Coloradans woke up today to news of a development that may very well shape the future of their state's economy. The Rural Opportunity Office, part of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), unveiled what's been described as a comprehensive economic game-changer for the region: the Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The ambitious plan targets improvements stretching from the smallest towns to the bustling urban centers of Colorado.
The announcement from OEDIT revealed that the 2025 CEDS represents a five-year strategic action plan, calling on the consensus and cooperation of local, state, and private entities. Governor Polis was enthusiastic about the strategy, “Building a strong economy for Colorado’s future requires detailed research, strategy and coordination across local, state, and private partners across rural, urban and suburban communities, and that's what this statewide strategy does," Governor Polis said, as per OEDIT, signaling a broad alliance aiming to stir up economic development and thrust investment into the state's economy.
It's not just a plan; it's considered by officials as a pivotal mechanism for all of Colorado's 64 counties, promising to align economic development strategies on a statewide scale. "The Statewide CEDS is more than a plan. It is an important tool that will benefit all of Colorado’s 64 counties, including the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribes, by helping us align economic development strategies statewide," OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman stated, as obtained by OEDIT. The strategy is built on industry standards laid out by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and is expected to bolster Colorado's economy through efficient regional partnership and enhanced investment appeal.
In the spirit of true collaboration, the CEDS culminates years of collective effort, as revealed by Meridith Marshall, Director of the Rural Opportunity Office, “Colorado’s Statewide CEDS is the result of dedicated, long-term collaboration to develop regional strategies that informed this comprehensive plan. We are grateful to the many communities and partners who contributed their expertise, experience and insights to ensure this plan represents all four corners of Colorado," Marshall told OEDIT. These regional plans aim to support a more vibrant, economic fabric woven through the concerted efforts of diverse Colorado territories.
