COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Gov. John Hickenlooper was in Colorado Springs Wednesday night, speaking at the Winter Dinner at the Broadmoor.

The governor gave somewhat of a state of the state address, touching on the local economy and Colorado's economy.

Hickenlooper said the state is like "a rising tide" and added there is a lot of energy in El Paso County.

He said the nation is slowly climbing out of the recession, which takes time, hard work and optimism.

"The key for me is to really stay focused and keep working, and for everyone to keep working, because that is what keeps you from slipping and stumbling down," Hickenlooper said. "We are going to continue to do everything we can to keep cutting red tape, to get businesses to move here and to get the businesses that are here to grow."

The governor also said Colorado made strides in 2011, which will continue in 2012.