Gov. Ritter is building a New Energy Economy for Colorado, establishing the state as a national and international leader in the production and manufacturing of traditional and renewable energy. The New Energy Economy is stimulating economic opportunity and creating thousands of new jobs throughout Colorado.

Gov. Ritter has recently announced a series of statewide Small Business Finance Forums to help small businesses survive the ongoing financial crisis. The six free forums will give small businesses direct, one-on-one access to federal, state and local organizations. These organizations will provide a Small Business Toolkit, counseling and other information about available resources to guide them through the downturn.

Gov. Ritter's Keep Colorado Working initiative is focused on launching aggressive economic-development initiatives around the state. This means making strategic economic-development investments in areas where we have proven successes -- such as the New Energy Economy and bioscience sectors.

Colorado's first Climate Action Plan, issued in November 2007, identifies critical steps that we must take to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions sufficiently to avoid major disruption to Colorado's economy, environment, and society.  Governor Ritter established a Climate Advisory Panel to provide a mechanism for considering new ideas to incorporate into the Climate Action Plan as it is revisited and revised in future years.

Since taking office in 2007, Governor Ritter has taken important steps to expand access, control costs and improve quality of health care in Colorado.

Gov. Ritter's Blue Ribbon Transportation Panel is raising awareness and crafting solutions to address the deteriorating condition of the state's transportation infrastructure and severe funding shortfalls.

Gov. Ritter's Jobs Cabinet is bringing together business, education and workforce-development leaders to ensure Colorado is providing companies with the best-educated, best-trained and best-skilled employees possible in a 21st century global marketplace that grows more competitive by the day.

The "Race to the Top" is a competitive effort from the Obama administration that will fund only the top states who have committed to quality efforts to improve their education systems. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan plans to distribute $4.35 billion nationwide to a short list of states.

Gov. Ritter's P-20 Education Coordinating Council is tackling one of Colorado's greatest challenges: ensuring that a seamless education system from pre-school to grad-school is preparing our young people for the demands of the 21st Century.

Gov. Ritter's Government Efficiency and Management (GEM) Performance Review issued more than 90 recommendations that will result in $205 million in five-year cost-savings, customer-service efficiencies and other benefits for the taxpayers of Colorado.