Arts and Economic Activity Show Gains in Jobs and Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism saw its greatest gains ever, and jobs in arts, cultural and scientific organizations have reached pre-great recession levels, according to the new Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture. The study was released on October 5 with a breakfast event at the Seawell Grand Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Download the full report or read it online.

The study, conducted every two years, assesses economic and social contributions made by arts, cultural and scientific organizations across the Denver metro area. The 2016 study showed the cultural community’s continued consistent impact on injecting new dollars into the region’s economy, creating jobs and providing extensive outreach to metro area schools.
 
“Since 1992, when we began the study, the arts have shown a significant and sustained impact on our local, state and regional economy,” said Deborah Jordy, executive director of CBCA.
 
While total economic activity was flat due to less capital investment than in the previous year, arts, science and cultural organizations injected a half a billion new dollars into the regional economy. Jobs and payroll in the industry saw a boost. Cultural tourism, measured by dollars spent at cultural organizations by people from outside the metro area, contributed $367 million – the highest total recorded to date.
 
The continued success of the arts is due in great part to the taxpayer-supported SCFD, which since 1989 has distributed funds from a sales and use tax to cultural facilities throughout the seven-county metropolitan area. A public vote for reauthorization of SCFD will be on the November ballot. 

CBCA would love to present this study to your Board of Directors, staff, volunteers or community group. Contact them at 720-428-6720 or [email protected] to schedule a presentation. 

Third Annual ‘Beer Flights’ Beer Garden Returns to Denver International Airport

DENVER – The Third Annual “Beer Flights” beer garden is back at Denver International Airport for the third year in a row. This popular event coincides with worldwide Oktoberfest celebrations and the Great American Beer Festival in Denver and brings a taste of Colorado brews to the airport.

The beer garden will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10 on DEN’s plaza located outside on Level 5 between the Jeppesen Terminal and Westin Denver International Airport. Tickets are available at the door for $10 and includes a souvenir glass to taste 10, 2-ounce samples of beer. Visitors must be 21 or older with a valid ID to enter. Cash and most major credit cards will be accepted.

“‘Beer Flights’ allows us to showcase Colorado’s outstanding microbrew industry but also recognizes our close friendship with our sister airport in Munich, the home of Oktoberfest,” said airport CEO Kim Day. “We invite beer lovers – whether travelers or neighbors – to stop by our outdoor plaza and sample some of the best beer available this side of Bavaria.”

“Beer Flights” is organized by Denver International Airport and the Colorado Brewers Guild.
Colorado is home to nearly 230 established breweries and more than 10 percent of the nation’s craft breweries can be found in Colorado. A total of 10 Colorado breweries will be represented at the event and each brewery will have two different beers to sample. They include:

  • Avery Brewing - El Gose, Joes Pils
  • Boulder Beer – Buffalo Gold, Pulp Fusion
  • Epic Brewing – Tart ‘n Juicy, Lil’ Brainless
  • Odell’s – Drumroll, Myrcenary
  • Oskar Blues – Priscilla, Beerito
  • Elevation Beer Co. – 8 Second Kolsch, Apis IV
  • Tommy Knocker – Butthead-Bock, Pick Axe
  • SKA Brewing – Steel Toe, Modus Mandarina
  • Telluride Brewing – Bridal Veil, Wahcked Out
  • Renegade Brewery – Pancake Maple, Consilium

DEN will host live musical performances daily from 4-6 p.m. and attendees can also enjoy talks by brew masters, brew trivia, table games and more. Passengers can also purchase souvenir pint glasses only available at the beer garden. The participating brewers will have giveaways for the attendees.

An official Beer Flights event “Passport” will be given to attendees to assist in their taste tour of the Colorado brews. DEN will use #DENBeerFlights when posting photos or information about the event on social media.

Denver International Airport is the 19th-busiest airport in the world and the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. With more than 54 million passengers traveling through the airport each year, DIA is one of the busiest airline hubs in the world’s largest aviation market. DIA is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $26 billion for the region annually. For more information, visit www.flydenver.com.

Bipartisan Policy Center Event Calls Colorado a Leader in Infrastructure Delivery

Originally posted at bipartisanpolicycenter.org

Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) hosted a local discussion to explore both how Colorado can continue to push the envelope and assess ways to systematically incentivize and implement the new model around the country. This "Denver Forum: Advancing a New Model of Infrastructure Investment" was held on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. 

America is facing tremendous infrastructure investment needs—$3.3 trillion by 2025. Recognizing this level of need requires new thinking, the Executive Council on Infrastructure recently released the report Bridging the Gap Together: A New Model to Modernize U.S. Infrastructure. The report proposes a framework to unite projects that need funding with private capital that is ready to invest.

Colorado has been a national leader in innovative infrastructure delivery, with a number of projects—both in development and completed—that demonstrate the value of partnering with the private sector. 

The event video will be posted here shortly. 

Hosted by: 
Doug Peterson
President and CEO, S&P Global

Speakers: 

Eric Cantor
Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Moelis & Company
Former U.S. House Majority Leader

Henry Cisneros
Founder and Chairman, CityView
Former HUD Secretary and Mayor of San Antonio

Jack Ehnes
Chief Executive Officer, California State Teachers' Retirement System

Diane Barrett
Chief Projects Officer, City and County of Denver

Kevin Pula
Policy Specialist, National Conference of State Legislators 

David Spector
Director, Colorado High Performance Transportation Enterprise

Patrick O'Keefe
Senior Vice president, CH2M Hill

Click infographic below to view or download high-res version. Go here for a variety of resources related to the report, Bridging the Gap Together: A New Model to Modernize U.S. Infrastructure.

Housing and Regionalism Main Topics for Mayor Hancock at City Club

Denver's Mayor Michael Hancock has a particular passion for affordable housing, and he shared it with the September 20 gathering of City Club of Denver. Although a mayoral annual address is tradition, this was notably Hancock's fifth for the group. 

On the heels of Denver City Council’s vote to create the city's first dedicated affordable housing fund, it was understandably a main topic of the mayor's speech. Hancock shared how, in his youth as one of ten children to a single mother, public housing gave him stability that helped him to do better in school. We all know how successfully his story is turning out as he mayor of twenty-first largest city in the U.S.! 

Hancock also discussed the significance of regionalism for economic development initiatives. We are not just making our cities more competitive, we are developing the region as a whole, he explained. Colorado Business Roundtable also has a region-wide perspective.

The latest figures he mentioned illustrate why affordable housing and other resident concerns are already such hot topics -- each month, 4500 new residents move to this region and 1000 of those come to Denver. 

