SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of December, 2008

Commission File Number 001-32748

CORRIENTE RESOURCES INC.

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

520 - 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA V6C 2V6

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F £             Form 40-F Q

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): £

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): £

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes £             No Q 

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_______________

 

DOCUMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS REPORT

Document
1.	News release, dated December 16, 2008

	Disclosure statements as required
	by National Instrument 43-101 are
	available at our website
	www.corriente.com

	"NEWS RELEASE"
For Immediate Release		December 16, 2008
TSX: CTQ, NYSE: ETQ

MARKETING PROCESS MOVES TO EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION STAGE

VANCOUVER, CANADA, December 16, 2008 - Corriente Resources Inc. announces as an update to its news release of October 21, 2008 regarding the Citi/Canaccord marketing process, that the Company has entered into a period of exclusive negotiations with a selected party. The negotiations have expanded from the original mandate to the potential sale of the Company.

Subject to earlier termination in certain circumstances, the exclusive negotiation period will extend to March 31, 2009. No assurance can be given that the negotiations will result in an agreement for the sale of the Company. Further comments or announcements will be made by the Company as developments warrant.

ABOUT CORRIENTE
Corriente controls a 100% interest in approximately 62,000 hectares located within the Corriente Copper Belt, Ecuador. The Belt currently contains four known copper and copper-gold porphyry deposits: Mirador, Mirador Norte, Panantza and San Carlos; as well as six additional copper exploration targets, representing a potential long-term district development opportunity for large-scale mining.

"Ken Shannon"

Kenneth R. Shannon
CEO and President

For further information, please contact Mr. Dan Carriere, Senior Vice-President,
at (604) 687-0449 or see our website at www.corriente.com.

Certain statements contained in this News Release, which provides information on the Citi/Canaccord marketing processs, constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include among other things, statements regarding projected production rates and capital costs, estimates regarding copper prices, mineral resources and anticipated grades and internal rates of return. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and that are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks related to the exploration stage of the company’s projects; discussions with prospective joint venture partners and related potential outcomes; market fluctuations in prices for securities of exploration-stage companies; uncertainties about the availability of additional financing; uncertainties related to fluctuations in copper prices; the possibility that Corriente may change its plans with respect to one or more properties; and other risks and uncertainties described in the company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2007, and registration statement on Form 40-F filed with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, respectively. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

520 – 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 2V6
T (604) 687-0449 F (604) 687-0827 Email copper@corriente.com

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	CORRIENTE RESOURCES INC.
	(Registrant)
Date: December 16, 2008
By:	/S/ DARRYL F. JONES
	Name: Darryl F. Jones
	Title:   Chief Financial Officer