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Ritter is our choice to lead Colorado
Ritter is a moderate Democrat who has carefully thought through problems facing Colorado. He follows up in speeches and debates with detail about how to manage the state's budget stress or how to provide affordable health care to all Colorado residents, or how to capitalize on a new energy economy. ... Ritter's principles draw us to him, along with his abilities to reach out to the common people. He's a good communicator who we believe can make bipartisanship work in the governor's office. This state needs a dynamic leader, which we think Ritter will be. Send him to the governor's seat and watch Colorado grow.
Click here to read the entire endorsement from the Greeley Tribune. (PDF file format)
Read additional newspaper editorial endorsements of Bill Ritter:
Ritter for governor
BILL RITTER has conducted an impressive statewide campaign for governor of Colorado ... Our nod goes to Mr. Ritter as a man committed to tackling all the wide-ranging issues facing our state, regardless of political faction or geographic region. ... We believe he is sincerely committed to extending economic development and opportunity to Southeastern Colorado and throughout the state. ...
At this crucial juncture in history for Southern Colorado's water and future vitality, we recommend the candidate who has staked out a path for the entire state - urban and rural. That's Bill Ritter. He deserves your vote for governor.
Click here to read the entire Pueblo Chieftain endorsement. (PDF file format)
Read additional newspaper editorial endorsements of Bill Ritter:
Read an article about the rally printed in the Pueblo Chieftain:
Calling all volunteers! | ||||||
| 8:00 | AM | - | 8:30 | PM | Now is the time for action! Spend some time today helping with voter turnout activities. Many convenient locations and activities. Contact our Super-Saturday coordinator, Ann by calling (720) 309-8804 or through her email at ann.ritter4governor@comcast.net today! | |
Pueblo Early Voting Rally | 9:00 | AM | - | 10:00 | AM | Pueblo County Courthouse 215 W. 10th Street,Pueblo Join Bill, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, and Congressman John Salazar for a voter turnout rally on Saturday morning. |
Campaign Rally With Bill | 12:30 | PM | - | 1:00 | PM | Macedonia Church 3240 Adams St., Denver |
Northeast Denver Campaign Rally | 1:30 | PM | - | 2:15 | PM | Montbello Recreation Center 15555 E. 53rd Ave |
Northeast Denver Campaign Rally | 2:45 | PM | - | 3:15 | PM | Montclair Recreation Center (West end of the park.) 729 Ulster Way |
Southeast Denver Campaign Rally | 3:45 | PM | - | 4:15 | PM | Recreational Park East Iowa Ave and South Vine Street (West of University Blvd.) |
Southwest Denver Campaign Rally | 4:45 | PM | - | 5:15 | PM | Athmar Rec Center (At the baseball field.) 2680 W. Mexico Ave. |
Northwest Denver Campaign Rally | 5:45 | PM | - | 6:30 | PM | Scheitler Rec. Center 5031 W. 46th Ave. |
Denver Pavilions Rally | 7:00 | PM | - | 8:00 | PM | Sixteenth Street Mall and Glenarm Downtown Denver |
Fort Collins Coloradoan:
October 27: Ritter's vision for Colorado makes sense
Bill Ritter should be the next governor of Colorado. ... Ritter, a Democrat, was able to communicate his vision for the future of Colorado effectively. ... In a refreshing acknowledgement that a new direction is needed when it comes to resource allocation, Ritter is an advocate of early childhood education programs. He told the editorial board that getting children ready to learn is one of the biggest goals for the state's economic well being. ... Ritter says that immigration is primarily a federal issue, and we agree.
Click here to read the entire Fort Collins Coloradoan endorsement. (PDF file format)
Colorado Springs Independent:
October 12 - Endorsements: Priority races
It is clear that Ritter has emerged as the sophisticated and savvy leader that Colorado deserves.
... few gave him a chance of winning. But the more the people of Colorado saw how hard Ritter worked to understand our state's varied constituencies — whether they live in the Pikes Peak region, in Metro Denver, the Western Slope or the more rural areas of the state — the more people came to realize that this former prosecutor truly listens and learns from what he has heard. ... Colorado needs a sensible, focused, visionary and pragmatic leader. Bill Ritter has proven he's the far better choice.
Click here to read the entire Colorado Springs Independent endorsement of Bill. (PDF file format)
Read additional newspaper editorial endorsements of Bill Ritter:
Bill headed off early this morning for the southwest corner of Colorado -- Cortez, Durango, and Pagosa Springs. The sky is clear, the air is crisp, and the Colorado Promise bus has visited 19 cities and towns across the state as the election draws closer and closer.
Some fun moments from the campaign trail:
As today's storm pounded metro Denver, Bill and the "Colorado Promise" tour bus
seem to be ahead of the worst of the snow and cold. They were in Las Animas and
Lamar early this morning and plan to head southeast to Springfield after that.
