I recently read an article in the Denver Business Journal about the inaugural Smart Cities Symposium held here. An ad popped up as I was reading, promoting a land auction in a nearby mountain community and noting that the parcel to be sold has senior water rights. You couldn’t have asked for a much more interesting pairing of editorial and advertising.

As a CEO who is focused on preparing my company to thrive in the coming decades, one of the things I relish about the Metro Denver business environment is the spirit of innovation.

Today, close to three-quarters of Colorado jobs require some education beyond high school, and that number will continue to rise. Only Minnesota and Washington D.C. have as high or a higher proportion of jobs requiring some level of post-secondary education.

I moved to Denver 25 years ago and my appreciation for the things that make this such an attractive community continues to grow each year. Yet, one doesn’t have to live here to understand just how special we are as a community. Month after month, outside reports highlight and validate all that makes this region so special.

One theme that consistently underlies the monthly economic forecasts is the challenge businesses of all types face in attracting and retaining the workforce they need. Whether it’s app developers, skilled construction tradespeople or insurance underwriters – virtually every type of position you can imagine is in demand.