Colorado Positive Perspective

Welcome to Colorado Positive Perspective

2009-12-31T12:37:00.010-07:00

Scroll down for the latest GOOD news in Colorado!

To search Denver and Boulder homes for sale, or to request a free relocation package, please email me or visit my website www.solariproperties.com.

Alternative energy firms mean jobs for Colorado

2009-06-04T15:13:00.004-06:00

Three leaders of alternative energy companies new to the Front Range said as their firms grow they will need more workers skilled in various types of engineering, such as electrical, physics and mechanical engineers.

Hans Jespersen, VP of Vestas Blades America Inc.; Craig Mataczynski, president of RES Americas Inc.; and Dennis Stoltenberg, VP of human resources of Abound Solar, were on the Green Inc. panel at the Boulder County Business Report's Green Summit held June 4 at the Millennium Harvest House Boulder.

All three companies are attracting suppliers and expect other supply-related companies to move into the area.

Source: Boulder County Business Report
Read more ...
http://www.bcbr.com/article.asp?id=100485

MicroPhage expands in Longmont

2009-06-02T11:07:00.004-06:00

Longmont-based MicroPhage Inc., a medical diagnostic company, is doubling its office, laboratory and manufacturing space and intends to hire additional staff over the next year, including manufacturing, research, sales & marketing, and quality control employees.

The expansion includes a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration registered manufacturing facility, which will allow MicroPhage to ramp up production of its medical diagnostic products for the rapid and easy-to-use identification of bacteria. The products are expected to debut in the United States by early 2010.

Source: Boulder County Business Report

Colorado Companies To Watch: Fueling the economic fire

2009-06-01T12:34:00.002-06:00

However many billions the federal government pumps into the economy, one truth rings clear: It will be business that will lift the country out of the doldrums and thrust it forward into the 21st century.

There are 50 companies that you can expect to help lead the way. The annual list is presented by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade in association with several economic development agencies, foundations and private businesses.

The list recognizes companies that are developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities and creating new industries throughout the state. From 2004 to 2008, these companies have generated nearly $1.3 billion in revenue and added 1,400 employees – a 200 percent increase in revenue and 163 percent increase in jobs. This year, the companies expect to grow revenue by 44 percent and their work forces by 18 percent.

Source: Colorado Biz
Read more ...
http://www.cobizmag.com/

Colorado Confirmed among top Bioscience States

2009-05-31T18:45:00.002-06:00

In a special report from FierceBiotech, Colorado was selected in the "Top 5 North American Regions Targeting Biotech Companies 2009." Each year, FierceBiotech reviews economic development reports and finds new initiatives that will have a positive impact on the bioscience industry in that region. Colorado was named a top 5 region along with Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York and Ontario.

In another report, Genome Technology’s "BioRegion Outlook: Land-Grab End Games" report showcased the 2008 Venture Capital investments in biotechnology companies. Colorado was #8 in VC funding for biotech firms and #10 for medical device and equipment firms.

Source: Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation

$8K Stimulus Tax Credit can be used on first home purchase

2009-05-29T11:39:00.004-06:00

First-time homebuyers as well as buyers that haven't owned a home in at least three years will be able to apply their tax credit of up to $8,000 directly toward the purchase of their home, at closing.

Under a new Federal Housing Administration program just announced, state housing finance agencies and nonprofit groups can advance money to homebuyers up to the full amount of their tax credit towards a home purchase, either to pay closing costs or the down payment.

"Families will now be able to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase right away," a HUD announcement said. The credit does not have to be repaid.

Source: Denver Biz Journal

Denver ranks 3rd among fittest U.S. cities

2009-05-27T19:37:00.001-06:00

The Denver area ranks No. 3 on a list of the nation's "fittest cities," released by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The report is a snapshot of the state of health and fitness in America's 50 most populous metropolitan areas

Source: Denver Biz Journal

Kidney-care giant DaVita makes Denver its Corporate HQ

2009-05-27T12:13:00.007-06:00

DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest kidney care providers in the U.S., announced that it will make Denver its new corporate headquarters.

"DaVita's decision to move its headquarters is a great coup for metro Denver and the state of Colorado," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. "DaVita is one of the biggest and the best in its industry. The company's decision reaffirms what we know is true about our community - that Denver is one of the best places in the nation to work and play. We are proud DaVita chose to call Colorado home."

DaVita operates more than 1,400 outpatient kidney dialysis centers nationwide serving 700 hospitals. It already has about 800 employees in Colorado. It had 2008 revenues of $5.7 billion and profits of $374.2 millions.

