GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) — A new report from finance analytics firm Wallethub has ranked Colorado as the 10th best economy in the United States, and leaders across the Western Slope say it’s no accident.

The achievement is being seen as the payoff from nearly a decade of economic diversification, community investment, and a growing recognition of the value of recreation and quality of life.

Grand Valley Leading the Charge

Curtis Engleheart, Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, says the region’s transformation has been noticeable since 2022, when economic indicators began showing widespread gains across industries.

“It’s really powerful when you start seeing that economic growth across the board,” said Engleheart. “It’s not just one or two sectors — it’s happening everywhere.”

From healthcare to tech startups, tourism to logistics, Grand Junction and surrounding Mesa County have worked intentionally since 2016 to build a more resilient economic base.

The Formula: Business-Friendly + Broad Support

The key, according to Engleheart? Local government and development agencies have focused on making it easier for businesses to stay and grow — not just launch and leave.

“The number one thing is being business-friendly — helping local companies thrive long-term,” he said.

That means cutting red tape, providing infrastructure support, and helping employers connect with workers, including graduates and newcomers.

Learning from the Past

Palisade Mayor Greg Mikolai, a longtime Grand Valley resident, knows firsthand what economic over-dependence looks like.

“We put too many eggs in one basket,” he reflected. “We depended too much on uranium mining, or oil and gas. When something happened to those sectors, the entire Western Slope felt it.”

That kind of boom-and-bust economy is no longer acceptable to leaders like Mikolai.

Instead, Palisade and other communities are looking beyond extraction industries to long-term economic health.

Outdoor Economy a Key Driver

One major factor in Colorado’s current momentum? Outdoor recreation — and not just as a lifestyle perk, but as a serious economic engine.

“We don’t look at our public lands just for extraction anymore,” Mikolai said. “We see them as assets that people enjoy day-to-day. That creates jobs, attracts talent, and drives tourism.”

Indeed, from mountain biking and river rafting to wine tours and hiking, outdoor recreation has helped fuel service industries, boost real estate values, and attract a younger, more mobile workforce.

Challenges Remain, but Outlook Strong

While the mood is optimistic, both Engleheart and Mikolai acknowledged that uncertainty at the national level is causing some businesses to pause expansion plans.

“Tariffs and federal policy changes have slowed things a bit,” Engleheart noted. “But we’re not seeing signs of a collapse — just a pause.”

The Western Slope has weathered worse and now has more tools than ever to adapt.

Workforce Development Front and Center

Both leaders emphasized that for Colorado to maintain — or improve — its economic ranking, workforce development is essential.

That means investing in:

• Vocational training

• Higher education partnerships

• Affordable housing

• Internships and apprenticeships

“As long as we keep creating opportunities for people to stay and work here,” Mikolai said, “our economy is going to keep improving.”

Engleheart added, “A good-paying job is the best opportunity we can offer. That’s why we’re working directly with businesses to support expansion, relocation, and retention.”

A Decade of Planning, Now Paying Off

Colorado’s rise into the top 10 U.S. state economies is no accident. It’s the result of years of planning, experimentation, and cooperation between public and private sectors — with places like Grand Junction and Palisade setting the tone for what a 21st-century local economy can look like.

From mining towns to innovation hubs, the state’s economic reinvention is only just beginning.