How the Boulder Chamber and Leeds are Shaping Boulder's Future
John Tayer, Boulder Chamber President and CEO, shares how Leeds and the Chamber work together for a better Boulder.听
President and CEO John Tayer credits the region鈥檚 economic resilience to data-driven decisions shaped by its partnership with the Business Research Division (BRD) at the Leeds School of Business. This 鈥渧irtuous synergy,鈥 he says, makes Boulder a leading model for public-private collaboration.
Q. What鈥檚 your background, and how did it lead you to this role?
A. I鈥檓 originally from Brookline, Massachusetts, and began my career in Washington, D.C., after earning a degree in political science from the University of Michigan. I worked in Capitol Hill鈥搑elated roles before attending law school in Colorado. I never returned to D.C. I became the City of Boulder鈥檚 policy development director, then spent 13 years as the public affairs and communications director at Roche Colorado. I was active with the Boulder Chamber, and when the CEO role opened, the timing and mission aligned.
Q. How has your team worked with the Business Research Division?
A. The BRD supports our annual economic reports and prepares a Boulder-specific forecast that complements the statewide economic outlook. They鈥檙e our go-to partners for the Boulder Chamber Economic Summit, offering in-depth analysis on everything from labor trends to sector-specific shifts. Their work gives us a dual lens: hard data and practical context.
Q. What鈥檚 the downstream impact of those insights?
A. They inform real decisions. Their analysis of economic conditions helps identify needs鈥攚hether there are gaps in commercial real estate, shifts in workforce pipelines or declining manufacturing performance. If sales tax revenue drops, their insights guide strategies to support revenue-generating businesses.
They also provide valuable data on residential and commercial real estate rates and how these affect workforce stability. The BRD鈥檚 tracking of key sectors鈥攑harmaceuticals, manufacturing and skilled trades鈥攈ighlights growth opportunities and areas needing support.
While the chamber focuses on workforce development, the BRD helps us understand the labor force鈥檚 educational profile, allowing us to promote Boulder鈥檚 talent pool meaningfully. These efforts have led to tangible outcomes, including expanded startup support, new capital attraction and job retention through industry-led partnerships.
Q. How critical do you see the BRD鈥檚 role in the broader economic ecosystem?
A. They鈥檙e integral. The BRD doesn鈥檛 set policy, but its influence is felt. Their projections guide decision-makers across the city and county, helping us assess when to invest, tighten and seek new opportunities. We see them as co-strategists, not just researchers.
Q. How has the Boulder Chamber influenced Boulder鈥檚 economy?
A. We identify economic development opportunities and weaknesses to drive solutions ranging from workforce development and housing to business policy. Economic vitality doesn鈥檛 just happen; it requires targeted effort. Through the Boulder Economic Council鈥檚 leadership and the chamber鈥檚 convening power, we align efforts with business needs and measurable outcomes. For example, we were instrumental in Boulder鈥檚 successful bid to host the Sundance Film Festival.
Q. Leeds has deep ties to Boulder鈥檚 business community. What are the mutual benefits?
A. Leeds is a business knowledge hub and talent pipeline. Its graduates are among the strongest candidates we hire. Students contribute to Boulder鈥檚 dynamic local economy through internships and consulting-style projects with local business leaders who offer real-world learning and mentorship.
Q. How do you see the future of the Leeds鈥揃RD鈥揃oulder Chamber relationship?
A. The alignment will only grow stronger. Boulder is a proving ground for business innovation in areas like quantum, bioscience, cleantech and AI. We are working together to keep Boulder at the forefront by deepening connections with students, employers and emerging industries. I believe that synergy will make Leeds an even stronger draw for talent, faculty and industry engagement.