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August 25 - A New Ritter for Ritter

Zachary_for_ritterZachary

August 30, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 24 - Ritter Announces 'Colorado Opportunity Pledge'

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today pledged to fulfill his promise to Colorado by setting performance goals, meeting objectives, and establishing a public report card to grade his administration’s performance.

"I'm calling this my Colorado Opportunity Pledge," Ritter said. "My campaign is about fulfilling the Colorado Promise – getting Colorado to live up to its full potential and creating opportunity for all Coloradans. By establishing this Colorado Opportunity Pledge, I say to all of Colorado that we can create a better future together. We can set goals, hit our objectives, and gauge our performance. We can measure performance – successes and short-comings – and build a better Colorado."

Ritter, the former District Attorney of Denver, has spent the past 16 months traveling the state and preparing a detailed vision for establishing Colorado as a 21st century leader in commerce, education, health care, efficient government, and much more.

Earlier today, Ritter released his comprehensive "Colorado Health Plan," and over the past many months has unveiled similar action plans for renewable energy, transportation, water, the environment, protection of public lands, senior citizens, veterans, and many other important issues facing Colorado. He has released 16 policy papers to date with more to come.

Among the goals Ritter has set for his administration:

  • Taking Colorado from the bottom 10 states in terms of child immunizations to the top 10 within two years.
  • Working toward health-care coverage for all by introducing a legislative reform package within a year of taking office.
  • Establishing a more efficient state budgeting process and more effective management system that has saved 2% to 6% of general-fund spending in other states.
  • Revamping Colorado’s transportation system and examining the transportation-funding structure so that we can solve the state’s biggest transportation-related needs, including the I-70 mountain corridor.
  • Getting more children into early childhood education, injecting renewed rigor and relevance into our K-12 system, and keeping college affordable – all designed to provide Colorado companies with the best-educated workforce in the nation.
  • Establishing Colorado as a national renewable-energy leader by maximizing our sustainable resources, such as sun, wind, and agricultural crops.

"The citizens of Colorado should be able to hold their leaders accountable," Ritter said. "They should know what the goals are, and whether government meets them or falls short. By making this Colorado Opportunity Pledge and establishing a way for Coloradans to grade their government, we can fulfill the Colorado Promise."

August 25, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)

August 24 - Another Critter Supports Ritter

Critter3 Please submit your images of politically astute animals to Critters For Ritter, and we will post them on the campaign blog as time and space permit.
Lyndon
(D. Hanson owner)

August 25, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 24 - Ritter Unveils Health-care Plan

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today unveiled his comprehensive “Colorado Health Plan,” an ambitious blueprint for fixing the state’s broken health-care system by reducing costs, increasing insurance access, and improving the quality of care.

The release of Ritter’s “Colorado Health Plan” comes the same day he and Congressman Beauprez participate in a health-care forum at The Children’s Hospital in Denver (10 a.m., 1056 E. 19th Ave.).

“Health-care costs are spiraling out of control for Colorado businesses, families, and individuals,” said Ritter, Denver’s District Attorney from 1993 to 2005. “More than 770,000 Coloradans lack health insurance – a number that grows every year and includes about 180,000 kids. Quite simply, our health-care system is broken and it’s time for a major overhaul.”

Ritter’s “Colorado Health Plan” calls for long- and short-term fixes. Long-term solutions will follow an intensive one-year review process that brings all stakeholders – including consumers, providers, and insurers – to the table to seek compromise and consensus.

The plan calls for:

  • Establishing a Small Business Health Care Team to make it easier for small businesses to buy affordable insurance, and possibly allowing small businesses to buy into the state employee health plan.
  • Making substantive improvements to the Medicaid program, including addressing the needs of the elderly and long-term care patients.
  • Increasing transparency, accountability and the availability of consumer pricing information, including the creation of a “Health Outcomes Report Card” that measures health outcomes by region.
  • Reducing costly and life-threatening medical errors.
  • Promoting preventative care and launching a new “Strong Employees, Strong State” initiative to promote worksite wellness, and creating wellness “competitions” among local chambers of commerce and other business groups.
  • Taking Colorado from one of the 10 worst states (we currently rank 44th) to one of the 10 best for child immunizations within two years, as well as addressing a number of other child-health and maternity-care issues. Colorado currently has one of the worst percentages of low-birth-weight babies in the nation.
  • Improving rural health care by increasing the use of technology, offering incentives to increase the number of rural health providers, and assessing the unique needs of rural providers.
  • Promoting mental health and emphasizing suicide-prevention programs. Colorado has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation.
  • Encouraging people to take personal responsibility for their own health.

“We cannot rely on Congress to fix our health care crisis. Congressman Beauprez’s overly simplistic answer is for everyone to just ‘take a hike,’” Ritter said. “Around the country, governors are taking the lead and developing bold and sustainable health plans for their states. That’s what we’re going to do here in Colorado. This is one of the centerpieces of my plan to fulfill the Colorado Promise. We can no longer afford the ills of our system – people using emergency rooms as their primary care centers; people putting off basic health-care needs until they erupt into more costly and life-threatening situations; businesses no longer able to afford to offer their employees insurance. Fixing our broken health-care system is a wise investment, not for the next election, but for the next generation and for the future of the state – for children, families, seniors, and businesses.  By making health and health-care a priority we can make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation.”

