billritterwatch- Bill Ritter - Colorado Governor

FOR 2ND YEAR IN A ROW, FORBES.COM NAMES COLO. 4TH BEST FOR BIZ

2010-10-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

FORBES AGAIN RANKS COLORADO 4^th BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS

For the second year in a row, Forbes has once again ranked Colorado as the fourth best state for businesses and for fostering economic growth. CNBC has rated Colorado the third best state two years in a row.

"Even in this tough economy, Colorado has remained aggressive, disciplined and focused when it comes to supporting businesses and encouraging economic growth," Gov. Ritter said. "Today's ranking by Forbes shows that our strategies and investments in emerging and innovative industries like clean energy, healthcare, aerospace, biosciences and technology are working. We still have many challenges ahead, but we are indeed moving forward."

The Forbes ranking puts Colorado first for labor supply, sixth for overall economic climate and growth prospects, and ninth for quality of life.

GOV. RITTER STATEMENT ON DAVID HARTLEY CASE

2010-10-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter issued the following statement today regarding the David Hartley case:

"My heart goes out to the family and friends of David Hartley as they struggle through this painful and difficult time. Earlier today I spoke with the Mexican Consulate's Office about this tragic case and they assured me they are doing everything possible to recover David's body and bring to justice those who committed this heinous crime. I asked that they commit all law enforcement resources available, and they assured me they would."

GOV. RITTER APPOINTS FOUR NEW JUDGES TO COUNTY, DISTRICT COURTS

2010-09-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today he has appointed four new judges to the bench in Colorado:

·         Mark Duncan Thompson of Breckenridge will replace retiring District Court Judge W. Terry Ruckriegle in the 5^th Judicial District effective immediately. The 5^th Judicial District serves Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake and Summit counties. Thompson is a shareholder of the Breckenridge law firm West, Brown, Huntley and Thompson. He received his bachelor's degree from Bates College in Maine in 1989 and his law degree from the University of Denver in 1992.

·         Norma A. Sierra of Boulder will replace retiring Boulder County Court Judge Carolyn Hoye Enichen effective Jan. 11. Sierra is currently a District Court magistrate for the 20^th Judicial District, which serves Boulder County. Before that, Sierra served as the district's family court facilitator. She was a solo practitioner from 1996 to 2000 and a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice from 1990 to 1993. She earned her B.B.A. from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1984 and her law degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987.

·         Mark Marrow Randall of Arvada will replace retiring Jefferson County Court Judge Charles T. Hoppin effective Jan. 11. Randall is currently a chief deputy district attorney for the 1^st Judicial District, which serves Gilpin and Jefferson counties. He also is the legislative director for the Colorado District Attorney's Council. Randall earned his bachelor's degree from Creighton University in Nebraska in 1985 and his law degree from the University of Denver in 1988.

·         Thomas Lee Lynch of Fort Collins will replace retiring Larimer County Court Judge Cynthia M. Hartman effective Nov. 30. Lynch is currently a deputy district in the 8^th Judicial District, which serves Larimer and Jackson counties. Prior to that, he was an executive with Snowfly Inc., district director for former Congressman Bob Schaffer, president of JurisDATA Inc. and corporate services executive for Aspen Tree Software. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1988 and his law degree in 1991 from the University of Wyoming.

For a county court judge, the initial term of office is a provisional term of two years. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, county court judges serve four-year terms at an annual salary of $123,067.

For a district court judge, the initial term of office is a provisional term of two years. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, district court judges serve six-year terms at an annual salary of $128,598.

GOV. RITTER APPOINTS THREE NEW JUDGES

2010-08-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today he has appointed three new judges – two district court judges in the 4th Judicial District and one county court judge in Douglas County:

·         Lawrence R. Bowling of Castle Rock will replace retiring Douglas County Judge Michelle Marker effective Jan. 1.

·         Timothy J. Schutz of Monument will replace retiring District Court Judge J. Patrick Kelly in the 4^thJudicial District effective Oct. 31.

·         Barbara L. Hughes of Colorado Springs will replace retiring District Court Judge Timothy Simmons in the 4^th Judicial District effective Dec. 31. The 4^th Judicial District serves El Paso and Teller counties.

Bowling is currently a magistrate in Douglas County and has served as a magistrate in the 18^th Judicial District – which covers Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties – since 2006. Prior to that, he was an assistant county attorney in Jefferson County, an associate with Quade, Fontana and Bonin, and a deputy district attorney in the 18^th Judicial District. He earned his bachelor's degree from Colorado Technical College in 1981 and his law degree from the University of Denver in 1993.

Schutz is a founding member of the firm Hanes & Schutz, which was formed in 1992. Before that, he was an associate with Holland & Hart. He received his bachelor's degree from Moorhead State University in 1984 and his law degree from the University of North Dakota in 1987.

Hughes has served as a district court magistrate in the 4^th Judicial District's Probate Division since 2000. Prior to that, she was an attorney with Colorado Legal Services in Colorado Springs, an attorney with Pikes Peak Legal Services in Colorado Springs, a law clerk in the 4^th Judicial District and an attorney with Zuckerman and Kleinman. She earned her bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1980 and her law degree from the University of Colorado in 1988.

For a county court judge, the initial term of office is a provisional term of two years. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, county court judges serve four-year terms at an annual salary of $123,067.

For a district court judge, the initial term of office is a provisional term of two years. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, district court judges serve six-year terms at an annual salary of $128,598.

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES BALLOT ISSUE RESOLUTION

2010-06-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES BALLOT ISSUE RESOLUTION

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today an agreement has been reached between commercial rafting outfitters and private property owners along the Taylor River. The compromise clears the way for sponsors of 24 competing ballot measures to withdraw their respective proposals from the November ballot, averting an expensive and divisive election fight.

The Governor had asked two outfitters, Three Rivers and Scenic River Tours, and the owners of the Jackson-Shaw property, in May to find a mutually agreeable solution to their dispute.

Gov. Ritter thanked the parties for their hard work and willingness to find common ground. "To reach this accord, both sides had to make difficult concessions, and I appreciate their willingness to do so," the Governor said. "Today's agreement marks an important step toward opening a dialogue between landowners and rafters. My hope is that this dialogue will then lead to a fair and efficient dispute-resolution process for the future.

"Colorado's rivers are essential to all Coloradans, not only for the vital drinking and agricultural water they carry, but also to our overall economy and quality of life," said Gov. Ritter, who is an avid fly-fisherman. "Anglers, rafters and private landowners may all have separate and unique interests, but they all share a common Colorado interest that is bound together by doing what's best for our children and the future of our state.

"I also applaud the decision of the sponsors to withdraw their ballot initiatives," Gov. Ritter added. "The decision of these parties to withdraw these ballot measures was courageous and puts the interests of all Coloradans above their individual interests."

Said Lewis Shaw, chairman and CEO of Jackson-Shaw Co., which owns the Wilder on the Taylor fishing reserve: "We are pleased to announce a resolution to the dispute on the Taylor River involving commercial rafting and private fishing property. Gov. Ritter has offered much-appreciated guidance to both parties to reach this settlement privately, avoiding possible contentious legislative initiatives or impositions. The agreement permits rafting companies Three Rivers and Scenic River Tours structured access through the private Wilder Ranch property while respecting each parties' positions for their mutual enjoyment of this beautiful natural resource."

"Over the years, Colorado's property owners and rafters around the state, working on a case-by-case basis, have found ways to accommodate each other," said John Leede, president of the Creekside Coalition, which represents about 600 riparian landowners across Colorado. "We believe this long-standing approach has served Colorado well by balancing the needs of various interests.   Our ballot issues were introduced to protect against legislative and ballot proposals from the commercial rafting community that we believed were one sided and would have disrupted the delicate balance between rafters, fisherman and property owners across the state.  We are appreciative of the Governor's leadership in resolving this issue and we will continue to participate constructively in future discussions around these issues."

The withdrawal of the ballot measures also clears the way for the creation of a task force that will propose a dispute-resolution process to address future conflicts on Colorado rivers.

