Wednesday, December 2, 2009

GOV. RITTER CONGRATULATES POUDRE VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM FOR WINNING NATIONAL HONOR



GOV. RITTER CONGRATULATES POUDRE VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM

  

Gov. Bill Ritter today congratulated Poudre Valley Health System for being presented with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, one of the nation's most prestigious healthcare honors. The awards, presented by Vice President Joe Biden, are the nation's highest presidential honor for organizational innovation and performance excellence.

 

"By delivering high-quality cost-effective care to patients throughout northern Colorado, Poudre Valley Health System now serves as a national model for quality and innovation. Poudre Valley is helping to strengthen local economies and keep people healthy. Congratulations to Poudre Valley Health System for winning this top honor, and for providing quality, affordable and accessible health care to the people of Colorado," said Gov. Ritter, who attended today's award ceremony in Washington D.C.

 

The Baldrige program is managed by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in conjunction with the private sector. The 2008 Baldrige Award's two other recipients include Cargill Corn Milling North America of Wayzata, Minn., for manufacturing, and Iredell-Statesville Schools of Statesville, N.C., for education.


Click here for more information on the Poudre Valley Health System and here for the Baldrige Award.

 

Sunday, November 22, 2009

6 P.M. TONIGHT: GOV. RITTER MEDIA AVAILABILITY AT CAPITOL


 

Gov. Ritter will hold a media availability to respond to media inquiries we've received today about developments in the Republican Party primary for governor.

           

            WHEN: 6 p.m. today (Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009)

            WHERE: Bottom of the South Steps of the Capitol (media can park on the sidewalk along 14th Street)

           

            Gov. Ritter issued the following statement about the GOP developments:

           

"I've spent the past three years standing up for families and small businesses, leading Colorado on major issues like energy, the economy and healthcare. I'm making tough decisions to keep the state's budget balanced, to get the economy back on track and create new jobs in every corner of Colorado. Over the next year, I'll continue making my case to the people of Colorado about what kind of future we want for our children and grandchildren. We can keep moving forward and making progress building a New Energy Economy, revitalizing our schools and containing skyrocketing healthcare costs. Or we can go backwards with Congressman McInnis and a 1990s strategy that has nothing new, no specific solutions and only vague discredited political rhetoric."

           

# # #

 

Announcement from Sen. Josh Penry

Dear Friends,

This morning in a small park in Grand Junction I endorsed Scott McInnis to be the next Governor of the State of Colorado.

Experience and new energy are now on the same team, and that's good news for our state, our party, and the cause of conservative reform and good government that Colorado desperately needs.

It's bad news for Bill Ritter and a Democratic legislature that has rubber stamped his big tax, big fee, no drill economic agenda. The Democratic monopoly in Denver has helped usher in the worst economy in 60 years. Soon, it will be their turn to take a number in the unemployment line.

My endorsement of Scott is an enthusiastic one - it comes on the heels of two weeks of talks between Scott and I as well as other leaders in local government, the state legislature, and leading Republican names like Tom Tancredo. Those talks resulted in a common-sense conservative reform agenda that will be unveiled in the coming days - it's a governing vision that will get Colorado's economy moving again, and at long last rally the Colorado Republican Party on the principles and priorities that make us strong. Look for more on that soon.

It also positions Colorado Republicans for a historic comeback in 2010.   

On the morning of election day in 2004, Colorado was Republican Country.

The Grand Old Party in the Centennial State claimed a Governor, two United States Senators, five Members of Congress, a state Treasurer, Secretary of State, and a majority in both the State House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate.

By that evening, everything changed. And over the next five plus years, Republicans witnessed a literal electoral collapse, with Democrats taking the Governor's office, both US Senate Seats, five Congressional Districts, the state House, Senate and the Treasurer's and the Secretary of State's office too.
The reasons for our Party's demise are by now well documented: a well-funded, well-organized and highly-motivated Democratic and liberal machine out-smarted and out-maneuvered a Republican Party that was, for its part, divided, undisciplined, and underfunded.

This week, the long march back begins for Colorado Republicans.  On the heels of runaway election sweeps in New Jersey and Virginia, Colorado Republicans have a once in a generation chance to return our governing philosophy to a leadership position in Colorado - to defeat an incumbent Governor, to re-establish conservative control of both chambers of the Colorado legislature and in other key seats as well.

And my endorsement of Scott McInnis is one part of that. This election is about something more than personalities and personal ambition - it's about reclaiming this State, and demanding common sense and leadership from government.

I left the Governor's race last week to focus our resources and our common purposes on taking back the electoral real estate we've lost - yes, beating Bill Ritter, but also rallying our resources to make sure we elect conservative reformers to Congress the statehouse and courthouses across Colorado.

It's a little different role then we envisioned five months ago, but it's a critical fight for Colorado.  And right after I finish a little turkey and a lot of mashed potatoes with the family, it's a fight that I will wage vigorously.

For his part, Scott is eager to earn your support and vote. Ask him questions and hear him out. My bet is he'll convince you he's the right man to be Governor - like he did me.

