Bill Ritter for Governor of Colorado

July 13 - Ritter Raises Over $2 Million

Momentum Continues to Build

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter has raised more than $2 million for his campaign, including $121,000 in the last two weeks alone. At the end of the July 12 reporting period, including in-kinds, Ritter has raised a total of $2,013,811.

In June, Ritter outraised his Republican challenger Congressman Beauprez by more than a 2-1 margin. Ritter raised more than $360,000 while his opponent only reported $150,000.

"We’re continuing to gather momentum because our campaign speaks to the people of Colorado," Ritter said. "In the last month, I’ve traveled from Creede to Trinidad, from Springfield to Durango, and points in between, talking to voters. Everywhere I’ve gone I’ve heard from people who want a governor who shoots straight and believes in results, not just talk. The broad support we’ve received for the campaign is a reflection of our support for Coloradans."

Compare the candidates's recent fundraising efforts:
		Bob Beauprez	Bill Ritter
	Current Month:	$57,279	$121,000
	June:	$151,860	$360,000
	May:	$99,528	$201,066
	April:	$73,000	$156,000

Read more articles and commentary about the Bill's successful fundraising efforts:

• Rocky Mountain News: July 14 - Gubernatorial candidate Ritter pulls in $121,000
• Rocky Mountain News: July 18 - Rivals dash for cash
• ColoradLib.com: July 18 - Republicans don't trust Both Ways Bob with money
• SquareState.net: July 18 - Trailhead, Not Beauprez Gets GOP Money

July 12 - Ritter Questions Beauprez's Commitment to Public Lands

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today questioned his Republican challenger’s commitment to protecting Colorado’s public wilderness areas. Congressman Beauprez voted to open public lands despite opposition from 43 Colorado hunting and fishing organizations, then claimed that hunting access is a priority. "If the Congressman is willing to fight to protect public access to public lands, then why did he vote to open more than 100,000 acres of Colorado public lands to private interests?" Ritter asked. "His actions in Washington don’t support his words in Colorado."

On his website, Congressman Beauprez claims it is "critically important that Colorado’s next Governor is willing to fight for public access to our public lands." He claims he will make hunting access a priority. Yet the Congressman’s actions once again show that he says one thing in Colorado but does quite a different thing in Washington.

In November, Congressman Beauprez voted in favor of a provision of the Budget Reconciliation Act that would have opened up nearly 125,000 acres to potential privatization by removing protections from a long-standing mining law. The act passed the House by a mere two votes. Forty-three Colorado hunting and fishing organizations sent letters of opposition to Washington. Colorado’s U.S. Senators agreed to oppose the provision, and even the Republican sponsor of the provision ultimately agreed to withdraw it.

"Congressman Beauprez claims he’ll protect public lands in Colorado," Ritter said. "But when he had a chance to put his words into action, he failed to do it. That’s irresponsible and it’s hypocritical. He’s trying to have it both ways - again."

Ritter has previously pointed out the Congressman’s inconsistent or hypocritical positions on water management, immigration policy, and alternative energy.

July 12 - Campaign Commuters

Richard O'Brien shuttles Barbara, his wife and Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, through Denver rush hour traffic to a campaign event for motorcyclists.

July 11-12: Bill's Comments on the Special Session and Immigration

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On the Successful Conclusion of the Legislature's Special Session: (July 11)

I'm pleased that the legislature, led by Senate President FitzGerald and House Speaker Romanoff, has passed a package of bills that are tough, fair, and effective. Colorado isn't DC, and the Colorado legislature has done what Congressman Bob Beauprez and DC are unwilling to do - actually pass measures that amount to substantive immigration reform.

And if it was important enough for the Colorado legislature to go into special session at a cost of $15,000 a day, it's important enough for Congress to solve the problem before the August recess. Congressman Bob Beauprez talks a lot about immigration. Now it's time for him to follow the lead of our Colorado legislature and propose responsible and achievable reforms. To date, he has not done that. We don't need field hearings in Colorado, we need action in Washington.

About Amnesty and the Bush Plan for Undocumented Workers: (July 12)

I oppose amnesty. And unlike Congressman Beauprez, I agree with President Bush. As the President himself put it, "Amnesty means you're automatically a citizen. I don't think that makes sense." The President and I also agree on another point - Bob Beauprez and his colleagues in DC need to act soon, not put the issue on hold.

