News & Awards

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 50^th 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.”

Colorado Credit Union 717 17th Street Branch Permanently Closing

After much consideration, Colorado Credit Union has made the decision to close the 717 17^th 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.

Colorado Credit Union Named Best Credit Union in Colorado

June 16, 2023 – Colorado Credit Union, a Denver-area credit union serving more than 26,000 members, was recently voted the best credit union in Colorado by readers of ColoradoBiz magazine in the publication’s 9^th Annual Readers Poll. Winners of the Best of Colorado were voted on in ColoradoBiz’s annual reader’s poll. More than 25,000 votes were received in 2023.

“We are very appreciative to receive this honor from ColoradoBiz magazine. Our entire staff works hard every day to provide the highest level of service to our members. It is always appreciated to have that hard work recognized,” said Mike Williams, Colorado Credit Union president and CEO.

Colorado Credit Union has received several accolades in the past two years. In both 2022 and 2023, CCU was named the best credit union to work for in the United States by American Banker. In 2023, the credit union also received a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial, recognizing CCU as one of the strongest financial institutions in the country for the seventh consecutive year.

Colorado Credit Union Intern and Member Awarded College Scholarship

May 31, 2023 – Colorado Credit Union is pleased to announce our member and intern, Lorenzo Giovanetti, has been selected as one of two Brayman Beach 2023 Scholars. He’ll receive a $5,000 scholarship for his college expenses. Giovanetti has worked as an intern at CCU since 2022.

“We couldn’t be more excited for Lorenzo to have his hard work and dedication recognized,” said Mike Williams, Colorado Credit Union President and CEO. “I would like to thank the GoWest Foundation for honoring Lorenzo with this scholarship. I can’t think of a more-deserving recipient.”

Lorenzo is a recent graduate of Lakewood High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar, and a student athlete on the soccer and track and field teams. He also participated in the DECA program, was a DECA state finalist, and was the Founder/President of the Lakewood HS Career Pathway Speaker Series. Along with the leadership he demonstrated at his school and in extracurricular activities, he earned a 4.85 GPA. He plans to attend the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa starting this fall.

Teresa Chavez named to Brighton Chamber Board of Directors

May 4, 2023 – Colorado Credit Union Mortgage Loan Officer, Teresa Chavez, was recently named to the Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Board of Directors.

“It’s such an honor to join the Board of Directors for the Brighton Chamber,” Chavez said. “The Brighton Chamber is committed to long-term success of our community, and I look forward to doing my part to help further the Chamber’s mission.”

Chavez is a native of Brighton, Colo., who has served the Brighton community throughout her career, including her 15 years of employment with Colorado Credit Union. She started at CCU in frontline operations helping members with their banking transactions before transitioning into consumer lending and branch management. For the past two years, she has worked in the mortgage department helping members secure financing to purchase homes.

Chavez has also served the community with volunteer work including giving time at area senior centers and food pantries and organizing Spanish financial literacy classes for women’s groups.

As a chamber board director, Chavez will help advance the mission of the Chamber and encourage input and participation in Chamber programs.

The Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau serves as a voice for area business from multiple industries including farming and agriculture to healthcare and small retail business and large-scale manufacturing. To learn more about the Brighton Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, visit brightonchamber.com.

Colorado Credit Union Celebrates 50 Years

In 2023, Colorado Credit Union celebrated our 50th anniversary. We wouldn't be where we are today without your support. Below is our 50th Anniversary video which celebrates both our history and our future. Our entire team at Colorado Credit Union thanks you for your membership and we look forward to serving you for many years to come.

CCU Wins National Industry Diamond Award

Colorado Credit Union was honored to receive a Diamond Award this year at the annual CUNA Marketing & Business Development Conference in Orlando.

This is the second CUNA Diamond Award CCU's Marketing team has won. Congratulations!

Introducing Cash Coach

We are excited to announce Cash Coach, a free budget management tool, is available in online and mobile banking. Cash Coach allows you to create a solid game plan for your money with the ability to add external accounts.

Cash Coach allows you to make a budget, set goals, track spending, link external accounts, and much more. Check it out today!

Cash Coach Information

Colorado Credit Union Hires Scott Sager as CFO

October 20, 2022 – Colorado Credit Union is pleased to announce the hiring of Scott Sager as its chief financial officer. Sager brings a decade of industry experience to the role including most recently serving as chief operations officer at Trona Valley Community Federal Credit Union in Green River, Wyo.

