce your brand in people's memories with your logo and graphics on your work trucks. We can produce this along with any direct mail or brochures to help you find new clients. Contact Tom@TridentDenver.com for a free consultation. 

Help us welcome our newest Volunteers!

These dedicated individuals have officially been sworn in and are ready to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children and youth in our community.

We’re so grateful they’ve chosen to step up, speak up, and be a consistent voice for the children who need them. Join us in celebrating this exciting next chapter!

Looking for a job?

Want to work for Waste Connections? We're hiring!

Apply here today: https://careers.wasteconnections.com/us/en

We are hiring!

Motor Vehicle - Commerce City location.

Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/4snU5qa

Looking for a job?

We're hiring for multiple positions! Find your career and come build what's next with us.

🔗 https://lnkd.in/gnfDwQ76

Celebrating 14 years of making a difference!

Since 2012, Ron Jeske has been a welcoming presence at Platte Valley Hospital, generously giving his time as a volunteer at our information desk.

With his warm smile, calming presence and genuine willingness to help, Ron has made countless patients, visitors and caregivers feel welcome and cared for. His kindness and compassion are a wonderful example of what it means to serve our community.

Thank you, Ron, for 14 incredible years of volunteer service and for making Platte Valley a better place!

Colorado Enterprise Zone Update: 2027 Pre-Certification Now Open

Businesses planning to pursue Colorado Enterprise Zone (EZ) tax credits for qualifying activity in 2027 can begin preparing their applications. The 2027 tax year pre-certification window opened in early October.

Pre-certification is required before a business begins any activity for which it intends to claim an EZ tax credit. Businesses must pre-certify each eligible location separately and renew pre-certification for each tax year.

Potentially Qualifying Activities

• Creating new jobs or hiring eligible employees
• Purchasing qualifying equipment or making eligible capital investments
• Providing qualifying employee job training
• Conducting qualifying research and experimental activities
• Providing qualifying employee health insurance
• Rehabilitating qualifying vacant commercial buildings
• Making qualifying renewable-energy investments

Businesses can submit pre-certification applications through the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) Enterprise Zone application portal. Businesses creating a new portal account should allow extra time for account activation.

Important Changes for 2027

House Bill 26-1289 makes several changes to Colorado EZ credits beginning in 2027. Businesses considering eligible projects should review the updated rules before beginning work or making expenditures. Key changes include:

• Elimination of the EZ Commercial Vehicle Investment Tax Credit
• A new employee-count limitation for the EZ Employee Health Insurance Tax Credit
• A $150,000 minimum expenditure requirement for the EZ Research and Experimental Activities Tax Credit
• New eligibility requirements and a credit cap for the EZ Vacant Building Rehabilitation Tax Credit
• Changes affecting new EZ renewable-energy investments

The Adams County Economic & Community Vitality team will share additional guidance on these program updates as it becomes available.

Plan Ahead

Businesses anticipating a potentially qualifying investment, hiring initiative, training program, rehabilitation project, or other EZ activity in 2027 are encouraged to review requirements and prepare their pre-certification materials in advance. Do not begin qualifying activity until pre-certification has been completed.

For more information, visit the OEDIT Enterprise Zone Program page or review HB 26-1289. Questions about eligibility or planned 2027 activity may be directed to Adams County Economic & Community Vitality at enterprisezone@adamscountyco.gov.

New eBike program for residents, local employees

who work in Commerce City

NETC is launching an eBike Program for Commerce City residents and/or employees. Here's the program in a nutshell:

NETC eBike Program - Ride With Support. Work Toward Owning Your Own E-bike.

Program Highlights:

• no cost to participate

• start with an NETC Bike Library e- bike

• use the bike for work, school, errands, appointments, and daily trips

• training, support, and maintenance included

• successful participants may qualify to own a new e-bike

What to Expect:

• helmet use is required

• weekly check-ins during the program

• bike must be used for transportation

• income-based eligibility applies

• limited spots available

Here's the form for interested participants: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PXXY5BQ

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready: $10,000 Grants

Verizon, in partnership with LISC, is awarding $10,000 grants to small businesses nationwide, with 10 businesses selected each month through December 2026. To unlock the application, register for a free account on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform and complete two free courses or events, then apply once to remain eligible for the rest of the year. Apply here

Tax credits available for local businesses

Adams County Economic & Community Vitality is reaching out to make sure local businesses, and agricultural producers are aware of a valuable Colorado state tax-credit opportunity. Program funding is awarded competitively on a statewide basis and is limited each year, so apply early.

About the Program

 Administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Community Food Access (CFA) Equipment Tax Credit Program provides a refundable state income tax credit to help eligible small food retailers, farmers markets, farm-direct operations, and small family farms purchase equipment that improves access to healthy, affordable food in low-income, low-access (LILA) communities.

 The program is designed to support practical investments that can help businesses expand fresh-food offerings, improve food storage and distribution, lower operating costs, and better serve residents in underserved areas.

Who May Qualify

Eligible applicants may include:

• Small food retailers, including independent or nonprofit-managed grocery stores, corner stores, convenience stores, carnicerias, bodegas, and mercantiles that are Colorado-owned and operated; have less than 10,000 square feet of retail space; carry at least three of the four federally defined staple food categories; and are located in or serve a LILA area.
• Farmers markets and farm-direct operations that are SNAP/WIC authorized, or intend to become authorized where permitted, and serve a LILA area.
• Small family farms that are Colorado-owned and operated, have annual gross revenue under $350,000, and supply a qualifying food retailer.

Eligible Equipment

The tax credit may help cover 75% of eligible equipment costs, including:

• Cold storage, refrigeration, and freezer units
• Retail display shelving, certified or calibrated scales, and point-of-sale systems tied to SNAP, WIC, or food-incentive programs
• Food-preservation equipment, deli slicers, meat grinders, and dry-storage containers
• Backup power generators for locations that experience extended power outages
• Refrigerated or commercial delivery vehicles and trailers
• Farm equipment such as greenhouses, high tunnels, solar equipment, irrigation systems, and produce-handling or sorting equipment

General supplies, standard vehicles, leased equipment, and cash purchases are not eligible.

Key Information

• Tax credit: Refundable state income tax credit equal to 75% of an eligible equipment purchase price
• Funding available: Up to $10 million statewide each year through 2030
• 2026 review deadline: December 31, 2026
• Application timing: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funds remain available
• Purchase requirement: Equipment must be purchased in the same calendar year as the certificate request
• Business registration: Applicants must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State

This opportunity is available for food retailers, farmers markets, farm-direct businesses, and agricultural producers; particularly those operating in or serving LILA-designated areas.

This program can help local businesses make investments that expand access to fresh, affordable groceries, strengthen food security, and improve the ability of small food businesses and farms to compete for limited statewide funding.

Additional program resources are available below:

• Program website: Colorado Community Food Access Equipment Tax Credit
• Colorado Department of Agriculture contact: cda_cfa@state.co.us
• Local technical assistance: Jefferson County Food Policy Council, jeffcofpc@gmail.com