(1) The general assembly recognizes that the transfer of newly created technologies from university research to the private sector and the resulting potential creation and expansion of Colorado companies are essential to the economic growth of this state, promote the public good, and should be encouraged. The general assembly further recognizes that a valid public purpose will be furthered and a commitment to the economic growth of this state demonstrated by empowering the governing boards of the state-supported institutions of higher education and the Colorado commission on higher education, referred to in this section as the "commission", to establish nonprofit corporations to effect such a transfer and development and by empowering the governing boards of the state-supported institutions of higher education to cooperate with the private sector. (2) The governing board of any state-supported institution of higher education or the commission may incorporate one or more private nonprofit corporations under articles 121 to 137 of title 7, C.R.S., for the purpose of developing discoveries and technology resulting from science and technology research at such state-supported institution of higher education. Such a corporation shall have all rights and powers of a private nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of this state and shall not be an agency of state government or a department or political subdivision thereof and shall not be subject to any provisions of law affecting only governmental or public entities; except that provisions as provided for in section 23-1-108 (1)(f) regarding affirmative action shall be followed. (3) The governing board of any state-supported institution of higher education or the commission may transfer to a corporation incorporated pursuant to subsection (2) of this section all rights to discoveries and technologies resulting from science and technology research at such state-supported institution of higher education. Such transfer may be made in consideration of the corporation's undertaking to develop the technology for the benefit of the state-supported institution of higher education and the state. Any such rights to discoveries and technologies that are transferred to the corporation by a governing board or by the commission shall not be further transferred by the corporation without adequate consideration being received therefor. (4) Prior to the transfer to a corporation incorporated pursuant to subsection (2) of this section of all rights to discoveries and technologies resulting from science and technology research at any state-supported institution of higher education, the governing board of such state- supported institution of higher education or the commission shall enter into an agreement with said corporation that shall include the terms of financial remuneration due the institution or the commission. (5) As a means of carrying out the purposes stated in this section, the governing board of any state-supported institution of higher education or the commission may, through one or more corporations incorporated pursuant to subsection (2) of this section: (a) Own and license rights to products, technology, and scientific information; (b) Own shares in corporations engaged in the development, manufacture, or marketing of products, technology, or scientific information under a license from the governing board or the commission or a corporation incorporated pursuant to subsection (2) of this section; (c) Participate as the general partner or as a limited partner, either directly or through a subsidiary corporation formed for that purpose, in limited partnerships, general partnerships, or joint ventures engaged in the development, manufacture, or marketing of products, technology, or scientific information under a license from the board or the commission or a corporation incorporated pursuant to subsection (2) of this section; except that the governing board shall be subject to the provisions of section 24-113-104, C.R.S., regarding competition with private enterprise by institutions of higher education; (d) Develop economic incentives for faculty members and other employees of the state- supported institution of higher education or the commission in order to encourage development of technology, which may include assignment of a share of the royalty payments, payment of supplemental compensation, or such other economic incentives as will in the judgment of the governing board or the commission best promote the purposes of this section; (e) In the case of a governing board of a state-supported institution of higher education, cooperate with the commission and the office of information technology created in the office of the governor in technology transfers pursuant to section 23-1-106.7; (e.5) In the case of the commission, accept donations, income or other revenues and make grants to support commission programs; and (f) Carry on such other activities as the governing board or the commission may deem appropriate for achieving the purposes of this section. (6) At the discretion of the governing board of the state-supported institution of higher education, research facilities and personnel at their own institutions or campuses may be utilized to achieve the purposes of this section. (7) The state of Colorado or state-supported institution or the commission shall not be held responsible for any debt or liability incurred by the corporation created pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
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