16 Key Contributions Supported Coloradans
We all know Colorado has four corners and four sides. We’re also known for the 4x4s we drive to visit our gorgeous plains, canyons, mountains, and valleys. But have you ever noticed how Colorado is spelled with four consonants and four vowels? We also build housing Coloradans can afford with 4x4s (except, of course, for when we are pioneering new technologies like 3D printing). As we close out 2025, we’re taking our cue from the number four by unwrapping 16 contributions OEDIT made to a Colorado economy that works for everyone. Why 16? Because 4x4 (or four squared) is 16.
Sundance Film Festival Coming to Colorado in 2027
No reason to bury the lede—we could not be more thrilled that the Sundance Institute selected Boulder, Colorado to host the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027. Not only did we earn 7+ billion media hits worldwide for the exciting news, the Festival is poised to have a tremendous economic impact on the state. The 2025 Sundance Film Festival contributed an estimated $196.1 million in economic impact to the host state, including an estimated $162.4 million in spending by out-of-state visitors.
MICHELIN Guide Announced First Two-Star Restaurant in Colorado
MICHELIN Guide announced its third annual selection for Colorado, revealing Colorado’s first two-star restaurant and three new one-star restaurants, with 50 restaurants now recognized. Now more people around the world will know what we know: we have a delicious restaurant scene.
20 Companies Chose Colorado to Create 4,870 New Jobs
From rural counties to the Front Range, we facilitated 20 companies to expand in Colorado, projected to create up to 4,870 new good paying jobs. For three years in a row, Colorado ranked the top state for women-led startups, and with our central location, highly diversified economy, and unparalleled quality of life, our state offers easy global accessibility.
Two Quantum Facility Grand Openings and a New Accelerator
In Colorado, we’ve gone beyond the fourth dimension (see what we did there?) to quantum. Not only does Colorado have the most quantum jobs and companies, we celebrated the ribbon cuttings of two new quantum facilities: the Quantum Incubator (COQI) for early-stage companies and the Quantum COmmons at Arvada for prototyping and manufacturing. Additionally, we supported the ASCEND Engine's Earth & Space Systems Accelerator, which focuses on commercializing climate resilience technologies.
A Record $46 Billion in Federal Funding for Aerospace and Defense
In Colorado, we’re closer to space—Denver is one mile above sea level, and the Rockies are even higher. In FY 24-25, we set a record-breaking year by bringing in a combined $46+ billion in federal funding for aerospace and defense. This milestone funding included over $31 billion in federal contracts, another $12.5 billion economic impact from our military bases, and $3.4 billion to our federal labs, contributing to an employment increase of 24% over the past five years.
Opportunity Now Connects Colorado Workers to Good-Paying Jobs
Companies regularly choose Colorado for our top talent. To stay competitive and ensure Colorado workers can find good-paying jobs, we invest in targeted, innovative talent development initiatives across the state. The Opportunity Now Colorado grant program awarded $89.5 million to 96 regional partnerships that will serve 20,000 Coloradans, 8,274 of whom have already secured new jobs.
Small Businesses Drive Our Economy
Small businesses are our economic backbone and account for 99.5% of all businesses in Colorado. Our Colorado Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), made up of 14 service centers and over 25 satellite offices, serves small businesses in every county. This year, the Colorado SBDC worked with over 12,000 clients and supported the creation of 437 new businesses and 1,209 new jobs while helping to retain over 1,000 existing jobs. In FY 24-25, the Minority Business Office (MBO) provided 1,710 hours of technical assistance and engaged with more than 400 starting business owners or current business owners.
Building Housing Coloradans Can Afford
In addition to directly supporting affordable and attainable homes for low and middle income Coloradans, OEDIT is also fostering innovation in the residential construction industry, from modular and robotics to 3D printing and repurposing fire-prone timber. By providing affordable funding options for developers, we are helping to grow the off-site production industry and increase the supply of quality and affordable rental and for-sale homes. This year, we supported the creation of 5,180 housing units so more Coloradans can live in communities they love and close to their jobs.
Colorado Shines A Little Brighter 365
We welcomed 95.4 million visitors across the state, bolstered by a groundbreaking Colorado Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan and the Do Colorado Right Campaign. These visitors support a thriving tourism industry that contributed $28.5 billion to Colorado’s economy and supported over 457,801 direct and indirect jobs in 2024. Colorado really does Shine a Little Brighter every day of the year.
Outside Summit and Festival Doubled in Second Year
It’s not surprising that 96% of Colorado residents participate in outdoor recreation each year, so of course we help host the Outside Summit and Festival, now recognized as one of the premier national gatherings for outdoor industry leaders and enthusiasts. The event doubled in its second year, drawing 35,000 attendees, showcasing Colorado’s outdoor companies and contributing an estimated $35 million to Colorado’s economy. The outdoor recreation industry supports an estimated 404,099 jobs—12.5% of the overall workforce—all across the state.
Artists Thrive in Colorado
Colorado ranks above the national average in creating art, attending live performances, and overall arts participation, placing it among the most artistically active states in the nation. Arts and cultural production accounted for $19.7 billion and 3.7% Colorado’s economy, contributing 121,228 jobs and $10.5 billion in compensation. We also announced seven new certified Creative Districts, six of which are located in rural communities across the state.
1,169 Colorado Employees became Business Owners
Last year, 1,169 Colorado employees became business owners thanks to Colorado’s transformative support of employee ownership. Since the introduction of the Employee Ownership Tax Credit to Establish and Expand, 33 businesses have accessed or reserved the tax credit to support their transition. That has big promise for employees across the state, as 25% of companies applying for the Employee Ownership Tax Credit are from rural Colorado.
Colorado’s First Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
In support of our mission to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy, we were excited to release Colorado’s first Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This five-year strategic action plan shares an economic vision and goals for Colorado—and it was developed with extensive input from communities and partners across all regions of the state. This type of statewide, collaborative effort will continue to lift up Colorado businesses and our economy to ensure Colorado remains the best place to live, start and grow a business.
Friendship Days with Mexico and Canada
This year, the State of Colorado launched Colorado-Mexico Friendship Day and Colorado-Canada Friendship Day to strengthen our relationships. Canada and Mexico, our most significant economic and tourism partners, represented 38.5% and 31% of the state's imports and exports in 2024. Combined, the two countries also account for 46% of Colorado's international visitation, with an economic impact of over $277 million.
Colorado For All Business Showcase
By hosting a first-of-its-kind Colorado for All: Business Showcase & Resource Fair in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, we showcased over 25 local businesses, connected 12 businesses to the Colorado SBDC, and directed over 30 businesses to additional resources.
Cannabis Business Grant Supported 350 Jobs and 75 New Businesses
Colorado started as a leader in the cannabis industry and continues to bolster this important sector. The Cannabis Business Office has provided over 4,620 hours of technical assistance to social equity licensed cannabis entrepreneurs since its inception. Our Cannabis Business Grants have resulted in nearly 350 jobs created or retained and 75 small businesses supported over the last four years.
That’s a wrap on 16 ways our teams have worked to make Colorado a place where everyone can thrive. We’re excited about our progress—thousands of new jobs, thousands of new housing units, and millions in federal funding for Colorado’s advanced industries—and look forward to what we can accomplish in the year to come.