On April 23, 2026, more than 500 business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community members gathered at Colorado Mesa University for the Western Colorado Economic Summit,  a full day of candid conversations, bold ideas, and a shared commitment to building a stronger regional economy.  From keynote addresses to six breakout sessions, the Summit covered a wide range of topics shaping Western Colorado’s future. Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to reflect on the day’s event, reconnect with our speakers, and hear from attendees about their favorite aspects.

Morning Keynote: A Conversation with Senator Bennet and Attorney General Weiser 

The Western Colorado Economic Summit opened with a Rural Economic Development Forum featuring state and federal perspectives from U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, moderated by Colorado Mesa University’s President John Marshall. 

The conversation centered on bridging the gap between the Front Range and the Western Slope, as well as key priorities for each gubernatorial candidate. Forum participants also tackled critical regional issues, including water rights, education funding, energy transition, affordability, housing, and Colorado’s business climate. 

You can watch the full forum on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/95Bih-O7Qd4 

Economic Update: What The Data Tells Us

Dr. Nathan Perry, economist and professor at Colorado Mesa University, walked Summit attendees through the state of Mesa County’s economy, covering industry trends, employment data, sales tax figures, and what these numbers mean for our region’s trajectory. 

From Mesa County’s revised population forecasts and a rising median household income, to Colorado’s slowest projected job growth in a non-recession year on record, to signals of a softening labor market, Dr. Perry provided attendees with an honest, data-driven look at where we stand. Notably, Dr. Perry reiterated that Mesa County’s economic fundamentals, including the strength of healthcare employment, could provide some insulation for the regional economy during times of economic uncertainty.

While this honest assessment comes with mixed emotions, it aligns with many state and national economic indicators for the current market and reiterates the importance of businesses and community leaders working together to plan, adapt, and remain strategic in local economic development. 

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel provided an in-depth recap. Check it out HERE.

Additionally, if you’d like a copy of the data provided by Dr. Perry, download a PDF HERE. 

Session Block 1 Highlights: 

Municipal Leadership in a Competitive Regional Economy

Leaders from Mesa County (Todd Hollenbeck), the City of Grand Junction (Mike Bennet), the City of Fruita (Shannon Vassen), and the Town of Palisade (Janet Hawkinson) sat down for an interactive roundtable, with many of the questions coming directly from the audience. We heard updates on current economic development initiatives, with key themes centered on affordable housing, infrastructure investment, and the importance of collaboration across jurisdictions. 

A few highlights from the conversations: 

•  Palisade is making significant infrastructure investments—including a $50M sewer project—supported by strategic grant funding. These also include a roundabout and improved bike access to vineyards. 
• Fruita highlighted The Launch and ongoing downtown revitalization projects as exciting economic drivers for the community. Learn more about The Launch HERE. 
• Grand Junction referenced the recent New York Times feature, “36 Hours in Grand Junction,” as a sign of growing regional recognition, while continuing to focus on housing and public safety as key quality of life components. 
• Mesa County presented a focus on land use code updates, 18 Road trail improvements, managing the rising costs of maintaining existing infrastructure, and the burden of unfunded mandates. 

More Than A game: Sports tourism as an Economic Driver

This session was a welcome new addition to the Summit, exploring how sports tourism is becoming one of the most powerful tools for year-round visitation and economic alignment. Panelists from the Grand Junction Sports Commission (Ben Snyder), DT Swiss (Joey Early), and Cimarron Global Solutions (Dr. Jennifer Stoll) shared insights on what makes a destination competitive and how Mesa County, CO, can better leverage its assets to attract new investment and support quality of life. 

 Here’s what we walked away with: 

• The region’s outdoor recreation assets are a major differentiator (as we know) however, measuring their economic impact remains a challenge and improved event attribution and tracking could help close this gap. 
• Community buy-in and public-private collaboration are essential
• When it comes to sports tourism, smaller metros like the Grand Junction MSA can absolutely compete with larger regions. A few examples of this include the ability of gravel races attracting 3,000 – 5,000 visitors per event. 
• Long-term, sports tourism supports more than visitor spending—it also supports talent attraction, quality of place, regional identity, and community visibility. 

From Idea to Investment: Navigating Access to Capital

Access to capital remains a barrier for many businesses. In this session, entrepreneurs and local leaders heard from the Business Incubator Center (Helen Roe),  SkyPeak Technologies (Cat McIntosh), and Howdy Partners (Marc Nager) about what it takes to raise capital in today’s competitive environment. This included discussion on: 

• How AI has dramatically changed the fundraising playbook, and while pitch decks are faster to build, investors now expect higher polish and more preparation than ever. 
• The biggest barriers that founders face include a lack of financial readiness (forecasts, credit, clean books) and a lack of focus on their go-to-market strategy
• Fundraising is a relationship game, and consistent communication and building trust with investors matter as much as the business plan
• Western Colorado may have more capital available than founders truly realize. The panel challenged the assumption that capital only lives in major metros. 

