Best of Colorado 2023 — Finance

Many of this year’s Best of Colorado winners embody the art of specialization. They don’t pretend to be something they are not, rather they concentrate on one element and aim to perfect it. That in turn has clearly helped them make a name for themselves.

Our readers (Best of Colorado customers) not only remember them but make a concerted effort to vote for them. That’s a tremendous accomplishment in this era of overwhelming messages, marketing and mindshare. But that takes time. Here at ColoradoBiz, we’ve heard many serial entrepreneurs and CEOs depict their success as a climb rather than a meandering journey. After all, the highest summits are always uphill and rarely scaled on the first day.

So, here’s to this year’s Best of Colorado winners. They have found a way to perfect their craft, grow their brand, and be recognized for their specialization. They have scaled the summit of success.

Check out our Best of Colorado 2023 issue here!

BEST BANK 

FIRSTBANK 

In business since 1963, FirstBank is among the largest privately held banks in the U.S., with nearly $28 billion in assets and operating in more than 100 branch locations across Colorado, Arizona and California. 

FirstBank’s products range from personal and business, loans for mortgages, commercial real estate and construction, 1031 Exchanges, as well as online and mobile offerings.   

Runners-up:

• Alpine Bank
• Chase Bank
• Wells Fargo Bank

BEST PERSONAL BANKING SERVICES 

ALPINE BANK

In business for 50 years, Alpine Bank has branches across the Western Slope, mountains and Front Range. 

From Denver to Durango, Boulder to Battlement Mesa, Alpine serves individuals and businesses with online and mobile banking, deposit accounts, loan financing and wealth management. Customers appreciate Alpine’s size and streamlined structure that enables it to provide one-on-one service and make local lending decisions quickly.  

Runners-up:

• ENT Credit Union
• FirstBank 
• Bank of Colorado

BEST CREDIT UNION 

COLORADO CREDIT UNION 

CCU’s story dates back to 1973 when 35 Johns Manville employees combined their funds and started a member-owned financial cooperative. In 1998, membership was extended to other employer groups and local communities, and in 2005, the name was from Johns Manville Credit Union to Colorado Credit Union. Today, CCU serves more than 20,000 members across several employer groups and communities in Colorado. 

Runners-up:

• Credit Union of the Rockies
• ENT Credit Union
• Bellco Credit Union

BEST MORTGAGE BROKER 

ASLAN HOME LENDING 

Aslan operates in 14 states and has access to every lending option leading to the purchase or refinance of a home. 

Other loans Aslan can make happen: renovation and new construction loans; no-income verification investor loans; loans in which borrowers verify income from bank statements or P&Ls, not tax returns or pay stubs. 

Aslan also can advance loans for commercial buildings valued up to $5 million dollars and can greenlight loans for individuals with a 500 FICO score – if they can deliver 10% down. 

Runners-up:

• Alpine Bank
• The Rueth Team, Nicole Rueth Fairway Mortgage

BEST SBA LENDER 

LIVE OAK BANK 

Live Oak is a digital, cloud-based bank serving small business owners in all 50 states. With a stated mission of becoming “America’s small-business bank,” Live Oak is the No. 1 SBA lender by dollar volume in the country. Through its technology- and service-driven banking products, Live Oak aims to help business owners buy, build and expand. 

Runners-up:

• Alpine Bank
• Colorado Enterprise Fund
• FirstBank

BEST TAX ADVISER (TIE) 

MOSS ADAMS

With more than 4,400 professionals in more than 30 locations across the West and beyond, Moss Adams works with some of the world’s most innovative companies. Its strength lies in the middle market, and it advises clients at all stages of development – from startup to rapid growth and expansion, to transition.  

In business for 110 years, Moss Adams advises and executes on all aspects of taxation, from public-company accounting to audits to personal taxes, and more.  

H&R BLOCK 

H&R Block aims “to get you every dollar you deserve,” and it strives to do that without adding much to what you already might owe your rich uncle, Sam. Services range from free (online) to $55 for Deluxe to $85 for filing with a tax pro. 

H&R Block’s software downloads directly to your computer, making it simple to get started on your taxes. The company’s tax pros have an average of 10 years’ experience handling all kinds of tax solutions, and the Max Fund Guarantee means your tax preparation if free if you find a bigger refund somewhere else. 

BEST TITLE COMPANY 

FIRST INTEGRITY TITLE CO. 

First Integrity Title has been locally owned and operated for more than 20 years and has consistently grown its market share to become one of the top-tier title companies, with more than 170 employees. With seven locations, the Denver-based company strives to maintain a client-first focus when it comes to service, product quality, pricing and insuring the real estate transaction. 

Runners-up:

• Land Title Guarantee Co. 
• Heritage Title Co.
• Chicago Title
• Stewart Title

BEST VALUATION CONSULTING 

CAUSEY DEMGEN & MOORE P.C. 

Among its many services, Causey Demgen & Moore boasts a valuation & litigation team that brings years of experience and expertise to the job. The firm has performed hundreds of business valuations for companies appraised for less than $25,000 to more than $30 million. 

Causey Demgen & Moore’s extensive list of industries served includes professional services firms, manufacturing companies and retailers. The list includes accounting firms, medical practices, law firms, construction companies, wholesale/distribution companies, asset holding companies, software companies and many others. 

Runners-up:

• Rocky Mountain Business Advisors
• Business Acquisitions Ltd.
• The Forbes M&A Group

BEST INVESTMENT FIRM 

CHARLES SCHWAB

Charles Schwab Corp. provides a full range of brokerage, banking and financial advisory services through its operating subsidiaries. In February, Schwab was named among Fortune magazine’s top 50 “World’s Most Admired Companies” for the sixth consecutive year. Schwab ranked second in the Securities and Asset Management category, with a top rank for innovation, use of corporate assets, quality of management and quality of products/services. 

Runners-up:

• Edward Jones
• Fidelity Investments
• ETRADE
• Alpine Bank Wealth Management

BEST WEALTH MANAGEMENT/FINANCIAL PLANNER 

OBERMEYER WOOD INVESTMENT COUNSEL

With offices in Denver and Aspen, Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel has been providing independent investment advice, financial guidance and problem-solving since 1982. Clients include individuals, families and nonprofits that have trusted Obermeyer Wood to help them identify and achieve financial goals. The firm’s investment management services, along with financial planning strategies, are aimed at putting clients on a path to financial peace of mind. 

As fiduciaries, representatives of the firm are legally bound to provide advice and guidance they believe will be best for the client and his or her finances. That means a duty to seek to avoid conflicts of interest and to disclose any that cannot be avoided. 

Runners-up:

• Halbert Hargrove Investment  Advisors
• Alpine Bank Wealth Management 
• Strategic Wealth Partners

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This article is part of the 2023 Best of Colorado Business Choice Awards. Explore all the winners and runners-up:
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | TECHNOLOGY/ELECTRONICS | TRANSPORTATION | FINANCE
FOOD/BEVERAGE | LODGING/ACCOMMODATIONS | MAINTENANCE | REAL ESTATE
HEALTH | LIFESTYLE | PERSONAL FULFILLMENT | OFFICE | RECREATION