Source: Metro Denver EDC
Read more ...
http://www.metrodenver.org/news-center/metro-denver-news/DaVita.html

Denver existing home prices outperform other cities

2009-05-26T12:00:00.002-06:00

Prices of existing homes in the Denver area climbed a tenth of a percent in March from the previous month, Standard & Poors’s reported, making Denver one of just two U.S. cities out of 20 in the S&P survey to see a month-to-month price rise.

Source: Denver Biz Journal

Boulder Innovation Center Report Points to Entrepreneurial Renaissance

2009-05-21T20:38:00.003-06:00

The Boulder Innovation Center released its 2008 Metrics Report, indicating strong economic growth in Boulder's entrepreneurial ecosystem of scientific research, business mentor and venture capital networks focused in bioscience, renewable/clean-tech, aerospace commercialization, nanotech/optical engineering, IT and natural products.

"Amidst economic uncertainty, there's an undercurrent on the rise in Boulder that's setting the stage for the next phase of national economic growth," said BIC Executive Director Tim Bour.

Source: Boulder County Business Report

ConocoPhillips buys more access land

2009-05-20T19:53:00.001-06:00

ConocoPhillips Co. just purchased a 9-acre site north of its intended new 432-acre campus in Louisville, for $2 million, according to Boulder County public records. Last February, the company purchased another vacant 9-acre property for $1,055,500.

Louisville city officials said ConocoPhillips had been negotiating with landowners in the area to acquire property for future transportation improvements and improved access to its campus.

ConocoPhillips purchased its 432-acre campus in Louisville from Sun Microsystems Inc. in early 2008 for $58.6 million. The company plans to open its first buildings in 2013.

Source: Boulder County Business Report

Denver tops 'Today' show list of cities poised for real estate rebound

2009-05-19T20:05:00.007-06:00

Denver was named America's No. 1 city on the verge of recovery from the real-estate slump in a segment on NBC's "Today" show. Click on the image above to view the segment in its entirety.

Real estate expert Barbara Corcoran, said Denver more than any other U.S. city is "clearly on a rebound." "It's really the perfect real estate success story. It had one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation for years running, and now they've cut that foreclosure rate in half and they've turned the corner."

Denver, Corcoran said, has "a vibrant downtown, it has a high employment base, it has educated people, it has youth, [and] it has one of the biggest park systems in the country. "Everything about Denver is pointing up, up, up," she added. "Prices are moving up just now for the first time after seven years."

The 8 factors Corcoran used to determine Denver is rebounding are:

Job growth potential
A growing population
Good weather
Lots of first-time buyers
No overbuilding
A vital downtown
A well educated population
Foreclosures earlier than other cities

Source: Denver Biz Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/05/18/daily31.html

The Elite Eight - Denver Neighborhoods with highest increase in home sales price

2009-05-15T23:47:00.022-06:00

The May'09 Edition of the 5280 Magazine featured the article "Your Home is Worth More Than You Think". It included the list of “Elite Eight” neighborhoods, which are the Denver neighborhoods that saw the highest average sale price increases in 2008. These are:

Baker:
Lincoln Blvd, I-25, Sixth Ave and Alameda Ave
Average sold price $255,000
Change in ‘08 +8%

Berkeley East:
Sheridan Blvd, Federal Blvd, I-70 and 38th Ave
Average sold price $314,000
Change in ‘08 +7%

Cherry Creek:
University Blvd, Colorado Blvd, Sixth Ave and Alameda/Cherry Creek
Average sold price $1,161,000
Change in ‘08 +11%

East Highland:
Federal Blvd, I-25, 38th Ave and Speer Blvd
Average sold price $296,000
Change in ‘08 +7%

Platt Park South:
Lincoln Blvd, Downing St, Louisiana St and Yale Ave
Average sold price $402,000
Change in ‘08 +4%

Rosedale:
Broadway, Downing St., Evans Ave and Yale Ave.
Average sold price $360,000
Change in ‘08 +17%

University Hills:
Colorado Blvd, I-25, Yale Ave, and Hampden Ave
Average sold price $303,000
Change in ‘08 +6%

Wash Park East:
University Blvd, Franklin St, Alameda Ave and I-25
Average sold price $705,000
Change in ‘08 +8%

Source: 5280 Magazine
Link to Neighborhood Map ...

McWhinney unveils plans for North Park, in Broomfield

2009-05-12T00:42:00.001-06:00

McWhinney Enterprises, a local developer, has announced plans for North Park, a 935-acre mixed-use area on the northwest corner of Interstate 25 and the Northwest Parkway in Broomfield.

The area will include a 175-acre applied research center that is slated for both urban town center and campus settings making it suitable for a variety of high-tech companies.

At full build-out, the location will have more than 6,200 residences and 17 million square feet of commercial and mixed-use space. It'll also have village and town centers, retail areas, restaurants, trails and more.

