Blogging from Obama's stimulus bill signing and Capitol protest in Denver

Colorado's new energy in the sun as Obama signs stimulus package in Denver
Playing to a roomful of Colorado colleagues that recalled last summer's Democratic convention, President Barack Obama signed a $787 billion economic stimulus package Tuesday afternoon, promising to lead the country toward economic recovery as he celebrated Colorado's new energy industry. "We are taking big steps toward energy independence," Obama said. By Mike Cote

Stimulus protest dubbed '$30,000-a-plate pork roast'
Not everyone was thrilled with Barack Obama's Denver signing of the $787 billion stimulus bill, of which about $700 million is expected to benefit Colorado. A few miles south of the stimulus-signing festivities, several hundred protesters gathered on the steps of the state Capitol for what Jon Caldara of the Golden-based Independence Institute dubbed a "$30,000-A-Plate Pork Roast," referring to the abundance of items unrelated to economic recovery in the massive bill. Click here to watch video of the protest. By Mike Taylor

A sneak preview from the March issue
Why Obama chose Colorado

Priming the new energy pump, part 2
With all this attention to the new energy economy, one might expect resentment from an oil and gas business in contraction. Not so. Some in the oil and gas industry consider renewables and traditional sources "complementary." Click here to read the first part of this story about how green energy is blossoming in Colorado. By Todd Neff

Only at cobizmag.com

What's in the stimulus package for your small business?
As vital job-creating engines for our economy, small businesses should be aware of several provisions in the new stimulus package. But it's crucial to also note that small businesses need to be proactive to benefit from these incentives. By Rick LaFave

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• Work in progress

Attention Women-Owned Companies

Nominate your company for ColoradoBiz magazine's annual ranking of the state's Top 100 Women-Owned Companies. Click here.

See ColoradoBiz stories on Channel 7

Channel 7 and ColoradoBiz on "The Road to Recovery"
As the economy continues to challenge businesses and consumers, KMGH Channel 7 and ColoradoBiz are collaborating on stories that explore how businesses are coping - and succeeding - despite the downturn. Look for new installments of "The Road to Recovery" at 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays, during the second half of the 4 p.m. broadcast. You can also find them online at TheDenverChannel.com, where you can watch videos about about raising urban chickens, an uptick in the auto repair business, the success of a bison meat producer, the expansion of a comedy club and the growing trend for "virtual" offices.

On ColoradoBiz TV

ColoradoBiz Podcast

Jeff Thredgold on the economy
Jeff Thredgold, an economist for Vectra Bank and author of econAmerica, on small business, the economy and staying optimistic.

Recession survival
Smooch Repovich Reynolds, of the Repovich-Reynolds Group, on executive recruiting, reinventing your personal career brand and the importance of curiosity in communication.

Bringing jobs to Colorado
Tom Clark, executive vice president of Metro Denver Economic Corp., speaks about the economic outlook for Colorado and bringing new businesses and jobs to the state.

Hot Biz Deals

• Warwick Denver Hotel is offering two special packages for meeting planners. The Meeting Planners' Bailout Package through April 30, 2009: every time the Dow drops, the Warwick Denver Hotel will discount your entire booking by the equivalent percent. If the Dow drops 5 percent on Monday, you will receive a 5 percent discount for any meeting booked on Tuesday, including meeting space, breaks, guest rooms and food and beverage. And if the Dow makes positive gains, any meeting package booked on the following day will receive complimentary morning and afternoon breaks. For the Meeting Planners' Stimulus Package, the Warwick Denver Hotel will give planners a 5 percent credit toward a future event or group booked (and consumed) for every $5,000 spent up to $20,000 through December 2010. Spend $10,000 on an event now and receive 10 percent off an entire future booking. Certain restrictions apply. Contact the hotel at (303) 832-0318 or sales.denver@warwickhotels.com to learn more.
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• KBCO has relaunched its "I Ski with KBCO" promotion. Check www.kbco.com for the latest lodging and ski deals.
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