Insider Brief
- Colorado’s new Quantum Tech Park in Arvada, supported by $40.5 million in federal funding, aims to make the state a global hub for quantum technology, creating up to 10,000 jobs by 2030.
- The park will focus on quantum research, cryogenics, and workforce development, providing facilities for companies to scale and take advantage of state incentives.
- Leaders emphasized quantum technology’s role in national security and economic growth, positioning Colorado to compete globally, especially as China invests heavily in the field.
- Image: Aerial image of Arvada, Colorado (CC/Wikipedia Mvanderkolk)
Colorado’s quantum industry is about to get a major boost, thanks to the launch of a new Quantum Tech Park in Arvada, Colorado, Colorado media and government officials are reporting.
With $40.5 million in federal funding and additional state support, this initiative aims to transform Colorado into a global hub for quantum technology. The groundbreaking ceremony for the 70-acre park, attended by state and federal leaders, marks a significant step in the state’s push to become a leader in this fast-evolving field.
Governor Jared Polis, alongside U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, celebrated the new park as part of a broader effort to elevate quantum technology development in the region.
“We aren’t wasting any time and are rolling up our sleeves and getting to work, ensuring Colorado’s leadership in quantum technology,” said Governor Polis in a statement provided by the Colorado Government. “Quantum technology is our future, and in Colorado we are building what we need to support the quantum revolution. We’ve been very active both before and after earning the competitive federal TechHubs recognition, and with this new quantum park we are breaking ground on today we are positioning Colorado as the global epicenter of the quantum industry.”
The Elevate Quantum initiative is expected to create up to 10,000 new jobs by 2030 in the Mountain West region, with the majority of positions not requiring advanced degrees. The goal is to spur economic growth while making quantum technology more accessible to both businesses and workers across the state.
According to the statement, The Colorado School of Mines purchased the land, and the project will focus on advancing quantum research and technologies with help from regional partners, such as the University of Colorado Boulder.
Quantum computing, a technology that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations that would be impossible for traditional computers, holds enormous potential for solving complex problems in industries such as finance, telecommunications and national security. Despite its promise, quantum computing is still in its early stages, and many challenges remain before it can be widely adopted. However, the new Quantum Tech Park is designed to accelerate that development, serving as a hub for innovation, manufacturing, and workforce training.
Governor Polis told KDVR: “So we got the award and we’re building. We’re building infrastructure. A lot fo quantum computing needs to occur at very low temperatures so a lot of the facility will be involved with cryogenics, super cold temperatures, materials, research, but also where companies can grow to full scale.”
In October 2023, Colorado was designated as a Tech Hub by the Biden administration, securing more than $40 million to boost quantum development in the state. This federal investment, combined with state-level funding and incentives, has positioned Colorado to attract quantum companies from around the world. The state legislature passed HB24-1325 earlier this year, providing $74 million in tax credits to quantum companies, aimed at generating up to $1 billion in economic activity over the next decade.
“The Department of Commerce is focused on fostering the future of critical and emerging technologies like quantum, and using innovative place-based economic strategies to spread its benefits to every corner of our country,” Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said in the statement. “The Elevate Quantum Tech Hub is on the cutting edge of that mission and will help write the next chapter of Colorado’s economic prosperity.”
The effort aims to reach out beyond the borders of the Mountain West region, however. Quantum technology is seen as critical for national security, with experts warning that global competitors, particularly China, are heavily investing in this field.
“When I think about the challenges we are going to face as a country, we know that we are in the race against China who is going to have the first quantum computing. And if we are going to actually win this race and what that means for the next century. China right now is spending five times as much as we are,” said U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen at the groundbreaking event, as KDVR reported.
In addition to fostering innovation and economic growth, the new Quantum Tech Park will play a key role in developing a skilled workforce. Colorado’s quantum industry is already home to one of the largest concentrations of quantum talent and assets in the U.S., and this new facility is expected to accelerate training and education in this specialized field.
Governor Polis emphasized that the park will not only be a research center but also a place where companies can scale up operations and bring quantum products to market.
“This really helps cement America’s leadership, but more specifically Colorado’s leadership, in quantum technology,” Polis said, as reported by KDVR.
The facility will offer quantum companies ground leases into perpetuity, along with access to state and local tax incentives for development. It will support rapid prototyping, low-volume manufacturing, and workforce training, helping businesses grow while ensuring that the region remains at the forefront of quantum innovation.
