The new executive director of Colorado’s Office of Economic Development said his No. 1 priority will be to help the growth of Colorado businesses – including cutting red tape which imposes unfair financial burdens on them.
At the same time, Ken Lund, who was Gov. John Hickenlooper’s former chief legal counsel, said he will do it in such a way that it won’t adversely impact the state’s people or environment.
“I think there are opportunities to create jobs and protect our natural beauty,” said Lund. “We can enhance our economic position while preserving” the environment.
Lund said he is passionate about his new job.
“I so strongly believe in this state,” said Lund. “I’m looking forward to working…to get this job done. I think this state has tremendous assets and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Lund said the governor is committed to creating jobs and economic growth. The fact that he will remain on Hickenlooper’s “senior staff” and continue to provide the governor legal advice – primarily about legal issues tied to the economy – is a testament to the governor’s commitment to jobs and business, said Lund. However, Lund won’t remain the “chief” legal counsel to the governor, he said.
By keeping a seat at the governor’s “table,” it brings economic development to a higher level, said Lund.
Lund said in the next couple of weeks, he will receive the first “bits and pieces” of the blueprint stemming from Colorado’s “bottom-up” economic push. The blueprint is the result of state officials traveling the state and asking each of the state’s 64 counties to detail economic development plans for their counties. These plans are being rolled into 14 regional plans.
Lund said that the correct implementation of the blueprint is critical.
Lund praised the “bottom-up” approach, saying it does away with the concept that by bringing 20 of the supposedly “smartest” people into a room you get the best ideas.
The greatest ideas, he said, come from the people.
“It is absolutely critically important to listen to the people of the state,” said Lund. “A lot of the best ideas come from Main Street.”
He said that Colorado has a great lifestyle, great assets, great businesses and “great opportunities.”
In his job, said Lund, a key goal will be doing a better job at connecting the opportunities.Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
