These are Colorado's richest CEOs
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
At least five of the highest-paid CEOs in the country run companies based in or with a significant presence in Colorado, according to a new analysis from the Wall Street Journal.
The big picture: The majority of chief executives across more than 400 of the nation's largest companies received year-over-year raises of at least 9% — including several in the Centennial State — as stock awards buoyed the value of compensation packages, per the WSJ.
- Half of those business leaders earned at least $15.7 million — a new record for median CEO pay in the annual survey — and several made more than $50 million.
Zoom in: At least five CEOs with Colorado connections made the list.
- All but one received pay increases, mirroring the trajectory of the state's richest residents, who also reached new financial heights last year.
By the numbers: The area's top-paid leader was Gavin Hattersley of beer giant Molson Coors, who received a total pay valued at $12.2 million last year, up about 35% from 2022.
- The company moved its North American headquarters from Denver to Chicago in 2019, but kept its Coors distribution wing in Colorado, including the Coors Brewery in Golden.
Other local leaders on the list include:
Thomas Palmer: CEO of Greenwood Village-based Newmont, the world's largest gold mining corporation.
- His total pay was $11.8 million last year, down 14% from 2022.
Daniel Fisher: CEO of Westminster-based Ball Corporation, an aluminum product manufacturer.
- He made $9.3 million, up 36%.
Scott Brinker: CEO of Denver-based Healthpeak Properties, a real estate investment trust.
- He made $7.7 million, up 38%.
Javier Rodriguez: CEO of Denver-based DaVita, a kidney dialysis provider.
- He made $6.7 million, up a whopping 125%.
How it works: The Wall Street Journal used information from corporate proxy statements filed through May 16 last year by companies in the S&P 500 index, as collected by MyLogIQ, a provider of public company data and analysis.