“We are very excited to welcome Scott to the CCU team,” said Mike Williams, Colorado Credit Union CEO and president. “Scott’s extensive financial background combined with his commitment to bettering the lives of credit union members will be a great asset to our organization.”

As CFO, Sager will oversee accounting, finance and investment functions of Colorado Credit Union as well as financial forecasting and reporting.

“Colorado Credit Union has built a legacy of growth and member service,” Sager said. “With the passion I carry for the credit union industry and its mission, this role is the perfect opportunity for me to continue working with amazing people while providing lifelong value for members.”

Sager is a dedicated credit union advocate who has served in numerous industry roles including Chairman of Wyoming Young Credit Union Professionals and Graduate Assistant at Western CUNA Management School.
He is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a degree in Accounting and is a certified public accountant. Sager is also a graduate of the Mountain West Credit Union Association Executive Leadership program and Western CUNA Management School (Honors). In 2017, he was honored in the Mountain West Credit Union Association Top 20 Under 40 class.

White Crown FCU members approve merger with Colorado Credit Union

October 4, 2022 – Denver-based White Crown Federal Credit Union members overwhelmingly approved to merge with Colorado Credit Union, a Littleton-based credit union serving the front-range since 1973. The merger vote took place September 30 and became effective October 1, 2022.

Prior to the member vote, the merger was unanimously approved by both credit unions’ boards and has received approval from both the State of Colorado and the National Credit Union Administration. System integration is expected to be completed in late January of 2023.
“Colorado Credit Union has built a foundation of success on its strong financial standing, a diverse product portfolio and its commitment to both its members and the communities it serves,” said Kerry Spradling, White Crown president and CEO. “When evaluating merger opportunities, thoughtful consideration was given to selecting a credit union that will continue building upon White Crown’s more than 70-year legacy of service. I am confident that Colorado Credit Union is the right fit for our members, and I’m thrilled our members agree.”

The merged credit unions will operate under the Colorado Credit Union brand and all White Crown FCU staff will be retained and welcomed into the CCU family. The merger creates a combined financial cooperative with projected assets of $378 million, 70 employees, 4 branches and more than 26,000 members.

“It is an honor to welcome White Crown members and staff into the Colorado Credit Union family. I am thankful to Kerry, the White Crown board, and its members for the confidence in Colorado Credit Union’s ability to meet their growing financial needs,” said Mike Williams, Colorado Credit Union president and CEO. “In the current financial landscape, mergers offer a unique opportunity to enhance the financial offerings of a credit union allowing us to better serve our members.”

Under Williams’ leadership as president and CEO, the merger positions both credit unions for long-term growth while combining resources, staff, and expertise. White Crown members will benefit from enhanced banking technology, an in-house mortgage team with a diverse selection of products, and three additional branches located throughout the Denver-metropolitan area.

About Colorado Credit Union: Since 1973, Colorado Credit Union has been serving members throughout the Denver metropolitan area with a full portfolio of banking services. Founded as Johns Manville Credit Union, the member-owned financial cooperative serves members with three branches located in Brighton, Denver and Littleton. Currently, Colorado Credit Union has more than $310 million in assets and more than 21,000 members.

About White Crown Federal Credit Union: White Crown was founded in 1951 by eight employees of the Rocky Mountain division of Standard Oil to serve employees and families of Standard Oil in the Rocky Mountain area. White Crown FCU has $68 million in assets and more than 5,000 members. For more information, visit whitecrown.org.

Zelle® Now Available

As a Colorado Credit Union member, you are able to send and receive money with friends, family and those you know and trust directly from the ColoradoCU app with Zelle®. As a reminder, Colorado Credit Union will never call, text, or email you and ask for your passcode, account number or SSN. If you have any questions or need assistance, call us directly at 303.978.2274.

Zelle® Information

Contactless Cards Now Available

A simple and secure tap is all it takes to pay for the things you need. Visa contactless payments make it secure, convenient and touch-free. Colorado Credit Union have contactless cards available today.

Best Credit Union to Work For 2022

CCU has been named one of the 2022Best Credit Unions to Work For. This is the eighth consecutive year CCU has been honored with this award.

This year is extra special because CCU has placed number one overall for the second time, as well as number one in our asset class.

The American Banker provides this award to credit unions that not only demonstrate their commitment to the communities they serve, but also credit unions that excel in providing a quality workplace for employees.

Read the full article.

ClickSwitch Free - it's so easy. just click and switch. The fast, secure, FREE way to switch your direct deposit, auto payments, and accounts.