What I do support is the President’s proposal to make those who have been here for a long time, who have worked for many years and paid taxes, go to the back of the line, behind those who have followed the rules. And the President has also said, "The right thing to do is to recognize that if you've been here illegally, that there ought to be a cost for doing so, but also recognize there are decent, hardworking people that have contributed to our society at the same time."

Bob Beauprez apparently can’t understand either what amnesty means, what the President means, or what I mean when I say I oppose it.

July 11 - Ritter Announces Conservation Agenda

LAUNCHES OUTREACH EFFORT TO COLORADO OUTDOORSMEN

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today released his conservation agenda for Colorado, which includes protecting Colorado’s wilderness areas and supporting the state’s strong hunting and fishing heritage.

As part of the agenda, Ritter has launched an outreach effort aimed at recruiting Colorado’s hunters, anglers, and other outdoorsmen and women in his conservation plans. Ritter has launched a new Sportsmen’s page on his campaign website and published a "Sportsmen and our Great Outdoors" position paper.

"Colorado issues more than a million hunting and fishing licenses every year," Ritter said. "One of those fishing licenses is mine, and my second-oldest son is now an accomplished deer hunter. So when I talk about how important sportsmen are to Colorado, and why partnering with them to protect our outdoor heritage is a top priority, I’m speaking from personal experience. I want to ensure that we are able to protect our wilderness areas and public lands - and pass on this legacy to future generations."

Ritter, an avid fly fisherman, said hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers are central to the Colorado lifestyle and play an integral role in Colorado’s economy. Hunters, anglers, archers, and others spend more than $1 billion a year on travel, equipment, food, lodging, and other wildlife-recreation activities in Colorado. The industry supports at least 20,000 full-time jobs. "Protecting Colorado’s wilderness and roadless areas makes good environmental sense and good economic sense," Ritter said. "Public land should be just that – public, something that benefits everyone, not sold off to benefit special interests."

Ritter’s conservation agenda is just one part of his commitment to the environment as well as to alternative energy and sound water management.

July 9 - Bill Visits Las Animas and Huerfano Counties

	In Las Animas County, Bill visited Trinidad to discuss the issues important to the area and to the future of Colorado with residents.
	In La Veta, Bill spoke with Huerfano County residents about the election.
	After the La Veta meeting, Bill spent time talking with 94 year old Claudia Capps, La Veta's oldest citizen, a retired school teacher, and "territorial daughter of Huerfano County."

July 8 - New Energy Tour Continues

Following a tour of a Prowers County wind farm, Bill and John Stulp Jr. discussed the importance of wind energy to Colorado's rural economy. Click to read more about Bill's commitment to alternative energy.

July 8 - Bill Campaigns in Southeast Colorado

	In La Junta, Bill met with Otero County residents. Click to read an article from the La Junta newspaper about Bill's visit.
	Bill spoke with a group of Bent County residents in Las Animas.
	At the Lamar Welcome Center, Bill enjoyed talking with Prowers County residents.
	In Lamar, Bill greeted Eddie Hall, Democratic candidate for the Prowers County Commission, District 2.
	Later that afternoon, Bill met residents of Baca County in Springfield.

July 8 - A Ritter Critter

Scout (M. Hogan owner)

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.

July 7 - Congressman Beauprez's NREL Hypocrisy

Bill Ritter today questioned why Congressman Beauprez attended a ceremony at NREL just months after voting to reduce the agency's budget and cut jobs.

"How in good conscience could Congressman Beauprez attend today's ribbon-cutting ceremony with Energy Secretary Bodman to celebrate the opening of NREL's new Science & Technology Facility?" asked Ritter, who promotes a New Energy Economy as a way to establish Colorado as a national leader in alternative energy. "Congressman Beauprez voted last July to cut NREL's budget by $28 million," Ritter observed. "NREL is one of the best agencies to help lead us to an independent energy future."

In November, 100 members of Congress signed a letter urging the president to fully fund renewable energy programs as authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. "Congressman Beauprez refused to sign the letter," Ritter noted.

In the face of mounting election-year pressure, the President restored enough money in February to save 32 NREL jobs. "When the President visited NREL the next day, there was the Congressman by his side as if he supported NREL all along," Ritter said. "That was hypocritical then, and it was hypocritical today when the Congressman showed up at NREL once again. He's clearly trying to have it both ways."