BOULDER ? The Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau hopes to double the number of member companies in Boulder by the end of 2005 following the opening of an office here.

Jean Herman, president and chief executive of the nonprofit based in Denver, hopes to have 500 new Boulder-based companies sign on during the next 18 months, which would bring the total of companies affiliated with the ?good business? organization to 1,000.

Betty Lucero, who has been with the bureau for 23 years dealing with dispute resolutions, will manage the branch office, the first outside the Denver area. Peter Kennedy and Nancy McCleary will work as business consultants. The bureau provides free company reports and investigates complaints made by consumers about businesses. Herman said the bureau has about 50,000 company reports on file. It also is part of a network of 140 better business bureaus across North America and can access their information.

Kennedy and McCleary are available to provide information on becoming a member of the bureau. Membership fees start at $315 per year; fees increase based on number of employees and number and types of programs businesses choose to participate in.

The bureau serves the 12 counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson, Washington and Yuma with an annual budget of about $7.2 million. The new Boulder office will run on a budget of about $150,000, Herman said, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 14 at 2400 28th St.

?We felt it was important to have a physical presence here,? Herman said.

The bureau receives funds through membership fees, fund-raising events, seminars on business ethics and donations from businesses.

The Boulder office is subleasing space from insurance agent Melissa Miller, who also is serving as chairwoman for the bureau?s 10-member advisory board in Boulder. Herman said Miller gave the bureau ?an unbelievable deal? on the rent. Computers and office furniture were donated by area businesses.

For more information on becoming a member of the Better Business Bureau contact Betty Lucero at (303) 327-4500, ext. 300.