NOCO5: Governor unveils "Blueprint" for state economic recovery

The initiative released Wednesday is Hickenlooper's most ambitious undertaking during his first year in office and was one of the major highlights of his campaign promises last year. The plan outlines six areas the state will work to improve on to boost the economy. They include a focus on making it easier for businesses to do their taxes, promoting tourism, increasing access to capital for businesses and attracting technology companies.

Along with the director of the state's economic development office Dwayne Romero, Governor Hickenlooper unveiled the Colorado Blueprint to business and elected officials this afternoon summarizing the needs expressed by all 64 counties in Colorado and the focused areas to promote economic development.

More specific to our region one of the benchmarks is innovation and technology with companies like Ice Energy.

One of the more critical benchmarks the governor addressed is access to capital, and for small businesses to start and create new jobs, the banks will need to start lending. And recruiting, growing and retaining businesses like Vestas and the new ACE energy park in Loveland.

The "Colorado Blueprint: A bottom-up approach to economic development" can be found at www.colorado.gov/coloradoblueprint.