The Bell Policy Center is pleased to release our Guide to Economic Mobility in Colorado. We hope it offers a comprehensive look at the barriers and opportunities communities face as we work to ensure economic mobility for every Coloradan.

Read the press release here.

After a year of conversations across the state and intensive research, it’s clear to us that despite Colorado’s overarching economic growth, too many Coloradans are not feeling the benefits of our state’s exceptional prosperity. Many of our fellow citizens feel stuck and see the American Dream as elusive. Even still, there is pride in and optimism about the Colorado way of life.

This guide explores how the forces of shifting demographics, economic inequality, shrinking public investments, and technological change make economic mobility a steep uphill climb. Despite the challenges these forces present, we continue to believe successful use of policy levers in areas like education, health, housing, and labor and employment law can make that climb easier. Throughout this guide, we take measure of how we use those levers and offer ideas for how we can do better.

Our hope is the information, analysis, and recommendations offered here fuel a robust conversation about economic mobility in Colorado. We recognize there will be diverse perspectives on this information and welcome an open dialogue to discuss them.

The Bell Policy Center believes it’s within our power to raise the economic floor, build a diverse and thriving middle class, and embrace innovation in Colorado. To do that, we need the facts and ideas for how to change our trajectory. We’re confident this guide provides just that.

Guide to Economic Mobility Key Takeaways