Colorado's Thriving Bioscience Industry

Inspired by the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado’s first pioneers were driven to push the limits of human discovery—and that spirit is still alive in Colorado’s growing bioscience industry. Today, nearly 400 bioscience companies make their home here. Through their cutting-edge research, these companies have made thousands of important discoveries with implications across a variety of industries, including health care, manufacturing and agriculture. Not surprisingly, the bioscience industry has also had a tremendous impact on Colorado’s economy*:

Bioscience Companies: 430
Number of Bioscience Jobs: 18,000
Indirectly Supported Jobs: 20,500
Average Employee Salary: $68,000
Total Taxes Generated: $510 million

The Colorado Bioscience Cluster
More than 80 percent of the state’s bioscience jobs are clustered along the metro corridor that includes Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins. With easy access to research universities and a highly educated, highly specialized workforce, these cities foster natural partnerships between academia and private enterprise—both of which are critical for scientific research and technology transfer.

At the center of this exciting growth is the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA). This agency has been instrumental in shaping the policy and programs necessary to ensure continued prosperity for all the entities involved in the Colorado bioscience cluster. For a comprehensive list of bioscience companies operating in Colorado, or to see a breakdown of local companies by industry go to About the Science.

Top-Rated Research Institutions
Many of our country’s top-rated research institutions are located in Colorado, with a high concentration in Northeast Metro Denver. Within an area of just a few square miles, you’ll find the University of Colorado Hospital, the University of Colorado, Denver,  The Children’s Hospital and Research Center and the National Jewish Medical and Research Center—all ranked in the top 10 nationally for their groundbreaking specialized treatments.

*Source: Colorado BioScience Association