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 

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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