NOTE: AUDIO ATTACHED

Gov. Bill Ritter, Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and lawmakers today announced new job-creation and economic-growth strategies for Colorado creative industries sector, including three bills that will be introduced in the upcoming 2010 legislative session.

Gov. Bill Ritter

Colorado’s creative industries already support about 186,000 clean and sustainable jobs, making it the fifth-largest economic sector and one of the fastest-growing in the state.

“While these are challenging times, Colorado is responding, and responding in a big way,” Gov. Ritter said, announcing the bills at Newell Design in Denver’s River North Art District. “Through tax cuts, business incentives and greater access to capital, we’re positioning Colorado for a quick and strong recovery.

“Today’s proposals will allow us to continue making progress by capitalizing on the creative industry sector’s immense potential for innovation, creativity and growth,” Gov. Ritter said. “I look forward to signing these bills into law – and to working with all of our partners in the legislature this session on additional job-creation and business development efforts.”

“Colorado’s visual and performing arts, film industries, and heritage sites are as well-known as our mountains and natural beauty,” Lt. Gov. O’Brien said. “Today we are announcing new legislation that will make it easier for our state’s fifth-largest industry to grow, leveraging the sector’s innovation and creativity to bring more good jobs to Colorado.”

Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien

About the three bills:

Colorado Creative Industry Division (Sen. Newell/Rep. Rice) – This legislation will merge three existing arts programs within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT): The Colorado Council on the Arts, Art in Public Places and the Office of Film.

The newly merged division will allow the industry to better strategize arts and economic development and establish the arts as a priority within OEDIT.  There will be no impact on OEDIT’s budget or number of employees.  
“Colorado’s arts, film, television and media industries make up the fifth-largest part of our economy, and it is growing fast,” Sen. Newell said. “These are artists, publishing companies, architects, and sports gear manufacturers. And this is about getting everyone to work and preparing our college students for careers in the creative arts, which in turn contributes so dramatically to our Colorado culture. These are real businesses that have a real impact on Colorado’s economy.”
Art in Public Places Clean Up (Sen. Steadman/ Rep. Rice) – This legislation will clarify the Arts In Public Places (AIPP) statute, ensuring that all financial instruments used by the state, including Certificate of Participations, will set aside 1 percent of new capital construction for public art. The program will continue its support of small businesses in our creative industry sector by creating a market for their products, designs, and artwork. 

“Public art isn't just pretty to look at, it’s also a catalyst for economic recovery,” said Sen. Pat Steadman. “This bill will help us continue to include public art as part of state-funded construction projects so we have both a more beautiful civic environment in our cities and towns, and a thriving art industry.”

Art Thomas, Executive Director of © CoLours TV

“Our creative industries are one of the quiet drivers of Colorado’s economy,” said Rep. Joe Rice. “Together, these industries make up the fifth largest sector in our economy - and they’re growing fast. And that is without a coordinated economic development strategy. This legislation allows us to coordinate efforts, so that creative industries like film, art and design will only grow stronger and have an even greater impact on Colorado’s economy.”

Film Incentive Clean Up (Rep. Massey) – This bill will amend the current film incentive program to remove restrictive requirements, specifically that 75 percent of a film’s non-payroll budget must be spent in Colorado, and clarify that this incentive may be used for commercial and video game productions. These changes will allow the $300,000 current film incentive funds to be spent as quickly as possible, creating jobs throughout the state.

The proposed legislation is part of Gov. Ritter’s strategy to grow Colorado’s creative  industries. He established a Creative Economy Advisory Panel, co-chaired by Lt. Gov. O’Brien and Economic Development Director Don Marostica, which is drafting additional goals and recommendations to expand this sector.