Source: Boulder County Business Report

Nothern Colorado housing markets gained in value

2009-05-06T13:33:00.003-06:00

A study by the Everitt Real Estate Center at CSU shows that five Northern Colorado housing markets gained in value in 2007-08.

The study, which looked at home price changes in Larimer, Weld and Boulder counties, showed that Dacono, Firestone and Frederick had the greatest average gain, with a 2.1 percent increase in value during the period.

Fort Collins and Timnath had the next highest increase at 1.5 percent followed by Boulder and Gunbarrel at 0.8 percent, Estes Park at 0.5 percent and Erie at 0.3 percent.

"Northern Colorado's housing market is actually in fairly good shape according to our analysis of housing prices," said John Gerhard, a research analyst with Everitt. "... Our real estate market is hyper local, meaning it can vary widely by neighborhood and even block by block."

Source: Boulder County Business Report

GE Energy completes Longmont move

2009-04-14T15:33:00.005-06:00

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, fresh from the grand opening of the Abound Solar Inc. facility, heralded the arrival in Longmont of GE Energy's Control Solutions' global headquarters.

The GE Energy operation relocated to Longmont, bringing 180 employees, with room to add more as the need arises.

Ritter said that both Abound and GE Energy are key players as the state continues to build a "New Energy Economy."

He also added that Colorado is setting an example nationwide for how to integrate the clean-energy sector into economic-development efforts.

Source: Boulder County Business Report
Read more ...
http://www.bcbr.com/article.asp?id=99626

Xcel & SunPower team on Colorado solar plant

2009-04-07T10:36:00.000-06:00

Xcel Energy Inc. and SunPower Corp. will build a 17-megawatt AC photovoltaic solar power plant in Colorado's Alamosa County. When completed in 2010, it will be the second-largest high-efficiency solar photovoltaic power plant in North America. It is expected to create about 200 jobs during construction.

Source: Denver Biz Journal

Forbes: Denver on list of 10 cities where Americans are relocating

2009-04-01T10:07:00.000-06:00

Very few places in America saw significant population growth in 2008. “But the buzzing metropolitan area of Denver bucked that trend,” Forbes said in its report. Denver was the 10th-fastest growing metro area in the U.S.”

The Forbes report notes that Denver was listed as the most popular city in America in an October 2008 survey by the Pew Research Center, “so it’s no surprise that this metro area still attracts newcomers.”

Source: Denver Biz Journal

Denver No. 5 as moving destination, U-Haul says

2009-04-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

U-Haul International Inc. has placed Denver in fifth place on its list of “The 2008 Top 50 U.S. Destination Cities,” up from ninth place on the 2007 list.

Phoenix-based U-Haul based the rankings on destinations for movers traveling more than 50 miles, compiled from more than 1 million U-Haul truck transactions in 2008.

Source: Denver Biz Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/30/daily50.html

Five Colorado cities rank high on Forbes’ "Best Places for Business"

2009-03-30T12:12:00.003-06:00

Five Colorado cities made the top 40 of Forbes magazine’s latest list of the best places for business and careers: Fort Collins (#2), Colorado Springs (#10), Denver (#14), Boulder (#20) and Greeley (#37).

Forbes evaluated the 200 largest U.S. metro areas. Among the criteria were cost of doing business, cost of living, job-growth trends, cultural attributes, and projected job growth.

Source: Denver Biz Journal

Wondering where the jobs in Denver are?

2009-03-27T23:40:00.001-06:00

There are healthy companies in Colorado, who are hiring, such as health care, aerospace, renewable energy and financial services companies.

Sunny Ackerman, the Denver-based general manager of a 15-state region for staffing company Manpower Inc., said Colorado’s job market is strong compared with other states she oversees.

Source: Denver Biz Journal

Long-term mortgage rates hit record low

2009-03-26T15:25:00.003-06:00

The national average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 4.85% - the lowest it has been since 1971. Last year at this time, the national average was 5.85%.

In Colorado, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage was today 5.03% - almost 2 percentage points difference compared to last year - which amounts to a savings of about $225 in monthly mortgage payments for a $200,000 loan.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/23/daily63.html

Xcel Energy launches home energy-efficiency programs

2009-03-26T12:53:00.003-06:00

Xcel Energy Inc. will be launching two new programs aimed at upgrading the energy efficiency of its customers’ homes: “Energy Star New Homes” and “Home Program with Energy Star.” They’re part of Xcel’s big energy-efficiency push and are expected to save consumers about $450 million in 2009-2010.

Xcel is Colorado’s largest power and natural gas utility, serving about 1.6 million customers.

