As Colorado Springs and its airport grows, so too does Peak Innovation Park (Peak), an inspired new business park that is developing at the Colorado Springs Airport in the southeast part of our city. Right now, you can start to see new buildings going up around the entrance to the airport, highlighted by a new 104,000-square foot facility that Frito-Lay plans to use as a distribution center.
This is just the beginning of growth in the 1,600-acre master-planned business park. It is estimated that in by 2025 Peak will generate $1.8 billion in total economic impact to the community. That’s equivalent to nearly 5% of the region's total economic output and anchored by the existing Aerospace campus, Amazon facilities and Northrop Grumman.
Plans are in place to add retail centers and restaurants to serve Peak’s tenants and employees, addressing an underserved market. Peak is investing in infrastructure, including trails, disc-golf courses, and potentially a small outdoor amphitheater. The first of two hotels—a Residence Inn—started construction already, with hopes for the second hotel property shortly thereafter.
The Frito-Lay distribution center, located south of the military’s rapid deployment terminal, brings necessary infrastructure upgrades like roads and utilities. This opens the eastern portions of Peak Innovation Park for further development. The distribution center marks Peak’s first new construction in 2023 and signals further development, with five other projects in either lease negotiations or discussion stages.
Interest in Peak Innovation Park has grown significantly among commercial real estate agents, signaling its emergence as a key commercial hub in the region. Peak’s next tenant is expected to be part of the Peak Technology Campus, and discussions are ongoing with aerospace and defense contractors. Flywheel Capital, which leads the Peak Technology Campus, plans to showcase three new single-story office buildings, ranging from 40,000-60,000 square foot buildings, with supporting amenities.
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade recognizes Peak Innovation Park as an asset driving positive development in the Southeast area, with plans to continue building and developing Peak strategically, as well as the infrastructure in the surrounding community to support the park. Mayor Mobolade noted the Enterprise Zone program, administered by El Paso County, promotes a business-friendly environment and encourages businesses to locate in designated and economically distressed areas of the state.
“The increase of employment opportunities in Peak Innovation Park, coupled with the increase of diverse housing options in this part of our city, means current and future residents can enjoy the benefits of smart growth by living near their workplace,” said Mayor Mobolade. “The possibilities are exciting, and we are proud of this great work happening in the Southeast.”
Peak possesses substantial growth potential, with the possibility of constructing 10-15 million more square feet of space on the remaining land over the next 20-30 years, accommodating a total of approximately 25,000 employees. It allows the non-aeronautical land around the airport to support the City’s economic vitality through a diversified revenue stream for the airport. Peak Innovation Park also serves as one of the few commercially developable land areas in Colorado Springs, helping the City attract future businesses as the development continues to grow and prosper.
To learn more about Peak Innovation Park, visit peakinnovationpark.com.