Gov. Ritter will convene a task force of stakeholders to develop a proposal for resolving conflicts among landowners, anglers and the boating public. The task force will be charged with developing a framework for resolving disputes on Colorado rivers on a stretch-by-stretch basis as those disputes arise. This approach recognizes that disputes vary from place to place and that a one-size-fits-all strategy is unlikely to succeed.

The task force will be led by the Department of Natural Resources and the Governor's Office. The task force will include representatives from landowners, commercial and recreational river users, local government officials and law enforcement, which has historically been tasked with intervening in such disputes.

The task force will be asked to deliver a report outlining its proposal to the Governor by Dec. 31.

GOV. RITTER URGES OBAMA TO PRESERVE 1,000 AEROSPACE JOBS IN COLORADO

2010-04-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Gov. Bill Ritter today urged President Obama to reverse course and not cancel the Constellation space-travel program as currently proposed in NASA's FY11 budget. The termination likely would mean the end of the Colorado-based Orion Project and the elimination of 1,000 jobs here in the Centennial State.

"The Constellation Program, and specifically the Orion project, is a centerpiece of Colorado's aerospace sector, creating nearly 1,000 jobs here since 2006 and inspiring a new generation of engineers, scientists, teachers and students," Gov. Ritter says in a letter to the White House. "To abruptly change direction like this will lead to significant dislocation and distress at a precarious time for the economies of our nation and our state.

"I urge you to partner with my administration and the many experts in Colorado to help chart a strategic path forward. Together, we can strengthen Colorado's aerospace sector and meet the nation's needs without sacrificing the jobs that are so crucial to Colorado's economy and Colorado's future."

Gov. Ritter will stress the need to protect the Orion Project jobs in Colorado during a speech at the 26th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs on Tuesday (12:30 p.m., Broadmoor Hotel, Main Ballroom, 1 Lake Ave.).

Here is the complete text of Gov. Ritter's letter to President Obama:

April 12, 2010

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

I write to express my concerns about the job losses that will occur if the Constellation Program is cancelled as proposed by your FY 2011 NASA budget. Through your leadership with federal economic policy, and thanks to aggressive state-led initiatives here in Colorado, we are making significant progress rebounding from the worst economic crisis in over 70 years.

Terminating the Constellation Program would be a major setback to our collective progress, resulting in devastating job losses impacting dozens of Colorado companies and thousands of Colorado families.

The Constellation Program, and specifically the Orion project, is a centerpiece of Colorado's aerospace sector, creating nearly 1,000 jobs here since 2006 and inspiring a new generation of engineers, scientists, teachers and students. Colorado consistently ranks second or third in aerospace employment, with more than 300 companies, 170,000 employees and a cluster of military installations and research institutions.

This is an industry of the future that drives innovation and economic growth, provides well-paying jobs and contributes to our national security.

A comprehensive space exploration program is critical to national security and Colorado's economy. Our aerospace sector is well-positioned to take advantage of increased NASA investments in robotics, energy-efficiency, satellite development and space exploration technologies. With initiatives like eSpace: the Center for Space Entrepreneurship, and the 8^th Continent project, Colorado has created an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports innovative solutions to unique space exploration challenges.

While I understand the need to regularly assess and prioritize our nation's space exploration efforts, I urge you to consider the economic impact of the termination. Colorado companies and their employees have, in good faith, worked hard with NASA to implement its plans, missions and visions. To abruptly change direction like this will lead to significant dislocation and distress at a precarious time for the economies of our nation and our state.

I urge you to partner with my administration and the many experts in Colorado to help chart a strategic path forward. Together, we can strengthen Colorado's aerospace sector and meet the nation's needs without sacrificing the jobs that are so crucial to Colorado's economy and Colorado's future.

Sincerely,

Bill Ritter, Jr.

Governor of Colorado

COLORADO TO APPLY FOR ROUND 2 OF "RACE TO THE TOP" FUNDING

2010-04-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

Gov. Bill Ritter, Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien and Education Commissioner Dwight Jones announced today that Colorado will resubmit an application for Round 2 of Race to the Top education-reform funding.

Over the past week, Gov. Ritter, Lt. Gov. O'Brien and Commissioner Jones have reviewed the feedback and scoring results from the Round 1 application and talked with numerous education stakeholders from around Colorado. The three met this morning and decided it is in the best interest of Colorado students to re-apply for the federal grant funding.

"Colorado has broken new ground with student-centered reforms over the past three years," Gov. Ritter said. "We put together a solid Race to the Top application for Round 1 that would have allowed us to build on and accelerate the reforms that will allow all children in Colorado to reach their God-given potential. Our Round 2 application will make an even stronger case for how we will improve student achievement, turn around struggling schools and improve educator effectiveness."

Colorado's Race to the Top team will continue to review the Round 1 comments and submit the application for Round 2 by the June 1 deadline.

"We must reduce the achievement gap, turn around struggling schools and provide the best education possible for our students," said Lt. Gov. O'Brien. "We are committed to accelerating education reform in Colorado and our Round 2 application will be a coordinated effort to ensure our children's success."

"Moving forward for round two is the right decision for Colorado students, teachers and schools," said Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones. "We will scrutinize every comment from the first round and look for every opportunity to improve Colorado's application while staying true to the reform plans we have already put in motion. We appreciate Gov. Ritter's ongoing support of the effort to access these resources in order to improve Colorado's chances for success."

GOV. RITTER'S SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, APRIL 5

2010-04-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.

WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2010

CONTACTS:

Megan Castle, 303.319.8513, megan.castle@state.co.us

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

GOV. RITTER'S SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, APRIL 5

Monday, April 5, 2010

9 a.m. Gov. Ritter will have his monthly appearance as the guest on the Mike Rosen Show, 850 KOA.

1:30 p.m. Gov. Ritter will sign House Bill 1204 Plumbing Code Water Conservation Standards (Soper/Tochtrop) and House Bill 1148

Architect License Renew Professional Competency (Gerou/Tapia). Location: Governor's Office, State Capitol.

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GOV. RITTER, BIPARTISAN LAWMAKERS TO INTRODUCE CLEAN AIR-CLEAN JOBS ACT

2010-03-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

8:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter and a group of bipartisan lawmakers will announce the introduction of the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act at a news conference. Gov. Ritter, lawmakers and experts will also testify about the bill before the House Transportation and Energy Committee later in the morning. The lead sponsors of the act are Reps. Ellen Roberts (R-Durango) and Judy Solano (D-Brighton) and Sens. Bruce Whitehead (D-Hesperus) and Josh Penry (R-Grand Junction).

The legislation will make Colorado a national leader in cutting air pollution, creating jobs and increasing the use of cleaner energy sources. It would require Xcel Energy to sharply reduce pollutants by retiring, retrofitting or repowering Front Range coal-fired power plants by the end of 2017 and replacing them with facilities fueled by natural gas and other lower- or non-emitting energy sources, including greater energy efficiency measures.

News Conference Location: West Foyer, State Capitol.

House Transportation and Energy Committee Hearing: Old Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol.

COLORADO A FINALIST FOR 'RACE TO THE TOP' FUNDING

2010-03-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

COLORADO A FINALIST FOR 'RACE TO THE TOP' FUNDING

Lt. Gov. O'Brien to Lead a Team for Washington, D.C. Presentation

Gov. Bill Ritter, Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien and Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight D. Jones announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has named Colorado as one of 16 finalists for the first round of Race to the Top education reform grants. Colorado and the other finalists were selected from 40 states and the District of Columbia.

"Colorado is committed to providing a 21^st century education that fully prepares our students to compete and succeed in a global economy," Gov. Ritter said. "I am pleased we have been named a finalist, but this is a competitive grant process and we still need to make our case. Regardless of the outcome, we now have a roadmap that leads directly to stronger and more effective student-centered education reforms."

The state's Race to the Top proposal was developed with input from more than 600 people. The proposal is being supported by 134 local school districts serving 94 percent of Colorado's K-12 public school students.

"It's gratifying to be in the finalist list, but we know this is just the beginning of our work. The end goal is reducing the achievement gap, turning around struggling schools and improving our skills, data and tools for students," said Lt. Gov. O'Brien, who spearheaded the proposal process.

