Business Groups Underscore Importance of Fracking Ban Case

Supreme Court Will Decide Whether Local Governments Can Ban Access to Private Property

Contact:
Rich Coolidge
[email protected]
(720) 420-4255


DENVER (Dec. 8, 2015) – On Wednesday, the Colorado Supreme Court will hear oral arguments to decide whether local communities, specifically Fort Collins and Longmont, can ban oil and natural gas drilling activities, including fracking, from their borders. 

Vital for Colorado, a broad-based coalition of Colorado businesses, associations and individuals, underscored the significance of this landmark case. 

“We feel confident that the Colorado Supreme Court will find that state regulations must be applied uniformly across the state, creating a consistent business climate and protecting private property rights,” said Vital for Colorado Board Chair and local attorney Peter Moore. 

Lower courts overturned a 2012 fracking ban in Longmont and a five-year fracking moratorium in Fort Collins from 2013. The state appeals court declined to weigh in and instead, deferred the matter to the Colorado Supreme Court. 

Kelly Brough, President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, said that permitting local rules to preempt state regulations would result in a patchwork of regulations across the state, making Colorado less attractive to current and prospective businesses.

“That would create an unpredictable business climate in our state, which has a ripple effect,” Brough said. “The oil and natural gas industry has a tremendous impact on our small and large businesses, nonprofits and labor organizations, all of which will be impacted by efforts to limit responsible energy development.” 

In Colorado, oil and natural gas operators work with both the surface owners and sub-surface owners to extract the resources. The operators financially compensate both for the minerals extracted from the subsurface owners and for the use of the surface land.

The Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) represents many of the state’s 600,000 mineral owners. According to NARO’s Colorado president and Vital for Colorado board member Michelle Smith, these owners are watching the Supreme Court case closely. 

“Many Colorado families rely on these royalty payments for their livelihood or for their retirement and investment savings,” Smith said. “These kinds of local bans wipe out those savings and significantly increase the uncertainty for future financial planning.”

Similarly, surface owners also stand to lose financial opportunities if local governments ban fracking. Groups like the Colorado Farm Bureau recognize the opportunities available to their members, particularly in between growing seasons. 

“We’ve worked closely with Colorado’s oil and gas operators to strike the right balance between the impacts to our farmland and their right to responsible energy development,” said Colorado Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Chad Vorthmann. “These agreements benefit many of our family farms during the off-season and are the result of compromise versus unyieldingness.” 

The numerous stakeholder groups from state and local governments, to property rights owners, to contractors, to communities illustrate the breadth of the impact of Colorado’s oil and natural gas industry, which also permeates throughout the economy generating $25 billion in economic activity and supporting over 200,000 jobs. Upholding the hydraulic fracturing bans will have a negative impact on the industry that will be felt throughout the economy.

Since the original bans passed, Governor John Hickenlooper formed an oil and gas task force that travelled throughout the state collecting public and stakeholder input. This effort resulted in nine recommendations and new regulations aimed at striking a balance among the many stakeholders. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is expected to adopt and implement the final two recommendations early next year.

About Vital for Colorado
Vital for Colorado is a broad coalition of business and civic leaders formed to support responsible energy development.  More than 50,000 chambers, organizations, businesses and Coloradans have signed its pro-energy pledge. For more information, go to www.vitalforcolorado.com

Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman Named Chairman of Business Roundtable

Washington – Business Roundtable today announced that Doug Oberhelman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc., has been named Chairman. He will serve a two-year term from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017. 

Oberhelman joined Business Roundtable in 2010. He will succeed Randall Stephenson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Inc., after the completion of Stephenson’s two-year term.

“Doug is an outstanding global business leader and a leading advocate for promoting jobs, innovation and economic growth in the United States,” Stephenson said. “Doug’s leadership at Business Roundtable has helped secure congressional approval of trade agreements and has encouraged public investment in America’s infrastructure. He has a record of driving cooperation between government and industry, and the Roundtable is well-positioned moving forward with Doug at the helm. 

