Top Seven Reasons to be a Remote Tech Person in the Upper Arkansas Corridor
View of the Arkansas River from the rim of the Royal Gorge, photo credit: Brad Rowland
The Upper Arkansas corridor (Colorado Economic Region 13) is comprised of Fremont, Chaffee, Custer, and Lake counties.
1. We are Colorado State’s SECOND Tech Sector Partnership
A technology sector partnership in rural Colorado? That’s right. On March 9th, our team was approved with this designation, thanks to the work of our public and private sector team of remote tech employees, entrepreneurs, and public sector advocates.
“The Technology Partnership launch provided a timely platform for a strategic confluence of the community, academia, and industry to advance an enabling environment attractive to tech businesses and beneficial to rural Colorado!” – John Igbokwe, President & CEO, TechAxia
2. Amazing Outdoor Recreation
Salida is home to FIBArk, the nation’s oldest whitewater festival, and Canon City is one of 10 Best US Mountain Bike Towns with the Lowest Cost of Living.
Hundreds of miles of high quality single track. Photo credit: Brad Rowland
3. Canon City is the First Rural School District to be Awarded the PTECH Grant
All qualifying students can get their first two years of college paid for by the state and continue their education debt free through an Associate’s Degree. Canon City High School and its two partners, Fremont Campus-Pueblo Community College and the Fremont Economic Development Corporation’s TechSTART, have been awarded only the fourth Pathways in Technology Early College High School (PTECH) grant in the state of Colorado and are the first rural school to do so.
Schools all throughout the region have nationally award winning CAD programs, marching bands, JROTC programs, and so much to offer rural students and their families.
4. Our Community College was named a National Center of Academic Excellence for Cyber Defense Education
“The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security have designated Pueblo Community College a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE2Y) for its cyber security program.
The designation makes PCC the lone two-year accredited program in southern Colorado. Colorado State University-Pueblo is accredited as a four-year program.”
5. Amazing Outdoor Recreation
Kayaking, rafting the Arkansas through the Royal Gorge, hiking 14’ers, amazing camping, and year round rock climbing.
The view from Mount “S”. Photo credit: Brad Rowland
6. Great Weather!
The Upper Arkansas region offers the full range of elevation weather, from high desert with light precipitation and little snow, to full on “mountain weather” complete with ski resorts like Monarch. Canon City is nicknamed the “Climate Capital of Colorado” due to it’s unique weather profile.
7. Close (but not too close) Proximity to the I25 Tech Corridor
Salida is only two and a half hours to Denver and three hours to Boulder. Canon City is a one hour drive from Colorado Springs, two hours to Denver, and an hour drive to the Colorado Springs airport. Any location in the region is an easy distance for an I25 corridor remote office, or an occasional day trip for business meetings.
For more information about relocating to the Upper Arkansas area, contact:
- Chaffee County Economic Development
- Custer County Economic Development
- Fremont County Economic Development
Brad Rowland is the VP of Vendor Business Operations at Colorado-based, Pax8, and TechSTART Program Director, a project of the Fremont Economic Development Corporation. We takes pride in a culture of giving back to our communities, through ongoing internships, participation in job creation initiatives, and sponsoring timely and innovative programs, like CUGCs Women in Tech Mentoring program.