Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (TECO) of Taiwan hold 8 offices in the United States, each covering different regions. So when the TECO office of Kansas City moved to Denver in April of this year, the city was overjoyed. “This move is recognition of Denver’s growing importance as an international city,” said Natalie Harden, Director of Public Policy and Economic Development. The move was in tandem with TECO’s 2015 Young Leaders Delegation – an event in which influential young professionals from around the U.S. are nominated and then selected to visit Taiwan in efforts to develop a good-will relationship with the States.

“Taiwan welcomes visitors to their country to celebrate its uniqueness,” Natalie states, and explained the goal of the trip was to strengthen the ties between Taiwan and the U.S.

Natalie joined the group of 12 public policy, economic, and business professionals, with the goal of exploring international trade opportunities for Colorado companies. Not shy of travel, Natalie has been to Germany, Spain, France, Hungary, Austria, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, and Taiwan was a great addition to her list of excursions. When we got a chance to discuss the trip with her, we couldn’t wait to gather all the details.

What was something that surprised you? I was taken aback by many things, but in a good way. There’s about 50% female participation in Taiwan’s Legislature – and that’s mandatory. There’s also a high percentage of females in business. That’s fantastic. The country is a democracy, and they’re very proud of that. It’s rare in Southeast Asia.

What were your days like? What were you doing? The trip was a lot of meetings! There were about 2-3 meetings in the morning, lunch, and then 2-3 meetings in the afternoon. These were held with political leaders, economists, trade policy specialists, and professors. There were numerous discussions about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Taiwan’s desire to be a part of it. Conversations about Taiwan’s industries were also big; what their labor markets look like, birth rates, the high percentage of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). Essentially we were trying to discover new business ventures between the U.S. and Taiwan.

What fascinating industry statistics. Yes, lots of surprises. They have a large amount of foreign direct investments in other countries. Small business is also a huge part of the culture. About 80% of businesses are 20 or fewer employees; 90% of the workforce is in small business. And the population is right around 28 million people.

Did conducting business in Taiwan feel similar to conducting it in the United States? There are definitely similarities and differences. Business is very polite and formal. When you hand someone your card, you bow a little. It’s a part of who you are, so the card is treated respectfully. I also received lots of gifts! Tea sets, business card holders, things of that nature. Gifts are a big part of conducting business.

You sounded very busy. Did you get a chance to do anything fun? Actually, yes! We went to the National Palace Museum. We ate all kinds of fun food, went to a night market, which was like a carnival-meets-street fair and it runs all year round. We visited the 9.2.1. Earthquake Museum, had a beautiful overnight getaway in Sunmoon Lake. We visited the Legislative Yuan, which is Taiwan’s Congress. It was amazing stuff. Oh, and I can’t fail to mention, we stayed in a 5-star hotel in Taipei. Taipei was a great city. A hustle and bustle. There were fleets of people on mopeds, bicyclists on the sidewalk, and the city was so clean. Spotless.

Did you visit the American Chamber of Commerce Taipei? Absolutely. It runs much like the South Metro Denver Chamber – lots of galas and events, lots of committees. They compiled an impressive magazine about doing business in Taiwan. There were Americans and Taiwanese working there. The chamber was truly fun to see.

The South Metro Denver Chamber considers it an honor that one of their employees represented south metro Denver as well as the state of Colorado. We are committed to our Global Commerce Initiative as well as increasing international opportunities for our members.

Horses have been the subject of the American sculptor’s work for more than 30 years. The exhibition is on view May 23 – October 18, 2015, and is included with admission. An exhibition catalogue will be released in the summer.

The majority of the sculptures in Deborah Butterfield are crafted of cast bronze, originally created in wood collected from locations around the world. Molds are made of each branch, the wood is burnt out and the cavity is filled with molten bronze. The bronze branches are welded together to erect the finished horse.

“Trees reflect their experiences in this world, serve as metaphors for our lives and help define the nature of each horse I build,” says Butterfield. “Because they are cast in bronze, even the most fragile and ephemeral branches become permanent, structural parts of my horses. The opportunity to have my sculptures interact with the varied landscapes and exhibits at the Gardens speaks poetically to my process.”

