Announcing his candidacy for governor of Colorado, Republicrat Brian Bartony promises "Colorado will be a good place to do business" while he's governor and said his campaign will focus on business, energy and tax reduction.

"I have a passion for business and helping Colorado businesses be more successful will be at the top of my agenda as governor," Bartony said. "Attracting more businesses to Colorado and helping those already here be more profitable is the only way we'll improve our economy."

A Marketing and Visibility Consultant for the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce and Coordinator of the Chamber's Renewable Energy Task Force, Bartony is one of three announced candidates for governor in the 2009 election being sponsored by the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce's Business Leaders for Responsible Government Taskforce.

Bartony plans to focus on three issues during his campaign:

-- Business. With a self-described passion for business, Bartony is committed to creating a business-friendly environment that will attract new companies to Colorado, make it easier for ones already here to succeed and put the state's economy back on track and add much-needed jobs. "Attracting more businesses to Colorado and helping those already here be more profitable is the only way we'll improve our economy," Bartony said.

-- Energy. As Coordinator of the South Metro Chamber's Renewable Energy Taskforce, energy is an important issue for Bartony. He advocates working toward of goal of having 30 percent (nearly one-third) of the state's energy come from renewable sources by 2030 by relying on cost-effective technology and entrepreneurial efforts that make a profit, not mandates. "We need to embrace all forms of renewable energy," Bartony said. "But we still need our traditional sources of energy, too. They bring wealth to our state."

-- Tax Reduction. "For existing businesses to grow and new businesses to move or start here, we need a business-friendly Colorado," Bartony said. To accomplish that, Bartony plans to lower taxes to help businesses be more profitable and reduce the size of government.

About Brian

With a self-described passion for business, Brian is committed to creating a business-friendly environment that will attract new companies, make it easier for the ones already here to succeed and add much-needed jobs to the state's economy. As Coordintor of the South Metro Chamber's Renewable Energy Taskforce, he advocates working toward a goal of producing 30 percent of the state's energy from renewable sources by 2030. And he supports reducing taxes and the size of government to make it easier for businesses to succeed.

Brian moved to Colorado in 1995. When he's not working to make South Metro Denver Chamber members incredibly successful, he can be found tailgating and cooking gourmet food in Lot M before Denver Broncos home games. During the summer, he can be found in the streams of the Colorado mountains prospecting for gold or attending Chamber events prospecting for votes. He has a wife and two children.