Gov. Bill Ritter on Wednesday gave state business leaders a reason to look forward to the next legislative session while reiterating the successes of his first 120 days in office.
Ritter addressed 525 members of the state’s business community at a first-of-its- kind State of the State luncheon sponsored by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. The audience included representatives of economic- development organizations from throughout the state.
Joe Blake, president and chief executive of the Denver Metro Chamber, praised Ritter’s “impressive leadership,” and statewide economic-development officials urged him to keep thinking regionally.
“I hope he continues to see that the state includes Bayfield as much as Broomfield,” said Reeves Brown, president of Club 20, a consortium of Western Slope counties.
Ritter said he spent his first legislative session working to protect the traditional energy economy – oil, gas and coal – while creating a new energy economy built around renewables.
To prepare for next year’s session, he has assembled a business advisory group charged with helping him “keep a business-friendly environment” in Colorado.
He also has formed a Jobs Cabinet that will study ways to keep the state’s workforce well-educated to compete globally.
“We left big decisions about health care until next session,” Ritter said, after a specially appointed commission reports back with suggestions for comprehensive reform.
The so-called 208 Commission, named after the 2006 Senate bill that created it, this week narrowed the number of proposals it is considering from 31 to 11. The commission is expected to issue a final report in the fall.
“It’s important for us to think long-term because the decisions we make today, our children and grandchildren will have to live with,” he told attendees. “That’s why you make such a good partner.”
Cathy Shull, executive director of a northeastern Colorado consortium called Progressive 15, returned the compliment.
“He has come to us and asked us for our opinions,” she said. “He has made it much easier to work with him.”
Assistant business editor Linda Castrone can be reached at 303-954-1452 or lcastrone@denverpost.com.
