Colorado Aerospace & Defense Economic Council

Mission 

To advance Colorado as a premier hub for aerospace and defense innovation by fostering collaboration among industry, government, academia, and the community, and promoting sustainable economic growth, workforce development, and national security readiness. 

Vision  

To position Colorado as a nationally recognized center of excellence in aerospace and defense technologies, talent, and partnerships. 

Purpose 

1. Forward-Thinking Leadership and Innovation Strategy

Objective: Shape the long-term trajectory of aerospace and defense through visionary leadership and sector foresight. 

Activities: Identify disruptive technologies, convene strategic planning initiatives, foster innovation clusters, and guide workforce readiness for future national defense priorities. 

2. Strategic Advocacy and Policy Engagement

Objective: Champion the aerospace and defense sectors through unified representation before federal, state, and local policymakers. 

Activities: Advocate for pro-growth legislation, defense appropriations, regulatory modernization, and policies that enhance national security and industrial competitiveness. Include a newsletter or briefing that is “hot off the presses” of Washington DC happenings affecting the industry regularly. Visit the nation’s capital and the state legislature regularly to advocate pro-industry policy and funding in Colorado.

3. Boost Sector Visibility and Public Engagement

Objective: Elevate the public profile and economic significance of aerospace and defense industries. 

Activities: Lead public education campaigns, engage media, support STEM workforce outreach, and highlight member contributions to innovation and national security. Recruit additional industry events besides Space Symposium, NDIA and AFCEA in Colorado Springs. 

4. Expand Strategic Alliances

Objective: Build a cohesive ecosystem among stakeholders across aerospace, defense, and adjacent industries throughout the Front Range and across the country. 

Activities: Convene leadership roundtables, host forums with military and civilian agencies, and facilitate public-private partnerships that drive collaboration. “Meet the Primes” and coordinated mentoring from DIB large companies to the small company. 

5. Intelligence Sharing and Industry Insight

Objective: Equip members with timely intelligence and market insight to support informed decision-making. 

Activities: Publish defense budget analyses, track global market trends, monitor emerging threats, and issue briefings on technology, security, and procurement landscapes. 

6. Member-Centered Services and Defense Industry Base (DIB) Support

Objective: Deliver resources and tools that strengthen members’ operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and strategic capacity. 

Activities: Provide guidance on procurement processes, defense contracting, export controls, cybersecurity compliance, and workforce development programs. Provide industry training and certifications. 

7. Operational Excellence and Standards Development

Objective: Promote standards of excellence that ensure quality, safety, and performance across the supply chain. 

Activities: Develop and disseminate best practices, coordinate with standard-setting bodies, and support continuous improvement and innovation. Affect workforce development (attraction and retention). 

Membership Requirements 

All members of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC affiliated with the Aerospace & Defense industry, at or above the Business Advocate Level of membership ($1,500 annually) and in good standing, are eligible to be members of the Colorado Aerospace & Defense Economic Council. This allows CSCEDC members to designate a member of the Council. Membership will be recruited annually, evaluated for potential contribution to the Council, and approved by the Colorado Springs Board of Directors.  

All new members of the Council begin in January. All members of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC may attend Council events and forums at member pricing and are eligible to sponsor CAD-EC events, but they may not attend regular Council meetings unless they serve as the approved company designee to the Council.  

Aerospace and defense companies will always maintain a commanding majority of the CAD-EC at 75%.  These are companies whose core mission and vast majority of work are centralized in direct support of the Department of War, Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and Intelligence and Cybersecurity agencies. Non-defense companies and institutions that directly or indirectly support the aerospace industry will make up no more than 25% of the full CAD-EC membership. 

As the CAD-EC grows, the 75/25 ratio must be maintained to ensure that aerospace and defense companies maintain majority interest and strategic focus.  

Support and Governance 

A volunteer Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson will be selected annually for the CAD-EC. The Chairperson will serve as ex-officio to the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC Board of Directors. The Senior Vice President of Economic & Defense Development and Government Affairs will be primary staff to the Council with support from the CEO, an events manager, marketing staff, and finance and membership teams.  

Member Expectations and Time Commitment 

As a member of the CAD-EC, your active participation is essential to advancing our shared mission. To ensure the Council remains strategic, collaborative, and results-driven, we ask all members to adhere to the following expectations: 

• Meeting Attendance: Council members are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of regularly scheduled meetings annually. Active participation ensures continuity, fosters meaningful collaboration, and drives collective impact.  

• Time Commitment: Members should plan to dedicate approximately 2–4 hours per month, which includes attendance at monthly Council meetings or events (as scheduled), participation in taskforces or working groups (as needed), and optional involvement in advocacy trips, events, or special initiatives. 

Your voice and expertise are critical to shaping the future of aerospace and defense in Colorado. We appreciate your commitment to collaboration, innovation, advocacy and economic advancement. 

Contact Information 

Seth Harvey
CAD-EC Chairman
seth.harvey@bluestaq.com 

Dale Anderson
SVP, Economic and Defense Development and Government Affairs
danderson@cscedc.com
(202) 536-9551 

Craig Carle
VP, Membership
ccarle@cscedc.com 

Complete the CAD-EC Membership Interest Form

Download the CAD-EC Informational One-Pager