Eagle County is known for its mountains, outdoor recreation, and exceptional quality of life. But a new Gallup report suggests that one of our greatest assets may be something less visible: purpose.

According to Gallup's "The Power of Purpose" report, only 17% of employed Americans strongly agree that they have a strong sense of purpose in life. Yet those who do are nearly four times more likely to be engaged at work, significantly less likely to experience burnout, and far less likely to be looking for another job. In a time of workforce shortages and employee retention challenges, that's a finding our local businesses should not ignore.

For communities like ours, purpose may be one of the most underappreciated economic development tools available.

The Gallup research found that Americans most often derive purpose from family, followed by work, friendships, personal passions, and faith. That sounds a lot like Eagle County.

Our residents coach youth sports, volunteer with local nonprofits, serve on boards, participate in faith communities, and spend time outdoors with family and friends. These connections create a sense of belonging and meaning that strengthens both individuals and communities.

But purpose doesn't happen by accident.

Across Colorado, we continue to face challenges related to housing costs, childcare availability, workforce shortages, and employee stress. When people lose sight of why their work matters, engagement declines and turnover increases.

This research reinforces that employees with purpose are more engaged, while those without are more prone to burnout and job seeking.

And that is exactly why purpose should be part of every workforce conversation.

Too often, we think workforce development is only about recruitment, training, or compensation. Those things matter, but people also want to know that what they do makes a difference.

Think about the people who keep our community running every day.

The hospitality employee creates memorable experiences for visitors. The teacher is preparing future leaders. The healthcare worker caring for a neighbor. The transit operator connects people to jobs. The construction worker is helping build desperately needed housing. The entrepreneur is creating opportunities for others.

Each contributes to something larger than a paycheck.

The Gallup report found that employees who strongly believe their organization's mission makes their job important are nearly four times more likely to experience a strong sense of purpose at work.

The best organizations understand this. They help employees see the impact of their work, connect individual roles to larger missions, and create cultures where people feel valued.

At Vail Valley Partnership, we see this through workforce development initiatives, leadership programs, youth apprenticeships, and efforts to help residents build meaningful careers. The goal is not simply to fill jobs. It is helping people build lives.

Perhaps the most important lesson from the Gallup research is that purpose doesn't have to come entirely from work. Many employees find meaning through family, community service, outdoor recreation, or other pursuits. Their job may not be their calling, but it enables them to pursue what matters most.

That insight is particularly relevant in Colorado. Many people choose to live here because of the life they can build outside of work. Employers who respect that reality and create workplaces that support balance, flexibility, and personal growth often find themselves with more engaged and committed teams.

As communities and employers search for solutions to workforce challenges, we should remember a simple truth: people stay where they feel connected, contribute when they feel valued, and thrive when they have purpose.

That may be one of our greatest strengths and one of our greatest opportunities.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com