Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter & Industry Leaders Announce Formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

Denver, CO – Thursday, during launch festivities at the Governor's Mansion, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). The announcement was made together with Christine Shapard, founding Executive Director of the CCIA who said "The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state created to solidify Colorado's position as the nation's cleantech leader, new energy economy driver and technology innovator and we are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country."

"Over the past few years, Colorado has become a national leader in the New Energy Economy, and one key reason is the thriving community of 300 cleantech companies and 20,000 employees based here," Gov. Ritter said. "Even in this difficult economy, cleantech remains a vital part of our forward-looking economic-development strategy. The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association will help harness the power and the potential of this important economic sector as we lead Colorado forward and establish this state as the cleantech capital of the world."

According to Shapard, the Governor's economic development office and cleantech business community have been very forward thinking in organizing this model of cleantech economic development in the state. The CCIA represents a broad swath of the cleantech industry, including companies developing products and technologies for renewable energy such as wind, solar, biofuels and geothermal; grid infrastructure; green chemistry; low carbon transportation; energy efficiency, water quality and green-building.

Thoughts From Washington

* "As we work to build a new energy economy, Colorado is leading the way with over 300 cleantech companies – and more launching all the time," Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) said. 

* "This new partnership will pool the know-how and expertise of our state's clean energy business and research leaders and help advance Colorado's leadership in the New Energy Economy." said Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO). 

* "Colorado is experiencing a clean energy renaissance as innovators and entrepreneurs work to build this movement from the ground up," said Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO).  "The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association will be a valuable bridge between what's happening on the ground with what needs to happen at the Capitol in Denver and in Washington, D.C."

Shapard adds, "As the only organization representing many sectors of the cleantech industry, it only makes sense for the CCIA to coordinate with groups where we have common interests including NREL, the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, the Interwest Energy Alliance, the CleanLaunch Technology Incubator, the National Venture Capital Association and others."

In the six months that the CCIA has been in existence, the organization has grown to 85 members, lobbied for innovation language to be included in the 2009 American Clean Energy and Security Act and passed two pieces of legislation that help Cleantech technology businesses grow in Colorado. Visit http://www.coloradocleantech.com.

"Colorado's cleantech business community recognized it can become a leader in the global cleantech industry and grow Colorado's New Energy Economy by bringing together the university research community, the business community and the investment community," explains Ron Bernal, CCIA board chair.

CCIA also is found at:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/COCleantech

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/1882455

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Colorado-Cleantech-Industry-Association/105572113751

News Feed - http://coloradocleantech.blogspot.com

Media Contacts:

Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director, 303-623-2690, chris@coloradocleantech.com