Governor Ritter Challenges Neighboring States in RMCTO

On June 22nd, Governor Bill Ritter joined The South Metro Denver Chamber in challenging surrounding states to participate in the 2009 Rocky Mountain Clean Tech Open (RMCTO). About 50 supporters of the unique business development com-petition were on hand at the state capitol to hear from the governor as well as Dr. Dick Franklin of Envirobrand LLC and co-chair of the RMCTO, and Bob Cart, Founder and Executive Chairman of GreenVolts, winner of the inaugural California Clean Tech Open in 2006.

Dr. Franklin started the ceremony by giving a brief history of the competition which had its beginnings on a trip to California by the Chamber’s Renewable Energy Taskforce in 2007. There, the California Clean Tech open has had a three year track record of success with more than 80 companies being spawned by the competition.

“The Clean Tech Open has a record number of contestants vying for over one million dollars in total prizes. Our goal is to create more than 100,000 green collar jobs over the next 5 years,” said Franklin.

Currently the Rocky Mountain com-petition has 64 early stage startups participating from a variety of clean tech categories including biofuels from waste materials and transportation companies working to create more efficient engines.

Governor Ritter listed a host of environ-mental programs which have had their start in Colorado and challenged other western states to become involved and send their best ideas to the competition.

"The Clean Tech Open really helps to inspire the world to look at Colorado, the West and the United States of America for a different energy and environmental future for our kids and our grandkids," said the governor.

The RMCTO has also established a symbiotic relationship with the Renewable Energy Incubator currently being organized which will further support the growth of the award winning commercial ideas.

For more information on the Rocky Mountain Clean Tech Open visit their web site at www.cleantechopen.com.