Four Colorado companies are in the top 10 and half of the spots in the top 20.
Colorado companies once again dominate Outside magazine’s annual list of the Best Places to Work — especially those with some sort of love for adventure sports or connection to the outdoor sports industry. With four in the top 10 and half of the spots in the top 20.
Boulder-based Sphero, a robotic toy manufacturer, was the Colorado company that nabbed the highest spot on Outside’s ranking, coming in at No. 3.
Plenty of other Boulder companies joined Sphero, with 13 other companies landing spots on the list.
Outside’s list ranks 100 companies nationwide based on employee surveys and data from Outdoor Sports Industry Association and Best Companies Group, Outside.
The Santa Fe-based magazine picks companies that encourage healthy and active lifestyles, are environmentally-friendly and give back to the community.
“These companies set the standard for workplaces that really value their employees and offer an experience that’s fulfilling inside and outside the office,” said Outside executive editor Michael Roberts.
Last year, Colorado companies occupied 27 out of the 100 spots, including the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. Denver-based marketing firm GroundFloor Media was No. 1, and Highlands Ranch-based software designer Zen Planner was No. 2.
Fort Collins-based beer maker New Belgium Brewery, which was ranked in the top spot in 2008, came in at No. 7 this year. Bryan Simpson, New Belgium’s communications director, said the brewery is honored.
“Our professional creativity and energy is best fueled when our personal lives are fulfilled,” Love said. “That means making sure there is quality time to spend with family and friends, to enjoy the outdoors and contribute to our communities.”
Jeff Gardner, CEO of Zen Planner — a Highlands Ranch-based fitness software designing firm — said his company’s focus on creating a good life balance for employees is why it came in the top 10 for the second year in a row — at No. 6.
“We’ve been very deliberate in creating an environment that provides work and life balance because happy employees are the cornerstone of Zen Planner’s continued success,” Gardner said.
Fort Collins-based beer maker New Belgium Brewery, which was ranked in the top spot in 2008, came in at No. 7 this year.Bryan Simpson, New Belgium’s communications director, said the brewery is honored.
“We are … an incredibly hard-working bunch and value co-worker input,” he said. “Being 100 percent employee owned means everyone has a voice and a hand in making this brewery the best that it can be.”
> Click here for Outside Magazine’s full ranking, which includes company descriptions, what makes the company a winner, the number of employees and even whether the company is hiring.
Adapted from an original article by Caitlin Hendee, Digital Producer / Social Engagement Manager in The Denver Business Journal