Introducing ClickSWITCH

Relax, switching is easy. With our automated process, you can change direct deposits, recurring payments, and subscription payments quickly and easily.

Getting started is easy. Call us at 303.978.2274 or stop by any branch and our staff will get you enrolled.

ClickSWITCH

CCU Employee wins HOPE Award

We are so proud of Xochitl Delgado for winning the 2022 Mountain West Credit Union Association HOPE Award presented by MWCUA President and CEO, Scott Earl, and NWCUA President and CEO, Troy Stang at the 2022 Annual Meeting Conference.

This award stand for "Helping Our People Everyday" and recognizes credit union employees "caught in the act" of demonstrating superior member service.

At Colorado Credit Union, Xochitl always delivers excellent service to our members and consistently goes above and beyond. Thank you for your dedication to CCU and its members.

Introducing "Instant Issue"

Colorado Credit Union is constantly looking for new ways to improve our member experience. As of May 2022, CCU members will be able to get a new or replacement debit or credit card at either our Brighton or Littleton/Ken-Caryl branch locations.

“Instant Issue” makes the process of getting a new or replacement card a breeze. Cards are issued on the spot and are activated immediately. Cards feature the same security enhancements as other CCU cards.

Staff Promotions at CCU:

March 23, 2022 - Colorado Credit Union recently announced multiple staff promotions. The promotions allow the organization to continue to serve its members with exceptional member service while focusing on the latest technological advances.

Ryan Chism was promoted to Senior Vice President of IT. In addition to overseeing the IT department, he will also supervise the member experience and data analytics teams. Chism has been with CCU for more than seven years and most recently served as Vice President of IT.

Shauna Brazil was promoted to Vice President of Lending. In her new role, she will oversee the mortgage, loan support and centralized lending departments. Brazil has been with CCU for more than eight years and has served in a variety of roles, most recently as Director of Lending and Member Experience.

Austin Krebill was promoted to Systems Administrator. Krebill joined the organization in 2020 and previously served as Junior Systems Administrator.
“I am proud to announce these promotions from within our organization. Ryan, Shauna and Austin have always done terrific jobs for Colorado Credit Union, and I have no doubt they will continue to succeed in their new roles,” said Mike Williams, President and CEO of Colorado Credit Union.

CCU Marketing Team Win National Industry Diamond Award

March 16, 2022 - Colorado Credit Union was recently honored with a Category’s Best and a Diamond Award for its Financial Education efforts. The award was presented at the annual CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Conference.

CCU’s “Credit Bootcamp” received the highest honor in the Financial Education category. The Credit Bootcamp program ran in 2021 with the goal of helping young adults gain a better understanding of the core principals of financial literacy including budgeting, saving, managing debt, credit basics and mortgages. More than 130 participants completed the entire program.

The program was such a success that CCU plans to make it an annual offering. Bootcamp details.

New Hours Effective January 3, 2022

Brighton Branch Lobby and Drive-Up
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Downtown Branch Lobby
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Ken-Caryl/Littleton Branch Lobby and Drive-Up
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Colorado Credit Union CEO, Mike Williams, Named A ‘Most Admired CEO’

October 22, 2021 – Colorado Credit Union President and CEO, Mike Williams, was named one of Denver Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs, the publication announced earlier this week. The award recognizes CEOs who are driving transformative change within their organization, industry, and the community.

“Congratulations to all of the honorees selected by Denver Business Journal. I am truly honored to be included with such a distinguished group of business leaders,” Williams said. “Finding out that my team had nominated me was quite humbling. Whether I was selected or not, I appreciated being nominated.”

Williams, who has spent his entire career working in finance, has served as CEO at Colorado Credit Union for nearly 30 years. He has grown the organization from solely serving Johns Manville employees to being open to nearly all Colorado residents. Under his leadership, Colorado Credit Union has grown to more than $300M in assets with more than 20,000 members.

“This recognition of Mike by the Denver Business Journal is a well-deserved reflection of how we, on the CCU Board of Directors, feel about him,” CCU Board Chair, Jeff Hager said. “Mike knows what matters and has a real talent for balancing the needs of all of our stakeholders.”

Williams is a recognized leader in the credit union industry dedicating his time to serving on industry boards including Chairman of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) Advisory Board and as a board member of the Western CUNA Management School. Over the course of his career, he has served on nearly every board in the industry.

