In the past two decades, Colorado’s aerospace industry grew by 88%—more than any other emerging industry in the Denver and Boulder metro areas at the time. Our strong presence is also notable in Colorado Springs which hosts more than 250 companies that provide advanced technologies in national defense, global positioning systems, cybersecurity, and satellite communications. Now, Colorado’s aerospace industry is a global leader with a roster of businesses that includes notable names like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, and startups including Ursa Major and True Anomaly. This only scratches the surface of what Colorado’s aerospace industry includes. The best way to present just how impactful this field has become to our state? Through the impressive numbers that represent this industry’s grand scope.
$38 Billion in Aerospace Federal Funding Contracts
Colorado set a record-breaking year in 2024 by bringing in $22.8 billion in federal aerospace funding to companies headquartered in the state. Other notable contracts brought $12.3 billion in federal funding to our five large military bases and $3.4 billion to our world-class federal research labs. We host some of the top university space programs in the world including the University of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. All together the funding totals an astonishing $38 billion.
#1 Per Capita in Aerospace Employment
Thanks to Colorado’s ability to attract and retain talent, and its full-spectrum aerospace ecosystem, more aerospace and defense companies are calling Colorado home. Over 2,000 aerospace businesses employ 55,000+ employees directly and another 184,000 indirectly. That’s 26.3% growth over the past five years. Add in our high quality of life and world-class talent pool, and Colorado is a top state for businesses to consider.
200 Colorado Companies are Returning Americans to the Moon and Beyond
Approximately 200 Colorado companies, 65 in Denver alone, are participating in NASA’s Artemis program, which will return Americans, including the first woman and person of color, to the moon and beyond. Lockheed Martin Space Systems’ Orion Spacecraft is the state's most visible single contribution. The spacecraft will carry the crew to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel, and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.
Colorado Hosts 50% of our Nation’s Space Force
Colorado Springs is home to the U.S. Space Command and the U.S. Space Force’s Space Operations Command. Three out of six U.S. Space Force bases are located in the state: Buckley Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, and Schriever Space Force Base.
10 Recent Grants Supported the Growth of Aerospace and Defense companies
The state adamantly supports the growth of its aerospace industry. In fiscal year 2023-2024, the Global Business Development (GBD) division of OEDIT awarded seven Advanced Industries Early Stage Capital and Retention Grants and three State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants to aerospace/defense companies. Colorado’s Economic Development Commission also approved some of these companies for performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits (JGITC). To help Colorado maintain its standing as a top-tier economy and leader in the aerospace industry, OEDIT hired retired Air Force general and highly decorated, combat-proven commander and fighter pilot, Robert Belectic, as Aerospace and Defense Industry Manager. His high-quality field knowledge is an essential asset for navigating this complicated industry.
This remarkable growth of Colorado’s aerospace industry underscores not only its increasing global prominence but also its deep-rooted impact on the local economy. With a dynamic network of companies, world-class research institutions, and unmatched talent, Colorado is a prime example of how strategic investment, collaboration, and visionary leadership nurture a thriving, global industry. As we look to the future, Colorado will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the next frontier of aerospace exploration, technology, and defense—propelling both the state and the nation toward a bold new era in space and beyond.