Post by Anthony E. Graves

TRENDS IN COLORADO'S ECONOMY Colorado's next governor faces a defining challenge: navigating a "right-sizing" economy. With job growth dipping to -0.4% and net migration falling, standing still is not an option. Here is a 12-point playbook for aggressive, targeted growth: RESEARCH TO FACTORIES: Bridge federal lab innovation with scaled manufacturing in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and rural hubs. GLOBAL TRADE & CLEANTECH: Partner with Taiwan/UK for semiconductors, clean-energy parts, and grid upgrades. Help city leaders triangulate with FAA to build capacity at DEN and regional airports. GOV'S TECH FELLOWSHIP: Link urban venture capital and founders with innovators statewide. TRANSIT & INFRASTRUCTURE: Align local transit with Front Range Passenger Rail and fund unfinished RTD commitments. WESTERN SLOPE INNOVATION: Invest in Colorado Mesa University for rural tech and aerospace incubation. AGRIBUSINESS EVOLUTION: Scale precision agriculture with Colorado State University to offset crop strains. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Combat the affordability crisis via OEDIT modular tech and "missing middle" zoning reforms. FINISH BROADBAND: Connect 99% of households to high-speed internet and catalyze smart city tech statewide and data sharing. ECONOMIC MOBILITY: Expand capital access for small/minority businesses and integrate Tribal Nations into supply chains. TOURISM & CREATIVE RESILIENCE: Diversify ski economies, leverage Boulder's Sundance win, and build on Salida's momentum. SPORTS TOURISM: Capitalize on tier-one assets like Burnham Yard to secure global event pipelines. TARGETED WORKFORCE: Accelerate training for high-growth vacancies in healthcare, construction trades, and clean energy. Colorado’s past economic success does not guarantee its future. The next administration must pivot from stewardship to aggressive acceleration using this 12-point blueprint. About Anthony E. Graves: Anthony is the Principal of GRAVES Civic Solutions, a strategic advisory firm specializing in economic development, public affairs, real estate, and community development strategies. His 20+ year career spans senior roles including serving as Denver’s Director of Regional Affairs in the Mayor's Office and Director of External Affairs for the city's economic development agency, where he represented the administration on the boards of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and the Metro Mayors Caucus; a former Colorado tourism executive; a University of Colorado (Denver) Cabinet official; and a private-sector corporate strategist in Europe. An experienced global representative, he has traveled broadly on business and cultural delegations across Europe, to Taiwan, Ghana, and other nations. He holds an International MBA from the University of Denver, a BA from DePauw University, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI). He also served as a Ron Brown Fellow with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Region VIII USEAC.