On the eve of commemorating its 10-year anniversary, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute released a new monograph: “Keepers of the Flame: Utah’s Olympic-Sized Opportunity.” The publication examines how Utah can leverage the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to address critical challenges and solidify its position as a national economic leader.
“The global spotlight of the 2034 Games provides a powerful motivation and deadline for Utah to make strategic investments and pursue innovative solutions to many of our state’s most troubling challenges,” said Natalie Gochnour, director of the Gardner Institute. “By proactively addressing our challenges and building on our strengths, Utah’s Olympic legacy will extend far beyond the Games.
The Magnificent Seven
The monograph recognizes Utah’s “Magnificent Seven” economic achievements, which have propelled the state to nation-leading prosperity:
Economic Dynamism and Diversity – Utah’s nation-leading real GDP growth, aided by the state’s diverse economy, reached 4.5% in 2024, significantly outpacing the national average.
High Household Income, Low Poverty – Utah boasts the highest cost-of-living-adjusted household income in the nation, tallying $98,336 in 2023. Simultaneously, it maintains the lowest poverty rate in the country.
Upward Mobility – Utah stands out for its high rates of upward mobility, offering residents strong opportunities to improve their economic standing compared to the previous generation.
Widespread Prosperity – Utah exhibits one of the most equal distributions of income in the nation, coupled with economic growth and high levels of innovation.
Well-Trained and Educated Workforce – Utah ranks among the top states for adults with postsecondary credentials, fueling a rapidly growing and evolving economy.
Fast-Growing, Youthful Population – Utah maintains its position as the youngest state in the nation, with population growth that consistently outpaces the national average, creating a dynamic and innovative environment.
Social Cohesion – Utah exhibits the highest levels of social capital in the nation, fostering strong community bonds and civic engagement.
The Troubling Seven
The monograph also examines Utah’s “Troubling Seven”—critical challenges that, if unaddressed, could jeopardize the state’s long-term success:
Escalating Housing Costs and Homelessness – From 1991 to 2024, Utah led the nation in housing price growth, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many residents. The quarterly median sales price in Utah of a single-family home for the second quarter of 2025 ranked tenth highest in the nation at $525,000. In addition, the number of homeless Utahns in 2025 surged to its highest level ever, increasing 10% from the previous year.
Traffic Congestion – While significant variation occurs in the month-to-month indicators, delay on Utah roads increased on a six-month moving average from 406,087 hours in June 2016 to 661,278 hours in January 2025, a 5.9% annual average rate of change. That’s nearly four times faster than Utah’s current rate of population growth.
3rd Grade Reading Proficiency – Utah’s 3rd-grade reading proficiency remains below 50%, with 46.7% of students scoring proficient on the RISE test in 2024.
Higher Education Enrollment – Higher education enrollment rates have declined, dropping from 65.1% in 2021 to 62.4% in 2024. Six-year completion rates for the 2018 cohort show Utah at 57.5%, ranking 37th among states.
Threats to Water Security – Great Salt Lake elevation remains in what the state categorizes as “adverse effects.” The level negatively impacts the ecosystem, mineral production, recreation, and human health.
Energy Supply Vulnerabilities – Energy experts warn that Utah may face an energy deficit due to increased power demand and constraints on supply. Electricity generation in Utah hit a 27-year low in 2023 (33,497 GWh), and generation and consumption for the past two years have approximately equaled each other after more than two decades of surplus.
Behavioral Health Crisis – Utah ranks 11th highest among states in the share of adults with any mental illness, with the share of Utah adults with poor mental health doubling in the last 10 years.
Starting Seven
The monograph concludes with seven ideas to stimulate a statewide discussion on how Utah can leverage the Olympics to address key challenges and sustain its economic success. These include creating a statewide community land trust, prioritizing connected autonomous vehicles, placing reading pros in K-3 classrooms, expanding catalyst centers into Salt Lake City, conserving 250 KAF – 500 KAF of water, investing in a state energy research fund, and aligning behavioral health efforts with Utah’s strategic plan.