Since the late 1990s, cast bronze has been Butterfield’s material of choice, but the style and materials have evolved over the course of her career. She began working with plaster over a steel armature and by the mid1970s, she used natural materials such as mud, clay and sticks over a wire armature. In later work, Butterfield used found and industrial materials such as barbed wire, pipes and fencing.

Brian Vogt, Denver Botanic Gardens CEO, says, “The Butterfield horses provide a dynamic and organic complement to the Gardens’ varying landscapes and spark the imagination of the viewer. This is a year in which we are celebrating the Great Plains and similar steppe ecosystems around the world. There is no more iconic animal of the steppe than the horse.”

Butterfield divides her time between Montana and Hawaii. Her work is represented in more than 20 museum collections, including the Denver Art Museum (which is loaning three sculptures), Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Walker Art Center. The sculptures presented in Deborah Butterfield are on loan from the artist, museum collections, private collectors, galleries and universities around the country.

RELATED PROGRAMS (All ticket prices include admission to the Gardens.)
Broken: Horse-Riding Textiles
May 9 – August 9
This group exhibit presents weavings that developed as a result of horse culture and hold a special beauty and significance. The exhibit is on view in Gates Garden Court Gallery.
Deborah Butterfield Exhibition Tour
Every Sat and Sun, May 23 – Sep. 18, 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. | Sat and Sun, Sep. 19 – Oct. 18, 9 a.m. or 3 p.m.
$14, $7 member, includes Gardens admission
This one-hour, docent-led tour explores the artist’s inspiration, her artistic process and the role of horses in the West. Immerse yourself in artist Deborah Butterfield’s world of horses.
Deborah Butterfield Family Exhibition Tour
June 27 and 28; July 11, 19, 25 and 26; Aug. 16, 29 and 30; Sep.19 and 20, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
$26 adult/child combo, $14 member combo, $7-$13 additional person.
Embark on a journey of art and nature with the whole family to explore the Deborah Butterfield: The Nature of Horses exhibition. Geared toward children (ages 4-12), the guided exploration provides opportunities for families to experience art in an inspiring and active way.
Curator Conversation: Deborah Butterfield
Thursday, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13 and Sep. 10, 9-10 a.m.
$17, $10 member
Explore Deborah Butterfield’s sculptures with the keen eye of a curator. This one-hour tour deepens the understanding of the artist, her artistic development and what went into developing the exhibit. Be prepared to walk away thinking about horses in a novel way.
Deborah Butterfield Artist Talk Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6-8 p.m.
$15, $10 member
Deborah Butterfield shares her inspiration and approach to making her horse sculptures. She is known for her incredible craftsmanship and creative use of materials, placing her among the most respected and acclaimed artists of her generation.
Homeschool Day: Deborah Butterfield Exhibition Exploration Monday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
$11 per child (includes one free adult per child); $6.50 additional person
Journey through art and nature as you engage in a garden-wide exploration of Deborah Butterfield exhibition. Learn how art engages with the natural world. Children make a fanciful art piece inspired by the Butterfield’s work. Homeschool Days offer families the opportunity to explore plant-based themes through a variety of hands-on activities, tours and take-home projects. Activities are designed for children ages five and up.

Hickenlooper spoke of the importance of imports, exports, and what they mean to Colorado’s economy. He also stressed the fact that imports can be a positive for Colorado businesses, allowing them to expand their capacity.

Canadian Consul General Marcy Grossman spoke about Canada and Colorado’s profitable trade relationship, including the extreme return on investment the state of Colorado has seen from such relations.

CSU Global President Becky Takeda-Tinker introduced Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, and the Mayor stressed the importance of connectivity – sharing goods, technology, and education proves for a collaborative and vibrant economy. TECO- Denver Director General Jack Yang made remarks about Taiwan and the importance of the TPP.

