Media Contact:
Chynna Cowart | chynna.cowart@state.co.us | (303) 656-7464
On November 1, the Department of Local Affairs’ (DOLA) State Demography Office (SDO) will host its 42nd Annual Summit. This year’s event will cover newly released population and employment estimates and forecasts, new methods being used for calculating municipal population estimates, the recently announced Census 2026 Test in Colorado Springs. Attendees will also learn about the newest tools and visualizations released by SDO.
“We are thrilled to share our updated population estimates and forecasts, along with the key factors driving change across the state. In addition to releasing new figures, we’ll be exploring the broader implications of these shifts, helping us all think more strategically about Colorado’s future,” said Elizabeth Garner, State Demographer with the State Demographer’s Office.
One of the main topics will be related to age. SDO has new age-related tools and will delve deeply into why age matters, including the labor force, housing, and the rapid growth of our aging population as well as innovative strategies to address changes to service demands. This year’s Summit will feature presentations on:
- Updates to Colorado’s Population Estimates: Where have we seen recent growth in the state and what is driving it? And some new methods to derive important demographic variables.
- State and Regional Economic Trends: National and state trends and where is job growth expected in the state and what is influencing regional changes?
- Population Forecasts: Over the next ten years, Colorado's population will continue to grow, age, and diversify. Join us as we walk through these changes and explore the impacts of slowing growth and a changing age distribution on long-term household and labor force growth.
- Preparing for Census 2030: Census 2026 test in Colorado Springs and Questionnaire changes.
- Unlocking Insights: New SDO Tools, Applications, and Enhancements to SDO American Community Survey Spreadsheets.
- Age in Colorado: From K12 and the labor force to health care and housing and the economy, How is Age Impacting Colorado?
“I’m excited to talk to our fellow Coloradans about the significant shifts in Colorado’s population over the past 30 years, including results of anticipated trends and surprising developments,” said Cindy DeGroen, a Colorado Demographer with the State Demographer’s Office. “We’ll also be looking ahead to the next 30 years, focusing on key demographic changes like our aging population, slower growth rates, and growing diversity within the state.”
The Summit will take place at the Arvada Center on November 1, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. There is also an option to join the conference virtually. Attendees are encouraged to register before the October 25, 2024 deadline. Continuing education credits will be available for Real Estate Appraisers and Real Estate Brokers.
This summit will be the final summit for both Elizabeth Garner and Cindy DeGroen as they prepare for retirement. Garner has over two decades of service, guiding Colorado in demographic understanding and planning. DeGroen has been with DOLA since 1994, offering three decades of expertise to communities across the state. The Department values and recognizes their years of service to Coloradans. DOLA is currently interviewing for the new State Demographer and will announce DeGroen's position soon.
Please visit the SDO website for additional information on the 2024 Summit including a link to register.
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