On June 18–19, the Joint Organizations Leading Transition hosted the Northwestern Colorado Energy Summit in the Colorado Mesa University Ballroom, bringing together energy leaders, policymakers and educators to discuss the future of energy in Colorado.
During the summit's first day, CMU Professor of Economics Nathan Perry, PhD, presented "Energy and the Colorado Economy," a session that examined the industry's impact on the state's economy and sparked discussion among attendees.
Additional presenters included Karen Budd-Falen, assistant deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior, who delivered the keynote address. The summit also featured panel discussions on topics including obstacles to energy development and building talent pipelines to support the future energy workforce, which Mindy Gutierrez, assistant Vice President of Workforce Development at CMU, provided insight on.
“At CMU Tech, we ensure our programs stay aligned with industry needs by maintaining strong, ongoing partnerships with employers, industry associations, workforce centers, and advisory committees,” said Gutierrez. “These partners provide real-time feedback on workforce trends, emerging technologies and the skills they need from future employees.”
As Colorado Mesa University continues to serve as a convener for important regional conversations and a national leader in geo-exchange energy management, the two-day summit provided an opportunity for participants to examine the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping Colorado's energy future.