Construction Underway on New Space and Defense Technology Facility at PuebloPlex
Pueblo County, Colorado — Construction has officially begun on a cutting-edge space and defense technology facility at PuebloPlex, marking a significant economic and industrial milestone for Southern Colorado. Denver-based Voyager Technologies is spearheading the development of this new manufacturing, operations, and testing complex on the site of the former U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, which closed its doors several years ago.
The upcoming 150,000-square-foot Voyager American Defense Complex is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The facility will focus on high-volume production of weapon systems-enabling components and propulsion systems, along with the research and development of chemical and black powder technologies. Voyager Technologies has already secured over $39 million in federal funding to support the re-onshoring of these critical manufacturing capabilities within the United States.
This project is projected to create approximately 120 new jobs in Pueblo County, supplementing the company’s current Southern Colorado workforce of about 60 employees. The acquisition of this Pueblo site was part of Voyager Technologies’ purchase of Estes Energetics, a Penrose-based company specializing in propulsion systems and materials. Estes Energetics is affiliated with Estes Rockets, a longstanding model rocketry company.
U.S. Congressman Jeff Hurd emphasized the importance of this investment, highlighting it as one of the largest defense manufacturing commitments in Southern Colorado in over a decade. “Voyager is bringing high-tech manufacturing jobs to Pueblo and strengthening America’s defense industrial base in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District,” Hurd said in a statement.
Voyager Technologies, which maintains additional facilities across California, Ohio, Nevada, Texas, and internationally in Italy, aims to further expand its national footprint and capabilities through this substantial investment in PuebloPlex. The redevelopment of the former military site into a hub for advanced defense technology signifies a promising future for the local economy and the broader U.S. defense industry.
Background
The U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot had served the military for over 80 years before closing. Following its closure, portions of the land have been transferred and repurposed for civilian and commercial use under the PuebloPlex redevelopment efforts. Voyager Technologies’ new complex exemplifies the continued transformation of the area into a center for innovation and manufacturing excellence.
For residents and stakeholders in Southern Colorado, the Voyager project represents a significant step toward economic diversification, job creation, and technological advancement.
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