Colorado is quickly becoming something of a mecca for millennials. Downtown Denver is already teeming with young professionals, and more are arriving every day. What brought them here? Some are likely attracted to the mountains and legal pot, but it turns out that millennial friendly workplaces are attracting them as well. A recent study named 3 Colorado-based companies among the top places in the U.S. for millennials to work.
The companies that made the list will come as no surprise. They are all making 'cool' products - be it iPhone controlled robots, software for the fitness industry, or craft beer. But what's interesting, is that they all have offices located near bicycle infrastructure and offer perks valued by young professionals.
Boulder-based Sphero, for example, makes app-controlled toys. The company was recently tapped by Disney to develop the technology powering the BB-8 drone in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The company offers employee perks like free beer, free gym memberships, lots of catered food, etc.
The trend continues with Highlands Park-based Zen Planner. The company makes software aimed at the fitness industry. They offer perks like indoor bicycle parking, a fitness stipend, and they even have an outdoor grill and patio.
New Belgium Brewing, the last Colorado company on the list, makes craft beers like Fat Tire. The company puts on bicycle and beer themed events like the Tour de Fat, and their Ft. Collins brewery looks like a hipstered-out version of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Gone are the oompa loompas, replaced by bearded and hoodied 20-somethings. Bicycles line up outside, and rivers of beer flow inside (although only from taps into glasses).
It continues to be a good time to be young and in Colorado – enjoy it. You can find the full list of the top 75 companies here.