Read an additional article about the positions of the candidates on health-care issues:

August 24, 2006 in Policy Corner | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 23 - Beauprez Wildlife Plan Another 'Both Ways Bob' Moment

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today said Congressman Beauprez is once again trying to have it “both ways,” this time on his flawed wildlife plan.

"On the one hand, Congressman Beauprez claims to be a friend of Colorado’s wildlife and the habitat that supports it," said Ritter, an avid fly-fisherman who earlier this month called on the federal government to provide interim protection to some roadless areas in Colorado. "But when the Congressman is back in Washington D.C., his actions show he’s anything but a friend to Colorado’s great outdoors."

In 2004, the national League of Conservation Voters named Congressman Beauprez one of its "Dirty Dozen" for having one of the worst records in Congress for his environmental voting record. The League also named Beauprez to "Tom's Tainted Team" for his support of now-resigned Republican leader Tom DeLay's anti-environmental agenda and for accepting money from DeLay.

"The Congressman has voted to weaken Clean Air standards, protect polluters and exempt oil and gas construction sites from the Clean Water Act," Ritter said. "In vote after vote, the Congressman has demonstrated his true colors when it comes to Colorado’s environment."

  • The Congressman opposed protecting important wildlife habitat in the Tongass National Forest, known as "America’s rainforest" (HR 5386, House Amendment 850, House Roll Call No. 168, May 18, 2006).
  • The Congressman opposed protections for many streams, wetlands, lakes, and ponds (HR 5386, House Amendment 854, House Roll Call No. 169, May 18, 2006)."
  • The Congressman co-sponsored and voted in favor of rapidly accelerating exploration and production of oil shale deposits, and reducing the royalty rate for state and local communities (Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act, HR 4761, House Roll Call No. 356, June 29, 2006).
  • The Congressman voted to open up public lands to private interests. Developers were one of the groups that could have used the public land after it was sold. Forty-three Colorado hunting and fishing organizations sent letters of opposition to Congress – and even the House’s own Republican sponsors ultimately agreed to pull the measure (HR 4241, House Roll Call No. 601, Nov. 18, 2005).
  • The Congressman voted to give MTBE manufacturers a "safe harbor" and protect them from liability and from having to pay for clean-up if their chemicals leak into groundwater supplies. MTBE is a gasoline additive that has polluted 128 sites in Colorado, including 20 in the Congressman’s own 7th Congressional District (HR 4241, House Roll Call No. 129, April 21, 2005).
  • The Congressman voted to open up 58.5 million acres of roadless forest lands across the country to new-road development. These roads can degrade key fish and wildlife habitats and lead to pollution of nearby rivers, lakes and streams (HR 2691, Amendment 269, House Roll Call No. 386, July 17, 2003).

"Wildlife protection is one of the most important issues facing Colorado," Ritter said. "My record is clear – I have opposed attempts by the federal government to sell off our public lands; I have called for protections of our roadless areas; and I believe that we must take a balanced approach to oil-and-gas drilling."

"I’m glad the Congressman is talking about habitat conservation," Ritter added. "But he’s a day late and a dollar short. Even worse, his words fly in the face of his actions. He’s trying to have it both ways – again."

Read more articles and commentary about the Congressman's environmental record and proposals:

August 24, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 23 - GOP Attack Abandons Facts for Fantasy and Fallacy

The Republican attack committee known as Trailhead continued to ignore the facts today and distort the truth about Bill Ritter’s record as Denver’s District Attorney.

"My record is rock solid. We were tough on crime," said Ritter, who served as Denver’s DA from 1993 to 2005. "We put more people in prison than any other DA – including Republican DA’s. And we protected the public. Their repeated distortions of fact are attacks on the entire Colorado law enforcement community."

Ritter achieved a 95 percent conviction rate and sent more than 12,000 felons to prison when he was DA. His office filed more than 200,000 misdemeanor and felony charges during his tenure. In addition to sending murderers, rapists, habitual offenders, and other violent criminals to state prison, defendants were sentenced to county jail, community corrections, and probation.

For more on Ritter’s record, view this Power Point presentation.

"These types of attacks only deepen the public’s cynicism about American politics today," Ritter said. "Trailhead’s ads have already been pulled in Northern Colorado because of their questionable content. Colorado voters deserve a better, cleaner election than these typical Washington-style partisan attacks."

Read additional coverage and commentary on the GOP distortions and fantasies about Bill's record:

August 24, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 22 - Ritter Record Clear on Prosecution of Undocumented Immigrants

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter declared today that his record is crystal clear surrounding the aggressive prosecution of undocumented immigrants.

“We enforced the law, protected the public, and served taxpayers well,” said Ritter, Denver’s top law officer from 1993 to 2005. “That’s more than I can say about Congressman Beauprez and the utter failure of Washington D.C. to enact substantive immigration reform.”

