Defense Development

We build strong relationships with our military partners and the private businesses that support them to ensure the Pikes Peak region remains a global leader in aerospace education, research, and innovation.

The aerospace and defense industry accounts for 40+% of the Colorado Springs economy with more than 200 space, aerospace, cybersecurity and defense companies employing 111,000 people, with an annual economic impact of more than $10.2 billion in 2022. The sector grew by 16% from 2017 through 2022.

Our Pikes Peak region proudly hosts five military installations plus the National Guard and serves approximately 45,000 active-duty military, Guard, and Reserves plus 15,000 federal civilians, and approximately 90,000 veterans and retirees. The region is committed to helping aerospace and defense companies thrive in the region with many educational and workforce programs designed to meet industry needs.

Colorado Springs is the permanent home of U.S. Space Command. The economic impact of the Space Command will be enormous when factoring in new tax revenue, the potential growth in housing and retail markets, and the likely stimulus related to increased corporate travel and tourism revenue.

We have long-standing relationships with each of the installations and command headquarters here as well as ties to the many veterans and military retirees who bring their extensive experiences to the Chamber & EDC family. We know the area, the trends, and how to find your team a place at the table to discuss the next business chapter for Colorado Springs. We hope you’ll join us and become part of the network that’s making a difference in one of the highest military-concentrated defense communities in the United States.