The countdown to October is on. We are thrilled to announce that registration for West Slope Startup Week 2026 is officially open! This year, we are bringing the energy of the Colorado startup community back to the heart of Durango, Colorado, from October 5–9.
WSSW is a community-led movement designed to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem of our region. From the workshop floor to the speaker stage, this is where the state comes together to share what’s working and what’s next.
Start Planning Your Trip
While the full event schedule won’t be live for a few months, it is never too early to start planning your trip. With hundreds of founders, creators, and experts gathering for the week, downtown Durango will fill up fast this fall. We recommend locking in your travel plans to Southwest Colorado as soon as possible.
To make it easier, our friends at the Durango Lodge are offering a 10% discount on their rates for WSSW attendees. You can find the discount code and booking details here. Be sure to book now before they reach capacity.
Shape the Week: Call for Speakers
As you grab your ticket, consider joining this year’s lineup. Our Track Captains are currently reviewing session proposals and are looking for real-world expertise—not polished sales pitches. If you have a hard-won lesson, a technical deep-dive, or a go-to hack that saves time (and sanity), we want to hear from you.
Our program is organized into nine themed tracks—Climate, Communications, Fun!, Money, Creatives, Latine, People, Tech, and Toolbox. You can learn more about our 2026 leadership team and their visions for each track on our blog.
What’s Next?
Opening registration and speaker submissions are just the first steps in building our 2026 experience. Keep an eye on your inbox for these upcoming opportunities to get involved:
- Join the Crew: We will soon be opening applications for our Volunteer Team—the engine that makes this entire week possible.
- Become a Sponsor: We take pride in keeping this event free for our community, and that is only possible through the support of our partners. If you or your organization is interested in fueling rural entrepreneurship and gaining visibility across the state, view our sponsorship opportunities.
- The Night Market: Back for its second year, the WSSW Night Market is led by the Rural Creative Collective. Applications for vendors will open in July, so stay tuned for the opportunity to showcase your craft in Durango.