During his tenure as District Attorney, Ritter’s office maintained a 95 percent conviction rate and sent more than 12,000 felons to prison. Ritter said most contacts with undocumented immigrants involved drug cases, and about 10 percent of all drug defendants were undocumented immigrants.

To ensure that undocumented immigrants were prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Ritter enacted tough policies and partnered with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (now Immigration and Customs Enforcement) whenever possible. As District Attorney, Ritter:

  • Assigned investigators to conduct thorough background checks on all drug suspects and then notify INS/ICE by fax of any suspected undocumented immigrants. This amounted to about 10 notifications a week.
  • Refused to provide specialized Drug Court services to suspected undocumented immigrants.
  • Directed courtroom prosecutors to request 90-day jail holds on undocumented-immigrant defendants facing sentences of just probation. The jail time gave prosecutors additional time to notify INS/ICE and request that the defendants be picked up so that deportation proceedings could be initiated at the federal level.
  • For all drug-related felony convictions, the DA’s Office would make additional notification to INS to ensure that the federal government could initiate criminal proceedings in the case of future illegal re-entry.
  • Requested five-year state prison sentences for drug defendants who had prior felony convictions and had previously been deported.
  • "Undocumented immigrants were prosecuted just as firmly as everyone else,” Ritter said. "They received no special treatment. They were punished and held accountable under state law, and then we referred them to the federal government for deportation. But many times, the INS failed to pick up these individuals for deportation – another example of Washington D.C. failing to live up to its responsibilities."
  • Received letters of commendation from then-INS District Director Joseph R. Greene, praising the work of Denver prosecutors and the Drug Court. From Jan. 1 to March 31, 1995, alone, 57 undocumented immigrants were ordered deported after being identified through the Drug Court. From July 1 through Sept. 10, the figure was 58. (After 1995, the INS stopped providing figures.)

"Congressman Beauprez would do well to focus on the failures of Washington D.C. instead of continuing to distort and misrepresent my record," Ritter said. "The Congressman has spent four years in Congress and done nothing to advance substantive immigration reform while we in Colorado enacted the toughest immigration laws in the state during last month’s special legislative session."

"Now he wants to lead a group of governors back to Washington to lobby Congress for immigration reform instead of actually doing something while he’s in Congress. That’s not only absurd, but many of his positions contradict those of the Western Governors’ Association. Once again, he’s trying to have it both ways: tough talk on the campaign trail but no action in Washington."

Note to Reporters and Editors: Copies of the notification forms from the DA’s Office to the INS, as well as the INS letters of commendation, are available upon request by calling Evan Dreyer at 303.534.0660 or e-mailing him at evan@ritterforgovernor.com.

Read more articles about Bill's strong prosecution record:

August 23, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)

August 21 - A Smarter Way to Lead

What a fantastic week we had – and the rest of August promises to be just as exciting. Here’s the latest from the campaign trail and a taste of what’s to come:

COLORADO’S ECONOMIC ENGINE: Earlier today I released my job-growth and business-development plan, laying out my vision for improving Colorado’s economy in the 21st Century. And last week I unveiled my ideas for crafting a smarter and more efficient state budget. Driving Colorado’s economic engine forward is a key component of the campaign, and my proposals are generating enthusiasm in Colorado’s business community.

MOMENTUM IS BUILDING: Two new polls are adding to our momentum. A 9News/SurveyUSA poll shows I’m leading Congressman Beauprez 50 percent to 40 percent. A second poll released early last week by Rasmussen Reports gives me a 9-point lead.

TIME TO GET BUSY: While the poll numbers are encouraging, it’s still August and the race will come down to the wire. That’s why I need your help. If you have signed up to volunteer but have not yet been contacted, please e-mail volunteer coordinator Esteban Salazar or call him at 303.534.0660.

PUEBLO OFFICE OPENING: Join me in Pueblo at 12:30 p.m. this Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the campaign’s Pueblo office! The office is located at 305 N. Santa Fe Ave., and the Open House will go from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Contact Sylvia Marez-Fransua by e-mail or phone at 719.542.1757.

IN THE NEWS: Media outlets across Colorado are starting to pay closer attention to the race. The coverage has helped demonstrate the very clear differences between me and the Congressman. Some recent articles:

FULFILLING COLORADO’S PROMISE: Out on the campaign trail, I talk often about fulfilling the Colorado promise. On Monday, Aug. 28, we are hosting a “Fulfilling the Promise” fundraising dinner at Mile High Station in Denver. To receive an invitation or for more information, please e-mail Amber Belindo or call her at 303.534.0660.

FORT COLLINS FUNDRAISER: On Wednesday, Aug. 30, state Sen. Bob Bacon and several others will host an evening fundraiser in Fort Collins. Amber is also the contact person for that event.

OVER THE RADIO WAVES: Our second radio ad is now airing statewide. Click here to listen to the 60-second spot. Colorado Public Radio also is running a weekly series of interviews with myself and Congressman Beauprez. Click here for the “Colorado Matters” schedule and links to some of the interviews.

Thank you again for all of your support. For more information about the campaign, visit the website, e-mail us at info@ritterforgovernor.com, call us at 303.534.0660, or stop in at 1100 Bannock St., Denver.

