(The Center Square) – Denmark, Sweden and Finland aren’t among the top five countries for Colorado’s exports, but Democrat Gov. Jared Polis is leading a group from the state on a trip to Europe to explore economic opportunities.
In 2023, approximately 10% of Colorado’s $10.4 billion in global exports went to the European Union ($1.3 billion), according to information from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Canada is the state’s largest world market with $1.9 billion or approximately 18% of total exports.
“I am thrilled to help build new partnerships in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, nations that share our commitment to renewable energy, technological innovation, quantum computing and other thriving Colorado industries,” Polis said in a statement announcing the trip.
Email inquiries to Polis’ office and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade asking whether the trip was funded by taxpayer dollars weren’t returned.
Colorado ranked 32nd in the nation in exports in 2023. However, exports increased 21% when compared to the 2013 amount of $1.8 billion.
Following Canada, the state’s largest world markets are Mexico ($1.6 billion), China ($896 million), South Korea ($734 million) and Switzerland ($713 million). Colorado’s exports accounted for 2% of the state’s gross domestic product in 2023.
A media release from Polis’ office said the group will exchange ideas and insights with a wide range of business and government leaders on emerging technologies in renewable energy, technology, innovation and quantum science.
“Western Europe is a leading destination for Colorado business expansion, and the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland and Sweden offer significant opportunities for growth in areas that are strategically important to our state,” Eve Lieberman, executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, said in a statement. “This investment mission represents an opportunity to advance our commitment and showcase Colorado’s leadership in the areas of renewable energy, technology, innovation and quantum while supporting the growth of Colorado companies.”
Food and associated products are Colorado’s largest export category, accounting for $2.2 billion last year. Other top exports were computer and electronic products ($2.1 billion), machinery ($1.2 billion), chemicals ($874 million) and transportation equipment ($646 million).
Organizations joining Polis and Lieberman are Alquist 3D, Atom Computing, Colorado Health & Tech Centers, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, LongPath Technologies, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, United Airlines, University of Colorado Boulder, VeroTouch, Vescent Technologies and Xairos.
Polis led a trip to India to enhance the state’s business initiatives during his first term and a trip to Japan last year.
A 2022 partnership agreement between Finland and Colorado led to a Finnish photonics company, Vexlum, opening its U.S. headquarters in Broomfield, according to the 2023 annual report published by the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The company makes high-powered lasers used by the federal laboratory for the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Colorado and other clients in the state.
