Two Colorado credit unions announce merger

Colorado’s Climb Credit Union and Community Choice Credit Union have announced plans to merge.

The merger is pending member approval, Arvada-based Climb Credit Union said in a news release late Friday afternoon.

The proposed merger will “bring together two longstanding Colorado credit unions that share a strong commitment to service, community, and helping members reach their financial goals,” the release said.

If approved, the merger will take effect early next year.

“Our teams have always prioritized people first. By joining forces with Community Choice, we can offer members more opportunities, deepen our community impact, and build a stronger foundation for the future,” Climb President/CEO Carrie Langgard said in the release.

Climb Credit Union has a corporate office in Arvada and five branch locations in Arvada, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Lakewood. In August, the company opened its state-of-the-art facility in Colorado Springs at 3582 Blue Horizon View, Suite 100. Climb relocated after it permanently closed its branch in Old Colorado City.

Community Choice Credit Union has a main office in Commerce City and a branch in Wheat Ridge.

Both credit unions offer a range of personal and business banking services, including digital banking, loan services and more.

Under the proposed merger, the combined organization will operate as Climb Credit Union, led by Langgard, according to the release.

The merger will expand access to products, services and branch locations while maintaining personalized service for members, officials said.

“We’re excited to bring our members into the Climb family,” Community Choice Credit Union President/CEO Rainy Thoen said in the release. “Our shared values and member-first philosophy make this a natural partnership that will benefit our members and employees alike.”

Colorado’s three largest credit unions have announced mergers or expansions in Colorado Springs within the past year. Ent Credit Union announced in April that it was merging with Minnesota-based Wings Credit Union.

Bellco Credit Union announced last August it was adding at least two full-service branches in Colorado Springs by late 2025 or early 2026, and Canvas Credit Union is opening a new location in downtown Colorado Springs.

“At Climb Credit Union, we view competition as a sign of a healthy and growing market, one that ultimately benefits residents by providing more access to cooperative banking,” Langgard told The Gazette last month.

Climb Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution with $674 million in assets and serving 40,000 members. Community Choice Credit Union has $97 million in assets and serves 6,500 members.


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