On Monday, May 12, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the Western Regional Talent Summit at the Mesa County Workforce Center in partnership with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). This event was part of the statewide Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits initiative, which was launched to identify workforce gaps and collaboratively build actionable, place-based solutions that align with local economic needs.
As one of only seven organizations selected across Colorado to convene this conversation, the Grand Junction Chamber brought together voices from ten diverse counties across the Western Slope. The day focused on three vital and interdependent industries—construction, healthcare, and early childhood education—recognized as critical pillars for a thriving regional economy and sustainable workforce.
The Summit gathered employers from each of the focus industries along with key public and nonprofit partners including workforce centers, chambers of commerce, school districts, higher education institutions, and industry associations. Together, these leaders shared insights, reviewed data and proposed solutions to build a stronger, more aligned workforce development strategy.
Attendees engaged in facilitated discussions shaped by a regional landscape analysis and career pathway solutions documents provided in advance. These conversations led to several core themes that will guide next steps:
Sustainable Funding for Work-Based Learning: Participants underscored the need to access reliable funding streams to support hands-on learning experiences and career exploration, especially for youth and underserved populations.
Expanding Career Pathway Exposure: There was a strong push to expand student and job seeker awareness of the wide array of occupations within each targeted industry, beyond traditional roles typically associated with them.
Addressing Wage Disparities: Many communities across the Western Slope continue to struggle with wage competitiveness. Bridging those gaps is essential to attracting and retaining workers, particularly in high-need sectors.
These priorities will now feed into the development of two- and five-year regional workforce plans that will outline specific, actionable strategies to address the Western Slope’s workforce challenges. Outcomes from all seven regional summits will also inform the 2025 Colorado Talent Pipeline Report, helping shape future state investment and support.
Candace Carnahan, President & CEO of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, reinforced the Chamber’s commitment to ongoing partnership. “We are proud to lead the effort to ensure all corners of this region are activated and engaged—to navigate these challenges in ways that are relatable across the entire region while customized to fit individual communities. We hope this is just the beginning of broader collaboration, and we are committed to continuing this engagement so that Monday’s conversations turn into action.”