The program concluded with an introduction of all the Consular Corps representatives who attended, and final remarks from Doug Tisdale. Tisdale briefed the audience about what the Chambers’ global commerce initiative means:
“The South Metro Denver Chamber is positioning itself as the “Go To” Chamber in Colorado for international trade and global commerce, working to connect Colorado businesses with existing resources and new opportunities.  We approach this task in a collaborative manner with all of our strategic partners, including the Office of Economic Development and International Trade; World Trade Center Denver; US Export Assistance Center; Denver Metro Chamber.”

The Chamber is proud to have hosted this event at AMG National Trust Bank – the building was perfect for the occasion – winding staircases throughout, lion sculptures, antique furniture, and a gorgeous dome in the ballroom set the tone for the upscale evening. The Chamber would also like to thank its sponsors for this event: Co-presenting sponsors; MDC Richmond American Homes Corporation and Colorado State University Global Campus.

Photo Credit: Stevie Crecelius

As Andrew Watson, Chief Medical Director of Telemedicine at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, puts it “Telemedicine is moving like lightning. We’re able to do so much more than before.” Faster Internet connections and better software facilitate far smoother video chatting than in days past. With ubiquitous mobile devices, people can now access consultations from anywhere. And the advent of electronic health records has certainly increased the ease of going digital.

Additionally, telemedicine has expanded to include asynchronous messaging, which patients are increasingly more comfortable using and which truly allows doctors to better utilize their time. A single doctor can now advise many patients on routine issues, freeing up more time to focus in-person on trickier cases.

Most importantly, there is demand to harness the capabilities of these technological innovations. In the last few years, more and more patients have increasingly looked to retail pharmacies in their neighborhoods for routine healthcare services because it’s more convenient than visiting their doctor. The logical next step is that they won’t have to leave their homes at all.

About: Megan Canter, Telemedicine -
Megan Canter is the Telemedicine Director for HCA’s Continental Division, overseeing both the CO-DOC and WCTN Telemedicine Networks linking locations across four states. Under Mrs. Canter’s guidance, the telemedicine program more than doubled in two years, growing to 49 network partners and expanding service line offerings to include stroke, neurology, pediatric echos, and mental health.  More adult and pediatric service line expansion is expected in 2015 and beyond.

Mrs. Canter’s expertise in the industry, coupled with a dedication to providing personalized service to each network partner has earned her the reputation as the ‘go to’ person in the field. She has developed accepted best practices for telemedicine programs, seamlessly integrating top-of-the-line technology and physician specialists with local resources, which has resulted in a nationally recognized telemedicine program.  Among the keys to HCA’s largest and most robust Telemedicine Network’s success is Mrs. Canter’s dedication to her team and ensuring that each network partner is individually visited on a regular basis, allowing for ongoing feedback, concern resolution, support, and customized educational opportunities.  Strategic planning, business development, and relationship management have peppered Mrs. Canter’s career over a 20-year span. Her consultative approach to business fosters strategic and successful outcomes.  

Prior to HCA, Mrs. Canter owned a brokerage firm for eight years in the Denver area and was an industry Board Director where she worked to develop and implement statewide licensing and training standards.  She also owned a company S.H.I.E.L.D (Serve, Help, Integrate, Educate, Lead, Develop) whose purpose was to teach “uncommon common sense” to community members in such areas like financial planning, fitness, household green techniques, and healthcare resources for aging adult

The Economic Development Group (EDG) of the South Metro Denver Chamber hosted its monthly breakfast meeting this past Friday, June 12th at 7 AM at the Chamber. The host and MC for the morning was Doug Tisdale of the South Metro Chamber, EVP Economic Development. Presentations included Jeff Popiel, CEO of Geotech Environmental Equipment and Michael Maloney, CEO of Kota Longboards.

This courageousness is intrinsic to Kota Longboards’ culture, a lifestyle company that creates apparel, accessories, and   longboards crafted from Wisconson’s Hard Rock Maple wood. Kota is proud to manufacture their products right here in Colorado and consumers will find a “Made in USA” or “Made in Colorado” sticker on every longboard made.
Final words were from EDG Chair Norman Stucker, introduced by Chamber CEO Bob Golden. Norman proudly spoke of all the recent achievements of the Economic Development Group. Do not miss next month’s Women in Business Speaker Series meeting, in partner with the EDG, in which Shannon Block, CEO of the Denver Zoo, will be presenting. This breakfast will be on Friday, July 10th, at 7:30 AM.

