Familiar faces: top three spots in annual ranking a repeat of 2012.

• Author: Sukin, Gigi
• Position: TOP 50 MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES

A year ago, in our July diversity section that includes a ranking of the state's top minority-owned companies based on revenue, we reported that No. 1 Venoco Inc. was also one of Colorado's top public companies.

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But if you were paying really close attention to our Top 100 Public Companies list last mouth, you'd have noted the tiny asterisk sitting atop the oil and gas exploration and production company's name. That's because Venoco shareholders completed a "go-private" agreement wit It founder and executive chairman Tim Marquez, who already owned mi we than 50 percent of the company. The transaction closed last October.

The top three in the 2013 minority-owned list are identical to last year's, with Venoco followed by two auto dealerships. Mike Shaw Management and Alpine Buick GMG.

Along with the revenue-based ranking, we recognize Colorado firms and business Owners who have furthered the cause of diversity in the workplace. No. 17 Greenwood Village-based technology stalling and solutions firm Istonish is represented among our Minority Businessperson finalists. Engineering firm Geocal Inc. is among the three Diversity Corporation finalists.

And it not just ColoradoBiz that sees the Value of diversity. Husband-wife team Stacey and Michelle Campbell recently launched the Colorado Diversity and inclusion Think Tank (CDIT2), which they hope will consist of 20 high-ranking company representatives who will come together quarterly to brainstorm and create action plans to improve inclusiveness in the Colorado business community.

Executives from organizations such as FirstBank Holding Co., Regis University, RE/MAX, the Regional Transportation District, the Western Area Power Administration and others have...