Visiting with about 15 local residents as a driving storm swept across the Eastern Plains, Ritter promised to work hard on economic development, farm protection, and water issues for the region. Las Animas Mayor Lawrence Sena introduced Ritter to the group.
"This shouldn't just be about the Front Range," Ritter said. "We need to add economic value to the Eastern Plains as well. We need help the Plains grow and thrive so you can keep your kids here."
Ritter also stressed the importance of protecting agriculture and water. He said Colorado needs a "new water ethic" that stresses conservation, re-use, cooperation, and when appropriate new storage along the Front Range.
Keep checking the blog throughout the day for updates.
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Weather forecasters said there was a blizzard on the way, but it was nothing but blue sky and warm sunshine in Otero County as Bill resumed the 'Colorado Promise' bus tour today. After stops in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Bill and the bus headed east to La Junta. He visited with supporters outside the Otero County Courthouse and Otero Junior College, where he stressed the importance of higher education and economic development.
Later, Bill stopped at Manzanola Elementary School to chat with the students and teachers that he met there. Then, he was off to Pueblo for the debate against Congressman Beauprez.
And for those who don't know, it's the La Junta High School TIGERS!
Read additional articles about the Border-to-Border 'Colorado Promise' Bus Tour:
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Read additional articles and commentary about the big rally in Aurora:
Ouray County Plaindealer:
October 13 - Endorsements: the state offices
Governor: Bill Ritter. Solid. Moderate. Independent. Those are words that come to immediate mind when the Democratic hopeful comes under consideration. Though Ritter lacks the traditional resume of a gubernatorial candidate-- some legislative experience or maybe having served as state treasurer -- he has proven himself as an able administrator with a firm grasp of the issues facing Colorado, which he demonstrated in a campaign stop in Ouray County in August. Ritter is far from a knee-jerk Democrat, exemplified by his pro-life stance on abortion. His opponent, Bob Beauprez, has been a party-line voter in Congress, was an opponent of last year's vital Referendum C, and has run a clumsy campaign. And it appears he has taken Ouray County for granted, having not campaigned here to date.
Click here to visit the Ouray County Plaindealer website.
Durango Herald:
October 15 - Bill Ritter: As governor, he can move Colorado forward
...
This November, who can better keep the state moving forward? Bill Ritter.
Ritter's hardscrabble upbringing and years as Denver district attorney have given him a good feel for what it will take to improve the lives of many Coloradans. Ritter has pledged to make strengthening education - including higher education - a priority, along with protecting the environment and improving health-care services, especially for the state's uninsured.
We expect that Ritter's open and moderate style, passion and vision will go a long way in moving diverse groups forward. He is inclusive, a welcome and refreshing quality in today's divided political climate.
Despite his personal and professional Denver roots, Ritter also knows Southwest Colorado. Years ago he spent time in Silverton with his father, a contractor, who was laying a pipeline. More recently, as an attorney for the state after limited-stakes gambling became possible, he helped negotiate the gambling parameters that the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes would apply in their casinos. Some of those meetings took place in Ignacio and Towaoc, and gave Ritter a sense of our region's needs and concerns - and how they differ from those along the Front Range.
...
Bill Ritter has the potential to move Colorado forward. He deserves to be the state's next governor.
Click here to visit the Durango Herald website.
Aspen Daily News:
October 19 - Bill Ritter
Ritter is clearly a cut above ...
... the driving issue for our decision to support Ritter is the difference between the two candidates on immigration.
Ritter ... realizes the issue is not that simple, and we support his pledge for a guest-worker program to help Colorado employers fill their jobs with immigrants.
Throughout the campaign ... Ritter has been a steady force.
It's Ritter's display of poise and calm that Colorado needs. If he sticks to his promises, this state will be better because of him.
Click here to view the entire Aspen Daily News endorsement (PDF file requires the Adobe Acrobat reader.)
Read additional newspaper editorial endorsements of Bill Ritter:
Read additional coverage about the Colorado Promise Tour: (sorted by date, source)
Bill Ritter, candidate for governor, today received the endorsement of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance at a press conference held at the Friendship Baptist Church in Denver.
"We strongly believe we need a change in the direction of our state government," said Pastor Paul Burleson, President of the Alliance, "and we believe that Bill Ritter is the right man for the job."
"When we speak about opportunity, we should speak about opportunity for people in all economic stations and in every place in life," said Ritter. "I look forward to partnering with the Ministerial Alliance to address important issues like education, the economy, and the overrepresentation of minorities caught-up in the criminal justice system."
"I am both honored and humbled by this endorsement and I believe that by working together we can leave Colorado a better place than we found it."
The Greater Metropolitan Denver Ministerial Alliance (GMDMA), representing predominantly African-American congregations in northeast Denver and northwest Aurora, has been providing civic, political, and social leadership in Metro Denver for over 50 years.