"We are thrilled to be included in the group invited to make presentations," said Commissioner Jones. "We are confident that Colorado will continue to move forward in this process. One key to Colorado's application is the strong alliance among the state's education community, and we believe that strength will carry us on this final lap."

All 16 finalists will present their proposals to a panel of reviewers in Washington, D.C., the week of March 15. Lt. Gov. O'Brien and Commissioner Jones will lead the Colorado team of presenters. Colorado's Race to the top proposal asks for $377 million over four years. Successful first round Race to the Top applicants will be announced in April.

Work will continue on education reform at the local level, as Gov. Ritter today also announced the appointees to the Colorado Council for Educator Effectiveness. The council was created by executive order to work on defining educator effectiveness and new educator evaluations tied to student growth. The council will meet at 3 p.m. March 11 at the Colorado Community College System office, 9101 E. Lowry Blvd., Bldg. 959, President's Conference Room, Aurora.

Members of the Council for Educator Effectiveness:

· Colorado Department of Education: Nina Lopez, Special Assistant to Education Commissioner

· Colorado Department of Higher Education: Lorrie Shepard, Dean, School of Education, University of Colorado - Boulder

· Teachers: Shelly Genereax of Brighton School District 27J, Kerrie Dallman of Jefferson County Public Schools, Amie Baca-Oehlert of Adams District 12, Nikkie Felix of Aurora Public Schools

· Public School Administrators: Margaret Crespo, Principal of John Evans Middle School in Weld County, Tracy Dorland, Executive Director of Teacher Effectiveness in Denver Public Schools

· Public School Superintendent: Sandra Smyser, Superintendent of Eagle County Schools

· School Board Members: Bill Bregar of Pueblo District 70, Jo Ann Baxter of Moffat County

· Charter Schools: Colin Mullaney, Principal of Cheyenne Mountain Charter in Colorado Springs

· Public School Parent: Towanna Henderson of Denver Public Schools

· Student: Shelby Gonzales-Parker of Justice High School in Denver Public Schools

· At-Large Member: Matt Smith, Vice-President of Engineering, United Launch Alliance

STATEMENT ON GOV. RITTER ACCIDENT

2010-03-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

Shortly after 6 a.m. this morning, Gov. Ritter was involved in a bicycle accident at 23^rd Ave. and High St. in Denver. He is being treated at Denver Health Medical Center for several injuries. It appears he has multiple rib fractures on his right side.

The Governor rides with a group of friends two to three times a week, and this morning was with a group of four other riders when he and another rider collided. The Governor is in good spirits, laughing and joking with hospital staff and his wife Jeannie.

# # #

GOV. RITTER SIGNS BILLS SUSPENDING SPECIAL TAX BREAKS

2010-02-24T13:34:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed nine pieces of legislation that suspend or eliminate several special tax breaks in order to help balance the state's budget by generating $15.6 million in revenue this fiscal year and $132.6 million next fiscal year. The Governor will hold a media availability in his office at 3:45 p.m. today to discuss the bills with reporters.

"Over the past 18 months, we have cut spending and closed shortfalls of $2.2 billion, while also addressing a $1.3 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year and preparing for even more cuts in the fiscal year after that," Gov. Ritter said. "We have taken a balanced approach to keeping the budget balanced. We have asked everyone – government agencies, state workers, nonprofits, medical providers, senior citizens, schools, colleges, the conservation community and businesses – to share in the burden and share in the solutions so that no one group is unfairly or unduly impacted.

"Signing these bills was not something I wanted to do," Gov. Ritter said. "But it was something that was necessary in order to keep the budget balanced and to continue positioning Colorado for a strong and healthy recovery. My sincere thanks to those lawmakers who supported this package of bills and made the difficult but right decisions for the future of Colorado."

Gov. Ritter signed the following bills today:

House Bill 1189, Eliminate Sales Tax Exemption for Direct Mail

House Bill 1190, Suspend Industrial Fuel Sales and Use Tax

House Bill 1191, Eliminate Candy and Soda Sales Tax Exemption

House Bill 1192, Repeal Sales and Use Tax of Standardized Software

House Bill 1193, Sales Tax Out-of-State Retailers

House Bill 1194, Eliminate Non-Essential Articles Sales Tax Exemption

House Bill 1195, Suspend Ag Sales & Use Tax Exemption

House Bill 1196, Income Tax Credit Vehicles Using Alternative Fuels

House Bill 1199, Limit the Net Operating Loss Deduction Temporary Limit

Two additional bills are pending:

House Bill 1197, Reduce Conservation Easement Cap Amount

House Bill 1200, Limit Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit

GOV. RITTER'S SCHEDULE FOR TODAY & WEDNESDAY

2010-02-09T04:44:00.000-08:00

GOV. RITTER'S SCHEDULE FOR TODAY & WEDNESDAY

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010

9 a.m. Gov. Ritter will attend the monthly meeting of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado. Location: VFW Post 9644, 2680 W. Hampden Ave., Englewood.

10:15 a.m. Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks and answer questions during the American Cancer Society's Day of Action at the Capitol. Location: Old Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol.

2 p.m. Gov. Ritter and his mother, Ethel, who turns 85 years old Tuesday, will help dedicate the opening of Plains Medical Center's new health clinic in Strasburg, where Mrs. Ritter resides. Location: 55981 Colfax Ave., Strasburg.

4 p.m. Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks and answer questions during the Fort Collins-Loveland Chamber of Commerce Annual Day at the Capitol. Location: Old Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol.

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010

9:15 a.m. Gov. Ritter will visit the 9HealthFair Day at the Capitol and perhaps get his blood pressure checked. Location: Capitol Press Room, Room 326, third floor.

9:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks and take questions during Action 22 Day at the Capitol. Action 22 advocates and addresses issues on behalf of 22 counties in southeastern Colorado. Location: Old Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol.

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GOV. RITTER APPOINTS COLORADANS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

2010-01-25T11:52:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the appointments of 10 Coloradans to statewide boards and commissions:

Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs

James C. Bobick of Aurora to fill a vacancy for a term expiring June 30, 2010, and then to a full four-year term expiring June 30, 2014.

William L. Robinson of Castle Rock for a term expiring June 30, 2014.

The seven-member board addresses challenges facing Colorado veterans and makes recommendations to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Appointments require Senate confirmation.

Board of Real Estate Appraisers

(for terms expiring July 1, 2012)

Wayne L. Hunsperger of Englewood

Anthony J. Navarro of Denver (re-appointed)

Susan E. Secrest of Denver

The seven-member board sets fees for those seeking a real estate appraisers license, administers tests and disciplines licensees for misconduct Appointments require Senate confirmation.

Water Quality Control Commission

(all re-appointments, for terms expiring Feb. 15, 2013)

Chris J. Wiant of Centennial

Patricia Wells of Denver

Andrew S. Todd of Denver

The nine-member commission is responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive and effective program for prevention, control and abatement of water pollution throughout the state. Appointments require Senate confirmation.

Ground Water Commission

(re-appointments to terms expiring May 1, 2014)

Douglas L. Shriver of Monte Vista

Carolyn F. Burr of Denver

The 12-member commission determines the boundaries of ground water basins, considers well permit applications, promotes economic development and protects water rights. Appointments require 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.

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES OUTREACH MEETINGS FOR RECOVERY ACT BROADBAND MAPPING PROJECT

2010-01-22T13:10:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced two public meetings to help Internet providers and the public participate in the Colorado Broadband Data and Development Program, funded by $2.1 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The meetings are organized by the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) and will be held in Denver on Tuesday, Feb. 2 and Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.

"The Recovery Act is helping Colorado bridge the digital divide by investing in a number of projects that will expand high-speed Internet to communities across the state," said Gov. Ritter. "These meetings are part of an ongoing effort to help Coloradans and the business community access opportunities and to take part in shaping Colorado's future."

OIT has been awarded $1.6 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period. In December, the office released Colorado's first ever maps of broadband availability throughout the state. While these maps provide important baseline data, the ARRA-funded project will enable OIT to update these maps over a multi-year period to account for coverage changes and new information.

To kick off the project, OIT is hosting the two meetings at its Denver office for providers of broadband internet and interested parties. Individuals may participate in-person or via conference bridge.

