Jeni Cross

The systems that support life are shaped at the regional scale. When regions thrive, so do communities and those living within them. Yet, regions face complex, interconnected challenges that are difficult to make sense of across jurisdictions, sectors, and issues. Communities within a region have unique needs, capacities, and goals and too often, data, planning efforts, and lived experiences remain siloed. This makes it difficult to see how challenges connect or where collective action can make the greatest difference.

https://ibe.colostate.edu/living-regions-lab/

A Fresh Approach to Regional Wellbeing

The Living Regions Lab helps local governments and community partners understand their region as a living whole and align efforts across systems, sectors, and jurisdictions. Through community engagement, qualitative and quantitative data synthesis, and systems thinking, we surface the key intersections shaping regional outcomes. Our process reveals where systems and relationships reinforce one another, where gaps exist, and where coordinated strategies can have the greatest impact.

Outcomes & Effects

Our approach builds regional capacity from within. We support regional teams in developing alignment and momentum across jurisdictions, sectors, and issues — identifying strategic pathways, catalytic projects, and collaborative partnerships that strengthen regional vitality and resilience.

We help regional leaders:

• Integrate data and community insight into a shared regional narrative

• Identify critical intersections across systems and policy domains

• Align stakeholders around common priorities and opportunities

• Translate insights into actionable strategies, projects, and partnerships

By focusing on intersections — rather than isolated issues — the Living Regions Lab helps catalyze coordinated, collaborative, high-impact action that advances long-term regional wellbeing and resilience.