Region 5
Region 5 – Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson, and Lincoln Counties
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Colorado’s Central Plains Region (Region 5) is comprised of Lincoln, Elbert, Kit Carson and Cheyenne Counties. Agriculture is the base economic driver in each of the four counties, but the 8,000 square mile region is very diverse. The population of the region in 1990 was 23,712. The State Demography Office’s 2011 population estimate for the region was 38,578. However, 95% of that growth was concentrated in 3% of the geographical area within the region (the very northwest corner of Elbert County continues to experience high residential growth, with much of that population commuting to jobs in Denver).
Throughout the region there exists opportunities to capitalize on renewable energy resources, value-added agriculture, oil and gas development/production, transportation, tourism, and entrepreneurial business expansion/attraction services.
VISION
Residents of Colorado’s Central Plains Region will continue to live here for generations because it is where technology allows competitive, thriving businesses that result in the creation of new jobs, while supporting existing jobs in our transportation, tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, oil/gas, and other industries. A supportive entrepreneurial environment will thrive as a result of the strong work ethic and creativity found in the region.
REGIONAL DATA & HIGHLIGHTS
Largest Companies by Employment
- Travel America and Flying J
- Hitchcock Manufacturing
- Wagner Bird Seed
- DCP Midstream Helium Plant
- NextEra Energy Resources and Vestas
- Corrections Corporation of America
Top 5 Key Industries by Employment
- Food & Agriculture
- Financial Services
- Transportation & Logistics
- Infrastructure Engineering
- Energy & Natural Resources
Top 5 Regional Assets
- Transportation systems providing access to domestic and international markets
- Collaborative business climate
- Quality education system
- Access to urban markets and international airports
- Abundant natural resources for energy and agriculture production
Transportation
- Recently completed expansion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to a concrete Super-2 profile from Limon south to the Colorado/Oklahoma border.
Energy
- We celebrated the completion of the third wind farm in Lincoln and Elbert Counties, resulting in a total of 389 towers with a generating capacity of 650 MW of electricity.