Meeting Information:

Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 601 East 18^th Avenue, Confluence Park Conference Room.
Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 601 East 18^th Avenue, Confluence Park Conference Room.
Contact COBroadband@state.co.us to RSVP and to obtain call-in instructions. Registration will close on Jan. 29, for the first meeting and on Feb. 5, for the second meeting.

At least $5.7 billion in Recovery Act funds are expected to come to Colorado over the next two years. More information about the Recovery Act and its impact on Colorado can be found at www.colorado.gov/recovery.

IN STATE OF STATE ADDRESS, GOV. RITTER CALLS FOR FOCUSED SESSION

2010-01-14T10:43:00.000-08:00

GOV. RITTER CALLS FOR FOCUSED 2010 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Gov. Bill Ritter, delivering his fourth and final State of the State Address, called on lawmakers today "to set aside the weaker impulses of partisanship" and remain focused on job creation, economic recovery and keeping the state budget balanced.

"While this has been a tough time, and while there will be setbacks, we are making progress," Gov. Ritter said. "Colorado has one of the best business climates and economic outlooks in the country, and if we stay disciplined and determined, we will get our economy back on solid footing. I know we can do this, because we've been doing it.

"Over the last three years, we have been changing course and changing the culture of government – thinking bolder, doing better. Our strategies are working. Even in the worst global economic conditions in generations, we're leading Colorado to a stronger, brighter future."

The Governor outlined his top priorities for the legislative session, including:

· Keeping the state budget balanced, saving money and making government more effective through proposals such as the Medicaid Efficiency Act.

· Creating jobs and growing Colorado's New Energy Economy through proposals such as an increase to the state's renewable energy standard, boosting it from the current 20 percent by 2020 requirement to 30 percent by 2020, and increasing demand for Colorado's cleaner-burning natural gas.

· Making the Colorado State Park system the first in the country to use zero net energy.

· Modernizing teacher and student assessments, including replacing the CSAP test with a new assessment tool by 2011 or 2012.

· Strengthening public safety through legislation to regulate and rein in abuses in Colorado's voter-approved medical marijuana program, toughen penalties for repeat drunk-driving offenses, and improve the state's child-protection system.

· Shoring up the state's Public Employee Retirement Association pension fund.

"We have a higher responsibility to join together, to overcome our challenges, to turn to what Abraham Lincoln called the 'better angels of our nature,'" Gov. Ritter told lawmakers. "Decades from now, our grandchildren will look back at this moment and ask us what it was like, the same way we look back at the Great Depression. This is a hinge in history, and I hope we can tell them that yes, it was tough, but we worked together and rose to the challenge."

# # #

GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR.

STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Joint Session of the 67^th Colorado General Assembly

House Chambers, State Capitol

11 a.m., January 14, 2010

Introduction

I have had the privilege of serving as the governor of Colorado for three years now. And what a privilege it is. After having traveled and lived in other places around the world, I believe in every fiber of my being that Colorado is the best place on the globe to live and to raise a family.

As a people, we care deeply about each other. We look for ways to build a different and better future for our children, for our grandchildren. We are innovators and creators, we are rugged, and determined. And when tough times or a tragedy strikes, we respond not as outsiders or strangers, but as part of the family. It sets us apart.

As a state, Colorado is blessed with diverse natural resources. Our landscape is pristine, the minerals and fossil fuels bountiful. The sun, the wind, the headwaters of seven river systems, agricultural land, state and national forests, are all part of a natural ecosystem that is the envy of so many.

Colorado is a beacon to many other places in this world. But if our light is to shine brightly, those of us who have answered the call to serve our state in elected or appointed office, have a different responsibility. We must work every day, all day, at achieving the full God-given potential of this state and of its people.

To live up to that responsibility, we must agree that our service has a meaning and a purpose that is greater than any one of us in this room. At this pivotal point in Colorado's history, with the challenges we face, I know we can and must set aside the weaker impulses of partisanship. Colorado is in a better place because of the wisdom and humanity among you, and Coloradans deserve no less than your best ideas and your selfless determination for a stronger Colorado.

In this, my last year as Governor, I recommit to working tirelessly alongside you. We have accomplished much, but time is short, and there remains much work to be done on behalf of the people of Colorado.

President Shaffer, Speaker Carroll, honorable members of the House and the Senate, thank you for allowing me to stand in this chamber and deliver my fourth and final State of the State Address. Mr. Speaker, as the first African American Speaker of the House, you have broken new ground. Above and beyond that, you are serving the people of Colorado with distinction, and it has been an honor to serve with both you and President Shaffer.

To our distinguished partners in service: Lt. Gov. O'Brien, Treasurer Kennedy, Attorney General Suthers, Secretary of State Buescher, and Senator Bennet ...

Members of the Supreme Court and Board of Education, Mayor Hickenlooper, other local government leaders and Tribal Chairs …

To members of my Cabinet and my staff, members of the public and all those outside this chamber, including the Colorado National Guard and all Coloradans defending our freedoms abroad, thank you for the privilege to serve as your governor.

I especially want to thank my wife and Colorado's first lady, Jeannie. Thank you for everything you do for the people of Colorado and for all you do for our own family. Two of our four children, Tally and Sam, are here this morning, as well as my mother, Ethel, and many of my siblings. Thank you for your support, your understanding and your love.

Turning Obstacles into Assets

In 2006, I ran for governor because Colorado was not living up to its full potential. We needed a course correction, to think bigger, to do better. So four years ago, Barbara O'Brien and I – with the help of so many dedicated Coloradans – laid out our vision and our goals to lead Colorado forward.

Together we all are turning obstacles into assets, implementing lasting solutions to our serious challenges, and helping Coloradans in every community achieve the Colorado Promise.

We're making the New Energy Economy our calling card to the future.

We're growing other Industries of the Future – aerospace, the biosciences and technology.

We're leading on innovation and manufacturing, because Colorado is chock-full of visionaries who wake up every morning and say, "What can I create, what can I make today?"

We're cutting taxes for small businesses, helping small businesses get access to loans, and bringing new jobs and new companies to Colorado.

We're expanding access to healthcare, improving quality and building a foundation for greater cost controls.

We're bringing the first new sustainable funding for transportation in 20 years, with the first FASTER safety and repair projects set to begin in just a few months.

We're laying the groundwork for long-term fiscal reform.

On education, we've been Racing to the Top for years. More children are enrolled in preschool and full-day kindergarten than ever before. We're tackling the drop-out rate, and CSAPs are going the way of the dinosaurs.

Over the last three years, we have been changing course and changing the culture of government – thinking bolder, doing better. Our strategies are working. Even in the worst global economy in generations, we're leading Colorado to a brighter future full of opportunity and promise.

Working for You

Since taking office, I've visited every corner of Colorado – 250 visits outside the metro area in communities like Antonito and Alamosa, Pueblo and Palisade, Steamboat Springs and Glenwood Springs.

I've visited with Coloradans who are struggling, and with those who are succeeding, fulfilling the Colorado Promise every single day.

From nearly all of them, I hear this simple message: stay focused on creating jobs and making government leaner and more efficient; invest in our future; strengthen our safety net.

It's a tall order. But in these extraordinary and precarious times, let's listen to our constituents. Let's stay focused on job creation, on doing what's necessary for Colorado families and small businesses, on doing what's right for the future of Colorado.

We cannot get distracted by partisan politics or the trivial pursuits that threaten to take us away from our core mission of economic recovery. It will not be enough to stay on the sidelines, to constantly criticize, to offer nothing but $10 solutions to billion-dollar problems. We have a higher responsibility, and if you are not at the table providing solutions, then you are part of the problem.

While this has been a tough time, and while there will be setbacks, we are making progress. Colorado has one of the best business climates and economic outlooks in the country, and if we stay disciplined and determined, we will get our economy back on solid footing. I know we can do this, because we've been doing it.

Cutting Costs & Increasing Efficiencies

The budget will drive much of this session, and it will be even more challenging than last year.

Since mid-2008, we've closed shortfalls of $2 billion because of the recession. We have a billion-dollar shortfall to close in the coming budget. Over the next few weeks, I will be submitting additional budget-cutting plans to the Joint Budget Committee.

