Who We Are

Founded in 2007, the Mile High Business Alliance is a non-profit membership organization committed to building a stronger local economy. Presently, there are 200+ members including Denver area businesses, non-profit organizations, individuals and community leaders. We are working to build a thriving local economy, which ensures that economic power resides locally and sustains vibrant, livable communities and healthy ecosystems.

Building Better Community Through Better Business

1. We increase community prosperity and support local businesses through marketing and promotion as well as trainings, workshops, networking, events, other programs to build our local economic capacity.
2. We create awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses. Our Colorado Local First marketing campaigns, neighborhood Local Flavor Guides and local business directory strengthen the connections between independent businesses and community members, creating a sustainable economy.
3. We provide a voice for small businesses to influence the governmental issues that affect them directly by advocating for policies at the local, state, and national level. We partner with many key community organizations to maximize our ability to represent all members of our local economy.

^{A Blueprint for Denver's Economy, created by business owners & neighbors in 2009 at a MHBA event.}

The Impact of our Work

There are over 500,000 locally owned businesses in Colorado, employing more than 1.6 million people and providing over 98 Billion dollars in economic activity every year.

With our current economic challenges, having healthy local businesses are vital for providing the goods and services we need. Small and local businesses are also more adaptable, more innovative, and more responsible to our community.

Since money spent at locally owned businesses recirculates at least three more times than at non-local companies, our work directly increases economic activity in our region, helping stabilize employment, local tax revenue and other community infrastructure.

Our leadership and entrepreneurial approach enables us to launch new programs and strategies to increase economic resilience and address community needs.

MHBA in 2010

We have four major areas of focus for 2010:

1. Expanding our Local Flavor Guide program & improving features and usability of the Colorado Local First directory (including video story telling), continuing to connect local businesses and neighbors
2. Working more closely with local and state governments to build long-term economic resilience with locally owned businesses as a foundation for economic development
3. Piloting a recirculating gift certificate program for local retailers, targeting local spending to local businesses
4. Launching the Denver Food Lab, a commercial commissary kitchen and food business incubator in Central Denver.

Read more about how we got started, our staff & leadership, and how to get involved.