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Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper spoke to Kellogg students at an event hosted by the Public Policy Club and the Kellogg Public Private Initiative.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper

Brewhaus to statehouse

Colorado governor and former brewpub owner John Hickenlooper talks business and government at Kellogg

By Paul Dailing

10/22/2013 - A road trip to visit his brother in 1986 would eventually make John Hickenlooper the governor of Colorado.

Hickenlooper's brother showed the recently laid-off geologist a then-new innovation called a brewpub, a restaurant that brewed its own beer. After two years and 33 loan rejections, Hickenlooper opened his own brewpub in Denver, getting a crash course in entrepreneurship, collaboration and other business lessons he would eventually take into the public sector.

"He is a successful entrepreneur, an effective manager and a self-made leader in both business and politics," said Kellogg Public Policy Club President David Frucher '14. "He also has a unique ability to articulate where and how those two worlds intersect, and why it is important for future business leaders to care about public policy."

Hickenlooper recounted his journey from beer to the body politic to Kellogg students Thursday, Oct. 17. The event was hosted by the Public Policy Club and the Kellogg Public Private Initiative.

Hickenlooper on Entrepreneurship:



Hickenlooper on Collaborating with Competitors:



Hickenlooper on Democracy and Soft Drinks:



Hickenlooper on Why Government Needs MBAs: