Area Development
A leading technology and business services partner to the health care industry, Connextions, is investing $4 million in a 45,000-square-foot facility in Centennial, Colorado, where the firm estimates it will create 550 jobs.

"Connextions is committed to helping consumers navigate the complex, important and very personal decisions related to their health care. We are very excited about delivering that service from Colorado," said Steve Auerbach, president of Connextions, an Optum company. "Nothing is more important than having knowledgeable, empathetic people serve our clients' members, and Colorado is the perfect environment to find these valued employees."

Connextions' investment in its new facility at 10730 E. Briarwood Ave. in WaterPark Center marks an expansion for the company in Centennial, Colorado, a city south of Denver.

Connextions has already begun recruiting in metro Denver for 500 licensed and non-licensed insurance agents, who will earn an average $30,000-$40,000 salary, as well as additional trainers, managers and operational staff. The company provides free College of Insurance training to eligible applicants, an investment of about $500 per person, to prepare them to take state licensing exams for health insurance and Medicare supplemental sales.

While information on incentives offered the firm was not immediately available, Gov. John Hickenlooper said; "We are pleased to see this innovative company continue to grow in Colorado. The company's decision to create hundreds of jobs here is recognition of Colorado's business-friendly environment. We look forward to a long and successful collaboration between Colorado and UnitedHealth Group."

"By helping consumers navigate the complex health care system, Connextions plays a critical role in Optum's mission to make the system work better for everyone," said Larry Renfro, executive vice president of UnitedHealth Group and CEO of Optum.