Aerospace & Defense

Why Invest in Colorado Springs

Compared to the national average, Colorado Springs has a higher-than-average industry concentration in aerospace and defense that provides solid ground for industry clusters to grow. The sector’s ecosystem includes properties and sites for industrial work, research & development testing labs, sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIF space), and distribution centers located in zones purpose-built for aerospace and defense activity.

The strength and resilience of Colorado Springs’ aerospace and defense industry inspires real investor confidence, attracting top defense and aerospace companies to expand into the Pikes Peak region. Bluestaq, Aerospace Corporation, Caliola Engineering, Trace3 Gov, and Northrop Grumman have all announced expansions that together will add hundreds of jobs and millions in capital investment. Other key resources insulating and growing the city’s space economy include Catalyst Campus, Exponential Impact, the National Cybersecurity Center, and Space ISAC. The diversity across the region’s industries brings relatable, transferrable skills into the sector, creating a foundation upon which it continues to flourish.

The Colorado Springs Airport has strengthened domestic trade with direct routes to major cities including Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Proximity to Denver International Airport provides a strong connection to major international markets, boosting global trade. The city has also made significant, intentional investment in its transportation system — infrastructure built to move goods, services, and leaders without friction.

Ranked among the nation’s leaders in defense and space technology, Colorado is home to nine of the nation’s top aerospace contractors and some of the world’s best universities for aerospace engineering, sharing the stage with Department of Defense facilities and NASA. The city’s five military installations and institutions of higher learning produce a highly educated, cleared workforce that supports both government and commercial companies. Technical institutions, a 50,000-plus veteran population, and a military labor force of more than 70,000 provide a deep, verified talent pipeline, while lower wages relative to cities of similar size give Colorado Springs a cost advantage without sacrificing quality.

As the region’s Aerospace and Defense sector grows, reliable high-speed internet, security clearance access, and artificial intelligence and machine learning capability remain key components for design and engineering businesses. With well-established infrastructure and a cleared talent base ready to execute, Colorado Springs is positioned to be an investment hub in defense and space technology — a place where companies can build a legacy in one of the nation’s most credible growth sectors, now and for years to come.

The Epicenter for National Security & Innovation

With more than 150 space, aerospace, and defense companies, Colorado Springs plays a vital role in the United States’ national security. The city’s aerospace and defense companies provide mission-critical support to key installations including the North American Aerospace and Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command, both of which protect the North American airspace and partner interests from threats by foreign adversaries. The city’s strategic location in the center of the country provides one-bounce satellite communications to Europe and Asia on the same business day.

Colorado Springs’ defense and aerospace sector holds a 3.6% share of the national GDP, playing an important role in the local and national economy. A recent study by Newmark shows that the city’s aerospace and defense sector contributed $3.3 billion to the local economy in 2021 and holds an 8% industry share of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the nation. With an industry labor pool of more than 150,000 and job growth projected at 1.3% over the next five years, the market offers leaders a data-backed foundation for long-term investment, not a speculative bet.

Search Colorado Springs properties for aerospace and defense locations.

A Prime Ecosystem for Aerospace & Defense Companies

Satellite operations, space defense, global positioning systems and advanced technologies link the five military installations in Colorado Springs.

• S. Air Force Academy: Trains and educates future USAF leaders and conducts cutting-edge research through 20 research centers, including AF Cyberworx.
• Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station: The premier underground command and control facility serving the North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and other mission partner tenants.
• Fort Carson Army Post: Home to the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters, Fort Carson is used by all services for realistic combined arms training. It is second-largest employer in the state.
• Peterson Space Force Base: Headquarters for the 21st Space Wing, Peterson SFB provides missile warning and space control to combat forces and commands worldwide.
• Schriever Space Force Base: Responsible for the operation and support of Department of Defense satellites through the 50th Space Wing,

In addition to five military installations, the region hosts numerous commands and other national defense centers.

• North American Aerospace Defense Command (U.S. & Canada)
• Northern Command
• Army Space & Missile Defense Command
• Missile Defense Integration & Operations Center
• Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center

Specialized Training Meets Technical Prowess

Job seekers: Search Colorado Springs aerospace and defense careers

A workforce of more than 100,000 strong powers the aerospace and defense industry in Colorado Springs. Many of the tech and engineering experts joining company teams derive locally from the region’s five military installations. Approximately 400 military separations take place each month, providing a unique nuance within the talent pool. Newly separated individuals from other cities also relocate for civilian life in Colorado Springs, which is consistently ranked as a top city for veterans.

Five universities and colleges in Colorado Springs are certified as National Security Agency Centers of Academic Excellence, giving companies a credentialed source of specialized talent.

After serving their country, U.S. Air Force Academy graduates return to the region for career opportunities, bringing an education with rankings companies can stand behind: seventh in the nation for engineering and fifth for aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical (U.S. News & World Report).

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs includes the Center for Laser, Energy, and Exploration Research. Students pursue research and studies on rarefied gas dynamics, propulsion, heat transfer, and more. The college is also part of NASA’s Colorado Space Grant Consortium, and students frequently intern, and later work, at Colorado Springs-based defense companies, feeding a pipeline built for what comes next.

Other higher education institutions with engineering curriculum are Pikes Peak State College and Colorado Technical University, a system recognized for excellence in education for veterans.