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Cole Anderson

Deputy Director of Policy & Research

For media inquiries, please contact cinamon@csinstituteus.org

Cole Anderson is the Deputy Director of Policy & Research with Common Sense Institute. He joined CSI in June of 2022.
 
Before joining CSI, Cole attended the University of Denver where he double majored in Economics and Public Policy, fostering his passion for pressing policy issues. His work at CSI has covered a variety of topics including crime, healthcare, foster care, and workforce issues among other topics.
 
Cole is an avid skier and enjoys playing tennis in the warmer weather. Growing up in Minnesota, Cole is a diehard Minnesota sports fan and hopes to one day watch his favorite team, the Minnesota Vikings, win a Superbowl.
Expert's Work
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State Budget
Budget Then & Now 2025

A Snapshot of the State Budget and How It Has Changed over the Last Few Decades.

December 11, 2025 Cole Anderson
Jobs & Our Economy
September 2025 Jobs & Labor Force Update

In September, Colorado added 500 total nonfarm jobs. The state’s private sector lost 200 jobs, while government employment grew by 700 jobs.

December 11, 2025 Cole AndersonErik Gamm
Housing & Our Community
A Snapshot of Fort Collins' Demographic Future

Migration into the Fort Collins MSA was 26% lower in 2025 when compared with pre-2020 levels.

Workforce
The Economic Impacts of Lost Child Care Assistance in Colorado

The CCCAP program is funded through a mixture of local, state, and federal dollars, although the majority comes from the federal government. A March 2024 federal rule will dramatically increase costs for th

Common Sense Institute’s Cole Anderson discusses Denver’s Inflation Numbers
KOA Colorado

Cole Anderson discusses Denver's inflation numbers.

April 11, 2024 Cole Anderson
Jobs & Our Economy
Sandiaga Uno Targets Taylor Swift Concert in Indonesia for 'Swiftnomics' Boost
Jakarta Globe

Taylor Swift's two Denver Eras shows contributed an estimated $140 million (Rp 2.18 trillion) to Colorado's GDP.

February 22, 2024 Andy ArchuletaCole Anderson
Inflation in metro Denver took a big drop at end of 2023
The Denver Post

Index has been deflating since December, but rents remain stubbornly high.

February 15, 2024 Cole Anderson
Inflation update: Denver prices up but rising slower
The Colorado Sun

"That inflation is outpacing wage growth means that the difference between the two is shrinking, which is eating people’s savings” Anderson said.

December 16, 2023 Cole Anderson
Housing & Our Community
Mile High Report Card: Denver's State of the City

What is the state of our city? How is Mayor Mike Johnston addressing homelessness? Will housing prices continue to soar unaddressed? Are migrants top of mind for the administration?

July 29, 2024 Cole AndersonDJ Summers
Housing & Our Community
Denver's Multifront Battle: War on Fentanyl, Migrant Influx, and Property Tax Hikes

Welcome to the pilot episode of Colorado Clarity! Join hosts DJ Summers and Cole Anderson from the Common Sense Institute as they dive into the most pressing policy issues impacting Colorado today.

July 17, 2024 Cole AndersonDJ Summers