Rep. Neguse, Gov. Polis, Sen. Hickenlooper Celebrate Renovated NIST Boulder Wing 5

Lafayette, CO — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Governor Jared Polis, and Senator John Hickenlooper joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the newly renovated Building 1 Wing 5 on its Boulder, Colorado, campus. This is the largest individual research space on the Boulder campus to be renovated since the campus was constructed in the early 1950s.

Congressman Neguse has long championed increased funding for NIST and expanding Colorado’s innovation ecosystem. Last year, through his community project funding requests, Congressman Neguse secured $2 million for NIST which made the renovation possible. Additionally, he advocated for nearly $980 million to improve NIST’s scientific and technical research services, $200 million for the construction of research facilities, and robust funding for the construction grant program. This funding would make key advancements, supporting NIST’s legacy of innovation. Congressman Neguse also introduced the Federal Labs Modernization Act, which would invest in and modernize federal labs.

“Many of the nation’s leading federal labs call Colorado home, and it is imperative that these institutions have the funding needed to continue to achieve excellence. With this renovation, NIST will be better equipped to support American-made innovation in research and development. Alongside Governor Polis and Senator Hickenlooper, I will continue to advocate for additional funding to support our groundbreaking scientists and their transformational research at these laboratories,” said Congressman Neguse.

"I was thrilled to join NIST Boulder today to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Wing 5 facility. This state-of-the-art facility and placement of the CHIPS R&D Metrology Program will grow the unique meteorology hub here in Boulder and further position Colorado as a leader in advanced technology and scientific innovation," said Governor Polis. "Colorado is the best place to live, work, and do business, and I look forward to a bright future for these industries as they continue to thrive in our state."

“The historic CHIPS and Science Act is the largest investment in scientific research in generations! $52 billion to affirm and reaffirm our commitment to science, to innovation, to being on the cutting edge. Thanks to NIST, Colorado is on the forefront of the booming ecosystem for research, for engineering, and for semiconductors,” said Senator Hickenlooper.

Aging laboratory facilities with inefficient environmental controls substantially hinder NIST’s mission of fostering innovation and ensuring U.S. competitiveness. The renovated wing will provide 16 state-of-the art laboratories for research that will advance timekeeping—including the redefinition of the second, support vital calibration services, and play a crucial role in supporting the CHIPS for America R&D program, which aims to expand the nation’s leadership in semiconductor design, manufacturing, and R&D.

NIST was established in 1901 and opened a campus in Boulder in 1954 primarily to conduct radio and cryogenics research. Building 1 was designed to resemble a Yagi-Uda radio antenna, with wings to house laboratories. Wing 5 was added in 1960 and, in addition to laboratory and office space, also contained a fall-shelter to respond to Cold War fears of nuclear attack.

Today NIST Boulder has more than 400 scientific, technical and support staff, and more than 300 visiting researchers, students, and contractors. They explore a range of research areas from communications technology and research to quantum physics. NIST Boulder also keeps and distributes civilian time for the United States.

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