Community-Led Solutions in Colorado

In western Colorado, many communities are navigating an uncertain economic future. For decades, their livelihoods have depended on the oil and gas industry—but as the clean energy transition progresses, so do the challenges they face.

Earlier this year, our researchers traveled to Garfield, Mesa, and Rio Blanco counties to meet with a wide range of stakeholders. We listened to their stories and learned about their efforts to diversify their economies, address housing challenges, and navigate federal programs.

Here’s what we learned:

1. Federal and state policies have primarily focused on coal communities, leaving oil and gas regions without sufficient resources for an equitable transition.
2. Federal funding is often too complex and restrictive for local leaders to access and benefit from.
3. Affordable housing is key—high housing costs make it difficult for industries to attract and maintain a workforce.

Our work doesn’t stop at listening. Insights from these conversations help guide our research, supporting leaders in developing economic policies to address local priorities and equip communities with tools to build a sustainable future.

We’re providing the economic research decisionmakers need to turn ideas into action, and your support makes this possible.

Will you support our community-engaged research? Together, we can continue to identify solutions to the challenges faced by communities like those in western Colorado—communities that are working hard to forge an economic path ahead amidst the energy transition.