Colorado’s aerospace and defense industry has soared above other states for years but it may be losing ground and risks poachers, especially from the southern Sun Belt states, according to a new report commissioned by the Colorado Chamber Foundation.
“Stakeholders believe that we remain a globally influential hub (but) also say the industry is being taken for granted and that the state is coasting on momentum,” Rachel Beck, executive director, said at an event Thursday to share findings with local aerospace executives from firms like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. “And they warn that the state’s historical advantages are dissipating and that our business climate is eroding.”
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According to the report, Colorado still ranks 13th nationwide for aerospace jobs, increasing 14.4% between 2020 and 2025. It also ranked 13th for average earnings for aerospace workers, at $161,397. Higher-paid jobs lift the economy because workers spend more, a reason why other states are paying attention.
Read the full article here and the Chamber Foundation’s report here.