Clean technology, small business keys to future

DENVER – Don Marostica is always up for a challenge.

But his current challenge is one that might daunt even the most courageous. In late July, Marostica, a former Republican state representative from Loveland, accepted an appointment from Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter to serve as the state’s economic development director during the toughest economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Marostica, 61, recently responded to an e-mail request to answer some questions about his appointment and share his plans for helping shape the state’s economic future.

Q: Given the difficult economic times and uncertainty still ahead, was it a hard decision to accept that…