Amid Rapid Growth, Leading Firms Seek to Put Colorado on the Map for Investment Services

DENVER, Feb. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Investment services has emerged as one of the fastest growing industries in Colorado, positioning the state as a leading hub for finance between the coasts. At the forefront of this growth is a thriving cluster of investment services firms that have chosen to expand or relocate in Colorado.

In the past five years, investment services employment in Colorado has grown 17.8 percent, more than double the national average. With more than 9,550 investment services companies, Colorado is one of the few areas outside of the northeast with a substantial financial services industry, ranking 12^th out of the 50 states in investment services employment concentration in 2016. Colorado's 31,750 investment services professionals are attracted to the state's dynamic quality of life combined with abundant opportunities to build a rewarding career.

"I've had the opportunity to live in several different states in my 23 years at Schwab. When asked by natives whether I was born here, I always say, 'No, but I got here as fast as I could!'" said Brian McDonald, Schwab Senior Vice President/Client Services & Support and Co-Chair of the Colorado Investment Services Coalition (CISC). "This is a state where, once you're here, the story tells itself. We are so thrilled to call Metro Denver home to one of our largest centers, and to the incredible partnership and collaboration we've come to know with the Colorado Investment Services Coalition – another hallmark of the great culture you'll find in this state."

Colorado's appeal, including its entrepreneurial atmosphere, quality lifestyle, low cost of doing business, strategic location, and unmatched talent pool have attracted firms to committing significant resources to growing their presence in Colorado.

With the completion of its new 650,000-square-foot campus in Lone Tree, Charles Schwab has expanded to make Metro Denver its largest employment hub. TIAA, Fidelity Investments, and T. Rowe Price have invested in renovations of their Colorado offices to support workforce expansions planned for the coming years, and Great West chose Denver as the headquarters for its Empower Retirement platform. Home-grown Janus Capital Group and OppenheimerFunds have a long-established presence in the Metro Denver region. OppenheimerFunds has also expanded their technology footprint by opening a satellite location at Galvanize Platte to access the technical talent community downtown and north.

"The thriving investment services industry in Colorado is a great place to start or grow one's career," said Sherri Kroonenberg, general manager of Fidelity Investments in Colorado. "There are diverse opportunities to use a broad set of skills, from financial consulting to technology. When you combine that with all Colorado has to offer by way of outdoor recreation, sunny weather, and a welcoming business climate, it's a powerful combination. We found a great home for our regional center here."

"We have a lot of opportunity and a lot of motivational people here in Metro Denver," said Rohit Shrestha, a .NET developer at Janus Capital Group, on how Colorado has helped him find success and happiness with both work and his quality of life. "In Colorado, you can love your career and your personal passions. I feel so much more healthy, motivated, and energetic."

In 2014, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation brought together leaders from some of the state's leading investments firms in a collaborative effort to grow the sector through building and attracting top talent. Today, it launched a new microsite aimed at attracting talent to the state's rapidly expanding investment services industry.

The Colorado Investment Services Coalition (CISC) includes Charles Schwab, Empower Retirement, Fidelity Investments, Janus Capital Group, OppenheimerFunds, TIAA, and T. Rowe Price. To achieve its mission, CISC has developed strategic partnerships with Colorado's leading universities and launched a national marketing campaign to showcase the available jobs and industry in the state with the goal to attract professionals from every level within the sector.

"There's a well-rounded, balanced opportunity here," said Alexander Woodcock, an operations supervisor at OppenheimerFunds, who relocated to Colorado from London in 2014. "For me, someone who has made such a drastic lifestyle change, it's amazing to look back with no regrets."

The new microsite, WorkAtYourPeakCO.com, provides a resource for candidates considering employment opportunities in Colorado with detailed industry data and company profiles, individual success stories from industry professionals who have made Colorado home, and up-to-date job postings at the CISC's seven member firms. The site also highlights what it's like to live and work in Colorado, with information on recreation, transportation, communities, entertainment, education, and professional development.

Visit WorkAtYourPeakCO.com to learn more about Colorado's growing investment services industry.

About the Colorado Investment Services Coalition
The Colorado Investment Services Coalition (CISC) is an industry affiliate of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation that works collaboratively to advocate for and promote the state's robust investment services and management industry. Consisting of Colorado's largest investment services firms, the Coalition is leading initiatives focused on talent attraction and development within the industry through concerted partnerships with area colleges and universities. Coalition members also advocate for legislative policy at the state and federal level conducive to industry growth and job creation in Colorado.

SOURCE Colorado Investment Services Coalition