As reported by the Denver Business Journal, Forbes’ has placed Fort Collins and Denver in the top five in its latest ranking of American’s Best Places for Business and Careers. In formulating the rankings Forbes’ considers factors such as job metrics, costs, income growth, quality of life, and education of the labor force.
Forbes’ ranks Fort Collins at number three highlighting the areas educated workforce. The area can boast that 46% of its residents have college degrees (dwarfing the U.S. average of 28%) along with the fact that 18% of residents possess graduate degrees. The ranking credits Colorado State University as a major presence and projects job growth in the area at 2.7%.
The ranking places Denver at number five and identifies Denver as a thriving hub for the aerospace industry. Denver employs 19,500 people in the private aerospace sector, the second biggest center for the industry in the United States. Among the 400 employers and suppliers in the area are global giants Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.
Other Colorado cities in this year’s ranking of 200 cities: Boulder, at No. 27 (up from No. 44 last year); Colorado Springs, at No. 42 (down from No. 30); and Greeley, at No. 46 (down from No. 42). Click here for the complete rankings.
This is consistent with activity we are seeing in the marketplace. We are beginning to see an uptick in start up ventures as well as expansion in our business clients who have benefitted from the gradual economic recovery. If you would like to learn more about how our attorneys may serve your new or expanding businesses, please contact our Business Law Group partner, David A. Closson at [email protected].