Source: Denver Business Journal

February new-home sales up 6.6% in West, 4.7% nationwide

2009-03-26T12:35:00.003-06:00

Sales of new homes in western states, including Colorado, rose 6.6 percent in February from the previous month, better than the national sales increase of 4.7 percent, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday.
Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/23/daily39.html

Vestas breaks ground on Colorado wind-turbine plants

2009-03-26T10:29:00.006-06:00

Vestas Wind Systems broke ground in Brighton for two new manufacturing plants that will eventually employ 1,350 people. The crown prince and princess of Denmark and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter attended the ceremony.
The wind turbine blade factory and the nacelle assembly plant are valued at $290 million. The plants are expected to be fully operational in 2010. The blade factory will employ about 650 people and the nacelle plant will have about 700 employees, Vestas said.
Check out the video:

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/23/daily35.html

Rankings highlight Metro Denver's economic viability

2009-03-24T18:54:00.005-06:00

President Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus bill in Denver last February. The new law will make significant investments to create jobs in renewable energy research and development. Officials say President Obama chose to sign the package in Colorado because the state is at the forefront of the nation's push toward renewable energy.

Two recent rankings show that our region's housing and retail markets are outperforming many other metro areas. A recent report by Forbes magazine ranked Metro Denver the nation's sixth-best housing market. Metro Denver foreclosure trends are also improving.

Source: Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
Read more ...
http://www.metrodenver.org/metro-denver-economy/monthly-summary/2009

Rocky Mountain investors venture-capital upbeat on regional prospects

2009-03-24T17:54:00.006-06:00

The Rocky Mountain venture-capital investment community is bullish on the investment outlook in our region, according to a survey of 90 venture-capital firms, released by KPMG and the Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association.

In a recent poll, 71% of respondents said they expected 2009 venture-capital investment activity in the region to equal or surpass 2008 levels. "Clean tech" is expected to receive the most venture capital in the Rockies.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read More ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/23/daily20.html

Home prices up in Rocky Mountains for 1st time since June'08

2009-03-24T17:48:00.003-06:00

Home purchase prices in Colorado and neighboring mountain states rose in January compared to the previous month, the first month-to-month price increase in the region in seven months, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/23/daily23.html

Ascent Solar to add up to 200 jobs at new North Denver headquarters

2009-03-24T15:21:00.006-06:00

Solar panel manufacturer Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. opened its new headquarters in north of Denver, where it plans to add up to 200 jobs during the next two years.

“Thanks to companies such as Ascent Solar, all across Colorado, we’re creating a sustainable energy future, sustainable opportunities for new businesses, and sustainable jobs,” Gov. Ritter said in a statement. “The New Energy Economy is leading Colorado forward and will be one of the keys to bringing us out of this recession. Colorado and Ascent Solar’s success are a model for how America can and must re-tool our entire economy.”

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/23/daily26.html

ConocoPhillips chooses architect

2009-03-24T14:05:00.007-06:00

ConocoPhillips has chosen St. Louis-based HOK as the lead architect for its new renewable energy and global training center campus in Louisville. HOK, a global architectural design and services firm, also designed Sun Microsystems' 560,000-square foot campus in Broomfield in the early 2000s.

ConocoPhillips purchased the 432-acre in early 2008 for $58.5 million. It is deconstructing the existing buildings with plans to start construction on new buildings and open the campus in 2013.

Source: Boulder County Business Report
Read more ...
http://bcbr.com/article.asp?id=99275

Denver ranks 3rd on Hotwire.com 'Value Destinations'

2009-03-19T14:17:00.002-06:00

Hotwire.com, has ranked Denver in third place on its 2009 list of the best value travel destinations nationwide. Denver scored 95 points out of 100 in the Hotwire ranking.

"Skiers and outdoor enthusiasts flock to Denver year after year, giving this city the deserved No. 3 spot on this year's list," Hotwire said on its website. "The Mile High City offers great discounts ... on accommodations and a wide variety of outdoor and free activities."

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/09/daily1.html

Major industry clusters position Colorado for economic growth

2009-03-19T02:20:00.006-06:00

The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) released its Industry Cluster Study, a competitive analysis of industries leading the region's future economic growth. They are: Aerospace, Aviation, Bioscience, Broadcasting & Telecom, Energy, Financial Services, and Information Technology.
Video: http://www.metrodenver.org/media-videos/colorado-space-coalition.html

Source: Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
Read more ...
http://www.metrodenver.org/metro-denver-news/industry-clusters-growth.html

Renewable energy sector growing

2009-03-19T02:11:00.002-06:00

Annual revenue for the renewable energy sector including solar, wind and stationary fuel cells will grow to $60.6 billion by 2013, according to a report from Boulder-based Pike Research, a clean-tech market research and consulting firm.

