CENTENNIAL, CO – With rising global competition, economic uncertainty, and national security threats shaping America’s future, U.S. Representative Jason Crow (D-CO-06) joined 200 business, veteran, and community leaders today for a high-stakes discussion on how Colorado’s economic strength and security are directly tied to America’s leadership abroad.

Hosted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), today’s conversation brought together top voices in business, military, and international affairs to highlight the critical role of U.S. engagement in ensuring Colorado’s prosperity and security. Key speakers included:

• General Mick Bednarek, U.S. Army (Ret.) – Former Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq
• Donald L. “Larry” Sampler, Jr. – Vice President for Finance/Admin & COO of the Metropolitan State University of Denver
• John Krieger – Executive Director of World Denver
• Mike Shanley – Board Member for the Posner Center for International Development & Founder of Konektid International
• Beverly Bashor – Assistant General Counsel of Compassion International

Colorado’s economy is deeply connected to global markets. The state exports over $10.4 billion in goods annually, supporting key industries like aerospace, technology, agriculture, and renewable energy. In total, more than 820,000 jobs across the state are tied to international trade, underscoring how global engagement fuels local prosperity.

“The investment with your taxpayer dollars in development and diplomacy and aid programs, helps prevent the spread of disease so we can be healthier and protect your children,” said U.S. Representative Jason Crow (D-CO-06). “It helps promote our economy by deepening trade relationships and opening up markets to us and preserves international peace so that we don’t have to send our sons and daughters into future conflict and makes us safer. That is a return on investment that is worth making.”  

“The infamous Jim Mattis quote goes, ‘If you don’t fully fund the State Department, I need to buy more ammunition.’ And that is exactly right…the military needs to be a last resort,” said Lt. General Mick Bednarek, U.S. Army (Ret.). “The international assistance that we provide in the United States of America tied to our flag means something to everybody else around the globe. Why do we have so many people wanting to come to the United States? They’re looking for a better way of life, they’re looking for freedoms, and they’re looking for the ideals that all of us hold as absolutes.”

“The role and the reputation of the United States overseas is very much at risk. Our ability to support our allies, our willingness to support our allies, how people see the United States and how they view us matters in international trade,” said Donald L. “Larry” Sampler, Jr., Vice President for Finance/Admin & COO of the Metropolitan State University of Denver. “What I refer to as the global order, which is the ability to regulate trade in a way that allows businesses to make reasonable predictions about how a contract will work is going to erode. It won’t happen overnight, but as we vacate the field, other malign actors are going to move quickly into that space.”

 “Colorado is proof that what happens globally matters locally,” said Alex Grant, USGLC National Outreach Director. “With hundreds of thousands of jobs tied to international trade and key military installations safeguarding our national security, Colorado is on the frontlines of global engagement. That’s why conversations like today’s are so important.”