August 23, 2006 in On My Mind | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 21 - Ritter Promotes 21st Century Agenda to Boost Jobs and Economy

"Colorado is open for business," gubernatorial candidate declares.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today released his economic-development plan for adding jobs, attracting and retaining businesses, and expanding Colorado’s economy in the 21st century.

“Coloradans deserve nothing less than an economy that provides secure, quality jobs,” said Ritter, who served as District Attorney of Denver from 1993 to 2005. “Businesses large and small need a governor who sends a clear message across the country and around the globe that Colorado is open for business. They need a governor who will provide leadership on critical issues necessary to support a vibrant economy such as affordable health insurance, education reform, and building a world-class transportation system.”

Ritter is constructing a bi-partisan coalition of business, economic-development, and job leaders in his campaign for governor. He demonstrated his commitment to Colorado’s future economic well-being by strongly supporting Referendum C and opposing Initiative 88 and Amendment 38.

In contrast, the Republican candidate for governor has taken positions harmful to Colorado’s economic health, as noted in recent accounts in:

Ritter’s complete jobs and business-development plan, “Growing a Strong Economy for Colorado,” is posted on the campaign website. The plan calls for:

  • Providing a 21st century economic infrastructure so that the economy can grow and thrive, including:
  • Creating a Colorado Jobs Cabinet within the administration. The cabinet will be composed of senior business leaders and representatives of higher education, economic-development agencies, and workforce-development officials to align economic development and educational goals.
  • Bringing every government agency with a role in economic development together with business and education leaders to create modern economic-development strategies, and placing a renewed sense of priority and urgency on the work of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
  • Strengthening Colorado’s rural economies by establishing regional partnerships between state government and each economic region. These partnerships will research and analyze economic and labor-force trends, court businesses that show an interest in locating or expanding in the region, and develop recruitment and retention business packages. These partnerships will address the unique needs of the state’s five major economic regions – the Western Slope, San Luis Valley, Eastern Plains, mountain resorts, and Front Range – as well as the statewide needs of all of Colorado.
  • Streamlining government to be more responsive by improving permitting and licensing processes, responding more efficiently to inquiries about available land or office space, and providing quick and thorough answers to questions about state policies or services.
  • Establishing a statewide incubation strategy that will coordinate existing incubator programs and recruit new ones.
  • Providing greater access to small-business capital by serving as an effective resource for information on a wide variety of private sector and government-sponsored sources of capital.
  • Directing businesses to under-used federal economic-development programs.
  • Focusing efforts on industries that provide exceptional opportunities for growth, including renewable energy, aviation, aerospace, biomedicine, biotechnology, medical research, travel, and tourism.

“I want Colorado to be the first state that businesses think of when considering relocation and the last state they would ever want to leave,” Ritter said. “I will make it my duty as Governor to market Colorado as the best state to do business.”

Read additional articles and commentary about Bill's economic development plan:

August 23, 2006 in Policy Corner | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 19 - Littleton Western Welcome Parade

Aug19_lwwp_1 On Saturday, Bill marched in the parade with an enthusiastic contingent of supporters. Congressional candidate Bill Winter (CD6) walks next to Bill in the first photo.
Aug19_lwwp_2 Aug19_lwwp_3 Aug19_lwwp_4 Aug19_lwwp_5_1

August 22, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 16 - Beauprez Abuses Mail Privilege for Campaign While Going Both Ways on Immigration

Congressman Beauprez is abusing taxpayer funds by mailing thousands of fliers from his Congressional office, attempting to turn the important issue of illegal immigration into pure political theater, Bill Ritter’s campaign manager said today.

"The Congressman’s thinly disguised flier inviting people to two town halls on Thursday is an absolute abuse of taxpayer dollars," campaign manager Greg Kolomitz said. "The Congressman continues to engage in do-nothing, Washington D.C.-style theatrics while we in Colorado enacted the toughest immigration laws in the country last month."

The Congressman uses his federal mailing privileges more than any other member of Colorado’s delegation. In 2004, when he ran for his second term, he spent nearly $130,000 in taxpayer-funded postage. "He’s running his congressional office like a campaign office," Kolomitz said. "Once again, he's trying to have it both ways, and Colorado taxpayers deserve better."

"The Congressman would be better served explaining his 'Both Ways Bob' position on the use of matricula consular ID cards," Kolomitz added. "On the one hand he talks tough on illegal immigration. But on the other hand, his bank makes money by giving out loans to people with a form of ID not even recognized by the state of Colorado. Isn’t that just creating a 'sanctuary state' for undocumented immigrants?"

Read additional articles and commentary on Congressman Beauprez's banking practices and abuse of franking privileges:

August 16, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 15 - Ritter Challenges Beauprez's Shortsighted Business Vision

LAKEWOOD – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today laid out his economic development vision to hundreds of business-development experts at a gubernatorial debate. Ritter called the race for governor a "tale of two visions," saying that Republican opponent Congressman Beauprez talks a good game, but his actions show he’s no friend of economic stimulus.

