Innovator Partner
Metro Denver EDC
Often called a “center of influence,” the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was the nation’s first regional economic development organization. A division of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Denver EDC now represents a powerful coalition of 12 counties and over 130 communities stretching from the Wyoming border to Pueblo, Colorado. This region encompasses some of the fastest growing and most economically dynamic areas in the country. As the economic development function of the broader Denver Metro Chamber, the Metro Denver EDC serves a territory that comprises more than two-thirds of Colorado’s population and generates over three-quarters of the state’s GDP, advancing a unified vision for business growth, regional prosperity, and global competitiveness.
Metro Denver EDC
Raymond H. Gonzales
President
In 2021, Raymond H. Gonzales was named President of the Metro Denver EDC and oversees the work to unite more than 80 cities, counties and economic development agencies in the 10-county Metro Denver region to promote economic prosperity, lead business attraction and retention efforts. He leads a team of economic development leaders, and in-house economist and analysts, and corporate attraction team for National and International business development.
Previously, Gonzales served as the County Manager of Adams County in Colorado and brings more than 24 years of experience encompassing every level of government administration. He is a progressive and innovative economic development expert with a successful track record for attracting new industry, business and investments.
Metro Denver brings natural beauty, urban culture and an energetic workforce together into an environment filled with a sense of adventure and purpose.
Raymond H. Gonzales
Meet Metro Denver EDC
Partner News and Insights
National Site Selectors Confirm: Colorado Rises Above the Rest
National site selectors saw firsthand what Colorado’s health innovation community already knows. Our state rises above the rest.
During Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation’s 2025 Site Selection Conference, national site selection consultants shared what makes Colorado a top contender for life sciences, quantum, and other innovation-driven industries.
Savannah Jermance, Director of Business Incentives and Site Selection at Ryan, highlighted the convergence of advanced industries in Colorado, including quantum, life sciences, and climate resilience with the NSF ASCEND Engine.
Colorado’s collaborative spirit drives health innovation and strengthens our advanced industries. At the Site Selection Conference, Colorado Hub for Health Impact partners joined leaders from life sciences, quantum, climate resilience, aerospace, and other advanced industries during a week that spotlighted Colorado’s strengths.
The New Executive Welcome celebrated executives in new roles who have recently relocated to or are expanding their companies in Colorado, including Anna Jeter, AOA Dx Co-Founder, and Michael Landau, Corden Pharma Managing Partner. The event took place in the foothills under a full moon with sweeping views of the night sky. Panelists shared why they chose Colorado.
“I have never seen an esprit de corps like the one we have with startups here.”
-Bryan Leach, CEO, Ibotta
“The next generation of quantum will happen here.”
-Sristy Agarwal, Co-Founder and CEO, Mesa Quantum Systems
At BioMed Realty, the Colorado Bioscience and Quantum Workforce Panel explored how shared infrastructure, talent pipelines, and partnerships are fueling growth across high-impact industries.
During the feedback dinner which attracted hundreds of Coloado business leaders, site selectors emphasized how talent and collaboration set Colorado apart.
“I was floored by the stats and the talent pipeline.”
-Mike Falleroni, Principal, Ryan
“Colorado’s reputation overall is really good, well-educated talent, predictable tax structure.”
-Larry Gigerich, Executive Managing Director, Genovus
“Colorado’s geography creates a large yet small dynamic, connected and collaborative. You could feel the collaboration.”
-Steve Brunson, Principal, DMA
Metro Denver EDC continues to bring together public, private, and academic partners to strengthen Colorado’s position as a destination for high-growth industries.
Thank you to Ray Gonzales, Daniel Ryley, and the Metro Denver EDC team for advancing Colorado’s competitiveness and spotlighting our state’s innovation ecosystem.
As Larry Gigerich said, “The crowd we see here, we don’t see this anywhere else we go.”
Metro Denver EDC Hosts Global Site Selectors to Showcase Regional Strengths and Competitiveness
Metro Denver EDC’s core mission is to facilitate new corporate investment into the 11-county Front Range Region of Colorado. On average, approximately 10% of all corporate site selection projects Metro Denver EDC supports fall within the life sciences and bioscience industry, which represents research, pharmaceutical, medical device manufacturing/distribution, and corporate/headquarters operations.
