GLENWOOD SPRINGS – The State of the Valley Symposium, set for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Hotel Colorado, is a forum to explore the health and wealth of the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. The symposium agenda covers regional issues including real estate and land use, energy resources, economy, tourism and banking.”The symposium is a way to take stock of what’s happening in our region, better understand trends and challenges facing our communities, and learn how other places have prospered by working regionally,” said Healthy Mountain Communities director Colin Laird. “The event is open to everyone interested in what the future holds for the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys.”The agenda includes national and local speakers from the real estate, banking, energy and planning sectors. Keynote topics and speakers include:-“Growing Local Economies in the Global Age,” by Michael Schuman, author of “Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age.”-“Forecasting the Future,” by Jim Westkott, state demographer, Colorado Department of Local Affairs.-“New Designs for Growth,” by Keith Charters, executive director of New Designs for Growth.-“Regional Stewardship and Action,” by John Parr, director of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship.”Our region’s economy has gone through significant changes and challenges over the last couple of years,” said Laird. “We hope the symposium is a way to understand where the region is going and steps we can take to ensure our long-term prosperity.”Registration is $60 for adults, $25 for students, and includes a light breakfast, lunch, and materials. For information, visit http://www.hmccolorado.org.To register, call 963-5502 or e-mail claird@rof.net by Wednesday. Payment can be brought to the symposium on May 2.The State of the Valley Symposium is sponsored by Alpine Banks of Colorado, the Sonoran Institute, U.S. Forest Service, Snowmass Land Co., American Leadership Forum – Rocky Mountain Chapter, Land Studio, Blue Green Landscape Architects and Clarion Associates.Healthy Mountain Communities is a public benefit corporation working on quality-of-life issues in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys since 1994.