While our efforts have helped stabilize our economy, and while an economic recovery is indeed underway, a revenue recovery is a year away. That means more tough, unpopular – but necessary – decisions. It means we all need to have the courage to ask government agencies, state employees, private businesses and public schools to share in the solutions.

We're going to have to do things we don't want to do. We're going to have to take a balanced approach to keeping the budget balanced, without damaging our ability to recover and grow jobs.

Representative Pommer, Senator Keller and other members of the JBC, thank you for your partnership, your wisdom and your compassion for the people of Colorado.

This is an unenviable time, but it is when values, leadership and strength matter the most. And thanks to the tough choices we've been making, Colorado is coming back, better than before.

Our government efficiency review found more than $200 million in savings and benefits and is proving that good government works and can make people's lives better.

We're eliminating tens of millions of dollars in healthcare waste and fraud.

We're saving money by greening government, and this session we will pursue legislation to make our state parks the first net-zero energy park system in the country.

We're making more services available online and making government more transparent by posting thousands of documents on the web for everyone to see.

We're adapting to a new economic reality, making government smarter and more efficient, just as families and businesses are doing all across Colorado.

This session, we're going to need to shore up the public employee retirement fund, and I'm pleased that we are nearing a bipartisan solution.

Longer-term, we need to continue the debate over Colorado's financial future. We need to have an honest conversation with the public about what kind of services they want their government to provide, and how much it will cost to provide those services to 5 million people today and to nearly 10 million by 2050.

We started the discussion with Ref C. We made significant progress last year by loosening the knot of conflicting fiscal mandates with Senate Bill 228. But we have a long way to go before we completely untie the knot. We must keep the dialogue going in order to achieve smarter, more sensible and modern budgeting.

More urgently, Coloradans must unite against three of the most backward-thinking ballot measures this state has ever seen. Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 would shut down colleges and prisons, increase class sizes, put thousands of teachers out of work, and prevent the repair of unsafe roads and bridges.

If these measures pass, the state could never again support building another public school, library or rec center. The cynical game the proponents are playing with our future would quite literally destroy the safety net and wipe out any hope of creating a better future for our children.

That's not the Colorado I want. I want a Colorado that opens doors to opportunity, not slams them shut.

I want a Colorado where elected leaders from both parties have the courage to stand up and oppose those three ballot measures.

I want a Colorado where we create jobs, help companies like Sierra Nevada, Norgren, The Water Company and Infinite Power Solutions expand. I want a Colorado where we attract new companies like Vestas, DaVita and SMA Solar. Representatives from some of the firms I mentioned are with us today. Thank you for helping us to transform Colorado's economy.

Creating Jobs and Energizing our Economy

In these uncertain times, the New Energy Economy – which did not exist three years ago – continues to be our beacon to a brighter future. Today, thanks to many of the people in this chamber, we're leading the nation in this critical area.

We're creating thousands of new jobs, new markets and new revenues.

We're nurturing a culture of innovation from the best energy research corridor in the world.

We're manufacturing 21^st century products from state-of-the-art factories.

We're providing affordable, reliable and efficient energy for people all across Colorado.

We are pioneers. Colorado voters were the first in the country to pass a renewable energy standard. We doubled that standard in 2007, and because of our work, we are five years ahead of schedule to reach the current 20 percent goal.

So, this session let's think bigger, creating even larger markets for solar, wind, biomass, hydro and geothermal. Let's increase our standard to 30 percent.

This will trigger the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs, draw new capital investments and new companies to our state, and keep Colorado at the epicenter of America's energy revolution. It will increase our energy independence and further reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

This session, we also have an opportunity to lead the nation in expanding the role of cleaner-burning natural gas in our energy portfolio. Natural gas has always been part of the New Energy Economy, and this year we look forward to solidifying its role for the future.

Over the past few months, I've been working closely with the natural gas industry, with utilities and with other stakeholders. We're looking at ways to increase the use of Colorado natural gas to generate electricity, reduce air pollution, stabilize energy bills for consumers – and create jobs.

Together, we have enacted 40 pieces of legislation to build the New Energy Economy. This year, we can continue leading the country and letting the nation and the world know that this truly is our calling card to the future.

Educating Kids

Colorado's future also depends on our continued efforts to improve our schools and student learning. Thank you Lt. Governor O'Brien, Education Commissioner Jones and our partners in the legislature for making education reform one of this state's highest priorities.

When we took office, we began to change the culture around education reform, and change the future for Colorado's children. Together, we've moved away from the old partisan fights of the past to a more collaborative approach that's focused on student learning and teacher effectiveness, training and retention.

We're doing a better job educating our kids, and next week we will submit a very competitive Race to the Top grant application. Frankly, regardless of whether Colorado receives a Race to the Top grant, we've already won. We are now a national leader in education reform. Our Race to the Top began in 2007 when I stood here to deliver my very first State of the State Address.

Three years ago, I laid out several 10-year goals for education: cut the dropout rate in half, close achievement gaps, and double the number of college degrees earned by Colorado students.

Ever since, we've been implementing reform after reform. Thanks to those efforts, Colorado now has the most current and rigorous set of standards for classroom learning.

While our strategies are working, we can do a better job giving kids a smart start in life. Last year, thousands of students who should have graduated, dropped out. Too many high school graduates aren't college-ready, and too many new employees aren't workforce-ready.

This year, we're going to keep moving forward, with legislation that will take us closer to the day when we end CSAP testing as we know it.

We'll still assess our kids, and we'll assess more rigorously than ever before, because we need to know what they know and what they can do. We will modernize assessments so the tests help our teachers teach, help our students learn, and help our parents engage in their children's education.

On higher education, we will continue to protect Colorado's colleges and universities. Even in this downturn, with the help of the Recovery Act, we have protected higher-ed and kept college affordable. Our P-20 Council and Jobs Cabinet are all creating a seamless strategy for education, workforce development and business development.

And you will all be happy to know that my last blue-ribbon panel will spend this year crafting a long-term strategic plan for the future of higher-ed in Colorado.

The stakes are high, because if there is one single key that unlocks the doors of opportunity, it's education. If there is one single key to economic recovery, it is education. And if there is one single key to addressing poverty, it is education. The best economic-development strategy and the best anti-poverty strategy is an education strategy.

Protecting People

We're also showing the country how to craft a smarter criminal-justice strategy.

As a former district attorney, I knew we needed to take a different approach, to develop a comprehensive vision, while still making public safety our number one priority.

We created a School Safety Resource Center. We established an Office of Homeland Security, and we began reforming our prisons.

Our violent crime rate is down. Traffic fatalities are at a 30-year low, and motor-vehicle thefts have been cut in half over the past five years.

For decades, prison spending was growing faster than any other part of the budget. We spend more each year keeping 22,000 prison inmates behind bars than we do educating 220,000 college students. That is not a sustainable formula for success.

So we implemented evidence-based strategies to keep the public safe, reduce recidivism and save money. For the first time in anyone's memory, we've reversed the upward trajectory of prison growth and prison spending. We're being tough on crime, and smart on crime. We're taking a more thoughtful approach, which is also a more cost-effective approach.

Another place where we need to find balance is medical marijuana. We need to uphold the will of the voters while reining in abuses and bringing common sense to the chaos that now exists. Together, we can achieve bipartisan solutions that clarify the doctor-patient relationship and address the proliferation of dispensaries. I urge the General Assembly to act quickly in this area.

We also need to address an additional public safety issue by toughening the penalties for drunk driving. We need stronger enforcement, stiffer punishments, and better treatment. I call on this body to deliver a bill that does just that.

Public safety involves more than just criminal justice. It's also the safety net. Especially in a downturn, we have a moral obligation to protect the most vulnerable among us. We can be both fiscally conservative leaders, and leaders who serve with grace and compassion.

So we will move ahead with legislation to better protect those who depend on us the most, including abused and neglected children – because one child's death is one too many. My deep thanks to the Child Welfare Action Committee. Their good work has already saved lives.

Conclusion

There is no question that we are making historic progress. We are moving Colorado forward. We are changing the culture of government and the direction of Colorado. We are helping more and more Coloradans live up to their God-given potential, and we're transforming Colorado so that we emerge from the downturn stronger and better than before.

Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Well, we have the right vision and the right strategies in place, and there is no better place than Colorado for turning challenges into opportunities. No better place for letting the politics of what's possible trump the politics of fear and cynicism.

Our state budget situation – it's an opportunity to adapt to a new economic reality, to re-invent government, to finally craft a long-term strategic plan for higher education.

As difficult as our challenges may seem, we are in a better position than most other states. Colorado has faced much more difficult times in the past, and has come out stronger and more determined. To this day, we're still benefiting from the resilience, innovation and imagination of Colorado leaders who came before us.

The skills of Colorado's famed 10^th Mountain Division gave us today's modern ski industry.

The vision of the Coloradans in the 1800s who expanded the rail lines east and west, north and south, allowed Colorado to grow and prosper.

And the courage of men like David Moffat and Walter Cheesman, who overcame obstacles – or, went through them – gave us a network of water pipelines, channels and reservoirs that today sustain millions of Coloradans.

Today, our responsibility is to provide that same gift of determination to the generations of Coloradans who will follow us. This session – this year – we must keep building a bridge to Colorado's future. We should never be afraid to imagine big, and we must keep executing the strategies that are moving Colorado forward.

But no strategy is self-executing. We have a higher responsibility to join together, to overcome our challenges, to turn to what Abraham Lincoln called the "better angels of our nature."

Decades from now, our grandchildren will look back at this moment and ask us what it was like, the same way we look back at the Great Depression. This is a hinge in history, and I hope we can tell them that yes, it was tough, but we worked together and rose to the challenge.

Colorado, thank you again for the privilege of serving as your governor.

God bless you.

STATEMENT FROM GOV. RITTER ON HICKENLOOPER'S RUN FOR GOVERNOR

2010-01-12T16:08:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter issued the following statement of support for Mayor John Hickenlooper's gubernatorial candidacy:

"John Hickenlooper is a great mayor and he's going to be a great governor. His strong leadership skills, collaborative problem-solving approach, and his innovative ideas will set him apart. As someone who comes out of the private sector, Mayor Hickenlooper's commitment to fiscal responsibility and job creation will keep moving Colorado toward a strong, stable and sustainable recovery. His dedication to Colorado's New Energy Economy, education reform and economic development are rallying cries that every Coloradan can answer. I'm proud to support John Hickenlooper for governor."

GOV. RITTER OUTLINES 2010 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2010-01-12T14:25:00.000-08:00

Standing with state Senate President Brandon Shaffer and House Speaker Terrance Carroll, Gov. Bill Ritter said today he intends to devote his final legislative session to creating good jobs for Coloradans, continuing Colorado's economic recovery and keeping the state budget balanced.

"Over the next four months, our laser-like focus will be on economic recovery, job creation and responsibly managing the state's finances," Gov. Ritter said. "We'll continue to work tirelessly on behalf of Colorado's families and small businesses as we lead Colorado forward.

"Our strategies are working," Gov. Ritter said. "Colorado's unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country. We added new jobs to the economy in October and November, and we have one of the best economic outlooks in the nation. This legislative session, we are committed to keeping Colorado on the road to recovery and maintaining Colorado as a national leader on issues such as energy, economic development, education and healthcare."

Legislative priorities for the 2010 session include:

New Energy Economy

· Increasing Colorado's 20 percent by 2020 Renewable Energy Standard to 30 percent by 2020. Gov. Ritter and lawmakers doubled the state's voter-approved RES in 2007. The 20-by-20 goal is within reach and it's time to set our goals higher and continue creating tens of thousands of new jobs, increasing Colorado's energy security and protecting our environment.

· Making the Colorado State Park system the first in the country to use zero net energy by 2020. As Colorado continues to expand its New Energy Economy, this is an opportunity to increase the use of renewables and efficiency measures in our state parks while also saving money and creating jobs.

· Creating new markets and increasing demand for Colorado natural gas while maintaining Colorado's balanced approach to responsible drilling and environmental protection.

Job Creation & Training

· Creating new green-job certificates and green-job training programs. As Colorado's New Energy Economy continues to expand, we need to ensure that Colorado is supplying new energy companies with the best educated and skilled workforce in the country.

· Enacting new programs such as Health Care Jobs for Colorado, a Nurse Loan Repayment Program and Job Training Accounts (Dec. 10 news release).

· Strengthening Colorado's creative industries through three pieces of legislation that will make it easier for commercial and videogame producers to access state incentive funds, broaden the state's Arts in Public Places law, and establish a Creative Industries Division within the Office of Economic Development (Jan. 5 news release).

Budget

· Keeping the state budget balanced by taking a balanced approach that: spreads the burden and minimizes pain; asks state agencies, government employees, private businesses and public schools to share in the solutions; and protects the safety net, public safety and programs that promote job growth. Gov. Ritter will be submitting a new round of budget-cutting proposals to the legislature for FY09-10 in late January and for FY10-11 in mid-February.

· Saving money and achieving greater efficiencies in the state's healthcare budget through a Medicaid Modernization Act that will fight fraud, as well as bills to standardize insurance claims and explanations of benefits, and require insurance companies to write policies in plain language.

· Shoring up the state's Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) pension fund, which is facing almost $30 billion in unfunded liabilities.

Education

· Modernizing teacher and student assessments through legislation that will lead to the replacement of the CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program) test in the next year or two, continuing the reforms begun under the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (Senate Bill 08-212).

Consumer Protection

· Helping Colorado consumers through legislation that protects the value of gift cards and protects neighborhoods from abandoned properties that are in foreclosure.

Public Safety

· Strengthening public safety through legislation that will regulate and rein in abuses in Colorado's voter-approved medical marijuana program, toughen up penalties for repeat drunk-driving offenses, and improve the state's child-protection system.

My Decision

2010-01-06T12:34:00.000-08:00

As you may know by now, I have decided not to run for re-election in 2010.

I am so proud of all you have done to support my campaign. Your incredible support of this effort put us in a strong position to win re-election. And I'm confident that your sustained commitment to our forward-thinking vision for the state will ensure we elect a governor who continues leading Colorado forward this November.

So before I explain my deeply personal decision not to run for re-election, let me just say: thank you.

Almost five years ago, in the spring of 2005, I began running for governor of Colorado.

My campaign theme -- the Colorado Promise -- was a deeply held belief that we as a state were not living up to our full potential.

So we laid out a vision to create a New Energy Economy, to build up other Industries of the Future like aerospace and biosciences, to reform our education and healthcare systems, and to modernize our transportation system.

Today, even in the face of the worst recession since the Great Depression, that vision is becoming a reality. We are leading Colorado forward. People all across Colorado are fulfilling the Colorado Promise, and Colorado is on the road to recovery.

It is my privilege and my honor to serve as governor of the greatest state in America.

Over the past years, but particularly over this last year, I have attempted to balance many roles in my life. I have been the governor, I have been a candidate for re-election, and I have also been a husband and a father.

I am proud of my work as governor. I am proud of the direction of the state.

I am proud of my campaign, of the staff we have built, and of our re-election efforts.

It is my family who has sacrificed the most -- my wife, Jeannie, and my four kids. I have not found the proper balance where my family is concerned, and I have not made them the priority they should be.

Ending one of my roles -- as a candidate for re-election in 2010 -- will allow me to concentrate on the things that are most important: taking care of my family, and taking care of Colorado.

While this decision allows me to make my family a priority, it also allows me to focus on keeping the state budget balanced and keeping Colorado on the road to recovery.

The Colorado economy is getting better, but we still have budget-cutting to do on the '09-'10 and '10-'11 budgets, and we'll be submitting the '11-'12 budget in November.

By not running for re-election, I'll be able to make the tough and unpopular decisions that simply need to get made -- free and clear of the sometimes bitter partisan politics of an election year.

We're positioning Colorado for a strong recovery with our New Energy Economy, our job-creation strategies and our education reforms.

The rest of the country is looking to Colorado on everything from the economy to energy to education.

We're in a great position, and we're on the right path. I look forward to spending the next 12 months keeping our budget balanced and our economy growing.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me the honor and the privilege to serve as your governor -- and for all that you have done to help lead Colorado forward.

