The following is an excerpt from the cber.co 2026 Colorado Economy Forecast. For the entire report, click here. 

Purpose and Overview 

The purpose of this chartbook is to review the performance and outlook of the U.S. and Colorado economies. Most data is from government agencies and available in the public domain. The forecast prepared by the Conference Board serves as the base for this analysis. TCB raised the projections for 2025 and 2026 slightly based on the strength of the real GDP report for Q2 and Q3 2025. The U.S. economy closed the year stronger than initially expected. Slower growth is anticipated in 2026 due to uncertainty surrounding the risks (both upside and downside) related to tariffs and changing policy decisions. There will be mixed results from the fiscal policy. Monetary policy will depend on the composition of the Fed and its ability to remain independent. 

Affordability, real and perceived, will continue to be a concern for many. The issues addressed in the mid-term elections and their outcome will likely bring about change. Will the 2026 economy be orderly and serene, like a zoo, or will it more closely resemble life in a jungle?