A huge thanks to all of the EDG members who attended last week’s meeting and we look forward to seeing you next month!

Whistling Duck Furniture is celebrating its brand new location in Centennial and we are delighted to welcome them to the neighborhood! Do not miss this exciting red ribbon cutting to commence their new home on Thursday, June 25th from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at 8262 University Blvd, Suite 135, Centennial, CO. This is a guaranteed good time – anticipate local craft brews and various food trucks, plus entertainment, and of course, network with your South Metro Chamber colleagues!

What can you expect when stepping into the store? The Whistling Duck has an array of handcrafted pieces to accentuate your home from the outside all the way in. Coffee tables, bedframes, shelves, benches, and bookcases all make the mix. Their niche: interior and exterior furniture, 100% handmade, and crafted with sustainable lumber.
The Whistling Duck not only has a unique name, but their business model is one-of-a-kind. Priding themselves on a unique culture, this store gives customers a huge amount of variety and versatility. They consider shoppers their friends– this means that your experience will feel comfortable. Every piece of furniture built comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Please visit www.whistlingduckfurniture.com for all things Whistling Duck. The South Metro Denver Chamber is happy to have a new neighbor and look forward to seeing you all on Thursday June 25th for this wonderful ribbon ceremony.

Transportation is one of the largest and most vital industries in the world. While most people know the large transportation providers like UPS and FedEx, there are hundreds of smaller companies brokering trucks and sending cargo on commercial airlines. More often than not, the airlines have been a dynamic asset to the expedited transportation industry, taking cargo from airport-to-airport right along with passenger luggage.
Due to several key factors, US domestic airline “belly cargo” capacity has decreased significantly in the last five years. The economic anemia that began in 2008 forced airlines to reconsider the use of wide-body aircraft domestically, which in turn affected the passenger load factor negatively as available seat miles (ASMs) increased relative to revenue passenger miles (RPMs).
The same was true for domestic air cargo between 2008 and 2013. Cargo load factors decreased as struggling companies failed to consume available ton kilometers. And while vast improvements in the efficiency of jet turbines have increased the ability of smaller aircraft to travel further, it is because of these factors that lead airlines to one conclusion: downgrading the size of aircraft used for domestic routes was critical, if not essential.
Like most industries, the cost of doing business has constrained budgets and airlines have had to re-evaluate costs and begin to downsize. This recent trend in downsizing has caught the attention of at lease one major publication. On April 15, 2015, the Wall Street Journal said, “U.S. airlines have been on a diet, shedding fat, double-aisle jets on many routes in favor of skinnier single-aisle planes. There’s hardly a wide-body in domestic skies anymore. The downsizing means fewer coach seats—and fewer cheap fares—available for travelers, as airlines emphasize higher-priced business- and first-class seats. And there are more flights on planes that many fliers consider less comfortable.”
This begs the question, is there any hope for future increases of domestic cargo capacity? While we don’t have a crystal ball, it is difficult to envision a resurgence of larger aircraft used for domestic routes. Airlines have figured out how to make more money with less. When companies reach new efficiencies through downsizing, they tend not to get fat again.
For the largest airlines, air cargo revenue represents only 1 – 5% of total revenue. There is a tremendous amount of infrastructure required for air cargo including a TSA 100% screening mandate, ramp and cargo handler union requirements, equipment, and personnel.
Union Pressure continues to lower the per piece maximum weight permitted on narrow-body aircraft. In addition, TSA screening requirements continue to force air carriers into new capital investments.
Ultimately, airlines are asking themselves whether the investment is worth the 1-5% return. In fact, in 2013 Frontier Airlines, a well-respected domestic air cargo carrier discontinued its air cargo service. Whether or not larger airlines will follow in Frontier’s footsteps is difficult to know. During CAP Logistics’ recent annual meetings with several mid-level airline managers, we were told that domestic air cargo is not a part of the larger strategic plan.
With respect to the long-term viability of current Midwest air routing, there are some other considerations that should be paid. The overall decrease in available air capacity magnifies delays and cancellations. Backlogged cargo compounds, and can take days to clear up when a severe event occurs.
While airlines continue to downsize, business will continue to operate and transportation will still be a necessity, especially expedited services. So how complicated have businesses next day availability matrix become? What options are available for the customers who need shipments larger than 300 lbs. overnight? Are customer’s tired or paying for dedicated transportation for those shipments? Are domestic all-cargo carriers a solution? Our experience is that all suffer from the telltale signs of coercive monopolies: there are no incentives to keep prices low, and poor service is met with an unapologetic response.

