Our Programs
Mile High Business Alliance Programs bring us together to build a more sustainable and equitable community. We believe that local businesses are a vital aspect of healthy communities. We seek to make businesses more successful, adopting more environmentally and socially sustainable practices while delivering necessary goods and services to our community. By enhancing our local business, we build our own experience of community.
We have a number of programs in development, including neighborhood gift cards, a business to business trade exchange, neighborhood engagement programs, and projects focused on supporting local arts.
The following are current programs of the Mile High Business Alliance:
Colorado Local First Campaign
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter have both issued proclamations for Buy Local Week, November 28 - December 5, in support of locally owned businesses. (read more)
The Colorado Local First campaign makes it easier to locate and support businesses that are more responsible, more independent, more sustainable. We're reaching thousands of Coloradoans with the message of "Local First," and providing resources for them to connect with locally owned businesses.
Our media campaigns, store posters, window
decals and more
make it easy to identify the local businesses in our community and
spread the word about the vital importance of having a locally-based
economy. Look for the Colorado Local First logo in businesses in your neighborhood.
Another important part of the Colorado Local First program is our interactive
directory of local businesses.
Online Local Business Directory
Have you ever wondered if the coffee shop down the street uses fair trade coffee? Or why that's different than organic coffee? Or have you ever wanted to find a pair of socks produced closer to home?More than an online phone book, our directory provides important information about the practices and reputation of businesses headquartered in Colorado. People can search or browse the directory to find locally-owned businesses in their area, and submit feedback and comments about the business and their activities. This allows people to find and support businesses who are providing benefit to our community, and for those businesses to build their reputation.
The directory is the foundation for our online activities, which involve community members and business owners in a dialogue about what makes for a strong community and what role business plays in building it.
All businesses that are headquartered in Colorado may receive a basic listing in the directory. MHBA members receive expanded listings, making it easier for people to find those businesses and learn more about them and the impact they have on our community. Find out more about the directory and make sure your business is listed!
Local Flavor Guides
Local Flavor Guides™ are neighborhood-centric, featuring some of the best businesses in the following neighborhoods:
- East Colfax
- Old South Gaylord
- Old South Pearl
- Santa Fe Arts District
- South Broadway (SoBo)
- Historic Uptown
Guides can be found at participating businesses, the Tattered Cover Book Store LoDo and East Colfax locations, and online at www.LocalFlavorGuides.com
Business Development & Community Connection
We know how challenging it can be to run a business, and we believe you don't have to do it on your own. Local business owners have the opportunity to develop strong relationships with others in their community - finding more and more of the resources, talent, feedback and support you need to be successful. The following regular events and tools will help you find what you need.
Inventing Business Series
The Inventing Business Series is an open space event where the participants create the agenda. Session topics can be whatever you're passionate or curious about, including how to market your business more effectively or how to find good staff people. This monthly event is open to business owners, community members, locavores - anyone interested in the dynamics between business and community. Find out more about the next Inventing Business Series and join us!
Marketing Workshops
Marketing - one of the most important aspects of business, and often the most misunderstood. Most business owners don't have the time or resources to develop successful marketing strategies, but we all need to get the word out about our business. Our marketing workshops are designed to leverage your peers and experts in the fields of marketing, design and advertising to assist you in developing effective, inexpensive marketing strategies. The next series of marketing workshops will start in January - join our newsletter list to stay up to date.
Local Biz Coffee Meetings
Join us for our regular informal meetings over yummy coffee and engaging conversations about being in business. These no-pressure events are a great way to meet other local business owners. Our event calendar lists the upcoming Coffee Meetings - hope to see you there!
Peer Advisory Groups
Our peer advisory groups connect you with other entrepreneurs and business owners for free wisdom, guidance and advice to navigate transitions or challenges in your business. Participation in peer advisory groups is limited to MHBA members. (find out more and get on our waiting list)
Business Resources
We've learned a lot about the organizations, programs and resources available to business owners, and our business resources section helps connect you with what you need to support your business.
As we expand our membership and capacities we'll launch more programs to connect and build local businesses.
