Press Office

April 2005

FOR RELEASE:
Thursday, April 7, 2005

CONTACT:
Dan Hopkins 303-866-6324
Mark Salley 303-866-6323

OWENS PRAISES COURT DECISION ON CAPITAL FUNDING
Says Ruling Boosts Construction of Prison, Fitzsimons Research Campus

Gov. Bill Owens today issued the following statement on the Colorado Court of Appeals' decision upholding the state's ability to use Certificates of Participation (COPs) to fund important capital needs, including the CU Health Sciences Center at Fitzsimons and a new state prison.

"The Court got it exactly right today. The Legislature and I have consistently maintained that Colorado can address urgent capital needs to improve higher education, create jobs and protect public safety without going into multi-year debt. The use of COPs is a viable and valuable vehicle to accomplish that. And the Court of Appeals agreed.

"This decision is an important step forward to ensure that we can complete the world- class research center at Fitzsimons ahead of schedule and can create the prison space we need to put criminals where they belong."