Colorado Credit Union Hosts Bite of Reality Events in Local High Schools
LITTLETON, Colo. January 10, 2023 – Colorado Credit Union showcased its commitment to teaching financial literacy recently with two in-person events hosted at local high schools. Students in Jefferson County experienced what it is like to make the financial decisions that adults make every day. More than 100 students at Columbine High School and Dakota Ridge High School took part in Bite of Reality financial education fairs, made possible by an in-kind grant from the GoWest Foundation.
Bite of Reality is a hands-on, app-based simulation designed for high school students, giving them insight to real-world financial situations. Hosted by Colorado Credit Union staff, the events teach students how to budget basic needs, wants, and unexpected costs.
“Bite of Reality is an exciting way to engage students in lessons on personal finance. Colorado Credit Union does a fantastic job of making the simulation not only relevant but fun and interactive,” said Columbine High School teacher, Brittany Chiavini. “This is something every young person should participate in.”
Bite of Reality provides a real-world simulation experience that guides students through a day-in-the-life of an adult’s financial responsibilities. Students are given a fictional occupation, salary, credit score, spouse and a child, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. The students then visit various stations to “purchase” housing, transportation, food, clothing, and other needs. The simulation also includes a credit union station to help students with their financial needs throughout the simulation.
“Bite of Reality provides students a safe educational opportunity to practice their financial literacy skills, make mistakes, and reevaluate their financial decisions before entering the real world,” said Teagan Griffith, Colorado Credit Union’s community impact manager. “GoWest Foundation has allowed Colorado Credit Union to strengthen our impact in local schools and equip students with the tools to support their lifelong financial journeys.”
Colorado Credit Union Presents $3,000 Check to Homeless Youth Nonprofit
LITTLETON, Colo. December 18, 2023 – Colorado Credit Union recently presented a $3,000 check to TGTHR, a Boulder-based nonprofit organization working to end youth homelessness. A portion of the money, $500, was made possible through a grant by FHLBank Topeka’s #500forgood and will be used to help restock the nonprofit’s resources during the winter months. The grant was in addition to Colorado Credit Union’s annual financial support of $2,500 to the nonprofit.
“I continue to be impressed and inspired by the deep community partnerships TGTHR has formed over the decades with local businesses like Colorado Credit Union,” said TGTHR CEO Annie Bacci. “Their ongoing support directly supports housing and services for young people experiencing homelessness and their passion to give back to their community is energizing.”
Through multiple programs, TGTHR moves young people from the streets or unsafe living situations into programs that support their overall well-being. TGTHR’s services are designed to encourage young people to build healthy communities, empower them to set their own goals, and provide them with the tools to become independent.
The support from Colorado Credit Union is part of the organization’s Community Impact Initiative which aims to be the leading resource for financial empowerment in the community.
“Colorado Credit Union is proud to partner with and support the incredible work of TGTHR,” said Teagan Griffith, Colorado Credit Union’s community impact manager. “Through it’s grant program, FHLBank Topeka is enabling local nonprofits to make an even deeper impact within their communities.”
About TGTHR
Founded 57 years ago in Boulder, TGTHR (formerly Attention Homes) is building a movement that galvanizes communities, empowers young people and puts an end to youth homelessness. For young people ages 12-24, TGTHR provides a variety of programs that prevent youth from experiencing homelessness, help intervene when young people do find themselves in an unsafe living situation, and provide solutions to help youth transition from homelessness to stability.
TGTHR’s programs focus on safe independent housing, education & employment support, mental & physical health support, life-skills training, and much more. In 2022, TGTHR served 247 young people. 82 of those youth had long-term independent housing through TGTHR’s housing programs, and an additional 20 returned home with family. TGTHR also helped 81 young people gain employment, 71 enroll in an academic program, and provided over 13,000 meals to young people experiencing homelessness. For more information or to support their mission, please visit www.TGTHR.org
2023 Dora Maxwell Award
LITTLETON, Colo. October 6, 2023 - Colorado Credit Union was pleased to receive the 2023 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award for our work with Hands of the Carpenter, a Denver-area nonprofit. Colorado Credit Union was recognized for developing an internal lending
program to help single moms afford reliable transportation.
“Colorado Credit Union is incredibly thankful to GoWest for this honor,” said Sarah Haertl, Vice President Marketing, Business Development and Sales for Colorado Credit Union. “While winning awards is never the motivation behind what we do to help our members and our community, it’s always nice to have that effort recognized by others.”
The state-level award was presented at the annual GoWest MAXX Convention in Spokane, Wash. Members of Colorado Credit Union’s staff and Board accepted the award.
Best Companies Group Celebrates Inclusive Workplaces for July 2023
Best Companies Group, in collaboration with COLOR Magazine, is proud to announce the recognition of businesses that have demonstrated exemplary commitment to fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging in their work environments through the Inclusive Workplace Program. This acknowledgment is not a ranking or competition, but rather a celebration of organizations that surpass our data-driven benchmarks to promote inclusivity.
