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Amazon HQ2: Documents reveal Colorado addressed transportation, local incentives in pitch

Posted at 5:42 PM, Nov 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-14 20:35:03-05

DENVER -- From mountain views to the Denver city skyline, selecting a potential Amazon location isn’t just about good office views.

Denver7 and The Denver Post poured through more than 500 pages of public records to get a better idea of what the state submitted in its bid to win over Denver for Amazon’s new HQ2.

Documents reveal the questionnaires used by the state to essential grade possible locations.  

Among the questions:

  • The distance to DIA and nearby  
  • What kind of mass transit is available?
  • Is it accessible to pedestrians?

A map of cellular coverage is also part of the request.

While no specific dollar amounts are mentioned, hopefuls are asked about local incentives that can be offered in the HQ2 race.

Denver7 also discovered specific wording from Amazon about what it wants from a city.

"The project requires a compatible cultural and community environment for its long-term success,” the company wrote.

As with previous documents obtained by Denver7, education is a big part of the state's sales speech.

Letting Amazon know Colorado can ready a workforce for the future is a prime goal. Denver7 found lists of programs offered by Colorado schools and universities.  Among the offerings: Marine sciences, bartending and artificial intelligence.

The new trove of documents extrapolate on how involved Colorado’s education system is in the pitch to Amazon—something Denver7 and The Post first reported last week.

Beyond the educated work force, also included in the documents turned over last week were Photoshop mockups touting the quality of life in Colorado, economic forecasts, and transportation discussions.

The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation said Thursday it would release a redacted version of the proposal at a meeting scheduled for next Thursday.