Bill Ritter for Governor of Colorado

June 27 - The Ritters in Zambia, Africa: 1987 to 1990

One of the most important times in my life was the three-year period that Jeannie and I spent in Africa. We were volunteers in Zambia running a food distribution and nutrition center as lay missionaries for the Catholic Church.

Every month, we trucked more than 60 tons of food 400 miles from the capital city to our depot in Mongu. From there, we distributed the food deep into the sub-Saharan bush. We started poultry, fishery, and community-building programs. We taught women the importance of good nutrition and food preparation for their families. Nearly one-third of all Zambian children suffered from chronic malnourishment. And as AIDS began to spread across Africa, we taught basic health care.

When we arrived in Africa, our son August was just one year old. He became fast friends with the local children, and our second son, Abe, was born there.

Despite overwhelming poverty and despair, the Zambian people showed incredible strength, hope, and grace. I gained a deep appreciation for the frailty of the human condition. I also learned valuable lessons about listening to people, understanding their struggles, and walking with them toward a better tomorrow.

Today, I am humbled to share with you a glimpse into our life in Africa. We have added a new Africa web page to the campaign website. Please take a few moments to watch a short video and view a photo slideshow on the web page.

Read more blog commentary about our years in Africa:
ColoradoLib.com:	Bill Ritter in Africa ...
ColoradoPols.com:	Ritter Highlights African Missionary Trip
The Denver Post, Dan Haley:	Ritter tells more of his story

June 17 - New Energy Tour Takes Off

The campaign began a statewide Energy Tour on Saturday when Bill visited three pioneers in the field of alternative energy and promoted his New Energy Economy plan. The three companies were Clean Energy, Blue Sun Biodiesel, and the New Belgium Brewing Company.
	Bill stands in front of the Flex-Fuel Chevy Tahoe used for campaign trips. The new vehicle uses Ethanol E-85 as well as retail gasoline blends for fuel.
	Bill visits the New Belgium Brewing's production plant as Bryan Simpson, the company's media director, explains how the brewery uses wind power for 100% of its energy needs.
	Barbara O'Brien speaks with citizens at the New Belgium Brewing Company.
	In Fort Lupton, Bill stands beside a Gray Oil delivery truck with Tom Gray (left) and Jeff Probst. Notice the Blue Sun Biodiesel sign indicating that biodiesel powers the vehicle.
	Bill cuts the ribbon on a new Blue Sun Biodiesel fuel pump in Fort Lupton between Blue Sun Biodiesel's Jeff Probst and Gray Oil's owners, Tina Powell and Dale Rains.
Continuing throughout the campaign, the tour will highlight the groundbreaking work being done around the state by private companies, public enterprises, utilities, and individuals to end our reliance on foreign oil. Many alternative-energy accomplishments and success stories already exist around Colorado.

June 17 - "Remember This Day"

"Remember this day. It's the first day of our Energy Tour and it demonstrates this campaign's commitment to providing leadership around renewable energy. Remember this day, because in twenty years it will be the norm to drive a vehicle that is not powered by fossil fuels. Remember this day, because we are at a turning point in this country. We will create new jobs and stimulate the economy. We will protect our environment and address global warming, and we will establish a secure and independent energy future for our children and our grandchildren. Colorado is home to tremendous intellectual resources and natural resources. By capitalizing on our wind, solar, and biofuel resources, by concentrating on conservation and efficiency, and by focusing on cleaner ways to extract and use fossil fuels, we will lead the way into the 21st century and end our reliance on foreign oil."

June 12 - Prominent Republican Moderates Endorse Campaign

FORT COLLINS: Several prominent Larimer County Republicans broke ranks with their party to announce their support for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter on Monday. The Larimer County Republicans are only the first group of moderate GOP members from around Colorado who will be placing their support behind Bill.

