Colorado Chamber Alliance Annual Conference Unites Chamber Leaders to Strengthen Colorado’s Business Future
The Colorado Chamber Alliance (CCA) brought together chamber professionals from across Colorado and beyond for its 2026 Annual Conference, held September 30–October 2 in Grand Junction. The event welcomed representatives from 42 chambers of commerce across four states, highlighting the strength of the chamber network and the importance of collaboration in supporting local businesses and communities.
This year’s theme, “At the Confluence: Where Community, Commerce, and Leadership Meet,” celebrated the unique role chambers of commerce play as conveners, connectors, and leaders in their communities. Just as the conference brought together chamber professionals from different regions and backgrounds, the CCA serves as a vital connection between local business communities and the broader statewide business community.
As a program of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, the CCA strengthens Colorado’s statewide business network by connecting local chamber leaders, fostering collaboration, and providing opportunities for professional development, organizational excellence, and grassroots advocacy.
This statewide partnership is essential to advancing the Colorado Chamber’s Vision 2033, its long-term strategic plan to improve Colorado’s business climate and economic competitiveness. Local chambers serve as trusted voices for businesses in their communities, bringing valuable regional perspectives to statewide conversations about workforce development, economic growth, affordability, and policies affecting employers.
Through the CCA, the Colorado Chamber works alongside local chambers to ensure that businesses of all sizes, from every corner of the state, have a voice in shaping Colorado’s economic future. By sharing resources, strengthening relationships, and working toward common goals, the statewide chamber network is better positioned to address challenges and champion opportunities that extend beyond individual communities.
The annual conference is the CCA’s signature event, providing chamber executives and their teams with opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from industry peers, and build relationships that strengthen their organizations. This year’s program featured engaging keynote presentations, interactive breakout sessions, and networking opportunities focused on leadership, advocacy, workforce development, membership engagement, and the evolving role of chambers in their communities.
Throughout the conference, attendees explored how chambers can lead through challenges, bring diverse stakeholders together, and create meaningful connections between business, community, and government. These conversations reinforced a central message: when local chambers work together, their collective voice and impact extend far beyond their individual communities.
Together, Colorado’s local chambers represent more than 50,000 businesses and over one million employees. Their partnership with the Colorado Chamber is invaluable to advancing a strong, competitive business climate and building a more prosperous future for all Coloradans.
The Colorado Chamber extends its sincere appreciation to every CCA member, conference attendee, sponsor, and partner who contributed to this year’s event. The dedication of local chamber leaders to their businesses, communities, and one another is what makes the CCA such a powerful statewide network.
As the Colorado Chamber continues its work to advance Vision 2033, the relationships and collaboration fostered through the CCA will remain essential to ensuring Colorado is a place where businesses can invest, grow, and succeed.
The 2026 conference was a reminder that while each chamber serves a unique community, together they are helping shape a stronger future for business across Colorado.
The CCA also celebrated the outstanding work of local chambers during its annual Chamber Performance Awards, recognizing excellence in membership growth, retention, communications, government affairs, innovative programming, and chamber leadership. The awards highlighted the creativity, dedication, and impact of chamber professionals who strengthen Colorado’s business communities every day.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners:
Increase in Membership
- First Place: Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
- Runner Up: Golden Chamber of Commerce
- Third Place: Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Increase in Membership Dues Revenue
- First Place: Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce
- Runner Up: Vail Valley Partnership
- Third Place: Golden Chamber of Commerce
Highest Membership Retention
- First Place: Vail Valley Partnership
- Runner Up: Steamboat Springs Chamber of Commerce
- Third Place: Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Best Idea of the Year
- West Slope Works: Turning Workforce Challenges Into Workforce Opportunities, Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
Highest Achievement in Communications
- Candidate Guide, Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Highest Achievement in Government Affairs
- Strategic Advocacy to Secure HB25-1005, Boulder Chamber of Commerce
Team Member of the Year
- Shari Brokenicky, Grand Junction Area Chamber (40 years of service!)
Chamber CEO of the Year
- Rich Millard, Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance
2026 President’s Award
- Scott Cook, Longmont Area Chamber
View more photos from the conference here.