Doing International Business in Colorado

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)

The Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) fosters a positive business climate that encourages quality economic development through financial and technical assistance provided in support of local and regional economic development activities throughout the State of Colorado.
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT

Colorado International Trade Office (within OEDIT)

The Colorado International Trade Office (ITO) was established by the Colorado General Assembly in 1983. It was given two goals:

• To promote the export of Colorado goods and services
• Attract foreign investment that will create jobs for Coloradans

By promoting Colorado exports and attracting foreign investment, the ITO helps to build Colorado's identity as an international business center, encouraging foreign buyers to look to Colorado for products and services. The ITO is open to the public and most services are rendered at no cost.
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1165009699722

Consular Corps of Colorado

The Colorado Consular Corps (CCC) represents foreign governments in the State of Colorado, including regular foreign service career posts and honorary appointments. There are 36 members of the organization. The CCC strives to increase cooperation and communication among its members; to increase awareness of foreign and international issues in Colorado and to provide information to Colorado residents about visas, laws, regulations, passport issues and more pertaining to each host country.

www.consularcorpscolorado.org
consularcorpscolorado@gmail.com

A helpful list of career and honorary consuls in Colorado can also be accessed at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade website.

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1167776067726

Local Resources for the promotion of International Trade

You can view a more complete list of local international trade resources at the Colorado International Trade Office’s website, click on “Useful Trade Links”.
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1166809844982

World Trade Center Denver
http://www.wtcdenver.com
Suite 680, World Trade Center
1625 Broadway
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 592-5760
Fax: (303) 592-5228

The World Trade Center Denver, which serves Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region, is a non-profit, membership organization that provides international programs and services for its members as well as the international business community. It also serves an international resource center for the region. As a member of the World Trade Centers Association headquartered in New York, the WTC-Denver is part of a worldwide network of nearly 300 World Trade Centers in 75 countries. Through cooperative relationships and support services, the World Trade Center Denver and its members can access the resources of the world's major trading centers for information, trade and business contacts and a wide variety of specialized international services.

Additionally, through the World Trade Center Denver's sister organization, the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center Institute, companies and individuals can participate in seminars on a variety of international trade topics, including the basics of importing and exporting, trade finance, cross-cultural communication, export compliance, and more.

Colorado Department of Agriculture
http://www.ag.state.co.us/
Markets Division
700 Kipling St. #4000
Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 239-4114
Fax: (303) 239-4125

The Colorado Department of Agriculture counsels new and active exporters of agricultural products and processed foods to develop and expand export activities.

Colorado Springs Office of International Affairs
George T. Boutin
Executive Director
2 N. Cascade Avenue, Suite 110
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 575 4314

The Colorado Springs Office of International Affairs develops and facilitates the implementation of a global strategic plan emphasizing trade, investment, tourism, international relationships, and other programs to increase community participation in global activities.

Small Business Development Center University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy.
P.O. Box 7150
Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7150
Phone: (719) 272-7232 X 105
Phone2: (719) 272-7232 X 101
Fax: (719) 262-3878
International Trade Volunteer: Lori Mills

The SBDC in Colorado Springs has a volunteer specializing in international trade issues to work with companies located in Colorado Springs.

U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC)
1625 Broadway, Suite 680
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 844-6622
Fax: (303) 844-5651

Export.gov is the U.S. government's exporting website portal, offering a global listing of trade events, international market research, and practical tools to help with every step of the export process. You can also link to the on-line Basic Guide to Exporting.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
http://www.sba.gov/
Dennis Chrisbaum
International Trade & Finance Officer
U.S. Export Assistance Center
1625 Broadway, Suite 680
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 844-5652
Fax: (303) 844-5651

The SBA's primary role is to encourage export trade financing through the banking system with the support of its Export Working Capital Guaranty Program (EWCP). Through this program, working capital up to $1 million is available for pre-shipment or post-shipment working capital needs. Financing may be used to support single export transactions or to establish revolving lines of credit. The proceeds also can be used to support stand-by letters of credit. In addition, long-term financing is available through the SBA's International Trade Loan program, for firms expanding facilities because of growing exports of for firms that have been adversely impacted by imports.

U.S. Customs Office - Importing
http://www.cbp.gov/
24735 E. 75th Ave, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80249
Phone: (303) 342-8400

The ITO does not provide assistance to importers, but Importing Into the U.S.: A Guide for Commercial Importers, is an excellent source of basic information on importing. This publication is available at the U.S. Government Bookstore in Denver, (303) 844-3964. For additional information on importing, contact the Denver U.S. Customs Office and ask to speak with an import specialist.

Australian Trade Commission
The Australian Trade Commission promotes Australian exports to the U.S. and other markets.

Colorado Springs
Tel: (719) 579 5882
Fax: (719) 579 5882
Tel: 13 28 78 (Australia only)
Email: info@austrade.gov.au

Denver
Tel: (303) 456 2990
Fax: (720) 898 9452
Tel: 13 28 78 (Australia only)
Email: info@austrade.gov.au

Alliance Franaise de Denver
Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership
Chamber of the Americas
Colorado Asian Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Springs Global Advisory Council
French-American Chamber of Commerce in Denver
German-American Chamber of Commerce in Denver
Japan America Society of Colorado
Japan America Society of Southern Colorado
Russian-American Chamber of Commerce in Denver
Swedish American Chamber of Commerce of Colorado

Federal Resources

U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC)
1625 Broadway, Suite 680
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 844-6622
Fax: (303) 844-5651

Export.gov is the U.S. government's exporting website portal, offering a global listing of trade events, international market research, and practical tools to help with every step of the export process. You can also link to the on-line Basic Guide to Exporting.
http://www.unzco.com/basicguide/

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Dennis Chrisbaum
International Trade & Finance Officer
U.S. Export Assistance Center
1625 Broadway, Suite 680
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 844-5652
Fax: (303) 844-5651

The SBA's primary role is to encourage export trade financing through the banking system with the support of its Export Working Capital Guaranty Program (EWCP). Through this program, working capital up to $1 million is available for pre-shipment or post-shipment working capital needs. Financing may be used to support single export transactions or to establish revolving lines of credit. The proceeds also can be used to support stand-by letters of credit. In addition, long-term financing is available through the SBA's International Trade Loan program, for firms expanding facilities because of growing exports of for firms that have been adversely impacted by imports.

