Colorado: Lt. Governor Primavera Leads Innovation and Partnership Mission to United Kingdom with a Focus on Bristol, Scotland, and Wales

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Strengthening Trade and Investment Ties While Opening New Avenues for Cross-Border Collaboration

DENVER – To enhance global economic ties, showcase Colorado's strengths, and boost the state's strong economy, Lt. Governor Primavera led a delegation on behalf of the State of Colorado to the United Kingdom, with a focus on Bristol, Scotland, and Wales. Officials within the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and a Colorado delegation of economic development professionals and industry leaders explored opportunities for collaboration in aerospace, agritech, photonics, quantum, and semiconductors.

"Here in Colorado, we know our economy is strongest when we build bridges. The United Kingdom is already our state's top source of foreign investment, with British firms investing $1.5 billion in our state over the last five years and supporting 19,400 Colorado jobs. This mission built on that momentum. Whether we were discussing quantum research, the future of aerospace, or training the next generation of workers, every conversation came back to one goal: making sure this growth reaches every corner of Colorado," said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera.

The mission furthered execution of the State of Colorado's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom, signed in January 2025 by Governor Jared Polis and His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General Richard Hyde to foster cooperation on economic relations, trade, and investment. This state-to-nation partnership focuses on shared priorities in aerospace, AI, clean energy, climate-smart agriculture and quantum technologies.

A full agenda of meetings, networking events, and site visits focused on exchanging ideas related to access to capital, economic growth strategies, workforce development, talent and upskilling, and the factors shaping today's innovation landscape. The mission also spotlighted how enabling technologies like semiconductors are revitalizing legacy industries and driving new growth.

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"This mission underscores the strength of our economic ties and cross-border collaboration with the UK. By deepening our partnership across key sectors like aerospace, clean energy and quantum, we are unlocking new avenues for cross-border investment, business expansion, and job creation that will benefit communities across our state," said OEDIT's Executive Director, Eve Lieberman.

The delegation focused on understanding the economies of Scotland and Wales while showcasing Colorado's strengths in areas that position the state as a prime destination for investment and collaboration. The delegation engaged with government partners in each market, innovators and researchers in various technological fields, and companies with ties to Colorado and the UK.

The UK is a highly strategic market for Colorado, with high growth industries and talent in aerospace, critical and emerging tech, renewable energy, and software/IT. The UK is Colorado's top source of foreign direct investment, with $1.5 billion in capital expenditures from British firms in the last five years and British companies supporting 19,400 Colorado jobs. Colorado companies have invested $1.3 billion in the UK, creating over 3,700 British jobs in areas of aerospace, digital infrastructure, and energy.

Since signing the MoU, Colorado and the UK have made significant progress in quantum collaboration. The two regions are bridging research and commercialization through key partnerships, including Elevate Quantum's partnership with the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority and University of Bristol, joint PhD student exchange programs, and active market expansions by firms such as Oxford Ionics/IonQ, Vescent, and Xairos.

Cross-border collaboration is driving major investment and policy alignment in clean energy and decarbonization capital, highlighted by Octopus Energy's $60 million investment into Denver-based Uplight, joint building-energy transparency initiatives, and ongoing fusion research connections between Colorado State University and UK fusion hubs

In aerospace and defense, strategic partnerships are expanding rapidly, as seen in Lockheed Martin's £100+ million investment in the UK space sector, Slingshot Aerospace's sensor contract with the UK Space Agency, and Colorado Springs-based Bluestaq launching a UK subsidiary with $50 million in funding.

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The Lieutenant Governor and the delegation were hosted by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Spellar and the Rt. Hon. Sir John Whittingdale OBE, MP with a goal to build durable, cross-party parliamentary support for the Colorado–UK partnership by engaging two long-serving members whose interests span the transatlantic alliance, foreign affairs, advanced technology, and tourism. The meeting facilitated raising awareness of Colorado's strengths across the sectors outlined in the MoU and securing ongoing advocacy from both hosts, including potential future visits to Colorado.

Colorado delegates included representatives from Atargis Energy Corp., City of Fort Collins, Colorado Business Roundtable, Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, Colorado State University, Colorado Quantum Incubator, Colorado School of Mines, Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO), Denver South, LongPath Technologies, Resilient Entanglement, and WorldDenver.

About OEDIT's Global Business Development Division
Global Business Development (GBD) is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. GBD supports Colorado businesses and communities by using a data-driven approach to recruit, support, and retain businesses that contribute to a robust and diversified economy. We align our portfolio of programs, services, and incentives with industries that benefit Colorado companies and elevate the state's national and international competitiveness. GBD also hosts foreign delegations and participates in trade and investment missions around the world to strengthen global awareness of Colorado. With a highly educated and motivated workforce, a thriving innovation economy, and nation-leading entrepreneurial spirit, Colorado is a top market for business development.

About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado's economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.
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