More businesses are putting their money into the Denver area’s economy with branch openings and expansions, while some Colorado companies are looking to make their marks beyond the state’s borders.

The nation’s economic outlook is a mixed bag at the beginning of 2023: Solid growth has been tempered by layoffs in some sectors, and inflation has slowed but data released Friday indicates the road ahead will still be bumpy. But entrepreneurs are still choosing to invest in Colorado, with a record number of new state business filings, at 48,806, in the fourth quarter of 2022.

New businesses range from skincare to project management software.

On Thursday, the grand opening of a new medical spa at 180 Clayton Lane for brand OVME was held in Denver’s posh Cherry Creek neighborhood. The company offers cosmetic services, such as Botox, facials, chemical peels and more.

“Cherry Creek is the right location within the right city,” said founder and chief medical officer S. Mark McKenna at the Thursday opening, adding that he sees an opportunity to expand further into the Denver area.

Now with 21 locations across about a dozen states, OVME’s plans for this year include 10 studio openings, with “a projected sales growth of +55%.” McKenna estimates his company will build 15 to 20 more sites nationwide in 2024.

Skincare company Heyday also expanded into the Mile High City this month, opening its first Colorado location at 3930 Tennyson St. The brand, which offers facials, is set to establish two more stores this year.

Over the next six years, the company is keeping the Colorado market at the forefront, with plans to bring 13 locations and more than 300 new jobs to the state.

In downtown Denver, project management software company monday.com opened its fourth U.S. office at 1550 Market St. last month. About 45 employees on the sales team now work from the location, with room to grow.

“Having our Denver-based customer-facing teams able to gather together in person again is a great feeling,” vice president of sales Jamison Powell said. “We’re really happy to have a great group on the ground in a thriving city like Denver.”

At Denver International Airport, one concessionaire is aiming to grow its business by more than double. Mission Yogurt, a family- and minority-owned hospitality company, runs 14 restaurant concepts, with 11 at DIA.

Its plan for this year is to boost that number to 30 food, beverage and retail concepts across three airports.

The DIA outposts in Concourse A will include Mardi Empanada, Uncle, The Bindery, Tocabe, The Bagel Deli & Restaurant and D Bar. Williams & Graham, dubbed “the world’s first airport speakeasy,” will also be introduced.

High Dune Market & Goods will be added to Concourse B, while Concourse C will welcome ChoLon Modern Asian, Marczyk Fine Foods, Teatulia Tea & Coffee Bar, Black Canyon Market & Goods and Longs Peak Market & Goods.

In Englewood, more expansion is happening for telecommunications company Charter Communications.

This month, the cable operator announced that it rented around 58,000 extra square feet at Compark Business Campus at 8560 Upland Dr., almost doubling its space within the industrial park.

“Charter’s expansion demonstrates its strong commitment to housing its workforce in Denver’s Southeast submarket,” said Stream Realty Partners executive managing director Tyler Reed, one of the national commercial real estate firm representatives who guided the transaction.

Across the Denver area, six franchise owners banded together this year to expand their slate of coworking business centers. Demand for shared workspaces stems from the launch of startup businesses and the remote work trend holding strong after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The business alliance includes Channen Smith, Jason Vandagriff, Jesse Keaveny, Kim Corniel and Melanie Williams, who own Colorado sites of Venture X, an international portfolio of professional coworking spaces.

Diane Mapes – owner of an Office Evolution location, which provides offices nationally – is also a member of the new franchise group.

Together, they’ve acquired eight more Office Evolution sites in Boulder, Broomfield, downtown Denver, Golden and more.

Expansion beyond Colorado

Some Colorado companies are looking to compete on the national level, including coffee brand Ziggi’s Coffee.

First opened in Longmont in 2004, Ziggi’s now spans almost 70 locations across 15 states.

“Seeing just how much we’ve grown over the past few years is absolutely incredible,” said CEO Brandon Knudsen.

This year, the team expects to open 30 more coffee shops, with more than 140 locations in different stages of development.

Colorado company Sticky Fingers Cooking is ready to take on an even larger share of U.S. market. Founded in Denver, Sticky Fingers Cooking offers healthy cooking classes for kids, both in-person and virtually.

It already serves more than 700 schools in the Centennial State, Illinois and Texas. Now, the executive and management team of 25 wants to find franchisees in 43 states.

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