Moving To Colorado Blog

Colorado is predicted to be one of the first states to show signs of economic recovery.

When will the nation's economy turn around and which states will be the first to see the benefits of a rebound? Prognosticators that painted a gloomy picture for 2009 are now seeing the first signs of light at the end of the tunnel.

A new monthly "adversity index" compiled by Moody's and MSNBC.com in June 2009 measures employment, industrial production, housing starts and housing prices to forecast recovery times for states and metro areas.

"States that have a high concentration in tech-related industries are well positioned to take advantage of this trend, which is particularly true of Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington and to a lesser extent, Texas," said economist Andrew Gledhill of Moody's Economy.com.

States that have been the last to see the recession, like Colorado, will likely be the first to see significant improvements, economists say. Additionally, states with a diverse form of growth that have not been reliant on single forms of growth like manufacturing, will see the first signs of rebounding.

Investigative reporter Bill Dedman considered the adversity index and wrote, "The recession didn't start at the same time in every state, and it won't end at the same time either. . . .  Jobs growth will return first in those five states, starting in the last quarter of this year. Four of those states benefit from strong high-tech industries, and the fifth, Texas, has a strong base of energy industries."

Stephen Titus of Colorado Biz writes, "Developers see a recovering demand for new homes, not on the same scale as the roaring '90s, but driven by the same market forces: professionals who typically work in Denver or Colorado Springs but don't mind the 20-minute commute to either of Colorado's two largest cities."

Titus could well be talking about Castle Rock, in Douglas County. Living in Castle Rock provides a commuter easy access to jobs in Colorado Springs, Denver and the Denver Tech Center. Douglas County has seen some of the most positive economic growth in the state for decades. Housing developments in the Castle Rock area, like The Meadows, remain an attractive place to live, giving people a taste of quality country life within easy reach of the city.

Colorado and Texas's housing growth has remained steadier in the past decade and both states were "among the last to join the recession, in large part due to lingering impacts from the energy boom of years past," Gledhill said. "Similarly, other expected early risers such as Washington and Colorado were relatively late to join the recession for various reasons. Thus, as conditions begin to turn nationally, they have less of a hole to dig themselves out of."

The state's government has been acutely aware of economic issues and has been active in attacking them head-on. A June 2009 bill signed by Gov. Bill Ritter was designed to modernize the state budget. "This modernization act levels the playing field," Ritter said. "This is a fiscally responsible measure that maintains one of the nation's tightest caps on spending and does not raise taxes. It simply provides greater flexibility so the state can make wiser investments with existing resources."

The state's gross domestic product has continued to increase each year from 2003 ($187 billion) to 2007 ($236 billion) according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The BEA's March 2009 report showed that U.S. personal income growth slowed to 3.9 percent in 2008 but Colorado's personal income increased 4.9 percent from 2007 to 2008 (10th in the nation), and the state's population increased 2 percent, making it the fifth-most popular state to move to.  CNN Money lists Denver as the seventh-best place to live and launch a new company, and fourth in the nation for receiving federal government funding through the Small Business Innovation Research program.

Chris Blackwood, managing director of Denver's Davidson Fixed Management group, says, "Colorado is a growth state. Colorado has done better in almost every sector of the economy than the nation."  He cites statistics that show Colorado's better than average growth with the rest of the nation due to its diverse economic makeup that consists of high technology, education, health services, oil, and the always strong tourist trade.

As investigative reporter Dedman wrote, "If you want to be in the right place when the recovery starts, that place may be in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas or Washington."

Written by John S. Craig

SOURCES

Bureau of Economic Analysis

The Meadows, Castle Rock

City of Denver

Office of the Governor of Colorado

Most educated states

CBS4 Denver report, "Colorado Insulated from Some Economic Woes"

Titus, Stephen. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-116041672.html

Rutberg, Shana. Best places to start a business, CNN Money http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fsb/0803/gallery.best_places_to_launch.fsb/7.html

Castle Rock is a great place to launch a career in one of Colorado's fast-growing technology and renewable energy industries.

