How long does permit review take in your city? 🏠 In Denver, it takes 210 days—compared with 51 days in Colorado Springs, which had the second-longest timeline among the Colorado cities studied. Longer waits can add to the cost of building a home. At a 7% construction loan rate, each additional month of delay adds roughly $1,750 to the cost of a home. Faster permitting could help make new homes more affordable for Colorado families. Read the latest housing report: bit.ly/4xF9UtO

🏠 Colorado home prices are outpacing incomes. Since 2010, the value of a typical single-family home in Colorado has risen 151%, while median household income has grown 77%. That widening gap is making it harder for Coloradans to afford a home. Curious about what this means for Coloradans? Read CSI's recent housing report here: bit.ly/4xF9UtO

The costs for a new home start well before construction begins. 🏠 CSI’s latest report compares the fees charged to build a new 2,000-square-foot single-family home across 16 Colorado communities. In this comparison, fees are highest in Boulder, followed by Castle Rock and Thornton. See how the costs break down: bit.ly/4xF9UtO

Wow! Today’s Starter Home Initiative has sparked an important conversation about what it takes to make starter homes more attainable in Colorado. We just heard from a panel on the need for collaboration among builders, local governments, and community partners. 🏠 Moderator: Heidi Williams, President & CEO, Civic Results and Executive Director, Metro Mayors Caucus 🏠 Amy Schwartz, Vice President of Social Responsibility and Community Partnerships, Oakwood Homes 🏠 Jeannine Rustad, Planning and Business Development Director, City of Aurora 🏠 Josh Rivero, Mayor, Town of Parker As one panelist put it: “No one has the capacity to do this alone.” Want to be a part of the solution? Check out CSI's new Low-Density Residential Zoning Template: bit.ly/46BTreX

CSI Daniels Scholar Junior Fellow Isaac Flores examines Colorado’s fentanyl crisis and the role that prevention, treatment and accountability could play in addressing it. His op-ed builds on CSI research, showing that while synthetic opioid overdose deaths have declined nationally, Colorado saw a 17% increase from December 2024 to August 2025, the third-fastest increase among states. Read Isaac’s full op-ed: bit.ly/3V4GZll Read the research: bit.ly/45NYhoY

Last chance to register! 🏠 Join CSI and Civic Results this Wednesday for the Starter Home Initiative, where leaders from the public and private sectors will explore solutions to expand Colorado’s housing supply and create more attainable pathways to homeownership. 📅 September 23, 2026 ⏰ 8:00–11:00 AM 📍 The DOME at AMG Don’t miss this important conversation—register today! bit.ly/4gr38RY

Colorado’s unemployment rate rose to 4.0% in August after holding steady at 3.9% for seven consecutive months–its highest level since June 2025. The state’s unemployment rate ranked 24th nationwide as Colorado lost 1,400 nonfarm jobs during the month. Explore the latest trends in CSI’s August 2026 Jobs and Labor Force Update: bit.ly/4AqfNO8

As seen in Colorado Politics ⬇️ CSI’s research breaks down what Proposition 137 could mean for wildfire and conservation funding and future TABOR refunds for Colorado taxpayers. Check out the coverage: bit.ly/3THwrYU Read the full report: bit.ly/4h8odlo

K–12 enrollment has now fallen for six consecutive years. In the last year alone, Colorado schools lost 11,489 students, and 134 of the state’s 178 school districts saw enrollment decline. The trend is particularly pronounced in the earliest grades. Since 2020, kindergarten enrollment has fallen 10.3% and first-grade enrollment 8.1%, suggesting enrollment pressures could continue as these smaller classes move through the system. READ MORE ⬇️ bit.ly/3Tkkl7Y

Colorado voters will weigh in on the future of hunting and fishing this November. As part of CSI’s 2026 Ballot Guide, new research examines the economic footprint behind hunting and fishing in Colorado following Amendment 83, which would establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Colorado. According to the analysis, hunting and fishing generate more than $6.1 BILLION in annual economic activity and supports 25,000+ jobs across the state. Get the facts before you vote. ⬇️ bit.ly/4rjJZGC

Colorado’s labor market lost momentum in August. The state lost 1,400 nonfarm jobs, including 900 private-sector jobs and 500 government jobs. Colorado ranked 29th nationally in job growth over the last year, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.0% after remaining at 3.9% for seven consecutive months. Read the full August Jobs Report to learn what the latest data mean for Colorado’s economy: bit.ly/4AqfNO8