"You can say that you’re for economic development," said Ritter, Denver’s former District Attorney. "But words are easy to say, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out how you oppose Ref. C and support Amendment 38 and Initiative 88 and still say you’re for economic development. Those are things that absolutely stymie economic development and inhibit our ability to move this state forward."

Ritter said it’s hypocritical of the Congressman to accept an automatic pay raise every year while also opposing a state ballot measure that would raise the minimum wage. "If someone were to earn a minimum-wage salary for one year, that person would make what the Congressman made in just salary increases during his four years in Congress," Ritter said. From 2002 to 2006, Congressional salaries increased $10,500 to $165,200.

Ritter also pointed out another classic "Both Ways Bob" moment: Congressman Beauprez voted in favor of a minimum wage increase in Washington – when it was linked to a reduction in the estate tax for 8,200 of the wealthiest Americans – but now opposes the state plan.

Regarding Ref. C, Ritter said its passage green-lighted 36 transportation projects statewide and prevented deep cuts in education – two areas that are vital to economic development and "absolutely essential to living up to the Colorado Promise. You cannot have a conversation in this state about economic development without shoring up our funding for education and transportation. If Ref. C hadn’t passed, we would have been forced to close 11 of 13 community colleges."

Ritter urged the audience to "look beyond the Congressman’s words. Look at his actions. I don’t know of any chamber of commerce in Colorado that opposed Ref. C. Yet he did. He claims that Ref C didn’t fix anything, but all he talks about is securitizing tobacco and selling off state assets. Those are one-time fixes, and they aren’t going to lure a single Fortune 500 CEO to relocate their company here."

Ritter said it sounds as if the Congressman is calling for voters to abolish the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which limits the amount of money government entities can keep and spend and requires voter approval of tax increases. "That’s exactly the sort of do-nothing thinking that comes from Congress," Ritter said. "Congress has failed to move forward in so many areas. But in Colorado, we’re going to move forward on education and health care and immigration."

Read additional articles and commentary about the economic-development plans of the two gubernatorial candidates:

August 16, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 15 - Ritter Campaign Criticizes Rowland Bestiality Comment

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter’s campaign manager today condemned Janet Rowland’s comments comparing homosexuality to bestiality: "Janet Rowland’s comparison of homosexuality to bestiality is just plain insensitive, close-minded, derogatory, and crude," campaign manager Greg Kolomitz said. "This shows just how far to the right and out-of-touch the Beauprez-Rowland ticket really is."

Mesa County Commissioner Rowland made her comments during the March 17 "Colorado State of Mind" Rocky Mountain PBS public affairs show about the gay-marriage issue:

Janet Rowland: "Homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle. That doesn't make it a marriage. Some people have group sex. Should we allow two men and three women to marry? Should we allow polygamy with one man and five wives? For some, bestiality is an alternative lifestyle. Do we allow a man to marry a sheep? At some point, we have to draw a line."

Here is a link to a recording of the show: www.rmpbs.org/csom060317b.mp3

"Janet Rowland and Congressman Beauprez owe the people of Colorado an explanation and an apology," Kolomitz said. "Her comments come dangerously close to former state Rep. Jim Welker’s actions earlier this year, when he forwarded racially derogatory e-mails to many people using his state computer. Bill Ritter’s campaign is about bringing people together and fulfilling the Colorado Promise. Nobody–-whether a county commissioner or a candidate for statewide office–-should be saying the sorts of things Janet Rowland said on public TV."

Read additional articles and commentary about Janet Rowland:

August 16, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 14 - An Exclamation Point for Colorado's Future

RITTER-O’BRIEN FILE OFFICIAL LT. GOV NOMINATING PAPERS

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter filed formal nominating papers today naming Barbara O’Brien as his lieutenant governor running mate, with O’Brien also filing her acceptance and candidate affidavit with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office.

Ritter named the former president of the Colorado Children’s Campaign as his Democratic running mate in January, but the official nominating paperwork is required by state law.

Ritter and O’Brien said Congressman Beauprez’s selection of Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland highlights the backward-looking campaign being run by the Republicans. “Janet Rowland was the face of the anti-Referendum C campaign on the Western Slope,” Ritter said. “She puts an exclamation point on the difference between these two tickets.”

Ritter and O’Brien were strong Ref C supporters. The voter-approved measure prevented deep cuts in children’s, education, transportation and health-care programs, Ritter said.

"You must invest to live up to the promise,” Ritter said. “We believe in investment. The Congressman doesn’t."

"Bill and I are looking for the places where opportunity and hope ripples forward to a positive future," O'Brien said. "We will create a state where the possibilities for children are as open and as broad as we can make them."

Ritter said that when he first began his campaign for governor he met with Dick Celeste, the former governor of Ohio and current president of Colorado College. "He told me, 'Choose a running mate who shares your biggest passion.' My biggest passion in this race is handing over a state to our children and our grandchildren in the 21st century that we can be proud of and which lives up to the Colorado Promise. Barbara O’Brien has made a dramatic difference to the children of this state,” Ritter added. “Barbara is the best advocate in this state for kids.”

August 16, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 14 - Second Radio Ad Maintains Positive Tone
Click the play button in the play-back bar above to listen!
(You will require the Quicktime player if the play-back bar is missing.)