It pays to keep up with technology.

First, Twitter users can connect with ColoradoJobs, an aggregated feed of hundreds of job postings on Web sites all over the state. Even in the recession, plenty of jobs are available.

Second, many of the openings are with primary employers in robust energy and technology fields poised to drive the economic recovery. Colorado has long had strong technology industries and was developing renewable energy before green was a buzzword.

A recent report showed technology employment in Colorado climbed in 2007. The state trails only Virginia and Massachusetts in the percentage of its overall workforce in technology jobs.

Among the biggest employers is Lockheed Martin's facility in the southern Denver metro area, near Castle Rock. Overall, aerospace and satellite companies employ about 130,000 Colorado residents, many of whom are in recession-proof jobs connected with government contracts and groundbreaking technology.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade expects continued aerospace industry growth, with employment projected to reach 232,000 by the end of 2010.

With Qwest, Level 3 and DirecTV in the Denver area, telecommunications is also a Colorado growth industry that will continue to look for new employees. Other cutting-edge industries with a strong state presence include biotechnology, nanotechnology and photonics, where Colorado ranks fifth in the nation.

Such industries are likely to continue growing in Colorado. Solid infrastructure, a healthy lifestyle and an ever-growing international airport are among the factors that make the Denver metropolitan area a particularly attractive place for businesses to relocate.

Moreover, Colorado is fast becoming the epicenter of a national explosion in renewable energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and a major U.S. Department of Energy office have inspired and incubated green businesses in Colorado for nearly 20 years.

Colorado's 300 annual days of sunshine are as good for business as they are for health. Namaste Solar founder Blake Jones told CNN last year that his Boulder company has grown from three employees to 45 in its first four years. Last year, it installed more solar panels than any other Colorado company, but it is only one of dozens of solar manufacturers and installers in Colorado. These firms have seen 40 percent annual growth in solar energy for at least five years.

Colorado's eastern plains also get plenty of wind. Vestas and other international wind energy leaders are launching Colorado plants this year to build turbines and turn all the wind into electricity.

A job in sustainable renewable energy is a perfect match for a resident of a sustainably designed, sustainability-minded neighborhood such as The Meadows in Castle Rock.

In fact, Castle Rock is an ideal place to live for many of these jobs. At the south edge of the Denver metro area, it has a small-town feel but is very close to the Denver Tech Center and a short commute to downtown Denver. Likewise, it is an easy drive to Colorado Springs, another major employment hub. As both Denver and Colorado Springs grow, Castle Rock is sure to benefit from related business development.

Castle Rock, like the rest of the state, is young and growing quickly. That's great for business and good for networking. There's always new leads, new friends and new jobs around the corner. Here's your first tip: One of Denver's best kept secrets is a Web site, run by a former mayoral spokesman, giving the inside track on some of the region's hottest jobs. Welcome to Colorado. You're already an insider.

Written by: Steve Graham

Colorado remains one of the most desirable places to live in the country because of a varied  and robust economy, temperate weather, and world-class universities and vacation resorts. Ever since the gold mining boom of the 1850s, people have come to Colorado to seek their fortune and many have found not just riches but a beautiful place to live.

The state's gross domestic product has continued to increase each year from 2003 ($187 billion) to 2007 ($236 billion), according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The BEA's March 2009 report showed that U.S. personal income growth slowed to 3.9 percent in 2008 while Colorado's personal income increased 4.9 percent from 2007 to 2008 (10^th in the nation), and the state's population increased 2 percent, making it the fifth most popular destination for movers.

A state once heavily reliant on mining and agriculture as a prime source of income has become a vital center for cutting-edge technology companies, oil production, military and federal installations, lucrative sports franchises, energy-efficient companies, and the ever-booming tourist trade. Colorado often has been  the place where entrepreneurs and new businesses have planted their seeds. In August 2008, the Danish company Vestas committed $700 million to build the world's largest wind tower manufacturing plant in Colorado, an act that Gov. Bill Ritter claims will create as many as 2,500 jobs.