-COBRT

Originally published at denver.gov:

Mayor Hancock’s Statement on Denver’s First Dedicated Affordable Housing Fund

DENVER (Sept 19, 2016) – Mayor Michael B. Hancock released a statement following the Denver City Council’s vote to create Denver’s first dedicated affordable housing fund. The proposal was created through an two-year, in-depth community and stakeholder engagement process and was passed on September 19, 2016 by City Council in a 9-4 vote.  

“Tonight, our city took a significant step forward in keeping Denver accessible to our workers and families. I want to thank City Council for their support in creating Denver’s first dedicated fund for affordable housing, which embeds the value of a city for everyone into our foundation.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the work we’ve accomplished with Council members Kniech and Brooks and all of our partners to keep our city uniquely Denver. From here, our work continues undaunted to spur the creation of diverse housing options throughout the city. Together, we will remain relentless in our pursuit to ensure that our people are able to build equity and wealth through homeownership.”

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For more about this story, see this article at The Denver Post

Denver Startup Week Showcases Thriving Entrepreneurial Community in Fifth Year

13,334 people registered to attend 306 programs at the fifth annual event

DENVER (Sept. 20) – Denver Startup Week, the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind in North America, wrapped up on Sept. 16 following five days of events that showcased Downtown Denver’s thriving culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. 13,334 people registered to attend 306 programs focused on highlighting Denver as an entrepreneurial center on the local, regional and national stage, while enhancing community and providing resources for the startup community. Denver Startup Week was made possible by Title Sponsors Chase for Business, Comcast NBCUniversal and the Downtown Denver Partnership, in addition to more than 50 other community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs.

Organized by the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and co-led by Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Erik Mitisek, executive director of Project X-ITE at the University of Denver, and Ben Deda, chief operating officer at Galvanize, Denver Startup Week grew attendance at the fifth annual event by nearly 25 percent.

“Denver Startup Week continues to make a powerful statement that our entrepreneurial ecosystem is one of the best in the country,” said Ben Deda, chief operating officer at Galvanize. “Growing by nearly 25 percent in our fifth year highlights the significant value our local community provides to those looking to start and grow their business.”

Highlights from the week include:

  • Governor John Hickenlooper and Mayor Michael B. Hancock joined Denver Startup Week organizers and sponsors to celebrate surpassing 12,500 attendees with a toast on Sept. 14. Mayor Hancock also spoke at the event’s kick-off breakfast with encouragement for those who start a business in Denver to access the resources and top talent to stay in Denver. Both Governor Hickenlooper and Mayor Hancock also participated in several panels throughout the week.
  • Several organizations received funding support through Denver Startup Week programs, including $240,00 in philanthropic grant funding awarded to four organizations who provide assistance to underserved entrepreneurs. Accion, The Commons on Champa, Mi Casa Resource Center and the Path to Entrepreneurship (P2E) Program for Underserved Entrepreneurs in Boulder County by JPMorgan Chase each received $60,000 grants at the Kick-off Breakfast on Sept. 12. The Commons on Champa also received a $25,000 grant from Wells Fargo to support year-round programming.
  • The first-of-its-kind Denver Startup Week Pitch Challenge, sponsored by Project X-ITE, saw more than 150 applicants vie for the title of Champion of Denver Startup Week. The Soccer Sidekick, presented by Santiago Valez, won more than $25,000 worth of prizes from the Denver entrepreneurial community. Other finalists included SYNEK, Givella, Prima-Temp, Orderly Health, mcSquares, edn and AdKiosk.
  • The inaugural Maker Wall, constructed by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, showcased products from Colorado’s diverse maker community including Revolar, Topo Designs, Icelantic Skis, Novo Coffee and more. The Maker Wall will soon take up residence at The Commons on Champa.
  • Denver’s reputation as one of the best places to start and grow a business once again attracted notable speakers and founders including Bryan Leach, CEO of Ibotta; Joshua Reeves, CEO and Co-Founder and Eddie Kim, CTO and co-founder of Gusto; Dan Caruso, CEO and Chairman of Zayo Group; Lee Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Havenly; Chris Terill, CEO Of HomeAdvisory; Mel Robbins, a well-known and inspirational TEDx Talk speaker, and Ryan Wood, founder of Sweetwood Cattle Company and co-founder of Under Armour.

"Denver Startup Week showcases the bleeding edge in technology innovation in Downtown Denver and across the State, and it's been exciting to watch this event grow so successfully over the last several years" said Scott Heimes, CMO of SendGrid. "SendGrid is proud to play a role in Denver Startup Week by providing support, mentorship and knowledge sharing for younger startups so we can collectively foster a growing local startup ecosystem." 

"Denver Startup Week is an amazing way to connect with other entrepreneurs, even ones at very different stages from you, and really get plugged back in to the whole community,” said Lee Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Havenly and speaker at the Kick-off Breakfast.  “The local ecosystem is clearly thriving and as it continues to grow, will continue to be such a vital source of support to those of us who take a leap of faith to give starting something new a try." 

Denver Startup Week 2016 By the Numbers also includes:

·         More than 300 volunteers

·         Nearly 1,500 people attended the Denver Startup Week Job Fair to meet with 65 companies

·         More than 6,000 people visited Basecamp, launched by Chase for Business

·         More than 5,000 companies represented

·         664 center city tech startups employ 4,508 people, according to the Downtown Denver Startup Report released Monday, Sept. 12

·         More than 1,000 people attended the Kick-off Breakfast, which sold out in 26 minutes

·         3,094 cups of coffee, provided by DripJoy

·         30 Biz Dev and 30 Financial Fitness sessions at Basecamp

·         47 mentors contributed 94 hours of volunteer time

“Our growing number of sponsors, volunteers, participants and companies proves Denver Startup Week is by the community and for the community, and we continue to welcome people who want to be part of driving the best in technology and innovation,” said Erik Mitisek, executive director of Project X-ITE at the University of Denver.

Basecamp, launched by Chase for Business, returned as the hub and epicenter of Denver Startup Week. Basecamp featured an exciting line-up of entrepreneurs and innovators through keynote speakers, panels and mentoring sessions throughout the week. Chase for Business also held 30 individual Financial Fitness sessions for the community this year to help enable financially strong startups.

“From the beginning, we’ve supported Denver Startup Week to help provide an authentic platform to cultivate startups and innovation, and create the connectivity that will grow this ecosystem,” said Chris Jensen, middle market manager for Chase in Colorado. “As we wrap up our fifth year of sponsorship, we’re extremely proud that Denver’s startup scene is booming and registration is breaking records. This year we put a spotlight on nonprofit organizations such as the Commons on Champa that provide infrastructure that entrepreneurs - particularly women and minorities - need that will open doors and create more opportunities for startups to thrive.”

New resources were also made available to Denver’s entrepreneurs through Denver Startup Week, including the Denver Office of Economic Development releasing the fifth edition of the Denver Capital Matrix, a resource directory of funding sources for Denver small business and entrepreneurs.