“I am grateful to have worked with America’s top business leaders, President Obama and members of the House and Senate leadership from both parties over these past two years to advance pro-growth policies in America,” Stephenson said. “I look forward to working with Doug and all the other member CEOs to foster a more competitive, productive and prosperous future for the United States.”

Oberhelman assumes leadership of Business Roundtable at a pivotal moment for the U.S. economy. Among the key priorities identified in the Business Roundtable economic growth agenda are expanding U.S. trade, adopting a smarter approach to regulation and enacting pro-growth tax reform.

“We need to get the U.S. economy firing on all cylinders,” Oberhelman said. “This is a crucial time for action on pro-growth policies. Success requires working together with the Administration, Congress and the business community on concrete steps to move our economy forward and reignite America as a job-creating machine. I look forward to working with my peers at Business Roundtable to advocate and get this done.

“Randall Stephenson has done a great job leading Business Roundtable,” Oberhelman added. “Following him is no small task. I will be honored to serve as Chairman and continue the extraordinary progress Randall helped achieve.”

Oberhelman became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc. in 2010. He has since led Caterpillar through accelerated business cycles, implementing multiple measures to improve global manufacturing and operations. He has also led Caterpillar to renew its focus on customers and reinforced its dedication to quality, sustainability and innovation. His full biography is available here and a high-resolution photo can be downloaded here.

Caterpillar Inc. was an early member of Business Roundtable, joining the organization in 1974.

Rural Jump-Start Program roll-out dates announced

Dear Economic Development Partners,

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade has scheduled roll-out dates for the new Rural Jump-Start program. The program will start accepting applications from designated institutes of higher education for participation and zone creation on Dec. 15, 2015 at noon. Applications from new businesses will be accepted starting on Jan. 19, 2016 at noon. 

Given that the Rural Jump-Start program is limited by statute to only three zones in 2016, applicants are encouraged to apply early. After the three zones are created for 2016, applicants who are approved for participation will start receiving program benefits in 2017.

The Rural Jump-Start program will offer tax relief to approved businesses and employees of those businesses in Jump-Start Zones for up to four years. With the approval of the Colorado Economic Development Commission, counties and municipalities will be setting up these zones around the state, and working with local colleges in attracting new businesses.

Because we are still in the process of launching the program and finalizing some details, we would appreciate your help in ensuring accurate information is released. We are asking that any written correspondence about the program to potential beneficiaries (e-mail, website or printed material) include the following text:

Per C.R.S. 39-30.5-101, the Colorado Rural Jump-Start program will begin taking applications on Dec. 15, 2015 at noon. All applications for participation in Rural Jump-Start will be submitted via a formal online process, reviewed by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and will require approval by the Colorado Economic Development Commission. Rules for the program and the application processes for businesses, institutes of higher education, municipalities and counties are in the program manual, which can be downloaded at www.advancecolorado.com/jumpstart. Please note that, per statute, in the first year of the program (January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016) only three pilot Jump-Start Zones can be approved. Anyone wishing for information about the Rural Jump-Start program should contact Ken Jensen at OEDIT at 303.892.3743.

Please contact me if you have any questions, and thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Ken Jensen
303.892.3743
[email protected]
 

Space Foundation elects new officers & directors

Space Foundation Contact:
Carol Hively,Director Public Relations & Team Communications
[email protected]

COLORADO SPRINGS (Nov. 16, 2015) – The board of directors of the Space Foundation has elected new officers and directors, for terms to commence on January 1, 2016.  ADM James O. Ellis, Jr., USN (Ret.) was elected Chairman of the Board.  A former command of United States Strategic Command, Ellis is the Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow as the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

Lon Levin, Chairman through December 31, was elected to Director Emeritus.  A 12 year veteran of the Space Foundation board, Levin is a co-founder of XM Satellite Radio, and heads his own firm, SkySeven Ventures.

Kay Sears, President of Intelsat General, was elected to a two-year term as Secretary.  She replaces former NASA astronaut and educator Dr. Kathryn Thornton, who was elected to a special emphasis position as Special Director, Education, and will focus her attention on the Foundation’s STEM education programs and operations.

