The Colorado Space Coalition of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce urges Congress to rapidly pass a FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that retains the key aerospace and defense industry support included in the conferenced bill text released on December 7, 2025. The Coalition highlights the bill’s critical support for America’s aerospace and defense workforce, commercial industry, and next-generation national security technologies.
“The NDAA’s reforms arrive at a pivotal moment for both the nation and Colorado’s rapidly growing space and defense industries, where demand for innovation is increasing as global threats become more complex,” said Leslie Oliver, VP of External Affairs for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The Coalition applauds the bill’s strong focus in the following areas:
“Colorado is home to some of the most forward-leaning aerospace innovators in the country,” said Lee Rosen, CEO and Co-Founder of ThinkOrbital, a Boulder based aerospace and defense company. “The NDAA is a chance to reinforce that momentum by ensuring small companies have the access, contracting tools, and transition pathways needed to bring breakthrough technologies directly to our warfighters.”
“These improvements ensure breakthroughs in autonomy, space systems, hypersonics, cyber defense, and advanced manufacturing will move into the field much faster than before,” said Morgan Alu, Director of the Colorado Space Coalition. “This speed will serve to strengthen American readiness and the competitiveness of the U.S. industrial base, which will continue to drive growth in Colorado's fast-growing aerospace and defense sector.”
Despite the many great things in the NDAA for Colorado’s aerospace and defense industry, it does not include a renewal for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The Coalition calls on Congress to rapidly pass a renewal of SBIR/STTR, which remains an indispensable engine of innovation for aerospace and defense firms across Colorado. SBIR-backed companies play a central role in advancing U.S. space capabilities, cybersecurity technologies, dual-use systems, and emerging defense applications. Renewal is essential to protecting the health and competitiveness of Colorado’s innovation ecosystem.
We recognize that several provisions debated throughout the total NDAA process have drawn significant attention and discussion, with some discussed elements not ultimately appearing in the conferenced text. From an industry perspective, we encourage continued dialogue to ensure that future legislative efforts support the overall resilience and effectiveness of the national security enterprise and the communities that sustain it.
The Colorado Space Coalition looks forward to working with Colorado’s Congressional Delegation to ensure swift passage of an FY26 NDAA that includes these key acquisition reforms. The Coalition will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen the aerospace and defense industry across the state, as Colorado remains an indispensable part of the nation's defense innovation ecosystem.
The Space Coalition is committed to ensuring Colorado continues to power the nation’s space mission, drive cutting-edge research, and support the industrial capacity required to maintain U.S. leadership in a rapidly evolving global environment.
About the Colorado Space Coalition
The Colorado Space Coalition is a statewide initiative powered by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. The Coalition brings together industry, academia, military innovation partners, and economic development leaders to strengthen Colorado’s position as a global center for aerospace. For more than twenty years, the Coalition has coordinated business attraction, federal policy engagement, supply chain development, and workforce initiatives that advance the state’s aerospace economy. With more than two hundred members across Colorado’s Front Range, the Coalition serves as a unified voice promoting collaboration, industry growth, and the continued leadership of Colorado in the national space ecosystem.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (DMCC) is the architect of tomorrow, igniting change and driving progress to build dynamic economies and communities. We champion innovation, forge powerful partnerships, and relentlessly advocate for our members and all Coloradans. With more than 150 years of trust and impact, we help business flourish.
The DMCC’s vision is Economic Empowerment for Every Coloradan and is achieved by advocating for effective public policy, developing civic leaders, and driving a sustainable economy. We promote a vibrant economy by fostering a business-friendly environment, supporting a skilled workforce and facilitating connections. Dedicated to boosting business and employee opportunities, the Chamber drives sustainable growth and prosperity across Colorado.
YellowDog, a design, print and marketing studio in Denver’s Clayton neighborhood, completed their first-ever period product drive, collecting more than 3,500 donations.
The 2023 State of the Period report found that nearly one quarter of teens and one third of adults struggle to afford period products, resulting in missed school days, lost wages, stress and embarrassment that no one should have to experience. YellowDog Office Manager Sara Lou Klein saw this need and felt driven to help. She had previously worked with the organization Period Kits and felt strongly about equipping people who menstruate with these basic necessities. Community is one of YellowDog's core values, and owners Jenny and Dan Mulligan threw their full support behind the initiative.
