Colorado Govenor John Hickenlooper (Left) receives interview on March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Huang Heng)

by Peter Mertz

DENVER, the United States, March 23 (Xinhua) -- With the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic games on the horizon, Colorado Govenor John Hickenlooper was all about "building a bridge between China and Colorado."

"I suspect we can get some people like (Vail Resort CEO Robert A. Katz) and some serious executives to go and really take a look how we could be helpful," Hickenlooper told Xinhua Thursday.

The two-term Colorado governor was also quick to tell Xinhua that "we would want to make sure our opinions are wanted and well-received."

But with China pulling out all stops to stage the best winter Olympics in world history, Colorado executives might be lured to pitch in.

"Between Beaver Creek and Vail, and last week in Aspen, we have a lot of experience putting on skiing and international events of all kinds," Hickenlooper said.

"I'm sure our folks would be delighted to help in anyway they can," the governor added.

Last week Aspen hosted the World Cup downhill finals, the only time these races have occurred on American soil in 12 years.

In an exclusive Xinhua interview, the most powerful politician in Colorado described his mercurial rise in business and politics, and the profound impact of a 2015 trip to China.

Hickenlooper took a business delegation to China in 2015 and was stunned by the high-speed bullet trains and transportation systems in the biggest, newest cities on Earth.

But the rural, farm-filled Chinese countryside was also eye-opening for the governor.

"Once you get out of the cities, you really get a sense that this is a traditional way of life that's been in place for thousands of years," Hickenlooper said with awe in his voice.

"I think China and the United States have so much to share, and I would argue that Colorado has many of the same qualities that China has," Hickenlooper said.

"We have some places that show a very traditional way of life, like old west ranching and farming," Hickenlooper told Xinhua.

"And yet you come to Denver and you see the same kind of transportation and transit, you see a city growing rapidly, probably the first or second fastest growing city in America," Hickenlooper said.

"Like China, we have a lot going on," he said.

"I'd like to whisper into the ears of the leader of a Chinese delegation: 'you don't want to miss out with Colorado,'" the governor said.

Hickenlooper was a successful businessman before suddenly turning his sights on politics, and was elected Denver mayor in 2003.

He was considered a top pick to join Democrat Hillary Clinton's administration as vice-president or secretary of agriculture.

"People in Colorado embody the rugged values of the West," Hickenlooper said, noting that early American pioneers were entrepreneurs - unafraid to take chances, work hard, and see into the future.