An Economy that Works for All
Colorado’s economic success has become the envy of nearly every state, coast to coast. Yet despite our best efforts to diversify our economy and create good jobs, not everyone in our state has been able to access the opportunities we’ve all worked hard to create.
Unemployment remains high for too many residents – even those with a degree.
Nearly 25% of the population is on Medicaid.
More than a half million Coloradans live below the federal poverty line.
At the same time, our current approach to workforce isn’t solving the talent demands of today’s economy. We know that by next year, 74% of the jobs of the future will require a postsecondary degree but only 56% of Coloradans have one. What’s even more alarming is that of 100 ninth graders, only 23 will receive a college degree on time.
We want to understand the disconnect between benefiting from our prosperity and accessing it. And we must plan now for the needs of our future. To maintain our competitiveness, we must address the lack of compatibility between what employers need and what Colorado has to offer.