Opportunity Now Colorado Grants is sponsored by Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Supports transformative change in Colorado's workforce through alignment and collaboration between secondary, post-secondary, and workforce ecosystems, focusing on economic mobility.

Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade | OEDIT Colorado Industry Statistics 5 Professional Sports Teams 5 Michelin Star Restaurants 26 World-Class Ski Resorts 58 Peaks Over 14k Feet in Elevation Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade There’s something special about the people who chose Colorado.

At the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, we’re here to show you why Colorado is the right choice for your business and your life. People who live and work here have a drive to think boldly and chase opportunities that fuel their passions.

These are the people who are engineering the next generation of spacecraft, reinventing the manufacturing process, supporting critical defense and intelligence operations, and solving some of the world’s most challenging healthcare issues. When companies choose to do business here, they know they can tap into Colorado’s exceptional economic advantages.

What they discover is our invigorated workforce, world-class research and development facilities, a location with global access, and collaboration with innovative executives and a business-friendly government. Add in a landscape that nourishes work/life synergy, and you’ve got a growing workforce that is happier, healthier and more encouraged because of the place they call home.

After you explore our website, we invite you to visit Colorado to experience our diverse region and business climate first hand. Whatever it is you are seeking, one thing is clear – Colorado gives business a whole new vitality. You’re still a Coloradan, even if you’re not a native.

We might have different opinions and views, but there’s one thing that we all can agree on: just how much we love our state and the work we do. Trade your cubicle for the trail. Or the slopes, brewery or park.

Here, business has no boundaries – and we’re more productive, engaged and have healthier hearts because of it. We’re shaped like a square, but trust us, we’re anything but. From all four corners, we never run out of extracurricular activities to nourish our body and spirit.

Our pioneers were scrappy, and so are we. We have a long history of picking ourselves up by our bootstraps and finding the golden nuggets of creative opportunity. We have brains and beauty.

A population that makes up the second most educated state in the country, and over 100,000 square miles of postcard-perfect views, makes a killer combination. From corner to corner, each area of our state offers a unique set of qualities, putting Colorado on the map for business and lifestyle.

Where Access Meets Advantage We sit just west of the center of the country, or for geography buffs, right on top of the Continental Divide, but that doesn’t mean we’re entirely made up of mountains. Our central location makes an ideal home base to cater to markets across North America and beyond. Now that you know how to find us, welcome to colorful Colorado The state of Colorado is a state positioned for access and opportunities.

Discover our regions’ unique benefits for global companies. Region 1: Golden Plains Region Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Home to both the Oregon Trail and some of the world’s largest manufacturers of mozzarella and meat, the Northeast Golden Plains region upholds a strong economic climate with homestead roots.

As a leader in food production, agriculture and manufacturing, the area is committed to creating opportunities for business and families, while maintaining its tradition of stewardship through rural regionalism.

Region 2: Northern Colorado Region Situated against the Rocky Mountains to the West and Wyoming to the North, Northern Colorado and its counties of Weld and Larimer are known for a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among a set of diverse industries. Consistently ranked nationally as one of the best places to live, work and pursue lifelong learning, this region is a thriving hub of both commerce and culture.

Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and Jefferson Consisting of nine booming counties, the Denver region is globally recognized for its culture of innovation, arts and outdoor recreation. It has access to one of the best airports in the country, a major transit infrastructure, highly rated education system and numerous federal laboratories across a variety of leading industries.

A spirit of collaboration and enterprise has helped this region become the fastest growing, and most sought after, areas in the country. Region 4: Pikes Peak Region Backed by a successful track record of business success stories, the Pikes Peak region continues to march ahead in areas of defense, health and financial services.

Within the region’s thriving and diverse communities, businesses have access to substantial infrastructure, outstanding educational facilities, year-round outdoor activities, and a productive and happy workforce, which all play into a company’s bottom line.

Region 5: Central Plains Region Lincoln, Elbert, Kit Carson and Cheyenne While the Central Plains region encompasses a “small town feel,” the area is a perfect fit for businesses looking for easy access to both urban and local markets.

Access to major railways and airports, quality education systems, and abundant resources for energy and agriculture production provides businesses and residents the ideal atmosphere for establishing roots.

Region 6: Southeast Colorado Region Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers The six-county Southeast Colorado region, is an agriculture powerhouse, producing a high volume of exports—from livestock, to vegetables and sunflowers.

In addition, the region’s resources in energy, including world-class wind and solar development, waste energy and oil and gas activities, put the region at the forefront of innovative and engaging practices. The region also includes a growing manufacturing sector and a technology sector that is seeing gigabyte fiber being installed in many of the communities.

Though small in geographic size, the resilient Pueblo region located in Southern Colorado is flourishing in business opportunity and growth, specifically in areas of aerospace and rail manufacturing, healthcare and logistics.

As the region’s population and downtown development continue to rise, businesses value the competitive advantages that attracted them to the area, such as the skilled workforce, customized workforce training programs, low cost of doing business, and abundant water capacity.

Region 8: San Luis Valley Region Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache Surrounded by the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the east and the great San Juan Mountains in the west, the San Luis Valley is an agricultural powerhouse. The Valley is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty and unique cultural diversity.

Often called the “Land of Cool Sunshine”, the region is at the center of solar energy development. Region 9: Southwest Region Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan Built on traditional “western” commodities and heritage, the Southwest region has quickly shaped into an outdoor haven where tourism, cultural resources and recreation thrive.

The region includes four National Monuments, Mesa Verde National Park, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and the only two Indian Tribes in Colorado.

Its entrepreneurial spirit is demonstrated by the high number of locally grown businesses with both a national and international presence including StoneAge Water Blast Tools, Mercury Payment Systems (Vantiv), Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Tuffy Security Products and Osprey Packs.

Region 10: Central Western Slope Region Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel Celebrated for its spirit of community support and innovative collaboration, the Central Western Slope region is a geographically diverse area with unparalleled access to equally diverse outdoor recreational activities.

Businesses and individuals alike appreciate the accessibility to affordable housing, verdant agricultural land, space to build state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and boasting abundant water sources, higher education and training opportunities, a strong workforce, a nationally ranked hospital, and global travel connectivity.

Region 11: Northwest Colorado Region Garfield, Mesa, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt Nestled at the top of the Western Slope, the Northwest Colorado region comprises a wealth of natural resources that provide an abundance of economic opportunities. Surrounded by the wild beauty of the region and a timeless community spirit, Northwest Colorado is an enduring example of innovation through collaboration.

Region 12: Rocky Mountain Resort Region Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin and Summit The Rocky Mountain Resort region is internationally known for providing a classic Colorado lifestyle with year-round resorts and unique high-alpine environment to guests from around the world and to locals alike. The area’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities provide the backdrop for a diverse economy grounded in collaboration and sustainability.

Region 13: Upper Arkansas Region Lake, Chaffee, Fremont, and Custer An outdoor paradise in Central Colorado, the Upper Arkansas region is home to a thriving economy centered on vast opportunities in tourism and outdoor recreation. Known for a superior quality of life and friendly attitude towards businesses, this region embodies the authentic west as a destination area to live, work and play among the state’s finest natural setting.

Region 14: Raton Basin Region Located at the southernmost border of the state, the rural communities that make up the hearty Raton Basis region are committed to strengthening the region’s workforce and creating economic opportunities together. Bolstered by animal and crop production, as well as tourism from the area’s outdoor recreation culture, this region is a model of economic prosperity.

Colorado’s 14 major industries are what drive our state’s economy through innovation and growth. Defense & Homeland Security Energy & Natural Resources Infrastructure Engineering Transportation & Logistics State for Arts Grant Funding National Endowment for the Arts