Session Block 2 Highlights: 

Building What’s Next: Commercial Real Estate in a Changing Market

Expert panelists from Retail Strategies (Elliot Cook) , Coldwell Banker Commercial (Mike Foster), and Four Points Funding (Stephanie Copeland) discussed the current state of commercial development across the region and where opportunity is emerging. 

• National retailers are taking notice of Western Colorado’s market and this presents a real opportunity for the region. 
• Data centers continue to be a hot topic with emerging opportunities at the state level that could have implications for Mesa County. 
• Although the Enterprise Zone has recently undergone boundary revisions and the Opportunity Zone (OZ) Program is currently facing changes to census track eligibility, these tools remain relevant incentives as developers note that regulatory complexity and construction costs continue to be headwinds. 
• Investment readiness for a community means aligned zoning, proactive infrastructure planning, and a clear development vision. 

Economic Engines: Healthcare and Energy In The Next Decade

Representatives from Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital (Bryan Johnson), Community Hospital (Chris Thomas), and Liberty Energy (Ryan Zorn) explored how healthcare and energy continue to anchor the regional economy, plus challenges that lie ahead. 

• Both industries are facing real headwinds from state budget constraints and Medicaid policy changes, causing ripple effects that extend well beyond their organizations. 
• AI is transforming healthcare delivery through improving operations, supporting clinical decision making, and creating efficiencies that benefit patients directly. 
• Strong healthcare systems and reliable energy infrastructure are key factors that companies evaluate when making relocation and expansion decisions. These industries represent economic development assets that go beyond community services. 
• Colorado Mesa University and regional training programs are building innovative pipelines for the next generation of healthcare and energy professionals. Continuing to invest in these sectors through workforce development is imperative. 

Scaling the Future: Technology, Aerospace, and Advanced Manufacturing

From award-winning AI systems,  in-motion robots, and manufacturing components to help put man on the moon, Grand Junction’s advanced industry sector continues to put our region on the map. Panelists from the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (Robert Beletic), The Confluential (Kyler Cheatham), ExoPower (Brandon Regensberger), and SG Aerospace & Gas (Mike Sneddon) tackled the big question: Can Western Colorado compete for innovation-driven industries? 

The reality:  

• The idea that companies need to be located in a major tech hub to be successful is a myth. Western Colorado is already proving that companies in this sector don’t have to be in a large metro area in order to find success and resources
• AI and robotics are disrupting advanced manufacturing faster than many businesses realize. 
• Colorado’s Rural Jump Start Program offers meaningful tax incentives for companies considering relocation
• Talent attraction and broadband/power infrastructure are the most pressing gaps to address if the region wants to compete for advanced industry investment 

Celebrating Economic Leadership: 2026 WCES Award Winners

Every year, our community comes together to celebrate leaders driving our regional economy forward. This year’s Summit recognized three deserving award recipients: 

• The Joseph C. Prinster Leadership Award was given to Mike Stahl in recognition of his impact and transformational leadership as the Chief Executive Officer for Hilltop Community Resources. For nearly 40 years, Mike Stahl has been a pillar of the community, leading the non-profit organization’s growth, enabling Hilltop to employ close to 500 team members and serve between 15,000 and 18,000 residents annually, expand core services, and activate a vacant 52,000 square foot property in Downtown Grand Junction, representing a $14.2 million capital investment.

• The Real Estate Catalyst Award was presented to Mike Foster, CCIM for Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties, recognizing his close collaboration with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and local municipalities on behalf of his clients, continually promoting economic vitality and supporting business attraction efforts. 

• The Spirit of Economic Development celebrated the bold vision and technical excellence of Spirit Engineering. For more than a decade, Spirit Engineering has quietly and ambitiously designed, engineered, and manufactured a completely new aircraft from the ground up, embodying a commitment to American-made manufacturing and putting Grand Junction on the map.

Read more about each recipient via the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel HERE. 

Lunch Keynote: The Power And Responsibility of Place

Ryan Short, CEO and Co-Founder of CivicBrand and author of The Civic Brand: The Power and Responsibility of Place, closed the Summit with a timely message about the collective power of community and what happens when places take ownership of their regional identity. When businesses, economic development, municipalities, and residents align on a shared identity, the impact multiplies through attracting investment, talent, visitors, and community pride. 

Western Colorado’s future is shaped by the conversations we have—and the actions we take—together. A huge thank you to our speakers, panelists, moderators, sponsors, and everyone who attended this year’s Western Colorado Economic Summit!

Were you able to attend this year’s Western Colorado Economic Summit? We’d love to hear your feedback and any key takeaways. Email Selena Sanchez, Director of Strategic Engagement for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership at selena@gjep.org