Qwest’s role in Denver has been more than providing phone service. The company also has supported the arts, local schools, minority business and charities.
So the announcement of Qwest’s acquisition by CenturyTel Inc., of Monroe, La., on Thursday prompted concern and also appreciation for the company’s role in Denver.
“There was a prevailing corporate feeling of being a member of the community and being willing to step up,” said Randy Weeks, president of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
In this year’s United Way drive, Qwest employees and the Qwest Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, made the single largest donation — $1.6 million. The company was given United Way’s Champion of Hope Award.
“Qwest has been an extraordinary partner,” said Christine Benero, president of the Mile High United Way, “and it isn’t just money, it is in time and volunteers.”
As the acquisition goes forward, Benero said there will be time to learn more about CenturyTel and for the company to learn about Denver.
“From everything they’ve said, they will have a strong presence in Colorado, and I hope they will have a strong philanthropic presence,” Benero said.
In the arts, Qwest has contributed about $3 million to the DCPA, Weeks said. “Our relationship goes back before it was Qwest.”
“When it was U S West they were essential in creating our play festival,” Weeks said. “It used to be called the US West Festival.
“For the moment, we really don’t know what will happen,” he said. “But we have a wonderful relationship with Wells Fargo, and they aren’t based here.”
Qwest has also been a strong presence in Denver’s school system and has shown a “strong commitment to public schools,” said Kristin Colon, president of the Denver Public Schools Foundation.
The company spearheaded the “School Partners Program,” which matches companies and schools for projects ranging from tutoring to painting halls, Colon said.
Qwest helped start the Principal Leadership Institute to help train school principals.
The company also supports the school foundation with more than $100,000 a year, Colon said.
“There has been a strong, unrelenting commitment to community by Qwest over the years, even as the company changed,” she said.
In 2008, Qwest was also honored as “Corporation of the Year,” by the Rocky Mountain Minority Development Council.
“They’ve been a member of the council for 25 years and a strong supporter and partner with the minority community,” said Stan Sena, the council’s chief executive.
“Qwest understood that it is very good to do business with small business, and that’s where minority businesses are,” Sena said. “We’ll have to wait to see what happens now.”
Mark Jaffe: 303-954-1912 or mjaffe@denverpost.com
The Qwest name
Qwest has naming rights to one stadium and two arenas in its 14-state service area.
Qwest Field: Seattle, home of the Seattle Seahawks football team and the Seattle Sounders, the professional soccer team.
Qwest Arena: Boise, home of the Idaho Steelheads hockey team and the Boise Burn area football team.
Qwest Center: Omaha, home to the Creighton University men’s basketball team and University of Nebraska-Omaha hockey team.
What they’re saying
“For Qwest, I think it’s a good move. It gives Qwest shareholders a premium to where the stock price was (Wednesday), and it gives them a 50 percent bump up in the dividend.”
Donna Jaegers, a telecom analyst in Denver
“We all are disappointed at the prospect of losing the Qwest corporate headquarters, but this transaction, in an ever-changing telecommunications industry, could lead to long-term stability for the vast majority of Qwest employees, retirees, customers and shareholders. Colorado will continue to serve as a regional hub for what will be a vast 37-state service area, and we expect that a significant number of jobs will remain here.”
Gov. Bill Ritter
“As Coloradans, we are concerned about the impact the merger of Qwest and CenturyLink will have on our state’s economy, particularly during these difficult economic times. Qwest is an important partner and employer in our state, and we have been in close contact to ensure we are doing everything we can to make sure this merger results in the best possible outcome for Colorado.”
U.S. Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, joint statement