Source: Boulder County Business Report
Read More ...
http://bcbr.com/article.asp?id=99202

Danish Royal Couple to attend Vestas groundbreaking

2009-03-19T01:44:00.005-06:00

The crown prince and princess of Denmark will attend a private groundbreaking ceremony in Brighton on March 25, for two new Vestas Wind Systems manufacturing plants.

Crown Prince Frederik André Henrik Christian, and his wife, the Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth, will be in the US until the end of March. The trip will focus on the close cultural and historical ties between Denmark and the United States as well as on renewable energy and energy efficiency, according to Vestas, the Denmark-based wind turbine company.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/16/daily63.html

City launches ‘Greener Denver’ program to promote business energy efficiency

2009-03-16T02:35:00.002-06:00

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and the Office of Economic Development will present details of a new initiative "Greener Denver" to help local businesses improve their energy efficiency. It also will offer training resources to help Denver businesses develop a “green” workforce and capitalize on renewable-energy development.

Denver is one of eight cities taking part in the “Climate Prosperity Project,” a program launched by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and coordinated by Global Urban Development.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/16/daily9.html

Colorado rocket contractor lands $600M contract

2009-03-14T19:21:00.001-06:00

The United Launch Alliance won a contract worth about $600 million to launch four NASA science and satellite communication missions into orbit starting in 2011.

Centennial-based ULA, the primary rocket contractor for government space missions, will send the satellites on its Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in Florida.

Source: Denver Business Journal

$32 million refurbishing of former Cherry Creek Hotel

2009-03-13T12:53:00.001-06:00

Construction began this week on the $32 million refurbishing of the former Cherry Creek Hotel. The builder plans to gut the eight-story, 210-room building on the SE corner of Cherry Creek Drive South and Colorado Blvd., update it and re-brand it as Hilton Garden Inn. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

In addition they will be constructing 11,000 square feet of retail space, including Panera Bread and Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill. The project is expected to create about 150 full-time jobs between the hotel and retail space, as well as numerous jobs during construction.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/03/09/daily85.html

Colorado’s bioscience industry receives an economic boost

2009-03-09T01:29:00.005-06:00

Colorado’s bioscience industry received a total of $13,825,000 in federal funding for a new interchange serving the Anschutz Medical Campus and Fitzsimons Life Science District located at I-225 and Colfax Avenue, in Aurora.

The Anschutz / Fitzsimons project contributed $3.5 billion dollars to Colorado’s economy in 2008. It currently employs 15,900 people, and is the home of the UC Denver health sciences operations, the UC Hospital, the Children’s Hospital, the new VA Hospital, and several other centers for health care, biomedical research and workforce development. 22,797 people visit the site daily, including patients, students, faculty, volunteers and visitors.

At completion, the project will be a $5.2 billion investment, consisting of approximately 18.5 million square feet and employing 44,569 people.

Fitzsimons Campus Video:
http://www.metrodenver.org/media-videos/fitzsimons-video.html
Colorado Bioscience Video:
http://www.metrodenver.org/media-videos/colorado-bioscience.html

Source: Aurora Economic Development Council
Read more ...
http://www.auroraedc.com/NewsAndEvents_PressReleases_I-225_Funding.aspx

ConocoPhillips buys more land in Louisville

2009-03-06T14:12:00.006-07:00

ConocoPhillips Co. has purchased an additional 9.14 acres of land just north of its intended new campus in Louisville for $1,055,500. Louisville city officials said ConocoPhillips had been negotiating with landowners in the area to acquire property for future transportation improvements and improved access to its campus.

ConocoPhillips purchased its 432-acre campus in Louisville from Sun Microsystems in early 2008 for $58.6 million. The company plans to open its first buildings in 2013.

Source: Boulder County Business Report

2009 Homebuyer Tax Credit

2009-03-01T16:52:00.002-07:00

The homebuyer tax credit was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009. It provides an $8,000 credit for the purchase of a principal residence between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. First-time home buyers or buyers who have not owned a home for at least three years will be able to benefit from this credit.

The credit does not require repayment and can be claimed on the tax returns. If any credit amount remains unused, then the amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.

If you have been thinking of selling your home, now may be a good time to do so because additional buyers will be in the market!

Video: Click here

Read more ...
http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

Denver had smallest 2008 home-price decline of 20 U.S. cities

2009-02-25T20:03:00.001-07:00

Standard & Poor's reported that 2008 home prices in the Denver area had the smallest decline of 20 major U.S. cities.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read More ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/02/23/daily22.html

Denver a top spot for moviemakers

2009-02-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

Denver is one of America’s 25 best cities for independent moviemakers to live, according to a survey by MovieMaker magazine.

