Clean Energy and the Environment in America: The Colorado Story

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 4, 2011
Contact: Margo Aldrich
Director, Community Development
Community College of Denver
303.851.5686 (cell)
303.556.2411 (office)
Margo.aldrich@ccd.edu

To truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy.
- President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009

(Denver, CO) Bill Ritter served as Colorado’s 41st Governor between 2007 and 2011. He is currently Director and Senior Scholar at Colorado State University’s Center for the New Energy Economy
(CNEE). The CNEE serves as a nation-wide resource for state governments aiming to accelerate their
state’s development in the Clean Energy Economy and is completely funded by private support, initially
from the San Francisco-based Energy Foundation and the Fort Collins-based Bohemian Foundation. In
addition to developing the center as a credible source of unbiased, science-based information, data and
research, Ritter will also convene national and statewide discussions among policymakers, scientists,
business, environmental organizations and others; facilitate collaboration among faculty members
around critical research needs; represent the university in state, national and international discussions
related to energy policy; and interact with students as a teacher and mentor.

Governor Ritter notes, “. . . through policies, vision and action . . . has become a national
leader in charting a new energy future.” Colorado State University President, Dr. Tony Frank, says
“Clean and renewable energy is a new economic frontier, and it’s important for Colorado and our
country that we continue to position ourselves as leaders in this emerging economy. This policy center -
under Gov. Ritter’s leadership - will help build essential partnerships around research-based clean
energy solutions, workforce development and advancement of technologies that will fuel long-term,
sustainable economic growth.”

Governor Ritter will present a lecture on his continuing work promoting the goal of a clean energy
economy and CNEE's work to the Auraria Community on November 14th, 11a.m.-12:15p.m. in St. Cajetan’s Hall on the Auraria Campus. This event is free and open to the public.

This event is sponsored by the Metro State Office of Student Activities, Metro State Political Science Department, CU Denver Office of Student Life and the CCD Office of Student Life.

Community College of Denver (CCD) is a leading point of entry to higher education for the City and County of Denver. CCD provides a cost effective college education, along with access and opportunity for nontraditional students, workforce development and training resources for local organizations, and community partnerships. For more information, visit www.CCD.edu Information on occupations, rates for completion and placement, program costs and median loan debt can be found at www.ccd.edu/gainfulemployment