In a significant move to foster cooperation in advanced technologies, Colorado Governor Jared Polis and New Zealand Space Minister Judith Collins signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. The agreement aims to strengthen the partnership between the two regions in aerospace, quantum, and geothermal technologies.

The MoC is the result of a meeting between Governor Polis and Minister Collins in April 2024, where they agreed to take active steps to further cooperation in key industries. According to Governor Polis, "We are thrilled to strengthen our relationship with New Zealand, a country that shares our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and advancing new technologies." He added that the agreement will help create more opportunities for investments into Colorado businesses and the creation of new jobs.

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The MoC is intended to increase bilateral foreign direct investment between Colorado and New Zealand, develop research and development projects, and promote regional technology hubs. Eve Lieberman, Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Executive Director, emphasized the importance of building long-term relationships with international partners, stating that this milestone builds on years of cooperation with New Zealand to increase opportunities for startups and growing businesses.

The two-way trade between New Zealand and Colorado is valued at 61million annually, with Colorado exporting $23 million in goods to New Zealand and importing $38 million in goods. Over the past five years, New Zealand has been the seventh largest provider of foreign direct investment into Colorado, with 29 New Zealand companies, many of them startups, operating in the Denver area.

The cooperation between Colorado and New Zealand is not new, as ski resort areas Queenstown and Aspen have enjoyed sister-city relations since 1992. In 2019, Colorado's Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and OEDIT conducted an investment mission to New Zealand, and in September 2024, Auckland and Denver became City2City partners to encourage innovation and boost startup ecosystems.

Following the signing of the MoC, a steering committee will be formed to oversee the implementation of the agreement. The strength of these ties has led New Zealand to appoint representatives to assist New Zealand companies in Colorado, as well as an Honorary Consul based in Denver. This move is expected to further strengthen the economic and technological ties between Colorado and New Zealand.