Colorado Business Hall of Fame

04/21/2022

Colorado Business Hall of Fame past laureates are role models for Colorado students and adults alike, offering a wealth of wisdom from their experience. Swipe through and discover some wise advice from four Hall of Fame laureates.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Tell us in the comments below!

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc.

01/27/2022

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Colorado Business Hall of Fame sponsor Empower Retirement for their continued support, helping us honor Colorado’s legendary business leaders of yesterday and today. Learn more about the Colorado Business Hall of Fame on our website.

01/25/2022

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce would like to thank this year’s Colorado Business Hall of Fame Junior Achievement Student Ambassador sponsor, Confluence Companies. Confluence develops and manages real estate and properties throughout Colorado, with a focus on quality and integrity. We’re honored to have them on board and passing their values along to JA students!

01/21/2022

Since 1990, Junior Achievement and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce have paid tribute to Colorado's most distinguished business leaders of yesterday and today for their commitment to and investment in the community.

The Colorado Business Hall of Fame laureates are part of a league of outstanding individuals who have made legendary contributions to the free enterprise system. They have experienced a lifetime of business success and have set powerful examples for others to follow.

This year’s induction ceremony is taking place on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center presented by UMB Bank. Learn more at www.coloradobusinesshalloffame.org.

01/17/2022

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce will induct Donald Sturm to the 2022 Colorado Business Hall of Fame in January, presented by UMB Bank.
Donald L. Sturm and his family currently own ANB Bank with branches in Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas, as well as numerous real estate assets in Colorado.

Don and his wife Susan, primarily through the Sturm Family Foundation, have participated in philanthropic activities by providing funds and oversight for charter schools to benefit economically disadvantaged children. The foundation also provides support for affordable housing, the University of Denver, Mayo Clinic, National Jewish Health and numerous other charities. Learn more at www.coloradobusinesshalloffame.org.

01/12/2022

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Colorado Business Hall of Fame presenting sponsor UMB Bank for making our efforts possible to honor this state’s business leaders of yesterday and today!

01/03/2022

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce will induct Curt and Nancy Richardson to the 2022 Colorado Business Hall of Fame in January, presented by UMB Bank.

​Entrepreneurs and philanthropists Curt and Nancy Richardson are deeply committed to the communities in which they live and work. Curt founded OtterBox in Fort Collins, and Nancy founded the OtterCares Foundation. Together, they co-founded Blue Ocean Enterprises in 2011, investing capital in promising businesses that demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and innovation that stimulate the economy and engage the community.

Drop a 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿 in the comments to celebrate their induction! Learn more at www.coloradobusinesshalloffame.org.

12/17/2021

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce will induct Robert “Bob” Newman to the 2022 Colorado Business Hall of Fame in January, presented by UMB Bank.

​Robert “Bob” Newman is a visionary entrepreneur and, along with his wife Judi, major philanthropist for arts and education institutions in Denver.

Currently, Mr. Newman owns and helps manage a venture capital company called Greenwood Gulch Ventures, investing primarily in technology startups. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Newman are key supporters of the Newman Center for Performing Arts at the University of Denver, the Newman Center for Arts Education at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and the Freyer-Newman Center at Denver Botanic Gardens.

Drop a 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿 in the comments to celebrate Robert’s induction!

12/14/2021

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce will induct Tim Gill to the 2022 Colorado Business Hall of Fame in January, presented by UMB Bank.

Tim Gill is a computer programmer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and nationally-recognized leader in the advancement of LGBTQ rights and equality.

With a $2,000 loan from his parents in 1981, Mr. Gill founded Quark, Inc., revolutionizing the publishing industry with innovative and affordable page-layout software. He sold his 50 percent stake in the company in 1999 for $500 million, setting aside $300 million for causes that advanced rights and inclusion for LGBTQ people.

Drop a 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿 in the comments to celebrate Tim’s induction!

11/29/2021

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce will induct Clara Brown to the 2022 Colorado Business Hall of Fame, presented by UMB Bank , in January.

Clara Brown was a formerly enslaved woman from Virginia who became an entrepreneur, community leader, and philanthropist. She aided with the settlement of newly freed slaves during the time of Colorado's Gold Rush. She was known as the “Angel of the Rockies” and is one of Colorado's first Black settlers.

Under request from Governor Pitkin, she helped relocate many escaped slaves from Kansas to Colorado. She also donated her own money to help establish new Black communities. Today, a stained glass window of Clara Brown can be found in the rotunda of the Colorado State Capitol.

11/17/2021

Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountain, Inc. and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce will induct Robert L. Albin to the 2022 Colorado Business Hall of Fame in January, presented by UMB Bank.

Robert L. Albin co-founded American Salesmasters, Ltd., a world-wide sales and management training firm. Albin was retained as CEO of American Salesmasters after its sale to a public company in 1980 before leaving to launch a management consulting firm, Albin Management Consultants, in 1982. The firm was sold in 1995 to First Data Corp., then a Fortune 500 New York Stock Exchange company. Albin followed the acquisition to First Data where he was named division president for Domestic Retail Services, responsible for MoneyGram, a worldwide money transfer company, and American Express money orders. He later became president of First Data Payment Services and chief operating officer of Western Union North America.

Mr. Albin also served on 30-plus boards of directors of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Drop a 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿 in the comments to celebrate his induction!

09/24/2021