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Innovation is happening. Right here.

Fitzsimons Innovation Community is a sprawling campus of leading-edge laboratory workspace where innovative health and life sciences companies of all sizes take their research to the next level to cure diseases, save lives, and improve care.

Smart, inclusive, forward-thinking, and highly educated people lead life sciences innovation in Colorado, the Hub for Health Impact. Together, we welcome life sciences organizations looking to call Colorado home and to collaborate with a robust community already in on the secret: the health and life sciences industry in Colorado is strong and making a global impact on the future of health.

 Move in, and build your vision here—today.

Community

The emphasis is on Community

We called it a community for a reason. From the board of directors to the newest company on campus, everyone at Fitzsimons Innovation Community knows that easy access to collaboration has direct results on success. From idea incubation to final-product manufacturing, your end-to-end innovation can come alive right here on our campus. All that Colorado sunshine is just a bonus.

Community

Cutting-edge discoveries in action

62%

Companies Hiring

Fitzsimons Innovation Community member companies are thriving. 62% of companies added employees to their workforce.

75%

Companies Fundraising

Most Fitzsimons Innovation Community member companies are actively involved in fundraising to power their progress.

16+

New Innovations

Fitzsimons Innovation Community member companies introduced more than 16 new innovations to the market in 2023.

$116M

Capital Raised

Last year, Fitzsimons Innovation Community member companies attracted more than $116M in investments to support R&D, prepare for clinical trials, accelerate commercialization, and retain or recruit talent.

75%

Companies with Discoveries

Fitzsimons Innovation Community member companies made news with major breakthrough discoveries last year. Areas included molecular biology, pharmaceuticals, medical device, research tools, cell and gene therapy, material science, and diagnostics.

50%

Companies Forging Strategic Partnerships

Fitzsimons Innovation Community member companies forged strategic partnerships for business collaboration, legal services, and venture capital opportunities.

*Fitzsimons Innovation Community Member Growth Survey responses (January – December 2023)

A heritage of healthcare and innovation

Fitzsimons Innovation Community stands on the grounds that once held the Fitzsimons Army Hospital, where soldiers returning from World War I were treated. The Colorado high altitude has always been a destination for advancements in lung treatment, and 100 years ago, soldiers sought cures for tuberculosis and mustard gas exposure right here.

After the Army decommissioned the hospital in the 1990s, ideas for the current University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Fitzsimons Innovation Community began to percolate. That rich history of discovery, care, and research continues to inspire our vision a century later.

Our team is on your team

You know best when it comes to your projects, and we know how to keep you up and running with first-class scientific facilities management and community engagement. Our priority is to help you thrive on this campus and we have the proven tools and expertise to make that happen.

Bruce Schmidt

Facilities engineer

Don Larson

Facilities engineer

Juliena Carlson

Property Administrator

Julie Ehler

Accounting Lead

Kelly Brough

President & CEO

Laurie Troge

Chief of Staff

Lyle Artz

Site manager

Sue Niblo

Senior property manager

Thomas Smith

CFO & Vp of finance

“The workspace has been perfect for our projects, but the most impressive thing to me has been the community. We’ve collaborated with researchers from the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, networked with other Fitzsimons Innovation Community members, and bounced ideas off some of the best minds in healthcare. And it’s all contributed to us moving forward in our research.”

Scott Deeter

CEO, InVitria

“I park my car in the morning, and then I never move it until I leave after work. We walk to lunch and meetings and take advantage of the outdoor space as much as we can during the day. Work-life balance happens right on campus.”

Kristin Nixon

President, PhosphoSolutions

Community

Fitzsimons Innovation Community News

Melissa Krebs Inducted Into American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows
News | Apr 14, 2025

Melissa Krebs Inducted Into American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows

Melissa Krebs, Ph.D., CEO and Founder of Community member GelSana, has been inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows. ​This prestigious honor recognizes her pioneering advancements in cell-interactive biomaterials and their clinical translation, particularly in regenerative medicine and drug delivery technologies. Her innovative work is making significant strides in improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Aurora coffee shop offers job training for people experiencing homelessness
News | Apr 02, 2025

Aurora coffee shop offers job training for people experiencing homelessness

Change Please Coffee at Fitzsimons Innovation Community in Aurora is a coffee shop that is doing good in the community by helping people get back on their feet.

RheumaGen:Tackling Autoimmune Disease with Cell and Gene Therapy
News | Apr 01, 2025

RheumaGen:Tackling Autoimmune Disease with Cell and Gene Therapy

Inside Precision Medicine recently highlighted Community member RheumaGen's mission to develop one-time, curative CGT treatments for autoimmune diseases. Read more about their innovative approach and hear from Co-founder and CEO, Richard Freed.

Denver Life Sciences Real Estate Shows Signs Of Improvement
News | Feb 26, 2025

Denver Life Sciences Real Estate Shows Signs Of Improvement

Challenges in the Denver-Boulder life sciences real estate market have leveled off with a spike in leasing activity and venture capital funding to local companies at the end of 2024.

CU Anschutz Debuts New Ad Campaign: Where Dreams Live
News | Feb 24, 2025

CU Anschutz Debuts New Ad Campaign: Where Dreams Live

On Sunday, Feb. 9, during the Super Bowl, CU Anschutz returned to televisions and airwaves across the Denver metro area with a vibrant new marketing campaign. Titled Where Dreams Live, the campaign presents an imaginative take on the spirit of innovation that powers the people and life-changing work taking place on our campus every day.

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Earns Prestigious R1 Research Classification
News | Feb 18, 2025

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Earns Prestigious R1 Research Classification

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus was once again recognized as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a designation shared with the University of Colorado Denver that places it among the nation’s most elite research institutions. This recognition underscores CU Anschutz’s status as a leader in transformative research, innovation and academic excellence.

BIO President and CEO John Crowley Discusses Future of Biotechnology
News | Feb 10, 2025

BIO President and CEO John Crowley Discusses Future of Biotechnology

John Crowley, President and CEO of BIO, visited Colorado as part of the BIO on the American Road listening tour. After a visit to Fitzsimons Innovation Community and the labs at ClinImmune and RheumaGen, Crowley sat down for a conversation with Denver’s KOA Radio. They discussed the future of biotechnology and the value of Colorado’s academic research institutions in advancing life sciences.

CBRE Reports Examine Life Sciences Market
News | Feb 05, 2025

CBRE Reports Examine Life Sciences Market

The U.S. life sciences real estate market posted positive net absorption in the fourth quarter even as robust construction completions raised the sector’s vacancy rate to 19.7%, according CBRE’s new quarterly figures report. The Q4 numbers indicate gradual improvement across the 13 largest U.S. life sciences markets (including Denver-Boulder) and the potential for that momentum to carry through to this year.

Denver’s Life Sciences Market Sees One of its Strongest Years Yet
News | Feb 05, 2025

Denver’s Life Sciences Market Sees One of its Strongest Years Yet

The life sciences market continues to evolve as we enter 2025, and its real estate needs are changing as well. Rigid labs are being replaced by adaptable, collaborative spaces that foster innovation. The market demands spaces that meet diverse business needs and accommodate its changing workforce.

Colorado Biotech Launches with $15 Million Financing Round
News | Jan 23, 2025

Colorado Biotech Launches with $15 Million Financing Round

RheumaGen Inc., an Aurora-based cell and gene therapy company engineering a new class of therapeutics for major autoimmune diseases, announced Jan. 9 the close of a $15 million Series A financing co-led by SPRIM Global Investments and William Taylor Nominees. The financing will support RheumaGen in completing a Phase I clinical trial of its lead program, RG0401, for treatment-resistant or refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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