Annual Economic Update

A look at current and future economic and business trends shaping the U.S., state, and local economies. Please join Dr. Tatiana Bailey, Executive Director of Data-Driven Economic Strategies, Timothy Wonhof, Director of Labor Market Information, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), and Jonathan Liebert, President of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado for our annual State of the Economy event. Each speaker will present for approximately 20–30 minutes, followed by an extended 30-minute audience Q&A and discussion with all three presenters. Dr. Tatiana Bailey will provide a broad overview of the national, state, and local economies, examining the major trends driving the economy. Timothy Wonhof will take a deeper look at Colorado’s labor market, including the recent slowdown in job creation across the state. He will discuss employment and workforce trends, the changing demand for workers, and what current labor market data tell us about Colorado’s broader business climate and economic outlook. Jonathan Liebert will bring the perspective of businesses themselves, sharing what the Better Business Bureau is seeing among companies locally and across Colorado. He will focus particularly on the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence, how businesses are adopting it, where they are finding value, and how AI is beginning to affect operations, workers, customers, and the competitive landscape. Bailey = big economic picture; Wonhof = jobs/workforce/business climate with a focus on Colorado; Liebert = what businesses are experiencing + AI. A happy hour will follow the program, providing an opportunity to continue the conversation and connect with the speakers and fellow attendees. Tickets are $50 each + fees and DDES sponsors will receive two free tickets.