ABOUT US
The Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is a non-profit organization established in 1984 to provide economic development services to Clear Creek County and its municipalities. In addition, the CCEDC administers a Business Loan Fund Program in Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties (Region 3).
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What are we about?
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COMMUNITY / COLLABORATION / ENGAGEMENT / DETERMINATION / CREATION
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Our Mission
To catalyze a diverse and thriving business community that expands and stabilizes the workforce and tax base, and supports partnerships with passionate place makers.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kelly Flenniken, Chair
Kelly Flenniken serves as an Area Manager for Community Relations and Local Government Affairs for Xcel Energy. Kelly is responsible for building and maintaining positive and productive business relationships with cities, towns, counties and other key stakeholders from the Continental Divide to the Colorado’s Utah border. Prior to joining Xcel Energy, Kelly was the Executive Director for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership where she worked collaboratively to diversify the local economy through business attraction, expansion and retention. Kelly serves on a variety of community organizations and boards of directors, including among others, the Clear Creek School District Board of Education, District 51 Foundation, and the Economic Development Council of Colorado. Kelly completed her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Knox College. When not hard at work helping communities achieve their goals, Kelly enjoys spending time outside with her husband and their two young daughters.

Jim Epstein, Treasurer
Jim Epstein is currently the Executive Director and President of Write on Sports Denver, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on literacy skills for under-served middle school students. Jim serves as a board director for the Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation where he is also a member of the loan committee. Most recently Jim also was a member of the Citizen Advisory Council for the Clear Creek County Master Plan and the Town of Frisco Master Plan. Jim’s background is corporate finance, and he spent 14 years with KeyBank, 14 years with GE Capital, and 12 years with AT&T Capital. Jim has been extremely active in the Colorado business community and is a graduate of 50 For Colorado and Leadership Denver. He has served on many Boards including the Denver Metro Chamber Foundation, the Colorado Business Leaders Executive Council, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association, and the Denver Broncos Stadium Task Force and Speakers Bureau. Jim received his B.B.A. from the Fox School of Business at Temple University and his M.B.A. from Regis University.
"Clear Creek County has a clear and unique historic identity, as well as thriving communities and world-class recreational opportunities. Through the Economic Development Corporation, Clear Creek County is able to connect people to this rich history and to future business opportunities."
Jon Cain, City of Idaho Springs Assistant City Administrator
STAFF

Lindsey Valdez, President & CEO
Lindsey Valdez has served as the President & CEO of the Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation since 2017. Lindsey considers herself a high-altitude girl for life, having lived in the mountains of Oregon, New Mexico, and now Colorado. While in New Mexico, Lindsey worked in management positions at both the municipal and state levels, including serving as the Outreach Programs Manager for the New Mexico State Film Office, and the Event & Marketing Manager, Film Liaison, and Community Development Director for the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Her studies are focused in Liberal Studies, Political Science, and Public Affairs, with an Associate of Arts Degree from Marymount College Palos Verdes (now Marymount California University), where she represented her class as Valedictorian, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oregon State University.