How Amazon is investing in Colorado

Key takeaways

Amazon has invested more than $20 billion in Colorado and contributed over $20 billion to the state's economy.
The company has more than 20,000 full- and part-time employees and supports more than 20,000 indirect jobs.
Amazon partners with 10 educational institutions in Colorado through its Career Choice program and has upskilled over 2,400 employees since 2019.
More than 62 million items were sold by Colorado-based independent sellers through Amazon's store.

For more than 30 years, Amazon has been investing across the United States, strengthening local economies and creating opportunities for communities nationwide. Colorado is a prime example of this commitment, with Amazon building a substantial presence in the state since 2016.

An Amazon employee receives her Spotlight award certificate from a colleague.

A Colorado Spotlight award winner receives her certificate.

Today, the Centennial State serves as a thriving innovation and logistics hub for Amazon, with investments spanning fulfillment centers to Whole Foods Market locations. The company's economic impact extends beyond direct employment, supporting thousands of additional jobs in construction, logistics, and professional services, and helping local businesses reach customers around the world.

Here are five ways Amazon is investing in Colorado:

1. Investing in our employees

Amazon provides competitive wages and comprehensive benefits from Day 1. Operations employees in customer fulfillment and transportation earn an average hourly base wage of more than $23, with total compensation averaging more than $30 an hour when including benefits. These benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance starting on Day 1, free mental health resources, up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave, a 401(k) with 50% company match, and flexible time-off options that increase with tenure.

Beyond more than 20,000 direct jobs, Amazon's presence in Colorado supports more than 20,000 indirect jobs in industries such as construction, logistics, and professional services—suppliers and partners whom we rely on every day.

2. Investing in workforce development and upskilling

Amazon is committed to preparing its workforce for future opportunities through comprehensive education and skills training programs. Since 2019, more than 2,400 Colorado employees have participated in these free initiatives.

Two Amazon Employees sharing information from their tablets at work.

In Colorado, Amazon partners with 10 educational institutions through its Career Choice program, which prepays tuition for employees pursuing further education. These partnerships with colleges and universities across the state help Amazon employees gain in-demand skills that can propel them into new careers. From Machine Learning University to Career Choice, these programs represent Amazon's investment in developing talent and creating pathways to opportunity for its workforce.

3. Building infrastructure across the Centennial State

Amazon has invested more than $20 billion in Colorado's infrastructure and employee compensation, contributing more than $20 billion to the state's gross domestic product.

These investments include 11 fulfillment and sortation centers, 10 delivery stations, three rural delivery stations, and other facilities across the state. The company has also expanded its retail footprint with 23 Whole Foods Market locations across Colorado. Amazon continues to grow its sustainable infrastructure as well, with three solar farms and three sites with on-site solar power in the state.

4. Empowering Colorado's small businesses

Amazon provides a powerful opportunity for Colorado's entrepreneurs and small businesses to reach customers worldwide. Colorado-based independent sellers—primarily small and medium-sized businesses—sold more than 62 million items through Amazon's store, with sellers generating, on average, more than $275,000 in annual sales.

Paola Ramirez-Shah smiling and holding a box of Tucketts wellness accessories including a spiky massage ball.

Tucketts founder Paola Ramirez-Shah showcasing some of her brand's wellness accessories.

These independent sellers represent more than 60% of sales in Amazon's store. Their success contributes significantly to local economies, with more than 65% of U.S. independent sellers employing at least one person within 50 miles of their primary business location.

By providing infrastructure, logistics support, and access to millions of customers, Amazon enables Colorado's small businesses to scale their operations and create additional jobs throughout the state.

5. Investing as a good neighbor

Amazon uses its global scale and strengths to make a positive impact in communities. Working with trusted community partners, we address critical needs—food security, education, disaster relief—using our logistics, technology, and innovation, while investing as a good neighbor in the communities where our employees live and work.

Amazon employees prepare meals as part of community outreach in Denver.

Amazon employees volunteer to help with community outreach in Denver.

In Colorado, Amazon has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local community organizations.
Amazon has delivered more than 200,000 meals on behalf of food banks and nonprofits across the state. The company has reached more than 20,000 students and 900 teachers through education programs and supported more than 200,000 computer science learning hours. More than 1,000 Amazon employees have volunteered in communities across Colorado.

Read more about how Amazon is investing in Colorado and the U.S.