Tell me what brought you to Northglenn.
I’ve lived here about 10 years. But I’ve lived in Adams County all my life — I was born and raised here. I grew up on 99th and Washington, on the cusp of Northglenn in Thornton, and then I lived in Broomfield, Adams County, then Thornton for a little while before Northglenn.
I started my career in economic development with Adams County Economic Development and I worked there for 17 years. As it relates back to the Northglenn job, I always believed if you were going to do economic development for a community you need to live in that community. So I’ve lived in Adams County all my life and I can promote Adams County. When Broomfield decided to become their own city and county, that’s when I moved to Thornton. Then, I kind of just jumped over, across the street.
In your LinkedIn file you call yourself a ‘seasoned deal-maker.’ So, how would you sell Northglenn?
Well, probably the most important thing about Northglenn is its central location. We have accessibility — I always tell people we’re 25 minutes from everywhere in the metro area, to DIA, to Boulder, to Denver. So, because of great accessibility, our businesses have good access to their suppliers, to attracting workforce and getting their products to market.
Another thing is, because we’re small — we’re 7 1/2 square miles and we’re landlocked — one thing we’ve been able to do is we’ve become a magnet for entrepreneurs. Small businesses and entrepreneurs have just thrived here in Northglenn. Small businesses and businesses starting out, the entrepreneurs, they’re coming to Northglenn because we have the kind of space they’re looking for.
Another one of the reasons I’m really proud to work for Northglenn is because of the city leadership. They are truly committed to a pro-business atmosphere and environment.
And what about amenities? For instance, what’s you favorite thing to do here in Northglenn?
My absolute favorite place is Webster Lake Promenade — they call it that now but I know the real name is E.B. Rains. Thirty-four years ago when I had my first son, I walked him every weekend. Every Saturday we were at Webster Lake Park and every Saturday as my kids grew up, we always went there and then to the McDonald’s on 104 and Northglenn. And now I take my grandchildren. So I love being able to do that next-generation thing and show my kids where I was, where their father was. That’s my favorite place. When I need to take a deep breath, I’ll take a walk in the park.
What got you into this business of economic development in the first place?
I got started in economic development not because I wanted to — it was just a job when I started — and then I turned it into a career. And I fell in love with the fact that I can help … and watch things grow.
I had never gone to college. I had gotten married at 17 after I graduated, and decided I was going to do the ‘white picket fence’ thing. But that didn’t work out and so I got this job and I said, ‘I’m a single mom and I’ve got two kids and I’ve got to do more than I’m doing now. I want a career in this. This is where I want to be.’ And so I went back to school and got my degree. When my son was getting his degree, I was getting my degree, too, I was right there with him. It was great. When we graduated, we both went to Mexico.
As Northglenn grows there’s a lot of challenges that will grow with it. Who do you turn to for inspiration and advice when those challenges arise?
The great thing about the economic development community is that we really work together as a team. I can call any of our economic development peers, and there’s a lot of different organizations out there. I happen to right now be the chair of the Metro Denver Economic Development Professionals, which is 90 professionals in the Metro Denver area and, the thing is, we share — and best practices is what we share. We also have a statewide economic development agency called the Economic Development Council of Colorado and that’s everybody in the state that does economic development.
Every one of the professionals in Colorado is there to help each other and why wouldn’t they? It’s a win-win for everybody, not a competition.
Join me for Coffee With, a weekly community column where I sit down for a cup of Joe with somebody who lives or works in the North Metro region and helps shape Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster. Do you know somebody who fits that description? Nominate your own Coffee With candidates by emailing me at jjohnson@coloradocommunitymedia.com. This week, I’m talking with Northglenn’s Economic Development Manager Debbie Tuttle. Tuttle’s guidance over the last decade has helped Northglenn smoothly transition by adjusting to massive changes along the Interstate 25 corridor in terms of business, workforce, education and commerce. A single mother who started without a college degree, she has climbed to the top of her profession by adapting, persevering and being a team player who advocates for growth not just in Northglenn, but also throughout the metro Denver region and Colorado.