The Larimer County Republicans who endorsed Bill included:

• Jim Johnson – former U.S. Representative (1972 – 1980)
• Don Johnson – prominent Ft. Collins attorney and long time Republican activist
• Stu Van Meveren – former Larimer County D.A. (1972 – 2004)
• Bill Kaufman - former Col. State Representative (1992 - 2000)
• Cheryl Olson – former County Commissioner (1996 – 2000)

These Republicans praised Bill for supporting Referendum C last year and for now opposing this year’s efforts to overturn Referendum C – a proposal being supporting by both Republican candidates for governor. Bill also opposes Amendment 38, which would make it easier to place initiatives on future ballots and is supported by the two GOP candidates. Numerous civic and business organizations, including the Larimer County Board of Commissioners, oppose it.

Click these links to read newspaper coverage of the endorsement:

• Denver Post - 6 in Larimer Endorse Ritter
• Fort Collins Coloradoan - Handful of local Republicans cross party lines
• Colorado Springs Gazette - Democrat Ritter gains crossover support
• Loveland Reporter Herald - GOP members buoy Ritter

New Energy Economy Tour Begins Saturday, June 17

Bill will launch a statewide Energy Tour this Saturday, visiting three pioneers in the field of alternative energy and promoting his New Energy Economy plan, which was originally released in April.

The tour will highlight the groundbreaking work being done around the state by private companies, public enterprises, utilities and individuals to end our reliance on foreign oil.

"We all know from the astronomical price of gas for our cars and energy for our homes that we are at a tipping point," said Bill. "My plan for a New Energy Economy will make Colorado a national leader in the field of alternative energy. We will create new jobs, protect our environment and establish a secure and sustainable energy future for our children and our grandchildren."

The Energy Tour will highlight many of the alternative-energy accomplishments and success stories that already exist around Colorado. Driving in the campaign's new ethanol-fueled Chevy Tahoe on Saturday, Ritter will visit:

10 a.m.	-	Clean Energy, 24000 E. 78th Ave., Denver Int'l Airport
Noon	-	Blue Sun Biodiesel/Gray Oil, 804 Denver Ave, Fort Lupton
2 p.m.	-	New Belgium Brewery, 500 Linden St., Fort Collins
		Click here to learn more about these companies.

At the conclusion of the tour, the public is invited to meet and mingle with Bill at the New Belgium Brewery from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Bill's New Energy Economy Tour will continue after Saturday throughout the campaign and across the state. Details are pending and will be released as they are finalized.

June 10 - Bill in Crestone

	Bill spent Saturday morning in Saguache County for a Meet-The-State-Candidates Breakfast in Crestone.
	Saguache County Commission Chairman Mike Spearman (left), Gail Schwartz (State Senate District 5 candidate), Bill Ritter, and John Baker (Saguache County Commissioner District 3 candidate) discuss alternative energy and bio-mass fuels.

June 9 - Bill's Progress Report

What a busy week! There’s so much to tell you about ... from a new poll to outstanding fundraising figures to growing support for the campaign from the business community! We continue to gain momentum at a fast pace. Here are the latest developments:

NEW POLL: The latest Rasmussen Reports poll shows me leading the race for governor 43% to 38%. My favorables remain high while Congressman Beauprez’s remain low. These findings are consistent with nearly every survey we’ve seen over the past year.

FUNDRAISING: You did it again! For the second month in a row, we raised more funds than the two Republicans combined! Read more. Let’s do it again in June!

GROWING SUPPORT: Last year, I supported Ref C, as did the state’s business community and moderate Republicans. Congressman Beauprez and Marc Holtzman did not – and now they want to reverse Ref C’s gains. Read this Denver Post story about how that’s hurting them and helping me.

AMENDMENT 38: Earlier this week, I submitted an op-ed article to newspapers around the state about Amendment 38. This ballot measure makes it even easier to place initiatives on future ballots. This would wreak havoc on our economy and throw all levels of government into turmoil. But Congressman Beauprez and Mr. Holtzman support this dangerous idea.

WATER: I challenged Congressman Beauprez to come clean over his true position about Colorado’s water issues this week. He’s saying different things to different groups. We need candid, responsible leadership, and common-sense solutions, not pandering and empty rhetoric. Read today's story in the Montrose Daily Press.

ENDORSEMENTS: I’ve picked up important endorsements from state Rep. Buffie McFadyen, Colorado Veterans for America, and the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association.