Hoyt Davidson, Managing Partner, Near Earth LLC, was elected as a member of the board, and elected to a two-year term as Treasurer.  He assumes the role of Treasurer from Anita Antenucci, Senior Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey, who was elected Life Director.

Patti Grace Smith, former Associate Administrator of the FAA and Principal in Patti Grace Smith Consulting, was re-elected to a one-year term as At Large Member of the Executive Committee.

In addition, the Space Foundation’s board elected several members to new, three-year terms:

Dr. Alice Bunn

Director of Policy, UK Space Agency

Jeffrey D. Grant

Sector Vice President and General Manager, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems

Blake E. Larson

Chief Operating Officer, Orbital ATK

Dr. Amy Mainzer

Senior Research Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Dr. Robert D. Richards

Founder & CEO, Moon Express, Inc.

Gen. William L. Shelton, USAF (Ret.)

Former Commander, Air Force Space Command

Richard R. Yuse

Vice President, Raytheon Company, President, Space and Airborne Systems

Elected to a special two-year term, New Generation Space Leader:

Victoria Alonsoperez

Founder, Chipsafer

Chair, Space Generation Advisory Council

Other Space Foundation board members are:

            Elected to a second term:

Dr. Ronald M. Sega

Director, Systems Engineering Programs, Colorado State University

Former NASA astronaut

Board members continuing in office are:

Richard F. Ambrose

Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company

The Honorable Robert E. "Bud" Cramer

Managing Director, C2Group/FTI Consulting

John W. Elbon

Vice President and General Manager, The Boeing Company - Space Exploration

Tom Feeney

President and Chief Executive Officer, Associated Industries of Florida

Michael C. Gass

Former President and Chief Executive Officer, United Launch Alliance

Dr. Fritz Merkle

Member of the Executive Board, OHB System AG

P.J. O'Rourke

Author and Political Satirist

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, in support of its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity." Space Foundation World Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. The Space Foundation has a field office in Houston and conducts government affairs from its Washington, D.C., office. It publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, and through its Space CertificationTM and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook,Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Flickr and YouTube, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.

Gov. Hickenlooper announces new Director of the Colorado Tourism Office

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade today announced that Cathy Ritter will serve as director of the Colorado Tourism Office, effective Dec. 1, 2015. 

"Cathy's appointment comes at a time of record growth for our tourism industry, and she's just the person to take us to the next level," said Gov. John Hickenlooper. "We are thrilled to have her experience and knowledge on our team. She has been recognized nationwide for her exceptional tourism industry work, and we know she will be a great asset to the state."
In her role as the Colorado Tourism Director, Ritter will lead the state's marketing campaign to attract visitors, as well as develop new initiatives to further Colorado's tourism growth. The position manages all tourism marketing and promotional functions, promoting Colorado around the globe.

"Colorado is such a hot destination, with so many fascinating and fun experiences for all types of travelers," Ritter said. "I'm excited about the opportunities to bring fresh thinking and energy to sharing that message and creating new reasons for travelers to choose Colorado." 

Ritter is a prior director of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, where she directed planning and implementation of the bureau's $60 million annual budget, increasing the state's market share by 7 percent. In this role, she also managed the state's tourism marketing message, as well as led statewide efforts to develop a blueprint to improve Illinois' competitive position and expand the economic impact of tourism. Under her tenure, the bureau was honored for having the best advertising campaign from the Travel Industry Association of America.

Most recently, Ritter turned her experience of tourism lifestyle marketing into a career as a top marketing executive for three nonprofit senior living systems: WesleyLife, Asbury Communities and Friendship Senior Options. Her accomplishments include creating award-winning marketing campaigns and communications initiatives, as well as managing sales teams. Prior to serving as tourism director, Ritter worked for the State of Illinois in various roles, including director of communications for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, deputy press secretary for the Illinois Office of Secretary of State, and as public information officer for the Illinois Commerce Commission. Ritter started her career as a newspaper reporter, working as a statehouse bureau reporter for Lee Enterprises' four Illinois newspapers.

