Colorado
Colorado exhibits altitude adaptation: aerospace grew 88% in 20 years with $23B in federal contracts while tech generates 20% of GDP as the 3rd most concentrated tech economy.
Colorado has adapted to thrive at altitude—both literal and economic. The state's aerospace industry grew 88% over two decades, more than any other emerging sector in the Denver-Boulder corridor. Over 200 Colorado companies now participate in NASA's Artemis program, while the sector pulls $23 billion in federal contracts annually, with another $12.5 billion flowing from military installations. This concentration creates ecosystem effects: 55,000 direct aerospace jobs support 184,000 indirect positions, a multiplier that keeps the economic atmosphere rich with opportunity.
The tech sector reveals similar altitudinal advantage. Colorado ranks third nationally in tech industry concentration, with the sector generating 20% of GDP and 10% of employment. Over five years, tech added 47,440 net jobs—more than any other industry—and projections show 11.5% growth ahead, the nation's fifth-fastest rate. Denver has evolved into a startup hub attracting venture capital at the fifth-highest rate nationally from 2018-2023. This isn't accidental: high-skill industries gravitate toward locations where talent concentrates, and Colorado's quality of life—mountain access, outdoor culture—functions as an attractor.
Cannabis represents adaptive radiation into unexpected niches. As the first state to legalize recreational use, Colorado captured first-mover advantage that continues paying dividends through dispensary networks, cultivation expertise, and specialized tech like compliance software and wholesale trading platforms. With real GDP growth projected at 2.1% in 2025 and 2.9% in 2026—both exceeding national rates—Colorado demonstrates how altitude selection can compound across industries.