Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson). The SCFD has been reauthorized three times; in 1994, 2004, and most recently in 2016, demonstrating that Colorado residents place a high value on the availability of cultural offerings. “This last election cycle renewal of the SCFD passed at almost two-thirds majority of Denver metro voters,” said Jordy. “Residents of Denver metro truly value the arts, cultural and scientific programs SCFD provides, and part of that success, is that the SCFD provides access for all. Between various organizations ranging from Denver Art Museum to The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, approximately 1,000 free days and free events are made available to a broad range of the general public, ranging from small children to seniors.” The SCFD is so successful, it has become a national model for publicly funded tax districts. “In 1998, the population of metro Denver was 1.8 million and we distributed approximately $13M to SCFD organizations,” said Jordy. “In 2016, we’ve doubled the number of SCFD organizations and have distributed over $56M dollars to them. In almost 30 years, to see the growth and types and breadth of organizations that provide theater and dance and education classes to the population, is unprecedented. We punch way above our weight as a cultural community.” In addition to supplying entertainment for residents, the SCFD exemplifies the notion that the arts have a direct impact on Denver’s economic development. “In 2015 over half a billion dollars in new money was infused into the Denver metro economy through SCFD organizations. $367M of that resulted from cultural tourism,” said Jordy. “This is significant because it demonstrates SCFD art/culture/science organizations alone, are making a major economic impact. Couple the approximately
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300 SCFD organizations, with the other sectors of the creative industries; music venues, architecture and design firms— it’s a significant industry cluster. People don’t often think of music organizations and art galleries as economic drivers, but they are. The relationship between these arts are a catalyst for community development, neighborhood development, cultural tourism, and capital improvements.” Adding to the economic impact arts and cultural centers provide, SCFD organizations attribute over 11,000 jobs to the economy annually. “We see all these people moving here, and they need jobs. SCFD is just a small slice of the creative arts industries that are bolstering the economy by offering employment opportunities for new and existing residents.” The robust cultural community fostered by the SCFD improves the overall health and wellbeing of a robust and dynamic quality of life in Denver and Colorado. “Over 14 million people attended cultural, arts or science events in 2015, a significant number in that we have a population of 3.5 million people,” said Jordy. “Repeat visitors, outdoor music festivals, taking a child to a class at the Butterfly Pavilion—these are all activities attributing to the economic success of Denver.”
Unparalleled Education Perhaps the greatest way to ensure the success of a city’s economic, social and cultural future, is to invest in its youth. Today, the Denver metro school district is the largest in Colorado, and recently, has been leading the nation in terms of preparing students to succeed in the highest-demand job sectors in the state. By investing in educational opportunities that will earn Colorado’s educated youth good jobs, the state is developing and retaining a better workforce, while simultaneously taking strides to ensure the state’s long-term
“We’re hearing from students and parents across the state that the earlier students get college credit, the more options they have” MISTI RUTHVEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION AND PATHWAYS, COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
economic success. “We are seeing some distinct trends related to educational opportunities available to students in Colorado,” said Misti Ruthven, Executive Director of Innovation and Pathways for the Colorado Department of Education. “Not only are we seeing an increased opportunity for students to achieve levels of higher education while they are still in high school, there are more opportunities for students to explore career and job opportunities with real businesses [in the State].” Embracing the philosophy that higher education is one pathway to a career, the Colorado Department of Education has embraced a program called, concurrent enrollment, which takes place when a student that is currently enrolled in high school, takes college credits simultaneously. Often, students can graduate with a high-school diploma in one hand and a business credential or an Associate’s degree in the other. “Colorado is leading the nation in terms of students taking college credits while in high school,” said Ruthven. “94% of school districts offer concurrent enrollment. Pretty much anywhere you move in Colorado, there will be some [concurrent enrollment] opportunities available, and we’ve been seeing significant growth in these programs over the past couple years.” Though concurrent enrollment has existed in Colorado since 2008, today, more than 30,000 students, up from only a few hundred the program started with, are currently enrolled across the state.