Colorado in top five of CNBC’s Top States for Business
Colorado ranks fifth for Top States for Business according to a survey conducted by CNBC. The network rated each of the 50 states on 40 different measures of competitiveness and compiled the information into 10 categories including: Cost of Doing Business, Workforce, Economy, Education, Quality of Life, Technology & Innovation, Transportation, Cost of Living, Business Friendliness, and Access to Capital. Colorado ranked fifth after Texas, Virginia, Utah and Idaho in the 2008 survey.

Aurora supports one the nation’s most highly educated workforces. To maintain this asset, state and federal sources supply financial assistance for training to new and expanding companies.

Aurora’s labor force averaged 171,300 participants. Nearly 89% of the population (age 25 and over) has graduated high school, and about 36% have a college degree. Due to its excellent highway and mass transit systems, Aurora businesses also draw workers from the surrounding metropolitan area.

Labor costs
Employees working in Colorado made an average salary of $42,377 in 2008 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Colorado FIRST and Existing Industry Customized Training Programs
Colorado FIRST funds are job training grants given to assist companies moving to or expanding in the state of Colorado. Existing Industry grants are designed for Colorado companies that are implementing new technology to remain competitive and keep jobs in Colorado. For more information on these and other business incentives, view the Business Support/Incentives page.

Employer Resources
Arapahoe and Douglas Counties offer a one-stop-shop of resources for job seekers and employers called Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Adams County Workforce and Business Center offers similar services for Adams County.