Littleton Business Chamber reports membership growth, launches Latino business committee

Corey (Littleton business chamber) and members of the Littleton Business Chamber presented an annual update at a Littleton City Council study session, reporting membership growth, new programming and a plan to raise dues to build long-term sustainability.

The chamber said it finished 2024 with 211 members and 27 active volunteers and aims for 300 members by the end of 2025 to become self-sustaining without recurring grant support. "The Chamber's worth to me, my partner, and our company is immeasurable. It is worth every cent we pay to join," said Kate Echol, owner of BlueSpark HR Solutions, describing benefits her business received from chamber networking and training. Bruce Zoiler, a longtime State Farm agent and chamber sponsor, told council he "recouped" membership costs and credited leads groups for keeping business local. Zoe Romero, owner of Sen Cali Taqueria, said the chamber helped her launch a restaurant and praised the new Latino business committee: "I truly feel, when she introduced the Latino committee, I'm gonna tell you that is something dear to my heart."

Nut graf: The presentation laid out how the chamber intends to replace early seed funding and build internal revenue. Council and chamber leaders described a mix of higher membership dues, fundraising and partnerships to cover overhead after initial American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) seed money. The chamber also highlighted programming — leads groups, a women-in-leadership conference, C-level member lunches — as the primary driver of member value.

Chamber leaders described specific membership and revenue details presented to council. The chamber reported roughly 75 events in 2024, leads groups with some cohorts of 18–30 participants, and five ambassadors who mentor new members. Current membership tiers include corporate partners ($5,000), premier ($2,500), and executive business members; the chamber said it will establish a new baseline membership rate of $250 for 2025 and described a planned increase to $350 in January (stated in presentation as a planned adjustment). The chamber said it has added about 25 new members since January 1 and is averaging roughly six to seven new members per week at that rate of growth.

Council members asked about financial sustainability and grants. The chamber said it used ARPA seed money provided by the city in earlier years to grow programming and that those funds are now spent. To replace that support, the chamber plans steadier membership pricing, expanded fundraising tied to events such as the State of the City on May 14, and possible corporate partnerships. The chamber also described a space-and-services trade with Kiln (office and meeting rooms) that it values at an estimated $10,000 in annual savings.

The chamber requested guidance about how city economic development grants or other small-business funding might best help members. Suggestions raised by chamber speakers included pro bono or reduced-cost HR services for local arts organizations and continuing-education grants for staff training.

Ending: The chamber closed by offering to continue coordinating with the city's economic development team and by introducing several members who said they would be available to answer follow-up questions. The chamber will return to the council or staff as needed while implementing the membership and programming changes discussed.