Yearly Archives - 2025

Leading the charge are top-tier programs at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), the Colorado School of Mines, and CU Anschutz, alongside a regional consortium led by Elevate Quantum. Designated a Tech Hub by the U.S. Economic Development Administration¹, Elevate Quantum is working to accelerate quantum technology commercialization by strengthening ties between academic institutions, private industry, and federal partners. Colorado’s robust scientific ecosystem actively supports this initiative, featuring national labs such as NREL and NIST, as well as more than 40 federally funded research entities across the state.

The Elevate Quantum Model prioritizes workforce development by implementing a comprehensive strategy that spans from K–12 STEM engagement to higher education and industry-aligned training and career development. This multi-tiered approach aims to cultivate a homegrown quantum workforce by exposing students to quantum concepts early and offering pathways through technical colleges, universities, and on-the-job training programs.²

With over $114 million in public funding, including state tax incentives and targeted regional support, and an expected private investment between $1 billion and $2 billion, Colorado is positioning itself to lead the country in quantum research and talent development. More than 3,000 quantum-related jobs already exist in the state, with projections for continued growth of up to 10,000 as demand for skilled talent and high-performance research environments increases.³

However, in order to fully realize this potential, institutions must evolve their physical campuses. Engineering firms are uniquely positioned to guide these transformations, establishing the right infrastructure to support the highly specialized demands of quantum science.

The Infrastructure Demands of Quantum Technology

Quantum technologies, particularly quantum computing, sensing, and communications, require environments far more controlled than those used in conventional research labs. Key facility needs include:

• Cryogenic systems and ultra-low temperature environments: Quantum systems often rely on superconducting qubits or trapped ions, both of which require environments cooled to near absolute zero.⁴ These systems not only need a significant amount of electricity and cooling water but also require a vibration-isolated infrastructure, extensive helium or dilution refrigeration systems, and enhanced ventilation and safety protocols.
• Electromagnetic shielding: Even minute electromagnetic interference (EMI) can disrupt quantum coherence. Shielded rooms and Faraday cages, integrated into lab designs and building envelopes, are critical to minimizing noise.⁵
• Vibration isolation and acoustic damping: Quantum labs require low-vibration environments to ensure experimental stability and precision. This often involves the use of isolation pads, floating floor systems, and specialized HVAC design.⁶
• Cleanrooms and particle control: Certain quantum hardware components are fabricated in Class 100–1000 cleanroom environments, requiring precision air filtration, pressure zoning, and strict control of contaminants.
• High-density computing and cooling: Quantum labs interface with classical high-performance computing (HPC) systems, demanding robust data infrastructure and advanced thermal management systems.⁷

A Colorado Roadmap: Higher Education Leading the Way

Institutions across Colorado are actively investing in infrastructure to support this new frontier. At CU Boulder, the new space for the Quantum Engineering Initiative Lab within the College of Engineering and Applied Science, along with the campuswide Cubit Quantum Initiative, demonstrates a commitment to enabling cutting-edge quantum research.⁸ Similarly, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus is prioritizing infrastructure flexibility and energy resilience through its Energy Master Plan, designed to accommodate next-generation research needs.⁹

Elsewhere, the Auraria Campus and Colorado School of Mines are aligning facilities planning with quantum-readiness goals. Engineering assessments, clean energy upgrades, and strategic STEM space programming are helping lay the groundwork for advanced research.¹⁰

At RMH Group, we’ve had the privilege of supporting energy master planning and infrastructure design across many of these campuses. Our work on the CU Boulder Geothermal Study, for example, helps position the university to meet precision temperature requirements for sensitive labs while also achieving its carbon reduction goals. Most recently, we provided engineering services for a new laboratory on the Auraria Campus designed to support advanced research in quantum computing and physics, further underscoring the region’s growing role in the quantum ecosystem.

The Role of Engineering: Future-Ready Campuses

As Colorado institutions advance their quantum initiatives, collaboration between academic leadership, researchers, and engineering teams will be essential. Engineering firms can add strategic value by:

• Designing modular, future-proof labs: Anticipating how labs may evolve as quantum tech advances help institutions avoid costly retrofits.
• Integrating sustainable energy systems: Solutions like geothermal exchange and advanced controls ensure operational stability while reducing long-term costs.
• Aligning infrastructure with available funding pathways: Understanding and leveraging state and regional incentives for clean energy and STEM facility upgrades can help finance these complex capital projects.

Conclusion

Quantum technology isn’t just a new research focus—it’s a paradigm shift that demands a new kind of campus. With the right infrastructure, Colorado’s higher education institutions can lead the world in this emerging domain. Engineering firms that understand the nuances of quantum science can become key partners in this transformation, helping to build not only stronger labs but smarter, more resilient campuses ready for the future.