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Welcome to Canada Colorado / Bienvenue au Canada Colorado!
Site under reconstruction/ Please come back soon
 A BRIEF HISTORY
In 1991, the Canadian Government decided to close its Trade Office in Denver. A group of resident businessmen, prompted, encouraged and supported by the departing Canadian Consul and Trade Commissioner, Gib McEwen, decided to form an organization to promote, foster and enhance business relations between Colorado and Canada. In his Trade Office position, Gib had made numerous contacts with Canadian business people, residents, trading partners and interests. To determine what benefits might be available by creating a point of contact for Canadians, a notice was placed in the local newspapers for an introductory meeting. That meeting was held at the Denver Athletic Club in October 1991 and was attended by well over 50 people – thus began our history.
 The early years focused on business-related activities such as seminars to discuss cross-border investment opportunities, tax implications, economic and trade issues. Several social events were also held; notably to celebrate Canada Day, Canadian Thanksgiving and the Grey Cup football playoff. Initially, the group was called Colorado Canada Business Association. The founding Board was made up of Ian Barclay, Pat Cooper, Don Gendall, Ernie Hambrook, Peter McEwen and Jim Reis. The names of other Board members and volunteers who have so greatly influenced and supported the Association over its 20-year history are far too numerous to list.
The first edition of The 49th Parallel was issued to members in 1994. This was a quarterly newsletter “to inform the members and other interested parties of upcoming events, to report on membership news and past events, and to acquaint everyone with what is going on up north.” Dee Arscott designed the masthead, general layout and named the paper. The masthead was the germination of what became the official logo for the Association (maple leaf and aspen leaf). In 2001 CCA member John Murphy designed and constructed a website for the Association: www.canadacolorado.com and, with several others contributing, continues to be our site.
In 1995 a special arrangement was made to tour the NORAD facilities in Cheyenne Mountain. NORAD also hosted a second tour of Cheyenne Mountain in 1999 and the close relationship between CCA and NORAD endures today. Board members are invited to join NORAD personnel at their Garden Party at the historic Penrose House in Colorado Springs each Canada Day and NORAD personnel are invited to CCA events.
Throughout its history, CCA made extensive lobbying efforts to get the Canadian Government to re-establish a Consular presence in Denver. As part of that effort, we spoke, met and corresponded with the Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner and Business Development Officer from Minneapolis and with local business connections. Several meetings were held with representatives of the Colorado Governor, Denver Mayor, World Trade Center, Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Consul General representatives from Minneapolis. Meetings were also held with the British Consul in Denver, British American Business Council President, Mexican Consul in Denver, and the Alliance Française ( www.afdenver.org/ ) group in Denver. Those efforts were successful when, in 2003, Canada re-established a full Consular office in Denver. A cooperative and supportive relationship between CCA and that office remains strong today. Consulate General of Canada in Denver, English: ( www.canadainternational.gc.ca/denver/index.aspx?lang=eng ), Consulat général du Canada à Denver, Français: ( www.canadainternational.gc.ca/denver/index.aspx?lang=fra )
Sponsored by:
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PCL
What began as a small prairie contracting firm that built four-room country schools has grown into the largest general contracting organization in Canada and the 10th largest in the United States. |
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