"Our nationwide search for the right person to lead Colorado's tourism effort led us to Cathy Ritter, whose knowledge and expertise in tourism and marketing is incomparable," said Fiona Arnold, executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. "Cathy understands innately the leading role tourism has in Colorado and its vital economic impact. She will be a wonderful leader for the Colorado Tourism Office as it continues to deliver the highest quality support for the tourism industry in our state."

Ritter holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois. 

Tourism is a booming industry in Colorado, employing over 150,000 jobs with earnings of more than $5 billion. Last year, total direct travel spending in Colorado reached $18.6 billion, with 66 percent of that total coming from visitors who stayed overnight in paid accommodations. This record-spending figure represents an increase of 7.4 percent over 2013, significantly outpacing the national growth rate of 4.5 percent in visitor expenditures by 65 percent. 

The Colorado Tourism Office is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
 

Vital for Colorado joins Our Energy Moment coalition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2015
CONTACT: 202-331-1011 [email protected]
 
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Our Energy Moment (OEM), a diverse group of business, civic and economic development organizations dedicated to raising awareness of the many benefits of expanded markets for liquefied natural gas (LNG), is pleased to announce that Vital for Colorado has joined its growing coalition in the Rocky Mountain region. 

 “We are excited to welcome Vital for Colorado to the OEM coalition. LNG exports are critical to helping states like Colorado realize their economic potential by creating thousands of good paying jobs,” said Andrew Ware, an OEM spokesperson. “The support of organizations like Vital for Colorado helps ensure that we don’t miss this historic opportunity.”

Vital for Colorado is a bipartisan coalition of business and community leaders helping promote the benefits of responsible energy development to Colorado’s economy. To date, over 35,000 residents and organizations have signed Vital for Colorado’s seven-point pledge supporting sensible energy regulation in Colorado.  

“Vital for Colorado and Our Energy Moment share similar missions to promote the strong economic impacts realized by a thriving energy sector,” said Peter Moore, President and CEO of Vital for Colorado. “Colorado’s energy industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and expanding markets through LNG exports will bring additional opportunities to our state economy.”

Vital for Colorado joins a diverse coalition in the Rocky Mountain region that is helping raise awareness of the economic benefits that LNG exports will create for residents.  According to a report by ICF International, up to 11,000 new jobs and $1.8 billion in economic impacts will be created in Colorado by 2035 due to future LNG exports.

Other OEM Rocky Mountain members include the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, the Colorado Business Roundtable, Colorado Concern, the Colorado Competitive Council, the Colorado Petroleum Association, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver, the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, and the West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association. OEM launched the Rocky Mountain chapter of OEM in May 2015. 

To learn more about domestic and geopolitical benefits of U.S. LNG exports, click here.
   
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To learn more about Our Energy Moment visit: http://www.ourenergymoment.org/. You can also follow OEM on Twitter (@OurEnergyMoment) and Facebook by liking the Our Energy Moment page. 

U.S. Treasury launches myRA (my Retirement Account) to help bridge America's retirement savings gap

U.S. Treasury Department
Office of Public Affairs
CONTACT: Treasury Public Affairs, (202) 622-2960

With pilot concluded, program expands with new funding options to make myRA available to more people

WASHINGTON– With millions of Americans lacking adequate retirement savings, the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the national launch of myRA, a simple, safe and affordable new savings option for those who don’t have access to a retirement savings plan at work.  People can get information about myRA and sign up for an account at myRA.gov.

“myRA is designed to remove common barriers to saving and give people an easy way to get started,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew. “myRA has no fees, no risk of losing money and no minimum balance or contribution requirements. To make saving easier than ever, you can now put savings into myRA directly from your bank account.”

With the initial pilot phase of the program concluded, myRA is now available nationwide with multiple ways for people to start saving:

• Paycheck. Set up automatic direct deposit contributions to myRA through an employer.
• NEW: Checking or savings account. Now savers can fund a myRA account directly by setting up recurring or one-time contributions from a checking or savings account.
• NEW: Federal tax refund. At tax time, direct all or a portion of a federal tax refund to myRA.

