Adams County leaders on the county’s “All in Adams” podcast recapped a recent business-focused town hall on issues local employers said are top of mind: economic uncertainty and inflation, housing affordability and workforce development.

Commissioner Lynn Baca, chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners, said the town hall was part of a board priority to “understand the struggles, open up the communication between Adams County and the businesses.” Nikki Wallander, the county’s press secretary, hosted the podcast conversation with Jenny Hall, director of community and economic development.

The discussion matters for the county because officials said businesses’ ability to hire and retain workers affects local economic stability and county planning: “If you cannot house your workforce, you can't be successful,” Hall said, describing how housing shortages can limit employers’ operations. Hall also said Adams County is finalizing a county-specific housing needs assessment in October that will feed an update to the county’s balanced housing plan, which has not been revised in eight years.

County leaders described several follow-ups and partnerships. The county coordinated the town hall with the Adams County Regional Economic Partnership (ACREP) and invited private and institutional partners including Brian Fallon of Rocky Mountain Industrials and Jack Buffington of the University of Denver Center for Excellence to discuss workforce and industry needs. Baca said the county is the owner-operator of the Colorado Air and Space Port and is tracking related job and training opportunities.

Officials described how the county used live polling software (Mentimeter) during the meeting so attendees could submit priorities in real time. “We used a piece of technology called Menti, so people can freeform type into their phone. It shows up on a word map of what is top of mind for them,” Baca said. County staff later followed up with a post-event survey to capture additional input.

Housing and workforce were recurring themes. Hall said the county participated in a regional housing needs assessment and is now “drilling down” with a local study; the results will inform the balanced housing plan update and future engagement through the county’s Engage with Adams platform. On workforce, the county highlighted partnerships aimed at career and technical education and pre-apprenticeships with local school districts and higher education. Baca highlighted outreach with Adams 12 school district and the new relationship with the Hispanic Restaurant Association, which will use a county-owned commercial kitchen to provide culinary training and a pathway to jobs.

The county’s Workforce and Business Center also drew attention for its employer services. Hall summarized services that include assessment testing, resume help, employer hiring events and pre-apprenticeship programs; she said the center also supports industry job fairs and targeted hiring events.

Officials framed the town hall format itself as a deliberate change to increase engagement. Wallander and Baca said the board has shifted away from one-way presentations and toward Q&A formats, with a mix of in-person, telephone and online options to meet residents and businesses where they are. The county provides translation services at in-person events, and leaders said offering multiple formats increased participation from employees and the public.

Looking ahead, county leaders said they will continue the town hall series and plan another session before the end of the year. Baca noted the county’s budget adoption process is ongoing and said the town hall findings helped inform recent budget discussions. Hall and Baca encouraged businesses and residents to continue providing input through the county website and Engage with Adams tools.

The podcast hosts directed listeners to Adams County’s town-hall highlights on the county YouTube channel and to adamscountyco.gov/townhall for more information.