By Margaret Hedderman & Vanessa McCrann
West Slope Startup Week (WSSW) marked its sixth anniversary last month with record-setting attendance, further solidifying the event’s place as a key gathering for entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders in Rural Colorado. Powered by Startup Colorado, the 2024 edition of the event saw nearly 500 registrants, making it the largest turnout in the event’s history. This was the second consecutive year that Durango hosted WSSW, and the city will welcome the event again in 2025.
WSSW is a free event, offering 80+ sessions on subjects ranging from tech entrepreneurship to in-house marketing and finance. The event featured numerous networking opportunities, a pitch competition which awarded more than $380K in investments and prizes, and a bilingual Latine Program for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs.
“These numbers reveal the essential nature of events like WSSW for bolstering the rural startup ecosystem,” said Brittany Romano, Executive Director of Startup Colorado. “By providing entrepreneurs with critical resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, WSSW helps drive business growth and strengthen economic ties across these remote regions.”
Significant Growth in Attendance
The event drew hundreds of entrepreneurs and supporters to Durango throughout the week. This marks a considerable increase from the previous year, when fewer than 300 attendees participated in-person as the event transitioned to its new home in Durango.
“We established significant momentum in 2023, which laid the groundwork for an even bigger impact this year,” said Vanessa McCrann, West Slope Startup Week Lead Organizer and Startup Colorado Community Director. “I expect the event to continue attracting a growing number of entrepreneurs and small business owners as it establishes its reputation as the top event for startup programming and networking in Rural Colorado.”
This year’s event struck a balance between local and out-of-town attendees. Nearly half (49.3%) of the participants were from Durango, while the rest came from across the state and beyond. Attendees represented 77 cities, 68 of which were within Colorado, demonstrating the wide geographic appeal of the event. A significant portion of the attendees—roughly 20%—traveled from Colorado’s Front Range, including cities like Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs.
Top 10 cities represented:
- Durango – 48.2%
- Denver – 6.5%
- Montrose – 3.2%
- Grand Junction – 3.0%
- Bayfield – 2.2%
- Salida – 2.0%
- Cortez – 1.8%
- Steamboat Springs – 1.8%
- Mancos – 1.6%
- Carbondale – 1.4%
While Durango has a growing entrepreneurial community, the statewide interest fosters a diverse networking environment, a core feature of the event.
“I believe anyone in startups would benefit from this event, both in networking and gaining resources to use or pass on.”
One participant responded via a post-event survey.
A Balance of Business Stages and Industries
Entrepreneurial success does not happen in a silo. It’s the result of diverse inputs, strategic connectivity, and resources becoming available at the right place and right time. By design, West Slope Startup Week seeks to generate this type of environment through robust programming that targets entrepreneurs at each business stage and across industries. While this is truly a for rural, by rural event, the organizers leveraged expert speakers from communities “outside city limits” as well as those from Denver/Boulder—two of the top startup cities in America.
“WSSW is gaining notoriety amongst some of the top business leaders in the state,” Romano said. “This not only helps create a robust, educational program, but also shines a spotlight on the opportunities available in Rural Colorado.”
West Slope Startup Week attracted a diverse range of entrepreneurs from various industries and stages of business. The event saw an almost equal distribution between early-stage entrepreneurs (those in the Idea and Launch phases) and more established businesses, primarily in the Growth stage (56%). This balance is critical to WSSW’s mission of fostering an inclusive environment where attendees at all levels can exchange knowledge, build connections, and support one another.
“As a rural entrepreneur, developing a strong professional network can be challenging,” said McCrann. “That’s why it was critical for our programming to target all business stages.”
The industries represented at WSSW were similarly diverse. Here’s a quick glance at the breakdown:
This year’s programming played a role in highlighting certain industries, particularly Outdoor Recreation, Arts, and Clean Energy/Tech. As WSSW looks to the future, these industry turnout statistics will inform targeted outreach and programming designed to increase participation in underrepresented sectors.
SUPPORT WSSW
You can support rural entrepreneurship via a direct donation to Startup Colorado here. Sponsorship opportunities, including support for WSSW, are available year-round. Email Startup Colorado’s Development Director Cheri Gonzales for more information.
Durango: A Growing Hub for Entrepreneurship
The growth of West Slope Startup Week in Durango is a testament to the city’s increasing role as a hub for entrepreneurship on Colorado’s Western Slope. With nearly half of the attendees coming from Durango itself, it is clear that the local community is embracing the event.
This year, we conducted a post-event survey asking participants to share data on how they spent their money during the event. The responses indicate that WSSW significantly impacted the local economy, with an estimated direct economic boost of $540,000 to $552,000. Attendees from across the state contributed to key sectors, with local restaurants seeing $276,188 in spending and the accommodation industry benefiting from an additional $207,350.
Beyond fostering its startup ecosystem, Durango’s role as host of WSSW strengthens the city’s economic landscape. Events like this not only provide opportunities for networking and innovation but also generate substantial revenue for the community. As WSSW returns in 2025, its continued growth promises to further bolster both the entrepreneurial and economic vitality of the region.
Looking Ahead to 2025
West Slope Startup Week’s record attendance and positive participant feedback reflect the growing importance of fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural communities. By drawing a diverse mix of participants from various regions, business stages, and industries, WSSW demonstrates the potential for inclusive economic development beyond urban centers. As the event returns to Durango in 2025, the focus will be on deepening this impact, creating more opportunities for rural entrepreneurs to access the resources and networks essential for long-term success. This continued momentum is key to building resilient, innovation-driven economies in rural areas across Colorado.
There will be a full event report available on the West Slope Startup Week soon. For more information, please contact Vanessa@westslopestartupweek.com.