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION

2010-01-06T10:49:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today he will not seek re-election this November to a second term. He issued the following statement during a news conference at the Capitol:

"Good morning. Almost five years ago, in the spring of 2005, I began running for governor of Colorado. My campaign theme – the Colorado Promise – was a deeply held belief that we as a state were not living up to our full potential.

"So we laid out a vision to create a New Energy Economy, to build up other Industries of the Future like aerospace and the biosciences, to reform our education and healthcare systems, and to modernize our transportation system.

"Today, even in the face of the worst recession since the Great Depression, that vision is becoming a reality. We are leading Colorado forward. People all across Colorado are fulfilling the Colorado Promise, and Colorado is on the road to recovery.

"It is my privilege and my honor to serve as governor of the greatest state in America, and it is my privilege and honor to serve with the greatest lieutenant governor, Barbara O'Brien.

"Over the past years, but particularly over this last year, I have attempted to balance many roles in my life. I have been the governor, I have been a candidate for re-election, and I have also been a husband and a father.

"I am proud of my work as governor. I am proud of the direction we are taking this state. I am proud of everyone who works in this administration. I am proud of my campaign, of the staff we have built, and of our re-election efforts.

"It is my family who has sacrificed the most, my wife, Jeannie, my kids, three of whom are here today. I have not found the proper balance where my family is concerned, and I have not made them the priority they should be. So today I'm announcing that I'm ending one of my roles. I am no longer a candidate for re-election this November.

"This will allow me to concentrate on the things that are most important – taking care of my family, and taking care of Colorado.

"I'm 53 years old. I have been in the public sector or public service for most of the past 30 years. I was a prosecutor right out of law school. Jeannie and I spent three years in Zambia, Africa as Catholic missionaries. I was the elected District Attorney of Denver for 12 years, and I've been governor for the past three years.

"But I still have one son in college and two children living at home, and they need me. And so does Jeannie.

"While this decision allows me to make my family a priority, it also allows me to focus on keeping the state budget balanced and keeping Colorado on the road to recovery.

"The Colorado economy is getting better, but we still have budget-cutting to do on the 09-10 and 10-11 budgets, and we'll be submitting the 11-12 budget in November. By not running for re-election, I'll be able to make the tough and unpopular decisions that simply need to get made – free and clear of the sometimes bitter partisan politics of an election year.

"We're positioning Colorado for a strong recovery with our New Energy Economy, our job-creation strategies and our education reforms. The rest of the country is looking to Colorado on everything from the economy to energy to education.

"We're in a great position, and we're on the right path. I look forward to spending the next 12 months keeping our budget balanced and our economy growing. We still have a lot of very important work to do."

Salazar's Statement on Governor Ritter's Announcement That He Will Not Seek a Second Term as Governor of Colorado

2010-01-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released the following statement on Governor Bill Ritter's announcement that he will not be seeking a second term as Governor of Colorado:

"Bill Ritter has been a devoted servant of the public at great sacrifice to self and family. I have enjoyed our work together during my time as Attorney General, United States Senator and Secretary of the Interior. I wish him and his family all the best and thank him for his service."

###

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES EFFORTS TO HELP COLORADO RECIPIENTS OF RECOVERY ACT FUNDS

2010-01-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter announced new federal reporting requirements for recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, as part of continued efforts to make government more transparent and accountable. The Governor's Economic Recovery Team will host a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 7, to help recipients understand the changes and comply with the new reporting requirements.

"More than $5.7 billion dollars will come to Colorado through the Recovery Act to support struggling families, keep businesses afloat and to create and retain jobs," said Gov. Ritter. "One of my administration's priorities is to make government more transparent. My Recovery Act Team is reaching out to Colorado agencies and businesses receiving Recovery funds to help them submit accurate and timely information on how these funds are being used."

Between now and January 15, more than 400 businesses, nonprofit groups and government agencies across Colorado are expected to submit spending and job data to the federal government. Recipients of grants, loans and contracts must send data to the federal government every three months for the next year or two to comply with Section 1512 of the Recovery Act. This is the second round of reporting.

The data reporting process is overseen by the federal government, mainly through the Office of Management and Budget and the national Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board. Federal agencies have enacted changes for this second round of reporting, which include:

· Changes to how job numbers should be calculated

· Extending the deadline for data submission to January 15, 2010

· Allowing recipients to change their reports until April 2010

· Changes to the online reporting system that will flag potential mistakes, including incorrect congressional districts and job data, before reports can be submitted.

To help recipients and the media understand the changes in the process, the Governor's Economic Recovery Team will host a meeting and conference call on Thursday, January 7, 2010, 1:30 p.m., at the Governor's Office of Information Technology, 601 E. 18th Avenue, Confluence Park conference room, second floor. To access by phone, please call 720-348-8440 and submit room number *1922422*.

As part of an unprecedented level of openness about government spending, all information submitted by recipients in October 2009, has been posted on the national Recovery Act website, www.recovery.gov. Data submitted this month will be posted at the end of the month.

Recovery Act funds are expected to come to Colorado over the next two years. The funds are distributed through income tax cuts, small business loans, research grants, infrastructure projects and investments in growth industries. A county-level breakdown of funds can be found on the state website, www.colorado.gov/recovery.

GOV. RITTER'S SCHEDULE FOR TODAY AND WEDNESDAY

2010-01-05T05:10:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010

10:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter, Lt. Gov. O'Brien and lawmakers will announce three new pieces of legislation to help create jobs in Colorado's growing film, arts and other creative industries. A recent economic analysis shows that creative industries support 186,000 jobs in Colorado, making it the fifth-largest and among the fastest-growing job clusters in the state. Location: Newell Design Studio, 2644 Walnut, Denver.

Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010

10 a.m. Gov. Bill Ritter will be joined by Microsoft Senior Vice President Gail Thomas Flynn to announce a public-private venture that will provide opportunities for thousands of Coloradans to receive free online job training at workforce centers throughout the state. Location: Adams County Workforce and Business Center, 12200 N. Pecos St., Westminster.

COLORADO 1 OF 6 STATES TO JOIN DROPOUT PREVENTION INITIATIVE

2010-01-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices has selected Colorado and five other states to take part in a year-long initiative aimed at increasing high school graduation rates. Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Tennessee and West Virginia will help develop comprehensive state dropout prevention and recovery policies through the new "State Strategies to Achieve Graduation for All" effort.

"Graduation for All" will help states clearly identify their dropout problem; assess gaps in student supports for dropout prevention and student recovery; and create a dropout prevention and recovery action plan for implementation that includes tactics such as state policies, executive orders, advisory councils, legislation or regulatory reforms.

Since taking office, Gov. Bill Ritter has made education a top priority, holding three statewide dropout prevention summits, helping to establish a new Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement, and creating a P-20 Education Council. Gov. Ritter currently chairs the NGA's Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee.

"Thanks to the hard work of educators, policymakers and stakeholders throughout the state, Colorado is becoming a nationally recognized leader in education reform," Gov. Ritter said. "While we are seeing pockets of progress, thousands of Colorado students are still dropping out of school each year, limiting their job opportunities and making it harder to become career or college ready. This initiative will allow Colorado to help shape a national strategy, achieve my goal 10-year goal of cutting Colorado's dropout rate in half, and move us closer to the day when 'graduation for all' is truly a reality."

"Improving our education system has been a top priority for Gov. Ritter and me since we took office," said Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, who is spearheading several of the administration's education-reform efforts. "This initiative will help us continue solving the dropout problem one student at a time, because every student who stays in school, every student who improves their attendance and achievement, and every student who returns to school after dropping out is a success."

The Governor's Office will be partnering with the Colorado Department of Education's Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement and the Colorado Graduates Initiative on this effort. CGI is a partnership of the Colorado Children's Campaign, Colorado Youth for a Change, and the Partnership for Families and Children, with support from the Donnell-Kay Foundation.

"When a student drops out of high school, it hurts that individual's opportunity for a bright, successful future and is a loss to society as a whole," said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center. "Those who drop out of high school are less likely than others to be employed, more likely to receive public assistance and more likely to be incarcerated. The State Strategies to Achieve Graduation for All initiative will help the selected states devise policies to combat the dropout problem."