by Vicki Hildner, Chris Casey, Kyla White and Courtney Harrell

The Liniger Building at CU South Denver is many things to many people, as Lisa Douglas, vice-chancellor of CU South Denver, would be the first to acknowledge.

“With the launch of CU South Denver in fall 2014, we continue our commitment to quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, K-12 education programs and special and seasonal events and activities for children, adults and families,” Douglas said. “These services align with Colorado's evolving demographics and workforce needs.”
Join us for a day in the life of CU South Denver. You may be surprised to find out what’s going on every day!

9:00 Archery
It’s another typical morning at CU South Denver. On an exterior veranda of the Liniger Building, a line of archers straddles the shooting line, bows at the ready. A few arrows are scattered on the ground just short of their goal, and more arrows fly through the air towards a bull’s-eye 10 yards away. A Kevlar curtain hangs at the back of the veranda to catch any errant bolts.
Twelve-year-old Analee is one of 15 participants of all ages taking this morning’s Archery II class, and she has her eye glued on the target. A graduate of Archery I, she already knows the safety rules and how to hold the bow for that perfect shot. She waits for the whistle command from a certified archery instructor to pick up her bow—two blasts. Then, with three fingers, she pulls back the string, “painting her face” with her fingers until the string stretches to the corner of her mouth. She ensures her left elbow is rotated to avoid the drawstring when she releases it and holds perfectly still. Then comes a single blast from the whistle—the command to shoot. Her arrow soars across the room and hits the target.
“It was really cool because I had never done anything like archery before,” Analee says. “It was really fun to learn something new!”
Archery is just one of many outdoor programs offered at CU South Denver. You can also learn Global Positioning Systems, survival skills, fishing and many more outdoor skills. For aspiring Olympic archers, there’s Archery III. But, for now, Analee is happy with her current archery progress. Archery, she says, is a great hobby “you can do whenever you’re bored,” but you’re never going to be bored at CU South Denver.
 
9:00 Donor Alliance Breakfast in the Great Hall
The tables are set—for 125—in the 8,400-square-foot Great Hall, waiting for the first event of the day. The Donor Alliance chose the Liniger Building as a good place to thank volunteers for their hard work throughout a landmark year of tissue donation and organ transplantation.
“We liked the room because it was both cozy and elegant and had everything we wanted,” said Ashlee Anderson, volunteer and special events coordinator for the Donor Alliance. “There’s a stage, a nice breakfast, and most important, our volunteers can enjoy the whole museum after our event ends. It’s a reward for them!”
As the guests stream in, stopping for their VIP “photo ops” at the front door, CU South Denver’s events and catering team, led by Manager Greg Horgan and a busy coterie of servers and supervisors, is putting the final touches on the Valentine’s Day-themed room and bringing out a breakfast of bacon, eggs, croissants, muffins and fruits. For this team, 125 is a relatively small group—they can serve up to 500 for weddings, mitzvahs, fundraisers, award ceremonies, meetings and even proms. The Liniger Building boasts five unique event spaces which can accommodate groups of 10 to 2,000.
“Our executive chef, Paul Huddleson, develops a creative menu for each event,” said Samantha Moreno, director of business operations “He works with clients to make sure the menu is customized to fit the theme of their event.”
Lisa Vallejos and her 8-year-old son Gabriel have plenty to celebrate at this annual event. Gabriel was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and had a heart transplant when he was 13 days old. Today, they feel like they have come home.
“We used to come here every week because we love the exhibits,” Vallejos said. “It’s wonderful because parking is free and never an issue.”
Ashlee Anderson wore a relaxed smile throughout the morning, as she greeted volunteers with hugs. “The whole event was so easy to put together, communication was great, and best of all, there were no surprises!”

