Western Colorado Economic Summit

Back by popular demand, Dr. Nathan Perry will guide us in understanding the state of Mesa County and Colorado's economy through an engaging and impactful presentation featuring trends on industry trends growth, employment, sales tax, and more.

Join us for an interactive roundtable discussion with municipal leadership from Mesa County, the City of Grand Junction, the City of Fruita, and the Town of Palisade, featuring updates on current economic development initiatives, strategic priorities across the region, and current community priorities.

This panel discussion is designed to be conversational, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly in dialogues about the future of economic growth in Mesa County.

Sports Tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of the visitor economy, driving year-round tourism, facility investment, and community visibility. From youth tournaments and major competitions to outdoor recreation-centered activities, destinations like Mesa County are increasingly leveraging sports to attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance our quality of place.

This session will explore how sports tourism contributes to economic development beyond the playing field. Panelists will discuss what makes a destination competitive, the partnerships required to drive visitation, and how this sector can align with our long-term growth.

Access to capital remains one of the most defining factors in whether a business idea scales, stalls, or succeeds. In today’s competitive investment landscape, entrepreneurs must understand not only where capital exists, but how to position themselves to secure it.

This session brings together a range of perspectives, including ecosystem support from the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center, early-stage venture insights from Howdy Partners, and real-world fundraising experience from regional technology leader, Sky Peak Technologies

Commercial development across Western Colorado is entering a new phase, shaped by evolving market demands, shifting financial conditions, and updates to key economic development tools. Understanding where opportunities exist is critical for communities and businesses alike.

This panel brings together perspectives from retail strategy consulting, commercial brokerage, and capital access to explore emerging trends, how updates to policy frameworks may influence project feasibility, and what resources are available to help move projects forward.

Energy and health care have long served as cornerstones of our regional economy through providing jobs, investment, and essential infrastructure that support broader economic growth. As demographic trends shift, technology advances, and policy changes, the future trajectory of these legacy industries will continue to shape our next chapter.

This conversation brings together perspectives from leading employers, Community Hospital and Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, and the energy sector (TBD) to explore how healthcare and energy continue to function as economic anchors and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

Emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace innovation are reshaping how communities compete in the modern economy. From artificial intelligence-driven efficiencies to next-generation inventions, these industries represent some of the fastest-growing opportunities for economic diversification and high-wage job creation.

This panel discussion will explore how the advanced industries are evolving and what it takes for regions like Western Colorado to compete for innovation-driven companies plus how partnerships across government, industry, and education can support scalable growth.

New to this year's Western Colorado Economic Summit, the networking portion of the event will feature a Development Showcase, highlighting the incoming projects that are shaping our economic landscape. 

Featuring development updates from public partners, the Grand Junction Regional Airport, School District 51, private investment, and more!