His industry accolades include being elected Professional of the Year (2011) and receiving the Distinguished Leader Award from the Center for Credit Union Leadership (2017). He was elected to the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in 2013.

“We are fortunate and grateful to work with Mike, who, as a leader, is so passionate about driving the success of the credit union through his focus on the well-being of our members, our staff, our community and the broader credit union industry,” Hager added.

Best Credit Unions to Work for 2021

CCU has been named one of the 2021 Best Credit Unions to Work For. This is the seventh consecutive year.

CCU has been honored with this award. This year is extra special because CCU has placed number one overall for the first time, as well as number one in our asset class. We are extremely honored to have received this award.

Read the full article.

Colorado Credit Union Employee Honored with National Industry Award

Josh Harden named 2021 Rising Star for the CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council

May 13, 2021 – Josh Harden, Colorado Credit Union Director of Training and Human Resources, was recently honored by the CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council as the 2021 Rising Star. The annual award recognizes and honors an emerging HR or organizational development professional in the credit union industry.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this award,” Harden said. “Colorado Credit Union has been my career – and what a great one it has been thus far. It is a pleasure to be a part of such a great organization and industry.”

Harden joined the Colorado Credit Union staff ten years ago as an intern while he was still in high school. He moved to a teller position while attending the University of Colorado. After completing his Bachelors’ degrees in Human Resource Management and Operations Management, he moved into the HR and training department. He graduated in 2018 with an MBA from Regis University. In his current role, Harden redesigned and leads the internal training program and helped develop the company’s community financial literacy initiative which includes teaching financial education to area high school students.

“I was so excited to hear that Josh was named the 2021 Rising Star. Josh has earned credentials and experience far beyond his years,” said Audrey Willis, Vice President of Human Resources and Training at Colorado Credit Union. “He is a stellar employee, credit union advocate, and role model for all of our staff. I feel lucky to work with Josh and am so proud of his achievement.”

The award was announced at the organization’s annual conference in April.

Colorado Credit Union Named A 2021 Best Places to Work

Denver Business Journal logo. 2021 Best places to work.

Colorado Credit Union is proud to announce it was named one of Denver Business Journal’s 2021 Best Places to Work in the Large category, which includes companies with 50 to 99 employees. This is the first time the organization has received the recognition.

“We are honored to be recognized by both our staff and Denver Business Journal,” said Mike Williams, Colorado Credit Union President and CEO. “This award reflects the passion and commitment our entire organization has to building a corporate culture where employees can excel. While the past year presented many challenges, our team came together to support each other while continuing to provide exceptional service to our members.”

Best Places to Work aims to identify the top workplaces in Denver based on employee feedback. Nominated organizations are evaluated by their employees through an anonymous survey focusing on elements of the work environment including: corporate culture, compensation and benefits, and trust in senior leadership.

For a complete list of honorees visit: www.bizjournals.com/denver (subscription may be required to view).

To learn more about Colorado Credit Union or to see a list of current job openings:

Careers

CCU Wins Industry Awards

From the Credit Union National Association in 2020:

First place for the Desjardins Award (left picture). Our program "Teaching Teens to be Savvy Savers" received the highest honor at the state level for our financial education program aimed at teens and young adults. As part of this program, CCU staff works with area high school teachers, both inside and outside the classroom, to provide a financial education program speciﬁcally geared towards teaching teens good, lifelong financial habits.
Second place for the Louise Herring Award (right picture). Receiving a second place award, "Making a Difference During the COVID-19 Crisis" highlighted the efforts of the CCU team to help businesses receive PPP loans. The tireless effort of several Colorado Credit Union staff was recognized for helping to save hundreds of jobs during the initial months of the pandemic.

Introducing: RoundUp for Savings

CCU is excited to introduce the RoundUp for Savings feature. Our RoundUp for Savings works as an automatic savings account. Debit card purchase “round-ups” are accumulated and transferred daily from your checking account to your savings/main share account.

For example, spend $6.50 at your favorite local coffee shop and the debit charge will be “rounded-up” to $7.00. The difference of $0.50 automatically goes into your designated savings account. A penny saved is a penny earned, and with Colorado Credit Union’s RoundUp for Savings, your pennies can help you reach your savings goals.

Call 303.978.2274 to enroll.

RoundUp for Savings

Digital Wallets

Your mobile experience is getting even easier as Colorado Credit Union is now offering mobile payment and digital wallet services to our members. Digital Wallet applications are secure and easy ways to pay for purchases in stores, on the web and in apps. These purchases are secure. Your card number is not shared with the merchant and isn’t stored on your mobile device. Instead, an encrypted number is used to process the payment.

