Region 3 Economic Development Resilience Team Wins 2026 Partnership of the Year
Cross-sector team coordinates practical solutions for mountain communities
CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. — September 24, 2026 — The Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) named the Region 3 Economic Development Resilience Team its 2026 Partnership of the Year at the EDIE Awards during the Drive|Lead|Succeed Conference in Cripple Creek. This year’s awards hold special significance as EDCC celebrates its 50th anniversary, honoring major milestones and spotlighting the visionary programs that keep Colorado’s economy thriving and resilient for the future.
The team brings together local governments, school districts, human service agencies, broadband providers, nonprofits and businesses to work on connected economic challenges. By organizing targeted task forces around shared goals and measures, partners can coordinate projects across jurisdictional lines and make better use of existing resources.
The partnership is advancing work on workforce housing, childcare, broadband, transportation, business support, food security and wildfire and biomass mitigation. These priorities affect whether mountain communities can retain workers, support employers and respond to changing conditions.
The team’s framework offers a way for organizations with different responsibilities to act on regional priorities together, drawing on the strengths of each partner while building long-term capacity.
“The Region 3 team shows what partnership looks like in practice,” said Kim Woodworth, EDCC Executive Director. “Its members have built a shared structure for addressing the challenges that no one community or organization can solve alone.”
About the EDIE Awards & EDCC
Hosted by the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC), the EDIE Awards recognize the people, businesses, communities, and partnerships that drive economic development across Colorado. Marking EDCC’s 50th anniversary, this year’s awards celebrate five decades of impact while highlighting the essential programs that keep our state’s economy strong. Looking ahead, EDCC and its members remain committed to driving Colorado’s economic growth—one built on innovation, shared prosperity, and collaboration.