Premier Members Credit Union (PMCU) is the first credit union in Colorado to be certified by the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN). This certification recognizes PMCU’s greenhouse gas emission reductions, support of environmental sustainability and environmental justice organizations across the front range and their equitable business practices both internally and externally.
“Since 2019, our sustainability program has overseen a 17% decrease in the greenhouse gas intensity of PMCU buildings and increased purchase of renewable energy credits to over 20% of our total electricity consumption,” said Garrett Chappell, Senior Sustainability Specialist at PMCU. “We have also to re-invested over $40,000 to local grassroots organizations across all our member communities fighting to preserve Colorado’s environment and the well-being of our families and neighbors.”
We spoke with Garrett to learn more about the CGBN Certification and PMCU’s sustainability initiatives.
B:CIVIC partnered with Denver-based Longer Tables to host a Community Dinner at Green Spaces. Our guests had the opportunity to browse the Marketplace, and we invite everyone to take a closer look at this innovative space. Read more in our interview with Green Spaces CEO Jevon Taylor below.
As part of National Mental Health Awareness Month, we sat down with Tom Brinegar, vice president and chief financial officer of PEAK Resources, to learn more about their employee benefits.
Anna Costello founded Ship Sunshine because she loves to celebrate life’s special moments—big and small. Anna is a giver by nature and has infused this throughout her small business. Ship Sunshine creates hand-packed gift boxes filled with products from local and women-owned companies and packaged in eco-friendly recycled materials. Ship Sunshine further supports the community by engaging customers in the #SunshineItForward campaign. Customers can directly support local nonprofits by adding a donation to their order or purchasing a product that benefits One Colorado or Ray of Hope. Ray of Hope is an important cause to Ship Sunshine and Anna, as Anna’s dad passed away from cancer in 2009.
Determination and creativity are baked right into the heart of SoJo Kitchen & Co. That, plus a whole lot of “luv”. Freshly fourteen years old, eight grader Sohan Jhaveri is the founder and chief executive baker of SoJo Kitchen & Company and the youngest member (with his mother’s full support, of course!) of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Growing up, Sohan was constantly in the kitchen with his grandmothers. Not to mention, he’s been raised according to his parents’ business-driven mindsets. For as long as he can remember, he has been baking and admiring his business-savvy parents during their networking dinners. During of the COVID-19 pandemic, in the summer of 2020, Sohan decided to take his cooking chops to the next level by studying how to create more intricate desserts, like traditional French pastries.
“It was all him,” Sohan’s mother, Neelima Joshi, says. “He started watching YouTube videos. Then he started reading books. We got the Julia Child book [“Mastering the Art of French Cooking”] and he read through it. Day in and day out, there was a lot of baking going on.”
After mastering the macaron (which he sold to friends and family), the next step came naturally for Sohan. He needed to turn his passion into a real business, so he started by selling his macarons on Etsy. Today, he has his own website, where he still sells his specialty macarons but has expanded into other desserts including eclairs, cakes, cupcakes, chocolates and more.
He prides himself on his artisanal sweets and finds joy in the creative outlet that baking provides. He also enjoys experimenting, occasionally sprinkling in Indian/South Asian flavors as an ode to his heritage. As he’s ventured into e-commerce, he is also eager to start selling his creations at local farmer’s markets.
Not only are Sohan and his sweets gaining traction online, he is also making a name for himself on national television. Discovered through an open casting call, Sohan will put his baking skills to the test on the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. You can watch Sohan compete on December 26 at 6 p.m. MST on the Food Network and Discovery+ channels.
The road to landing a spot on the competitive baking show began with an intensive six-month casting process that included interviews, calls and baking demonstrations. Participants had to prove that they possess the ability to bake at an advanced level and can handle the pressures of the show.
In the fall of 2020, SoJo Kitchen & Co. got its LLC title. Once it become official with the Secretary of State – and after proving to his mother this was more than simply a pandemic hobby – joining the Chamber just made sense to Sohan.
“I wanted to be a member to put my name out there, to boost my brand. [I also] wanted to be part of a community of small and bigger businesses,” Sohan says. As an emerging entrepreneur, Sohan says the most challenging part is finding the balance between school and his business. But he makes it work, and as he’ll tell you… This is just the beginning!
The next time you’re craving something sweet, support Sohan’s small business by placing an order for specialty macarons, custom cupcakes or other French pastries at www.luvsojokitchen.com. You can also request his catering services for your upcoming holiday event!
