The Mountain West is home to three U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories and more than 30 federal research facilities, which underpin regional innovation, attract and grow talent, and accelerate business development in the Mountain West. In this panel, leaders from the federal science community shared how these laboratories are supercharging regional innovation.
Introducing the evening's keynote dinner address, Mr. Mike Freeman, CEO of the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine, shared Mr. J.J Ament, President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, has extensive knowledge of the Mountain West economy, but it is his willingness to support regional success that make him an invaluable partner in any economic development initiative and a leader in shaping the region's economic future.
To open his Boulder-based keynote, Mr. Ament welcoming attendees to “Metro Denver,” a brand gaining recognition both locally and globally. However, this seemingly simple name carries a complex history. In the 1980s, Colorado enjoyed a booming economy fueled by oil and gas; growth was so rapid that Denver declined to host the Olympics to avoid overwhelming the city with migration. This prosperity took a sharp turn in 1982 when Exxon withdrew its investments from Colorado, causing the state's economy to collapse almost overnight. Conditions deteriorated to such an extent that Forbes famously stated the Denver economy "couldn’t fall off the floor." In the face of this economic devastation, eight civic leaders from across the region united around a radical new vision for economic development, one that prioritized collaboration. They committed to promoting all of Colorado rather than their individual communities and vowed to refrain from disparaging each other or any industry within the state. This "Metro Denver" approach became the foundation for uniting the public, private, and philanthropic sectors in efforts to revitalize Colorado’s economy.
“When everyone thinks the same, very little thinking actually occurs.”
Mr. J.J. Ament
President and CEO
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Their dedication paid off. Mr. Ament noted, today, Colorado boasts one of the most resilient economies in the nation, less affected by downturns and home to numerous advanced industries. The state has attracted a significant influx of migrants, with 52 percent of its population born elsewhere. Furthermore, with a labor participation rate up to 20 percent higher than the national average, newcomers arrive in Colorado with a clear sense of purpose.
Despite these successes, Colorado faces new challenges. Mr. Ament expressed concern about the fracturing of the three pillars of public, private, and philanthropic collaboration, which are becoming increasingly siloed. He noted that the state is experiencing rising ideological uniformity in its government, leading to resistance against certain industries—something he firmly opposes. Mr. Ament also cautioned that Colorado risks shifting away from an ethos of freedom and discovery toward mandates and prohibitions, which would severely undermine the state's innovation ecosystem. Perhaps most troubling, he pointed out that complex issues are increasingly difficult to discuss without descending into disputes over motives and intent, a serious impediment to cooperation.
Nevertheless, Mr. Ament remains optimistic that Colorado can correct its course. The state has previously demonstrated its ability to collaborate for the common good and need only to rediscover that spirit. There are promising signs; the collaboration required to win the NSF Engine and EDA Hub is a source of optimism. When the people of the Mountain West come together, he said, they can achieve remarkable outcomes. For Mr. Ament, the first step toward igniting a new era of prosperity and innovation in Colorado is to remember this fundamental truth.
