Bennet Authored Amendment to Create to New Satellite Patent Offices – Led Efforts to Bring Office to Colorado
Expected to Bring Hundreds of Jobs and Millions in Economic Activity
Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement on news that the U.S. Department of Commerce will open a new U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in the Denver metro region. The formal announcement is expected to come Monday.
“This is a well-deserved victory for the state of Colorado,” said Bennet. “This tremendous news affirms what we already know about our state – that we are leaders in innovation, technological development, and economic growth. The new office will provide a boost to the growing high-tech industries in Colorado, such as the bioscience, clean energy, and aerospace fields.
“The work to bring the patent office to Denver was a truly collaborative effort that included bipartisan support in government, the business community, academia and from local leaders across the state. In particular, patent attorney John Posthumus has worked tirelessly for years as one of the leaders to make this a reality. The patent office will anchor Colorado’s reputation as a leader in innovation and the 21st century economy and will benefit the state for many years to come.”
A report Posthumus, Bennet’s office, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, and the Colorado business community compiled included an economic study that estimates a satellite office in Denver would bring hundreds of direct jobs and even more indirect jobs, as well as lead to economic activity totaling $440 million over the first five years of operation.
The report was part of Bennet’s continued efforts to bring the patent office to Colorado. Last year, he secured an amendment, cosponsored by Colorado U.S. Senator Mark Udall, in the patent reform law that empowers the USPTO to establish three new satellite patent offices across the country over the next three years.
Over the past year, Bennet led several letters from the Colorado Delegation to President Obama, USPTO Director David Kappos, and Commerce Secretaries Gary Locke and John Bryson, urging them to consider Colorado for a job-creating satellite office. The efforts have also been supported by Colorado’s veterans community, multiple business leaders, and Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi.