“[Governor Bill] Owens is changing the technology landscape of Colorado. When he took office in January 1999, he set out to use technology to usher in a new era of efficiency and productivity. By turning to many of the online business and enterprise-computing solutions that have transformed the corporate world, Owens is leading Colorado up a mountain that few governments have yet dared explore.”

- iQ Magazine: The Senior Executive’s Guide to the Internet Economy

No economy is immune from the swings of the business cycle, but Governor Bill Owens has implemented a strategy to make Colorado's economy more stable by encouraging diversity and attracting forward-looking technology industries to our state.  

Gov. Owens is committed to making sure Colorado businesses can compete in today's New Economy.  He has invested resources to promote Colorado's small businesses and our tourism industry.  And he's made rural economic development a priority.  He wants all of Colorado engaged in creating and enjoying success in the 21st century.

Economic think tanks nationwide regularly rank Colorado as one of the top five business economies in the country.  The most recent measure, issued in September 2002, ranked Colorado's as the 2nd most promising high-tech economy in the nation, ahead of California and other technology centers.  

Gov. Owens has worked hard to foster an attractive business environment in Colorado. Owens has been recognized nationally for his efforts to control spending, deliver on broad-based tax relief to individuals and businesses, and otherwise to make Colorado a great place for employers and employees.  

The businesses and jobs Gov. Owens' policies helped bring to Colorado are responsible for the fundamental strength of Colorado's economy, and for its resilience in hard times.  

Gov. Owens has:

·        Used the Enterprise Zone program to help 2,200 urban and 3,000 rural businesses, which resulted in the creation of 14,000 new jobs.

·        Awarded $1.12 million in Economic Development Commission funds to 32 projects and provided incentives that attracted businesses and resulted in the creation of 1,132 new jobs.

·        Redesigned www.colorado.com, which is now the country’s most popular tourism website.

·         Hosted three annual Colorado Technology Summits, attracting thousands of technology leaders from across the country to see Colorado’s efforts to develop and enhance our technology leadership in the 21^st century.  Guest speakers have included Bill Gates of Microsoft, and Larry Ellison of Oracle.

·        Launched the Colorado Technology Alliance to promote Colorado’s technology industries.

·        Established the Colorado Institute of Technology, a public-private partnership designed to grow the technology workforce.

For more information see our Tax Relief page.

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