Today the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) presented eight awards during its inaugural “Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration.” The event was created to honor leaders who are working to advance cleantech developments. Christine Shapard, CCIA executive director said during the event, “Winners were selected by our Awards Committee from twenty finalists that emerged from a statewide call for nominations. The event, showcasing those companies and individuals who have made a significant impact on Colorado’s cleantech industry during the past year.”

Awards & Winners include:

• §      Political Advocate of the Year: Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.
• §      High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year: Abound Solar
• §      Runner-Up High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year: Tendril
• §      Breakout Cleantech Company of the Year: Ice Energy
• §      Emerging Cleantech Company of the Year: VanDyne SuperTurbo
• §      Colorado Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year: Raymond R. Johnson
• §      National Cleantech Leader: Rocky Mountain Institute
• §      Governor’s Award for Excellence: Ron Bernal, NEA

Shapard concluded, “We want to extend our congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists, plus extend sincere appreciation from the Colorado Cleantech Industry to these outstanding companies and individuals who have truly made a difference as they’ve forged their paths in the cleantech sector. Further, we want to convey our appreciation to Ira Ehrenpreis, noted venture capitalist and cleantech industry expert, who served as the keynote speaker for our first awards event.”