2025 EPIC Annual Business Leaders Dinner

BIG Ideas, BIG Impact.

EPIC’s Annual Business Leaders Dinner celebrating 16 years of businesses and communities investing in our future.

EPIC’s 16th Annual Business Leaders Dinner

Tuesday, September 9, 2025
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

VIP Reception at 4:30 p.m.

Infinity Park Events Center
4400 E Kentucky Ave, Glendale, CO

Join us for the 2025 Annual Business Leaders Dinner, where Colorado’s most influential government, business, and community leaders come together to celebrate EPIC’s achievements in the industry and connect with other leaders dedicated to advancing our early childhood efforts.

2025 EPIC Awards

Barbara’s lifelong dedication to early childhood development and community building continues to inspire and set a powerful example for Colorado’s business community.

Thank you, Barbara, for your visionary leadership and impact.

Read more about the EPIC Award

The EPIC Award, sponsored by PNC Bank, is given to a business leader in the Colorado community who has been a trailblazer and champion for early care and education, impacting the lives and education of our state’s youngest citizens. It represents not only a commitment to engage in efforts to expand access to quality and affordable early childhood education, but a shining example of leadership and efforts to engage the business community and influential business leaders to ensure our children and their families can reach their full potential.

Congratulations to Rural Homes and Bright Futures, who have partnered to address the growing need for child care solutions alongside workforce housing in rural Colorado.

Read more about the Rural Homes and Bright Futures

By combining Rural Homes’ innovative approach to building affordable, for-sale housing for essential workers with Bright Futures’ deep expertise in supporting children and families through personalized services and resource navigation, the two nonprofits created a holistic solution that strengthens both family stability and community resilience.

Furthermore, to ensure success they partnered with State and National Foundations to leverage grant funding and expertise, and with Mission Driven Finance as a Capital partner to serve as a childcare-friendly landlord. All of this collaboration can ensure that as new housing developments rise, access to quality child care and family support services can grow in tandem — helping to create vibrant, sustainable rural communities.

Read more about the Early Childhood Champion Award

The Early Childhood Champion Award honors employers for their innovation, leadership and investment in strategies that support young children and meet the needs of working families, including early childhood advocacy and expanding access to quality care and education.

Dan Ritchie, chancellor emeritus of the University of Denver, past EPIC board chair and founding member, is remembered for his integrity, compassion and commitment to education. Guided by his “cowboy code of ethics,” he championed the role of business leaders in advancing early childhood development. His legacy continues to inspire us to lead with humility, purpose and action.

Read more about his life and legacy here.

On September 9, 2025, EPIC brought together Colorado business leaders to celebrate our 16th Annual Business Leaders Dinner at the Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale, CO. Part of our dinner program includes an educational discussion among Colorado leaders and partners as they share their own perspectives and work related to child care and early education. This year we welcomed the ever-amazing Barbara Grogan, whom we honored with the 2025 EPIC Award, and Steve ErkenBrack, president and CEO of Buell Foundation.