“Denver Startup Week showcases Downtown Denver as an epicenter of culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and helps inject additional momentum into our year-round programs and resources for the startup community,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Dates for the sixth annual Denver Startup Week will be announced later this year.

*Click here for photos from Denver Startup Week.

About Denver Startup Week: 
Denver Startup Week, founded in 2012, is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver.  The weeklong event is intended to unite the entrepreneurial community in Denver and celebrate the great companies, innovation and ideas happening in the city and the people and inspiration behind them.  The core programming is centered on the entrepreneurial community with an emphasis in technology, design, social entrepreneurship, manufacturing and business.  Events throughout the week are organized by both the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and the community at-large and include sessions, presentations, panels, workshops, happy hours, social events, job fairs and more.  Denver Startup Week is sponsored by the Downtown Denver Partnership, Comcast NBCUniversal, Chase for Business and several community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.DenverStartupWeek.org. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Brea Olson, @DENStartupWeek, 303.775.4712
[email protected]

Photo by Denver Startup Week

NSBA Launches Podcast: The Road Ahead

We are pleased to share with you a new podcast series from the National Small Business Association (NSBA), The Road Ahead: Small Business in the 21st Century. NSBA has partnered with Jared Nichols, a business futurist, executive advisor and renowned author to host these podcasts which will offer a candid conversation with small-business owners and experts.
 
The Road Ahead podcasts will give you insight and advice on how to be forward thinking when it comes to your small business. We have an outstanding line-up and hope you’ll share just ½ hour with us every other week as we delve into the key issues facing small businesses across the country.
 
In our first episode, we’re featuring Cynthia Kay, owner of Cynthia Kay and Company, a media production firm with expertise in working with large, Global Fortune 100 and Fortune-500 firms. We will discuss how small business can and must use media to create a powerful story about the future.
                                                                            
Please click below to download our first podcast in this exciting new series, and don’t forget to subscribe to our iTunes channel to ensure you get the latest podcasts as they are posted, every other Monday morning.
 
Cynthia Kay  & The Road Ahead: Why Your Business Story Matters
 
Sincerely,
Todd McCracken                                                            
NSBA President and CEO    

Jared Nichols
The Jared Nichols Group  

Rocky Mountain CitySummit Looks to Urban Future

The Downtown Denver Partnership invites you to join us at the sixth Rocky Mountain CitySummit on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a reception to follow. 

The Rocky Mountain CitySummit, produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership and sponsored by Cigna, will provide a look into The City of the Future with inspirational presentations, panel discussions and break-out sessions focused on these interrelated topics: connection, experience and design. 

We invite you to engage with over 600 high-level business executives, elected officials and civic leaders in a day-long conversation about the most enlightened and forward-thinking ideas impacting the future of our cities. The discussion will extend beyond the day, allowing you to form lasting partnerships to further your work as we create the cities of the future. 

Invitations to the Rocky Mountain CitySummit are extended to key business executives, elected officials and civic leaders within the eight Rocky Mountain States: Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Tickets are $150; discounted tickets are available for Downtown Denver Partnership members and government and non-profit employees.

Visit www.rockymountaincitysummit.com to register.

About the host organization: 
The Downtown Denver Partnership is a 61-year old non-profit, member-based business organization with a mission of creating a strong and economically viable center city. Today, the Partnership includes over 750 member businesses committed to making Downtown Denver a vibrant, livable community. For more information visitwww.downtowndenver.com.

The Rocky Mountain CitySummit is made possible by a number of generous community sponsors. Sponsorship levels include a variety of marketing opportunities, as well as meaningful engagement and participation opportunities throughout the entire planning process and on the event day. Please contact Nicole Dorsey at [email protected] or 303.571.8228 if you are interested in sponsoring this year’s event. 

 

 

Free Upcoming Events From Small Business Majority

Small Business Majority offers educational events and webinars on access to capital, retirement security and the healthcare law. Please go to our website to find an event near you, or browse the topics and dates below for our online webinars.

Browse all upcoming events

Access to Capital 101 Webinar: Funding Options to Start and Grow Your Business

Are you having trouble obtaining funding for your business? Through these free national webinars we will help you navigate the funding landscape and connect you with resources to help you obtain the capital you need to start and grow your business.

Upcoming Dates and Times:
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT
A representative from Kiva will be joining us on this webinar.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT

Register Today!

Wealth and Financial Security Webinar: Money Now, Money Later: The ABCs of Financing Your Small Business and Building Your Retirement

Join us for a free webinar to help you navigate the funding landscape and finance the growth of your small business. We will focus on microloans, crowdfunding, online lenders and guarding against predatory lending. Growing your business also means securing your finances, so we will provide an overview of common retirement paths for small business owners and employees.

Upcoming Dates and Times:

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT

Register Today!

Healthcare Webinar: What the Healthcare Law Means for your Small Business

These webinars will focus on what the healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, means for small businesses. They will cover small business tax credits, cost containment and other provisions to help you understand the federal law.

Upcoming Dates and Times:
Thursday, September 15, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT
Thursday, September 29, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT

Spanish version: Lo Que Significa la Ley de Salud para su Pequena Empresa

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 - 1:00 PM PDT / 4:00 PM EDT
Register Today!

Copyright © 2016 Small Business Majority, All rights reserved.

Denver Startup Week Returns for Fifth Year

Check out the recent Connect and Collaborate podcast about Denver Startup Week

DENVER (Sept. 7, 2015) – Denver Startup Week, the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind in North America, returns to Downtown Denver for a fifth year from Sept. 12 through 16.

Denver Startup Week, created to celebrate and grow a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Denver, will feature more than 250 programs geared toward the entire entrepreneurial community. Events span networking sessions, mentor hours, workshops, leadership spotlights and panel presentations that collectively are expected to attract more than 10,000 people looking to start or grow their business in Denver. Denver Startup Week is sponsored by Chase for Business, Comcast, the Downtown Denver Partnership and more than 40 other organizations.

The week will begin with a Kick-off Breakfast on Monday, Sept. 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Seawell Ballroom, which will showcase successful startup stories including:
·        Keynote Speaker: Ryan Wood, founder of Sweetwood Cattle Company and co-founder of Under Armour

·        Denver Startup Community Speakers: Eddie Kim, co-founder and CTO of Gusto; Lee Mayer, co-founder and CEO Havenly; Chris Terill, CEO of HomeAdvisor

Denver’s reputation as one of the best places to start and grow a business has once again attracted notable speakers and founders including Bryan Leach, CEO of Ibotta, Joshua Reeves, CEO and Co-Founder of Gusto, Dan Caruso, CEO and Chairman of Zayo Group, Mel Robbins, a well-known and inspirational TEDx Talk speaker, and more.

