Celebrating 90 Years of Serving Colorado

Bellco Credit Union was founded right here in Colorado in 1936. That means this year we’re celebrating 90 years of serving our members and our Colorado communities. Here are some more details about our humble beginnings and some of the highlights throughout the decades.

The Beginning of Bellco

Bellco Credit Union was officially founded on April 27, 1936, by our first 12 members who were all employees of Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph. We were one of the first credit unions founded in Colorado and our headquarters were in the basement of the Mountain States Telephone Building at 931 14^th Street in downtown Denver.

Growth and Evolution

By the end of 1964, Bellco grew from our initial 12 to 5,253 members strong. It was during the 60s that we had the idea of making “member service first” a major focus for all employees  and remains one of our most important core values today. By embracing this commitment to our members and being willing to adapt to new technologies such as ATMs, Bellco continued to surge in growth to more than 88,000 members in 1991. It was during that period that Bellco officially moved our corporate offices to our current headquarters in Greenwood Village. The 90s also brought two major milestones as 1995 saw the launch of Bellco’s Internet Banking through Bellco.org and 1996 was the year Bellco surpassed 100,000 members. By the time 2000 came, Bellco had grown to $1 billion in assets. The 2000s also saw the beginning of our sponsorship of the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade (2006) and our first version of Mobile Banking (2008). The 2010s included the introduction of our official “Banking for Everyone” tagline, continued commitment and support of local charities such as the Food Bank of the Rockies, our sponsorship with the Denver Art Museum to provide all youth aged 18 and under free admission.  By the end of the decade, we had over 300,000 members and over $5 billion in assets.

Bellco’s Present and Future

Today, Bellco serves over 368,000 members and has dozens of branches supporting Colorado communities all over the state. Through it all, we’ve always made sure we kept a member-first focus while providing the latest technology, competitive financial services, and unwavering stability. We’re proud to have been founded in Colorado and have called it our home since the beginning. We continue to welcome new members every day and have plans to keep expanding our branch network even farther to give all our members even more convenient access and support. There have been many changes throughout the local banking industry over the years. Yet after 90 years, we remain proud to call Colorado home and are looking forward to continuing to serve our members and our local Colorado communities for many years to come.

To say thank you to all our members for supporting us over the last 90 years, we’re offering some great limited time offers. To learn more click the button or read them in detail below.

Get Rewarded for Spreading the Word

During our 90 Year Celebration, you can get a $300 Bonus when you open your first checking account and have a qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more¹. That means right now is the perfect time to have family and friends join Bellco if they haven’t already.  This is because if you’re currently a Bellco member, every time you refer someone to Bellco, and they meet all the requirements of the referral program, you and the person you referred will both be invited to select a $100 eGift Card of your choice. That means the person you refer could earn up to $400 in total rewards just for making the switch, and you’ll get your $100 eGift Card for referring those you care about. To learn more about our Refer It Forward program and the requirements, visit https://www.bellcoreferitforward.com/.

Start Your Dream Home Renovation

Summer is the perfect time to tackle that big project you’ve been imagining. If you have the idea, but are in need of funds, now’s the perfect time to apply for Bellco’s limited time 90 Year Anniversary offer of a fixed rate as low as 5.90% APR on a new Home Equity ChoiceLine advance of $20,000.00 or more².

Bulk Up Your Savings

If you’re just looking towards the future and growing some savings that you already have on hand, we’re also offering a 90-Year Celebration rate on CDs. For a limited time, you can bulk up your savings with 4.00% APY on a 6-Month CD with a balance of $500 or more³.

---

Independence Day Events and Festivals Across Colorado

This Fourth of July is worth celebrating a little extra. This year America turns 250, Colorado turns 150, and Bellco Credit Union turns 90. With roots going back to 1936, we’ve been part of this state’s story for a long time, and there’s no better way to mark these milestones than getting out and celebrating with the communities we call home. Here are a few selections of events from around the state to check out. 

Denver

For members around Denver, kick things off on July 3 at the free outdoor screening of National Treasure at Sculpture Park in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, a fitting film choice for America’s 250th. The free event features a special appearance by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and a special drone show following the film. Just register in advance on Eventbrite to snag your spot. The beloved Cherry Creek Arts Festival, one of Colorado’s top free outdoor art experiences, featuring hundreds of artists and a lively community atmosphere, is also happening July 3-5. 

