Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 1:33:25 PM - by Nate Lew

Three winners from the Cleantech Open's Rocky Mountain region were announced in Denver on Tuesday.

The Cleantech Open, billed as the world's largest cleantech competition, has worked to develop clean technology startups since its inception in 2006. At the Rocky Mountain regional awards ceremony, Denver mayor John Hickenlooper cited "innovative [cleantech] companies" for "protecting our quality of life and preserving America's natural wonders."

The first Rocky Mountain winner is SunTrac Solar of Golden, Colorado, manufacturer of a solar hot water system whose panels follow the sun across the sky. The installation can cut utility costs by 80 percent and heat water up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another regional winner, based in Boulder, is New Sky Energy. Its manufacturing process captures carbon dioxide in feedstock like soda ash and limestone, used in glass, building materials and other products.

Finally, there is Missoula, Montana-based Rivertop Renewables. Rivertop makes chemicals from plant sugars, ensuring that they are both sustainable and safe to use.

SunTrac CEO Bill Lowstuter called the experience "an amazing journey of learning and growing."

The three Rocky Mountain finalists will face companies from California and the Pacific Northwest at the Cleantech Open Awards Gala, to be held on November 17.