Working today to build tomorrow's space workforce.

A core of young, highly educated workers populates Colorado. They come from all over the U.S. and the world, and once they discover our state, they seldom leave. But the area isn’t content to just be a magnet for outside talent. We’re growing our own brain trust with a renewed focus on educational excellence, from preschool through ongoing job training.

Colorado Education Stats
No. 1 in top-scoring students in ACT and SAT tests
No. 2 in Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants
No. 2 in educational attainment
No. 3 in tech-worker concentration
No. 4 in creating new companies
No. 8 for scientists & engineers as a percent of the workforce

There’s a full-steam-ahead push to strengthen educational resources on every level. We understand that the region must nurture homegrown genius, and not rely strictly on imported talent. That's why Colorado and its business and government leaders are actively supporting increased funding and higher standards for public education – from preschool to post-graduate studies.

Metro Denver WIRED Initiative

In 2009, the Metro Denver WIRED Initiative awarded more than $2 million for six programs that specifically address future aerospace workforce needs. A partnership between industry, workforce, education, and economic development, WIRED focused on building the region's aerospace, bioscience, energy, and information technology workforce. The initiative was funded by a four-year, $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education

The Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education, in collaboration with the Challenger Learning Center of Colorado, the Space Science Institute, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, works to inspire students to pursue careers in science, math, engineering, and technology by developing educational materials about aerospace to be used by Challenger Learning Centers, museums, and science centers.