The magazine based its ranking on such factors as employment opportunities, reasonable costs of living, strong quality of life, affordable home prices and financial incentives for making movies. It said it took into account the number of local film schools, festivals, movie-related vendors and local movie theaters as well as the size of the local talent pool.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/02/23/daily26.html

Forbes magazine ranks Denver 6th in the 10 best US housing markets

2009-02-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

Source: Forbes Magazine
Read more ...
http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/24/housing-cities-ten-lifestyle-real-estate_home_prices_slide_6.html

New development project in Gunbarrel

2009-02-20T14:52:00.001-07:00

A local developer has plans to build a 100-room Hampton Inn and Suites at a former lumberyard in Gunbarrel. He predicted the economy will be on its way back by spring 2010 - the same time he expects to complete construction.

Once the project is completed, the entryway to Gunbarrel will see a striking transformation: from local lumberyard and warehouse to a new hotel and retail center with contemporary, new urban architecture.

Source: Boulder County Business Report
Read more ...
http://www.bcbr.com/article.asp?id=98754

Could Sportaccord Conference land Denver the Winter Olympics?

2009-02-19T01:55:00.001-07:00

The Denver Metro Sports Commission will be the local coordinator of the 2009 Sportaccord international meeting of sports organizers, to be held March 23-27 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver. About 100 international sports federations will be attending, as well as sport celebrities such as Andre Agassi.

Representatives of the four finalist cities for the 2016 Olympics will make presentations: Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/02/16/daily54.html

Housing Tax Credit approved

2009-02-17T02:11:00.000-07:00

A tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified home buyers purchasing a principal residence between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. The new credit does not have to be repaid.

Colorado shows California its love with new marketing campaign

2009-02-13T23:49:00.005-07:00

The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) new “COlovesCA” marketing campaign seeks to convince companies in California to look to the Mile High City if they plan to expand.

The campaign included the creation of the website http://www.colovesca.com/, as well as newspaper ads, Valentine-style mailings to corporate executives, and even a plane towing an 80-foot-long “Colorado Loves CA” banner over Los Angeles.
Video: http://www.metrodenver.org/media-videos/co-loves-ca.html

The thinking behind the effort is that Colorado has lower taxes and lower living costs than the Golden State, as well as high quality of life and an educated workforce.

Denver boosters are hoping for more stories like that of San Francisco-based brokerage Charles Schwab Corp.’s recent announcement that it will bring 500 new jobs to Colorado by 2011, even as it reduces its total workforce.

Source: Denver Business Journal

Metro Denver had two of the country’s largest commercial real estate deals in 2008

2009-02-13T01:58:00.001-07:00

Metro Denver had two of the country’s largest commercial real estate deals in 2008 — the sales of downtown Denver’s World Trade Center office buildings and the Denver Pavilions shopping mall.

Investors were attracted to the Denver area last year because this market’s economic fundamentals, particularly employment, were relatively strong compared to the rest to the nation, brokers said.

Source: Denver Business Journal

Xcel Energy's 'SmartGridCity' in Boulder featured in The Wall Street Journal

2009-02-09T02:16:00.001-07:00

The Wall Street Journal featured Xcel Energy's SmartGridCity initiative in Boulder - a $100 million advanced, smart grid system - that when fully implemented over the next few years - will provide customers with a portfolio of smart grid technologies designed to provide environmental, financial, and operational benefits.

This will be the first high-tech 'smart grid' in the U.S.

Source: The Wall Street Journal
SmartGridCity interactive graphics:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123378462447149239.html#articleTabs%3Dinteractive

Metro Denver Inventory of Homes for Sale Going Down

2009-02-06T23:04:00.003-07:00

Metro Denver is seeing its inventory of for-sale homes go down, while most other U.S. markets are seeing their inventory increase. Single-family homes and condos — on the market for sale - declined 19.4 % in January, to 19,748 from 24,489 a year earlier.

Read more ...
Source: Denver Business Journal
Read more ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/02/02/daily73.html

Boulder Smart Grid City Project

2009-02-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

People in Boulder are cutting their energy use and saving money thanks to new meters being installed throughout the city as part of Xcel Energy Inc.’s “Smart Grid City” project.

The $100 million project has gotten national attention. There’s about $4.5 billion in the proposed federal stimulus package for upgrading transmission lines and utility meter systems, in order to smarten up a grid system that hasn’t changed much since the days of Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the light bulb who died in 1931.

Read more ...
Source: Boulder County Business Report
Link: http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/02/09/story10.html

186,251 Creative Jobs in Colorado

2009-02-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Council on the Arts found that 186,251 jobs in Colorado are associated with creative enterprises and creative occupations. The findings were in its "Colorado: State-of-the-Art, Key Findings from The State of Colorado's Creative Economy" study.

Colorado's creative enterprises employed more than 122,000 individuals in about 8,000 establishments. This accounts for 3.9 % of the state's estimated 3.2 million jobs, making it Colorado's fifth largest employment sector, according to the study.

