TACOMA, Wash., (June 25, 2026) – Two-thirds of Colorado businesses say they are prioritizing making investments over cutting costs, according to new data released today by Columbia Bank. At the same time, half of local leaders say they plan to monitor current pressures from tariffs, inflation and rising energy costs before making major decisions.

The findings are from Columbia Bank’s 2026 Business Barometer, an annual study examining the outlook, priorities and decision-making of nearly 1,200 small and midsize enterprises across the United States, including businesses with significant sales, employees and operations in Colorado.

Top Regional Priorities: What is Driving Decision-Making for Colorado Businesses?

Colorado businesses indicate strong appetite to invest in strategic priorities that promote efficiency and growth and strengthen their competitive edge over the next 12 months:

• Colorado businesses are more eager to borrow for growth than most businesses, with 77% saying they are very or somewhat likely to borrow to invest in expansion (compared to 70% nationally). They also show a stronger appetite for acquisitions (58%) than businesses do nationally (36%).
• Colorado businesses are more inclined to invest in their business compared to the national average, with local leaders saying they are very or somewhat likely to increase their real estate footprint (66% compared to 62% nationally) and acquire another business (58% compared to 36% nationally).
• Colorado businesses are more balanced between caution and action than most when it comes to making investments amid economic pressures. While 51% of Colorado businesses expect to wait six before making major decisions, that percentage falls below the national average (59%).
• As a result, 51% of Colorado businesses expect to increase headcount over the next 12 months.

AI is a top three priority for 69% of Colorado businesses and recent advances in AI capabilities are in part driving the positive outlook. They are more optimistic about the impact of AI than most businesses, with 73% saying it will strengthen their business (59% nationally). More than four in five expect AI to help with employee satisfaction and retention.

While tariff impact has fallen out of as a top concern for many businesses since last year, it still ranks as a top two concern for those in Colorado. Input from leaders indicates that the unpredictability of tariff implementation has been more challenging than direct tariff costs, as delays, exemptions and shifting percentage amounts have made planning difficult.

• 50% expect trade volatility, tariff impacts to last one to two years
• 59% will seek tariff refunds

To download Columbia Bank’s 2026 Business Barometer, visit: www.columbiabank.com/business-barometer.

Survey Methodology
The Columbia Bank 2026 Business Barometer, conducted annually, surveyed 1,186 owners, executives and financial decision-makers from U.S. small and middle market businesses. The online survey was conducted in partnership with DHM Research, a public policy and business research firm, and targeted leaders at companies with $500,000 to $500 million in annual revenue. The survey, which did not filter for Columbia Bank customers, has a 2.7% margin of error and was fielded from April 28 to May 7, 2026.

About Columbia Bank
Columbia Bank is an award-winning preeminent regional bank with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. It combines the resources, sophistication, and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. Columbia Bank customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Earlier today, families from across the country dropped off their sons and daughters at the U.S. Air Force Academy to begin their 47-month journey to become an officer in the Air Force or Space Force. 

During In-processing Day, also known as I-Day, Academy staff in-processed more than 1,130 appointees in the Class of 2030, from 10,970 applicants. The incoming class included 17 international appointees from: Ghana, Kosovo, Taiwan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Ecuador, Senegal, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Jordan, Korea, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Thailand, and Togo.

“I-Day is a great day for the Academy, the young men and women that showed up today have taken their first steps toward becoming the warfighters and leaders of character the Air Force and Space Force needs,” said Commandant of Cadets Col. Brandon J. Tellez. “I-Day is where that transformation begins, it’s a milestone the Academy looks forward to every year.”

After the families dropped off their appointees, they were directed to the parking lots at Falcon Stadium and were shuttled to the Academy-hosted I-Day Parents Program at Arnold Hall. This event shared details about the services that are available to cadets throughout their time at the Academy, educated the families on Academy life and connected them with their local Parent Clubs.

In-processing began at the Holaday Athletic Center with administrative and medical paperwork followed by the initial oath of service administered by the Commandant of Cadets.

Following the oath, appointees earned the title of Basic Cadet and met the Cadet Cadre for the first time. Basic Cadets were then transported by bus to the Academy’s iconic footprints to receive an introduction to Air Force and Space Force customs, courtesies, dress, and appearance standards to include haircuts for men, hairstyle instruction and haircuts for women, and the issue of uniforms and other equipment.

The day following I-Day, Basic Cadets will take the Oath of Office at the Swearing-In Ceremony at Stillman Field, where their families are invited to witness them making their formal commitment to serve.

“This year, we have admitted one of our most competitive classes in Academy history, with composite scores coming in seven percent higher than previous averages,” said Col. Candice L. Pipes, Academy Director of Admissions. “Our admissions team did a phenomenal job screening applicants to ensure we are selecting the nation’s best. These young men and women understand the rigor and the profound service obligation they are undertaking and actively chose to answer that call.”

Basic Cadet Training runs for approximately six weeks and is designed to introduce Basic Cadets to military life, build physical and mental resilience, and establish the values that underpin service in the Air Force and Space Force. Their training concludes Aug. 5, during the Acceptance Day Parade on Stillman Field, when the Class of 2030 are formally welcomed into the Cadet Wing as fourth-class cadets.

The U.S. Air Force Academy was established in 1954 and has graduated more than 58,500 officers who have served in every major conflict since the Academy’s founding. Information about the Academy, the Class of 2030, and the I-Day Parent Program is available at usafa.edu.