Colorado is trying to land another major quantum computing center, according to The Denver Post.
The effort is moving forward under the code name "Project Laser," and it appears to involve state incentives aimed at drawing the company to Colorado. The Denver Post reports that the company behind the project was not officially named.
However, the Post notes that the limited details made public — including the identity of the executive who spoke on behalf of Project Laser — point to Atom Computing as the likely company involved.
The pursuit signals that Colorado wants to build on its ambitions in quantum computing, an emerging field that many governments and companies are racing to develop. Quantum computers use the physics of very small particles to tackle certain problems that conventional machines struggle with, and the technology is still early and heavily competitive.
For states, attracting a quantum computing center can mean high-skilled jobs, research investment, and a foothold in a technology many expect to grow in importance. The use of a code name and undisclosed corporate identity is common in economic-development deals, where incentive negotiations often stay confidential until agreements are finalized.
Because the company's name has not been formally confirmed, key details — such as the size of any incentive package or the scale of the proposed center — remain unclear based on the reporting available.
Why it matters: Colorado's push shows how U.S. states are competing to anchor cutting-edge quantum computing operations, positioning themselves for the jobs and research advantages the technology could bring.