For media inquiries, please contact Cynthia Eveleth-Havens at [email protected].
GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado – The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Western Regional Talent Summit in partnership with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The Colorado Chamber of Commerce assisted in the coordination of industry group participation.
The summit focused on addressing workforce challenges in key industries, including early childhood education, construction and health care. The initiative is part of the Regional Talent Summits Act, established through House Bill 24-1365, which aims to address workforce shortages by bringing together state and regional stakeholders to discuss economic and workforce needs. These stakeholders include members of the business community, government entities and higher education leaders. The Colorado Chamber and its partners in the Education to Employment Alliance played a key role in the bipartisan legislation to bolster the state’s talent pipeline and elevate Colorado’s workforce.
“These summits will improve workforce outcomes statewide, connecting the right people from the business community, educational institutions and government to identify the curriculum and skills needed to fulfill job opportunities across the state,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “This is a key component of the Chamber’s strategic priority to meet the workforce needs of our growing economy and marks a pivotal step in Colorado’s ongoing workforce development efforts.”
“At the Grand Junction Chamber, championing workforce solutions is one of our highest priorities—and we know it takes partnership to drive real progress,” said Grand Junction Area Chamber President and CEO Candace Carnahan. “That’s why we’re honored to serve as host and regional convener for this Summit, bringing voices together from across the ten-county region to ensure every corner of Western Colorado is represented in building a sustainable, inclusive talent pipeline.”
Around 100 attendees representing the construction, early childhood education and health care industries gathered at the Mesa County Workforce Center to discuss what steps are needed to boost the talent pipelines into their industry. Each group discussed the need to work more closely with local school districts and colleges as well as the need to address some of the regulatory and structural obstacles that stand in the way of growing their industries.
The summit is one of seven scheduled across Colorado through June 2025. These industry-led discussions will generate tactical workforce plans that develop career pathways in specified fields facing regional workforce challenges. Insights gathered from these discussions will be included in the 2025 Colorado Talent Pipeline Report, shaping future workforce development strategies across the state.
Learn more about the Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits here: https://oedit.colorado.gov/programs-and-funding/conferences/workshops/opportunity-now-regional-talent-summits
###
The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.
The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to protecting, strengthening, and growing our local business community by being a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders and influencers who make things happen, and a champion for a stronger community. Through our workforce development programs, business advocacy efforts, and a variety of opportunities to create meaningful connections, our Chamber works tirelessly to ensure our local businesses are able to thrive, not just survive.