Only New York, California, Massachusetts and Vermont have a higher concentration of creative talent. Colorado also ranks second in concentration of architects, seventh in concentration of writers, designers, entertainers and performers, and eight in concentration of photographers.

Read More ...
Source: Boulder County Business Report
Link: http://www.bcbr.com/article.asp?id=98532

Solar Rebate Program

2009-02-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

The Center for ReSource Conservation, Boulder County and the city of Boulder have been selected by the Governor's Energy Office and the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association to administer its Solar Domestic Hot Water Rebate Program.

The program is designed to provide rebates for solar technologies to residents and businesses in Colorado. It was created by the Governor's Energy.Rebates for home and business owners will be issued for systems installed after Feb. 2 - the official launch date.There are two tiers of rebates. Tier 1 is a $1,500 rebate, and Tier 2 is a $750 rebate. Both are based on solar tank sizes and the amount of energy, measured in BTU, used per day.

For more information, go to www.conservationcenter.org/e_solarhotwaterrebate.htm

Denver Biz Journal & CBS4 Team Up on "Beating the Recession"

2009-02-05T01:43:00.000-07:00

The Denver Business Journal and KCNC-TV (CBS4) have teamed up to present "Beating the Recession," a series of reports on local businesses and consumers dealing with the economic crisis. Here is a video on this new partnership:
http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=52868@kcnc.dayport.com

“We know times are tough for a lot of people. But there are still businesses out that are successful, and growing, during this economically challenging time. We’re making sure we’re reporting on those businesses, too, and not just the ones experiencing layoffs,” said Neil Westergaard, editor of the Denver Business Journal.

Read more ...
Source: Denver Business Journal
Link: http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/02/02/daily50.html?ana=e_du_pap

Eight Colorado Hotels named in Travel & Leisure’s World's-Best List

2009-02-04T01:00:00.002-07:00

Eight Colorado hotels — including the Hotel Teatro and Hotel Monaco in Denver — have been named to Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2009 “T+L 500,” its list of the world’s 500 best hotels.

Source: Denver Business Journal
Read More ...
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/02/02/daily28.html?surround=etf

Survey ranks Denver as best city to call home

2009-01-29T19:44:00.001-07:00

When it comes to good living, the Mile High City is tops in the land, according to a national survey released today.

Adults picked Denver as the country's most desirable big city to call home, with San Diego second and Seattle third. The research was part of a broader study of Americans' mobility.

Source: The Denver Post
Read more ...
http://www.denverpost.com/televisiontonight/ci_11578103

Three Denver Companies Expand Operations

2009-01-29T01:37:00.000-07:00

Three Denver-area companies have expanded their operations, taking more office space to accommodate that growth:

Wildernest Logistics Solutions Inc., a logistics and transportation services provider
Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network (ADMHN)
Stanley Consultants Inc., an Iowa-based provider of engineering, environmental and construction services.

Read more ...
Source: Denver Business Journal
Link: http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/01/26/daily47.html?ana=e_du

Central Park Tower Construction Begins in Broomfield

2009-01-23T09:30:00.004-07:00

Massachusetts-based Franklin Street Properties Corp. broke ground Wednesday on its new 305,000-square-foot Central Park Tower office building in the Interlocken Advanced Technology Environment business park.The 11-story, class A office building at 385 Interlocken Crescent is scheduled for completion during the summer of 2010.

"We are focusing on the Denver market because we see positive growth in this area of the country with the increasing renewable energy business, founded on an already richly diversified mix of user types in the market," said Will Friend, vice president and regional director of Franklin Street Properties.

Link: http://www.bcbr.com/article.asp?id=98287

Colorado Green Industries Set to Grow

2009-01-16T22:42:00.003-07:00

Colorado has the potential to benefit from significant growth in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries by 2030, according to a report produced by the American Solar Energy Society and Management Information Services Inc.

"In a surprisingly short time Colorado has effectively positioned itself as a national leader in the green economy," said Brad Collins, executive director of the society, in a statement. "Colorado's experience offers a good case study for other states about how to tap into the tremendous economic opportunities in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors."

Read more ...
Source: Boulder County Business Report
Link: http://bcbr.com/article.asp?id=98209

30-Year Interest Rates Fall Below 5 Percent

2009-01-16T11:39:00.001-07:00

Mortgage rates dropped to their 11th straight weekly decline, reaching new record lows, according to Freddie Mac. Interest rates on 30-year, fixed rate mortgages averaged 4.96 percent this week, down from a previous week's 5.01 percent.

Mortgage rates have continued to drop ever since the Federal Reserve announced a plan in December to buy up $500 billion of mortgage securities backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae—the government-sponsored enterprises.

Source: Reuters, Julie Haviv (1/15/09)

Cheaper Prices Make Land Better Deal in Denver Area

2009-01-16T01:52:00.005-07:00

Metro Denver’s land market has been challenged by the financial problems of traditional land buyers such as homebuilders and commercial real estate developers.

Reluctant landowners such as banks that have taken back property through foreclosure, as well as large homebuilders stuck with too much land in a soft housing market, are motivated to sell this year. Land prices are down, while discounts on those prices are up.
Read More ...
Source: Denver Business Journal
Link: http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/01/19/story8.html?surround=etf

Colorado Gaining "Green Collar" Jobs

2009-01-15T01:05:00.006-07:00

A group that promotes solar energy research says the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries provided more than 91,000 jobs in Colorado.

For more information about green jobs in Colorado and resources about opportunities the New Energy Economy is creating for Colorado’s workforce: http://www.colorado.gov/energy/resources/green-jobs.asp

Developer Plans Hotel in Westminster

2009-01-06T23:49:00.004-07:00

A developer has purchased 3.2 acres in Westminster with plans to develop the site with a hotel, retail and restaurant uses. Missouri-based Drury Development Corp. plans to build a seven-story, 180-room hotel on the site.

"It is a significant piece of real estate in a market with strong fundamentals," said Gary Rohr, chief executive officer of Resolute Investments. "We think those fundamentals will become stronger as the Boulder corridor submarket continues its growth with renewable energy, research and technology companies.

There has been a boom in hotel proposals for the U.S. 36 corridor. From Broomfield to Boulder along U.S. 36 more than nine hotel projects have been proposed within the last year. Several more, including the latest one from Drury have been proposed in Westminster. Drury has plans to break ground for its new hotel in Westminster in 2010.

Read More ...
Source: Boulder County Business Report
Link: http://bcbr.com/article.asp?id=97991

Developer Bets on New Interlocken Tower

2008-12-23T23:39:00.004-07:00

A Boston-area commercial real estate investment company is breaking ground on an 11-story, 285,000-square-foot building in the Interlocken Business Park in Broomfield. It is the only "spec" building that Franklin is developing anywhere in the country.

The value of the building is estimated in $75 million, for what will be the greenest multi-tenant office building at Interlocken. It has been pre-certified as a gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building and is about a two-minute drive from the ConocoPhillips renewable research campus planned across U.S. 36.

Read More ...
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Link: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/23/developer-bets-on-new-interlocken-tower/

Governor Ritter Unveils Economic Plan for Colorado

2008-12-15T17:40:00.004-07:00

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter spelled out his economic agenda for 2009 at a press conference at the Capitol. The governor’s proposals include:

• A job growth incentive program that would give eligible companies a tax credit up to 50% of its annual FICA taxes on new employees.
• Reviving the state’s “credit reserve” program. The program, which helps small businesses obtain loans from private banking institutions, could leverage more than $50 million in new loans.
• Increasing the funding of the new energy jobs program by $1 million a year.
• Increasing economic development incentives available to the clean energy fund by $1.4 million.

Ritter said that Colorado is “much better off than many other states.”

Read More ...
Source: Denver Business Journal
Link: http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/12/15/daily60.html

Boulder Hosted Job Fair for High-Tech Jobs

2008-11-14T00:09:00.006-07:00

High-tech candidates from around the country traveled to Boulder as 17 local companies hosted a job fair. Each of the companies, which included Gnip Inc., TravelFli Inc., Photobucket and many more, contributed $5,000 to provide an all-expenses paid trip to Boulder for 79 job seekers.

Read More ...
Source: Boulder County Business Report
Link: http://bcbr.com/article.asp?id=97204

Colorado's New Energy Economy

2008-11-05T09:05:00.005-07:00

This article was written by the Director of Research at a large commercial Real Estate firm in the Denver area. She highlights the economic development that is very likely to occur in the Denver Northwest area in the coming years.

Read More ...
Source: Frederick Ross
Link: Colorado's New Energy Economy

Denver Home Prices Buck National Trend

2008-09-30T00:38:00.002-06:00

Denver-area home values bucked a national trend, according to the closely watched Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices released on Sept 30.

In the 12-month period ending in July, Denver-area home prices dropped by 4.7 percent, compared with an overall 16.3 percent drop for all of the 20 metropolitan areas in the study.

Read More ...
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Link: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/sep/30/denver-home-prices-buck-national-trend/

Colorado Ranks 15 Among States for Move-Ins

2008-09-22T00:42:00.002-06:00

More people are moving into Colorado than leaving the state, according to an annual relocation study conducted by the moving company Mayflower Transit.

Read More ...
Source: Denver Business Journal
Link: http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/09/22/daily14.html