Colorado Springs 10-Year Outlook - Colorado Springs - 1

Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in inquiries from Korean investors about Colorado Springs. This interest seems to be supported by the perception that it is relatively undervalued compared to Denver.

Colorado Springs is recognized as a city with a clear population growth trend within Colorado. The city's population is approximately 500,000, and when including the metropolitan area, it is estimated to be around 750,000. It has been observed that there has been a steady annual population increase of about 1% in recent years. The lower cost of living and natural environment compared to Denver are cited as factors attracting new residents, and there is a consistent trend of households relocating after retirement.

The industrial base is centered around military and aerospace facilities. Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and Fort Carson Army Base are located here, and it appears that employment related to the U.S. Space Force Command and defense contractors is being consistently maintained. Recently, there have been new hiring cases from related defense and aerospace subcontractors, and employment in the healthcare sector, centered around UCHealth, is also on the rise.

The unemployment rate is around 4%, which is lower than the national average, and the income growth rate is observed to exceed the state average in Colorado. However, it is important to note that the recent pace of housing price increases has outstripped income growth, leading to increased purchasing power burdens.

Infrastructure investments include the expansion of the Colorado Springs Airport and improvements to Highway 25, along with ongoing new residential and commercial facility supply through downtown redevelopment.

For Korean households, the rental market, based on the demand from military personnel and related industry workers, is likely to remain stable, making it an attractive option for rental income investments. However, the dependence on the defense budget policy changes should also be considered as a risk factor.

In summary, Colorado Springs is evaluated as a region with the potential for steady growth over the next decade, centered around the aerospace and defense industries, but it is also necessary to monitor the volatility due to policy variables.