August 20, 2024
Healthiest Employers® was started in 2009 as a way to celebrate companies that are putting their people first by investing in the health of their employees. In partnership with Springbuk, we are pleased to announce the 2024 Healthiest Employers of Colorado.
Each company filled out our annual Healthiest Employers application. The responses are scored Rubric style 1-100 scale. The assessment is made up of six categories with yes/no, multiple choice, and short answer questions, with each question totaling .25-3 points. A Healthiest Employers Index (HEI) is assigned to each application to help rank among companies of similar sizes. For information on how the applications are scored, please visit our methodology page here.
U.S. News released their list of “Best Places to Live in the U.S.” for 2024. Two Colorado cities ranked in the top 10 for their overall quality of life, strong job market, and desirability. Colorado Springs earned 3rd and is considered “a city that blends colorful nature with rugged history.” Boulder ranked 10th because of its wellness-seeking residents and many alternative healthcare studios. Fort Collins and Denver also earned recognition at #39 and #40 respectively.
For the last few years, a heavily debated topic has been on returning to the office vs. remote work vs. hybrid work. Our Colorado applicants reported that:
- 14.3% work completely in the office or on-site
- 50.0% report that they are on a hybrid schedule with certain days/times in the office
- 28.6% only provide specific roles or teams with work-from-home opportunities
- 7.1% are considered a fully remote workforce
Other notable health and wellness trends include:
- The average employee tenure is 4.1 years according to an article posted in Forbes this year.
- 42.9% of Colorado applicants report having an average tenure of greater than 7 years.
- There is a greater need now more than ever to focus on financial well-being within the workplace. 45% of workers plan to find a new job this year due to the increased pressures of inflation. Based on the data from our Colorado applicants this year, we learned that many are focusing on financial well-being through the following:
- 96.8% offer financial classes and seminars for employees and their families
- 90.3% provide tuition reimbursement opportunities to allow employees the opportunity to return to school and advance their education
- 87.1% have 401k matching opportunities
- Over the past year, we have seen a significant increase in the number of patients using GLP-1s, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, coined “the worst-kept secret in Hollywood” due to its rapid success among celebrities. While there are mixed results among users, Springbuk’s 2024 Employee Health Trends report states that in a year, GLP-1 agonists are responsible for an increase in Rx spending of almost $5 PMPM (per member per month) over the prior year. Among our Colorado applicants:
- 29% report that all weight loss drugs are covered in their organization
- 22.6% only cover weight loss drugs with a pre-existing condition
- 16.1% report that they are still evaluating how they handle GLP-1s among their employees
- 32.3% state they do not cover weight loss drugs
Congratulations to all of our winners this year! Please note that employee counts are based on their national full-time employee count and company headquarters. Write-ups were only completed on the top 3 winners in each category.
2 to 149 Employees
1st Fransen Pittman General Contractors
Englewood
141 Employees
Driven by a desire to be a different breed of builder, Fransen Pittman does more than simply “build buildings.” Their clients’ facilities are where communities come to study and learn, be inspired, advance health and sciences, and build the foundation for their life’s work.
The wellness program includes a self-reported Personal Health Assessment (PHA) consisting of 32 questions. From 2023 to 2024, responses from the same individuals showed stability or improvement in 20 PHA questions. Notably, the emotional health section saw significant improvement with 6 out of 7 questions showing better scores and a 4% increase in life satisfaction. A standout benefit offered is Zero Health, which removes cost barriers by providing access to medical procedures at no charge through a network of facilities. This coverage includes MRIs, CT scans, surgeries, sleep studies, colonoscopies, mammograms, bloodwork, and physical therapy. This benefit also results in cost savings for the employer, with a recent analysis showing a 35% reduction in expenses related to surgical procedures, therapy, imaging, and laboratory work.
“At FP, everything we do focuses on making people's lives better. We created our wellness program to reflect this purpose. More than just quantitatively measuring the health of our employees, what I'm most proud of is watching the web of benefits emerge from this program that we didn't even expect. For example, we support the community and promote a great cause through our annual MS150 bike ride and fundraising. I've seen the financial strain of our employees resolve and their day-to-day attitude improve. Most of all, our wellness program has become embedded in our culture. Our wellness program is more than just diet and physical fitness, it's about how a person functions at all levels.” –John Pittman, President
2nd Aimco
Denver
58 Employees
Aimco is a diversified real estate company primarily focused on value add and opportunistic investments, targeting the U.S. multifamily sector.
Aimco takes employee feedback very seriously when it comes to wellness programming. In 2020, they did a complete review and overhaul of their benefits offerings and utilized suggestions from employees when identifying new programs. Leadership implemented a 16-week leave policy for new mothers and fathers, included options with deductibles as low as $250, and added an annual $900 Wellness Fund, allowing health-related.