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter launched his second statewide radio ad on Monday, focusing on his detailed plan to fulfill the Colorado Promise and always put people first. The 60-second spot, titled "The Colorado Promise," began airing on radio stations across the state. The campaign’s first spot began broadcasting last week.

In the ad, Ritter describes how, over the past 15 months, he has traveled to every corner of Colorado to listen to people, to talk with them about their struggles, and to share ideas about how to make things better and move Colorado forward:

"I’m the middle child of 12 kids, so I really believe that we’re all in this together. That was just how we were raised and it’s my vision for how a state should run. I just think about this state with this great promise. That’s really why you need leadership and why you need some vision that really delivers upon that promise."

Read additional commentary about Bill's second radio spot:

August 15, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 13 - Festive Boathouse Crowd Meets Bill

Aug13_closeup Aug13_boathouse_1 aug13_eastgroup On Sunday, Bill joined an excited crowd of over two hundred friends and supporters at the Washington Park Boathouse in Denver for a program of songs, music, and political talk about the future of Colorado.
Aug13_band Aug13_westgroup Aug13_brothers
Aug13_jeannie_friend Aug13_westside

August 15, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 12 - Another Critter for Ritter

August12_critter
Rufus
(Amy Asche owner)
 Amy and Rufus marched in the Strasburg parade on Saturday.

Please submit your images of politically astute animals to Critters For Ritter, and we will post them on the campaign blog as time and space permit.

August 15, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)

August 11 - The First Televised Debate

To view the Colorado Decides Debate, visit CBS Channel 4: Candidates Talk Immigration, Abortion In Debate.

Read more articles and commentary on the first televised debate among the candidates:

August 12, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 11 - Ritter Plans for Smarter State Budgets

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter pledged today to establish a state budgeting process that will serve as a national model of efficiency, accountability and prudence. Ritter outlined a five-point budget proposal titled, "A Smarter State Budget."

Denver's former District Attorney from 1993 to 2005, Ritter said he will undertake a top-to-bottom budgeting audit that probes beneath individual line items to find systemic inefficiencies. "This is a fiscally conservative approach to managing the state's budget and the taxpayers' dollars," Ritter said. "We here in Colorado must balance our budgets. In Washington, Congressman Beauprez has been party to colossal increases in federal spending, Congressional pay hikes, and a federal deficit that is now nearly $9 trillion. He can't even call himself a fiscal conservative anymore."

"I will ensure that the state budget reflects a shared vision for Colorado," said Ritter, who gained a national reputation for his innovative funding programs as Denver's top law officer. "The budget will be a tool to deliver on promises made to voters. It will be accountable, prudent, and wise. And it will reflect the best policy and business practices of any state in the nation."

Ritter's five-point plan calls for:

  1. Establishing a new budgeting culture that aligns spending with priorities and loosens the grip of bureaucratic obstacles that create waste.
  2. Earning the best value for every dollar spent by becoming more efficient and effective rather than over-emphasizing line-item cuts.
  3. Instituting a total state government performance review. Similar reviews are savings states billions of dollars. An initial analysis estimates that Colorado can save as much as 2% of its general fund spending by implementing several common-sense proposals, Ritter said, including:
    • Pooling pharmaceutical purchases across all state agencies.
    • Entering multi-state purchasing compacts for goods and services.
    • Attacking Medicaid fraud.
    • Converting state government telecommunications to Voice over Internet Protocol.
    • Aggressively implementing energy-efficiency programs.
    • Creating a 1-800 hotline directly to the Governor's Office to report waste and fraud, and take suggestions on how the state can be more efficient.
    • Allowing residents to renew driver's licenses online, as 10 other states do.
  4. Maximizing federal funding and grant money.
  5. Making investments that will save us even more in the long run, such as:
    • Reducing prison recidivism.
    • Reducing the need for college-level remediation instruction.
    • Providing more children with access to health insurance and immunizing more children.

Ritter's plan won high praise from one of the state's top fiscal planners, state Rep. Bernie Buescher, who chairs the legislature's bi-partisan Joint Budget Committee. "Bill Ritter has turned his attention to the critical aspect of governing Colorado," Buescher said. "This document shows that Bill understands the importance that every dollar of taxpayer money is spent effectively. Having extensively studied the budget, I find the Ritter plan refreshing. This is the type of budgetary leadership we need to protect the public's money and ensure that Colorado gets the best value from its state government."

"My vision for Colorado's budget will help us fulfill the Colorado promise," Ritter said. "It represents Colorado values. It employs modern, 21st century business practices. And it puts people first. We will achieve savings, not by making government do less of what we want, but by making government smarter and more effective."