“myRA can give people confidence that they’re taking steps in the right direction, and it can serve as a bridge to other savings options that will carry them the rest of the way,” said Lew. “myRA alone will not solve the nation’s retirement savings gap, but it will be an important stepping stone for encouraging and creating a nation of savers.”

According to a 2015 Federal Reserve Report, 31 percent of non-retired people said they have no retirement savings or pension whatsoever. Additionally, a 2013 report by the National Institute on Retirement Savings found that the average near-retirement household had only $12,000 in retirement savings. Among workers who do not participate in a 401(k) or other defined contribution plan, 42 percent say it’s because their employer does not offer one. Furthermore, among part-time workers, a 2015 BLS Economic Release found that 62 percent don’t have access to a retirement plan at work.

In his 2014 State of the Union address, President Obama announced that he would direct the Treasury Department to develop myRA. Throughout 2014, the Treasury Department developed the framework for the program, including creating a new Treasury savings bond to serve as the underlying investment for these accounts, as well as designating a financial agent to help Treasury administer the accounts and set up a simple way for savers to fund their accounts through their employers. This year, the Treasury Department worked with a small, diverse group of employers as part of the initial pilot phase of myRA to get feedback and ensure that the user experience is as simple and straightforward as possible.

myRA is designed as a starter retirement account to help bridge the savings gap for many of these workers. It is optimized to appeal to first-time savers, for whom a no-risk, principal-protected investment is more appealing than a higher-risk investment option. As myRA account holders grow their savings, they have the option to transfer to a private-sector Roth IRA with diverse investment options at any time, or transfer to a private-sector Roth IRA once they reach the maximum myRA balance of $15,000.

myRA is a Roth IRA and follows the same eligibility requirements. To participate in myRA, savers (or their spouses, if married filing jointly) must have taxable compensation to be eligible to contribute to a myRA account and be within the Roth IRA income guidelines. Savers can contribute to their myRA accounts as little as a few dollars up to $5,500 per year (or $6,500 per year for individuals who will be 50 years of age or older at the end of the year). Savers can also withdraw money they put into their myRA accounts tax-free and without penalty at any time.  Roth IRA requirements apply to the tax free withdrawal of any earnings.

For more information about myRA or to sign up for an account, visit myRA.gov.

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FAA approves unmanned aircraft testing in San Luis Valley

View fullsize

Reference Technologies Hummingbird, a 120-pound, vertical-lifting Unmanned Aircraft System that has been approved by the FAA for testing in the San Luis Valley. Photo courtesy Reference Technologies Inc. of Lafayette, Colorado.

Contact:
Brian Argrow, 303-492-5312
[email protected] 
Jim Scott, CU media relations, 303-492-3114
[email protected]

A collaborative effort involving six counties, the University of Colorado Boulder and the nonprofit aerospace advocacy group, UAS Colorado, has paved the way for the launch and testing of two unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the San Luis Valley. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded two Certificates of Authorization (COA) for the aircraft to fly in an 8,000-square-mile air space in the San Luis Valley to heights of 15,000 feet. San Luis Valley’s Leach Airport in Center, Colorado, will be the primary operations hub for UAS testing in the valley, with participation by number of other airports scattered across the valley, said Alamosa County Attorney Jason Kelly. 

The FAA has approved two types of UAS for flight there: a 120-pound vertical takeoff craft known as the Reference Technologies Hummingbird and a smaller, battery-powered UAS that is being developed jointly by Black Swift Technologies and Swift Engineering and which can be hand-launched with a payload of up to 8 pounds. Reference Technologies Inc. is headquartered in Lafayette, Colorado, while Black Swift Technologies, headquartered in Boulder, is a start-up company founded by CU-Boulder alumni Jack Elston, Maciej Stachura and Cory Dixon. 

