Colorado is a global leader in the creative industries, which include six creative sectors: design, film and media, heritage, literary and publishing, performing arts, and visual arts and crafts. With its existing ecosystem of creative entrepreneurs, arts and cultural nonprofits, media and entertainment giants, and universities and academic leaders who encourage creativity and innovation, Colorado’s creative industries are well-positioned to grow and continue to help Colorado’s economy thrive.

The creative industries in Colorado have been growing faster than in most other states, and Colorado now ranks 6th in the nation in percent of its workforce in creative class occupations. These jobs are well-distributed across the state; in fact, Colorado has ten of the nation’s top 25 non-metro counties in concentration of creative occupations. Artists and creative professionals are a major workforce asset for Colorado, as over half of all artists have received at least a bachelor’s degree.

The entrepreneurial spirit of Colorado is especially strong in creative professionals, who are 3.5 times more likely than the total U.S. workforce to be self-employed. And there is a close connection between art and technology, with one in three artists working in the professional, scientific, and technical services sectors.

Colorado is a global leader in the creative

industries, which include six creative sub-groups:

design, film and media, heritage, literary and

publishing, performing arts, and visual arts and

crafts:

•Design applies artistic content to commercial products, services and the

environment, and includes companies that purchase fabrics, design, cut, sew and

assemble garments and other sewn products ranging from footwear to handbags

and luggage. Companies that provide design-related services (such as architectural,

home interiors, graphic, and advertising-related agencies) are also included.

•Film and media companies provide technical and distributive elements of

Colorado’s entertainment industry, including companies that provide technical

production support systems such as sound, lighting, digital art, animation, sets and

studios, broadcasting and distribution channels via motion picture, video and music

production companies.

•Heritage includes Colorado’s historical sites, museums and botanical gardens.

•Literary and publishing companies print newspapers, books, labels, stationary

and other materials, and perform support activities such as data imaging and

bookbinding. Companies that wholesale and publish newspapers, magazines,

books, directories and mailing lists, and software are also included.

•Performing arts includes actors, musicians, promoters, producers and directors and

the venues at which they perform. Musical instrument and supply stores are also

included.

•Visual arts and crafts companies manufacture metal, wood, jewelry, silverware,

dolls and stuffed toys, games, musical instruments, wholesale toy and hobby

goods, jewelry and precious metals. Photography studios, galleries, photofinishing

laboratories, fine arts schools, art dealers, and sewing and needlework stores are

also included.

Creative Industries Assets

Colorado is a magnet for creative enterprises and creative workers with support

from its existing ecosystem of entrepreneurs, arts and cultural nonprofits, media and

entertainment companies, and universities and academic leaders. Colorado ranks sixth

in the nation in the percentage of its workforce in creative class occupations, totaling

35.9 percent. These jobs are well-distributed across the state; in fact, Colorado has 18 of

the nation’s top 25 percent non-metropolitan counties in the concentration of creative

occupations. The state is home to 11 Creative Districts, a program created in 2011 to

attract artists and creative entrepreneurs to the state and further develop magnets of

concentration to attract an innovative workforce. Colorado is also home to some of

the largest and preeminent cultural venues in the nation. The Denver Performing Arts

Complex is the nation’s largest arts complex under one roof. In addition, the state has a

vibrant and growing music community. For more than 40 years, the Telluride Bluegrass

Festival has been the premier bluegrass festival in the nation. Colorado also has some

of the best music venues in the nation, including Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison,

which was named as Rolling Stone magazine’s best amphitheater in the U.S. in 2013.

Denver, Colorado

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