2026 Annual Business Confluence

The Carbondale Chamber has announced that The Carbondale Business Confluence presented by our Mt Sopris Members, Alpine Bank, PNC Bank and Valley View Hospital, will come together on Wednesday, September 16th. The Confluence will take place at Third Street Center Community Hall from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will include catered breakfast. In the afternoon, from 4 – 6 p.m. there will be an evening of networking, information, small bites and more hosted by the Third Street Center.
 
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Community. Partnership. Collaboration,” and will be comprised of four parts including Community Updates, Breakout Sessions, Panel Discussion and networking Business After Hours. The conference will kick off with Community Updates from Carbondale Chamber and Tourism Council, Town of Carbondale and the Carbondale Workforce & Visitation Data Analysis.  In addition, there will be Educational Outreach updates from the Roaring Fork School District and Colorado Mountain College. 
 
New this year, will be two Breakout Sessions allowing for smaller group interaction and topics key to a wide variety of businesses.  Breakout Session 1 will share Funding Opportunities with discussions on various loan and grant opportunities in the region, including the Town of Carbondale Revolving Loan Fund.  Breakout Session 2 will navigate Business Insurance options for both groups and sole proprietors.

The morning session will conclude with a dynamic, moderated panel discussion featuring Chamber Leaders from across the Roaring Fork Valley. The conversation will explore how regional collaboration can help address shared economic challenges while preserving the unique character and strengths of each community. Topics will include the impacts of the upcoming Aspen Airport closure, tourism impacts, wildfires, seasonal challenges, and regional transportation issues, including I-70 closures and evolving transit options. Attendees will gain valuable insight into how working together can strengthen the Roaring Fork Valley while ensuring each community retains its distinct identity.

The Confluence will reconvene from 4-6 p.m. for networking, small bites and continued dialog at the Third Street Center.
 
The cost is $50 (before August 31^st) for Carbondale members and $60 for non-members and after August 31^st and includes the confluence, breakfast and evening networking.
 
The Confluence is made possible through support of our Carbondale Chamber members, especially those at the Avalanche Creek, Crystal River and Mount Sopris tiers. 
 
All net proceeds from the Carbondale Business Confluence benefit the Chamber’s continued service to the community and its 475+ member businesses. The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce is committed to working together with businesses and the community to provide leadership, education, and support for our members in order to make the Carbondale area a more vital and dynamic place to live, work, and visit.