Trends, transformations and 50 Companies to Watch.

• Author: Taylor, Mike
• Position: EDITOR'S NOTE - Editorial

As a statewide business magazine, one of the biggest challenges we face is to fairly represent all of Colorado in our coverage of notable issues and businesses. While it's true that a disproportionate share of commerce takes place along the urban corridor of the Front Range, particularly in terms of revenue, we're also aware that vital--and often fascinating--enterprises exist in every county and practically every city in the state.

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In fact, Sean Nohavec, chair of the Colorado Companies to Watch program, points out that Colorado boasts more than 46,000 second-stage companies. We profile 50 of the best in this issue of ColoradoBiz. The winners of the Colorado Companies to Watch program, now in its eighth year, were selected by CCTW's six-member judging panel from a field of more than 1,000 entries based on employee or sales growth; exceptional entrepreneurial leadership; sustainable competitive advantage; and other factors that showcase the company's success. By "second stage," we mean companies that are past the startup phase; they're in growth--rather than survival--mode. To qualify, companies must employ six to 99 workers and generate between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue, or have that amount of working capital in place from investors or grants.

Eighty percent of this year's winners are profitable, and all 50 are poised to expand their footprint as job...