Colorado's Entrepreneurial Spirit Takes Center Stage at Colorado Startup Week

Downtown Denver became the epicenter of innovation last week as Colorado Startup Week concluded its first year under a new statewide banner, drawing nearly 10,000 attendees from across Colorado. As Titan Sponsor and lead producer of the Week, the Downtown Denver Partnership released our 2025 State of Tech Report, revealing how Denver and Colorado continue to defy national trends in entrepreneurship and innovation. 

The four-day celebration of entrepreneurship showcased the state's startup ecosystem, bringing together innovators from Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and communities across the Western Slope. 

"Startup Week is the heartbeat of Colorado's entrepreneurial community," said Kate Barton, Chief of External Affairs & Managing Director at the Downtown Denver Partnership. "This year, we honored its Denver roots while expanding to showcase the state's full entrepreneurial spirit. The result was an unforgettable week that set the stage for years to come." 

Colorado Startup Week, formerly known as Denver Startup Week, delivered more than 200 dynamic sessions in 1900 Lawrence and across downtown. From keynote presentations and hands-on workshops to live demos and evening mixers, the week showcased Colorado's position as a thriving destination for entrepreneurs and emerging technology. 

President and CEO Kourtny Garrett moderated the panel "I Choose Denver: The Business of Building Places and Communities." Drawing from key learnings of our successful Urban Exploration program in Detroit, this panel featured impactful Denver founders and Partnership members, Mark Falcone with Continuum Partners, Rob Cohen with IMA Financial Group, Traci Lounsbury with Elements, and Mary Nguyen with Olive & Finch Collective, who shared insights into how they've leveraged their businesses to create places, foster community, and contribute to Denver's growth. 

The success of Colorado Startup Week demonstrates the depth and breadth of Colorado's startup ecosystem. By expanding beyond Denver while maintaining downtown as its central hub, Colorado Startup Week created opportunities for entrepreneurs from smaller communities to connect with the broader innovation network and access resources that can fuel their growth.  

For more on Colorado Startup Week, head to www.costartupweek.com.