Organized by the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and co-led by Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Erik Mitisek, executive director of Project X-ITE at the University of Denver, and Ben Deda, chief operating officer at Galvanize, Denver Startup Week is focused on highlighting Denver as an entrepreneurial center on the local, regional and national stage, while enhancing community and providing resources for the startup community.

Highlights of the more than 250 events include:

A focus on diversity:
From how entrepreneurship can be infused into curriculum and a spotlight on some of our community’s youngest entrepreneurs, to the powerful role veterans and women play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Denver Startup Week programs showcase the diverse faces and industries of startup businesses in Denver including:
·        A Bigger Tent: Women in Colorado’s Tech Scene, Monday, 9/12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

·        Successful Young Entrepreneurs: How to be one, How to raise one, Monday, 9/12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

·        Women in Tech: Stories from the Front Lines, Tuesday, 9/13 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

·        Innovative Education, Wednesday, 9/14 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

·        Veterans are for Startups, Thursday, 9/15 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

·        Denver: The Best Place in America for Veterans Transitioning Into Tech & Startups, Thursday, 9/15 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

·        Periods, Airbags and Artificial Hearts, Thursday, 9/15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Can’t miss Headline Events including:

·        Women Who Startup Summit, Tuesday, 9/13 from 6 to 10 p.m.

·        DISH Present’s HBO’s ‘Silicon Valley’ in Denver: The Intersection of TV and Tech Startups, Wednesday, 9/14 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

·        Startup Week Job Fair, Wednesday, 9/14 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

·        Closing Bash, Featuring Denver Startup Week Pitch Challenge Finals, Thursday, 9/16 from

A sampling from Denver Startup Week’s Six Programming Tracks featuring:

·        Both Sides of the Funding Table (Designer Track), Monday, 9/12 from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring Top Chef Winner Chef Hosea Rosenberg and followed by the Colorado Small Business Development Center Trout Tank Pitch Competition

·        Art, Culture and the Startup City featuring Meow Wolf (Designer Track), Tuesday, 9/13 from 10 to 12 p.m., highlighting how art, culture and design help attract top talent to cities

·        Cage Match! Man vs. Machine in Content Marketing (Growth Track), Tuesday, 9/13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., who will emerge the winner in social media content creation?

·        Energy, Clean Tech, and a Secure Energy Future in the US & Israel (Growth Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on how companies in Colorado and Israel are at the forefront of a secure energy future

·        So You Want to Be Acquired – Stories from Two Recent Tech Buy-Outs (Founder Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. featuring Rally Software and Ping Identity

·        Angel Speed Dating (Founder Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with a chance to sit for 3-5 minutes with an angel investor

·        CTO Panel: Choose your Stack Wisely (Developer Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., featuring CTOs from Digabit, Inc., Four Winds Interactive and Alchemy IoT

·        Cybersecurity for startups: What you need to know and do to ensure your success (Developer Track), Tuesday, 9/13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., featuring local startups Protectwise and Red Canary

·        The Exciting Realm of Pet-focused Startups (Maker Track), Tuesday, 9/13 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

·        Exposure Doesn’t Pay the Bills: An Art Lesson (Maker Track), Monday, 9/12 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on why dialogue around doing art “for exposure” should change

·        We Launch Products That Are Too Complicated (Product Track), Monday, 9/12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on how to keep your product simple

·        Patents 101 (Product Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. with advice from Rocky Mountain Patent

In addition, significant funding resources will be awarded at several pitching and business plan competitions including the inaugural Denver Startup Week Pitch Challenge, which will yield 8 finalists from more than 100 applicants to pitch for the championship on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Galvanize Platte Street.
 
Back by popular demand, Basecamp launched by Chase for Business returns as the hub and epicenter of Denver Startup Week. Basecamp, located on the first floor of 1515 Arapahoe Street (16th and Arapahoe Streets), will feature an exciting line-up of entrepreneurs and innovators through keynote speakers, panels and mentoring sessions throughout the week. See the complete schedule at www.denverstartupweek.com/basecamp.

Highlights of Basecamp’s free programming include:
·        Inspirational Programs and Leadership Sessions: Inspiring conversations and panel discussions with some of the leading minds from the startup community and spanning a wide-range of topics. Programs occur every hour on the hour throughout the week. 

·        Mentor, Biz Dev and Financial Fitness Sessions: One-on-one sessions perfect for entrepreneurs looking for feedback, advice, mentorship or an opportunity to pitch a new partnership.

·        Inaugural Maker’s Wall: Constructed by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the inaugural Maker’s Wall will showcase products from Colorado’s diverse maker community including Revolar, Topo Designs, Icelantic Skis, Novo Coffee and more.

·        Food Forward Showcase: Shining a spotlight on Denver’s booming food and beverage startup scene, the Food Forward Showcase features an esteemed list of food and beverage industry innovators on Monday, 9/12 from 4 to 6 p.m.

All Denver Startup Week events take place at locations throughout Downtown Denver.
Media headquarters, including credential distribution and space for writing, charging and interviews, will be available at Basecamp. Media credentials will be distributed at the Kick-off Breakfast and also at Basecamp Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Media interested in covering Denver Startup Week should contact Brea Olson at [email protected].

Stay connected to Denver Startup Week at www.DenverStartupWeek.org, by following @DENStartupWeek and @BasecampLiveDEN on Twitter, by liking the DSW Facebook page and following us on Instagram.

About Denver Startup Week: 
Denver Startup Week, founded in 2012, is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver. The weeklong event is intended to unite the entrepreneurial community in Denver and celebrate the great companies, innovation and ideas happening in the city and the people and inspiration behind them.  The core programming is centered on the entrepreneurial community with an emphasis in technology, design, social entrepreneurship, manufacturing and business.  

Events throughout the week are organized by both the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and the community at-large and include sessions, presentations, panels, workshops, happy hours, social events, job fairs and more.  Denver Startup Week is sponsored by the Downtown Denver Partnership, Comcast, Chase for Business and several community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.DenverStartupWeek.org. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Brea Olson, @DENStartupWeek, 303.775.4712
[email protected]

Mid-Year Economic Report Shows Mixed Results for Small Biz

National Small Business Association (NSBA) released on September 7 its 2016 Mid-Year Economic Report which shows mixed results, specifically: the majority of small-business owners are projecting a flat economy in the coming 12 months, however slightly more today are anticipating economic expansion than did just six months ago.

Here are links to the survey below along with several social media posts you are welcome to use. NSBA and COBRT greatly appreciate any help you can provide in spreading the word about this survey within your networks.