Lakewood

Around Lakewood, you can head to Belmar on July 3 for a free Independence Day celebration featuring live music, food vendors, and family activities, capping off the evening with a spectacular drone light display around 9:15 p.m. (no ticket required).  

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

If the World Cup has you wanting to watch some soccer, you’ll want to make your way to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City for their free 4thFest, starting at 3 p.m. with live music, a rock-climbing wall, bounce houses, and a mechanical bull. Then grab tickets to cheer on the Rapids followed by one of the largest fireworks displays in the state. If you’re just interested in the fireworks show but unable to attend the game, you can park in the lots surrounding the stadium starting at 7 p.m. 

Highlands Ranch

If you’re near Highlands Ranch, you have options for not one but two days of celebration. On July 2^nd and July 4^th, Highland Heritage Regional Park hosts free festivities featuring live music, a patriotic parade, and a special drone display. This is a great option if you want to spread the celebrations across the long weekend. 

Fort Collins

Up in Fort Collins, the city puts on one of the Front Range’s most beloved Independence Day events. Start your morning with the FireKracker 5K, then stay for the 4^th of July parade and a trolley ride. The celebration continues with family fun, local food trucks, and community activities throughout the day, wrapping up with a fireworks display over Sheldon Lake, which is completely free to watch from the park grounds. 

Colorado Springs

If you’re planning on spending your holiday weekend around Colorado Springs, the highlight event is the Star-Spangled Symphony happening July 4 at Ford Amphitheater. The evening opens with Fort Carson’s 4th Infantry Division Band, followed by a full performance from the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. The night closes with fireworks set against the Pikes Peak skyline. For a few more low-key celebrations, you can head up to Palmer Lake or Woodland Park on July 4 to take part in their local festivals. 

Pueblo

In Pueblo, you can head down to the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk’s Rollin’ on the Riverwalk Celebration for an evening of food, fun, and music along the scenic Riverwalk. You could also head to the CSU Pueblo campus to celebrate at their Let Freedom Howl! event for live music, food, and a finale featuring a coordinated drone show set to live symphony music. 

Please remember that all planned fireworks displays are subject to weather and local fire restrictions.

---

Utilizing a Business Credit Card for Your Small Business

If you’re a small-business owner, credit cards aren’t just about security. They can also make running your business easier. Business credit cards combine fraud protection with other helpful features like expense tracking tools and flexible payment terms. Whether you’re paying vendors or making inventory purchases, credit cards can simplify your operations and add a layer of protection. Here are a few of the key differences between business credit and debit cards.

Fraud Protection

Business credit cards offer stronger fraud liability protection with features such as zero-liability policies and fraud alerts. If there are ever any unauthorized or suspicious charges, the card issuer handles the dispute while the money in your account stays untouched. With debit cards or checks, unauthorized charges drain your account immediately and recovery can take longer or even be impossible depending on the circumstances.

Cash Flow Management

With a credit card you can borrow against a credit limit and repay later. For a business, this means that you have a grace period before cash leaves your account when you make a purchase. This can help your business avoid any possible overdraft fees and also keep cash in your accounts to handle payroll, inventory, or other unexpected expenses while waiting to collect receivables and without dipping into reserves. Similar to the point above, this also means you have to stay disciplined to make sure you’re still spending within budget.

Business Travel Protection

If you’re planning on expensing work travel, a business credit card may include built-in travel cancellation insurance, extended warranties, and auto rental collision damage waivers. This helps to both safeguard the physical purchases you’ll make while traveling while also making sure employees can have a little peace of mind during travel. You should check the benefits that come with your business credit card. 

If you’re interested in Bellco’s business credit card offerings or to speak with a Bellco representative to figure out a solution on how Bellco can assist with your business needs, fill out our Business Services Request Form and a Bellco representative will get in touch with you.

---

Mid-Year Money Check-In: Reset, Refocus, and Recharge Your Finances

We’re in the heart of the year, which means it’s a perfect time to pause, reflect, and take charge of your financial health. Whether you started the year with a detailed budget or haven’t made financial plans yet, we’re here to help you navigate the rest of the year confidently. 

Revisit and Refine

If you set goals and budgets in January, now’s the time to assess your progress. Are you on track, or have adjustments become necessary? Review your spending patterns and reallocate where needed, whether that means trimming unnecessary expenses or increasing contributions toward savings or debt repayment. 

