Speaking at Hyatt Place Denver Tech Center to members of Rotary recently, Colorado Governor Ritter stressed the importance of "The New Energy Economy" and "The New Economic Reality".

"No longer can state governments" said Ritter, "including Colorado, expect a healthy percentage growth in the State's revenues each year." Ritter went on to say, "A nearly flat growth rate will be "The New Economic Reality".

Just as businesses and families alike are beginning to realize, we all need to learn to do more with less and so must government agencies.

Governor Ritter presented his vison of a new "energy security" that although doesn't achieve complete independence on foreign oil, will give us the ability to reduce the impact of the fluctuating energy economy.

Other priorities in the Governor's strategic plan include providing education for our children that will give them the skills to compete for sustainable jobs in the "modern industries of the future."

The Governor's address followed a presentation by special guest Walter A. Orenstein, MD, Deputy Director for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Integrated Health Solutions Development of the Global Health Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Orenstein recapped the efforts of the Rotary International Polio Plus campaign to end polio worldwide.

Nearly 500 Rotarians including 17 from the Cherry Creek Valley Rotary Club of Parker were in attendance.