The Leeds School of Business of the University of Colorado Boulder just released its annual economic forecast and outlook. The publication covers a wide range of economic and industry topics across the state, including employment, international trade, and regional information. While Colorado’s economy continues to outperform those of other states, the pace of growth has generally slowed in 2016 in the Centennial State before accelerating again in the first half of 2017. Total personal income rose 3.9% in Q2 2017 year-over-year, per capita personal income increased by 2.2%, and the state’s labor force increased by 3.7% year-over-year in September.

This recently released report by The Trust for Public Land shows the economic gains from lottery product profits. In Colorado, profits from the sale of lottery products are distributed to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF), and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). As discussed in the report, GOCO and CTF generate substantial economic benefits by using Colorado Lottery proceeds to protect the state’s parks, open spaces, outdoor amenities, and wildlife, which in turn, create jobs and promote economic activity.

 Access report here.

The Leeds Business Confidence Index (LBCI) looks at Colorado business leaders’ expectations for the national and state economy, industry sales, profits, hiring plans, and capital expenditures. The index for Q1 2018 is 59.5, an increase from 56.5 in Q4 2017, indicating that business confidence has increased for the near future. According to the update, LBCI’s positive standing is consistent with Colorado’s continued employment growth, real GDP expansion, rising personal incomes, and other macroeconomic indicators.