This year, the Roaring Fork Valley’s tourism-fueled economy is grappling with changes that came about through the pandemic year. Some are reflections of national issues, like businesses struggling to find and keep employees. Others are more unique to resort economies, like dramatic spikes in rent prices.
Now that summer is underway, employment experts are beginning to see how the new season is playing out economically. Jessica Valand, regional workforce director for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, said unemployment rates are fluctuating normally between the offseason and busy season, but some employers are operating at reduced capacity because they cannot build out a full staff.
Reporter Alex Hager spoke to Valand about the combination of local and national policy changes that could make it easier to live near workplaces in mountain communities.
