LifeSciences thrive in Boulder
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U.S. 36 Collaborative
The U.S. 36 Collaborative comprises cities and economic development organizations situated along the U.S. Highway 36 corridor, connecting Denver and Boulder. The U.S. 36 Collaborative provides information, assistance, and resources to businesses interested in locating or expanding in the region.
Bioscience in Boulder
Colorado has built one of the nation's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems, spanning biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and agricultural bioscience. The state is home to a strong network of innovative startups, established industry leaders, research universities, healthcare systems, and federal laboratories that collaborate to accelerate scientific discovery and bring new therapies and technologies to market. This combination of research excellence, entrepreneurial support, and access to investment has made Colorado a recognized hub for life sciences innovation.
| Life Sciences in the Boulder MSA | |
|---|---|
| Number of Firms | Map the Top 50 | 278 |
| Number of Employees | 6260 |
| Employment Concentration (1.0=US average) | 4.1 |
Source: QCEW 2026 Q2 via Lightcast
Advantages for Bioscience
Boulder offers many local advantages that make it a top location for bioscience, including:
The ability to recruit and retain highly-educated talent.
Boulder MSA has the most highly educated population in the nation, and Colorado is the second-most highly educated state in the nation. Boulder and the Denver metro area is attractive for employees under 35.
Proximity to the University of Colorado Boulder.
University of Colorado Boulder is a leader in bioscience research and its applications to biotechnology breakthroughs, which was strengthened by the creation of the BioFrontiers Institute.
Proximity to major bioscience and medical research facilities.
Boulder is less than 45 minutes from one of the nation’s newest and largest medical complexes. The Fitzsimons Life Science District and the adjacent Anschutz Medical Campus are among the most ambitious medical developments in the country, and are the focal points of opportunity in the bioscience industry.
Access to financial resources to fund research and development.
- The Advanced Industries (AI) Accelerator Programs, created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado’s key industries through public-private partnerships, strong infrastructure, and early capital. AI Accelerator programs provides advanced industries–including bioscience–with several million dollars a year for up to 10 years.
Strong entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem.
Boulder ranks as one of the most entrepreneurial cities in the United States with talented individuals driving innovation in all industries, including bioscience. Boulder has many bioscience start-ups spinning off from CU-Boulder, research labs and other bioscience employers every year.
Access to support and service companies in Boulder.
Bioscience partners within the Boulder community support the advancement of the industry.
Bioscience in Metro Denver
Colorado has built one of the nation's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems, spanning biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and agricultural bioscience. The state is home to a strong network of innovative startups, established industry leaders, research universities, healthcare systems, and federal laboratories that collaborate to accelerate scientific discovery and bring new therapies and technologies to market. This combination of research excellence, entrepreneurial support, and access to investment has made Colorado a recognized hub for life sciences innovation.
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder is a leader in bioscience research and its applications to biotechnology breakthroughs. Successful biotech companies have been launched from CU-Boulder research and talent. Faculty members from across multiple CU campuses, departments and disciplines are engaged in bioscience, including:
- chemistry and biochemistry;
- computational biology and computer science;
- molecular, cellular and developmental biology;
- applied mathematics;
- ecology and evolutionary biology;
- mechanical, chemical and biological engineering
- physics; and
- civil, environmental and architectural engineering.
CU-Boulder’s leadership in bioscience was strengthened by the creation of the BioFrontiers Institute, headquartered in the new Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building, a 300,000 sq. ft., $300 million multi-disciplinary research center on CU-Boulder’s East Campus. At the BioFrontiers Institute, researchers from the life sciences, physical sciences, computer science and engineering are working together to uncover new knowledge at the frontiers of science, and partnering with industry to make their discoveries relevant.
Led by Nobel Laureate Thomas Cech, BioFrontiers is attracting talented researchers and students by providing an environment that encourages and rewards innovative thinking and collaborative research. The facility offers incubator space for researchers making bioscience discoveries and discovery bioscience technology.