Aimco supports various wellness pillars through diverse initiatives. These include multiple healthcare coverage options, a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a generous Wellness Fund, a Wellness Room, and a game room with ping pong. Employees enjoy healthy snacks and drinks daily, as well as weekly team breakfasts and lunches. Financial seminars are provided through Fidelity, and all-team meetings, such as the one in Washington, DC, in March 2024, foster communication and collaboration. The Aimco Cares Program also encourages community involvement, offering paid volunteer hours for at least 16 hours per year.
“In 2024, Aimco began offering coverage for prescription weight loss medications. As someone who has struggled with weight for years, but couldn’t afford to pay for weight loss prescription drugs, I was extremely grateful to be able to utilize this new offering. I feel like Aimco does its best to make us feel as though we are the company's number one asset, and I truly appreciate being cared about by my employer when it comes to my total wellness.” –Anonymous Aimco Employee
3rd IntePros
Waltham, Massachusetts (Local Office: Greenwood Village)
61 Employees
IntePros provides highly skilled consultants for business organizations across the country on a contract or permanent basis in Information Technology and Life Science roles.
The company's most unique benefit is its individualized approach to employee needs, offering tailored solutions such as standing desks or flexible schedules depending on the person. This personalized support has been highly effective in attracting and retaining employees. Additionally, the company celebrates and supports the involvement of many employees who are athletes, coaches, or volunteers at charity sporting events outside of their full-time roles.
"We are constantly striving to be an industry leader as far as employee benefits and wellness are concerned. It is important to us that we offer these solutions to our teammates. I am proud that IntePros provides a healthy and happy workplace." –Loren Kovalcik, CEO
150 to 1,499 Employees
1st Garver
North Little Rock, Arkansas (Local Office: Greenwood Village)
1,284 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner
Founded in 1919, Garver is an employee-owned multi-disciplined engineering, planning, architectural, and environmental services firm with over 1,000 employees across the United States. Offering a wide range of services focused on aviation, construction, facilities design, federal, survey, transportation, water, and wastewater, Garver sits in the top 125 of the Engineering News-Record's prestigious Top 500 Design Firms list and is consistently recognized as a “best firm to work for.”
Garver has run their wellness program in-house for more than 10 years. This has allowed employees the unique opportunity to interact with the Wellness Team regularly and receive programming that is curated to their needs. While the more than $1,000 in insurance premium cost savings can be seen in Garver’s rates, it continues to remain important to show value on the investments made in employees. That’s why, in 2024, Garver began offering a Lifestyle Spending Account to allow employees to see how much Garver is investing in their Wellness Rewards dollars and the ability to spend it in ways that matter most to them. In previous years, employees would receive up to $800 via their paychecks but may not have realized that they were Wellness Rewards Dollars.
In 2023, Garver enhanced the Wellness Program by investing in Asset Health to help with our Wellness Portal and behind-the-scenes administrative tasks. With Asset Health’s support, our Wellness Team can remain focused on delivering a tailored approach to each employee’s wellbeing. Employees have access to a customized portal where they can find financial wellness podcasts, enhanced mental health resources, and health-related learning and development courses. Other benefits include wellness rewards dollars that can be spent on what matters most to each employee, 100% covered health screening visits with a primary care physician or LabCorp, and a wellness activity budget per office for social connection.
“Our Wellness Program has just continued to get better and better over the years. It’s been a team effort, driven by the desire to make a real difference in the lives of our employees. At Garver, we believe our employees and their families deserve a comprehensive and competitive benefits package so that they can thrive personally and professionally.” –Michael Graves, Chief Operating Officer
2nd AIR Communities
Denver, Colorado
776 Employees
AIR Communities owns and operates high-quality apartment communities across the United States. Their properties are professionally managed by outstanding teammates who deliver best-in-class customer service.
The team at AIR Communities is dedicated to creating safe and comfortable living environments for residents. They emphasize employee well-being with flexible time-off policies beyond standard vacation days, accommodating personal needs such as childcare and appointments. In 2023, corporate teammates benefited from summer hours, early Fridays, an extra day off after Thanksgiving, and extended paid holidays for onsite staff. New parents receive generous parental leave. This supportive approach is reflected in a high team engagement score of 4.41 out of 5 in 2023, with nearly 80% participation, demonstrating the value employees place on the flexibility and support provided by AIR Communities.
