October 2024 | September 2024 | August 2024
October 2024
NoCo Recovers: Tracker Update
As we move into the final quarter of the year, it’s a perfect time to check in on the NoCo Recovers economic recovery tracker. The tracker provides a helpful dashboard of key indicators that represent real-time aspects of the Larimer and Weld County economies. The latest data reveals that while the labor market is showing some signs of softening, the following factors continue to remain stable to strong: wages, retail sales, visitors, and real estate. Click here to read more analysis from the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce.
New Wild Bear nature center opening
Nederland has been home to the Wild Bear nature center since 1995, when Jill Dreves founded the organization with the mission of inspiring lifelong connections to nature and community through outdoor exploration. In 2010, Wild Bear opened a free downtown nature center that several thousand visitors enjoy every year. The center became so popular that they outgrew their space, and plans were set in motion for a new net-zero 8,500-square-foot nature center located along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. The new state-of-the-art facility is set to open in the fall of 2025. Click here to learn more about this unique project taking shape in Nederland.
Downtown Estes Loop ahead of schedule
The Downtown Estes Loop project is in the final stages of completion, months ahead of initial projections. The 1.1 loop is designed to provide much needed relief for tourists and residents on Elkhorn Avenue. City leaders are now planning on an early October ribbon cutting, just in time for tourists to enjoy the stunning peak of fall foliage. Click here for a guide to enjoying autumn in Estes!
September 2024
Colorado #4 Best State to Work In
Wealth of Geeks recently compiled a list of the 24 best U.S. States to work in by calculating a happiness score out of 100. Competitive employee compensation, modest injury and quit rates, and below-average working hours were found to be the key metrics that make Colorado a top choice for job satisfaction. Click here to view the complete set of findings.
Denver ranks as a Smartest US City
ProptechOS, a real estate technology company, recently released a list of the ‘smartest, tech-friendly cities’ in the US and Denver came in at #14. Factors taken into consideration included tech infrastructure & connectivity, sustainability, the tech job market, and preparedness for a smarter future. Click here to view the map and full set of findings.
U.S. News & World Report: Top Colorado Hospitals
U.S. News & World Report recently released a list of top hospitals in Colorado. The top five included two ties, with the rankings as follows: #1 UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, #2 (tie) UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland and Intermountain Health St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, #4 UCHealth Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs and #5 (tie) Penrose-St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs and Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree. Click here for the complete list of hospital rankings by U.S. News and World Report.
August 2024
Colorado Cities and Universities Earn Top Rankings in National Lists
Several Colorado communities have been topping the ranks! Stacker analyzed cities with 200,0000+ populations to produce their list of “Best big cities to live in America”. Denver ranked #36 and Colorado Springs #48. In a separate Travel+Leisure MSN article, “9 Best Places to Live in the Western U.S.,” Boulder was featured as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, thriving arts community and for serving as a hub for tech industries. Last but not least, Money recently ranked 6 Colorado universities among the best in the US: Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University Fort Collins, Regis University, University of Colorado Boulder and University of Denver.
State economy ‘strong & resilient’
The recently released Colorado Business Review shows that Colorado’s economy is remaining strong and resilient in 2024. The state unemployment rate of 3.8% is below the national average of 4.1%. Economists also project the state will add 49,600 jobs in 2024, up from original predictions made for the year. The review is prepared by The Leeds Business Research Division at the University of Colorado. Click here to read the full review.
IRES 2nd Quarter Report
Information and Real Estate Services (IRES) recently released their Q2 2024 MarketWatch Report. In Larimer County, the median sales price was $615,000 for Q2-2024, a 5.7% change year-over-year. The number of closed sales was down 5.43% dropping to 1,305. In Weld County, the median sales price was $515,000 for Q2-2024, a 2.0% increase year-over-year. The number of closed sales was down 4.5%, coming in at 1,492. In Boulder County, the median sales price was $875,000 for Q2-2024, a 2.9% year-over-year decrease. The number of closed sales was up 4.6%, coming in at 957.
