Denver, CO

Friday, July 24, 2009

Yesterday, during festivities at the Governor's Mansion, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state and one of only four cleantech business associations in the country. In the six months that the CCIA has been in existence, it 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.



Denver, CO, July 24, 2009 – Yesterday, 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 clean tech 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. The research, investment and professional support services communities are also around the CCIA table.

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.  "Uniting the cleantech business and investment community is already creating jobs and growing the clean energy industry.  I know that Colorado can lead the world in clean energy production, and I commend all of the partners of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association for their vision and drive."
• "With more than 300 cleantech companies harnessing clean sources of energy to create new, good-paying  jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the power of the new energy economy can't be overlooked," said Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO).  "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."
• "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.

"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.

Board members of the CCIA include:

David Allen University of Colorado

Mike Bearup KPMG

Michael Beasley Xcel Energy

Ron Bernal Sequel Venture Partners

Jeff Bisberg Albeo Technologies

Sunil Cherian Spirae

Matt Cheroutes Colorado OED

Tim Connor Sequel Venture Partners

Doug Coors Coorstek

Drew Crouch Ball Aerospace

Mike Devery Silicon Valley Bank

Peter Edwards Fairfield and Woods

Charles Eggert OPX Biotechnologies

Bill Farland Colorado State University

Dick Franklin EnviroBrand

Dan Friedlander Private Investor

Scott Green Google

Wayne Greenberg Architectural Energy

Steve Hane Ampulse

Doug Henston Solix Biofuels

David Hiller Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory

Michelle Kales Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Rebecca Kauffman Southern Ute Renewable Energy

Carl Lawrence Eetrex

Jim Linfield Cooley Godward Kronish

Ashu Misra Ascent Solar

David Moll Infield Capital

Kimbal Musk Tesla Motors

Paul Nelson CU Energy Initiative

Rex O'Neal Faegre & Benson

Andy Paliszewski Siemens Wind Energy

John Poate Colorado School of Mines

Michael Potts Rocky Mountain Institute

Frank Ramirez ICE Energy

Doug Schatz Advanced Energy

Joel Serface Entrpreneur

AdrianTuck Tendril Networks

About the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association represents the interests of the state's cleantech industry. Its mission is to further establish Colorado as a world leader in clean technology by providing representation and advocacy, a unified voice, relevant programming and capacity development. For more information, visit http://www.coloradocleantech.com

CCIA also is found on these social media sites:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/COCleantech

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

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/httpcleantechcoloradocom/72453626524?ref=nf

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

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, Absolutely Public Relations http://www.absolutelypr.com, 303-984-9801, maggie@absolutelypr.com

Maggie Holben

Media Consultant

Absolutely Public Relations

Lakewood, CO

303-984-9801