According to CU-Boulder aerospace engineering sciences Professor Brian Argrow, the collaborative effort to obtain the San Luis Valley air space from the FAA involved working closely with air traffic controllers at the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center in Longmont to enable the UAS flights to be cleared up to 15,000 feet. “We see this as a major accomplishment for UAS operations in Colorado,” said Argrow. 

“The decision by the FAA to allow for the testing of UAS aircraft in the San Luis Valley is a big step forward in keeping Colorado at the forefront in the development and testing of these aircraft,” said UAS Colorado CEO Constantin Diehl, who formally submitted the two COA applications requesting the San Luis Valley airspace. 

In 2012, Argrow led the CU portion of an effort for Colorado to acquire one of six FAA test sites for UAS. While Colorado was not selected, the proposal galvanized a statewide effort to acquire a test site that was heavily supported by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., the Adams County Economic Development Corp. and several state-based companies and individuals, said Argrow. 

UAS Colorado represents a statewide business league of more than 100 industry, research and economic development stakeholders dedicated to preserving Colorado’s leading role in the UAS aerospace industry. Diehl also is the CEO of Rocky Mountain UAS, created in 2013 to partner with CU-Boulder on research efforts. 

In September, CU-Boulder announced university-wide “Grand Challenge” to build on strengths of the institution in aerospace-related science and technology. As part of the Grand Challenge, CU-Boulder is investing $2 million in a new initiative called the Integrated Remote and In Situ Sensing Initiative (IRISS) to use UAS, or drones, to enhance research data collection from the ground, in the atmosphere and in space. 

According to Argrow, UAS have the potential to be used for a wide variety of projects ranging from crop and drought monitoring and power line and pipeline inspection to search and rescue operations, firefighting support and airborne delivery activities. 

Black Swift Technologies and CU-Boulder, for example, recently completed the successful flight of a Tempest UAS carrying instruments to measure soil moisture, a project supported by a NASA Small Business Innovation Research Program. The technology could have far-reaching applications ranging from drought assessment and flood forecasting to water conservation. 

Operating one of the comprehensive UAS research programs in the nation, CU-Boulder has undertaken projects ranging from monitoring seal populations in the Arctic and charting sea ice changes near Greenland to intercepting storm cells associated with tornadoes in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska and measuring gaping holes in Antarctic sea ice. 

-CU-

Former governor to discuss educating students for business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ashley Andersen, Colorado Succeeds
[email protected]

FORMER GOVERNOR TO DISCUSS EDUCATING STUDENTS FOR BUSINESS

Colorado Succeeds and Colorado Business Roundtable are hosting a luncheon conversation about workforce education with former Governor of Michigan and current Business Roundtable President John Engler. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Embassy Suites Denver - Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

Entitled, “Business, Education Reform, and America's Workforce,” this conversation will offer business leaders authentic insights about coming workforce needs and educational improvements to meet them. Colorado has particular opportunities and challenges unique to our state. From manufacturing to technology to infrastructure, every industry cluster of our state’s economy requires a ready workforce. Colorado Business Roundtable actively advocates for pro-business policies and partners with organizations to be a strong voice for all of these industry clusters.

Colorado Succeeds creates a climate for K-12 public education improvement in Colorado as the business voice for education, demanding effective educational system performance. Their business members believe that great schools are good business. Scott Laband, president of Colorado Succeeds, explains Engler’s role and involvement with Colorado’s academics and workforce:

“Governor Engler serves as president of the Business Roundtable where their sole purpose is to create the environment necessary for private-sector economic growth. At the core of their work is an underlying need for a talented workforce that can compete in today’s global economy. The business community has a powerful voice in ensuring Colorado’s kids are ready for Colorado’s jobs. To keep them up-to-speed on this critical work, Governor Engler and Governor Hickenlooper will outline the long-term vision of success and identify key opportunities for business leaders to help advance workforce readiness for students statewide.”

The lunch is provided at no cost to attendees thanks to sponsor Pairin, whose primary mission is to make education more relevant for students and their future employers.

If you are a business leader who is interested in attending this power lunch, please contact Ashley Andersen, Director of Partnerships & Engagement for Colorado Succeeds at [email protected].  