10:00 Globeology
Shea Gaiko and her brother, Stash, have a day off from school, so they are cashing in on a Christmas present from their grandmother, Pam Livingston—a trip to the Liniger Building at CU South Denver with all it has to offer. They start at the museum’s Globeology exhibit, a favorite from previous visits.
“You get to learn about different animals and cultures and go exploring,” Shea said.
The young students know their favorite part of Globeology is the first exhibit on the tour, Science on a Sphere, a huge interior-lit globe of the world with interactive information about Earth system dynamics.
“It looks like it’s floating,” Stosh said. “But I think it’s hanging by something—maybe a string?”
Their grandmother points out Nassau on the globe.
“I used to live there,” she told her grandchildren. “There are flamingos all over in Nassau. Do you know why flamingos are pink?”
Shea and Stash are stumped.
“Because they eat shrimp,” their grandmother explained.
From Science on a Sphere, the group move into a tour of eight biomes around the world, starting with the rainforest where a howler money perched in the trees calls out to them and a pileated woodpecker rhythmically pecks at a tree. The children grab cardboard guides that will direct them on a self-guided scavenger hunt. They stop at interactive kiosks to learn more about animals with multiple choice questions.
“Our education team does a wonderful job with our programs,” Moreno said. “They coordinate them with child education standards for the state.”
As they pass through Globeology, coming face-to-face with bears, deer, polar bears, birds and an elephant, Shea and Stash keep their eyes open.
“Look in the darkest corners,” their grandmother advises. “That’s where the snakes are.”

11:00 Pandas: The Journey Home 3D
As the lights dim, 3-year-old Bridger, his 6-year-old sister, Salem, and their mother, Kiersten Sherman, settle into comfortable theater seats, pull on their 3-D glasses, and prepare for a trip around the world to the Wolong Panda Center in China, popcorn and soda in hand.
They are transported from a cold winter day in Colorado to a bamboo-filled panda preserve courtesy of the huge 60-by-45 foot screen and digital surround sound. With RealD 3D Technology, the two children feel like they are playing with pandas. This is not vertigo-inducing 3-D; it’s gentle and fun.
“Coming to our theater allows people to have a shared experience,” said Moreno. “You might be able to watch a movie at home on your computer, but you will have a wonderful experience when you watch a movie on our impressive theater screen.”
The theater is absolutely silent as viewers watch pandas bred in captivity reintroduced to the wild. They meet Tao Tao, “the most famous panda in China,” and see him released into a bamboo forest to begin his adventure “living wild.” The audience laughs, watching Chinese panda curators don black-and-white panda suits to help their wards acclimate to the wild and then return home, still in their suits, but with their panda heads under their arms.
When it’s over, Salem shares what she has learned. “Baby pandas are pink, not black and white.”
Her mom is already planning another trip to the theater. “It’s a lot easier to get a three-year-old to sit through 40 minutes than it is to get him to sit through two hours,” said Sherman, laughing as Bridger dashes around the theater lobby.

