Denver, Colorado — The Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce has named DRCOG’s Dr. Florine “Flo” Raitano as one of Colorado’s 25 most powerful women in business.

“Flo is a dynamic, forward-thinking leader who’s always seeking innovative ways to advance the region,” said DRCOG Executive Director Douglas W. Rex. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Flo.”

The award recognizes the accomplishments and positive effect women leaders have made in the business world.

Raitano said she is “humbled-both with the award but also knowing I have friends who hold me in high enough regard to make the nomination.”
As the director of partnership development and innovation for the Denver Regional Council of Governments, Raitano often collaborates on regionwide projects with representatives of the 58 cities, towns and counties in the DRCOG region.

Most recently Raitano has spearheaded the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The strategy is the first regionwide economic development strategy, promoting regional cooperation on economic issues extending beyond jurisdictional boundaries.

“The importance of the CEDS is that it is a tool to facilitate partnerships aimed at making the region’s economy stronger, equitable and more balanced,” Raitano said. “The importance of developing a (comprehensive economic strategy) and having it accepted by the EDA, which ours has been, is that it opens up new avenues of funding, not just for our member local governments, but also in the bigger picture.  Having an approved CEDS in place, while not the sole determining factor, was an element in helping the region secure the Quantum Tech hub designation and the hundreds of millions of dollars that will flow to the region from the designation.”

Raitano, who was twice elected mayor of Dillon, has extensive experience in local government. She previously served as DRCOG’s special projects manager, during which she worked on its Sustainable Communities Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Raitano also served as the first executive director of the Colorado Rural Development Council. In 2007, former Gov. Bill Ritter appointed Raitano to the Technical Advisory Committee for the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation, Finance and Implementation.

After decades in public service, Dr. Raitano said the most rewarding aspect is helping to improve lives.

“Knowing that my efforts, in some small way, have made a difference, a good difference in the lives of real people, whether they are residents of a small rural community or one of our inner-city neighborhoods,” Raitano said. “It’s people and relationships that matter and helping empower them to achieve their highest and best self and life.”

The Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business Gala will be hosted at Seawell Ballroom on Thursday, August 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce website.

The annual event profiles powerful and impactful women in Colorado and the work they are doing to advance and promote other women leaders. Winners are selected by past Top-25-honorees based on four criteria: civic and community engagement, proven leadership, passion for the promotion of women in business and perseverance.