On Sunday and Monday, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk traveled to Denver, Colorado. During Ambassador Kirk’s visit, he met with U.S. and Brazilian business leaders, participated in a roundtable discussion on the U.S.- Korea Trade Agreement and spoke with Denver business leaders and attorneys. This Weekly Trade Spotlight focuses on how small and medium businesses in the Centennial State are using global trade to increase growth and put American jobs on the table.
Of all the things that Colorado is known for – its natural beauty and cultural heritage, to name a few – one thing that continually shines is the entrepreneurial spirit of its people.
Coloradans throughout the state have made a living and a profit, simply by harvesting their own ideas and sharing them with the world.
During his trip to Denver, Ambassador Kirk met with many of these people: innovative business and community leaders who are using trade to launch their ideas on a global scale.
Examples of this innovation and exploration can be found in the efforts of people and companies all over the state. While Colorado remains a strong state for agricultural exports, it is expanding to export cutting-edge technology and services throughout the world.
CAP Worldwide has made a global business out of one idea: handling complex shipping challenges, with no size or weight restrictions, and delivering to even the most remote locations.
This groundbreaking idea attracted international interest, and sales to Canada and Mexico has especially helped this business grow. Shipments skyrocketed, from 261 in 2007 to 1,594 in 2008. With this growth, the company is able to support more jobs in the United States.
Optibrand, LLC founded by three Colorado State University professors and based in Fort Collins, Colorado, uses Global Positioning System technology to identify and trace livestock in a biometric and humane way.
This company has been exporting since 2000, and is working with meat producers and processors in Central America to address the growing consumer demand for healthy, safe food products. By working on a global scale, the company is able to support 125 jobs at home.
Geotech Environmental Equipment, Inc. manufactures environmental equipment and operates a 125,000 square-foot manufacturing plant and corporate headquarters in Denver. The company has sold products to more than 20,000 companies worldwide and continues in their double-digit growth.
It is entrepreneurial ideas like these that make Colorado stand out to the world, and encourage international trade.
