Colorado recently took an important step toward addressing one of the defining challenges for communities like ours: building and sustaining a strong regional workforce. The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) have formed new Regional Action Committees. These locally driven groups will implement the tactical workforce plans developed during the 2025 Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits.

For Eagle County, this statewide structure aligns with and strengthens the work already happening across our community. Workforce issues affect nearly every aspect of life in our region. Businesses across all sectors (hospitality, retail, trades, health care, finance, construction, professional services) feel the pressure. The high cost of living, limited housing supply, and a competitive labor market create constant strain. Workforce development isn’t a niche issue here; it’s foundational to maintaining a vibrant year-round economy and a healthy community.

The statewide summits produced tactical two- and five-year workforce plans centered around expanding talent pipelines, advancing skills-based hiring, strengthening partnerships, and removing workforce barriers. All four themes are deeply relevant to Eagle County, and in many ways, we are already modeling the type of regional collaboration the state hopes to accelerate.

Expanding the talent pipeline is a central focus. Colorado Mountain College continues to lead the way with programs directly aligned with local economic needs, from nursing and early childhood education to hospitality operations, sustainability, and skilled trades. Their strong partnerships with employers give students clear pathways into jobs, and concurrent-enrollment programs with Eagle County Schools help high school students graduate with credentials and college credits. Statewide plans that emphasize youth career exposure and work-based learning fit naturally with the momentum we have already created.

The state’s push toward a skills-based economy is something Eagle County businesses embrace. Employers repeatedly tell us that experience, credentials, and competencies matter as much as traditional academic pathways. Programs like CareerWise youth apprenticeships, VVP’s industry convenings, and employer-driven workforce solutions reflect this shift. The new Regional Action Committees create a direct bridge between what employers need and what the workforce system delivers.

Collaboration is another priority, and it’s an area where we excel. Solving our workforce challenges requires all of us pulling in the same direction, and for years, we’ve done just that. Eagle County Schools, CMC, local governments, health systems, nonprofits, and the business community regularly sit at the same table to identify shared challenges and coordinate solutions. The Vail Valley Partnership’s economic development and workforce initiatives are built on the idea that no single entity can do this alone. The state’s new structure reinforces what we already know: regional issues require regional teamwork.

The statewide framework also acknowledges that workforce development is about more than training and hiring. It’s about removing real barriers (housing, childcare, transportation, access to upskilling) that determine whether people can participate fully in our economy. By aligning our local efforts with the state’s Regional Action Committees, we can help ensure that workforce strategies reflect the lived realities of rural and mountain communities.

The Regional Action Committees will review and update the workforce plans, identify which tactics are ready to implement, and report progress annually through the Talent Pipeline Report. This mirrors our philosophy at Vail Valley Partnership: workforce development must be driven by employers, informed by education partners, and supported by regional collaboration.

Colorado’s move is a reminder that economic resilience in rural Colorado is a team sport. The state has created a framework that amplifies local work rather than replacing it. For Eagle County, it’s an opportunity to elevate our local innovation while drawing on statewide support and alignment.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com