With nearly 350 aerospace companies, Colorado has the second-largest aerospace economy in the United States. This industry has flourished for decades thanks to our highly educated workforce, significant military presence, and world-class educational and research institutions. These factors have made it a key driver of our local and state economy, creating a thriving industry ecosystem. From space exploration to cybersecurity to commercial and military space vehicles, Colorado companies and their public counterparts have made the state a destination for industry leaders.
Colorado’s highly educated workforce boasts some incredible talent that feeds our aerospace and defense industry. Our state recently ranked 2nd in the country for its technology and science workforce, with 7.8% of Colorado’s workforce employed in science and engineering occupations, well above the national average of 5.26%.
With Buckley Space Force Base in Arapahoe County and Colorado Air and Space Port in Adams County, we have attracted world-class aerospace and defense employers to our community. Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, ICR, Denovo, Arka, and ICR call Aurora home and employ thousands of people.
A new interchange at I-70 and Picadilly Road and an accompanying extension of Picadilly Road between Smith Road and Colfax Avenue is needed to provide a vital transportation connection between existing industrial parks and future commercial and residential developments.
We partnered with Xcel Energy to create an economic development electricity rate that mirrors successful programs in other states and takes advantage of an efficient use of existing utility infrastructure.
In a story of diligence, perseverance, and unbounded optimism, we worked tirelessly to help create this economic development giant that now towers over northeast Aurora in Adams County.