In 2023, AIR introduced the Live Well program to enhance teammate wellness through a holistic approach. This program covers eight dimensions of well-being—emotional, financial, spiritual, physical, environmental, intellectual, professional, and social—aligned with AIR's cultural pillars. Live Well includes wellness challenges, regular communications, and an incentive program to promote healthy behaviors such as taking time off and participating in leadership development.
“I'm so grateful that AIR offers all new parents 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave. On top of getting much-needed reps and adjusting to the new family dynamic, I feel like I received invaluable bonding time with my baby girl that I would have never been able to experience otherwise.” –Alex Ungerman, Senior Communications Specialist
3rd Strive Health
Denver
714 Employees
Strive Health is dedicated to transforming the kidney care system by providing early identification, engagement, and comprehensive coordinated care for individuals with kidney disease. Their approach involves a high-touch care team that collaborates with local providers, covering the entire care journey from chronic kidney disease to end-stage kidney disease. Using comparative and predictive data and analytics, Strive Health identifies at-risk patients, reducing the occurrence of emergent dialysis, lowering inpatient utilization, and significantly improving patient outcomes and experiences. They aim to become the leading destination for top talent in healthcare and set a new standard for kidney care.
Strive Health is dedicated to offering comprehensive and inclusive benefits that address the diverse needs of its employees. The company’s partnership with Carrot Fertility has been key in creating a supportive environment for family formation that includes all genders. This benefit has not only fulfilled employee needs but has also led to significant improvements, including a steady monthly increase of about five employees, a reduction in C-section deliveries from 69% to 45%, and a 21% decrease in overall delivery costs.
Strive Health collaborates with their benefits broker and the Insights function to continually monitor trends and analyze data to ensure its benefits align with employee expectations. The company is pleased with the positive impact on employee wellbeing and is committed to further enhancing its offerings in the future.
“Strive's holistic approach to wellness embodies a commitment to our team members' well-being, extending beyond the traditional work boundaries. By actively seeking and valuing input from our Strivers, we ensure that our wellness programs are inclusive and cater to diverse needs. From organization-wide well-being days off to tailored activities like ski days near Denver and walking events, we foster a culture that promotes a broad definition of wellness. Our leadership's dedication to transparency, supporting our Strivers in practical ways, and fostering genuine connections further strengthens this culture, ultimately enhancing their overall experience of the organization.” –Evelyn Goodfriend, Chief Customer Officer
4th David Evans and Associates, Inc. – Portland, Oregon (Local Office: Denver) – 953 Employees
5th Colorado Housing and Finance Authority – Denver – 202 Employees
6th Wind Crest – Highlands Ranch – 947 Employees
7th Syner-G BioPharma Group, LLC – Farmingham, Massachusetts (Local Office: Boulder) – 165 Employees
8th Henderson Engineers – Lenexa, Kansas (Local Office: Denver) – 902 Employees
1,500 to 4,999 Employees
1st Boulder County
Boulder
2,295 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner
Healthiest Employers Hall of Fame Member
Boulder County serves nearly 300,000 diverse residents, offering visionary open space and sustainability policies along with progressive public service programs. These efforts aim to foster a vibrant, healthy, and active community. Each department and employee is committed to fulfilling the county's vision statement: "As trusted stewards of Boulder County's future, we provide the best in public service."
In 2023, the company partnered with Progyny to offer an inclusive family-forming benefit that supports various paths to parenthood. This expanded on existing infertility coverage, extending services to individuals and LGBTQ+ couples without an infertility diagnosis. The benefit now includes a wide range of infertility treatments, counseling, donor tissue coverage, fertility preservation, and reimbursement programs for adoption and surrogacy, with the lifetime reimbursement for these expenses increased to $100,000. As of September of 2023, two adoption reimbursements had been processed, highlighting the importance of this offering.
The Progyny benefit provides comprehensive treatment using the latest technologies, access to high-quality care through a network of fertility specialists, and personalized emotional support. Progyny's Smart Cycle bundles individual services, tests, and treatments, allowing participants to track their benefit balance effectively. The program also covers donor tissue and fertility preservation without additional costs to participants.
“As Boulder County's HR Director, I'm immensely proud of our award-winning wellness program, which stands as a testament to our commitment to the holistic well-being of our employees. By fostering a culture of health and wellness, we not only enhance individual lives but also cultivate a thriving and productive work environment. Our program underscores our dedication to prioritizing the overall well-being of our employees, ultimately leading to happier, healthier, and more engaged workers.” –Julia Larsen, Human Resources Director
2nd InComm Payments
Atlanta, Georgia (Local Office: Denver)
1,974 Employees
InComm Payments, a pioneer in the FinTech industry, has been a leader in innovative payment technology for over 30 years. With a global team of over 3,000 employees across 34+ countries, the company boasts more than 400 technical patents and a network of over 525,000 retail distribution points. InComm Payments collaborates with the world's most recognized and valued brands and partners with leading global merchants.
The company is dedicated to employee growth, making careers at InComm Payments meaningful and rewarding. The LiveWell Community, InComm Payments' employee wellness program, is distinguished by its comprehensive approach to employee well-being. Offering a variety of initiatives such as wellness workshops, affinity groups, challenges, and events, LiveWell promotes holistic health for employees. LiveWell's wellness workshops have also been impactful, providing 77 hours of content and attracting 8,029 attendees. These workshops cover diverse topics such as holistic well-being, financial wellness, gender-specific health, mental health, professional development, retirement planning, and work-life balance tips.
Additionally, LiveWell's Affinity Groups foster enhanced employee engagement and support, with 490 employees participating across seven groups. These groups create tailored communities for those with similar interests and goals, promoting camaraderie and accountability within InComm Payments.
“While I have been active most of my life, participating in InComm Payments’ LiveWell community has not only improved my fitness by introducing new exercises and routines, but it has also provided a holistic approach to well-being. As a manager, the LiveWell Community has provided other avenues to engage with my colleagues and build relationships with my team. We are fortunate that InComm Payments has made this a priority for their employees.” –Scott Ebert, SVP of Accounting
3rd JE Dunn Construction
Kansas City, Missouri (Local Office: Denver)
4,556 Employees
JE Dunn Construction, founded in 1924, is a leading general building contractor in the U.S. with 26 office locations. The company's vision is to become an indispensable business partner by understanding clients' purposes, goals, and needs, and delivering transformational solutions with guaranteed results. JE Dunn remains committed to clients' building goals while adhering to its guiding principles.
JE Dunn Construction's most unique benefit is its mental health program, Lyra, implemented in January 2022. This initiative has helped industry competitors with their implementations and aims to break the stigma associated with mental health in construction. By sharing their experiences, JE Dunn demonstrates a commitment to mental health for their employees, their families, and the broader construction industry. In 2023, several employees, particularly men, proactively shared their mental health stories, leading to the creation of a video series with Lyra. This effort has been instrumental in destigmatizing mental health and earned JE Dunn the "Workforce Mental Health Innovative Company of the Year" award from Lyra. JE Dunn employees rated their experience with Lyra at 4.8 out of 5, with nearly 99% being instantly matched with a provider. The benefit includes 12 fully covered visits per employee and dependent annually, with care available via live video, messaging, or in-person. Lyra also provides digital resources to enhance the experience between sessions. Survey results indicate that 88% of employees engaging with Lyra reported improved mental health, with a median access to care of just one day.
“JE Dunn was an early innovator in the wellness space and started our programming well over 20 years ago. The inception of our program came from Mr. William H. Dunn, Sr., who saw a responsibility to keep JE Dunn employees well so that they can be the best version of themselves at home and work.” –Christy Paoli, Chief People Officer
5,000+ Employees
1st Shamrock Foods Company
Phoenix, Arizona (Local Office: Commerce City)
5,917 Employees
2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner
Healthiest Employers Hall of Fame Member
Shamrock Foods Company is a family-owned and operated Forbes 100 privately held company, specializing in manufacturing and distributing food and food-related products. Its family includes Shamrock Foods, the largest independent food service company in the West and one of the top five in the United States, and Shamrock Farms, one of the largest family-owned and operated dairies nationwide. Shamrock Foods Company is committed to its more than 6,000 associates, embracing a longstanding philosophy of treating associates as family.
Shamrock Foods Company is renowned for treating its associates as family, fostering a unique culture through their Total Wellbeing program. This program emphasizes holistic care, encompassing physical and mental well-being, and encourages personal responsibility for health and wellness. One standout benefit is the 2nd MD's Expert Medical Opinion, which allows associates to consult board-certified doctors for second opinions via phone or video, enhancing confidence in their treatment plans. This benefit has led to significant success, with associates saving an average of $12,000 by avoiding unnecessary surgeries. By offering accessible resources, Shamrock empowers associates and their families to proactively manage their health, reducing potential critical care needs and associated costs.
Shamrock Foods Company’s award-winning Total Wellbeing program supports the physical health, financial well-being, sense of community, continued learning, and overall happiness of associates and their families. Physical health benefits include on-site wellness clinics, virtual primary care and physical therapy, cancer screenings, chronic care management, and home health assistance. Mental health support is provided through a 24/7 employee assistance program (EAP) and on-site counseling at no cost.
