West Coast markets garner more press clippings and public attention. But the Intermountain States — Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — are posting impressive numbers that belie their station in the American consciousness. Offering Americans the sunshine and outdoor recreational opportunities they crave and the lower operating costs businesses seek, the region is in the nation’s sweet spot and taking full advantage of its position. Population, income and employment growth lead the nation. Indeed, the region claims the four fastest growing states in America — Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Arizona — and its seventh, Colorado. Meanwhile, Nevada, Utah and Arizona recorded the fastest rates of payroll job creation last year, and Colorado and Idaho figured in the top six nationally. Apartment rents increased accordingly. Late-cycle bloomers Las Vegas and Phoenix posted the fastest rent growth last year among larger markets and Salt Lake wasn’t far behind. Emerging markets like Boise, Bozeman and Reno were in the same league, chalking down high single-digit increases. Investors competed fiercely for opportunities in the region. Apartment sales volume in the five Intermountain metros (the “Intermountain 5”) covered by RED Capital Research (“RCR”) — Colorado Springs, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix …
