Colorado Chamber names ‘Coolest Thing’ finalists

DENVER — The Colorado Chamber of Commerce has named 10 finalists for its fifth annual Coolest Thing Made in Colorado competition. 

“Colorado manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, and this year’s finalists are a great example of the innovation happening across our state,” Loren Furman, president and CEO of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, said in a written statement. “From technology supporting astronauts in space and first responders on the ground to advances in health care, robotics, aviation and outdoor recreation, these products showcase the rich diversity of Colorado manufacturing.”

Finalists were chosen by an independent selection committee that reviewed and assessed each nomination. The finalists will be honored at the Colorado Chamber’s Coolest Thing Awards Banquet, Nov. 12, where the 2026 winner will be announced and presented with the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado trophy. The Chamber will also announce the runner-up and a “People’s Choice” award based on an online vote that will open in the coming weeks.

Finalists include: 

• Carbon Core Brick, Summit Brick, Lakewood: A lower-carbon masonry product that incorporates olivine sand into bricks to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide while improving resistance to cracking and freeze-thaw cycles.

• Cheetah Automated 3D Inspection System, Cheetah Engineering LLC, Craig and Longmont: An automated manufacturing system that uses robotics and 3D scanning to create detailed digital models and identify defects, dimensional errors and assembly problems.

• Collaborative Robot Welding and Cutting Systems, Vectis Automation, Loveland: Robotic welding and cutting systems designed to make automation practical for small and midsize manufacturers, with collaborative robots, or “cobots.” that can work alongside employees and be taught by manually guiding them through tasks.

• EarthRoamer LTx, EarthRoamer, Dacono: A luxury expedition vehicle built on a Ford F-550 4WD chassis with a carbon-fiber body, solar power, lithium batteries and other systems designed for extended off-grid travel.

• LavaBox Portable Campfire, LavaBox, Denver: A portable propane campfire housing in a steel ammunition can that provides an alternative to wood-burning fires and can also be used for cooking.

• Mega FlackTek Mixer, FlackTek LLC, Louisville: A bladeless industrial mixer that can process batches of up to 300 kilograms, allowing dual asymmetric centrifugal mixing technology to be used for large-scale manufacturing.

• OnMed CareStation, OnMed, Westminster and Grand Junction: An 8-by-10-foot telehealth station that connects patients with clinicians while providing diagnostic tools for checking vital signs and conducting remote examinations. Its modular walls are made in Westminster, with assembly in Grand Junction.

• RoGo DropBlock, RoGo Communications, Morrison and Fort Collins: A portable satellite communications device that allows wildland firefighters to track crews and equipment, exchange messages and receive fire-weather information where cellular service is unavailable. It is designed in Morrison and manufactured in Fort Collins.

• Spirit SE-1 Light-Sport Aircraft, Spirit Engineering, Grand Junction: An all-metal light-sport aircraft designed as a lower-cost option for personal aviation, with a 42-horsepower engine and wings that can be stowed to reduce the aircraft’s width for storage.

• Ventilation Oxygen Loop Fan, Barber-Nichols, Arvada: A compact fan developed for next-generation spacesuit life-support systems to circulate pure oxygen for astronauts during spacewalks.

The finalists were announced during Manufacturing Month, an annual celebration of the manufacturers and workers that drive economic growth across Colorado.

Learn more about the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado contest and register for the banquet on Nov. 12 at www.CoolestThingColorado.com.

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