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Gov., business leaders travel to Asia
Ten-day economic development mission focuses on new nonstop flight and increased commerce
 Colorado business leaders are accompanying Gov. Bill Ritter on an overseas economic development mission to discuss securing a daily nonstop flight from Denver to Tokyo and continuing to cultivate relationships with Asian companies with interests in Colorado.
"Colorado is very focused on building an economy around 21st century, knowledge-based industries of the future," Gov. Ritter told Japan Vice Minister Masahiko Shibayama. "We are making Colorado a regional hub for renewable energy R&D, manufacturing and production, for bioscience advancements, and for technology."
The 40-person delegation departed Colorado Nov. 15 and returns Nov. 25. In addition to Tokyo, delegation members will visit Colorado's Japanese sister-state, Yamagata, as well as Beijing and Shanghai, China.
Japan is Colorado's fourth-largest export market, with 2007 exports to Japan totaling $359 million. Leading 2007 export categories included medical and scientific instruments, up more than 54 percent to $98 million; meat and meat products, up 164 percent to $63 million; and industrial machinery, $55 million.
Learn more:
» Coverage and video on CBS4 Denver
» Int'l Trade and Int'l Flights
sections on metrodenver.org
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NREL plans $500 million 'Campus of the Future'
As the United States and other countries work to transform our energy system, the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is proposing a new $500 million "Campus of the Future" where it will develop new energy technologies, working to get them to the marketplace faster.
NREL, located along the Rocky Mountain foothills in Golden, is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development (R&D). Hundreds of the world's top researchers develop renewable technologies such as wind, solar, biomass, and hydrogen at the Laboratory.
The expansion proposal, which includes the construction of 12 new research buildings and doubling NREL's current workforce to 2,500, is currently before the Department of Energy for consideration. Funding would require Congressional approval.
"The concept of the 'Campus of the Future' is beyond bricks and mortar. It's a place for energy research exchange, where the lab can partner with universities, utilities, and the state of Colorado to champion renewable energy technologies and promote economic development," said Dan Arvizu, director of NREL.
The buildings on the proposed campus would serve as a prototype for future energy programs. The "net-zero-energy" facilities will emit no carbon dioxide and would use only renewable energy produced at NREL.
Read more:
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Energy lab eyes growth - Rocky Mountain News
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Denver celebrates 150th anniversary
 On November 22, 1858, Gen. William Larimer, a land speculator from eastern Kansas, placed cottonwood sticks on the hill overlooking the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek to stake a claim at the center of a square-mile town plat to establish the community of Denver.
Just 10 years later, the construction of the transcontinental rail line linking Cheyenne and Denver was widely credited for making Denver the dominant metropolis of the region.
Now, 150 years later, Metro Denver has a population of nearly 2.8 million people. With a diversified economy, expansive transportation infrastructure, and one of the country's most highly educated workforces, Denver is the center of commerce and industry for the Rocky Mountain West.
To celebrate its sesquicentennial, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper will open the Imagine a Great City: Denver at 150
exhibit Nov. 22 at the Colorado History Museum, which highlights the city's beginnings and growth over the past 150 years. The City will also honor 150 people making Denver a better place and host a two-week celebration in November called 15 Days, 150 Years.
Learn more:
» Denver 150 Web site
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150 Years of Denver photo gallery
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