Business.gov
Business.gov is the official business link to the U.S. Government, and is managed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in a partnership with 21 other federal agencies. This partnership, known as Business Gateway, is a Presidential E-government initiative that provides a single access point to government services and information to help the nation's businesses with their operations. This website helps businesses to save time and money spent on regulatory compliance by providing quick and easy access to business laws, government regulations, forms and agency contacts.

U.S. Customs Office - Importing
24735 E. 75th Ave, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80249
Phone: (303) 342-8400

The ITO does not provide assistance to importers, but Importing Into the U.S.: A Guide for Commercial Importers, is an excellent source of basic information on importing. This publication is available at the U.S. Government Bookstore in Denver, (303) 844-3964. For additional information on importing, contact the Denver U.S. Customs Office and ask to speak with an import specialist.

Bureau of Industry & Security (formerly Bureau of Export Administration)
Western Regional Office
3300 Irvine Ave, Suite 345
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (714) 660-0144
Fax: (714) 660-9347

Washington, D.C. office
14th St. & Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Tel: (202) 482-4811
Fax: (202) 482-3617

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) regulates the export of sensitive goods and technologies (so-called 'dual use' items that may have both commercial and military or proliferation applications) and enforcing export control regulations.

Lists to Check
Export Administration Regulation Database

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.

Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank)
Joe Ringer (Regional representative for Colorado)
Senior Business Development Officer
1880 S. Dairy Ashford, II, Ste. 585
Houston, TX 77077
Phone: (281)-721-0467
Fax: (281)-679-0156

Ex-Im Bank is the official export credit agency of the U.S. Government. We have programs for all sizes of companies which export U.S. manufactured products and/or services rendered by U.S. personnel. For small and mid-size companies, working with their lender, we can provide a 90% export working capital guarantee (WCG) to allow the exporter to manufacture or buy products for export (services companies can also apply). We also offer to all exporters short, medium, and long term post-export programs which allow them to sell on extended payment terms to approved foreign buyers in countries Ex-Im Bank is open for business. The working capital program can be used in conjunction with any of our post-export programs. For exporters of capital equipment, new or used, we offer foreign buyer financing. Special programs/enhancements exist for exporters of environmental products/services.

U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau is the nation's source for data on populations, economics, and trade statistics. The following information can be found through the Census website:

Foreign Trade Statistics (provided by the U.S. Census Bureau)
Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) Instructions
Schedule B Export Codes

OFAC - Office of Foreign Assets Control
The Office of Foreign Assets Control ('OFAC') of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. OFAC acts under Presidential wartime and national emergency powers, as well as authority granted by specific legislation, to impose controls on transactions and freeze foreign assets under US jurisdiction.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a development agency of the U.S. government. OPIC helps U.S. businesses invest overseas by providing political risk insurance, and financing through direct loans and loan guaranties. It offers streamlined processing for small companies through the OPIC Small Business Center. OPIC-assisted projects may also provide export markets for U.S.-based suppliers.

Trade Compliance Center
The Trade Compliance Center (TCC), in the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, is the U.S. Government's focal point for monitoring foreign compliance with trade agreements to see that U.S. firms and workers get the maximum benefits from these agreements. The TCC is your one-stop shop for getting U.S. government assistance in resolving the trade barriers or unfair situations you encounter in foreign markets.

International Trade Administration , Trade Information Center
The Trade Information Center (TIC) is a comprehensive resource for information on all U.S. Federal Government export assistance programs. The Center is operated by the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce for the 20 federal agencies comprising the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC). These agencies are responsible for managing the U.S. Government's export promotion programs and activities.
Phone: 1-800-USA-TRADE

U.S. State Department
The Department of State is the lead US foreign affairs agency, and the Secretary of State is the President's principal foreign policy adviser. The Department advances US objectives and interests in shaping a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. The State Department website also provides critical travel information and advisories for U.S. citizens/residents traveling abroad.

USAID
The USAID has been the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. USAID supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade, global health, democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.

USTDA - U.S. Trade Development Administration
USTDA's mission is to advance economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. To this end, the agency funds various forms of technical assistance, investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.

USTR - U.S. Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is an agency of over 200 people, a highly committed group of professionals who have decades of specialized experience in trade issues and regions of the world. They negotiate directly with foreign governments to create trade agreements, resolve disputes and participate in global trade policy organizations. They also meet with governments, business groups, legislators and public interest groups to gather input on trade issues and explain the President's trade policy positions.

CIA World Fact Book

National

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and AmCham Directory
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. It includes hundreds of associations, thousands of local chambers, and more than 100 American Chambers of Commerce in 91 countries (AmChams). AmChams advance the interests of American business overseas. They are voluntary associations of American companies and individuals doing business in a particular country, as well as firms and individuals of that country who operate in the United States.