Thanks for your time. Best wishes for a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Most Sincerely,

Josh


Friday, November 20, 2009

GOV. RITTER APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS TO HIGHER ED, STATE FAIR BOARDS

 

Gov. Bill Ritter announced appointments today to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and the Colorado State Fair Board. The appointments are for terms expiring in 2013.

 

Gov. Ritter has appointed to the CCHE: Regina M. Rodriguez of Denver, a Democrat, to represent the 7th Congressional District, and David L. Edwards of Fort Collins, unaffiliated, to represent the 4th Congressional District. The 11-member CCHE sets policies for all state-supported colleges and universities.

 

The Governor also has named the following people to the Colorado State Fair Authority Board of Commissioners:

·         Loren R. Whittemore of Rush, re-appointed.

·         Vincent L. Vigil of Pueblo, re-appointed.

·         David J. Galli of Pueblo, appointed.

 

The 11-member Fair Board directs and supervises the annual Colorado State Fair and Industrial Exposition, which is held in Pueblo.

 

The appointments announced today require state Senate confirmation.

 

For more information about Colorado boards and commissions, or to obtain an application, visit the Boards and Commission website, e-mail boards@state.co.us, or call 303.866.6380.

 


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

GOV. RITTER HONORS 15 FORT CARSON SOLDIERS KILLED LAST MONTH

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.

WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR

 

Gov. Bill Ritter issued the following statement today honoring the 15 Fort Carson soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan in October, the deadliest month of combat for the post since the Vietnam War:

 

"This tragic loss of life is the ultimate reminder of the sacrifice that members of the military make to defend our freedoms. As a community and a country, it's vital that we honor their lives, their bravery and their heroism. It is with a heavy heart that I ask all Coloradans to join with me to keep those who laid down their lives, as well as the loved ones they leave behind, in our thoughts and prayers."

 

Those remembered at today's services:

 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division:

Staff Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

Sgt. Joshua M. Hardt, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

Sgt. Michael P. Scusa, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

Spc. Christopher T. Griffin, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

Spc. Stephan L. Mace, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

Pfc. Kevin C. Thomson, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team

 

4th Engineer Battalion:

Staff Sgt. Glen H. Stivison Jr., 576th Mobility Augmentation Company

Spc. Kevin O. Hill, 569th  Mobility Augmentation Company

Spc. Jesus O. Flores, 569th Mobility Augmentation Company

Spc. Daniel C. Lawson, 569th Mobility Augmentation Company

Spc. Eric N. Lembke, 569th Mobility Augmentation Company

Spc. Kimble A. Han, 569th Mobility Augmentation Company

Pfc. Brandon M. Styer, 569th Mobility Augmentation Company

 


Monday, November 16, 2009

GOV. RITTER STATEMENT ON SEN. GIBBS' DECISION

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.

WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONDAY, NOV. 16, 2009

 

CONTACT

Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us

 

GOV. RITTER STATEMENT ON SEN. GIBBS' DECISION

 

Gov. Ritter issued the following statement today regarding state Sen. Dan Gibbs' decision to forego re-election to the Senate after the 2010 legislative session and instead pursue a seat on the Summit County Board of Commissioners:

 

"As an effective advocate for the Western Slope and one of my strongest partners in the legislature, Sen. Gibbs will be sorely missed at the Capitol. I look forward to working closely with Sen. Gibbs during the 2010 session, but after that the General Assembly's loss will certainly be Summit County's gain. As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Gibbs has been a key ally in my administration's efforts to repair and keep Colorado's roads and bridges safe. Dan has also worked tirelessly with my administration and the federal government to address the bark beetle infestation in Colorado's forests. He is a talented legislator with a bright future as a county commissioner, and I wish him the best."

 

# # #

 

     

Monday, November 9, 2009

GOV. RITTER LAUDS OPENING OF BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER IN COLO. SPGS.


 

Gov. Bill Ritter today applauded the opening of a new Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center in Colorado Springs, which will help connect small businesses with government contracts.

 

"This is another important step forward for Colorado's small-business community, which is the backbone of our economy and the engine that drives this state forward," Gov. Ritter said. "Congratulations to the many partners who worked long and hard to make this a reality. Bringing a PTAC to Colorado will be critical to our future economic growth."

 

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is located at 190 S. Cascade Ave. Don Marostica, head of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, attended today's grand opening.

 

"During these difficult economic times, we're pleased to offer additional resources to Colorado businesses," said Tom Elam, director of the Colorado PTAC.  "Contracting and procurement on the federal, state, and local level will bring additional dollars to our businesses and help retain jobs."

 

Colorado was awarded the new PTAC this summer after a competitive application process led by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Institute for Civic Achievement Inc. and many other businesses, organizations and volunteers across the state.

 

The PTAC program is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, the State Economic Development Commission and others. It will assist Colorado's small and middle market businesses to obtain contracts with federal, state, county and local governments. The assistance center will be based out of Colorado Springs with satellite workers providing additional coverage throughout the state.