DENVER – Today, Governor Jared Polis, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) announced the first in a series of convenings, bringing together business and economic development leaders to inform a shared vision for Colorado’s business community, innovation ecosystem and economic future.
“Colorado has built one of the strongest innovation economies in the country, and by partnering with the business community we can build on that success. We have heard from founders, investors, and employers about challenges and I have committed to hosting these conversations to make Colorado an even better place for companies to grow, innovate, and create opportunity. By working together, we will strengthen our competitiveness and attract new talent, investment, and ideas to the state,” said Governor Polis.
Colorado is one of the nation’s leading hubs for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. From startups to scaling companies to global industry leaders, our state continues to attract talent, investment, and new ideas from across the country and around the world. Underpinning that success is a commitment to supporting businesses at every stage of growth, across industries and across the state. Additionally, foundational assets that few states can match fuel business growth: top talent, world-class research institutions, national laboratories, and a robust capital ecosystem that together form the backbone of Colorado’s innovation economy. As technology accelerates and global competition between states intensifies, maintaining that competitive edge requires continued alignment between the public and private sectors.
“The Colorado business community has long been bolstered by our state’s top talent, diverse portfolio of advanced and growing industries, collaborative and stable ecosystem, and foundational assets like world-class research institutions and robust access to capital. Increased national and global competition call for increasingly adaptable strategies to protect our state’s competitive position. We are committed to working with the Governor and business leaders across the state to ensure we continue to strengthen our innovation economy and foster business growth that creates good-paying jobs for Coloradans,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.
"The Economic Development Council of Colorado is committed to fostering a vibrant economy and enhancing the quality of life for Coloradans. These conversations are vital to the strength of our state’s economy, creating and sustaining relationships that are crucial to maintaining strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. Working together is how we develop increasingly adaptable strategies to protect our competitive position and drive sustained economic growth across all 64 counties," said Kim Woodworth, EDCC Executive Director.
To maintain Colorado’s competitive edge, Governor Polis, OEDIT, and EDCC will convene leaders from across the state’s business and innovation community to identify opportunities, align on priorities, and determine actionable steps to ensure the state remains a top destination for companies, talent, and investment. The Governor will hear first-hand from business leaders from across the state. The first, two-hour convening will be held in June.