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

DENVER, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, 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. 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.  

“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, business and investment communities,” explains Ron Bernal, Sequel Venture Partners, CCIA board chair.  

In the six months 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.  The CCIA coordinates with groups of common interest including NREL, Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, Interwest Energy Alliance, CleanLaunch Technology Incubator, National Venture Capital Association and others.  Visit http://www.coloradocleantech.com.

SOURCE Colorado Cleantech Industry Association