These Colorado Billionaires Are Among Richest In U.S.: Forbes

DENVER, CO — The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy, yet billionaires in Colorado and across the globe are significantly wealthier than they were a year ago, according to this year’s recently released Forbes World's Billionaires List.

The number of billionaires on Forbes’ 35th annual list jumped to an unprecedented 2,755 people, 660 more than a year ago. Altogether, they are worth $13.1 trillion, up from $8 trillion in 2020.

Among those on the list, 86 percent are richer today than they were a year ago.

The numbers will likely spark outrage, writes Forbes Chief Content Officer Randall Lane. “There’s no getting around a collective $5 trillion wealth surge during a pandemic, when most of the world felt scared, sick, besieged,” he wrote in a comprehensive essay titled “Operation Wealth Speed."

However, “the underlying trends offer a road map to greater prosperity for all,” he continued. “Like anything else salvaged from a once-a-century plague, we just need to be brave enough to harness it.”

A total of nine billionaires on this year’s list hail from Colorado. Businessman Philip Anschutz, who made his billions through investments in a variety of companies, is at the top. His net worth — $10.1 billion — could provide S1,400 stimulus checks for every Coloradan, with plenty left over to buy everyone in ski day passes at some of the state's most elite resorts.

Other Colorado billionaires on the list include:

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• Charles Ergen, satellite television, net worth: $9.6 billion
• John Malone, cable television, net worth: $7.8 billion
• Mark Stevens, venture capital, net worth: $3.7 billion
• James Leprino, cheese industry, net worth: $3 billion
• Pat Stryker, medical equipment, net worth: $3 billion
• Kenneth Tuchman, outsourcing industry, net worth: $2.8 billion
• Gary Magness, cable television, investments, net worth: $1.6 billion
• Thomas Bailey, money management, net worth: $1.2 billion

To compile this year’s list, Forbes used a snapshot of its real-time billionaires rankings by analyzing stock prices and exchange rates for March 5.

A record 493 people made their debut on this year’s list. Another 250 who’d fallen off in the past made a reappearance, according to Forbes. This year’s list includes a record 328 female billionaires, up from 241 in 2020.

Soon-to-be-former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos retained the top spot on this year’s list for the fourth consecutive year. Bezos, who founded the e-commerce giant out of his garage in Seattle, Washington, will step down as CEO at the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk soared to the No. 2 spot, up from No. 31 on last year’s ranking. Bernard Arnault of LVMH remains at No. 3, followed by Bill Gates at No. 4. Rounding out this year’s top five is Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

See the full 2021 Forbes Billionaires List.