Business Benefits of Colorado


Expert Career Guidance in Denver, Colorado

Contact Us

Colorado has one of the nation’s best business climates

Whether you are looking for access to capital, an educated and highly skilled workforce, low taxes and business costs, or a fair and accessible regulatory environment, Colorado has one of the nation’s best business climates.


Colorado remains relentlessly pro-business while cultivating entrepreneurship and promoting innovation. Colorado has celebrated a number of headquarter moves and company expansions along with steady job growth.

  • 2nd best state in entrepreneurship and innovation – US Chamber of Commerce, 2012
  • 3rd most economically competitive state – Beacon Hill Institute, 2012
  • 3rd top state for business – CNBC, 2012
  • 5th best state for business – Forbes, 2012
  • 1st best state for labor supply – Forbes, 2012

General Business Statistics

  • Colorado is ranked first for growth in the startup job sector (StartUpHire, 2012)
  • Colorado is ranked the fifth best state to do business (CNBC, 2012)
  • Colorado is ranked the third best state for economic competitiveness (Beacon Hill Institute, 2012)
  • Ft. Collins is ranked the third best place for business and careers (Forbes, 2012)
  • Colorado ranks in the second-tier of bioscience states (Battelle/BIO, 2012)
  • Colorado is ranked fifth in entrepreneurial activity (2011 Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity)
  • Colorado ranked third for state technology and science index (Milken Institute, 2011)
  • Colorado ranked fifth on the clean energy leadership index (Clean Edge Inc.’s U.S. Clean Energy Leadership Index, 2012)
  • Colorado ranked sixth for lowest state sales tax rates (Tax Foundation, 2012)
  • Colorado ranked eighth in total wind energy installed capacity (AWEA, 2012)
  • Colorado is the third top state for business venture capital investments per $1,000 for State GDP
  • Colorado ranked fourth in the number of new companies per 1,000 employees
  • Colorado is the third top state in Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants (Toward a More Competitive Colorado)
  • Colorado is ranked the fifth most sustainable state (Site Selection Magazine, 2011)
  • Colorado is ranked the second best state for entrepreneurship and innovation (U.S. Chamber, 2012)
  • Colorado is the second top state for high-tech business (TechAmerica 2012)
  • Colorado is the 8th top state for “talent pipeline” (US Chamber, 2012)
  • Colorado ranked second in the number of citizens with a bachelor’s degree
  • Colorado ranked fourth for Early-Stage Venture Capital Investment (MoneyTree, 2012)
  • Denver is the third best American city for start-ups (Venturebeat, 2012)

 

The Colorado Workforce

Colorado has one of the nation’s most educated, technically savvy workforces, contributing to its strong position in a broad range of industries. Our young, skilled and growing workforce makes a critical contribution to the vitality of the Colorado economy.

World-class educational programs and research facilities and a state commitment to supporting customized job training programs assure that our workforce skills will remain cutting edge, allowing employers to compete in a global economy.

Colorado workers are also exceptionally productive, consistently ranking in the top ten for per capita gross state product. And Forbes Magazine recently deemed Colorado to have one of the two best labor pools in the country.

Education

Coloradans are among the nation’s most highly educated populations, ranking 2nd in the number of citizens with a bachelor’s degree. Our colleges and universities offer a broad range of business, management, engineering and technical degrees, and most graduates remain in Colorado to pursue their careers.

In the Colorado higher education system, there are over 470 institutions, educating approximately 400,000 students. Click here to see a list of all higher education institutions in Colorado.

Colorado Workforce Statistics

  • Denver ranked eighth among the 15 fastest-growing large cities for population growth between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011 (US Census Bureau, 2012)
  • Colorado ranked sixth as America’s top creative class states (Atlantic Cities, July 2012)
  • Colorado ranked fourth for proprietors as percentage of total employment (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Colorado ranked fourth for number of new companies per 1,000 employees (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Colorado ranked third for high tech employment per 1,000 workers (TechAmerica)
  • Colorado ranked second for population 25+ with bachelor’s degree or higher (US Census Bureau, 2012)
  • Colorado ranked eighth in science and engineering doctorate holders as a percentage of the workforce (National Science Foundation)
  • Colorado tourism employees nearly 138,000 people
  • Colorado ranked third in high-tech employment per 1,000 workers