Jefferson County EDC will be run by head of Arvada chamber

There’s a new head of economic development in Colorado’s Jefferson County. 

The Jefferson County Economic Development Corp. announced Kami Welch will be its new president and chief executive officer. Welch will begin Aug. 15, according to a news release. 

Welch led the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce for 14 years and has been the EDC’s interim CEO since March. In her previous work, she worked on doubling chamber membership, the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce to use $5 million to support businesses and a $3 million initiative in 2026 to improve talent, housing, childcare and competitiveness. 

“Our three verticals, economic development, the West Metro Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Jeffco, each deliver real value today,” said Kelly Dunkin, the chair for the JeffCo EDC Board of Directors, in the release. “The next stage is integrating them so that each strengthens the others, and the Board believes that, under Kami’s leadership, we will be well-positioned to pursue that work.”

Welch will continue to work with the Arvada Chamber until the end of 2026 as they search for a new CEO. 

Panda Express comes to Bennett

Panda Express is opening its first location in Bennett this week. 

The Chinese fast food chain announced it will open its first restaurant in the town on the eastern edge of the metro Denver area on Tuesday. Doors at the Panda Express on 1056 South 1st St. will open at 9 a.m.

“Our entire Panda team is grateful to serve the Bennett community by providing new jobs and supporting local organizations through various fundraising opportunities,” said Luke Walker, Panda Express area coach of operations, in a press release. “We hope to be a lasting part of the community and welcome all guests into our doors to try our American Chinese favorites and discover their own.” 

The Chinese food chain headquartered in California has 60 locations in Colorado, according to its website.

Call Your Mother opens in Golden

Bagel chain Call Your Mother has a new Colorado location — this time in Golden.

Call Your Mother opened on Monday at 1106 Washington Ave. in the heart of downtown Golden. It’s open on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closes at 3 p.m. on weekends.

The bagel chain with Boca Raton meets Brooklyn vibes has more than 25 locations across the U.S., including Colorado, New York, Virginia, Illinois and Washington, D.C. It’s also expanding into Pennsylvania.

The Golden location is Call Your Mother’s eighth location in Colorado. It also has plans to expand in south Denver with another location at 5074 E. Hampden Ave. at the Happy Canyon shopping center. 

Call Your Mother was founded in 2018 in Washington, D.C. by Chef Daniela Moreira and Andrew Dana.

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