your leadership journey Starts here.

live a legacy

Great leadership matters.

CiviCO activates leaders to thrive in all areas of work, life, and service. More than an education, our development programs, events, and network make a direct impact on communities, companies, and careers—empowering established and aspiring leaders to live a legacy while building a better future for Colorado.

John O’Donohue

“May you have a mind that loves frontiers so that you can evoke the bright fields that lie beyond the view of the regular eye.  May leadership be for you a true adventure of growth.”

FOUNDED WITH A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION AND A COMMITMENT TO CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

It began in 1999 as a breakfast conversation with Mike Fries, Scott Reiman, and then entrepreneur, John Hickenlooper.  What if a place could be created for emerging executives to do more, learn more, and become more? What could that do to lift the state of Colorado as a whole? 

First called the Quarterly Forum, CiviCO has emerged as the state’s premier community leadership development organization.  Now, with over 300 graduates and members strong, we offer educational programs spanning the public, private, and social sectors across the state – and share a commitment to helping Colorado and its citizens thrive.  

significance starts here

CiviCO, like Colorado, is ripe with opportunity and generous spirit, fueling advancement for our great state–one leader at a time.

We believe greatness comes from purposeful leaders.

Leaders who make the choice to grow boldly,

Who don’t just talk, but act,

Who take more pride in progress than status,

Who care about their communities and about Colorado,

And believe that leadership is about making a difference in work and life to create everyday impact.

As Colorado’s leadership foundation, our memberships and programs shape lessons into real leadership growth and momentum.

CiviCO is committed to activating a powerful new generation of leaders,

To advancing purpose over affiliations and parties,

To developing superpowers that take us to new and bigger places,

And to preparing you for a frontier of possibility.

CiviCO is the first and most important step in achieving professional, civic, and personal significance – for leaders to live a true legacy for their work, themselves, and for Colorado.

“One cannot be pessimistic about the West. This is the native home of hope. When it fully learns that cooperation, not rugged individualism, is the quality that most characterizes and preserves it, then it will have achieved itself and outlived its origins. Then it has a chance to create a society to match its scenery.”

— Wallace Stegner