The following payment options are now available to members:
Apple Pay • Google Pay • Samsung Pay • Fitbit Pay • Garmin Pay

Digital Wallets

Ken-Caryl Branch Move - July 13, 2020

We are excited to announce the new Ken-Caryl/Littleton branch will open on July 13. This branch is located at 10026 W. San Juan Way – near C-470 and Kipling. With the opening of this branch, we will be closing the current location at 8331 S. Continental Divide Rd. The ATM at this location will still be
operational until July 31.

As excited as we are to show you the new branch, please note that social distancing practices will be in place; and we continue to encourage members to use the drive-up lanes for transactions.

Community Shred Day - 2020

The Shred Day Event was a success. In addition to shredding important documents for our members and the surrounding communities, together we raised over $2,200 in cash donation and donated over 700 pounds of food to Food Bank of the Rockies. Well done, everyone! Colorado Credit Union and Food Bank of the Rockies gives many thanks to all the generous donations.

New and Improved Digital Banking Platform Available:

In order to provide our members with the most updated and easiest digital banking experience, our Digital Banking Platform was upgraded in April. Download the new "ColoradoCU" app today. (Data carrier rates may apply.)

New ATM Network:

CCU has switched its ATM network. This change aligns our ATM network with our existing CO-OP Shared Branch network and means our members will now have access to nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATM* locations and more than 5,900 convenient branch and self-service locations covering all 50 states. Look for the CO-OP ATM logo to identify surcharge-free ATMs. Easily locate surcharge-free ATMs.

Englewood:

ATM Location: As of February 28, 2020 the Englewood ATM location will no longer be in service. Locate the closest ATM.

Englewood Branch Closed May 31^st:

The Englewood branch location has permanently closed on May 31, 2019. In 2013, with great excitement, the Englewood Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union was merged into Colorado Credit Union. During the merger discussions, we made a commitment to continue branch operations for three years inside the Civic Center building. We exceeded our commitment and operated for more than five years at this location. Unfortunately, the economics for operating this branch haven’t come to fruition and the difficult decision has been made to close the Englewood branch. Current members that utilized the Englewood branch can continue to bank with Colorado Credit Union. CCU has all the current technologies needed for branch-free banking and in-person banking is still available at other CCU branches and at 5,900+ Co-Op Shared Branch locations.

Recent Awards:

Named one of the "Best Credit Unions to Work For" by American Banker for the eighth consecutive year. (2015-2022)
Received 5-Star rating from Bauer Financial; recognized as one of the strongest financial institutions in the country (2017-2022)
CCU employee received the Mountain West Credit Union Association HOPE Award (2022)
Colorado Credit Union was recently honored with a Category’s Best and a Diamond Award for its Financial Education efforts (2022)
Colorado Credit Union President and CEO, Mike Williams, was named one of Denver Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs (2021)
Two CCU employees received the Outstanding Young Professional Award from Mountain West Credit Union Association (2021)
Colorado Credit Union Employee Honored with National Industry Award. Josh Harden named 2021 Rising Star for the CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council.
Colorado Credit Union is proud to announce it was named one of Denver Business Journal’s 2021 Best Places to Work in the Large category, which includes companies with 50 to 99 employees. This is the first time the organization has received the recognition.
From the Credit Union National Association in 2020:
- First place for the Desjardins Award. Our program "Teaching Teens to be Savvy Savers" received the highest honor at the state level for our financial education program aimed at teens and young adults. As part of this program, CCU staff works with area high school teachers, both inside and outside the classroom, to provide a financial education program speciﬁcally geared towards teaching teens good, lifelong financial habits.
- Second place for the Louise Herring Award. Receiving a second place award, "Making a Difference During the COVID-19 Crisis" highlighted the efforts of the CCU team to help businesses receive PPP loans. The tireless effort of several Colorado Credit Union staff was recognized for helping to save hundreds of jobs during the initial months of the pandemic.

The Community Impact Award runner up from Mountain West Credit Union Association (2019)
Received the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility Community Service (2019)
CCU Employee received the Outstanding Young Professional Award from Mountain West Credit Union Association (2019)
CEO Mike Williams received Distinguished Leader award from Mountain West Credit Union Association (2017)
Two staff received Top 20 Young Professionals Under 40 award from Mountain West Credit Union Association (2017)