Arvada, located in Colorado, was discovered in 1850 and officially incorporated in 1904. By 2025, the city has grown to house over 121,000 residents, ranking as the seventh most populous city in the state. This growth has been guided by the city’s Big Opportunities for Leaders to Deliver (B.O.L.D.) initiative, which outlines five key economic goals: talent development, workforce housing expansion, childcare enhancement, business advocacy, and entrepreneurship support.
The B.O.L.D. initiative was launched in 2023 as a five-year plan. According to Kami Welch, CEO of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, the city has already engaged with 800 new and existing businesses under this program. The initiative aims to position Arvada as a distinct and independent city, no longer needing to be described as merely “northwest of Denver” to outsiders.
One notable event highlighting Arvada’s ambitions was its recent meeting with representatives from the Gay Games, a global sporting event. Arvada is competing with cities like Perth, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand, to host the 2030 games. The delegation toured the city’s new aquatics center, opened in 2024, and the Stanger Lutz Complex, which features extensive sports facilities. Mayor Lauren Simpson expressed optimism about the potential economic impact, estimating it could exceed $100 million for the local area.
However, not all residents are enthusiastic about the rapid growth. Some long-time residents, like Rachel, have expressed concerns about deteriorating infrastructure, particularly roads. Kellee Van Bruggen, the city’s transportation planning manager, acknowledged these concerns and emphasized that the city is working with multiple jurisdictions to prioritize transportation projects based on community input.
To address parking challenges, the city constructed a 600-space parking structure at 5575 Vance Street. Despite being free and unlimited in usage, the city reports that it is underutilized due to its unconventional design, which blends into the landscape to preserve mountain views.
— news from Denver7