Denver Anchor Network (DAN) in Action

Successful anchor networks around the country all agree: impact starts with commitment.  Since our 4/29/26 event asking anchor institutions to commit to a local plan of action, here are some the things DAN members have done to positively impact their communities and their organizations. Thank you for your leadership and keep up the great work!

• Denver Public Schools recommitted to CCW’s Building with Entrepreneurs in Skilled Trades (BEST) program, providing sponsorship dollars, venue and session support, and–perhaps most importantly–curated connections with prime contractors to drive business to BEST cohort members.
• A Denver-Area University (anonymous for now; public announcement coming soon!) has committed to local community investment, tracking the number of Colorado jobs supported by the institution, the dollars and percentage of spending in the local economy, and the dollars and percentage of contracted vendors in the local economy.  Great procurement work starts with a baseline, and this is the type of effort that can transform community relationships and wealth building.
• The Denver Airport (DEN) has a nationally recognized Business Development and Training Academy (BDTA) that helps prepare local vendors for successful work in aviation environments. DEN has added over 30 local concessionaires and helped numerous businesses with their extensive, three-level program, including our very own Elena Martinez from Ehijole Tacos who participated in one of our Caterer Cohorts!
• Intermountain Health is directly sponsoring essential back office support for local small businesses.  CCW’s Back Office BOOST program provides discounted accounting and bookkeeping services to help owners get clarity on their finances and turn their talents into profits.  The BOOST program is seeking sponsorship to expand into bid preparation, operations, sales & marketing, and customer service with increased funding.  This program can close the gap on what anchors and prime contractors are looking for from vendors and subcontractors while helping small business leaders grow essential business functions and skills.

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Opportunities for impact

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Are you ready to help build an economy that works for all? If your small business or corporation is ready to engage in creating a better Colorado economy, please reach out to discuss any of the following opportunities:

• CCW is partnering with the DC Community Anchor Partnership (DCAP) to study anchor spending and opportunities to shift to local procurement.  DCAP has helped increase anchor spending with local, historically-underutilized businesses (HUBs) from $5.7 million in 2017 to $283 million in 2025, and it all started with this analysis.  CCW is bringing that model to DAN and needs funding for this $35,500 project.

• The Back Office BOOST program needs funding to continue to provide subsidized, means-tested support to small businesses.  The program currently provides accounting and bookkeeping services and there are plans to expand to other supports when funding is secured.

• On August 27th, CCW will host the first annual “Plated Prosperity” dinner at Dry Clean Only (corner of 34th and York).  This event will feature exquisite tastings from seven of Denver’s best caterers, drinks & dessert, an inspiring and informative keynote from Phil Washington (recently retired CEO of the Denver Airport), and awards recognizing local champions. CCW invites you to purchase tickets, bring a guest, and consider sponsoring the event. Buy your tickets here or reach out to our team to learn about sponsorship opportunities. It’s going to be an unforgettable night, we can't wait to see you there!

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Details & Tickets: Plated Prosperity Tickets, Thursday, August 27  •  6:30 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite