For over 70 years, Colorado has been at the forefront of aviation and aerospace capability for our nation.
During World War II, Colorado’s great flying weather and the state’s central location were major reasons for the development of bases in Lowry (Aurora) and Peterson Field Army Air Corps (Colorado Springs).
Following the war, the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) was based in Colorado Springs as a command center for defense of the U.S. and Canada from air attack. And in 1955, the Glenn L. Martin Company (now Lockheed Martin Space Systems) established a plant in Waterton Canyon to build the Titan intercontinental ballistic missile to support defense capability. The site was considered a highly strategic central U.S. location.
Over the decades, Peterson Air Force Base evolved as a hub for Air Force space activities, including Air Force Space Command (1982) and U.S. Northern Command (2002). Additionally, Buckley Air National Guard Base became Buckley Air Force Base (2000) and today is a key space operations center for our national security.
NORAD’s mission has also evolved, and now includes space-based surveillance for ballistic missile attack warning. The significant initial presence and growing space-based defense capability in Colorado stimulated development of a space industry and related research at Colorado universities.
Today, Colorado is a national leader in the aerospace industry. Colorado companies are at the forefront of America’s return to manned spaceflight, and our state plays a critical role in developing the technology and satellites in global weather monitoring, Earth observation and space weather prediction.
We are at the center of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and remote-sensing technologies that have revolutionized our ability to improve navigation, agriculture, disaster response and national security. Not only are GPS satellites developed and built in Colorado, GPS is also operated and maintained by Air Force Space Command.
The key to Colorado’s thriving aerospace economy lies in its broad spectrum of companies, products, and research and development institutions that develop technology for commercial, military and civil space applications. The breadth and depth of Colorado’s aerospace industry is rooted in support from four military commands, eight major space contractors, National Aeronautics and Space Administration research activities, and research at several universities. The University of Colorado and the Air Force Academy are recognized as having top aerospace engineering programs.
Colorado ranked first in the nation in 2014 for private-sector aerospace employment and third in total direct employment of aerospace workers. The aerospace industry in Colorado supports more than 160,000 workers in space-related jobs, with more than 400 companies and suppliers providing space-related products and services. The wealth of talent, research assets, and synergy between industry, government, research institutions and workforce-development organizations cements Colorado’s role as an aerospace leader for our nation.
Aerospace will remain at the core of Colorado’s future economic growth, providing high paying jobs while serving as a catalyst for technology development in all sectors of our economy. Following the tradition of the past 70 years, Colorado’s exceptionally talented aerospace workforce will continue to explore new frontiers and break boundaries in scientific research, engineering and manufacturing.
Colorado has a deep and proud heritage in aerospace. Monday is Aerospace Day the state Capitol. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., leaders in business, research, academic and government will be available to answer your questions and discuss aerospace in Colorado.
Jay Lindell is Aerospace and Defense Industry Champion for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
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