12:30 General Cell Biology
After going through the process of glycolysis with her class, Laurel Beck, PhD, faculty in the CU Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, begins to talk about fermentation. Beck writes information on her computer which projects onto a large screen at the front of the room. The dozen students in the General Cell Biology class take notes and occasionally ask questions.
"Fermentation is a cell's way of making sure that even when no oxygen is present ... at least it can continue to go through glycolysis," Beck explains. "That will allow the cell to make a few molecules of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) until more oxygen is available."
The clock ticks to 1:45 p.m., signaling the end of the class. "We'll finish fermentation the next time," Beck says as students close their computers and notebooks.
Just as a cell's life is marked by dividing and growing, the unique academic ecosystem that is CU South Denver is evolving and growing to serve the South Denver community. Joann Brennan, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, said her primary duties are to provide academic leadership and oversight, outreach to identify academic opportunities and to build collaborations. A big part of that effort involves partnering with local business and industry—of Colorado's nine Fortune 500 companies, seven are located in South Denver. "CU can prepare the innovative, educated workforce that is needed," Brennan says.
"CU South Denver is a hub for collaboration," Brennan says. "We have the whole life cycle of students here—traditional college-age students, adult working professionals, even K-12. We could offer a full spectrum of educational programs here. It's all about the students."
In many ways, CU South Denver is a startup. "One of the keys to our success will be careful attention to inclusivity, transparency and communication," Brennan says. "We are working with CU schools and colleges to support and identify opportunities for innovative programs to thrive."
"The key industrial sectors here—bioscience, aviation and aerospace, broadcasting and telecommunications, energy, engineering services, information technology and communication, health care and financial services—represent extraordinary opportunities for us to build and create programs,” Brennan says. "In addition, the growing south Denver population will need CU expertise for the growth of K-12 education and arts and culture programming to enhance quality of life."
Just as energy is released in glycolysis, creative thinking and academic innovation are the byproducts of CU South Denver's collaborative hub.
 
11:30 The Wildlife Experience Art Gallery
“Do we have any sculptors or painters in the group?” asks Volunteer Docent Debbie Zelkowitz.
A few hands shoot up from the group of seniors seated in wheelchairs or in their walker chairs. These residents of the Gardens at Columbine, an assisted-living facility in Littleton, are on a field trip to The Wildlife Experience Art Gallery where they are surrounded by a permanent art collection of marvelous images and sculptures of animals in the wild.
“We have a variety of groups coming to the Liniger Building for field trips,” Moreno said, “including public, private and charter school groups, day care groups, and even birthday parties.”
Zelkowitz turns the discussion from the art to the animals with a question.
“How do you tell the difference between a leopard and a jaguar?” That leads to a discussion of mountain lions and their strong hind legs and that leads to a discussion of lions.
“Why do lionesses do most of the hunting for the pride?” Zelkowitz asks the group.
“Because they are better at sharing?” ventures one visitor.
“Not exactly,” answers Zelkowitz, who continues with a discussion of the hunting habits of lions.
Then, the veteran docent walks around with a leopard skin for everyone to touch.
”It’s soft,” observes 93-year-old Marie Rugg. “I used to have an ocelot coat.”
When the presentation ends, Rugg propels her walker (with a horn shaped like a pig) to the next part of the tour. “This place is fascinating,” she says. “I’m interested in everything. Do you think they would let me skip lunch and walk around some more?”

1:00 Coral Fish Feeding
When it comes time to feed the fish in the coral reef section of Globeology, the place is packed with school groups. Docent Carl Jamison, a retired engineer with more than 2,800 hours of volunteer service, remains unfazed by the crowds of students as he introduces them to the fish in terms they will understand.
“This is the Hollywood tank,” Jamison says. “Do you see Dory from ’Finding Nemo?’ She’s the blue tang.”
“There’s the lionfish. Do not touch it. It will sting you! And it’s not the smartest fish in the tank.”
“What’s that big one? It’s a batfish. Batman is not real, but batfish is, so call him if you get into trouble!”
“Remember, the sea urchins are also venomous. And there’s the triggerfish. It’s the state fish of Hawaii. Do you know what its name is in Hawaii?”
No one in the group knows, but Jamison does.
“Its real name is ‘humuhumunukunukuapua’a’,” Jamison says. The students are impressed.
Then, finally, what everyone is waiting for—the fish feeding. Jamison’s disembodied hand floats in from the top of the tank.
“Oh,” says one student. “Did you see the lionfish just eat that krill!”
Jamison just keeps on feeding, as a shrimp walks up his arm.