Financial well-being is bolstered by programs like company-contributed 401(k) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), profit-sharing, and insurance partner discounts. Shamrock fosters a sense of community through family fun days, associate appreciation events, and community giving initiatives. They also encourage personal and professional growth through education reimbursement, partner university discounts, and leadership programs.
“At Shamrock, we want to enable each associate with accessible, affordable tools to live a healthier lifestyle, regardless of their current level of health. We believe early detection is the best way to improve health and wellness, and we’ll continue to emphasize proactive ways to care for associates and their families including strong doctor-patient relationships, regular annual exams, and easy access to healthcare providers, all through Shamrock’s Total Wellbeing program. Each year we review trends and find new programs to help with early detection. This year we added Galleri to add another level of early cancer detection available to our associates.” –Corey Gilchrist, Vice President of Total Rewards
2nd Genuine McCarthy Enterprises, Inc
St. Louis, Missouri (Local Office: Denver)
7,548 Employees
Genuine McCarthy Enterprises, Inc. is the parent company of McCarthy Building Companies, a name well-recognized in the construction industry. With nearly 160 years of experience, McCarthy focuses on learning, building, and growing to meet client needs. As a non-residential builder operating across the United States, McCarthy places paramount importance on the health and well-being of its employees, reflecting its status as a 100% employee-owned company.
During the pandemic, when access to mental health care became increasingly difficult, McCarthy prioritized resolving these issues. By utilizing Lyra, 98% of employees and their families are instantly matched with a provider, with an average wait time of only two days for the first available appointment. This has significantly reduced delays in receiving support.
McCarthy adopts a comprehensive and holistic approach to health and wellness by offering a variety of robust benefits and programs tailored to each employee and their family. The primary medical insurance covers all diabetes and preventive medications at no cost to employees. Support resources are available through Included Health, Livongo, and Rx Savings Solutions to help employees manage treatment and costs. Regardless of medical plan coverage, Lyra provides free mental health resources to all employees and their household members. For financial wellness, My Secure Advantage offers expert financial coaching and webinars on topics such as long-term planning, life events, and credit improvement. Additionally, McCarthy partners with Maven to support employees with reproductive health and family planning.
“I am exceptionally proud of the wellness programs we offer to our partners. We provide a comprehensive approach to health and wellness that addresses the physical, mental, and financial needs of our employees. Our wellness program offers employees opportunities to engage in physical activity, preventative health screenings, educational workshops, and other resources to all levels of wellness at the forefront. As an employee-owned company, our partners are like family to us, and we make sure they have the time, resources, and tools they need to show up to work at their best selves.” –Joe Jouvenal, Chief Operating Officer
3rd Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora
9,000 Employees
Children's Hospital Colorado is a remarkable institution dedicated to eradicating childhood disease, striving for a future where children no longer need hospital care. Recognized as the #1 children's hospital in Colorado and ranked #7 nationwide, this non-profit hospital is deeply committed to its patients, community, and staff. The hospital offers family-centered treatment in a child-friendly environment, featuring unique amenities like prescription pets, patient art, a radio studio, a library, red wagons, and more. Outside, the Healthy Roots Garden and Clinic promotes healthy eating through prescription produce.
Children's Hospital Colorado has earned prestigious accolades, including being named among Forbes's Best Employers for Women in 2022, winning the Gold Award for Best in Class by ComPsych's 2022 Health at Work Awards, and consistently achieving Platinum status from Health Links and the Healthy Hospital Compact. The hospital's focus remains on supporting both patients and staff, both inside and out.
Children's Hospital Colorado is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of its employees through a comprehensive and inclusive wellness program. Aiming to set a standard of wellness in the healthcare industry, the program offers a wide range of initiatives that see high levels of employee engagement. Employees who enroll in the hospital's medical benefits can receive a $600 annual discount on their premiums by participating in the wellness program. Last year, 67% of eligible employees earned this discount by completing a health assessment, a biometric screening, and participating in healthy habit programs to accumulate wellness points.
“Our program provides a huge array of options so that team members can begin, continue, or flourish in their wellness journey. And we ensure the journey includes whole-person wellness so we provide information and services for physical and mental health as well as financial wellness. Importantly, our wellness program connects to our mission – to improve child health.” –Betsy Rodriguez, Chief Human Resources Officer
4th CBIZ – Cleveland, Ohio (Local Office: Denver) – 6,841 Employees
5th U-Haul International – Phoenix, Arizona (Multiple Local Offices) – 16,371 Employees – 2023 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Winner
6th Empower – Greenwood Village – 8,446 Employees
7th Burns & McDonnell – Kansas City, Missouri (Local Office: Centennial) – 9,946 Employees
8th TIAA – New York, New York (Local Office: Denver) – 11,519 Employees