-----------------------------
2016 Mid-Year Economic Report Social Media Posts

  • Majority of #smallbiz project a flat economy in the coming year per @NSBAAdvocate report
  • Slightly more #smallbiz expect economic expansion than just 6 months ago per @NSBAAdvocate report
  • 72% of #smallbiz are confident in the future of their own business per @NSBAAdvocate report
  • 25% of #smallbiz plan to launch a new product line in the coming year per @NSBAAdvocate report
  • Job growth continues to linger at 23% of #smallbiz adding workers in past year per @NSBAAdvocate report
  • Bank lending to #smallbiz decreased over last 6 months per @NSBAAdvocate report
  • Top thing #smallbiz wants policymakers to address: reduce the deficit per @NSBAAdvocate report
  • Majority of #smallbiz say fed taxes have moderate to significant impact on day-to-day operations per @NSBAAdvocate report

Choose:
Full Link (to add to posts): http://www.nsba.biz/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Mid-Year-Economic-Report-2016.pdf

Shortened Link (to add to posts): ow.ly/bA08303Ys80

Colorado’s Growing Space Economy

By Edgar Johansson

In 2001 I was fortunate to attend the national space symposium as it used to be called, as the representative of former Governor Bill Owens. At the time, I was the Director for Asia at the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). There had been a steady of Colorado’s space assets that left out key pieces of the message, that Colorado was one of the main epicenters of space, aerospace and defense industries in the nation. However, there were many folks and organizations that were very willing to share these messages and bring to light what Colorado businesses and academics were doing in the realm of space.

As a result of attending the 2001 space symposium, I was asked to represent the governor and a few key members of his staff as the space liaison. I joined the board of the Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR) and began the journey that led me to become the organization’s current president and an active member of Colorado’s incredibly vital space, aerospace and defense community. But the story of Colorado’s space industry started almost 70 years ago at the end of the Second World War as a primary location for space, aerospace and defense due to two significant geographic reasons.

Following the Second World War, the United States government captured over 300 – railroad cars worth of V –2 rocket parts and components. With various scientists and specialist including Dr. Wernher von Braun, the United States decided they wanted to do research in conjunction with universities across the nation to develop sub – orbital rockets. So, in 1947, the Air Force Cambridge Research Center (AFCRC) contacted Dr. William Pietenpol, then Chairman of the physics department at the University of Colorado in Boulder, to participate. From the Chairman’s decision to contribute, the Upper Air Laboratory was born.

After finally receiving funding for the project in 1948, the Upper Air Laboratory was conceived. Within the first 10 years, the University sent up 19 Aerobee rockets from Holloman Air Force Base along with the Air Force and another 8 V-2 rockets from White Sands Proving Grounds with the Navy, and continued efforts to advance rocket research.

The UAL eventually expanded, flying instruments on NASA’s solar – observing rockets. The UAL eventually became the foundation for CU’s current facility – Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), which was and continues to be a driving force in interplanetary exploration and solar research. With the creation of LSAP, students, faculty, and researchers established a nexus to continue attracting inspired minds. With renewed energy, building upon collaboration with NASA, see you drew interest from various entrepreneurial ventures and industry organizations establishing LASP’s collaboration between education and business; firmly establishing Boulder as a top tier research program and facility for Earth atmospheric satellites, space and planetary sciences, as well as expertise in rocketry.

Just shortly after the Second World War finished, the Cold War developed. Colorado’s distinctive geography, again, said it apart from other locations around the United States, but this time its role was very strategic. Around 1957, in response to the development of long – range missiles by the Germans along with submarine – based launch capabilities, an agreement was signed in a plan was established to build a more secure location for our nation’s assets. The Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado Springs was chosen and has become one of the United States most treasured assets to date.

With the development of Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs became a vibrant community with businesses supporting the industry through cutting – edge technologies. The city has become one of the best – known military hubs in our nation’s space program. To this day, Space Command three other military commands call Colorado home. The depth and economic contribution to the community of Colorado Springs and around the state are so great; they may never be truly realized.

So why does the space, aerospace, and defense industry in Colorado means so much to our public servants and those of us who live here? The economic impact alone tells the greatest part of Colorado’s space story. The economic impact of this industry is expressed in innovation, which translates to significant capital investment ranking Colorado the third-largest space economy.

This translates to over 400 companies and suppliers, equating to roughly 162,680 jobs supported by space, 25,110 private-sector jobs, and 27,890 military personnel; resulting in $3.2 billion in annual payroll that is injected back into the Colorado economy. These numbers show that the space industry is vital to Colorado and should inspire are used to explore careers in this amazing industry.

Fifteen years ago Colorado was fourth in the nation for space economies, but with the diligent effort and hard work from the 400+ companies that call Colorado home or operate a significant portion of their business within Colorado’s borders, the state has moved up a notch to achieve the spot of third-largest space economy. Colorado is also lucky to have the help of eight prime space contractors, NASA research activities and incredible research universities. There are many small and medium-size companies contributing to these numbers, some with less than 10 employees. Showing that knowledge is big business, but the hearts and minds of innovative individuals, continue to make this state so exciting and one of the greatest space states to live and work.

New State Website Celebrates Companies That Have Chosen Colorado

Relies heavily on storytelling and encourages other businesses to share their history
 
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) launched on August 1, 2016 a new website that celebrates the companies that have chosen to do business in the state. At the same time, the site provides the needed tools and resources for executives who are considering moving to Colorado and local job creators who are growing and retaining businesses in their communities.

"The momentum of the state's competitiveness has been fueled by a vibrant small business ecosystem, highly skilled workforce, and the creation of a comprehensive economic development strategy fueled by the Colorado Blueprint," said Fiona Arnold, executive director of OEDIT. "I'm thrilled that we now have a platform that leverages our tools and resources and focuses on storytelling to feature the value proposition of Colorado as a place to do business."

Since 2013, more than 111 companies have announced expansions or relocations in the state bringing in more than 27,076 jobs. These projects have supported net new job creation in Colorado's urban and rural communities across diverse industries of small and large firms. 

While national rankings continue to list Colorado in the top for living and doing business, OEDIT wanted a channel where they could provide more in-depth insights than just a list to showcase why being in Colorado is good for business. 

"Before we began the process of developing a new website, we conducted a survey of business executives both in and out of state to learn about their impressions of Colorado and where there might be opportunities for our marketing efforts," said Liz Cahill, chief marketing officer for OEDIT. "We learned that more than half of the respondents had positive feelings associated with the state including confidence in the business climate, emboldened by a smart workforce, and inspired by our location. Our issue was that our website didn't communicate any of these optimistic outlooks."

At the heart and soul of the website are stories from executives of Colorado companies discussing why they choose to do business in the state; whether it's the ability to tap into an invigorated workforce, partner with innovative executives, collaborate with a business-friendly government, or take advantage of the Rocky Mountains. 

One of those executives was Becky Yoder, CFO at Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC. 