The program, initiated last fall, assesses participating companies through comprehensive surveys and data analysis. Areas of evaluation include inclusion, belonging, psychological safety, community, and purpose. "This program highlights the real strides companies are making in cultivating inclusive cultures that help all employees feel valued and engaged," said Jaime Raul Zepeda, Executive Vice President of Best Companies Group.
Recipients of this recognition have shown significant commitment to ensuring all their employees feel included, heard, and valued. Their commitment to inclusive work environments has had meaningful impacts on employee engagement, retention rates, and brand recognition. The companies recognized this year serve as beacons of inclusive culture within their respective industries, demonstrating the immense benefits of prioritizing belonging and inclusivity in the workplace.
Best Companies Group extends its heartfelt congratulations to these businesses for their successful efforts in cultivating diverse and inclusive work environments. The dedication and effort of these organizations to foster inclusivity is commendable and sets a new standard for companies worldwide.
"These companies serve as an inspiring example of what it truly means to create a workplace where everyone feels like they belong and can bring their full serves to work. Their commitment and their actions are paving the way for a better and more inclusive future," Zepeda added.
We eagerly anticipate the continuing progress and success of these organizations as they continue to promote inclusivity and belonging within their workplaces.
To review the full list of winners, click here.
About Best Companies Group:
Best Companies Group is an independent research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing the best workplaces all around the world.
Colorado Credit Union Named "Best Credit Union to Work For"
LITTLETON, Colo., September 1, 2023 -- Colorado Credit Union was named one of American Banker’s Best Credit Unions to Work For in 2023. This is the ninth consecutive year the organization has received the honor. CCU ranked fifth out of the 70 credit unions from across the country that were recognized.
“We are very honored to be named a Best Credit Union to Work For,” said Mike Williams, Colorado Credit Union president and CEO. “This year, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Colorado Credit Union. This achievement would not have been possible without an amazing staff who work tirelessly to provide the best possible experience for our members. I believe that common mission unites our staff and helps create a culture that staff are proud of.”
The winners are selected by a two-step process performed with the Best Companies Group. Considerations include employee satisfaction, leadership and planning, corporate culture and communication and overall engagement. Credit unions are also evaluated for employee benefits and policies. Southwest Financial FCU (Farmers Branch, Texas) received the overall number one ranking followed by South Carolina Federal Credit Union (North Charleston, S.C.), University of Illinois Community Credit Union (Champagne, Ill.) and Rock Valley Credit Union (Loves Park, Ill.) and Colorado Credit Union.
Colorado Credit Union President & CEO Mike Williams Named Pierre Jay Award
Denver, CO – Mike Williams, CEO of Colorado Credit Union (Littleton, CO), was named a Pierre Jay Award recipient for 2023 in a ceremony held Sunday, August 27 during the 58th Annual National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) State System Summit.
The Pierre Jay Award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to NASCUS and the state system. This distinction is NASCUS’s highest honor in recognizing champions of the state credit union system.
“On behalf of the NASCUS leadership and staff, I wish to extend our congratulations to Mike Williams for his outstanding accomplishments. This award recognizes the significant positive influence he has had on the overall health and prosperity of the state system,” remarked Katie Averill, Superintendent of the Iowa Division of Credit Unions and NASCUS Regulator Board Vice Chair. “Mike has committed his professional lives to guarantee a secure, stable, and resilient dual charter system, and we sincerely appreciate his enduring friendship and unwavering commitment.”
Williams has dedicated his entire 38-year career to financial services, specifically credit unions. In addition to his role as President & CEO at Colorado Credit Union, he has served on nearly every board in the credit union industry, offering his wisdom and expertise to help foster growth. His priority has been focused on ensuring an efficient and competitive operating environment for state-chartered credit unions. For the past decade, he has served on the NASCUS Credit Union Advisory Council, serving as the Chairman from 2020-2022. In addition, he has served as a board member of the State of Colorado Division of Financial Services since 2018.
Read the full press release issued by GoWest here (PDF - 600kb)
Colorado Credit Union Promotes Jerry Lopez to Branch Manager
LITTLETON, Colo., August 14, 2023 - Colorado Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotion of Jerry Lopez to branch manager of the Lincoln branch located in Denver’s downtown corridor.
Lopez, who joined the credit union in 2018, brings extensive credit union experience to his role having worked in the industry since 2000. Prior to his promotion, he served as branch supervisor.
“This promotion from branch supervisor to branch manager reinforces what I already believed about CCU. This organization truly cares about individuals, and that is both members who bank with us as well as employees of the credit union,” Lopez said. “I can’t express how proud I am to work at an organization that wants to make people’s lives better.”
After much consideration, Colorado Credit Union has made the decision to close the 717 17th Street branch permanently on September 29, 2023. The ATM will remain in service through the end of 2023.
Since Covid-19, the transaction volume has never recovered to pre-Covid levels, and with the 2022 merger with White Crown Federal Credit Union, our branch at 2001 Lincoln Street is only a few blocks away and ready to serve our valued CCU members.
An added benefit of the Lincoln branch is free garage parking for members which can be access off Welton Street. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause but look forward to serving you through online or mobile banking and in-person at any of our three metro-area branches.