(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Senator John Hickenlooper was in Colorado Springs on Thursday, April 25, where he toured the Pikes Peak United Way Family Success Center and spoke about the future of quantum technology.

Hickenlooper touted his success in securing $1 million for the Family Success Center to help with the renovations, which was part of the $111 million Hickenlooper said was secured for 114 projects across Colorado.

The senator also participated in a forum where the impacts of quantum technology on the economy and national security were discussed. Hickenlooper warned that China is racing to beat the United States in technology research.

“Most people don’t really understand how important this is, and the fact that we’re going to have 150 major quantum companies here in the next five or 10 years and some of them are going to create thousands of jobs.” . This is how we are going to make our country safer and our economy grow faster. “Quantum computing will impact every aspect of our lives.”

Hickenlooper hopes the talks will help put in place an infrastructure that will allow the government to capitalize on any advances quantum technology may bring.