Model of Submarine Presented to Governor
Commander Reed Koepp, Commanding Officer of USS Colorado (SSN 788), and his wife Aimee, visited Colorado from July 17th through the 20th. The main purpose of their visit was to participate in the presentation of a model of USS Colorado on Wednesday. Arriving about noon on Tuesday, their first event was a visit to Colorado Springs. Committee members Beth Burroughs, Florence and JJ Mackin joined them for a jeep tour of Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs. In the evening they were joined by several other Committee members for dinner at the Broadmoor.
On Wednesday morning a three foot long model of the submarine was presented to Governor John Hickenlooper for permanent display at the Capitol. It will join the replica of the Ship’s Crest which in mounted in the South Wing. The model was crafted by retired Navy Master Chief Jon Sorensen. Jon is a professional model maker who has restored the Boettcher collection of ship’s models that now reside at the Ship Tavern at the Brown Palace Hotel. He made the model several years ago and has had it on display at several of the Committee’s Events. CDR Koepp made remarks as part of the ceremony. Afterwards he and Aimee along with members of the Committee were given a tour of the Capitol. The group then went for lunch at the Brown Palace.
In the afternoon CDR and Mrs. Koepp were given a tour of the Schwab Campus by Committee Member Ryan Schwab.
Beth and Jerry Burroughs graciously hosted dinner on Wednesday evening . We were honored to have three Schwab volunteers with us. They not only attended the commissioning ceremony in Groton, but also volunteered at all of the committee-sponsored events during commissioning week
On Thursday the Koep’s visited the CU Boulder campus starting at the University Memorial Center. The UMC is dedicated as a tribute to all Colorado veterans, men and women, who have served or are currently serving our country. The veteran’s lounge contains many original artifacts from the USS Colorado (BB 45), including the ship’s bell and helm. It also contains the bell that served on the first two USS Colorado’s. The BB45 Association had donated a replica of the ship’s bell that is currently in use on SSN 788. After visiting the UMC, retired Navy Captain Stewart Elliott gave them a tour of the new facility for the Veteran’s Services organization and Marine Colonel Mike Goeff provided a tour of the NROTC spaces.
The tour of CU was followed by lunch at the Capitol Grill in Golden with Committee members Florence and JJ Mackin and then a visit to Lookout Mountain and the Buffalo Bill Museum and grave. Traveling to Centennial, they joined Committee members in presenting Colorado’s Adjutant General, Major General Michael Loh, with an Honorary USS Colorado Plankowner’s Plaque. 
In the evening several members of the Committee hosted them to dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Denver. The Hard Rock had just issued a pin honoring USS Colorado (SSN 788) in their collector pin series.
It was great to have CDR Koepp and Aimee visit the state and to give them a feeling for the great state that they represent..
