Fading West CEO Charlie Chupp led a tour of the Fading West manufacturing factory in Buena Vista on May 9, 2023. Here he explains processes to Buena Vista Mayor Libby Fay and Buena Vista Trustee Sue Cobb. Photo by Jan Wondra.
There’s a contest coming up that attempts to answer the age-old question — or at least the current inquiry — what is the very coolest thing made in Colorado?
The question was first asked last year when the Colorado Chamber of Commerce began the contest. This morning it 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 and we encourage nominations of local products from Buena Vista to compete for the title of Coolest Thing Made in Colorado,” 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.”
Nominations opened today, and 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.
Last year, 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 by companies is encouraged. A product only needs to be nominated one time to be considered.
Colorado is home to more than 4,900 manufacturing firms that contribute more than $28 billion to the state’s economy, accounting for 6.58 percent 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 counts many of Colorado’s prominent manufacturers among its members.
Could the coolest thing manufactured in Colorado be made right here in Chaffee County? Well, we won’t know until, or unless, some of our local manufacturers apply.
Nominations can be submitted at: https://coolestthingcolorado.com/nominations.
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