economic development

Creative enterprises and creative workers play a significant role in community vitality and economic development. While the most obvious parts of the creative economy include art galleries, museums, theatres and concert halls, the creative economy includes all businesses that depend on the aesthetic and/or authentic qualities of their products or services. This includes building and landscape architects; interior decorators; graphic, web, flower and fashion designers; and design-dependent niche manufacturers. In Colorado, there are 186,000 jobs associated with creative enterprises and creative talent, accounting for 3.9% of our total labor force. Employment in the state’s creative economy is growing at a faster rate than that of the U.S., with annual employee earnings totaling approximately $5 billion.

Colorado's Creative EconomyA study of the scale and impact of this important statewide economic sector.

Impact Studies – Several recent studies show that arts and culture have a sizable impact on local and regional economies in Colorado

Creative Districts - A well-recognized, designated mixed-use area of a community in which a high concentration of cultural facilities, creative businesses, or arts-related businesses serves as the anchor of attraction.