Colorado is leading the way in employee ownership, and we’re thrilled that it's making news across the state. Over the past year, several news articles have highlighted the Colorado Employee Ownership Office (EOO) and the advantages of employee ownership for small businesses. Research suggests employee-owned businesses create a more fulfilling work experience for employee-owners, including higher wages, reduced turnover, access to better benefits, and job security. For the business owner, the benefits include a more engaged workforce, a secure succession plan, and a strategy to attract and retain top talent. A win-win for Colorado businesses and their employees.
KVNF: Empowered Energy Systems becomes Worker-Owned Cooperative
Brad and Danielle, the married couple behind the Western Slope solar company Empowered Energy Systems, opted out of the traditional route to selling their business and instead transitioned it into a worker-owned co-op. Danielle says employee ownership “is a logical step since the company has a history of community work and contributions.”
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Continue your business legacy through employee ownership
We’re not the only ones who are fans of the employee ownership model. In this column, outgoing Employee Ownership Commission Member and StoneAge CEO Kerry Siggins shares her company's journey from a private stock ownership program to a successful Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). She also says employee ownership is a "win-win" because retiring business owners can preserve the company’s legacy while maintaining jobs that benefit the community.
Colorado Sun: A private equity investor turned a Colorado company over to its employees. He’s not the only one.
Empowered Energy Systems isn’t the only western Colorado company turning to employee ownership. Olathe-based Rocky Mountain Steel Inc. transitioned to 100% employee-ownership using EOO resources and preserved 30 rural jobs in the process. The Colorado Sun also covered the announcement in its weekly What’s Working column.
Colorado Newsline: Colorado grows friendlier to companies switching to employee-owned model
Curious about employee ownership and how the Colorado EOO can help businesses transition to these models? Consider this article the Employee Ownership crash course!
Vail Daily: New state funding could help struggling rural businesses in Colorado achieve employee ownership
We’re thrilled to see the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center and support for rural businesses take center stage in this article. With funding from the Colorado EOO, the Center is providing grant opportunities to cover costs for supportive resources to rural businesses transitioning to employee-owned structures.
Denver Post: Colorado leads growing movement toward employee-owned businesses
Featured on The Denver Post’s front page, this story showcases how Colorado is leading a national movement toward employee-owned businesses. Since the establishment of the Colorado EOO in 2020, an impressive 70 businesses have converted to employee ownership. That’s significant compared to observed trends prior to 2020, when one to two companies per year made the change.
Boulder Weekly: ‘A seat at the table’
Here’s your chance to support employee-owned businesses. Boulder Weekly shares a list of employee-owned businesses in the area. Check them out next time you're in town!