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DENVER – The Colorado Chamber of Commerce today opened nominations for its second annual Coolest Thing Made in Colorado contest sponsored by FirstBank. This statewide, community-driven competition is designed to celebrate the state’s vibrant manufacturing industry.
“The Coolest Thing contest presents an exceptional chance for manufacturers across Colorado’s diverse regions to put their best creations on display,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “Our state boasts a remarkable array of innovative manufacturing companies, and we take great pride in spotlighting the impressive products crafted right here in Colorado.”
The nomination period closes on August 21. An independent panel of judges will review the nominations and select the top ten finalists in September. The finalists will be honored at the Colorado Chamber’s annual meeting luncheon on October 19, where the Coolest Thing winner will be announced. The winner will be awarded the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado trophy along with the title and recognition of the Coolest Thing top winner for 2023.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Colorado Chamber of Commerce to celebrate and recognize the state’s most innovative manufacturers,” said David Kelly, Chief Risk Officer at FirstBank, and a Coolest Thing Made selection committee member. “FirstBank has always been a passionate supporter of local businesses and manufacturing companies, and this contest enables us to promote these organizations. They’re the heartbeat of our economy, and when they do well, we all do well.”
The inaugural contest launched last year with over 130 nominations from which the top 10 finalists were selected. The finalists represented diverse industries across Colorado, from medical device companies to outdoor gear and more. Innovative Water Technologies claimed the title of the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado for 2022 for their SunSpring Hybrid water purification system. The purification system provides safe drinking water for U.S. water systems and developing communities around the world and is an incredible example of the impact Colorado manufacturers can have on our communities.
In order to be eligible to enter the contest, the product must be made in Colorado using a manufacturing process. For example, a restaurant that makes “made to order” pizza would not qualify, but a food manufacturer that mass-produces frozen pizza would. The company manufacturing the product does not have to be located in Colorado, but the product must be manufactured in a Colorado-based facility. There is no cost to participate in the contest and membership with the Colorado Chamber is not required. Anyone can nominate a product and self-nominations among companies is encouraged. A product only needs to be nominated one time to be considered.
Colorado’s 4900+ manufacturing firms contribute more than $28 billion to the state’s economy, accounting for 6.58% of total output and employing approximately 149,000 Coloradans. The Colorado Chamber has been the state’s affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers since 1965 and is proud to count many of Colorado’s prominent manufacturers among its members.
Nominations can be submitted at: https://coolestthingcolorado.com/nominations.
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The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.
About FirstBank, Sponsor of The Coolest Thing Made in Colorado
FirstBank began providing banking services in 1963. Today, it’s known as an industry leader in digital banking. It has grown to be one of the largest privately held banks in the United States, maintaining over $28 billion in assets and 100 branch locations across Colorado, Arizona and California. FirstBank offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking services, including business financing, commercial real estate loans, treasury management, and more. Since 2000, FirstBank has been recognized as a top corporate philanthropist, contributing more than $85 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. The company is also unique in that a large portion of its stock is owned by management and employees, giving employees a financial stake in the bank’s success through its Employee Stock Ownership Program. For more information, visit www.efirstbank.com. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.