Earlier this week, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Economic Outlook event at the Grand Junction Convention Center. The gathering reached full capacity and brought together business leaders, elected officials, stakeholders, and community members to discuss Mesa County’s economic outlook.
Candace Carnahan, President and CEO of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “The fact that this room was sold out speaks volumes. It shows that our business community and our public partners understand how critical it is to stay informed, to come together, and to have honest, data-driven conversations about where we are and where we are headed as a region.”
The keynote speaker was Dr. Richard L. Wobbekind from the University of Colorado Boulder. He presented an analysis of current economic conditions based on national and state data. Dr. Wobbekind stated that forecasts do not indicate an immediate recession due to continued GDP growth, stable employment levels, and personal income growth exceeding inflation in recent years. He highlighted the importance of long-term investment in infrastructure and productivity for economic health at both state and local levels.
Dr. Wobbekind also discussed labor market trends such as slower job growth, declining participation rates in the workforce, and demographic changes affecting Colorado’s economy. He explained that after several years of strong post-pandemic expansion, Colorado’s economic growth has moderated to align more closely with national averages.
At the local level in Mesa County, population increases are mainly driven by people moving into the area rather than natural population growth. The presentation addressed specific sectors influencing regional performance: healthcare, energy, construction, agriculture, tourism, and retail industries were noted as significant contributors. Dr. Wobbekind advised attendees to consider economic performance over a longer period instead of focusing only on short-term fluctuations.
After the main presentation, participants engaged in a question-and-answer session covering topics such as housing affordability, public finance issues, workforce availability challenges, innovation efforts, and demographic shifts impacting Mesa County.
Carnahan concluded: “For us, this event is about more than a snapshot of the economy. It is about convening the right voices, grounding our decisions in credible data, and making sure Mesa County remains competitive within Colorado and across the nation.”
To access additional information or read the Business Economic Outlook Report click HERE.