Cleantech Open celebrates ten years and regional finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alison Oyler-Mitsch, Cleantech Open Events Chair
888-989-OPEN

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION AWARDS GALA TO BE HELD OCTOBER 15

Five months of intensive work by 19 cleantech startups culminates into final presentations and award selections at the Cleantech Open Rocky Mountain Region gala on October 15, 2015 at Denver’s RedLine Gallery. The event is also a celebration A Decade of Impact, the Cleantech Open’s ten-year anniversary. Three companies will advance to the National Finals in San Francisco in November with a $1 million overall prize.

Distinguished guests include keynote speaker and thought-leader Ned Harvey, Managing Director of both the Rocky Mountain Institute and the Carbon War Room in their strategic alliance. Longtime Cleantech Open supporter and 9News anchor Cheryl Preheim will be the emcee.

Cleantech Open Chairman Richard (Dick) Franklin is enthusiastic for the event and the broader implications of the industry’s milestone. “Celebrating 10 years of cleantech innovation! Thanks to 2,000 volunteers and the courageous, innovative thinking of our entrepreneurs, we will drive game-changing solutions to encroaching ecological threats. We owe this to the next generation, and the Cleantech Open is making a difference on a global basis.”

Reception, exhibits and appetizers start at 5 pm with the Awards Ceremony and Keynote Address starting at 6 pm. Click here for details and to reserve your spot.

ABOUT THE CLEANTECH OPEN
The Cleantech Open is the world’s largest cleantech accelerator. Its mission is to find, fund and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today’s most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the Cleantech Open provides the infrastructure, expertise and strategic relationships that turn clever ideas into successful global cleantech companies. For more information, visit www.cleantechopen.org, or follow us on Twitter @cleantechopen and Facebook.

STUDY SHOWS HUGE ECONOMIC BENEFIT IN WEST SLOPE COMMUNITIES FROM OIL & NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY

CONTACT:

Jeff Wasden – (720-628-4787)

[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STUDY SHOWS HUGE ECONOMIC BENEFIT IN WEST SLOPE COMMUNITIES

FROM OIL & NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY

Quality Jobs & Tax Revenues for Schools, Public Safety Part of $6 Billion Annual Impact

(RIFLE) -- A University of Colorado study shows that oil and natural gas development is a $3.7 billion economic engine for Garfield County – supporting 2,700 direct jobs, paying $213.2 million in wages, and generating $213 million in tax revenues, which supports public education, public safety and other critical services, according to the Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT).

The report was conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder’s, Leeds School of Business and commissioned by the American Petroleum Institute (API). It examines Colorado’s oil and natural gas sector on a county-by-county basis, including associated revenue streams for schools, roads, parks, healthcare, and more.

“The members of the Governor’s Oil and Natural Gas Task Force meeting in Rifle this week must focus on the deep, broad and irreplaceable economic benefits that the oil and gas industry provides for communities and families throughout the Western Slope,” said COBRT President, Jeff Wasden.  “From public schools, public safety and down to basic services, citizens in Garfield, Mesa and other Western Slope counties rely on the jobs and revenue that the industry provides today and into the future.”

The study illustrates that energy production in Garfield County accounts for nearly one-quarter of production statewide and provides nearly 40 percent of the county’s general fund revenues.  It also looked at property tax revenue for public education and found that the Garfield Re-2 district, for example, receives 82 percent of its property tax revenue – or $3,771 per student – from oil and natural gas production.

The study also examined all Colorado counties and noted that in Mesa County, oil and gas production has a $1.6 billion economic impact and supports 4,152 jobs that generate nearly $300 million in labor income.

The Western Slope economic impact data is just one part of the new statewide study that shows in 2012 alone, oil and natural gas development generated over $200 million for Colorado schools, supported nearly 94,000 Colorado jobs, and created over $23 billion in state economic activity. 

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Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT)

The Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT) is an association of leaders, industry and organizations that promote sound public policy and a thriving economy for Colorado and its neighbors.  To learn more about the COBRT go to www.cobrt.com.