"It was important for me to share the story of how we found success in Colorado, because I wanted to help inspire others, especially international firms that are looking to have a U.S. presence, on the benefits of collaborating with related technology firms who are oftentimes right down the road," Yoder said. "Partnerships and collaboration in this expansive Colorado aerospace community are key to fulfilling our customers' missions. We would be hard pressed to find that anywhere else."

The website features an initial set of success stories, photos and videos from Colorado companies across various industries including Surrey Satellite, Panasonic, High Noon, Boa and Ball Aerospace. In total, more than 60 Colorado companies and organizations contributed to the new website.

"There's something special about the people who choose Colorado. These are the people who are tackling some of the nation's most critical issues, and they are doing it together because they want to better their industry and our economy," Cahill said. "The fact that these executives took time out of their busy schedules to share their story or source a photo is a testament to their passion and drive for ensuring Colorado's success."

Cahill hopes that more Colorado companies will be inspired to use this platform as a vehicle to tell their story and is currently seeking submissions indefinitely.

For more information on doing business in Colorado or to submit your company's story for consideration visit www.choosecolorado.com.

 
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www.advancecolorado.com

NSBA Urges Business Invitations to Congressional Delegation During Recess

For the next six weeks, Members of Congress will be spending most of their time away from Washington, back in their districts. This period represents an outstanding opportunity—particularly during an election year—to spend time with these officials and give them a meaningful look at small business reality.

We find that members of Congress (and Congressional candidates) often welcome the opportunity to visit local businesses and learn about their operations, challenges, and concerns. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to consider inviting members of your local Congressional delegation to visit your business this summer and talk with you, your employees, your customers, and your neighboring businesses. While these visits usually work best when they are not overtly political, they nevertheless represent an opportunity to talk about key small business issues.

We hope that you will strongly consider participating in this effort. To assist you, we have put together a web-based toolkit, which will walk you step-by-step through the invitation, the meeting itself, and the post-visit follow-up. To access this information, please register by clicking here and you will then be directed to the toolkit.

While we believe that the visit will be most beneficial if it focuses on your business—its history, growth, and challenges, as well as the leadership role that you play within your local community—it would be most helpful to the small business cause if you could present your guest with a copy of NSBA’s priority issues, and ask the candidates to sign our Small Business Pledge, which asks them to support small business concerns as a priority in Congress. Both of these documents are part of the toolkit mentioned above.

While we hope we have delivered to you a turn-key package, please do not hesitate to contact us with questions, suggestions, and feedback.  I hope that this opportunity is as rewarding and productive as I think it will be.

Thank you in advance for helping to carry the small business message.

Sincerely,

Todd McCracken
President and CEO
National Small Business Association
America's Small Business Advocate

E-470’s 25 Years Dedicated to “Safety, Service, Speed and Stewardship”

Twenty-five years ago (June 1, 1991), Governor Roy Romer and a host of other officials and VIPs cut the ribbon on the first five-mile section of the E-470 toll road, linking the I-25/C-470 interchange to Parker Road. It was the only toll road in Colorado at that time.

Speakers at the event hailed the toll road’s future and the intergovernmental cooperation that made it possible in the absence of any state or federal funding. They expressed confidence that the skeptics who derided E-470 as the “road to nowhere” would be proven wrong. And their confidence was not misplaced.

Serving about 5,000 customers per day in 1991, today E-470 is 47 miles long and has traffic volume, as measured in toll transactions, averaging more than 200,000 per day. While there will be no ceremonies this year to mark the milestone, “We’ll take note of this special date but
otherwise it will be business as usual,” said E-470 Executive Director Tim Stewart on June 1. “We’re busy making sure we’re delivering what was promised 25 years ago: safety, service, speed and stewardship.”

The toll road has been financed, constructed, operated and maintained by the E-470 Public Highway Authority and is not taxpayer funded. The authority is a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, operating as an “enterprise” under state statute and thus is self-sustaining, generating its own revenues without recourse to taxpayer funds. The authority is composed of its eight member jurisdictions, those being five municipalities (Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Parker, and Thornton) and three counties (Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas). Each jurisdiction has one voting member on the eight-member E-470 Board of Directors.

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS: Jessica Carson, E-470 Marketing and Communications Manager, 303-537-3706, [email protected]; Dan Christopherson, Christopherson & Co. Public Relations, 303-779-4920, [email protected]

Connect with us: www.expresstoll.com 

External Audit Verifies City's Good Financial Health

Reposted from denvergov.org

The City and County of Denver received an unmodified or “clean” opinion from its independent auditor, BKD, for 2015.  Denver’s Charter requires an annual independent external audit of the City’s finances, with separate reports for Denver International Airport, the Wastewater Management fund and the Deferred Compensation Plan Trust Fund.  

These audits verify that the City and County of Denver (CCD) has accurately and fairly presented information in its financial statements.  “The overall financial condition of Denver is excellent,” observed Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA, who is chairman of the City’s Audit Committee which supervises the annual external audit.  Denver has submitted its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) to the Government Finance Officers' Association for a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  CCD has received this award every year.

“Denver is a huge operation, so it’s no surprise that everything doesn’t work perfectly all the time,” explained O’Brien.  “The purpose of the annual external audit is to identify areas of risk for the City.  City Controller Beth Machann and other City officials have instituted a culture of continuous improvement to make sure errors aren’t repeated, and that systems are perfected to prevent inaccurate accounting.”

BKD’s 2015 audit found a material weakness in DIA’s accounting for capital assets.  BKD recommended that in projects like the DIA Hotel and Transit Center, involving multiple funding sources and multiple contractors, tracking mechanisms should be developed for financial assurance and financial reporting.  BKD also recommended that documentation of significant decisions should be maintained.

Significant deficiencies were found in capital asset accounting and reporting, which was the subject of an audit performed by the Auditor’s Office in March.  In the Denver Department of Human Services, limited staffing led to infrequent reviews of the electronic benefit transfer card.  It was also recommended that DDHS enforce its policy detailing when and why case comments should be entered by case workers dealing with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.  The Office of Economic Development was encouraged to obtain Federal Housing Authority rates annually to calculate the correct amount of federal housing assistance in affordable housing projects. 

“The City agreed with all of BKD’s findings,” said O’Brien.  “BKD also alerted us to new accounting requirements that will be effective in future audits, and provided helpful guidance on the past year’s implementation of GASB 68 rules for pension accounting and reporting.  BKD’s government experience and familiarity with frequently changing accounting rules are a beneficial combination for the City and County of Denver.”

2015 Management Letter from BKD
2015 Required Communication
2015 Single Audit Reports
2015 DIA Financial Statements
2015 DIA Passenger Facility Charges Statements
2015 Wastewater Management Financial Statements
2015 Deferred Compensation Plan Statements
2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne Announces Colorado Blueprint 2.0 Initiative Recipients

DENVER - Thurs., July 21, 2016 - Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne today visited the town of Delta to announce recipients of the first round of the Colorado Blueprint 2.0 initiatives. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) launched Blueprint 2.0 last year as a way to examine how best to serve rural communities around the state and identify opportunities to leverage the state's resources. 

