Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Forms Competitiveness Council to Address Declining Innovation Edge

Colorado’s non-farm employment fell from a June 2024 peak of 2,979,900 jobs to 2,970,800 a month later, a loss of 9,100 positions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The information sector, a bellwether for tech innovation, dropped to 64,800 jobs—19 % below its June 2022 high of 80,000, the steepest decline since summer 1995. The state’s labor force contracted from a high of 3,274,230 in October 2024 to 3,193,263, a loss of roughly 81,000 workers over 20 months. Despite the shrinking pool, the unemployment rate remains low at 3.9 %, and Colorado’s economy grew 2.1 % after inflation adjustment last year, while the U.S. economy accelerated to 2.7 % growth in the first quarter.

Denver Post

Governor Jared Polis announced the creation of a “Competitiveness Council” composed of business leaders from diverse industries and state and local economic-development officials. The council’s charge is to analyze the current business landscape, develop a shared vision for Colorado’s future economy, and deliver actionable recommendations—including legislative fixes—before the governor leaves office in January. Priorities highlighted by Polis include reducing the high cost of living, especially housing, and expanding economic-development incentives to compete with “winning” states such as Texas.

Denver Post

Polis framed the council as a proactive step to avoid waiting for the next administration, emphasizing that Colorado’s competitiveness has slipped toward the middle of the national pack. He noted that housing costs are the biggest barrier to recruiting workers and that the state is “starting to turn the corner.” Business coalition Engage Colorado, which earlier warned that the state was losing its startup and venture-capital reputation, urged policymakers to prioritize pro-business policies, cut regulatory friction, and address rising operating costs.

Denver Post

• “Colorado is appearing more towards the middle of the pack in terms of competitiveness — that should be a wake-up call to all of us,” — Gov. Jared Polis

Denver Post

• “Where we are lagging is cost of living, and housing is the biggest part of that. We are starting to turn the corner,” — Gov. Jared Polis

Denver Post