| This year's State of the Rockies Conference, April 9-11 at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, will mark the fourth anniversary of a rare opportunity to share research and dialogue about the “state” of the Rocky Mountain Region.
Community leaders, business people, environmentalists, politicians, and others come together at this free conference to learn, share concerns and discuss issues affecting the region. The project, which includes ongoing student-based research, reports on topics of interest to the Rocky Mountain community, and the annual conference is designed to help make a positive regional difference that future generations will come to value.
Started in 2003 as part of the Colorado College Action Agenda, the State of the Rockies project has tackled issues of importance to the environment, economy and communities of the Rocky Mountain region, while highlighting themes such as respect for the environment, civic engagement and the nurturing of youth.
Those involved in the project share a feeling that the State of the Rockies is achieving both growing momentum and credibility. Media coverage has increased yearly, hitting a particular hot button in 2006 when the report covered the impact of global warming on the skiing industry, affecting far more than just the eight-state region. In addition, climate-change models from the 2006 report card were included in a recent Supreme Court case.
The project has also shifted into a new gear in 2006-2007. Aspiring to be more than just an annual event, the State of the Rockies has worked with the Schlessman Business Perspectives Program at Colorado College to bring a diverse group of experts to campus from December to March, to address the immense energy boom in exploration and production confronting the region.
Colorado College has been very fortunate to tap the contrasting yet complementary experiences of “Energizing the Rockies” speakers Rebecca Watson, former U.S. Department of Interior assistant secretary for land and minerals management; Raymond Plank, founder and chairman of Apache Corporation; Randy Udall, director of Aspen’s Community Office for Resource Efficiency; and Matthew Simmons, chairman and CEO of Simmons & Co. International.
In April, the project will introduce a Champion of the Rockies Award. Ted Turner will visit Colorado College on April 3 to receive the inaugural award in recognition of his leadership as a major Rockies land owner and rancher who has “balanced business and ecological concerns in our beautiful but fragile region.”
From April 9-11, the annual State of the Rockies conference will continue its tradition of bringing prominent speakers to campus to address the issues contained in the report.
Each day will focus on a selected topic from the “2007 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card,” with events at selected venues on the Colorado College campus from 4 – 8:45 p.m. This will include a buffet for conference attendees, with Pikes Peak as a stunning backdrop.
The conference is free, with registration available at events. The “2007 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card” will be available at the conference or from the Colorado College Bookstore (www.coloradocollegebooks.com, (800) 854-3930). For more information on the State of the Rockies Project, please visit www.stateoftherockies.com.
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