January 24, 2025

Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC Celebrates Key Achievements in Advancing Economic Growth in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC celebrated significant economic milestones today at its Annual Business Snapshot, Presented by Underline which was held at COS City Hub and featured a keynote presentation by Governor Jared Polis.

Formerly the State of the Chamber, this year’s Annual Business Snapshot was attended by nearly 400 members of the business community.

During his keynote, Gov. Polis emphasized the importance of collaboration to foster innovation, address housing challenges, and ensure economic prosperity.

Gov. Jared Polis presented the keynote at the Annual Business Snapshot.

“In Colorado, good enough is not good enough,” he said. “We aim to do more, to do better – for more people, for safer communities, and for a higher standard of living.”

Gov. Polis also detailed efforts to reduce taxes and expand housing opportunities across the state. He highlighted recent income tax cuts and bipartisan property tax reforms that support businesses and residents alike.

“We say yes to more housing, yes to unlocking prosperity, and yes to opportunities for Coloradans at every budget level,” Polis said, noting the critical role of housing in attracting and retaining a world-class workforce.

2024 Chamber & EDC Chair Tim Seibert (left) with Dani Bolling, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Sales (center) and 2025 Chair Ryan Klein (right).

At the event, Tim Seibert, Senior Vice President of Norwood Development Group, was honored for his exceptional leadership as the 2024 Board Chair. As Seibert’s term concluded, the torch was passed to Ryan Klein, Partner at Taft Law, who is the 2025 Board Chair.

The Annual Business Snapshot highlighted the successes of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC over the last year in which economic development projects were closed with 11 new and expanding companies and resulted in 1,181 jobs and $62.2 mil in capital investments here in the Pikes Peak region.

Named a top emerging market for tech talent in North America by CBRE in 2024, the region also secured significant funding for technology and innovation. This included $90 million in CHIPS Act funding for Microchip Technology and $77 million for Entegris as well as a $750,000 state hub grant to bolster space assets, and $40.5 million in federal tech hub grant funding to advance quantum technology. These investments further solidify the region’s leadership in advanced industries and its appeal as a destination for top-tier talent and innovation.

“Colorado Springs is establishing itself as a premier investment destination, offering companies a robust and diverse economy driven by cutting-edge technology, a highly skilled workforce, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and a collaborative community of innovators,” said Dani Bolling, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Sales for the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC will continue to spearhead the region’s economic development efforts to enhance our competitiveness.”

Throughout 2024, the Chamber & EDC served nearly 1,000 business members and over 3,000 individuals through outreach and networking and educational events, including monthly In The Mix panels and quarterly Business After Hours events as well as signature events such as State of the City, State of the Region and the Armed Forces Luncheon

In partnership with the Chamber & EDC, the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center and Pikes Peak Housing Network each had success in 2024 as well.

While hosting 106 educational events in 2024, including the Veterans Small Business Conference which drew more than 300 attendees, the Pikes Peak SBDC performed 1,562 consulting sessions to help establish new businesses in El Paso and Teller County.

Addressing one of the region’s most urgent challenges, the Pikes Peak Housing Network has emerged as a key leader in driving solutions for affordable and attainable housing in the region. In its first full year of operation, the organization championed critical housing projects, advocated for eight key legislative bills, introduced a new initiative to produce comprehensive housing data reports, and provided pro-housing data and resources to developers and community leaders.

Advocating for a thriving business community and a robust local economy is at the heart of the Chamber & EDC’s mission. In 2024, these efforts included successfully supporting or opposing 66 bills designed to improve the business environment, such as the passage of HB 1052 (Senior Housing Income Tax Credit), which provides tax relief to seniors and addresses housing affordability. The Chamber & EDC also championed Ballot Initiatives 2C, 4B, Amendment G, and Initiative 130, bolstering the region’s infrastructure, public safety, education, and housing initiatives.

These legislative achievements underscore the Chamber & EDC’s dedication to fostering a vibrant and appealing community – a commitment reflected in Colorado Springs’ growing reputation as one of the nation’s most desirable places to live, work, and visit. In 2024, the city earned top accolades, including U.S. News & World Report naming it the No. 1 most desirable place and No. 3 best place to live in the U.S., while Forbes ranked it No. 2 for desirability and No. 5 among the best cities to move to. Neighbor.com also celebrated Colorado Springs as the No. 1 most neighborly city in America, highlighting the strong sense of community that defines the region.