Colorado is home to a diverse mix of Department of Defense military installations including Buckley Air Force Base, the United States Air Force Academy, North American Defense Command (NORAD), and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). These installations foster important synergies between the private sector and the government. Colorado has five major military installations and five strategic commands, including Air Force Space Command.
The military in Colorado is a major economic force in its own right—employing over 73,139 personnel from military, civilian, and contract ranks with an economic impact of approximately $6.9 billion.
Beyond its direct employment impact, the military serves two other significant roles in terms of economic development. The military serves as a sophisticated and demanding customer of cutting-edge technology and innovation around which a dense network of highly-technical suppliers and service providers has grown. In addition, the military is an important draw for talent, initially attracting and training highly skilled workers that subsequently remain in the state and add to its unrivalled stock of space-related talent. Colorado is actively developing policies and programs to support military families and ensure that there are both employment and educational opportunities for the spouses and children of our servicemen and women.
Other military institutions within our state:
- Buckley AFB (Aurora, CO)
- Fort Carson US Army (Colorado Springs, CO)
- Peterson AFB (Colorado Springs)
- Schriever AFB (Colorado Springs/Falcon, CO)
- US Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs/Monument, CO)
- Headquarters, Air Force Space Command (Peterson AFB)
For small businesses who wish to do business with the Air Force. visit their website here.
View/download the Defense & Homeland Security industry Profile (pdf)