Knowledge Vault

Get job description salary information for the State of Colorado. EDCC is a trusted educational resource for guiding economic development standards and practices for economic development professionals in Colorado. This includes providing information on the landscape of the industry, including salary information and guidelines. We are pleased to provide an…

Promoting better alignment in state and regional strategies to enhance communication, collaboration, and alignment of economic development strategies, reduce redundancies, and build capacity in pursuit of increased economic competitiveness for Colorado.  In February of 2023, Colorado was selected to be one of six states to participate in a pilot program…

Prospecting for Community Prosperity Through Collaboration Colorado's next gold rush isn't underground, it's found where commerce, civics, and community collaboration converge. This hands-on workshop uses Colorado's mining heritage as a metaphor for discovering community assets, building civic leadership, engaging residents, and aligning business and government around shared economic goals. Participants…

Freaky Friday: When Planners and Economic Developers Swap Perspectives to Shape a Stronger Community   Ever wondered what it would be like if Economic Developers and Planners switched places? A case study in how cross-discipline collaboration turned Midtown Centennial, the city's reimagined city center, from concept to reality. Followed by…

Digging for Data Diamonds – finding data in the rough   In today’s competitive economic landscape, effective storytelling is no longer optional for communities striving to attract investment, support business growth, and shape long-term prosperity. Data has become the essential foundation of that story—transforming economic development narratives from anecdotal to…

Mining the Masterpieces: How Colorado’s Creative Economy Fuels   Economic gold isn't just found under the soil, it's forged through Colorado’s thriving culture, arts, and creative industries. In this joint presentation, leaders from the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) and Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) examine how arts and…

The Bedrock Pipeline: Unlocking Economic Growth Through Early Childhood Education (ECE) Apprenticeships Childcare is no longer just a community amenity—it is the foundational bedrock beneath Colorado's entire workforce engine. In this session, discover how ECE Apprenticeships resolve the industry "trilemma" of family affordability, quality care, and livable wages for educators.…

Defending the Claim: Legislative Recaps, Election Forecasts, and Business Champions   Stake your claim at the lunch plenary for an insider’s look at Colorado’s high-stakes political landscape. EDCC Public Policy Committee Chair Rich Werner and Lobbyist Jennifer Cassell take the stage to unpack the toughest economic battles from the recent…

Bedrock of Progress: Mining’s Legacy and Colorado’s High-Tech Future   Enjoy breakfast hosted by SSR Mining as we celebrate shared milestone anniversaries with the Colorado Mining Association and the Colorado 150/EDCC 50 initiatives. This briefing highlights the modern economic realities of mining—from high-paying local careers and headquarters operations to sustainable…

Passing the VIBE Check: Building Bedrock Partnerships in Local Government   Striking economic gold takes more than land and incentives—it requires predictable, bedrock government processes built on trust. Drawing from the Metro Mayors Caucus’ VIBE Toolkit, this interactive session digs into the human side of economic development, revealing how professional…

The Silver Vein: Mining 50+ Talent for Early Childhood Education   The U.S. faces a dual crisis: a growing shortage of qualified early childhood educators and a large, capable workforce of adults 50+ seeking meaningful “encore careers.” This session treats childcare as economic infrastructure and puts a concrete workforce solution…

Yes. And… Reclaiming Colorado's Business Narrative   Polarized debates over Colorado's economy make practical, data-backed communications more essential than ever. Join Denver South and Denver: Best Return on Life to explore the "Yes. And..." framework, a powerful tool for addressing community challenges without losing control of the positive narrative. Through…

Fault Lines & Fortune Prospecting for Prosperity in the New Labor Landscape   The modern labor market is experiencing a massive structural disruption fueled by geopolitics, AI, and demographic labor shortages. This session uses decades of Lightcast research to analyze how these overlapping "fault lines" threaten workforce planning and regional…

From Barriers to Breakthroughs: How to Make Your City Small-Business-Ready   Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a city official, outdated regulations and costly permitting fees often stifle local growth. In this collaborative session, Cities Work shares nationwide best practices to help you identify and remove these regulatory barriers. Participants will…