Empowering All to Thrive in Colorado’s Economy
Welcome to the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT). We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by supporting small businesses and encouraging business expansion across the state. We also champion the industries that make Colorado unique, like the creative industries, outdoor recreation, and tourism.
Choose Colorado
Your choice is simple. Choose to expand your business. Choose to play in the best mountains. Choose to invest in the future of housing. Choose to savor farm-to-table & Michelin dining.Choose to hire our brightest minds. Choose to film with a picturesque backdrop. Choose to enjoy our arts & culture. There is simply no better choice.
Choose Colorado.
Business Support
From the freelance designer to the growing restaurant group, small businesses drive Colorado's economy. We work to support entrepreneurs and business owners anywhere on the small business journey, including low-cost training and no-cost advising sessions on the topics that matter most.
Access to Capital
Starting a business is brave and ambitious, with costs along the way no matter the size. You have a dream and our goal is to connect businesses across the state to a variety of funding opportunities. When small businesses succeed, Colorado communities and our economy thrive.
Colorado’s Economic Competitiveness
Colorado stands out as a beacon of innovation, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a motivated workforce. With top rankings in educational attainment and per capita venture capital investment, Colorado is the ideal launchpad for starting or expanding your business.
#1
Educational Attainment
Top 5
Total Venture Capital Invested per Capita
#1
New Businesses
Top 5
Labor Force Participation Rate
Colorado to the Future
Colorado is home to a diverse portfolio of advanced and growing industries—and the world is taking note. From advanced manufacturing and aerospace to agtech, semiconductors and cutting-edge new technologies, our state is leading the way to the future. Recent awards include federal recognition as a technology hub focused on growing the quantum industry and a national leader developing climate-resilient and sustainable technologies. Colorado is at the forefront of a new era of technological innovation.
Advanced Industries
The Colorado economy is diverse and dynamic. Our aerospace industry is supporting NASA’s Artemis program, which will return Americans to the moon. We rank fifth in the nation as a hub for clean technologies. Over 3,500 life sciences companies are rethinking the way we treat disease and foster wellness. And that's just the beginning.
Quantum
Quantum technologies will be as important to the next century as computers and the internet were to the last. Good thing Colorado leads the world in quantum companies, quantum jobs, and quantum innovation. We're working to keep it that way, growing this key technology of tomorrow while building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
OEDIT’s Focus Areas for Economic Competitiveness
Rural CO
From the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, 54 of Colorado's 64 counties are non-metro and rural. Our rural opportunity team has traveled to all 54 rural counties to connect these important communities to OEDIT programs.
Housing
A strong economy includes good-paying jobs and housing for every income level. We are using traditional and innovative economic development tools to increase housing across the state so Coloradans can live where they work and play.
Workers
Colorado is home to one of the best workforces in the nation which is linked to XXR1s and 33 federal labs. We're working to keep it that way by investing in programs that help Coloradans across the state develop the skills they need to access in-demand and high-paying jobs that sustain families.
Entrepreneurs
Small businesses drive Colorado's economy and contribute to the characters of our communities. We have resources to help entrepreneurs along every stage of their business journey, from idea to startup to growing the company and beyond.
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