Governor Jared Polis, alongside other local and state leaders, attended an event at Longmont’s Innovation Center this morning, during which the leaders and St. Vrain Valley School District representatives discussed advancing Quantum information technology. The event occurred on World Quantum Day and in conjunction with the Polis Administration and Elevate Quantum’s announcement of the Blueprint for Advancing K–12 Quantum Information Technology, “which puts forth a bold vision to prepare Colorado students for the technology careers of the future.”
Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST), according to the blueprint announced by the Polis administration today, is “a rapidly growing technology area with the potential to unlock trillions in new revenue and revolutionize the economy. QIST leverages new methods for processing, storing, and transmitting information, enabling us to increase computing power exponentially and solve complex problems much faster than traditional computers. As it evolves, this technology is projected to transform sectors such as medicine, finance, engineering, and cyber security.”
Establishing a robust and diverse QIST workforce, according to the blueprint, requires laying the groundwork in K-12 schools. Teaching QIST concepts and competencies as part of a well-rounded science, technology, engineering, and math curriculum will familiarize Colorado students with QIST and will help them be prepared to pursue career opportunities in QIST after completing their education.
The gathering at St. Vrain Valley School District’s (SVVSD) Innovation Center included a lesson presented to second graders from Alpine Elementary about Quantum. SVVSD is also a partner of Elevate Quantum, a consortium established to position Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming as global leaders in QIST.
“Colorado's economic future depends on our ability to nurture homegrown talent in cutting-edge fields,” said Don Haddad, superintendent of St. Vrain Valley Schools, in the press release from the Polis administration regarding the blueprint. “St. Vrain Valley Schools' partnership with Elevate Quantum is creating an educational ecosystem where students develop quantum literacy from an early age, establishing our state as the premier destination for quantum industry growth.”
Governor Polis chose to be at a SVVSD school in concurrence with this announcement because of the district’s strong track record in innovative STEM education and its close partnership with Elevate Quantum, according to Assistant Superintendent of Innovation Joe McBreen. The Innovation Center served as a fitting location to introduce a statewide vision for quantum education. His visit underscored Colorado’s commitment to building a quantum-ready workforce, McBreen said, beginning with students as young as those in elementary school.
“The gathering at our Innovation Center to announce the Colorado Department of Education’s Blueprint for Advancing K–12 Quantum Information Technology was a historic step toward preparing our students for a quantum-powered future,” McBreen said. “Its significance lies in uniting education, industry, and government to make quantum learning accessible to all grade levels across Colorado, positioning our state as a national leader in this emerging field.”
The impact on attendees was electric, McBreen said. SVVSD educators, industry leaders, and state officials left the event inspired by the shared vision and concrete plan to bring quantum into classrooms.
“The real stars were Alpine Elementary’s second graders, who stole the show,” McBreen said. “Watching [the Innovation Center’s Kristen Brohm, director of STEM programs] teach them quantum concepts like superposition with such creativity and joy was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we spark curiosity early. Those kids walked away buzzing with excitement, already dreaming about their place in this new frontier. Moments like these show why this blueprint matters — it’s about empowering every student to shape tomorrow.”