Metro Denver EDC specializes in cultivating and nurturing relationships with site selection consultants and corporate executives, sharing regional real estate, financial and ecosystem data to competitively position the Metro Denver region for facilities and primary job-creating investment. Annually, Metro Denver EDC hosts the Metro Denver Site Selection Conference, a strategy to immerse site selectors in the Front Range community and culture, and showcase the region’s various strengths, assets and competitive advantages. The goal is for site selectors to transfer that information to corporate decision makers and ultimately shortlist Metro Denver as a destination for projects.
In 2023, Agilent Technologies, a global supplier of scientific research, diagnostics, software, consumables, and pharmaceutical and food testing equipment, broke ground on a $725 million manufacturing facility expansion in Fredrick, Colorado. The partnership between the town, Upstate Colorado Economic Development, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and Metro Denver EDC helped ensure the site selection process kept the investment in the Front Range region. Brian Carothers, vice president and general manager of Agilent Technologies, “The incentives from Colorado were always well received and helpful, but really, it’s the Colorado culture. It’s the people. It’s the science.”
This October 8th through 13th, Metro Denver EDC will host seven top-tier global site selectors from firms including Newmark, JLL, GLS, and NAI Horizon. The site selectors will gain insights on emerging industries in the region, economic development tools and inducements used to improve the region’s position and culminate with a discussion to understand opportunities for improving Metro Denver’s global competitiveness.
Metro Denver EDC Spearheads Life Sciences Growth
Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (EDC) catalyzes life sciences growth in Colorado’s Front Range communities, facilitating nearly 15 relocations or expansions of life sciences and health innovation companies within a 20-month period. With a legacy as one of the nation’s pioneering regional economic development organizations, Metro Denver EDC spans 11 counties and nearly 100 communities, shaping a vibrant economy and rich culture throughout Colorado.
The organization’s commitment to the life sciences community is exemplified by its strategic partnerships and proactive support for companies seeking to establish roots in the region. A recent milestone—the relocation of Virta Health from San Francisco to downtown Denver last in October 2023—connects the region to a transformative healthcare organization specializing in reversing type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity. The company received relocation incentives, including performance-based job growth tax credits.
Metro Denver EDC played a pivotal role in facilitating Virta Health’s expansion, leveraging its extensive network and expertise to support the creation of high-paying jobs and foster groundbreaking healthcare advancements here in Colorado.
CEO and co-founder of Virta Health, Sami Inkinen, commends Colorado’s growing reputation as an innovation hub, emphasizing the region’s exceptional talent pool and compassionate ethos. This collaboration underscores Metro Denver EDC’s unwavering dedication to propelling the life sciences sector forward.
How Colorado Ranks in Economic Competitiveness
One of Colorado’s most valuable assets is the highly educated workforce that resides here. The state rates second for the percent of adults with a college degree with 45.9 percent of adults holding a 4-year degree or more. Colorado is home to many emerging industries, quantum computing for one, and has the talent to attract fast-growing companies to the region.
Developing the next generation of leaders in Colorado requires collaboration between the public and private sectors. Their ongoing partnerships make Colorado an ideal place to start or grow a business. Colorado already has a solid foundation in high growth industries and attracts investments from all over the country to fund revolutionary technology.
Data on high-tech industries:
#4 – High-tech employment per 1,000 private sector workers (CompTIA).
#10 – Patents granted per 1,000 residents (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 2020).
#12 – Academic R&D, based on total science and engineering research and development spending at academic institutions per capita. (National Science Foundation, 2021)
#22 – R&D Intensity, representing total research and development expenditures as a percentage of state GDP. Colorado’s research and development expenditures grew by 4.9 percent between 2020 and 2021, but state GDP grew by 12.4 percent, causing Colorado to drop in the rankings. (National Science Foundation, 2021)
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The information submitted through this form will be used by Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) and Metro Denver Economic Corporation (MDEDC) for the purpose of evaluating and facilitating economic development opportunities. It will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and will not be disclosed to third parties without explicit consent.
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Meet Our Partners
Colorado:
Hub for Health Impact
We love to collaborate with new arrivals. Our welcoming life sciences community is right-sized for high-growth companies. There’s more than a million square feet of lab space planned or in development critical infrastructure and state support for startups expansions and relocations. Our supportive partners are ready for every step of the journey.