OEDIT Director of Talent Innovation Misti Ruthven speaking to key regional leaders at the Western Region Opportunity Now Summit.
May 13, 2025
On May 12, 2025, leaders from across the Western Slope gathered at the Mesa County Business & Workforce Center in Grand Junction for the Western Region Opportunity Now Talent Summit. The Office of the Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) convened the summit with regional host Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, and in collaboration from the CWDC. The Summit united industry representatives, educators, economic developers, and workforce professionals for a day of strategic workforce planning.
CWDC Managing Director Lee Wheeler-Berliner and Senior Consultant of Sector Partnerships & Industry Bobbie Wolfe joined key regional stakeholders to explore workforce solutions in three critical sectors: construction, healthcare, and early childhood education. The Summit served counties including Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Blanco, and San Miguel.
The Summit welcomed key state leaders, including OEDIT Director of Talent Innovation Misti Ruthven, Senior Program Manager of Implementation & Compliance Amelia Heatherington, Strategic Advisor of Workforce Advancement Marie Pecoraro, along with Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Chief Strategy Officer Sam Bahrami and Colorado Department of Higher Education Director of Industry Partnerships Beverly Jones. Mesa County Workforce Center Director Heather Nara and multiple Mesa County Workforce Board Members were also in attendance.
Key Themes and Takeaways:
- Healthcare: Discussions emphasized the need to strengthen talent pipelines in rural communities. Participants explored strategies to increase access to education and training for the workforce for local hospitals and smaller communities.
- Early Childhood Education (ECE): Emphasis was placed on quality, both in providers and career pathways. Discussions suggested moving from linear career ladders to flexible "career lattices," offering varied advancement based on skills and qualifications. The conversation also stressed the importance of strategic messaging to gain support for state-legislated, sustainable funding with regional adjustments for compensation. Participants discussed inconsistencies in livable wages for ECE professionals within counties. However, they agreed on the need for regional consistency to attract and retain ECE talent in rural areas through appropriate compensation. The group initially focused on wages but expanded the discussion to include regional clarity on overall benefits and retirement opportunities.
- Construction: Participants underscored the value of work-based learning and integrating technology to address workforce shortages. All agreed on the importance of planning for the future of the industry, not just today’s challenges.
Across sectors, attendees shared a common spirit of collaboration, with strong participation from regional partners. Business and education leaders demonstrated a commitment to problem-solving and shaping workforce strategies that reflect the changing nature of work.
Looking Ahead
The Summit is part of a statewide series established under HB24-1365, aimed at developing two- and five-year tactical workforce plans tailored to each region’s needs. These insights will be shared in the 2025 Talent Pipeline Report and incorporated into local workforce areas’ WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Local Plans.
Following each Summit, local workforce boards will continue industry engagement, advocate for targeted training initiatives, and implement region-specific plans with support from the CWDC and its partners.
The next Opportunity Now Talent Summit will be hosted by La Plata Economic Alliance, Fort Lewis College, and The Attainment Network and held at Fort Lewis College on May 16, 2025. The summit will focus on the agriculture, healthcare, and technology industries within Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, Dolores, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan counties. Two additional summits will follow. In addition to the inclusion of the final plans from each region in the 2025 Talent Pipeline Report, annual progress reports will be published in subsequent years.
For more information, explore the Opportunity Now Summit webpage.