Economic Development 101 Series: Why Regionalism Matters

In today’s highly competitive global economy, no single city, county, or municipality can succeed on its own. Attracting and retaining businesses—especially those offering primary jobs that drive economic prosperity—requires a unified, collaborative approach. For the Metro Denver region, this approach is regionalism: the practice of working across jurisdictional boundaries to align economic development efforts, leverage shared assets, and present a stronger, more compelling case for investment. 

At the heart of this regional strategy is the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) and its Front Range Economic Collaborative (FREC), which spans 12 counties and more than 100 local economic development entities across Colorado’s Front Range. These communities embody the principle that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” recognizing that collective success is more powerful and sustainable than isolated wins. 

One of the foundational tools enabling this collaboration is the Metro Denver EDC Code of Ethics. This code formalizes the values that make regionalism work, emphasizing an agnostic approach to site selection, confidentiality, professional respect, and a rejection of business poaching between jurisdictions. These ethical guardrails foster trust among partners and create a predictable, consistent experience for businesses considering the region. 

Through Metro Denver EDC’s “no wrong door” philosophy, any business inquiry—regardless of where it first lands—is treated as a regional opportunity. Whether the initial contact comes through a county office, city department, or industry group, the collaborative network activates to provide the company with the best resources, data, sites, and workforce connections available across the entire region. This seamless coordination reduces duplication, ensures consistency, and keeps the focus on the business—not the boundaries. 

Businesses evaluating locations are less concerned with where one city ends and another begins. Instead, they focus on talent, infrastructure, livability, and long-term support. A unified regional approach eliminates inefficiencies and inconsistencies that can arise from contacting multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. Instead, it positions the Front Range as one of the most business-friendly and opportunity-rich regions in the country. 

The benefits of this cooperation are far-reaching. Pooling regional resources gives companies access to a larger and more diverse workforce, more robust infrastructure, and coordinated workforce development efforts. It also ensures that marketing efforts and messaging are aligned, reducing confusion and reinforcing the Metro Denver region’s brand as a premier destination for business. By fostering trust and ethical competition, FREC and Metro Denver EDC help eliminate zero-sum thinking between communities and replace it with a shared vision for sustainable economic success. 

Ultimately, regional economic development is not just a philosophy—it is a practice rooted in trust, structure, and shared success. With the Metro Denver EDC’s Code of Ethics as a compass and FREC as a collaboration engine, communities across the Front Range are working together to attract investment, retain jobs, and ensure that the entire region thrives. It is how we compete—and win—on the global stage, together.