New annual data released by the American Electronics Association indicate that Colorado is fast becoming the nation’s number one technology center, Gov. Bill Owens announced recently.

American Electronics Association (AEA), indicates that Colorado has the highest concentration of technology workers in the nation.

"Colorado is now an undisputed leader of the world technology revolution," declared Owens. "Not only does Colorado have the greatest concentration of high-tech workers in the nation, but this new data also indicates we are becoming a national and world leader in high-tech exports and venture capital investment. Colorado is certainly in the big leagues now in the world of high-tech," Owens said.

Annual AEA data shows the following high-tech gains for Colorado:

• With 84 high-tech workers per 1,000 private sector workers, Colorado now has the highest concentration of high-tech employment in the nation.

• Colorado’s high-tech exports totaled $3.6 billion in 1999, a 23 percent increase in just two years.

• Colorado enjoyed venture capital investments of $1.3 billion in 1999, placing it fifth in the nation.

• Colorado’s high-tech base is well-rounded. In addition to its impressive concentration of telecommunications-related workers, the state ranked seventh in computers and office equipment manufacturing employment, eighth in software services employment, and eleventh in semiconductor manufacturing employment.

• Colorado’s average high-tech worker earned $60,418 in 1999, 88 percent more than the average private sector wage.