The Denver Tech Center (DTC) is located in the south Denver metro area. It is one of the key economic areas in the American West and was a major player in the birth of cable television. The DTC's unique location on the 105^th degree meridian makes it a prime place for sending and receiving television programming. Jones Intercable, Starz, DirectTV and several other companies have located here for their operations. By 2003, Colorado ranked fourth in states for high-tech exports, fifth in software publishers, seventh in computers and peripheral equipment manufacturing, and ninth in engineering services employment.

The DTC and downtown Denver are easily reached by Interstate 25. The new and very popular light rail system runs north and south along I-25 as well as Santa Fe Boulevard. Beautiful communities line the southern I-25 traveling corridor, including Greenwood Village, Castle Rock and Colorado Springs. Developments such as The Meadows offer country settings while still being within a quick commute to Denver or Colorado Springs.

Gov. Ritter has shown interest in helping the state become one of the leaders in green technologies and "clean tech" while wooing companies like Apple, Oracle, T-Mobile and Intel to become more active in Colorado's bright economic future. Several pieces of legislation have been passed that will help support companies interested in developing solar panels in new housing developments and small-scale renewable energy production. Numerous companies and groups have been recently developed to help empower green technologies, like the Colorado Green Tech Group, as well as Boulder's Namaste Solar, Sunflower Corp. (public lighting systems) and Hybrids Plus (electric hybrid research and development).

In February 2009, Namaste Solar's Blake Jones gave President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden a tour of the 18 rows of solar panels on the roof of the Denver Museum of Natural History. Jones noted that the panels generated enough solar energy to power 30 homes. The Solar Energy Industries Association expects the creation of 120,000 new solar industry jobs in the next two years.

The Front Range of the Rockies offers some of the finest universities in the country, with three campuses of the University of Colorado (Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs) along with Colorado State University (Fort Collins), the University of Denver, and Colorado Springs-based Colorado College and Air Force Academy. The east Denver area has the University of Colorado's Health Science Center, which has  3.4 million square feet of education, patient care and research space.

Colorado's weather features 300-plus days of sunshine and its people rank as some of the healthiest and best educated in the nation. Vacation resorts within Colorado are world-renowned, including the Broadmoor as well as the skiing resorts at Aspen, Vail, Keystone and Winter Park, among others. The diverse climate and terrain allows residents to enjoy skiing, golf and just about every kind of outdoor sport and activity imaginable.

SOURCES

Bureau of Economic Analysis

Fifty States Web site

Sherry, Alison. "We are Making the American Landscape," Denver Post, Feb., 17, 2009.

Wingfield, Brian. "Green and Golden in Colorado," Forbes, August, 2008.

Wang, Ulia. "Namaste Solar Becomes Poster Child for Economic Recovery," Green Tech Media.

Written by: John S. Craig

Discover why Colorado's amazing "green job" boom is providing some of the new jobs in the state.

With the United States economy currently in turmoil and the unemployment rate on the rise, most Americans feel that there may be no hope for finding a place where they can start anew. Many Americans already have stable jobs, but they are afraid to relocate because of the uncertainty and instability of the U.S. economy. Although there are several negative aspects to the United States economy, there are positive opportunities arising for Americans. Many new jobs are being developed especially in the green business. One of the top green job production states is Colorado.

Colorado is all about wildlife, clean air, limited pollution and water/energy conservation. So it's no wonder Colorado is one of the nation's top green job producers. Vestas Wind Systems has developed its first wind-blade manufacturing facility in the U.S., making Colorado's new-energy economy efforts a reality. This new energy-efficient technology is based on wind, solar and biofuel energy, not to mention a producer of about 650 new full-time  jobs in Colorado. Currently Vestas Wind Systems has 200 workers and is currently hiring about 20 new workers each week.

Colorado is in an excellent position to grow in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries. With that being said, long-term opportunities for jobs are springing up rapidly. Brad Collins, the American Solar Energy Society's executive producer, said, "In a surprisingly short time Colorado has effectively positioned itself as a national leader in the green economy." He also said, "Colorado's experience offers a good case study for other states on how to tap into the tremendous economic opportunities in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency sectors."

Renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries are booming in today's society: $10.2 billion in revenue was generated in the year 2007, providing Colorado with 91,000 jobs. By the year 2030, Colorado expects this business to grow to an estimated $61.5 billion in annual revenue.

Some of the best locations to take advantage of these new up and coming green jobs include Denver, Colorado Springs, Windsor, Littleton and Castle Rock.

Castle Rock is conveniently located  between Denver, the state's capital, and Colorado Springs, the major city in southern Colorado. This location is ideal for the person who wants to live in a gorgeous area with picturesque mountain views, access to some of Colorado's most wonderful outdoor amenities and luxurious homes, as well as, have full access to some of Colorado's top jobs.

One of the best places to live in Castle Rock, which is perfect for people who are looking to relocate to Colorado, would be The Meadows, which offers newly built unique homes within charming neighborhoods and a tight community.

Some of the best places to look for green jobs in Colorado include Web sites for Treehugger, The Denver Post, Greenjobs and Monster.

If you are seriously considering moving to one of the top green job-producing and job stable states, you have to consider moving to Colorado. The choice is up to you; this may be the best one you ever make.

SOURCES

www.Treehugger.com

www.Greenjobs.com

www.ases.org

Written by: Celin Childs

In this tough economy, Colorado may present some of the best opportunities for employment, affordable housing, and yes, even a social life.

Relocating is a daunting task for anyone, regardless of income or family size. Right now, many are moving due to job relocation or simply to find an opportunity to obtain gainful employment. It's a scary job market out there with the national unemployment average at 5.8 percent.   Fortunately, Colorado may present some of the best opportunities for employment, affordable housing, and yes, even a social life.

Prime Real Estate Investments and Property in Colorado

In 2008, Colorado's average unemployment rate fell below the national average to 4.9 percent. Colorado also maintains a lucrative real estate market offering prime properties within northern and central Colorado to ranch and mountain acreage in the southern part of the state. Not to mention the vast opportunity for real estate investment, especially in Denver, which boasts thousands of potential investment properties up for foreclosure auction.

One of the most exciting communities in which to invest right now is Castle Rock, a town that feature a unique blend of small-town charm with big city amenities. Conveniently located near prime shopping opportunities at the Outlets at Castle Rock and nestled snugly between Denver and Colorado Springs, The Meadows community in particular is designed for those who want the best of both luxurious living and architecture that accentuates Colorado's own unique landscape.

Meanwhile, whether you plan to fix and flip or keep and rent, the Denver real estate investment market is prime for capital gain. This is evident with average home rentals in Denver falling around $1,700 for a three bedroom home. At these prices, Colorado real estate is a long-term investment worth looking into. Colorado property is ideal for anyone desiring to have a scenic view from any window in their home.

Colorado home rentals are pretty fetching, too, with listings in Craigslist and Rent.com. That said, beware of scams. The Denver Post featured an article in May 2008 about scam artists taking legitimate rental notices, changing the contact information, and passing them off as their own to steal money from people online. With people foreclosing on their Colorado properties. home rentals are in high demand and people can find themselves getting caught up in a scam.

Who is in Denver?

Denver is a hot spot not only for Colorado property and real estate, but also for high-income and upper-scale urban singles. According to census data, the median salary in Denver is $39,500, with a higher population of single men than women. For any woman looking to relocate, consider Denver as a viable possibility to find young (35 and under) single males moving up the economic ladder.

Colorado's economy is still chugging along during this economic downturn, with opportunities for jobs and real estate investments in abundance. However, be careful and practice due diligence when seeking out Colorado real estate and Colorado home rentals. Visit Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies' Division of Real Estate to find helpful tips on locating trustworthy brokers and staying abreast of scams. All in all, a move to Colorado is worth the time and effort, both economically and socially, so take a chance on the adventure.

Written by: ShawnTe Pierce