Sustainability Champion Awards - Nominate by 1/14/10

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Environmental Partnership have partnered with Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE) and ColoradoBiz magazine to bring you the 3rd annual Sustainability Champion Awards, sponsored by PAETEC.

The Sustainability Champion Awards recognize individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond required duties in the creation and implementation of a program or initiative that has made a measurable contribution to the environment, the economy and society.

Recipients will be honored at an exclusive event to be held in conjunction with the 2010 Sustainable Opportunities Summit, and will receive special mention in the March 2010 issue of ColoradoBiz magazine.

Who is eligible?

Individuals or teams from the following types of organizations: industry, educational institutions, business, nonprofits and local, state or federal government.

What are the criteria?

Nominees should have a demonstrated commitment to going above and beyond required duties in the creation and implementation of successful sustainability-oriented programs and initiatives.

Successful programs and initiatives demonstrate benefits in the following areas:

- Environment
- Economy
- Society
- Innovation
- Education

How do I nominate someone?

Click here to download a nomination form. Instructions for completion and submission are included in the forms.

What is the deadline?

Please submit your nomination by 4 p.m. on January 14th, 2010.

Colorado Innovation Investment Tax Credit (CIITC)

"Colorado legislator’s recently passed HB 09-1105...creating the Colorado Innovation Investment Tax Credit (CIITC). CIITC provides an income tax credit for investing entities that make investments during calendar year 2010 in small, innovative Colorado companies that are involved in research and development or manufacturing of new technologies, processes, and/or products.

The tax credit is equal to 15% of the investment up to a maximum tax credit of $20,000 per taxpayer id. The maximum tax credit amount for the entire program for the 2010 tax year is $750,000.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is responsible for implementing and managing this new program. OEDIT has prepared the attached Fact Sheet containing additional information about the program and guidance regarding the application and review process...

Requests for tax credits will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. As such, it is important to get the word out to potential investors and small businesses about this opportunity, especially since there is an annual limit of $750,000...

In the very near future, we will publish the CIITC Fact Sheet, Application, FAQ’s, and other relevant information on OEDIT’s web site. At this time, we do not yet have the specific web address, however once established, it will be accessible through the following link: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1165009699726"

Rebate Program Webinars for Energy Service Providers - Registration Required

"Beginning in early 2010, the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) will be offering rebates and incentives for Colorado residents and businesses that install energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in their home or business.

The GEO will be holding a series of webinars and meetings for contractors that wish to learn more about the rebate program. These meetings will provide the rebate criteria, amounts, and details on partnership structure.

Currently scheduled webinars include:

• Solar Rebates: 12/14/2009 9am MST
• Solar Rebates: 12/16/2009 1pm MST
• Wind Rebates: 12/15/2009 3pm MST
• Mechanical and Plumbing Rebates: 12/14/09 1pm MST
• Insulation and Air Sealing Rebates: 12/14/09 3pm MST
• Energy Audit Rebates: 12/15/09 9am MST

Registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.

CO-EXist Grant to Promote Cleantech Exports to China and Mexico

"The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA) recently awarded the Colorado Office of International Trade (ITO) $363,135 in matching funds over the next three years to support Colorado companies' exports of clean and environment-related products and services to China and Mexico. The program is part of the Market Development Cooperators Program, or MDCP, which partners grant winners with an ITA team to provide program support.

The ITO is calling the export promotion program CO-EXist, or Colorado Export of Innovative and Sustainable Technologies. CO-EXist was designed to provide financial and business support to Colorado-based small and medium sized companies that manufacture products and/or provide services promoting sustainability, such as water and wastewater infrastructure, air pollution control, energy efficiency, clean and renewable energy infrastructure and generation, waste and hazardous waste management, recycling, monitoring and compliance, green building practices, transportation technologies, and materials and packaging. Program elements include:

- Marketing cleantech companies at industry trade shows in China and Mexico;
- Hosting missions of in-bound buyers from China and Mexico in Colorado;
- Initiating meetings that partner Colorado companies with Chinese and Mexican buyers during outbound and inbound missions;
- Matching travel funds for Colorado exporters' and foreign buyers' missions;
- Customizing export counseling and market research for Colorado companies;
- Providing technical assistance to exporters, including: legal consultation, business document translations, manufacturing assessments, and other professional services.

The CO-EXist program is expected to help generate over $38 million in cleantech products and services exports over the next three years, supporting hundreds of jobs in Colorado. If you would like more information about the program, then please contact the ITO at 303-892-3850. While the ITO is the lead organization for the CO-EXist program, the following partners will also play an integral role: The Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA); the U.S. Export Assistance Center, Denver; the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Offices in Mexico and China; Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE); the Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology (CAMT); the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA); and the City of Denver Office of Economic Development. The World Trade Center, Denver will also provide support.

For the full press release, please click here."