Not every economic shift announces itself with a headline, but that does not make it any less significant. Some of the most consequential changes happen gradually, as a series of decisions made over time begin to reshape the trajectory of a state’s economy. Our close partners at the Colorado Chamber of Commerce recently released a…
Each year, I look forward to the release of the Edelman Trust Barometer. Not because it tells us something new, but because it puts language and data behind what many of us are already feeling here at home. This year’s report confirms it. The divide is growing. Seventy percent of people worldwide now have what…
One of the most impactful moments in the Young Entrepreneur Academy each year is the CEO Roundtable. It is where ideas meet experience and where our students get the opportunity to step out of the classroom and into real conversations with leaders who have built, led, and grown organizations right here in our community. Last…
As I look at the future of Mesa County, I keep coming back to one simple truth: if we are not intentionally investing in young professionals today, we are leaving the future of our workforce and our community to chance. This isn’t just about filling jobs. It’s about cultivating leaders. For years, we’ve talked about…
Celebrating Ag Awareness Week March 14th-24th Long before Grand Junction had a modern business ecosystem, it had an industry that ignited the valley. Agriculture. During Ag Awareness Week, I find myself reflecting on that history and the role agriculture has played in shaping our community. As the CEO of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of…
Before the sun rose over the Bookcliffs last week, nearly 60 Mesa County business leaders boarded a bus in the dark, navigating the largest winter storm of 2026 to make a clear statement: Western Colorado’s voice belongs in the rooms where decisions are made. Our annual Legislative Days at the Capitol is not ceremonial. It…
As we approach the one-month mark of Colorado’s legislative session, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce (Grand Junction Chamber) is increasingly focused on what early proposals signal for the long-term business climate in Western Colorado. While many bills are still in their early stages, their direction matters. For businesses in our region, where markets…
National Entrepreneurship Week is more than a date on the calendar. It is a national moment that connects students, educators, business leaders, and communities in celebrating business creation and the next generation of innovators. For students in the Grand Junction Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy, this week reflects work that is already well underway. Entrepreneurship continues…
Running a business is not easy. Behind every storefront, service, and job is a long list of challenges that do not always make headlines. Tight margins. Workforce pressures. Rising costs. Constant change. Yet, across Mesa County, businesses show up every day anyway. They solve problems, support employees, and keep our local economy moving forward. That…
As the 2026 Colorado Legislative Session unfolds, one thing is already clear: despite early conversations about a nearly $1 billion projected budget shortfall, the pace and volume of legislation impacting Colorado employers has not slowed. If anything, the session is already off to a fast start. At the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, we are…