Investor e-mail
January 2008
   
Business News
 

On Tuesday, January 22, all health science students of the University of Colorado Denver started attending classes at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. Approximately 3,000 School of Nursing, Pharmacy, Medicine, Graduate and Dental Medicine students now study in the education zone of the Fitzsimons campus, which was designed to encourage interaction and interdisciplinary discussions among students of the various health sciences schools.

The Center for Digital Government recently ranked Aurora as the No. 1 Most Digital City in America for 2007. The city was recognized for the award because of its cutting-edge technology to better serve its citizens and streamline operations. Competing in the 250,000 or more population category, Aurora beat other cities in the top ten that included San Diego, Miami, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc. and the Sheridan Redevelopment Agency for receiving the 2007 Deal of the Year Award for the Southwest Region for the City of Sheridan’s River Point at Sheridan redevelopment project. The annual award issued by The Bond Buyer, a daily newspaper for the municipal finance industry, recognizes 10 of the nation’s “most innovative municipal bond issuers for transactions that financed major public infrastructure projects, including bridges, hospitals, schools, water, airport and housing.”

Denver International Airport continues to break passenger number records. The airport is expected to surpass Los Angeles International Airport to be the fourth busiest airport in the U.S. based on year-end 2007 figures.  According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, DIA serviced 19.5 million passengers through October last year trailing behind Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth. DIA was ranked fifth busiest airport in 2006.
 

 
Public Policy Update
 

The Aurora Economic Development Council has identified three key policy/legislative priorities for 2008. The three policy/legislative priorities include:

1. Secure additional funding for the widening of I-225.

2. Support Governor Ritter’s Statewide Economic Development Package, specifically the two most relevant to the Aurora Economic Development Council’s mission.

a. Establish a $3.5 million annual Bioscience and Life Science Fund to promote the growth and sustainability of the industry.

b. Dedicate $3.5 million specifically for economic development purposes.

3. Advocate for state and federal legislation supportive of our targeted industries (aerospace and defense, bioscience, transportation/logistics).

Currently, HB08-1001 is the most active bill.  The bill's current status is listed below.

 
 
Development News
 
 

Thule Inc., a manufacturer of bike, ski and sporting car racks, signed a three-year lease with The Pauls Corporation at its Gateway Park development. Thule will occupy 36,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution space in Building 7 at 16303 E. 32nd Avenue in Aurora.

 
 

©2006 Aurora Economic Development Council • 562 Sable Blvd, #240 Aurora, CO 80011 • T 303.340.2101 • F 303.340.2111