"Blueprint 2.0 is a great example of how Colorado is going above and beyond existing resources to support the needs of our rural regions," said Lt Gov. Donna Lynne. "We congratulate today's recipients and look forward to seeing how these regions leverage the new services and resources to help strengthen their economies and communities."

Colorado Blueprint 2.0 Recipients:
* Industry Attraction Initiative: Rio Blanco, Trinidad
* Competitive Advantage: Fort Morgan, Limon, Dillon
* Grow Your Outdoor Recreation Industry: Ouray, Montrose
* Strengthen Local Business Brand: San Luis Valley, Buena Vista, Delta
* Tiny Homes Community Master Plan: Morgan, Steamboat, Pagosa Springs`
* Adaptive Reuse Workshop: Brush, Delta County, Summit County
* Call Yourself Creative: Buena Vista, Rio Blanco County, Kremmling
* Incubator/Accelerator Best Practices: Morgan County, Steamboat, NWCOG
* Tourism Promotion: La Junta, Delta County, Rio Blanco County
* Community-Led Initiative: Custer County

Over the past year, OEDIT hosted 13 strategy sessions throughout the rural regions of Colorado to develop the ten different initiatives that communities would find most beneficial to apply for through Blueprint 2.0. Each initiative includes services not previously provided by the State, and leverages state resources and partnerships with organizations outside of the State of Colorado to provide technical assistance to regions who expressed an interest in pursuing the initiatives.

Many communities applied for Colorado Blueprint 2.0 initiatives, and during the application process, communities and regions were asked to demonstrate collaboration, strong local leadership and solid support for the initiative they chose to pursue.

Initiatives will be deployed between now and December 2016. A new round of Blueprint 2.0 initiatives will be unveiled in 2017.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper
Office of Economic Development & International Trade
Holly Shrewsbury, 303-892-3847
[email protected]

Downtown Denver Partnership Recognizes Success of Place-Based Economic Development Strategy, Honors Members at Annual Meeting

DENVER (July 20, 2016) – The Downtown Denver Partnership recognized the success of its place-based economic development strategy at the organization’s 61st Annual Meeting today, also outlining strategic initiatives for the coming year and honoring outstanding contributions by its leaders and members. The annual meeting, presented by Grant Thornton, is an opportunity for the Downtown Denver Partnership (Partnership) to showcase activities that align with the high-impact strategies outlined in the 2007 Downtown Area Plan and report on progress toward building a healthy and vital Downtown Denver. More than 900 civic and business leaders were in attendance.
 
“The Downtown Denver Partnership leads the private sector to build Downtown Denver as the premier economic hub of the region,” says Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “We have a bias for action through results-driven planning and execution, and our impact on the center city is significant. We appreciate the opportunity to come together with our more than 720 member organizations each year to celebrate our success and look forward to the impact we will make in the coming year.”
 
The Partnership reported on accomplishments over the past year, which are detailed in the organization’s 2015-16 Annual Report, and announced several priorities for the upcoming year, including:
 
·        Advancing implementation of the Downtown Security Action Plan, including hiring a private security team for the 16th Street Mall (Mall) and establishing a security command center to coordinate information sharing and implementation of the plan.

·        Launching an interactive Arapahoe Square Property Owner Map to allow developers, investors and City agencies to see parcel-specific information regarding ownership, improvements and zoning. Arapahoe Square is one of the seven transformative projects in the Downtown Area Plan, and the Partnership is also leading several initiatives to spur catalytic investment in this area including developing a brand vision to best tell the story of Downtown’s Next Great Neighborhood.

·        Leading marketing efforts to recruit senior developers to Downtown Denver to expand Downtown’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and meet the growing demand for top talent.

·        Advocating for affordable housing options while balancing business and property owner interests, including evaluating funding sources, uses and governance for the City’s proposed dedicated revenue fund for affordable housing.

·        Working with public- and private-sector partners to develop a competitiveness report that, with the support of a national consultant, will define key indicators to inform policy decisions including tax initiatives, business incentives and infrastructure investments.

·        Defining a clear vision for the future of the Mall, in collaboration with the City and County of Denver and the Regional Transportation District, through The Mall Experience study.

·        Developing a strategic plan for economic development for the Mall that will emphasize retail and development opportunities, and take into account amenities that support visitors, workers and residents.

·        Pursuing a Local Maintenance District for Skyline Park to provide additional private sector support of maintenance, infrastructure and programming.

·        Establishing the vision and course for the Downtown Loop, an urban trail that will weave through the center city to connect cultural destinations, attract visitors, and represent Denver’s outdoor, environmental and artistic values.

·        Engaging with the City to update the Downtown Multi Modal Access Plan to advance the use of emerging transportation technologies, choices in mobility and a network of options to support how people move in cities.

The Partnership also recognized the leadership of outgoing chairman of the Partnership, Joe Vostrejs, partner of City Street Investors. Walter Isenberg, president & CEO of Sage Hospitality, was elected as chairman of the Partnership for 2016-17. In addition, Rob Cohen, CEO of The IMA Financial Group, Inc., was elected for a second term as chairman of Downtown Denver Inc.; Trinidad Rodriguez, senior vice president & managing director, Public Finance of D.A. Davidson, was elected chairman of Denver Civic Ventures; and Bill Mosher, senior managing director of Trammell Crow Company, was elected chairman-elect of the Partnership.
 
Several members were also recognized for their significant contributions to the Partnership’s efforts in the urban core:
 
Honorary Partner Award: Presented to a member who exhibits strong leadership and engagement in the Partnership for a period of at least ten years

·        Cole Finegan, Regional Managing Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP

Peter Bowes Award: Presented to a member who exemplifies the legacy of Peter Bowes, past chairman of the Downtown Denver Partnership

·        Brandy Bertram, Director of Development, Colorado Open Lands

Volunteer of the Year Awards: Presented to members who have made significant contributions to the Partnership’s programs and initiatives over the last year

·        Tom Carroll, Associate, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

·        Kevin Kelley, Office Managing Partner, Husch Blackwell

·        Wendy Williams, Director of Property Management, Vector Property Services, LLC
 
Click here to read more about the award winners. For more information, including to view the 2015-16 Downtown Denver Partnership Annual Report visit downtowndenver.com.
 
About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

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B Line to Westminster Opens July 25

Reposted from RTD-FasTracks

RTD received official notice that the B Line from Union Station in downtown Denver to Westminster will be ready and open for service on Monday, July 25, 2016. This notice came from project concessionaire, Denver Transit Partners (DTP). 

