Denver South Business FAQs: Incentives, Talent Availability & Corporate Relocation

Denver South is both a region and an economic development organization. We are dedicated to creating a sustainable, thriving community where all who live, work, and play flourish by implementing innovative, attractive opportunities that support both existing businesses and new ones. Our region is physically composed of six jurisdictions that collaborate constantly to benefit the community as a whole.

Nestled along the I-25 corridor south of downtown Denver, Denver South encompasses a unique blend of urban energy and suburban tranquility. We are a thriving business ecosystem comprising extensive commercial real estate options, headquarters and offices of major employers and Fortune 500 companies, and six key industry clusters driving the region’s economy. 

Our goal is to support your business in our thriving region, whether that’s through talent recruitment, employee incentives, or relocation and expansion support.

Denver South’s economy is driven by six key industry clusters: aviation and aerospace, broadband and digital communication, engineering services, financial services, IT-software and electronics, and healthcare and life sciences. These sectors thrive here due to Colorado’s highly educated population, strategic I-25 corridor location between major metropolitan centers, and collaborative ecosystem of research institutions and industry partners. The region’s diverse business ecosystem spans from Fortune 500 headquarters to innovative startups, creating a resilient foundation where companies at every growth stage find the resources and connections they need to succeed.

No, Denver South is not a chamber of commerce. We provide free, direct support to regional primary employers (a business or industry that produces goods or services for statewide, national, or international markets). Our goal is to make the Denver South region one of the premier places to start, grow, and locate a business. While chambers of commerce typically focus on membership services and networking, Denver South functions as an economic development organization that collaborates across six jurisdictions to foster business growth, job opportunities, and infrastructure improvements throughout the region.

Denver South comprises six jurisdictions that work in constant collaboration: Arapahoe County, City of Centennial, the City and County of Denver, Douglas County, the City of Greenwood Village, and the City of Lone Tree. This unique partnership allows us to provide support across municipal boundaries, ensuring businesses have access to the resources and connections they need, regardless of their specific location within the region.

Denver South provides free, direct guidance to businesses through a comprehensive range of services. We offer site selection assistance to help companies find the perfect location to grow roots, recruitment support to connect employers with talent, and access to business incentives and resources. Our team serves as a liaison between businesses and local government agencies, helping organizations navigate permits, regulations, and other administrative needs.

We also facilitate connections within our business community, creating opportunities for collaboration and growth. Whether you’re an existing business looking to expand or a new company considering the region, Denver South provides personalized support to ensure you thrive in our business district.

Denver South businesses can access a range of economic incentives across our six jurisdictions, including tax increment financing (TIF), enterprise zone tax credits, job training grants, and expedited permitting processes. Incentive packages are customized based on factors like job creation, capital investment, and industry sector, with particular support for companies in our six key industry clusters. State-level programs like the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit provide performance-based income tax credits for job creation projects, while local jurisdictions offer business personal property tax rebates of up to 100% for new and expanding companies. Our team works directly with businesses to identify and navigate available federal, state, and local incentive programs, ensuring you maximize the financial benefits of locating in Denver South.

Denver South is committed to building a skilled, diverse community of professionals that meets the evolving needs of our business community. We work closely with educational institutions, training providers, and employers that provide programs that prepare workers for careers in our six key industry clusters. Our labor initiatives focus on being an employer resource to connect businesses with opportunities for employment and upskilling needs.

By fostering collaboration between education and industry, we help ensure that the Denver South region has access to the talent needed to maintain our competitive edge and promote continued economic growth.

Denver South draws from the Denver metro area’s diverse population of professionals, with Colorado consistently ranking among the most educated states in the nation for bachelor’s degree attainment. The region benefits from the presence of major research universities, technical colleges, and training providers that produce graduates aligned with our industry clusters. Our talent recruitment initiatives connect employers directly with educational institutions to address specific skills needs, from advanced manufacturing technicians to software engineers to healthcare professionals. The region’s quality of life helps companies attract talent from across the country while retaining local professionals who value Colorado’s lifestyle advantages.

Denver South actively advocates for and promotes transportation and infrastructure improvements that enhance connectivity and quality of life throughout the region. We work with our jurisdictional partners and regional transportation agencies to advance projects that improve mobility, reduce congestion, and encourage sustainable growth.

Our central U.S. location along the I-25 corridor provides access to major transportation and micromobility routes, and we continue to support investments in roads, transit, and infrastructure that keep our region accessible and attractive for businesses and residents alike. Proximity to nearby international airports, like Denver International Airport and Centennial Airport, as well as the 9 Regional Transportation District (RTD) light rail stops, makes travel and resource sharing seamless across the region. We understand that robust infrastructure is essential to maintaining Denver South as a premier place to work and do business. 

In fact, microtransit options across the region make accessing transit stops, grocery stores, employment sites, and other destinations simple. Lone Tree’s Link on Demand shuttle service is free and serves all of Douglas County and nearby communities. Through SPIN, users can ride e-bikes and scooters between work, concerts, restaurants, and more — for just $1 a ride.

Both Chambers of Commerce and EDOs work toward similar goals to support community growth, but they approach them in different ways. Chambers focus on advocating for local businesses, building connections through networking, and leading community-based initiatives. EDOs, meanwhile, concentrate on long-term economic growth by attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones, and encouraging entrepreneurship within the region. 

For example, the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan chamber specializing in networking events, business expos, and peer-to-peer learning. It creates spaces for local business owners to forge meaningful connections and share best practices. 

Denver South, by contrast, focuses specifically on the I-25 corridor region south of downtown Denver, encompassing six jurisdictions that work collaboratively to grow primary employers in this unique geographic area. While these organizations may occasionally collaborate on regional initiatives, Denver South provides targeted, localized guidance for businesses within our specific six-jurisdiction region, offering expertise in our local business environment, real estate market, and community resources.

Fortune 500 companies and other organizations establish headquarters and expand in Denver South because of our combination of strategic location, skilled population, and business-friendly environment across six collaborative jurisdictions. The region offers access to one of the nation’s most educated talent pools, positioned along the I-25 corridor with proximity to Denver International Airport and major western markets. Companies benefit from Colorado’s favorable business climate, competitive operating costs compared to coastal markets, and quality of life factors that help attract and retain top talent. Our unique multi-jurisdictional partnership allows businesses to navigate site selection and expansion with streamlined support, while our established business community provides networking opportunities and connections across our industry clusters that accelerate growth.

Getting involved with Denver South is simple. Connect with our team directly to discuss how we can support your business or how you can contribute to our collaborative ecosystem. We regularly host events and forums that bring together business leaders, government partners, and community stakeholders. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about opportunities to engage with the Denver South community.

Whether you’re a business owner, community leader, or simply interested in supporting economic development in the region, we are eager to work with you. 

If you have additional questions not shown here, please reach out to our team.