Skip to content
CoLAB VC
Mission & history

Protect Ventura County’s economy, jobs, and quality of life.

Founded in 2010, CoLAB gives agriculture, labor, and business a unified voice in housing, water, energy, and land‑use policy decisions.

Become a member Contact CoLAB

Why we exist

A Ventura County coalition built for real‑world outcomes.

CoLAB formed when local leaders saw regulatory decisions threatening Ventura County’s agriculture, labor, and business communities. Today we remain a full-time watchdog and partner for sensible, locally informed solutions.

15 Years of advocacy
1,000+ Member organizations
28 Industries represented

Mission statement

Unite, inform, and advocate for Ventura County.

We bring together diverse stakeholders to shape policy with credible data, expert insight, and a focus on long-term community resilience.

Explore issues How we work

Our history

Fifteen years of coalition milestones.

From the founding years to recent settlements, CoLAB has remained a steady voice for Ventura County’s working industries.

View accomplishments

2010

CoLAB VC founded

Local leaders formed a coalition to protect Ventura County jobs, farms, and industries.

2013

Foundation launched

The VC CoLAB Foundation expanded education, research, and public engagement.

2020

General Plan advocacy

CoLAB coordinated broad outreach and legal action to protect working lands.

2023

Settlement achieved

A collaborative agreement clarified land‑use policy and strengthened agriculture protections.

How we work

Three steps that move Ventura County policy forward.

Every initiative follows a clear path: convene the right partners, ground the work in research, then advocate for outcomes.

Work overview

Convene

Bring decision-makers, experts, and members into the same room before policy is set.

WHEEL briefings Stakeholder convenings

Research

Translate complex regulations into practical guidance grounded in data and expert input.

Issue briefs Economic impact

Advocate

Represent members through testimony, comment letters, and direct engagement.

Policy testimony Local oversight

Where we focus

Five issue areas shaping Ventura County’s economy.

Each focus area is led by subject matter experts and informed by member priorities.

Issues overview