Economic Summit

Thank you for attending!

2026 Economic Summit Recap

Over 150 business leaders and community members gathered at Colorado Mountain College for an honest, data-driven look at where our economy is headed — and what it means for the Yampa Valley. Here's what stood out:

Colorado's Economy: Growing, But Watch the Signs

• ColoradoCast projects healthy growth through mid-2026 — but consumer sentiment is at its lowest since the pandemic
• Job growth is slowing; in some months Colorado would have lost jobs without the healthcare sector
• Credit card delinquencies rising steeply; inflation re-accelerating toward 2022 levels
• Routt County retail sales lagging the state; net migration near zero; workforce aging rapidly

ColoradoCast | CODI

The Coal Transition: Real Money, Real Stakes

• ~900 Yampa Valley coal jobs averaging $90K+ in salary are transitioning by 2030
• Routt County grants include a $900K Business Park, $400K Entrepreneurship Center, and $229K Aviation Business Park in Hayden
• Xcel Energy committed an estimated $27.2M in community assistance for Routt/Hayden
• Individual coal workers can access up to $11,250 each through free transition navigator services

Colorado Office of Just Transition

Water: The Clock Is Ticking

• The Colorado River Compact is 100 years old and the current operating agreement expires in 2026
• No long-term agreement between upper and lower basin states — federal intervention is on the table

A River Running Out | WaterCard.org

2026 Legislative Session: What Employers Need to Know

• $1.5B budget shortfall drove cuts to affordable housing, tourism, behavioral health, and higher education
• HB26-1005: Reduces barriers in the Labor Peace Act, expanding collective bargaining rights. Effective August 12, 2026
• SB26-189: Regulates the use of AI in hiring and other consequential decisions — employers must notify applicants and allow appeals. Effective August 12, 2026

Colorado Competitive Council

Philanthropy: The Third Leg of a Healthy Economy

• The Yampa Valley Community Foundation holds $119 million in assets and granted $16.4 million locally in 2025
• The Yampa Valley's ~277 nonprofits contribute $72.7 million to the local economy and $6.2 million in taxes and fees annually
• Colorado's nonprofit sector employs more people than agriculture, mining, and information industries combined

Yampa Valley Community Foundation

Join us next year.

Presented by Colorado Mountain College | Hosted by the Steamboat Springs Chamber and the Routt County Economic Development Partnership

2026 Agenda & Info

Pricing

Coffee & lunch are included with your ticket.

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Cecilia Morter.