Colorado Essential Wealth Metric

In June 2026, Aspen FSP published a first-of-its-kind wealth metric to measure how much wealth families need to achieve resilience, prosperity, and well-being. 

More than a research output, we designed this metric to be a tool for action, helping leaders clarify what they’re building toward, design effective wealth-building strategies, and measure progress. While our initial publication looked at wealth at the national level, we’re now working with organizations across the country to analyze local data against the metric, because in narrowing our data—by age and geography—we will be able to create a more precise understanding of where families are now and the tools they need to build meaningful wealth.

To advance that effort, we have collaborated closely with our partners at Gary Community Ventures to publish a companion report that looks specifically at the wealth of Coloradans and offers crucial insight into one of the wealthiest states in the country.

The topline finding: Roughly two thirds of Colorado households do not have the wealth they need to thrive.   

As the report explains: “Colorado has great prosperity, but it accrues most readily to those who own appreciating assets like homes, retirement accounts, businesses, investment accounts, or other forms of equity. Without ownership of these kinds of assets that grow in value over time, many hard-working families, even with good jobs, fall behind.”

Leveraging this data, Gary Community Ventures is now working with local partners to assemble a broad and diverse coalition committed to creating access to wealth for all Colorado families. Together, their goal is to double the number of Coloradan families achieving essential wealth in the next decade.

At Aspen FSP, we’re eager to support this ambition and momentum in Colorado and beyond. If you or your organization are interested in leveraging this metric in your work, reach out to our team.