Agricultural Forum Kicks Off with Reception at Boettcher Mansion

Note to Editors: Members of the media are invited to attend this informative forum at no charge. To do so, fill out the registration form and mark the "Media" box at the bottom. For questions concerning media’s attendance or interview opportunities, contact Christi Lightcap, Colorado Department of Agriculture, at (303) 239-4190.

A welcome reception to kick off the 17th annual Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Governor’s residence at Boettcher Mansion.

The Forum, "Advancing Colorado’s Rural Development," will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 28 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 3203 Quebec St. in Denver. Gov. Bill Ritter will speak to the group at 8:30 a.m.

State and national experts will present information about aspects of rural development such as water legislation, broadband Internet access, rural transportation infrastructure, agritourism and more.

Speakers include USDA Undersecretary Tom Dorr speaking on the perspective of rural development; Renny Fagan, state director for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, presenting the senator’s perspective; and Mark R. Drabenstott, director of the University of Missouri’s Truman School of Public Affairs, presenting an economist’s perspective.

Afternoon breakout sessions will cover rural infrastructure, water and rural development, carbon and nitrogen credit marketing opportunities, and amenity-driven growth.

Registration is $100 per person and $45 for students until Feb. 8; registration after that date increases to $120 and $50 respectively. Registration information and forms can be found at www.colorado.gov/ag; click on "Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture."

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