I NEED YOU: Please get involved today. Visit my website and sign up to volunteer, or make a contribution. Encourage your friends, family, and co-workers to join the Ritter-O’Brien Action Team as well.

For more information about the campaign and how to get involved, e-mail us at info@ritterforgovernor.com, call us at 303.534.0660, or visit us at 1100 Bannock St. in Denver.

Sincerely,

Bill

June 8 - Bill Leads in New Election Poll

"The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in Colorado finds Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter (D) edging out GOP Representative Bob Beauprez by five points, 43% to 38%, in the race for Governor."

"Ritter is viewed favorably by 55%, unfavorably by 29%. Beauprez is viewed favorably by 45%, unfavorably by 40%. Holtzman is viewed favorably by 42%."

"Colorado voters tend to trust the GOP a little more than the Democrats on national security issues. On the economy, the electorate is split; 46% trust the GOP more, 46% trust the Democrats more. Neither party currently has much advantage on immigration and Iraq."

"But on energy policy, 52% trust the Democrats more, 37% trust the GOP more."

Read the entire Rasmussen Reports results.

May 29 - Colorado Veterans for America Endorse Bill Ritter

“We believe Bill Ritter will serve veterans and their loved ones exceptionally well,” said Larry Drake of Colorado Veterans for America. “Bill Ritter has been working for months with Colorado veterans to thoughtfully develop his positions on veterans issues, including solutions addressing problems and needs in the areas of health care; rehabilitation, education and training; benefits and services; and homeland security.”
	“I know Bill did not serve in the military,” said Leon Rodriguez, an Army veteran who served two tours in Vietnam. “He turned of age at the end of the Vietnam War when the draft was over. But he gave three years of his life running a food distribution and nutrition clinic in Africa. He didn’t have to do that. He has seen death. He has the scars. It is this ethic of service that he shares with us military veterans.”
	“Colorado can do a better job taking care of its aging veterans and their families,” Bill said. “As governor, I will take a strong leadership role in making sure high-quality care and services are available across Colorado, not just in our urban areas but throughout our rural areas. We also must ensure that young military personal returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are prepared to re-enter the civilian workforce and are equipped to cope with the challenges ahead. I have the deepest respect for those who put their lives on the line in the name of public safety, whether here in Colorado or on foreign battle fields"
	A group photo of Bob Urioste with his grandson, Larry Drake of Colorado Veterans for America, Barbara, Bill, and George Pramenko who attended the endorsement.
	Bill speaks with George Pramenko.
	Earlier in the morning, Larry Drake and other veterans had marched with Bill in the Commerce City Memorial Day parade.

May 29 - The Commerce City Memorial Day Parade

Bill and Barbara walked in the parade with over thirty of their supporters.
A parade spectator gives a strong signal of support for Bill.
Barbara spoke with many people along the parade route.
Bill shook hands with hundreds of people during the parade.
A great close-up photo of Barbara!
Look closely for a clear reason why candidates should limit their children's involvement in their campaigns! August Ritter enjoys a moment of fun behind his father. The two men standing behind the banner next to Bill are his brothers.

The General Election Starts Now!

The Colorado Secretary of State’s office has just confirmed that Republican candidate for governor Marc Holtzman did not qualify for the ballot. For us, this means the general election starts now! We always knew this would come down to a two-person race. Whether the race starts in June or in August, we are absolutely ready! A general election match-up against Congressman Beauprez will give Colorado voters a very clear choice. Does this state want a responsible leader with a clear vision for the 21st century? Or do we want a sitting member of a fiscally irresponsible, scandal-plagued Congress who also votes in virtual lockstep with the president. Now more than ever, my running mate Barbara O’Brien and I need your support. We can win this election and fulfill what I call the Colorado Promise. We can reform our schools and deliver the best-educated workforce in the nation. We can assure access to high-quality and affordable health care for all Coloradans. We can make Colorado a leader in a New Energy Economy. And we can do it together! Please get involved today. Visit my website and sign up to volunteer, receive my regular e-mail updates or make a contribution. Talk to your friends, family and co-workers and encourage them to join the Ritter Action Team as well. Please send me your thoughts at bill@ritterforgovernor.com