The economy of Colorado used to be dependent on the state's natural resources and telecom, with few high-tech employment opportunities, even in downtown Denver. Rather than move to Colorado for a job or to start a company, people would move for the 300 days of sunshine and year-round outdoors adventures. 

So, how did Colorado's economy become one of the most dynamic in the country?

The New York Times credits part of the growth and expansion of the Colorado economy to business leaders and government officials in their article, "Cities on the Sunny Side of the American Economy." However, the article includes another major factor at play: Denver has become a magnet to educated millennials. This new demographic plays a major role in the growth of Denver.

Companies need to recruit great talent for their businesses to grow and Colorado has distinct advantages to attract this talent. 

According to the article, the ideal lifestyle of those in their 20s and 30s includes quality public transit, a "medley of urban living," and a wide variety of entertainment options. 

Just recently, Denver put in new light rails including one from downtown to the airport and other from outlying suburbs into the city. Additionally, the entertainment options, especially for outdoor activities, in Colorado have always been an attraction--we have an amphitheater made of solid rock--but with the recent surge of new, innovative restaurants downtown, and most notably the legalization of marijuana in 2014, the options for entertainment have been especially attracting to a broader range of people. 

Read the rest of the article on the Code Talent Blog here