Adding an extraterrestrial theme to the proposed new National Western Stock Show complex and Gaylord Entertainment’s western-themed hotel would create an exciting new economic engine for Denver. Consider these simple facts:

1. Kids love “aliens”, as all parents know

2. There are now many more extraterrestrial themed movies and television shows than cowboy shows airing

3. In June, legendary film directors Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard will release blockbuster movies on the extraterrestrial theme. Spielberg’s is “Super 8” and Howard’s is “Cowboys and Aliens”.

4. Steven Spielberg was a co-founder of DreamWorks

5. Gaylord Entertainment just announced a partnership with DreamWorks

6. According to a Reuters-Ipsos poll in April 2011 done with 23,000 adults in 22 countries, 20% “believe that aliens walk among us disguised as humans.”  

7. Over 31,100 Denver voters supported the November 2010 ballot initiative to create an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission.

The solution is obvious. Denver should work with Gaylord Entertainment and the National Western Stock Show to incorporate an extraterrestrial- themed attraction. Then another partner could build a hotel on Denver’s side of the county line. A future stage of expansion would be a spaceport nearby like the one Richard Branson is building in New Mexico. Then there is the opportunity to establish an advanced technology park to exploit extraterrestrial technologies. To some extent this has already been done for decades by the private sector as revealed by high level whistle-blowers formerly with the military and government contractors.

Millions of people have visited Washington, D.C.’s National Air and Space Museum. One of the most popular features is the moon rock that they have touched. An exhibit or cultural facility featuring pieces of advanced technology from extraterrestrial cultures would be an overnight and perpetual sensation.

There are verified pieces of physical evidence from civilizations outside of our solar system and galaxy. Some are in the hands of private citizens in the U.S. There are hundreds of hours of related eye-witness testimony, photos, videotapes, and art work offering compelling evidence about these visitors. Ancient Aliens is the most popular program ever aired on the History Channel.

Kelly Brough of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce was quoted in the October 29, 2010, Wall Street Journal as saying “We are open for business to all other planets.” That is exactly the right kind of unbounded perspective that all stakeholders in economic development need to have.

Since the vote on Initiative 300 to create the Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission, four major conferences around the world have had presentations and discussions about extraterrestrial life. This is the most important discussion going on at the highest levels of science, business, government, and religion. Denver is poised to lead the world in that discussion and in economic development based on the extraterrestrial theme. It just takes an open mind and thinking big. Denver’s political leaders need to seize the opportunity and not act like helpless victims.