We have the best workforce in the country—smart and healthy. Our quality of life and great jobs attract and retain that workforce. And, they make us competitive. We aren’t just lucky in our ability to attract top workers—we’ve been smart too. We made some of the right investments and this past week was a great example of what we’ve done in that regard.
Our FasTracks system hit a critical milestone with the opening of the University of Colorado A Line from Denver Union Station to Denver International Airport. We are now among the ranks of only 20 other U.S. cities to have a rail line from downtown to the airport.
Like so many of you, I wasn’t catching a flight, but I still had the chance to ride the train. Watch this for a peek at the ride.
While we hope everybody in Colorado celebrated the opening of the University of Colorado A Line, we also know the world is changing fast and our region must stay at the front of innovation in terms of mobility. Here are some other things we are working on:
Mobility Choice: We’ve created a non-profit that really engages the private sector and the public sector to plan for the future. For the first time our region will consider employee habits, changing mobility patterns as it prioritizes transportation investments. Together we will maximize the investments we’ve already made in transportation and be even smarter about future investments.
Smart City Challenge: We, along with many other public, private and non-profit partners, competed against 78 other regions to be the successful bidder for a $40 million grant from the federal government to use technology and improve mobility, access and health in our region. And, we are a finalist!
Go Denver app: This is a new app that will help you navigate and plan your route based on your transportation preferences, from if you want to bike to how much you’re willing to spend on a ride.
Guarantee a ride: We know that sometimes what prevents all of us from using alternative transportation options is that we may need a back-up plan in case the weather turns or plans change. This program helps address that need.
And, in case you can’t get enough, our spring issue of Business Altitude (out May 2) will share even more about how technology is changing mobility.
Kelly Brough is president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.