"RTD staff, our contractors as well as our federal, state and local partners have put in a remarkable effort to complete the B Line's first segment," RTD Chair of the Board of Directors Tom Tobiassen said. "This rail line will be the third project this year the agency opens to the public with the G and R Lines coming later in 2016. This many major transit line openings in one year are unprecedented in public transportation and the region should be proud of the collaboration that is making it happen."

The B Line to Westminster will be the second electric commuter rail line to operate in Denver-the first being the University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport, which began service on April 22.

"Our ability to bring this type of rail connection to the Denver area is ground-breaking and will change the way residents and visitors experience our great cities," said RTD's CEO and General Manager Dave Genova. "We have elevated the standards of transit by implementing an electric commuter rail system that is safe, quick and highly accessible."

The ride from Union Station to Westminster will take 11 minutes. Trains will run every 30 minutes during peak hours (6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., Monday through Friday) and every 60 minutes during non-peak hours every day.

Electric commuter rail vehicles are faster than light rail, with a top speed of 79 mph versus 55 mph. The vehicles are also larger and carry more people than light rail vehicles-200 people at maximum. Commuter rail vehicles have level boarding at all doors of the train and have two wheelchair spaces per car. These trains also have large seats, overhead storage, luggage towers and bicycle racks.

This segment of the B Line will serve two stations: Denver's Union Station and the new Westminster Station located at West 69th Avenue (future Westminster Station Drive) and Grove Street.

"The opening of Westminster Station in a few short months presents a tremendous opportunity for the city and regional commuters  - 11 minutes nonstop to Denver from a signature station will be a catalyst for future development," Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison said. "We're excited to be leading the way with the first connection on the FasTracks Northwest Rail line to Boulder and Longmont."

The remaining segment, from south Westminster to Longmont, will be diesel-powered commuter rail. Construction of the line from Westminster to Longmont will begin when funding becomes available.

The B Line to Westminster is part of the Eagle P3 project, the nation's first full public-private partnership for transit. Eagle P3 is a $2.2 billion project, which includes local RTD taxes combined with a $1.03 billion federal grant and $450 million from DTP, the project concessionaire. As concessionaire, DTP will build, operate and maintain the trains for 34 years.

MONDAY•  JULY 25
GRAND OPENING
Westminster Station
3200 Westminster Station Dr
(just west of 71st and Federal)

Ceremony
10 A.M. – 11 A.M.

Celebration
Family friendly fun, games, food, and live music!
11 A.M. – 4 P.M.

Free rides on the B Line!
11 A.M. – 9 P.M.


SATURDAY•  JULY 30
STATION PARTIES
Union Station
Games, music, entertainment!
2 P.M. – 6 P.M.

Westminster Station
Carnival games, food, beer garden, face painting, live music, and fireworks show at 9pm!
6 P.M. – 10 P.M.

Free rides on ALL rail lines!
5 A.M. – 10 P.M.

IFA Kicks Off 2016 @OurFranchise Campaign and Tour at PostNet in Denver, Colorado

Cresanti Highlights Franchising’s Agenda for Growth and Opportunity in Nationwide Tour

WASHINGTON, July 19 – International Franchise Association (IFA) President and CEO Robert Cresanti today kicked off the @OurFranchise Campaign by launching a nationwide tour starting in franchising hub Denver, CO. The event, hosted by PostNet International Franchise Corporation CEO Steve Greenbaum, captured the stories how local franchise business owners and their employees are supporting their local communities and creating jobs and business ownership opportunities at their franchise. 
 
“In neighborhoods across the country, franchising brings together brands, local owners, employees and the local community,” said IFA President & CEO Robert Cresanti, CFE. “Americans from all walks of life turn to franchising to find first jobs, start new businesses and learn skills that lead to successful careers. The @OurFranchise campaign captures the real, positive impact of the franchise model as told by local owners in their own voice and speaks to the level of economic contribution franchise owners continue to have to the American economy.”
 
Franchising contributes $994 billion to the United States economy and supports 9.1 million jobs, including 484,000 in Colorado.  Cresanti led a roundtable discussion focused on educating the public, policymakers and the media about the franchise business model and its impact in Colorado and every community across the country. Cresanti also called on elected officials to recognize the importance of franchising during the upcoming election season, and encouraged franchising supporters to make their voices heard when choosing candidates at the polls. 
 
According to a Morning Consult survey of 10,000 nationwide voters released today, Coloradans have a favorable view of franchise businesses across all demographics including party affiliation, age, gender and race.
 
“Franchise businesses are the cornerstone of our local economy. From healthcare and food to automotive and pet care, franchise businesses create jobs, support communities and provide people with a vehicle to pursue the ‘American Dream’ of owning their own business,” said PostNet CEO Steve Greenbaum.
 
As part of the 2016 @OurFranchise Tour, Cresanti will visit with local franchisees, franchisors, employees, business and community leaders, and elected officials across the country to discuss the impact of the franchise business model as a driver of economic growth, job creation and individual opportunity. For more information, visit www.AtOurFranchise.org.
 

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We'll have a full interview with Robert Cresanti on our Connect & Collaborate radio show. Cresanti will join us to discuss Colorado's franchise industry Friday at 4:00 on Denver's Money Talk 1690 AM. 

About the International Franchise Association: Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 800,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 9.1 million direct jobs, $994 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.

Contact:
Jenna Weisbord, 310-995-0839
[email protected]
@franchising411

It was a full house for the @OurFranchise Campaign Kickoff at PostNet International Franchise Corporation in downtown Denver, Colorado.

Colorado Tourism Office Accepting Marketing Matching Grant Program Applications

This year's funding increased by over $100,000
 
DENVER - Fri., July 15, 2016 - The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is now accepting applications for its Marketing Matching Grant Program, which has increased its grants awards by $100,000. The annual competitive grant program offers financial assistance to Colorado's tourism industry for enhancing marketing efforts to visitors. All applications for grant requests must be submitted online by 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2016.

The program will award up to $600,000 in grants, an increase from the $500,000 awarded last year. Grants up to $25,000 each will be awarded, and for every $1 the awarded organization allocates to the program, the CTO will provide $1 in matching funds. Up to 20 percent of the match may include services such as staff time or donated services or materials relevant to the grant project. Funds will be awarded to multiple organizations in both the regional/partnership and statewide categories.

The CTO Marketing Matching Grant Program provides funding to Colorado not-for-profit organizations for promotion of the state or a region as a tourism destination. Travel regions throughout the state are eligible for these grant dollars, as well as statewide associations, organizations and other nonprofit entities that engage in promoting travel throughout Colorado.

For more information regarding the grant program and instructions on how to apply, please click here. For additional help using the online grant system, or any other questions, contact Elizabeth O'Rear at 303-892-3893 or elizabeth.o'[email protected].
 

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www.advancecolorado.com