Colorado has taken its hits in national business-competitiveness rankings this year, falling to No. 25 in CNBC’s Top States for Business and to No. 17 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best States. And this week’s “Colorado Chamber Office Hours” episode features talks with leaders of two economic-development organizations about how they are pushing back or dealing with this fallout.
First, David Worley, president/CEO of Denver South, explains why his organization recently put out a research paper, “Yes. And … Colorado” that acknowledges the headwinds the state faces but also looks at a lot of advantages this area still has. Those range from a profusion of venture-capital investment to a lower cost of living than some competitor areas — yes, you just read that right — and we talk with Worley about why he produced the report and in whose hands he is putting it.
Then, Kami Welch, president/CEO of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corp., explains how her organization has done soul-searching on the areas where it still holds the greatest competitive advantages and is beginning to lean into those sectors. Welch also discusses how she has to push back not just on national rankings but on some local communities that also have made it harder for businesses to launch and grow in the western Denver suburb.
To hear the full episode of “Colorado Chamber Office Hours,” find it on all of your favorite podcast channels:
