GOV RITTER TOUTS BIOSCIENCE INDUSTRY SUCCESSES

 

Gov. Bill Ritter, the Colorado BioScience Association and Colorado Office of Economic Development today released the Colorado Bioscience Roadmap 2008 report, which shows impressive gains for Colorado's bioscience sector and provides an updated growth plan for the future.

 

The report found that Colorado now ranks 11^th in the United States for bioscience venture capital investments, with $1.3 billion invested from 2002 through the second quarter of 2008, and that bioscience employment has increased 5.5 percent since 2003.

 

"More than 18,000 Coloradans are now involved in this field," Gov. Ritter said. "We want to continue this industry growth trend and build upon our successes. Using the updated action plan will allow us to be more targeted and strategic in our planning, as well as to better compete at a national and international level."

 

The Battelle Technology Partnership Practice worked with key industry leaders in Colorado and conducted research throughout the state to prepare the report. Through this research, the Colorado Bioscience Roadmap showcases the strengths and of the industry and the challenges it faces, providing the industry a five-year plan to grow the bioscience hub in the state.  

 

"The new report shows that Colorado is on the right path to becoming a top-ten bioscience hub and pinpoints strategic areas to focus over the next five years to position the bioscience sector as a key driver of Colorado's economy," Colorado Bioscience Association (CBSA) Executive Director John Collar.

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In addition to the CBSA and the Economic Development Office, the Colorado Bioscience Roadmap 2008 was made possible by: Allos Therapeutics, Colorado State University, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Forest City Enterprises, Holland and Hart, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Metro Denver WIRED, QLT USA, Roche Colorado and the University of Colorado. An electronic copy of the study can be found athttp://www.cobioscience.com/stateplan08.pdf.

GOV. RITTER TO VISIT WEST SLOPE COMMUNITIES ON MONDAY

Gov. Ritter is scheduled to visit three West Slope communities on Monday – Grand Junction, Montrose and Olathe – focusing on economic issues and continuing his annual State of the State tour.

 

9:30 to 11 a.m.           Grand Junction: Gov. Ritter and Small Business Administration Regional Director Greg Lopez will attend the "Surviving Tough Times" small business finance forum. This is the third of six statewide forums. Location: Doubletree Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive.

 

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.      Grand Junction: Gov. Ritter will tour the new 92,000-square-foot Leitner-Poma of America and Prinoth manufacturing facility and deliver remarks at the grand opening celebration. Location: 2746 Saccomanno Drive.

 

3 to 3:30 p.m.             Olathe: Gov. Ritter will meet with community members and Olathe leaders during a public open house. Topics will include plans for a new school-based health clinic. Location: Olathe Town Hall, 419 Horton Ave.

 

4 to 4:45 p.m.             Montrose: Gov. Ritter will congratulate Delta-Montrose Electric Association and other community members for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Location: Montrose Elks Civic Building, 107 S. Cascade Ave. 

 

GOV. RITTER'S FRIDAY & SATURDAY SCHEDULE

 

9 a.m.              Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks at the Colorado Association of School Executives annual winter leadership conference. Location: Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 E. Tufts Ave.

 

11:15 a.m.       Gov. Ritter and the Colorado Bioscience Association will hold a news conference during Bioscience Day at the Capitol to unveil a new report, "Colorado Bioscience Roadmap 2008." The report highlights Colorado's achievements, growth and national rankings in the important bioscience sector. Location: West Foyer, State Capitol.

 

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009

 

1 p.m.              Gov. Ritter will attend the grand opening of a "near-zero" energy use home. The home, built by Harvard Communities, uses 75 percent less energy than a traditional house. Location: 9126 E. 35th Ave., Denver (Stapleton neighborhood).

 

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE THIS EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY

 

6 p.m.              Gov. Ritter will deliver closing remarks at Colorado Biz magazine's annual CEO of the Year awards reception. The 2008 CEO of the Year is Kim Jordan of Fort Collins-based New Belgium Brewery. Location: Walker Fine ArtGallery, 300 W. 11th Ave., Denver.

 

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

 

9 a.m.              Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks at the Colorado Association of School Executives annual winter leadership conference. Location: Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 E. Tufts Ave.

 

11:15 a.m.       Gov. Ritter and the Colorado Bioscience Association will hold a news conference during Bioscience Day at the Capitol to unveil a new report, "Colorado Bioscience Roadmap 2008." The report highlights Colorado's achievements, growth and national rankings in the important bioscience sector. Location: West Foyer, State Capitol.

 

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009

 

1 p.m.              Gov. Ritter will attend the grand opening of a "near-zero" energy use home. The home, built by Harvard Communities, uses 75 percent less energy than a traditional house. Location: 9126 E. 35th Ave., Denver (Stapleton neighborhood).

 

LT GOV BARBARA O'BRIEN SCHEDULE, JAN. 23-27

Friday, Jan. 23

 

10:00 a.m.                     Lt. Governor O'Brien will speak to the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Fellows. Location: State Services Building, 1525 Sherman Street, Conference Room B 70, Denver.

 

4:30 to 6:00 p.m.           Lt. Governor O'Brien will host the Creative Capitol Fiber Arts reception, featuring Colorado textile artists. This is a new program from the Colorado Council on the Arts that features a rotating exhibit in the Lieutenant Governor's Office.  Location:  Room 130, State Capitol.

 

Saturday, Jan. 24

 

11:00 a.m.                     Lt. Governor O'Brien will meet with the Lake County R1 School Superintendent Bette Bullock, R1 Board President Stephanie Olsen, Board Member John Wells, Lake County Commissioner Ken Olsen and Colorado Mountain College Dean Mike Simon. Location: 107 Spruce Street, Leadville.

 

Monday, Jan. 26

 

8:30 a.m.                      Lt. Governor O'Brien will present the Annual Youth Corps Awards. Location: Room 0112, State Capitol.

 

 

Tuesday, Jan. 27

 

11:30 a.m.                     Lt. Governor O'Brien will speak to the 10^th anniversary KMGH 7 Everyday Hero Appreciation Lunch. Location: The Wildlife Experience, 10035 Peoria St., Parker.

 

LT GOV BARBARA O'BRIEN CELEBRATES THANK YOU MENTOR DAY, JAN. 22

If you have a mentor who is helping you through life, reach out and say "thank you" on Thursday, Jan. 22.  January is National Mentoring Month, and Thank You Mentor Day is observed to recognize the contributions of so many people, who have had such a strong, positive effect on so many lives.  

 

"This is a great opportunity to express your appreciation for those who help others get ahead," said Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien. "Research shows that volunteer mentors play a powerful role in reducing substance abuse and behavior problems while increasing the prospects for a productive life."

 

Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor":

1. Contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation;
2. Pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community;
3. Make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and,
4. Write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.whomentoredyou.org.

 

In Colorado, the lead local partner for National Mentoring Month is the Governor's Commission on Community Service, under the office of Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien. 

 

The Governor's Commission on Community Service serves as a catalyst for the promotion and expansion of community service and volunteerism to all Colorado residents as an effective means to address civic and social issues and improve the overall well-being of communities through the state.  

 

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES GRAND JUNCTION FINANCE FORUM

 

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today that Grand Junction will be the site of the next "Surviving Tough Times" small business finance forum, taking place this Monday at the Doubletree Hotel.

 

"As the nation continues to struggle with this unprecedented economic crisis, it's imperative that we provide every available avenue of assistance to Colorado businesses," Gov. Ritter said. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and these forums provide access to vital information and resources." 

 

Monday's forum will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction. It is co-sponsored by the Governor's Office, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Colorado District Office, Colorado Small Business Development Center Network, Colorado Office of Economic Development and other partners.

 

Gov. Ritter and SBA Regional Director Greg Lopez will attend the forum, meeting with vendors and small business owners, from 9 to 10 a.m.

 

This is the third of six statewide "Surviving Tough Times" forums launched last month. The first two were in Pueblo and Denver, and the remaining three are scheduled for Feb. 11 in Colorado Springs, Feb. 17 in Fort Collins and March 17 in Durango.

 

The forums provide small businesses with direct access to government and private-sector financial resources, information and assistance. Participants receive Small Business Toolkits, counseling and other useful information.

 

The forums will operate like an open house, with doors open for six hours. On-site registration is available but advanced registration is encouraged by visiting www.scoredenver.org or e-mailing kyle.miller@state.co.us.

 

Other forum sponsors include the Colorado Association of Guaranteed Lenders, SCORE, Colorado Department of Agriculture Rural Development, The Colorado Enterprise Fund, Colorado Bankers Association, Independent Bankers of Colorado, Credit Union Association of Colorado, Mi Casa, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.