From Recession to Revitalization
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“We are a great state because those who came before us had the courage and the wisdom to make the right investments. And that is our job, too.”
- Gov. Roy Romer
State-of-the-State, 1993
Roy Romer took the reigns of leadership in 1987, the high point of a recession that created what was at that time the record unemployment rate of 8.6 percent, thousands of jobs lost and the first negative net migration since Colorado was founded. He swept into office with an “Open for Business” slogan and policies aimed at building businesses of all sizes and supporting the creation of good jobs in every corner of the state. As he left office 12 years later, Colorado was experiencing an unprecedented economic boom including a record low unemployment rate, median household incomes 17 percent above the national average and a decade worth of increased job creation.
Hear from some of the people who made it happen.
From recession to revitalization
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Gov. Romer created the first Colorado Office of Economic Development, International Trade Office, Economic Development Commission and Minority and Women’s Business Office.
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The Romer administration developed the first Enterprise Zone program to stimulate job expansion and ensure community-based and community-led solutions for job creation and growth.
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It was Gov. Romer’s efforts that allowed the annexation vote that ultimately relocated Denver International Airport, ensuring it would become the national and international aviation hub of the West.
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Romer’s administration championed a number of other economic development efforts, including the creation and construction of the Colorado Convention Center and the attraction of Colorado’s first major league baseball team, the Colorado Rockies.