August 12, 2006 in Policy Corner | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 11 - Over Sixty Supporters at Debate Rally

Aug11_bill_1 Aug11_sidewalk_1 On Friday afternoon, a diverse group of over sixty Bill Ritter supporters rallied outside KBDI-PBS, Channel 12, where the gubernatorial candidates debated the issues. By a margin of at least three to one, Bill's people, including families with children, out-numbered a small and nearly homogeneous platoon of Beauprez interns, staffers, and volunteers. Despite the fact that the Beauprez staff brought along a megaphone, the enthusiastic Ritter contingent easily voiced their energetic cheers and acclaim for their candidate.
NE Corner:
Aug11_necorner		 SE Corner:
Aug11_secorner		 SW Corner:
Aug11_swcorner		 NW Corner:
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Front Door:
Aug11_frontdoor		 Boys for Bill:
Aug11_boys 		Four more for Bill:
Aug11_secloseup		 Beauprez Flip-Flops:
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Read additional commentary about the turnout for the debate rally:

August 11, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 9 - Ritter Urges Public Land Protections

Ritter calls for halt to energy lease auction

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter called today for the federal government to halt plans to put nearly 20,000 acres of forest land on the auction block tomorrow for natural-gas development.

“The federal government promised to protect this land while states draft their own roadless protection plans,” Ritter said. “That process is still underway. It would be a terrible betrayal of states’ rights for the federal government to now put this forest land on the auction block.” Ritter joined U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, U.S. Rep. John Salazar, and a coalition of sportsmen and conservation groups in urging the Bush administration to remove the land from the monthly lease auction.

The forest lands in question lie within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison, White River, and Manti-La Sal national forests. The Bush administration said last year that it would temporarily protect roadless areas from mining, logging and energy drilling while states completed their roadless recommendations. Colorado’s 13-member, bipartisan roadless task force approved draft recommendations last week. The recommendations would allow for temporary road building for existing leases but not new leases. Final recommendations will be submitted to Gov. Owens in September, and he has until Nov. 13 to deliver Colorado’s final recommendations to the Bush administration.

“We must do everything possible to keep our public lands public and protect them from over-development,” Ritter said. “Rushing to make these lands available for development breaks a promise that the federal government made to the states.”

Read all these additional articles about the BLM energy leases of roadless wilderness areas:

August 10, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 7 - Beauprez Not Off Initiative 88 Hook

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter said today that the early demise of the fiscally irresponsible ballot proposal known as Initiative 88 is further evidence that Congressman Beauprez is out of touch with Colorado’s needs and values. The Congressman was the first person to sign the petition seeking to place Initiative 88 on this fall’s ballot. Initiative 88 would have rolled back the gains being made under Referendum C and undercut the will of the voters who last year passed Ref C.

“It says something that the Congressman was the very first person to sign this petition,” said Ritter, who supported Ref. C last year and opposed Initiative 88. “This was such an unpopular proposal that they were forced to pull the plug on it early – and the Congressman was its biggest champion.”

Ritter said Ref. C in just its first year:

  • Restored the Homestead Tax exemption for 140,000 senior citizens.
  • Green-lighted 36 transportation projects around the state.
  • Added 2,000 at-risk children to early childhood education programs.

Initiative 88 would have required cuts of up to $400 million over six months, according to a report from Colorado’s Republican state treasurer’s office. “Initiative 88 was a foolhardy and fiscally irresponsible idea,” Ritter said. “That the Congressman proudly supported it demonstrates that he doesn’t understand the people of Colorado and our state’s fiscal needs. It demonstrates Washington, D.C., thinking, not common-sense Colorado thinking.”

Read additional articles and commentary about the political sacrifice of Initiative 88:

August 09, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 7 - Over A Hundred Walk Mall with Candidates

On Monday, a diverse and spirited collection of over a hundred supporters joined Bill Ritter and Barbara O'Brien to walk the Sixteenth Street Mall in Denver. The candidates greeted patrons of sidewalk restaurants as well as pedestrians on the mall's promenade. The candidates concluded their mall walk with a quick pep rally for passersby and supporters.
August7_mall_a_1 August7_mall_b August7_mall_l August7_mall_h
August7_mall_d August7_mall_e August7_mall_f August7_mall_c_1
August7_mall_i August7_mall_j August7_mall_k August7_mall_g
Photo credits: First row - first two: Scott A. Cameron, third: Dayna Hanson, last: W.W. Webb; Second row - all: S. A. Cameron; Third row - first three: D. Hanson, last: S. A. Cameron.

Read additional commentary from a participant in the Mall March:

August 08, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 7 - Ritter's First Radio Spot Sets Positive Tone
Click the play button in the play-back bar above to listen!
(You may require the Quicktime player if the play-back bar is missing.)

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter’s first radio spot began airing around Colorado on Monday, touting Ritter’s modest upbringing and his positive message – a refreshing contrast to his opponent’s first negative attack ad.

Broadcast on radio stations statewide, the 60-second spot tells Ritter’s story – growing up poor on a farm east of Aurora, working his way through CSU and CU Law School, serving as a missionary in Africa for three years, and running the Denver District Attorney’s Office for nearly 12 years.

“Every time I stood in front of a judge as a prosecutor …I said ‘I’m Bill Ritter and I’m here for the people of the state of Colorado,’” Ritter says in the ad. “That meant something to me. As Governor, I would represent the interests of the people of the state … all the people … in that same fashion.” The positive, upbeat message stands in stark contrast to Congressman Beauprez’s first radio ad. In that ad, the Republican candidate for governor attacked – and misrepresented – Ritter’s position on illegal immigration.

