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DENVER – The Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced the formation of the Aerospace & Defense Alliance, an initiative of Vision 2033, the Colorado Chamber’s 10-year action plan to foster long-term economic growth and resiliency in Colorado.
“Aerospace and defense are vital pillars of Colorado’s economy, fueling innovation, driving job creation and strengthening our workforce,” said Colorado Chamber Foundation Executive Director Rachel Beck. “Colorado has the opportunity to maximize our position as a national leader in these industries, and it’s critical that we invest in their continued growth. This alliance will be a tool to advance the state’s competitiveness, foster industry collaboration and secure future economic opportunity for Colorado.”
Colorado’s aerospace and defense industry is a significant economic driver for the state, and the Chamber identified it as one of Colorado’s strongest asset clusters in its 10-year strategic action plan. Colorado is home to the nation’s second-largest aerospace industry and ranks #1 in aerospace employment per capita. With a diverse network of more than 2,000 aerospace companies statewide, the industry directly employs over 55,000 Coloradans and supports another 184,000 jobs indirectly.
The alliance will be chaired by Christie Lee, director of state and local affairs at United Launch Alliance, and Chad Vorthmann, government relations representative at Lockheed Martin Space.
“Colorado is home to one of the most innovative and collaborative aerospace ecosystems in the nation where industry, education, and government come together to push the boundaries of what is possible,” said Christie Lee, director of state and local affairs for United Launch Alliance. “Our goal in this alliance is to further that collaboration to ensure the industry’s voice is heard where it matters most, strengthening our competitiveness in this vital industry.”
“This alliance creates an important bridge between industry and policymakers to highlight the value of Colorado’s aerospace community and the innovation it delivers for the nation,” said Chad Vorthmann, government relations representative at Lockheed Martin Space. “Colorado is uniquely positioned as a national hub for aerospace and defense, and we look forward to engaging with leaders at the state and federal level to share important policy research and industry expertise through the alliance.”
The Colorado Chamber Foundation’s Aerospace & Defense Alliance will unite Colorado’s aerospace and defense community behind a solutions-driven effort to support state and federal policies that maximize the state’s position as an industry hub. The alliance will serve as a strong state and federal voice to bring awareness of these industries through research, policy and education. One of the first initiatives of the alliance will be to develop a competitive intelligence report on the aerospace industry in Colorado, providing recommendations to ensure the sector remains strong.
Members of the alliance include Lockheed Martin, United Launch Alliance, FCI Constructors, Inc., PDS, Northrop Grumman, United Airlines, Boeing, Pilatus, I2X Technologies, Merrick, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, Amazon, PNC Bank, Woodward, and Boom. The first alliance meeting will be held next month.
Learn more about the Colorado Chamber Foundation’s Aerospace & Defense Alliance here.
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The Colorado Chamber Foundation is a non-profit educational foundation whose purpose is to support programs, research, educational opportunities and other initiatives that encourage and enhance a healthy business climate. The organization works collaboratively in partnership with state business leaders to advance Colorado’s economy and local communities through forward-thinking solutions.