By Jayne Mhono Dickey, Executive Director – Source Colorado Springs
For years, the search for America’s next big economic center has followed the same pattern that look to coasts, follow venture capital, and invest in the same well-known cities. That approach is starting to change, and places like Colorado Springs are helping lead that shift.
The next wave of America’s competitiveness will not come from cities built around just one industry or driven mainly by risky investment. It will come from regions where national security, advanced technology, and a skilled workforce come together in real, practical ways. These are places where ideas do not just get funded, but rather get built, tested, and put to use. Colorado Springs is one of those places.
That matters because economic growth is no longer about numbers alone; it’s about resilience, security, and long-term strength. The U.S. is competing globally in areas like aerospace, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and defense. Winning in these industries requires more than talent or funding by itself. It requires strong systems where government missions and private companies work smoothly together. That kind of system is taking shape in Colorado Springs.
The region has long had a strong military presence. What’s different now is how fast private companies are growing around it, and how connected everything is becoming. Aerospace and defense companies, cybersecurity firms, manufacturers and startups are working side by side, often solving the same challenges. This makes it easier to move ideas from concept to real-world use faster than in most places.
In many cities, innovation slows down between research and real-world application. In Colorado Springs, it keeps moving forward because the people who will use the technology are often already part of the ecosystem. And that’s hard to replicate. The region’s workforce is a big part of the reason why this works.
Employers in Colorado Springs are not just hiring to fill jobs; they are hiring people who can contribute right away. Every month, about 400 service members transition out of the military here, bringing technical skills, leadership experience, and often much-needed security clearances. That changes how companies grow and make decisions.
At the same time, institutions like the University of Colorado Colorado Springs are working closely with industry, especially in aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity. The result is a workforce that understands both mission-driven work and the needs of the market.
Some people see Colorado Springs as just another growing mid-sized city benefiting from migration trends. But what’s happening here is deeper than that.
The region has attracted billions in investment and added thousands of jobs across different industries. Since 2022, the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation reports 38 announced economic development projects, totaling more than $2 billion in capital investment and over 6,000 well-paying jobs. In addition, billions of federal funding continue to trickle into the region. According to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), Colorado-headquartered companies received $22.8 billion in federal aerospace funding in 2024. Five large military bases in the state, most of them located in Colorado Springs, received $12.3 billion in funding. That diversity is important. It means the economy is not dependent on just one sector or vulnerable to a single downturn.
El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs and surrounding towns, is expected to pass one million residents by 2049, signaling the region’s rising national importance.
Another key factor is how the region attracts and keeps talent. For a long time, people believed top professionals had to move to expensive cities to find opportunities. That thinking is changing. More people now want both meaningful careers and a high quality of life. Colorado Springs offers both.
Here, people do not have to choose between advancing their careers and enjoying where they live. That is becoming a major advantage, not just for individuals, but for companies deciding where to invest.
The real question is not whether Colorado Springs will grow; it will. The question is whether we recognize what it represents.
The U.S. has no shortage of innovation. What we often miss is where its strongest advantages are forming. Too often, attention stays focused on traditional hubs, even as new centers quietly emerge.
Colorado Springs is one of those places, where national security, innovation, and opportunity are coming together to shape the future of the American economy.