No Budget Yet? No Problem! 

If you didn’t set financial goals earlier this year, don’t worry; it’s never too late to start. Begin with a simple assessment of your income and expenses. Identify areas where you can save. Cutting back on unused subscriptions or discretionary spending can free up funds for priorities like building your savings or paying down debt. Small, manageable steps can lead to long-term success. If you’d like help setting up and organizing your budget, you can use a personal budget app. 

Key Mid-Year Tips 

• Automate Your Savings: Setting up automatic transfers to your savings and/or investment accounts creates a stress-free way to consistently build your financial cushion. 
• Tackle High-Interest Debt: Prioritize paying off high-interest loans to save on long-term costs. Bellco members can explore debt management programs with vendors serving Bellco members for extra support. 
• Monitor Your Credit Report: Regularly reviewing your credit report helps catch inaccuracies or signs of fraud. It’s easy to request a free report at AnnualCreditReport.com 
• Adjust Goals for Growth: If your financial situation has changed, revisit savings or retirement contributions and ensure your strategies still align with your current needs and your future goals. 

Get Connected 

At Bellco, we’re here to guide you toward financial confidence. Members can access personalized financial coaching for expert guidance on budgeting, debt management tools, or setting achievable savings goals tailored to their unique needs. Wherever you are on your financial journey, our team is ready to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Reach out to a Bellco representative or visit us online for tools and resources that make achieving your financial goals easier.

¹LIMITED-TIME OFFER. Valid only if you don’t have an active checking account with Bellco and you open a new checking account at any Bellco branch location or online, from June 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026 (the “Offer Period”). Limit one bonus per account. Limit one bonus per household. To qualify for this offer, you must be or become a Bellco member and qualify for a checking account with Bellco; you cannot qualify if you already have a current checking account with Bellco. To receive the $300 bonus, you must: 1) open a Bellco checking account, which is subject to approval, during the Offer Period; and 2) have at least one qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more into your checking account. The first required deposit ($500 minimum) must be credited to your new checking account within 60 days of the date the account was opened. Direct deposit must be recurring and come from payroll, pension, Social Security, or other recurring government benefits as indicated by deposit description. The monthly direct deposit cannot be multiple direct deposits combined to reach the required $500 minimum. The $300 bonus will be deposited into the new checking account within 90 days of meeting the direct deposit requirement. The $300 bonus will be given if the account opened is in good standing (i.e. not overdrawn) at the time the bonus is paid. The $300 bonus will be reported as interest earned on IRS Form 1099-INT, and you are responsible for any applicable taxes. To retain the $300 bonus, the checking account must remain open and in good standing for at least one year from the date of the account opening; otherwise, Bellco reserves the right to reclaim the bonus amount.

²LIMITED–TIME OFFER. The 5.90% APR for the Fixed Rate promotion is available to anyone that 1) qualifies and advances at least $20,000.00 from the available line of credit at the time the Fixed Rate Subaccount is opened and 2) the loan application or loan advance request must be submitted online or at any of Bellco’s branch locations after June 1, 2026 and before August 31, 2026. Conditions and restrictions, including those related to CLTV and credit score, apply. For full details about ChoiceLine go to Bellco.org/ChoiceLine. If you don’t qualify for the promotional rate, the APR for fixed-rate advances will be set using the fixed rate Bellco is offering at the time you fix the rate based on your credit score, combined loan to value, and lien position at the time the loan is closed. This fixed rate will be in effect for the whole term of the applicable Fixed-Rate Subaccount, which cannot exceed the remaining term of the loan. Variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for well-qualified borrowers as of June 1, 2026, is 6.75% and is subject to change without notice. Maximum APR for variable rate advance is 21%. Variable rate may change after account opening. Property must be insured, owner occupied (primary or secondary) and located in Colorado. This offer can end at any time. Membership eligibility required. All loans subject to approval.

³LIMITED–TIME OFFER. Rate is effective as of June 1, 2026. CD must be opened online or in any of our Bellco branch locations on or before August 31, 2026. The interest rate and annual percentage yield (APY) are subject to change without notice at any time prior to the issuance of the certificate. After the point of issuance, interest rate and APY are fixed. Early withdraw penalties may apply. Fees may reduce earning on account. Must qualify for membership at Bellco.