How immigrants are impacting Colorado's economy
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Immigrants in Colorado inject billions of dollars into the economy, according to a new analysis from the nonpartisan American Immigration Council, an immigrants advocacy group.
Yes, but: Their contributions come with costs, at least in the short term, for local governments managing the influx.
Why it matters: The surge of immigrants in recent years and the ramp-up of deportation efforts under President Trump are reshaping Colorado's economy and labor market, as well as its health care and education systems.
By the numbers: Colorado's 169,300 undocumented immigrants held $5.8 billion in spending power and paid $1.7 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2023, per AIC's analysis, which draws from census data.
- 93% are of working age.
The big picture: The state's 563,100 immigrant residents (both legal and undocumented) paid $7.7 billion in taxes and held $21.3 billion in spending power in 2023.
- They also contributed to Colorado's housing market, paying more than $2 billion in rent and accounting for $85 billion in housing wealth.
Zoom in: More than 45,000 entrepreneurs in the state, or about 13% of entrepreneurs, are immigrants, per AIC's analysis.
- Immigrants also make up significant portions of key occupations, such as maids and housekeeping cleaners (42%), construction laborers (39%), janitors and building cleaners (27%), cooks (24%), and truck drivers (21%).
The other side: The influx of immigrants in Colorado between 2022 and 2024 raised costs for local governments and the state, according to a Colorado Legislative Council Staff analysis released in late January.
- The conservative-leaning Common Sense Institute estimates the Denver area has spent at least $216 million supporting recent arrivals from the southern U.S. border — including spending on city services, education and health care.
What we're watching: With deportations underway, Colorado faces an uncertain economic recalibration.