Businesses press support for patent office

A coalition of Colorado businesses and governments is pressing its case for a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in a strongly worded letter to the U.S. commerce secretary.

The letter, signed by dozens of businesses, government and university leaders, is part of an effort to locate the satellite office in Denver, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet’s office said Thursday. Accelerate Colorado, a partnership between businesses and local governments, sent the letter to Commerce Secretary John Bryson.

“Colorado will put the (patent office) at the center of one of the country’s most vibrant clusters of innovation, technological development, and economic growth,” Bennet said in a statement issued by his office. “Accelerate Colorado’s letter is the latest example of a state that has coalesced in support of bringing a patent office here.

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“The widespread support throughout the state along with the economic and geographic advantages it provides make Colorado the best location for a new satellite office,” Bennet added.

Colorado is a national leader in technological business development and innovation and maintains a growing advanced manufacturing sector, the letter says. Its low cost of living and desirability has led to a high retention rate of current workers and the continued successful recruitment of new workers.

“With over 5,000 manufacturers currently employing nearly 130,000 workers, Colorado continues to expand its leadership in this key area of innovation for the U.S. economy,” the letter reads. The “satellite office will not only complement these efforts, but in Colorado it would also drive additional technological development and innovation.”