Pastors present at today’s event were: Alliance President Paul Burleson and members Steven Dewberry, James Peters, Jr., Ronald Wooding, Joseph Nixon, James Peters Jr., and Reginald Holmes.
Read additional coverage about the endorsement:
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper endorsed gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today, praising Ritter for running a positive, issues-based campaign that will help Colorado's small businesses prosper and thrive.
"Bill Ritter has grown like few candidates have in the history of Colorado," Hickenlooper told a packed news conference at Ritter campaign headquarters. "He will be one of the best governors this state has ever had."
The extremely popular first-term mayor said Ritter has articulated a clear vision and demonstrated a firm grasp of how to help propel Colorado forward. He cited Ritter’s decision to name Barbara O'Brien as his lieutenant governor running mate; his consensus-building and problem-solving approach; and the way Ritter seeks and absorbs advice from others.
"He focuses on practical, achievable ideas that will allow the entire state to prosper," the mayor said. "He has set the stage for a bipartisan, cooperative, and collaborative administration."
He commended Ritter for focusing on issues and ideas and not waging a negative campaign. The mayor also praised Ritter's commitment to small business and economic opportunity, saying it will serve the entire state well.
Ritter said he was proud to earn the mayor's backing. "It's been great to have run a positive campaign without having to jump out of an airplane," Ritter joked, referring to Mayor Hickenlooper's infamous jump from an airplane during the Ref C campaign last year.
Ritter said he shares some traits with the mayor, namely pragmatism, their attention to problem-solving, and being centrists. "I intend to borrow some pages out of his playbook," Ritter said.
Visit these additional articles and coverage from the news conference:
Ritter raises $335K in first half of October
Campaign unveils new video-fundraising program featuring endorsement testimonials from local, national 'Hot Shots'
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter raised $335,000 in campaign contributions during the first half of October, according to a report filed with the Secretary of State’s Office today.
The figure brings his campaign-to-date total to $3.5 million. Ritter ended the Sept. 28 to Oct. 11 filing period with $193,000 cash on hand. His campaign spent $308,000 during the period.
With just 20 days until Election Day, Ritter today also launched a new "Hot Shot" fundraising program featuring video endorsements from local and national dignitaries. The videos will be posted on a new page on Ritter's website and e-mailed to thousands of Coloradans. A new video from a Colorado or national "Hot Shot" will be posted and e-mailed each day.
In addition to telling voters why they are backing Bill, the "Hot Shots" will include an invitation to contribute online. "This campaign is all about looking forward, and this is a creative way for our supporters to generate even more enthusiasm for Bill Ritter," campaign manager Greg Kolomitz said. "We're using the web to promote Bill's vision for Colorado and to invite people to join our efforts."
The program kicks off today with an endorsement and fundraising pitch from former Denver Mayor Federico Peña, who also served in the Clinton Cabinet as secretary of the Transportation and Energy departments.
| Fundraising Total: | $3.5 million | |
| 2006 Totals: | ||
| January to March: | $465,000 | |
| April: | $156,000 | |
| May: | $200,000 | |
| June: | $360,000 | |
| July 1-12: | $121,000 | |
| July 13-26: | $106,000 | |
| July 27-Aug. 30: | $606,000 | |
| Aug. 31-Sept. 13: | $197,000 | |
| Sept. 14-27: | $225,000 | |
| Sept. 28-Oct. 11: | $335,000 | |
Visit additional coverage on the fundraising:
On Tuesday, Bill visited Colorado State University in Fort Collins and the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley to speak with students and faculty.
In Fort Collins, Bill met with Professor John Straayer's State and Local Government and Politics class. Straayer taught Bill when he attended CSU in the 1970's. After that session, Bill joined a couple of hundred students on the plaza in the snow to speak about education and answer their questions. He concluded his visit by speaking to the CSU Student Senate.
In Greeley, he met with students and faculty in the University Center where people packed the UNC room, standing room only, to hear Bill's vision for higher education in Colorado. Afterwards Bill answered questions from students.
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Read additional articles about Bill's visit:
![]() | On Saturday, Bill's supporters came out to show their support before the Action 22 debate in Colorado Springs. |
Read coverage of the debate:
Information in attack ad only available to law enforcement
Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today asked the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to examine whether Congressman Beauprez broke the law by using a criminal justice database in a television attack ad.
Ritter accused the Congressman of gaining access to a secure national database in violation of state and federal law.
"Your campaign broke the law," Ritter said during a debate taped at Fox 31 News in Denver this afternoon. "It's illegal to have access to that database."
The Congressman said his campaign used an "informant" to gather the information in the ad and would publicly disclose how and from where he obtained the information.
"The Congressman needs to be held accountable for this," Ritter said after the debate. "Breaking the rules for political gain and trying to cover it up might be OK in Washington, but that's not how we do things in Colora