Every so often, someone asks me a version of the same question:
“Where is Northern Colorado’s economy headed?”
It’s an important question, but I think there’s an even better follow-up: what’s going to get us there?
Economic success doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because businesses invest, communities collaborate and educational institutions prepare tomorrow’s workforce. It also happens because leaders come together to ask challenging questions before they become impossible challenges.
That’s why I’m looking forward to moderating the higher education panel at next week’s Northern Colorado Mid-Year Economic Forum at the University of Northern Colorado. We’re bringing together leaders from CSU, UNC, CU Boulder, Front Range Community College and Aims Community College to discuss one of the region’s greatest competitive advantages: talent.
The Questions Shaping Our Economic Future
How do we ensure our colleges and universities are preparing students for the jobs our employers actually need to fill?
Where are the gaps?
How do we make education more accessible while supporting emerging industries like quantum, aerospace and biotechnology?
And perhaps most importantly: how do we work together so that Northern Colorado continues to compete nationally for talent, innovation and investment?
These are far from straightforward questions, and each topic has its own nuance. As always, the Chamber is excited to convene the thoughtful conversation.
Whether we’re convening conversations about talent, advocating for policies that strengthen our communities or bringing regional leaders together around economic issues, our goal is the same: creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue that leads to meaningful progress.
Back to the initial question:
“Where is Northern Colorado’s economy headed?”
No one has a crystal ball, but I’m certain that the future of Northern Colorado will not be shaped by any one sector or organization.
It will be shaped by what we build together.
I hope you’ll join us on August 4 as we explore what’s next for our region and, perhaps most importantly, what’s going to get us there.
Northern Colorado Mid-Year Economic Forum
August 4, 2026
8:00 a.m.–12:10 p.m.
University of Northern Colorado
Ann Hutchison
President & CEO, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce