Wins, losses, 2025 and goals

Congratulations to the Columbus Cardinals Football Team who closed their year with a tremendous win. Rising from a devastating loss they pushed through and came out as State Champions. Neither the loss, nor the win, will be minimized; both are life changing.

Columbus High School Football 2024 State Division 3A I Champions; Medrano 62.

Now that the season has ended, Christmas has arrived, the year is closing and 2025 is jingle belling its way into our existence we ask ourselves; what’s next? Our thoughts look back as we traditionally measure performance, set goals, add to, take from, adjust, and begin again.

We, at the Columbus Chamber, are doing the same.

Our traditional projects like the Magnolia Days Festival, Lighted Parade, and Ladies Night Out will return. We added some new things in 2024 that will also return, and we started some new things that will return but be adjusted. New:

• We are expanding our community and economic vision and have formed a Foundation. Once we have finalized 501(c)3 status we will be focused on grant giving for community and economic endeavors.

• Round Tables: We have been holding industry specific small conversations in Columbus that will expand to community townhalls in 2025. Our vision is to engage the Columbus community’s voice in designing a 2050 strategic plan. Dates coming.

• Regional Mixers: With a membership of over 430 who are not just in Columbus, we are adjusting the Mixers to be a Regional Networking opportunity on a quarterly schedule. These will begin February or March 2025.

New in 2024 and returning in 2025:

• Partnering with Columbus High School in Jan. 2024 we had our first Career Fair. It was COLD but a good day. We will have it again Jan. 23, 2025, and trusting heaters will work and it will not be the coldest day of the year! Only a half day this year.

• Our Annual Member Meeting is coming again on Jan. 30, 2025. We will be hosting you in the Grand Hall, which is the upstairs theatre of the Opera House. Ride the new elevator.

• “Friday Night Live!” ended up not very lively. We are adjusting that to something like a “Spring Fling,” to be a two-day event the end of March 2025. Although the name is to be determined it will be centered around art and music.

• The business expo in June 2024 will become a Regional Business Summit in June 2025.

• Leadership Colorado County began in Sept. 2024 and is a nine month program to educate citizens on how your city and county operate and the many pieces it takes to do that successfully. The new class registration will begin in June 2025 with Class-II beginning in Sept. 2025.

Our focus is on the stability and growth of our rural communities and bringing value to our members. These are what motivate and drive the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. We invite you to join us as a member, investor, and partner. Rich blessings to each of us in 2025.