On March 26, company personnel, Colorado Springs city government and Chamber of Commerce officials and county and state elected representatives gathered in an empty field under the blazing mid-morning sun to dip their shovels in the dirt for Swire Coca-Cola’s new 620,000-square-foot bottling facility.
Projected to open in spring 2028, the $475 million capital investment will replace a 90-year-old plant in Denver with a state-of-the-art facility. During construction, the plant is expected to support approximately 1,190 jobs, generating an estimated $103 million in direct labor income for workers and families in El Paso County, according to the company.
The plant is located on Integration Loop in Peak Innovation Park, a 1,600-acre master-planned business park located at the entrance to the Colorado Springs Airport.
Once operational, the plant is expected to generate 170 net new jobs, with roles in production, maintenance, quality, logistics and management. Each onsite job is projected to support two additional jobs in the wider regional economy, estimates Swire.
At a glance
- $475 million capital investment
- 620,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility
- 1,190 jobs supported during construction
- 170 net new jobs once operational
- 230+ beverage options across 60+ brands produced on site
- Pursuing LEED Gold certification
- Expected to open spring 2028
A spirit of collaboration was alive at the groundbreaking ceremony. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, Swire Coca-Cola president and CEO Andrea Kendell and several chamber and EDC officials spoke at the ceremony.
“This groundbreaking is more than just the start of a new construction; it represents people. It represents opportunity. It represents good jobs that support families and create pathways for the next generation to live, work and thrive here in Colorado Springs.”
— Mayor Yemi MoboladeThe old facility on York Street in Denver will be decommissioned and eventually sold. It is unclear if and how many employees at that plant would be transferred to the new facility, Kendell says, but the company will continue to have 530 employees operating out of the Denver area and 1,300 employees in Colorado.
“The thing that is important is Swire always puts our people first. Whatever that endpoint looks like, our people will be taken care of.”
— Andrea Kendell, president and CEO, Swire Coca-ColaOnce operational, the facility will produce more than 230 beverage options across 60+ brands, including sparkling soft drinks, waters, teas, juice drinks, and sports beverages.
Swire Coca-Cola says it will pursue LEED Gold certification, the second-highest tier in the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system that holds companies to high energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, water conservation and indoor air quality standards.
“[The facility] represents an opportunity to install world-class energy and water systems in a building to protect our precious resources.”
— Andrea KendellUsing water recovery systems, habitat restoration and efficient equipment, Swire’s manufacturing sites are dedicated to replenishing water systems and operating sustainably, Kendell says. The new facility will also incorporate renewable energy and high-efficiency equipment.
The company was attracted by performance-based incentive packages offered by the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, as well as several other regional partners, the Colorado Springs Gazette previously reported.
Headquartered in Draper, Utah, Swire Coca-Cola, USA manufactures, distributes and sells Coca-Cola and other beverage brands in 13 states across the American West. Swire Coca-Cola earns $3 billion in revenue and employs more than 8,000 associates.