Bioscience sector eyes new funding A Denver conference focuses on ways to strengthen the state's bioscience industry.

BYLINE: Kimberly S. Johnson Denver Post Staff Writer

Colorado's higher-education institutions can no longer solely rely on the state for funding if they want to continue to churn out graduates and researchers qualified to grow Colorado's bioscience sector.

That was a theme echoed by university officials and industry leaders Tuesday at the Colorado Biz/Bio conference in Denver.

"We have to identify other funding models for higher education," said G.P. "Bud" Peterson, chancellor of the University of Colorado at Boulder. "We can't continue this way if we are to be successful."

More than 275 members of the bioscience, economic-development, academic and political communities were on hand at the Denver Athletic Club to hear panel discussions about the state's bioscience industry and strategies on how to strengthen it.

The bioscience industry is one of five sectors identified by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce as poised for growth and attraction of new companies to the state.

Although Colorado State University has seen its federal research dollars grow 10 percent year over year, more must be done to facilitate the transfer of that research to private enterprise, CSU president Larry Penley said.

"What we haven't done a good job of is focus on the speed to the marketplace," he said, adding that the university is creating so-called "superclusters" intended to drive innovation in certain sectors based on a collaboration across school departments and outside businesses.

"CSU needs to find a long- term solution to the future. If we don't, we doom the economic prosperity of this state," he said.

State Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, said it's difficult for the legislature to grant institutions additional funding because of "initiatives we have in place," such as TABOR, which restricts how tax dollars are used. He said state schools must educate residents about the schools' financial needs so residents can take action at the voting booth.

He pointed to the passage of Amendment 23, which allocated more money to K-12 schools, as an example.

"Maybe we need Amendment 33. ... Higher ed has to build its case the way K-12 did," he said.

Colorado is in the middle of the pack when it comes to bioscience, according to Jim Bruce, president of Business Facility Planning Consulting LLC, an Atlanta firm that assists companies in identifying prime locations for new and expanding facilities.

"We see Colorado as being respectfully in the center," Bruce said. "It also ranks well in getting universities to work well together."

However, he said clients have expressed concerns about Colorado when it comes to the permitting process, saying it takes too long for companies to obtain necessary permits.

"Clients are not concerned about dealing with tough (permitting) laws as long as they know in advance," Bruce said.

Lakewood-based Gambro BCT is an example of a mature bioscience company that is feeding the economic engine of the state.

The company makes medical devices and technology used in separating and refining blood. The company, which went private last year, paid $700,000 to the state in taxes and has invested a total of $122 million in Lakewood, said president and chief executive David Perez.

Staff writer Kimberly S. Johnson can be reached at kjohnson@denverpost.com or 303-954-1088.