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Colorado’s Gov. Hickenlooper loses his weekend as he departs for trade mission to Cuba

By Peter Marcus 02/03/2017 | updated 9 years ago

Poor Gov. John Hickenlooper left for Cuba on Thursday for a weekend business trip in which he will “lay the groundwork for cultural and economic exchange” given the potential for new opportunities.

“Taking a weekend out of town was not my idea, was not where I wanted to go,” the governor said informally at a meeting with reporters this week.

“I’m sick of traveling,” Hickenlooper added, to the gasps of friendly reporters, who seemed to have dreams in their heads of rum cocktails with little umbrellas.

“It’s nice, and I’m sure it’s an interesting thing to go to, but it’s hard to get to,” the governor continued.

Hickenlooper left for Cuba amid newly restored relations, though uncertainty exists, as President Trump has threatened to roll back much of the progress.

President Obama and Cuba’s president, Raul Castro, began talks to ease an embargo and improve diplomacy in December 2014. As a result, more Americans have been able to visit the once-off-limits island.

It makes sense that Hickenlooper is viewing the trip as strictly business. At the top of his list is discussing how to connect Colorado’s vibrant tourism industry with Cuba for activities such as biking and fishing tours.

“When we have some of the top companies and firms in that niche of the tourism industry … I probably should have gone six months ago. I was just too busy,” Hickenlooper said.

He added that the event was organized by Biennial of the Americas, an organization that aims too connect people in Denver with North, South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Hickenlooper said he hopes to build a relationship, which could also include developing new markets for Colorado farms and ranches.

“How do we begin to foster trade in different parts of the world?” Hickenlooper asked.

“It’s hard to predict what Cuba’s government is going to evolve to. A lot of people feel that more exposure to private-sector incentives and to a more open form of government will help move Cuba in the right direction.”

Peter Marcus

Reporter

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