From the UK - NewNet Profile: Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

"Christine Shapard, the executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association discusses why private investment is crucial in pushing cleantech forward, the effects of a new Administration and the potential impact to the industry of stimulus funding. . .

. . .‘Our aim is to make Colorado the epicentre of the cleantech industry in the US and the world. We are focused on making sure that companies grow in Colorado, so we are trying to build the business environment companies need to grow their operations and get their products out into the market place. There are currently more than 300 cleantech businesses operating in the area and we are home to the nation’s national laboratory devoted to renewable energy. We work very closely with the state legislature and lobby in Washington DC on behalf of the industry. In addition, we work alongside the Governor to ensure that companies are being heard and receiving adequate awareness.'"

Link to the Q&A with Chris Shapard about CCIA

ColoradoBiz TV's Mike Cote Interviews Gov. Bill Ritter at the CCIA Launch

At the launch of the new Colorado Cleantech Industry Association on July 23, Gov. Bill Ritter talks about the significance of “clean tech” and renewable energy in Colorado and how the industry can contribute to job creation. Read more about Colorado’s ‘New Energy Economy’ here.

Link to the ColoradoBiz TV "Executive Edge" Interview

Link to Cote’s Colorado: Colorado clean tech goes to Washington

CCIA Launches Among Luminaries at the Governor’s Mansion

"On Thursday afternoon a dense collection of Colorado luminaries gathered at the Governor’s mansion to celebrate the launch of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) under the leadership of Executive Director Christine Shapard.

The mission of the association is to provide representation and advocacy, a unified voice, relevant programming and capacity development to the clean technology industry taking shape within the state. Shapard, who began building the new organization after a successful leadership role at the Colorado BioScience Association, noted CCIA’s 'dedication to making Colorado a world leader' in clean technology and cited its strong backing by ninety member companies, including Xcel Energy, Google, and Silicon Valley Bank."

Link to the Rocky Radar Report

Cleantech Trade Group Launches To Start-Up Acclaim

"Of the politicians, businesspeople, and academics who gathered at the governor’s mansion on July 23, the most relieved by far had to be Chris Shapard, executive director of the brand-new Colorado Cleantech Industry Organization. . .

First conceived nearly a year ago, the CCIA seemed at first like a slam dunk: 'When we first starting raising money back in September, everyone said, no problem! As the world economy came to a screeching halt, the road got tougher: some of the trade organization’s members are “on a payment plan,' Shapard said, but the CCIA, formed to lead and catalyze the renewable-energy industry at the heart of Colorado’s New Energy Economy, is now off the drawing board with more than 80 members and strong support from the Governor’s Energy Office, the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory."

Read Richard Martin's Report

CO Gov. Ritter Announces Formation of Colorado Cleantech Industry Assn.

Denver, CO—During launch festivities July 23 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.

Link to BioFuels Journal

Alternative Energy News: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter & Industry Leaders Announce Formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

Thursday, 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. (PRWeb Jul 25, 2009)

Link to businessemerging.com

New Colorado Cleantech Industry Association announced

On July 23, 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."

Link to the MetroDenver News Center

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Officially Launched

Gov. Bill Ritter, D-Colo., has created the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) with industry executives.

"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," says Christine Shapard, founding executive director of the CCIA. "We are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country."

Link to the posting

Video Clip: Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Launches the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association July 23, 2009

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.”

Link to more information

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

DENVER, July 24 -- 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. We are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country.”

Link to NewsReleaseWire for the launch event release

9News Covers CCIA Launch - Cleantech: 'The only industry hiring right now'

"DENVER - The fastest-growing industry in Colorado might be the "only industry that's hiring right now," according to the executive director of a trade association formed to maximize its potential.

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association was officially launched at an event inside the Governor's Mansion on Thursday to celebrate the 300 companies who have already hired roughly 20,000 workers and brought in more than $300 million in venture capital last year alone.

'In my years of economic development, I see this as having more potential than the IT sector did,' said Chris Shapard, who runs the new trade group that lists Colorado's traditional energy companies, its research institutions, renewable technology leaders and state offices as its members. 'The passion that I've seen here is incredible. The drive, the energy, no pun intended, is much more than other sectors that I've seen.'"

Link to 9News coverage of the CCIA launch by Adam Schrager

Gov. Ritter to testify before Congress on clean energy

From today's Denver Business Journal Latest News:

"Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and three other governors will testify before a U.S. Senate committee Tuesday on how promotion of alternative-energy development is creating jobs in their states. Tuesday's hearing in Washington is before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and its subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy."

Link to read the article

CCIA Executive Director Christine Shapard Welcomes New Cleantech Incubator

Friday's Denver Business Journal released announcement of the new CleanLaunch Technology Incubator to the city.

"I'm looking forward to coordinating efforts between the CCIA and the CleanLaunch Technology Incubator. Stephen and I have known each other for many years and since I took this position, have been talking about how we can provide seamless support to the cleantech industry," Christine Shapard, founding executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA), says.

According to the DBJ, "Colorado’s CleanLaunch Technology Incubator expects to look at more than 1,000 business plans in the next four years, said Stephen Miller, president and CEO of the newly launched small-business advisory group."

Link to the article at the Denver Business Journal website

Link to the CleanLaunch Technology Incubator website