Chris Romer

People sometimes ask how I stay optimistic with everything going on in the world and our local community. It’s a fair question. There’s no shortage of uncertainty, complexity or challenges these days. But for me,...

When you think about what makes a community thrive, you often start with its people: entrepreneurs, employees, educators, public leaders, and nonprofit champions. But behind the scenes, organizations like chambers of commerce quietly shape the...

As our nation endures extreme levels of hydrology, droughts, and aridity, the need for long-term solutions to this crisis has never been more urgent.

As we enter 2026, many Eagle County businesses are asking the same questions: What will the economic landscape look like? Where should we focus our energy? And how do we prepare for the uncertainties that...

In Vail Valley, our restaurants are more than just places to eat. They’re where neighbors gather, where first jobs begin and where communities are built. They reflect the creativity, diversity and resilience that define our...

If you've spent more than a few months in a mountain town, you're familiar with the phrase “We came for the winter and stayed for the summer.” For many businesses across Eagle County and the Vail Valley, that statement is more than a cliché; it is an economic reality. Winter is our key season, but summer does its fair share of work as well.

People came seeking opportunity, lifestyle, ambition and access to the outdoors. For a long time, the numbers reflected this influx. Colorado wasn't just gaining residents, it was booming.

Eagle County often feels timeless, from the mountains to the rivers to the trails. But the truth is our community is always in motion, shaped by people who show up ready to work, raise families and build lives. And if we want to thrive in the years ahead, we must face a hard reality: Our immigration system isn't keeping pace with the communities it's supposed to support, and our community is dependent upon immigrants.

Share this story For decades, immigration reform has been Washington's favorite unsolved problem.

When fewer visitors come, everything from employee paychecks to valley-wide bus service declines. Tourism isn't a luxury for us here in the central Rockies; it's our economic foundation. It supports local businesses, funds public services through taxes and sustains jobs while shaping the character of our community. Sales tax drives our local services, and sales tax is dependent on visitor spending.