🏹🎣 Hunting and fishing dollars don’t stop at the field or the water. They flow through outfitters, retailers, hotels, restaurants, equipment providers and other businesses across Colorado, with an especially important impact in rural communities. New CSI research finds hunting and fishing directly support: $2.4B+ in annual business revenue 14,766 jobs 1,681 businesses and service providers As Colorado voters consider Amendment 83, CSI’s 2026 Ballot Guide is breaking down the economic footprint behind the issue. Learn more: bit.ly/4rjJZGC

According to CSI's latest Ballot Guide report, Colorado Parks and Wildlife generated $220 million in wildlife revenue in FY2024-25, with 68% coming from licenses, passes, fees and permits. Learn more about the potential impact of Amendment 83 ⬇️ bit.ly/4rjJZGC

We’re officially ONE WEEK AWAY from the Starter Home Initiative! 🏡 Join Common Sense Institute and Civic Results for a timely conversation about expanding access to starter homes and creating more attainable pathways to homeownership across Colorado. Hear from: Amy Schwartz, Oakwood Homes Jeannine Rustad, City of Aurora Josh Rivero, Mayor of Parker Event details: 📅 September 23, 2026 ⏰ 8:00–11:00 AM 📍 The DOME at AMG Don’t miss this important discussion about the future of housing in Colorado. Register today: bit.ly/4gr38RY

🥚 Reporting live from this morning's Eggs & the Economy event: Colorado's Right to Hunt & Fish! Our panel is exploring what Amendment 83 could mean for Colorado's outdoor traditions, wildlife conservation, and future generations: 🎙️ Mike King, CSI Outdoor Recreation Fellow 🎙️ Greg Walcher, CSI Outdoor Recreation Fellow 🎙️ David Blake, Outside Insights Group 🎙️ Jennifer Burbey, Colorado Outfitters Association 🎙️ Justin Nolan, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation One powerful takeaway from the conversation: “Hunting and fishing represent a minority of the population, and protecting that minority is what makes America great.” Want to learn more about Amendment 83 and its potential impact on Coloradans? Read CSI's latest report at the link in our bio!

What’s the biggest obstacle preventing starter homes from being built today? Is it zoning, rising costs, lengthy approval timelines, or a combination of them all? On Sept. 23, hear directly from a builder, planner, and mayor as they discuss the challenges communities face and what each sector needs from the others to help create more attainable housing across Colorado. 📅 September 23, 2026 ⏰ 8:00–11:00 AM 📍 The DOME at AMG Join Common Sense Institute and Civic Results for the conversation. Register here: bit.ly/4gNL3yR

Today, we remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, honor the heroes who answered the call, and reflect on the strength and unity that followed. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

We’re excited to welcome Mike King, CSI Outdoor Recreation Fellow, to the panel for our next Eggs & the Economy! 🏔️ Join us for a timely discussion on Colorado’s Right to Hunt & Fish and what the measure could mean for Colorado’s outdoor traditions and future. 📅 September 15, 2026 ⏰ 7:30–9:00 AM 📍 The DOME at AMG Register today: bit.ly/4hiHUqL

We’re live at Style & Substance! ✨ Tonight, an incredible group of women is coming together for meaningful conversation, new connections, and a little Double D Ranch shopping! We kicked off the evening with Double D Ranch founders Audrey Franz, CEO; Hedy Carter, Production Manager; and Cheryl McMullen, Creative Director. Then, our Business Climate for Women panel took the stage, featuring Tamra Ryan, CSI’s Coors Economic Mobility Fellow; Loren Furman, President & CEO of the Colorado Chamber; and Melissa Osse, Executive Director of CSI. Now time to shop Double D Ranch's new fall collection! We’re thrilled to share this special evening with everyone joining us! 🤠✨ Missed tonight's event? Don't worry, CSI will be hosting and Eggs & the Economy next week. Visit this link to register today: bit.ly/4hiHUqL

We’re just ONE WEEK away from Eggs & the Economy! Join us for a timely conversation about Colorado’s proposed constitutional right to hunt and fish—and what it could mean for outdoor recreation, conservation, and communities across the state. 📅 September 15, 2026 ⏰ 7:30–9:00 AM 📍 The DOME at AMG Hear from Greg Walcher, David Blake, Jennifer Burbey, and Justin Nolan as they break down what Coloradans should know before casting their ballots. Register today and join the conversation! Interested in attending? Register here: bit.ly/4y0YcKp