2013 Regional Issues Summit

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Northern Colorado is one of the state’s most vibrant and livable areas. It is also one of the fastest growing parts of Colorado. The Regional Issues Summit was a forum that brought attention to some of the larger issues facing Northern Colorado including Higher Education, Water Storage and an update on Disaster Recovery. The half-day program featured expert presentations, panel conversations and participant reactions. Business, civic, education and government leaders were invited to attend to help identify possible solutions to the area challenges.

Agenda for the Day:
7:15 a.m.  Registration and Breakfast

7:30 a.m.  Welcoming Remarks

7:40 a.m.  Higher Education – Talent to Win the Coming Jobs War
VIDEO Available here.

Overview by:
State Representative Dave Young, House District 50
Panel Conversation featuring:
Dr. Tony Frank, President of Colorado State University
Kay Norton, President of the University of Northern Colorado
Jeff Reynolds, Aims Community College
Andy Dorsey, President of Front Range Community College

8:45 a.m.  Water – The Impact of Disasters on Our Water Supply
VIDEO Available here.

Panel Conversation featuring:
Donnie Dustin, City of Fort Collins Water Resources Manager
Don Carlson, Northern Water Assistant General Manager
Greg Dewey, City of Loveland Water Resources Civil Engineer

10:00 a.m.  Oil and Gas—The Importance of the Oil & Gas Industry
   to Northern Colorado and the Colorado Economy
VIDEO Available here.

Oil and Gas Report Available here.
Presentation by:
Dr. Martin Shields, Colorado State University Regional Economics Institute

10:40 a.m.  Economic Recovery from the Floods of 2013
VIDEO Available here.

Panel Conversation featuring:
Brooke Burnham, Visit Estes Park
Johnny Olson, CDOT Regional Transportation Director for Region 4
Mindy McCloughan, Loveland Chamber of Commerce President & CEO

11:20 a.m.:  2014 Legislative Session, A Preview
VIDEO Available here.

Comments by:
Carl Maxey, Maxey Companies, Inc. President

11:30 a.m.  Adjourn and Optional Networking with State Legislators

The business community is also invited to extend their day at the Embassy Suites and to join Leadership Northern Colorado for their kick off event starting at noon. Regionalism is becoming a central issue for the area.  Community members are invited to learn about this important topic and to meet the 2014 Leadership Northern Colorado class.  Bill Flannigan, Executive Vice President of the Alleghany Conference on Community Development, will be the keynote speaker.  Learn how this nationally recognized economic and community development organization has created a more competitive business climate for investment, job creation and talent.  See a video of Bill’s comments here.

More than 200 business professionals and community leaders attended Regional Issues Summit and the Leadership Northern Colorado Kick Off.

The Regional Issues Summit and the Leadership Northern Colorado Kick Off was sponsored by Leadership Northern Colorado, the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance, the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, the Greeley Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation, Upstate Colorado, Woodward, EKS&H and Kaiser Permanente.