Maintain relationship with United States armed forces - legislative declaration

(1) (a) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that: (I) The defense sector is one of the state's largest economic sectors, with an impact exceeding ten billion dollars per year; (II) The United States military presence in the state is directly responsible for the majority of the economic activity in connection with the defense sector; (III) The defense sector, unlike most sectors of the state's economy, is disproportionately impacted by decisions made in Washington, D.C.; (IV) The branches of the United States armed services are facing multiple years of declining budgets and are making important decisions about where to conduct necessary activities and programs; (V) States across the country are placing greater focus on the defense sector and are creating stronger competition for jobs tied to that sector; and (VI) The defense industry is experiencing consolidations and also making decisions about where it will continue to operate. (b) The general assembly further finds and declares that the Colorado office of economic development is able to help the state protect and grow its economy by being fully engaged in supporting the defense sector. (2) In addition to the powers and duties specified in section 24-48.5-101, the Colorado office of economic development shall protect and grow the state's economy by being fully engaged in supporting the defense sector and influencing the defense sector decision-making processes that occur at the federal level. The office shall maintain the state's positive interactions with the United States armed forces by advocating for the state's involvement in current and potential military missions, supporting private Colorado businesses that bid for contracts with the United States armed forces, and assisting the state's congressional delegation in protecting Colorado's current United States armed forces commands from future military base realignments or closures.