(303) 717-0382
1410 GRANT ST., STE. C-308, DENVER, CO, 80202,
An integral member of the Colorado business and political communities since 1991, InterMountain is one of the region's leaders in government relations, strategic communications/public affairs consulting.
Perhaps the firm's greatest strength is its roots in the local market. InterMountain was founded by Fred Niehaus and Tom Schilling, executive director and communications director, respectively, of the Colorado Office of Economic Development under former Governor Roy Romer. Today, Mr. Schilling - also a former business reporter for the Rocky Mountain News - serves as the company's CEO. His colleague Scott Spendlove has been a trusted Governor's aide, congressional staffer, and policy analysts with a Washington, DC think tank. InterMountain maintains working relationships with a network of professionals in a variety of fields including research, polling, grass roots development, and attorneys to round out any team a client might need.
As a firm, InterMountain is a member of, represents clients at or otherwise has close ties to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry, Economic Developers' Council of Colorado, Colorado Municipal League, Colorado Counties, Denver Regional Council of Governments and Public Relations Society of America/Colorado chapter. For reach beyond the state border, InterMountain is pleased to be the Colorado partner of The Advocacy Group.
Our experience and vast connections in the arena's of business, government and media allow us to deliver services ranging from legislative and regulatory advocacy to stakeholder outreach to crisis communications to media relations. We utilize strong relationships across the political spectrum to advance the cause of our clients. We boast a long-term track record of legislative accomplishment based on professionalism, issue knowledge, integrity and a well earned reputation working across the political aisle to get the job done.
Firm Specialties:
InterMountain works with our clients to develop a legislative agenda to address their interests and concerns. InterMountain notifies clients when specific bills are scheduled for hearing dates. We then organize testimony of clients and affected parties. Through this process, InterMountain is continually developing alliances with other groups that share interests similar to those of our clients. InterMountain's up to the minute monitoring and research of the bills that are important to our clients allows us to anticipate vote counts and lobby individual legislators accordingly.
Legislative Advocacy and Monitoring
Regulatory Consulting
Local Government Advocacy
Third party organization relations and alliance building
Strategic Planning & Messaging
Media Relations & Media Training
Crisis Communications/Rapid Response
SCOTT J. SPENDLOVE serves as the Director of Government Relations at Intermountain Public Affairs. A native of Lakewood, Colorado, Spendlove is an invaluable presence at the State Capitol for InterMountain's government relations clients. He assists these clients in developing and implementing legislative strategy and works with legislative leaders and various state departments to advocate beneficial bills and defeat measures that would be adverse to client needs. He monitors legislative and political developments on behalf of major corporate employers such as Union Pacific Railroad and Bridgepoint Education, as well as governmental entities such as E-470 Public Highway Authority.
Spendlove brings a diverse background of public policy and legislative relations experience to the clients of InterMountain. In his 18th year with InterMountain, Spendlove has served the past 10 years as the primary lobbyist for the firm. He previously held several positions in Colorado Governor Owens' administration, including Deputy Director of the Governor's Office of Legislative Liaison, and Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor. Most recently, Spendlove was a Program/Policy analyst for the State Department of General Support Services, promoting efficiencies and cost savings in state government. Preceding his tenure in the Owens' administration, Spendlove worked in Washington D.C. for a state legislative nonprofit organization on energy and environment issues. Scott is proud to have served 6 years on the Board of Directors for Colorado Youth for a Change, including one year as Board Chair. CYC is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the youth drop-out problem in Colorado. Scott is active in his son's Boy Scout troop as a Committee member, and a has served for 7 years on the elementary school Accountability Committee. Spendlove is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon with a BS in International Affairs. He is married to Jenna, with a son Logan.
