Listening Tour Wrap Up
This is the Economic Vitality Wrap Up Report. Each report includes the following sections:
- “What we heard” - A summary of the key themes heard during the tour and a comprehensive list of feedback received.
- “What we are doing” - A summary of the work the City is currently doing to address the feedback that was shared.
- “What we are planning to do” - This section highlights specific goals and strategies to be implemented in 2024 as part of our Strategic Doing Framework. These are short-term priorities that we feel we can meaningfully address this year.
- “How to get involved” - This section showcases various ways you can learn more about specific topics, continue shaping policy, and get involved to stay engaged in all that is happening in the city.
To see the other areas of feedback we received, please return to the Wrap-Up homepage.
What we heard
During the Listening Tour, we heard feedback from you on housing issues such as:
- Attracting more businesses and new jobs in a variety of industries, including manufacturing.
- Supporting small businesses and our existing businesses in Colorado Springs.
- Attract more out of state visitors to support our tourism economy.
- The COS Airport needs better terminal services, lounges, and more destination options.
- Integrate COS Airport into southeast community.
What we are doing
Economic Development
Attracting more businesses and new jobs in a variety of industries, including manufacturing
- The City is working with our regional and state partners to attract new companies to Colorado Springs, including in manufacturing. In 2023, nine companies announced their decision to choose Colorado Springs to grow their companies and hire hundreds of new employees, which is more economic development announcements in the last year to date than in the previous five years combined. Our city was competing against many others for these growing companies and new jobs, and ultimately this means more career opportunities for residents.
Supporting small businesses and our existing businesses in Colorado Springs
- Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and we want to do all we can to support our entrepreneurs and small businesses. Along with many community partners, the City’s Economic Development Department launched a new tool called Permit Partner in 2023, which helps new business owners discover permit requirements, estimate fees, and connect easily with agencies.
Attract more out of state visitors to support our tourism economy
- The City’s Economic Development Department has been hard at work for several years on the “City for Champions” initiative, bringing five extraordinary attractions to our region including the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center at UCCS, Robson Arena at Colorado College, and Switchbacks FC’s Weidner Field. These unique venues are already attracting thousands of out of state visitors and continue to help drive economic growth in our region.
With a focus on economic growth and development, last year we launched a new free tool called Permit Partner to assist entrepreneurs as they explore opening a small business. It’s a phenomenal resource to help entrepreneurs and business owners discover the process and estimate the costs of potential permits, applications, inspections, and licenses. It’s one of the many resources we have here in the region to help businesses get started and thrive. This year, we will continue to connect with our business community-- both in person and virtually-- to ensure they have knowledge and access to all these great resources.
-Jessie Kimber, Director of Economic Development
Colorado Springs Airport
COS Airport needs better terminal services, lounges, and more destination options
- In Sept. 2023, the COS Airport unveiled ElevateCOS, a terminal modernization project that focuses on accessibility and sustainability for users and the airport. New restaurant concepts will start service soon too, including Colorado Craft, Street Eats by Brother Luck, Drifters Hamburgers, Pizzeria Rustica, and Einstein Bagels. Additionally, a new Amazon Go and lounge concept in the terminal will take shape in 2024.
- We agree COS Airport needs more destination options and we work on it every single day! This summer alone, COS added five new destinations and two new airlines, but we're not stopping there. In addition to these new routes. Southwest Airlines announced this fall they will start new direct service from COS to Baltimore Washington (BWI) airport in June 2024.
Integrate COS Airport into southeast community
- Since 2019, Peak Innovation Park at the Colorado Springs Airport has led the development of three Amazon facilities supporting more than 3,000 new jobs for our community. Further development by the Aerospace Corporation, the US Forest Service, and Flywheel Corporation with their Peak Technology Campus, have brought additional jobs, as well.
What we are planning to do
Bolster collaboration and resources to ensure a premier business friendly environment that supports new and existing businesses in Colorado Springs.
- Establish virtual “Business Navigator” program.
- Spotlight industry innovation ecosystems and opportunities.
- Broaden knowledge of licensing and sales tax processes to businesses through online tools and help-desk support.
- Increase number of business walks and visits to continue business education of City resources.
- Review and/or update business licensing, land use, and enforcement processes.
Advance future workforce needs with education, workforce partners, employers, and military.
- Build school district K-12 partnership to emphasize “workforce for tomorrow.” jobs and training focused on key sectors in the Pikes Peak Region.
- Promote veteran programs as business recruitment tool.
- Support cybersecurity and space education to become a direct feeder to higher education and industry.
- Partner with trade industries to promote career opportunities.
Celebrate the economic diversity of Colorado Springs by reimagining the Olympic City USA brand as a quality of life and talent attraction tool.
- Partner with the Chamber & EDC “Find Your COS” program.
- Activate the Olympic City USA brand by connecting the city’s diverse economy through shared values.
Partner to promote our quality of life and outdoor recreation for talent attraction and retention.
Get involved with Economic Vitality
Explore Permit Partner
- Test your own business idea in Permit Partner, a free interactive online tool that allows users to discover the required permits and licenses, estimate fees, and easily connect with local agencies to start a business in Colorado Springs. The tool is available in both English and Spanish.
Get help with your own small business
- One of the primary roles of the Economic Development Division is to assist in the business development process. Getting your business off the ground is no easy task, but there are many free resources and tools available to assist and to make the process easier.
Learn about the COS Airport’s 20-year master plan and ElevateCOS initiative
- COS Airport completed its 20-year master plan in 2022, which will act as guidance in planning future airport facility over a 20-year period. It considers future aviation demand, available funding, environmental components and airport needs that are associated with current demand as well as future growth.
- ElevateCOS, a three-year modernization project, will renovate the airport’s concourse, making it more modern, accessible, and sustainable in the process.
Follow @COSAirport on social media
- Stay connected for flight and weather updates, news, and more by following the COS Airport on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
Attend an Airport Advisory Commission meeting
- Attend a Airport Advisory Commission meeting, a City Council-appointed commission that addresses matters pertaining to land use, construction, planning or operation of the Colorado Springs Airport. Public meetings are held every fourth Wednesday at the airport from 3-5 p.m.