4:30 Principal Licensure class
The dozen students in the Principal Licensure class from the CU Denver School of Education & Human Development enjoy a lively discussion with lecturer Tera Helmon, PhD, executive director of elementary education in the Cherry Creek School District. She tells them about what went into a recent process of hiring a new principal for a school in her district. Helmon led a panel that interviewed six finalists for the position.
Helmon also shares amusing insight into what it's like to be a school principal, as most of the class is made up of current teachers. She tells them that the adventures of the job would easily fill a book.
"Nobody will believe that it's nonfiction—the crazier it sounds, the truer it is," Helmon says. "When you make any decision, you always have to think of the multiple perspectives and who it will affect. It will affect that one constituent group times 10. It will always have a ripple effect."
Helmon and the class continue on in a conversational style, with students asking questions and occasionally offering anecdotes from their own careers in education.
Helmon is a guest lecturer today in Rod Blunck's Principal Licensure class. Blunck, Ed.D., associate clinical professor, says he enjoys the "excellent facility" of the Liniger Building at CU South Denver and working with Maureen Durkin, assistant vice chancellor for program operations, in getting the class up and running. "Maureen has been a great asset and partner in our transition to having a presence in the southern metro area," Blunck says.
Durkin manages the operational side of the facility, overseeing the implementation of academic programs and student services. She collaborates with Brennan on academic program building and business and community development. Already today, Durkin and Brennan attended a Rotary-sponsored State of the Town meeting in Parker. The two are networking to build bridges between community partners and CU colleges and schools. Both are finding it exciting to help shape the strategic vision for CU South Denver.
Five colleges and schools from CU Denver and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus  were active at CU South Denver from the beginning. "Those initial five are continuing to grow their programs here, and three additional CU Denver schools began course offerings this spring," Durkin says. "CU Colorado Springs and CU Boulder have held one-day continuing education programs here, and CU Boulder will be offering a variety of classes and programs this summer. Interest in the location is growing."
CU South Denver will soon begin a second round of renovations that will add classroom space by fall, a new faculty landing zone, a renovated cafe and additional study spaces and comfortable areas for students. "The Liniger Building is an extraordinary facility for education as well as arts and culture programming," says Brennan. Adds Durkin, "We want students, faculty and all building patrons to feel welcome here. The additional renovations are an exciting development."
Harnessing all the expertise in the CU system to serve the dynamic academic needs of the South Denver community while also fueling the wider Colorado economy is an exciting—and achievable—endeavor.
Durkin and Brennan see CU South Denver as a place to bring together world-class CU expertise with the growing South Denver business community in a unique education and arts and culture facility. "What makes it such an interesting journey is working with multiple engaged groups—leaders in the business and education communities, CU faculty, staff, students, academic leaders, administrators—all invested in realizing our potential," Brennan says.

7:00 Movie and a Martini
Overheard, as people checked in for Movie and a Martini:
“Happy to see these movies are continuing.”
“We’re here for girl’s night!”
“She wanted to go downtown [for Valentine’s Day], and I thought this sounded like more fun.”
“We’re here celebrating our third anniversary.”
CU South Denver’s popular movie series, Movie and a Martini, continued in 2015, starting with “The Notebook.”
Before the feature presentation, couples and groups of friends drank cocktails like “Mob Passion” (Twenty Grand Rosé, passion fruit juice and champagne) and savored hors d’oeuvres including individual lasagnas, stuffed artichoke bottoms and caprese salad skewers.  For dessert, guests enjoyed chocolate- dipped fresh fruit.
Guests strolled through the museum, sipping their drinks as they checked out the newest exhibits. Then, they grabbed their popcorn settled into comfortable theater seats to watch the feature presentation.
Coming soon to Movie and Martini—“One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Jaws” and “Bridesmaids” (wear your cringe-worthy bridesmaid dress, and you may win a prize.)
Editor’s Note:  A Day in the Life of CU South Denver does not present a literal single day. It is, instead, a compilation of the many activities happening on any given day of the year.
For more information about CU South Denver visit, http://www.ucdenver.edu/pages/ucdwelcomepage.aspx