Event Highlights

At the June 21, 2023 board meeting, AGNC honored Representative Meghan Lukens and Senator Dylan Roberts for their outstanding service during the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session.

Representative Lukens received the Freedom Flight Award for her leadership during her freshman term—engaging stakeholders early, advocating broadly, and staying grounded in her district. Senator Roberts earned the Battle Royale Award for crossing party lines to champion legislation that truly reflected Northwest Colorado’s priorities.

While the session had its challenges, our region was well represented. AGNC extends our thanks to Senators Dylan Roberts, Janice Rich, and Perry Will, and Representatives Meghan Lukens, Elizabeth Velasco, Matt Soper, and Rick Taggart.

We’re grateful for their service—and ready to keep working alongside them in 2024.

At our August 17, 2022 board meeting, AGNC honored Representative Perry Will with an appreciation award for his years of dedicated service to his constituents.

We also welcomed updates from Representatives Will, Janice Rich, and Matt Soper—pictured here with AGNC Chairman Mike Samson.

We’re grateful for their continued work and strong advocacy on behalf of Northwest Colorado.

At the June 15, 2022 board meeting, AGNC presented Representative Dylan Roberts with an appreciation award for his dedicated service to Northwest Colorado.

He is pictured here with Executive Director Bonnie Petersen and Board Chairman Mike Samson.

AGNC Executive Director Bonnie Petersen and former Chairman Ray Beck attended the 2022 Annual Space Symposium, representing Northwest Colorado in conversations about aerospace, innovation, and opportunity.

The AGNC Annual Economic Development Summit

About the AGNC Annual Economic Development Summit

The Annual AGNC Economic Development Summit is more than a gathering—it’s a strategic convening of the minds shaping the future of Northwest Colorado. Designed for the doers, builders, and decision-makers across our region, the summit serves as a forum for honest conversation, bold ideas, and tangible action.

Each year, the summit centers around a unifying theme that reflects both the challenges and the potential facing our communities. The 2025 summit explored the “Competitive Advantage for Today's Pioneer”—a call to understand and invest in the youth that will drive the future of critical systems, partnerships, and innovations that will result in sustainable economic growth across the region.

This annual event brings together elected officials, economic development professionals, business leaders, community advocates, and state and federal partners who share a common stake in the prosperity of rural Colorado. It’s where regional priorities are aligned, where data meets experience, and where public and private sector leaders come face-to-face to tackle the region’s most pressing economic challenges and opportunities.

At its core, the summit is about connection—connecting communities to resources, connecting local leaders to broader policy, and connecting innovation to implementation. It’s a place to exchange strategies, share hard-earned lessons, and strengthen the collaborative muscle that keeps our communities resilient, adaptive, and moving forward.

2025 ED Summit Information

View and download 2025 Summit Agenda, Speaker Bios, and more.

2025 ED Summit Presentations

Mark Perna - Keynote Address - Unlocking Your Competitive Advantage
Kristina Freeman - Youthentity
Colin Lacy - Homegrown Pathways
Dr. Nathan Perry - Economic Update
Brittany Romano - Startup Colorado
Marcus Weathersby - Colorado Apprenticeship Hub

Sponsors play a vital role in making the AGNC Economic Development Summit possible. Their support helps elevate the quality of programming, attract high-caliber speakers, and ensure that this event remains accessible and impactful for communities across Northwest Colorado. If your organization is interested in supporting regional collaboration and economic growth, please contact us.