Douglas County lands high-tech employer

Construction of a building that will add as many as 750 new high-tech jobs in Douglas County is under way in the Meridian International Business Center.

Health-care software developer TriZetto, now based in Greenwood Village, is building its world headquarters east of Interstate 25 near the Meridian Golf Club. The company plans to open its four-story, 165,000-square-foot offices in April 2013.

TriZetto already employs more than 600 people, and plans to add an additional 550 to 750 at the new site.

“We’re hiring like crazy,” company spokesperson Loren Finkelstein said. At the current Greenwood Village space, “We’re bursting at the seams. We’re going to lease some additional office space in the meantime because we just can’t fit everybody. Basically, we’ll be doubling our head count over the next five years here.

“This building will be more befitting worldwide headquarters for a company that’s on a trajectory to be a billion-dollar-revenue company.”

TriZetto employs 3,300 people globally. Its technology helps health-care payers and providers work together more efficiently, reducing costs and improving care.

“Our software touches half the U.S. insured population,” Finkelstein said.

Like many companies, TriZetto struggled in 2011 but is now on a dramatic upswing.

“During the recession and formulation of the health-care reform law, our customers were understandably watchful,” Finkelstein said. “But we closed out 2011 with a lot of new bookings and we’re really encouraged. It’s one more sign that the economy is turning the corner.”

In addition to the permanent jobs that will follow, the building’s construction will require temporary employment for about 500 construction workers.

According to a press release from Gov. John Hickenlooper’s office, TriZetto will bring up to $250 million in capital investment to the state over the next five years, and $70 million in employee pay annually. Most of that money will be reinvested in Colorado’s economy.