By Seth Harvey, CEO – Bluestaq
Colorado Springs is among the nation’s top emerging markets for tech talent, boasting a sizeable tech workforce and notable job growth rates. Commercial real estate firm CBRE ranked the city 2nd among North America’s rising markets, highlighting its promising talent pool for technology companies looking to expand their footprint. The city’s strong cybersecurity and technology ecosystem, thriving startup scene, and growing number of tech graduates make it a key player in the national tech scene.
Tech Ecosystem and Quality of Life
More than 360 technology companies are based in the region, employing more than 30,000 workers. The tech sector is further bolstered by Colorado Springs’ veteran labor force, which exceeds 50,000 individuals. In 2022, the industry contributed $5 billion to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Colorado Springs’ blend of innovation, funding, and quality of life creates a thriving environment for technology companies. Since 2022, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC has announced 38 economic development projects, resulting in over 6,000 well-paying jobs. This reflects investor confidence and the strength of the region’s job market. Residents enjoy the great outdoors, excellent social amenities, and a vibrant food scene. The city ranked 3rd in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Places to Live in America. Zillow also named Colorado Springs the Best Place for college graduates, citing affordable rents, strong job growth, and a significant population of young professionals.
Worker Demographics and Growth in Tech Jobs
A workforce analysis by Newmark shows that nearly 25% of the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) population is under 18 years old, while those aged 25 to 34 make up 15%. From 2010 to 2020, the city’s population grew by 1.63%, outpacing the U.S. average of 0.63%. The city attracts a younger demographic aged 18-44, who move to the region for education and job opportunities. This influx of young people boosts economic spending and creates a future pool of skilled workers
Colorado Springs has experienced significant growth in technology jobs and wages. According to the 2024 CBRE report, tech employment in the city has increased by 12.3% over the past five years, while industry earnings have risen by 20%. In 2023, software developers earned about $125,620. These competitive earnings, coupled with the expanding job market and abundant social amenities, make Colorado Springs an attractive destination for tech talent, which is a crucial factor for technology companies looking to expand.
Thriving startup scene and Tech Investments
Colorado Springs has a strong startup scene, attracting significant funding in recent years. Accelerators and incubators like Catalyst Campus and Exponential Impact, along with the area’s top universities, have created a supportive environment for tech startups, connecting them with vital resources and funding opportunities.
According to a 2020 report by the Colorado Springs Gazette, 107 companies under the Catalyst Campus accelerator program secured 353 government contracts worth $284 million. These companies also attracted nearly $290 million in investments, and 11 of them were acquired. Notably, Washington D.C.-based LMI acquired Colorado Springs’ Synaptech, an aerospace and defense software engineering firm, in 2022.
In 2023, the Colorado Economic Development Commission allocated $750,000 to establish the Colorado Springs Securing Space Assets Coalition, part of the state’s $2 million funding for technology hubs. The Coalition will boost Colorado’s aerospace defense and cybersecurity industries. This funding will help Catalyst Campus set up a cybersecurity gaming lab for students, boost small business participation in the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program (SBIR/STTR), and create virtual internships through the Data Mine of the Rockies lab by Space ISAC. These initiatives will connect the region’s future workforce with aerospace and cybersecurity companies to tackle real-world challenges and protect the United States’ space assets.
In the same year, the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) awarded nearly $1 million in grants to Advancing Space Technologies/Catalyst Campus to accelerate technological innovation and job creation in Southern Colorado’s space ecosystem. The prestigious Resilient Space Infrastructures, Systems, and Economy (RISE) award was a collaborative effort involving nine organizations from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.