The Chamber Colorado Springs

About Us  

The Chamber’s Military Affairs Division has a two-fold mission. The first is to sustain and cultivate our long-standing tradition of support to our local military community and their families. The second facet of this Division is to advocate and facilitate local defense industry growth and to help small businesses connect with Department of Defense (DoD) contractors.

Supporting Our Military Community
The central theme of our military affairs division is to help military families. However, we could not accomplish this objective without the efforts of hundreds of community volunteers. These action-based groups and programs are: Military Affairs Council, Defense Mission Task Force, Military Family Career Fair, Military Spouse Career Committee, and Small Business Outreach programs. Collectively, these groups and programs work to improve the quality of life for our military families and collaterally, to improve the economic vitality of the Greater Colorado Springs Area.

Military Affairs Council (MAC)
Our area MAC, founded in 1941, is one of the most established and effective organizations of its kind in the country. Comprised of more than 250 members, the MAC is our lead on a myriad of recognition events for our military personnel. Such as the Annual Armed Forces Week Celebration. Held in May, Armed Forces Week is a celebration comprised of two cornerstone events—a concert and an awards luncheon. During these gatherings our community honors the contributions of our area military members with an emphasis on recognizing the top enlisted personnel from each installation—this is our most significant sponsorship event of the year.

Defense Mission Task Force (DMTF)
The DMTF was formed in 1989 and is a group of senior military and civic leaders who work collaboratively to solve military installation infrastructure challenges related to Base Realignment and Closure Actions (BRAC) and mission changes. Their efforts over the last 20 years have helped Colorado Springs maintain and develop a vast array of DoD missions benefiting our local economy.

Advocate Defense Industry Growth

Small Business Outreach (SBO) - Gateway To Government Contracting
The Military Affairs Division in collaboration with area Installation Small Business Specialists (SBSs) host an education and training event. The purpose of this conference is to provide a forum for small business owners to meet installation SBSs, and acquire targeted training—from the experts—on how to effectively navigate through the DoD business process. The next SBO will be on 25-26 April 2011.

Military Family Career Fair
Each year the Chamber hosts a Career Fair for transitioning military members,veterans,retirees and spouses.During this day-long event, the Chamber convenes about 50 employers interested in hiring Veterans, or family members

Military Spouse Career Committee
This group is comprised of family support and family readiness group representatives from each installation, who combine their resources to help prepare military spouses for employment.