Major Employers
As the county seat for Adams County, Brighton's largest employers are public bodies. Since 1990, they've been joined by a growing number of retail and distribution businesses. Over the past decade, nearly $300 million in new commercial and industrial development has occurred in Brighton, and the growth shows no signs of slowing.
Business Activity
More than 860 new businesses have opened in Brighton since 1990, creating more than 4,400 jobs. Among those new to Brighton in the past decade are K Mart Distribution Center, King Soopers, Applebee’s, Western United Electric, Bella Sera Event Center, Starbucks, Village Inn and Walgreens.
New businesses in 2005 included Colorado Cinemas (now owned by Kerasotas Theatres), Qdoba Mexican Grill, Quizno’s Subs, Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta, Cold Stone Creamery, and American Samurai Grill & Sushi Bar. They were joined in 2006 by SuperTarget, Lowe’s, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Chili’s Grill & Bar, IHOP and Dazbog Coffee, and in 2007 by a Staples Distribution Center.
| Year |
Businesses |
Jobs |
| 1990 |
24 |
65 |
| 1991 |
15 |
244 |
| 1992 |
27 |
201 |
| 1993 |
9 |
42 |
| 1994 |
3 |
434 |
| 1995 |
23 |
123 |
| 1996 |
52 |
201 |
| 1997 |
36 |
142 |
| 1998 |
48 |
195 |
| 1999 |
38 |
123 |
| 2000 |
59 |
375 |
| 2001 |
68 |
444 |
| 2002 |
62 |
314 |
| 2003 |
99 |
353 |
| 2004 |
104 |
321 |
| 2005 |
96 |
467 |
| 2006* |
97 |
364 |
*Through April 2006
Brighton Major Employers - 50 employees and above
| Employer |
Industry |
Number of Employees (2006) |
| Adams County |
Government |
1,580 |
| Brighton School District 27J |
Education |
992 |
| City of Brighton |
Government |
477 |
| Platte Valley Medical Center |
Healthcare |
490 |
| Super Wal-Mart |
Retail |
430 |
| Petrocco Farms |
Agriculture |
350 |
| Sakata Farms, Inc. |
Agriculture |
347 |
| K-Mart Distribution Center |
Distribution Center |
297 |
| Tagawa Greenhouse |
Agriculture |
275 |
| Super Target |
Retail |
200 |
| Halliburton Energy Services |
Oil Services |
173 |
| Valley Bank & Trust |
Financial Institute |
154 |
| United Power |
Utility |
151 |
| Wayne’s Electric Company |
Electrical Contractor |
133 |
| American Pride Co-Op |
Retail |
130 |
| Home Depot |
Retail |
130 |
| Lowe’s Home Improvement |
Retail |
120 |
| Brighton Care Center |
Healthcare |
108 |
| King Soopers |
Retail |
107 |
| Leed Fabrication Services Inc. |
Steel Service Center |
100 |
| BJ Services |
Gas & Oil Services |
87 |
| Cottonwood Care Center |
Healthcare |
83 |
| Johnson Auto Plaza |
Auto Sales |
67 |
| K-Mart |
Retail |
65 |