“Bill’s campaign is about fulfilling the Colorado Promise,” said Ritter campaign manager Greg Kolomitz. “Bill has been traveling the state for 15 months. He’s listening to people, learning about their struggles, and talking about his plan to make Colorado an even better place to live, work, and play."

“Congressman Beauprez and his friends in Washington have no plan and their approval ratings are at all-time lows,” Kolomitz noted. “The only thing they can do is attack Bill and distort his record. Bill won’t be running a negative, scorched-earth attack campaign. That’s not Bill Ritter and that’s not how we do things here in Colorado.”

Read additional commentary about Bill Ritter's Positive Radio Spot and Congressman Beauprez's distorted criticisms:

August 08, 2006 in For the Record | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 6 - Bill Marches in Idaho Springs Parade

August6_idahospg_a On Sunday, Bill joined a robust contingent of Clear Creek County Democrats to participate in the Fireman's Day Parade in Idaho Springs.
August6_idahospg_b Several vehicles sporting Ritter For Governor signs joined the procession, including the campaign's Flex Fuel Tahoe.
August6_idahospg_c Bill speaks with a supporter of Congressman Bob Beauprez in an effort to recruit another "Republican for Ritter."

August 08, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 5 - Bill Campaigns in Northwest Colorado

On Saturday, Bill visited Steamboat Springs, Craig, and Meeker where he met with residents to discuss their concerns and issues. (Note the crowd that turned out to meet Bill in Steamboat Springs.)
August5_nwest_a August5_nwest_b August5_nwest_c August5_nwest_d

Read additional articles about Bill's swing through Northwest Colorado:

August 08, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 3 - A Rainbow For Ritter

Arapahoe County.
August3_rainbow
(Image courtesy of
R. and M. Brunecz.)

August 07, 2006 in On the Trail | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 3 - The Case of the Congressman's Continuing Contradictions

Community College Confusion:

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter said that Congressman Beauprez is once again trying to have it both ways, this time on community colleges. During a campaign swing, the Republican Congressman told the Pueblo Chieftain that “community colleges … can most impact young people in the long term … This is a system we need to continue to strengthen.”

Ritter, the former District Attorney of Denver, said this is yet another example of the Congressman saying one thing and then doing the exact opposite. “If the Congressman really believes we need to strengthen the community college system, then he shouldn’t have opposed Referendum C and he shouldn’t have voted in Congress to make it more expensive for young people to go to college,” said Ritter, who supported Ref C. “His actions don’t match his words. It’s another classic Both Ways Bob moment.”

If Referendum C had not passed last year, many of the state’s community colleges could have been forced to close. Ref C not only kept the community college system open, it helped keep college more affordable for 124,000 Colorado students. As if the Congressman’s opposition to Ref C wasn’t bad enough, he also voted earlier this year to increase student loan repayment costs for college students. He also was the first person to sign the petition seeking to place Initiative 88 on this fall’s ballot. The initiative would roll back the gains being made under Ref C.

“All of these actions contradict the Congressman’s words,” Ritter said. “His actions demonstrate a dangerous lack of understanding about this state’s needs and the true importance of our community college system. The colleges are vital to helping us live up to the Colorado Promise and establishing a vibrant 21st century economy.”

Congressman's Campaign Appearances Highlight Hypocrisy:

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter also called Congressman Beauprez’s campaign appearances at local youth clubs, community colleges, and a senior center the ultimate act of hypocrisy. “The Congressman opposed Referendum C last year and is supporting another proposal this year that would gut the will of the voters who passed Ref. C,” said Ritter, Denver’s former top prosecutor and a Ref. C supporter. “Yet on his current campaign swing he’s making appearances at venues that are directly benefiting from Ref. C dollars. Once again, he’s trying to have it both ways.”

The Congressman is making appearances this week at the Haven Senior Center in Routt County, the Boys and Girls Club in Moffat County, and community colleges in northwest and southeast Colorado. “The Congressman’s opposition to Ref. C and support of Initiative 88 show a lack of concern for these types of organizations, which are often the lifeblood of their communities,” Ritter said. “He is in effect supporting deep cuts to these community organizations. But there he is out on the campaign trail using them as photo ops and backdrops.”

Thanks to Ref. C, after-school programs administered by Boys and Girls Clubs as well as community colleges received much-needed state support this year. Thanks to Ref. C, Colorado Northwestern Community College repaired and replaced several boilers, Lamar Community College updated its Horse Training Management Facility, and Otero Junior College received needed funds to upgrade its outdated telecommunications system. Beauprez planned visits to all three colleges this week.

Senior citizens also are benefiting from Ref. C in the form of Homestead Tax exemptions and assistance with prescription drug costs along with other services. “Once again, what Bob Beauprez says and what he does are two different things,” Ritter noted. “I supported Ref. C because I believe in supporting higher education and supporting our children. You have to put your money where your mouth is, and the Congressman’s actions show he doesn’t support these organizations, yet he uses these campaign stops to try and distract voters from his real position. He can’t have it both ways.”

Read additional commentary about the Congressman's contortions:

  • ColoradoLib.com: