CO-LABS

At CO-LABS we believe it is crucial to support scientific research in Colorado - and that discoveries in federal research labs here are making the world smarter, safer, more resilient and  capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st Century. 

We Envision Colorado as the Epicenter of Interdisciplinary Scientific Discoveries 

by a Diverse Network of Scientists Shaping The Path of Humanity.

Why we seek your support: 

We inform civic and political leaders of the crucial impact the network of 30+ federally-funded research labs and institutes in Colorado have on our local economy, our national prosperity and our national security.  Via your tax dollars the discoveries from these labs make the world a safer, smarter, more resilient and sustainable place. The scientific research in Colorado covers a broad spectrum of issues, from food production to climate change, aerospace to quantum computing, energy to disease threats to ecology to robotics to digital communication, and more. If there is a policy or technological issue you're concerned about, there is a lab in Colorado working on that topic. 

These labs are part of our county’s network of “crown jewels of scientific research” such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Wildlife Research Center, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, the National Institute Standards and Technology, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the National Ecological Observatory Network.

Their research is crucial to advancing our society and finding solutions to complex modern problems. These institutions are under constant threat of budget limitations, which is where we come in to advocate for them on a local and national level. 

By supporting CO-LABS, you play a crucial role in strengthening the connections between dozens of federal research laboratories, businesses and civic institutions to help bring science into society as products, solutions and policy guidance. The majority of our funding is used for events, webinars and other activities that convene these stakeholders, making them aware of the opportunities to leverage their technologies and their networks to bring scientific discoveries out to the labs into society. .

Our major projects we’re fundraising for on Colorado Gives Day include an updated economic impact study and our 2024 procurement expo.  

With our programs and advocacy we ensure technologists,  economic development experts, scientific thought leaders and elected officials can leverage the  resources, discoveries and cutting-edge technologies available in Colorado's federal research labs.

Through events, economic analyses, strategic communications and networking activities we work to: 

• PROMOTE Colorado as a global leader in research and technology

• EDUCATE the public about the labs’ impact and importance of sustained funding for research 

• CONNECT the labs, universities and businesses to facilitate partnerships and technology transfer 

Thank you for your support of science in Colorado!

#sciencematters

“CO-LABS does outstanding work for Colorado’s science community, supporting research labs that advance the frontiers of knowledge as well as sustain Colorado’s diverse economy. Its mission strengthens productive connections among research facilities and vital stakeholders across the state. I deeply appreciate the dedication of CO-LABS and look forward to continuing collaborations with this important organization.” 

- Antonio J. Busalacchi, President, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)

“It's a great recognition of the assets in this area with 30 National Labs. It's unlike any place in the country. And really fortunate to see not just how CO-LABS operates, but how these labs are flourishing. And especially in the most recent time, the trends have been to really understand their power and invest in them in our country.” 

- Dr. Alan Rudolph, former Vice President for Research at Colorado State University and recipient of 2023’s Governor’s Awards Lifetime Achievement Award