The initiative is informed by a report recently released by the NGA Center, "Achieving Graduation for All: A Governor's Guide to Dropout Prevention and Recovery," which identifies the root causes of the high school dropout problem and offers an action plan for states to curb dropouts, help youth succeed and strengthen state economies. Specific recommendations contained in the report for states to reduce the incidence of students not completing high school include promoting high school graduation for all; targeting youth at-risk of dropping out; reengaging youth who have dropped out of school; and providing rigorous, relevant options for earning a high school diploma.

Throughout the State Strategies to Achieve Graduation for All initiative, state teams will be afforded technical assistance opportunities aimed at increasing their breadth and depth of knowledge concerning dropout prevention and recovery. States will also receive assistance from national dropout experts and participate in policy academy meetings designed to address issues and challenges surrounding dropout prevention and recovery.

For more information about this initiative and other NGA Center Education Division efforts, visit www.nga.org/center/edu.

GOV. RITTER'S SCHEDULE FOR TODAY AND TUESDAY

2010-01-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

GOV. RITTER'S SCHEDULE FOR TODAY AND TUESDAY

Monday, Jan. 4, 2010

9 to 10 a.m. Gov. Ritter will make his regular monthly appearance on the Mike Rosen radio show on 850 AM KOA.

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010

10:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter, Lt. Gov. O'Brien and lawmakers will announce three new pieces of legislation to help create jobs in Colorado's growing film, arts and other creative industries. A recent economic analysis shows that creative industries support 186,000 jobs in Colorado, making it the 5^th largest employment sector and among the fastest growing job clusters in the state. Location: Newell Design Studio, 2644 Walnut, Denver.

MANY STATE OFFICES TO BE CLOSED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

2009-12-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

Many state government offices will be closed Thursday (Dec. 31) as one of eight mandatory furlough days this fiscal year to help cut expenses and keep the state budget balanced during the economic downturn. State offices also will be closed Friday (Jan. 1) in observance of New Year's Day.

State driver's license offices, the Department of Public Health and Environment's vital records office, state history museums, Attorney General's Office, Division of Wildlife Service Centers and administrative offices for executive branch departments will be among the facilities closed Thursday, with about 15,500 employees on unpaid furlough.

Colorado State Parks will be open Thursday (except for visitor centers). State troopers will be patrolling the highways. Department of Transportation snow plows and maintenance crews will be working as necessary, and the Traffic Operations Center will be running. The state unemployment benefits office, state nursing homes, hospitals and care centers also will be open. The state Judicial Branch and courts, Treasurer's Office and Secretary of State's Office will be open as well.

This will be the fourth closure day in FY09-10, with the remaining four scheduled for Jan. 15, Feb. 12, April 2 and May 28. The eight furlough days will save taxpayers $27.2 million.

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

2009-12-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced $1 million in grant funding is now available through the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council for projects that support Colorado's rural health care infrastructure. This is the third cycle of grants through the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program that will by 2012 deliver a total of $7.5 million to strengthen rural health care services.

"These grants will help rural Coloradans get primary care services where they live and work. It is one of my administration's initiatives to strengthen and mend our state's tattered safety net and have basic health care services available throughout the state," said Gov. Ritter. "Affordable and accessible health care keeps our rural communities healthy and vibrant."

Gov. Ritter created the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council through Executive Order (B 007 07) that is responsible for a grant program funded by the UnitedHealth Group. The grant program funds projects that support Colorado's rural health infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of rural entities to provide primary care services.

Only organizations that are located outside of Colorado's Urbanized Areas and that provide outpatient primary care services – including medical, oral, and mental health services – are eligible to apply. Letters of Intent for the third grant cycle are requested by January 22, 2010; the application deadline is March 11, 2010. The maximum award amount is $50,000 per applicant.

For more information on the Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) grant application process and eligibility requirements, visit CRHC's website at www.coruralhealth.org.

GOV. RITTER, LAWMAKERS ANNOUNCE PLAN TO PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS

2009-12-22T13:25:00.000-08:00

LAKEWOOD — Gov. Bill Ritter and state lawmakers today announced a major step forward in tackling Colorado's high foreclosure rate, unveiling legislation that will speed up the sale of abandoned homes and protect neighborhoods from vandalism and declining property values.

Speaking at a neighborhood community center, Gov. Ritter said the legislation will cut in half the time it takes lenders to sell an abandoned home that's in foreclosure. This will allow those homes to be re-occupied more quickly so they don't become a safety hazard, a magnet for vandalism and other crimes and a drain on nearby property values.

The bill will be co-sponsored in the upcoming 2010 legislative session by Reps. Jeanne Labuda and Dianne Primavera and Sen. Mike Johnston.

"When I took office three years ago, Colorado was already suffering from the foreclosure crisis now gripping the rest of the nation," Gov. Ritter said. "But working with our partners in the legislature, we took immediate action, including enacting new laws and strengthening the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline.

"Today, Colorado no longer has the worst foreclosure rate in the country," Gov. Ritter said. "Our strategies are working, but our work is far from finished. The legislation we're announcing today is the next major step forward to help protect neighborhoods, keep families safe and maintain property values."

The legislation will allow lenders to accelerate the amount of time it takes to sell an abandoned home that's already in foreclosure. While many foreclosure sales take seven to nine months, current law calls for a minimum four-month sale process; the proposed bill would cut that in half to two months. This would dramatically reduce the amount of time an abandoned home would sit unattended and unoccupied.

"Abandoned homes facing foreclosure are frequently an eyesore in the neighborhood, and bring down property values of all homes in the area," said Rep. Labuda. "The current foreclosure process can take months and sometimes years to complete, all while the property sits abandoned. One or two bad homes on a block can certainly destroy a block. This legislation will get homes more quickly occupied, and ensure that even those neighborhoods hit hardest by foreclosure remain vibrant, good places to raise a family and buy a home."

"Homes that sit abandoned and are awaiting foreclosure lower the livability of neighborhoods, reduce property values and marketability, and can increase crime," Rep. Primavera said. "By cutting the foreclosure proceeding time in half, we can protect our communities by ensuring a great quality of life for families especially during this tough economic time."

"We've all seen the negative impacts foreclosed and abandoned homes are having on Colorado's economy and neighborhoods," Sen. Johnston said. "By speeding up the process to sell abandoned homes and getting these homes back on the market, we can prevent crime and declining property values in these neighborhoods and make sure abandoned properties don't take whole neighborhoods down with them."

GOV. RITTER LAUNCHES STRATEGIC REVIEW OF HIGHER-ED FOR COLORADO

2009-12-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter today kicked off a strategic planning initiative that will assess the state's higher-education systems and develop a comprehensive roadmap for the future of Colorado's 27 public colleges and universities.

"We're tackling some of the biggest challenges facing Colorado head on – K-12 education, energy, transportation and the worst economy since the Great Depression," Gov. Ritter said. "And now it's time to turn our attention to higher education, because without question, higher-ed is one of the keys to our recovery and our future. It drives economic growth and it opens doors of opportunity for people all across Colorado.

"As we rebuild our economy and position Colorado for strong sustainable growth, we must look beyond just the next year," the Governor said. "We need to look out 10, 20 and 30 years. And the only way we get there is with a vibrant higher-ed system that can meet the needs of a 21^st century Colorado. Our greatest resource in this state is our people and our families, and they deserve nothing less than colleges and universities that are accessible, affordable, accountable and of the highest quality."

Speaking to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and many of the state's college presidents, Gov. Ritter introduced Jim Lyons and Dick Monfort as the co-chairs of a steering committee that will lead the strategic planning effort. The committee will develop and recommend a master plan for a higher education system that today serves 220,000 students.

Monfort spent 20 years in the cattle business, is a vice chairman of the Colorado Rockies and sits on the University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees. Lyons is a co-chair of the Governor's Jobs Cabinet and a prominent attorney in Colorado. They will work closely with Rico Munn, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and Don Elliman, the governor's chief operating officer.

College and business leaders around Colorado praised today's launch and the naming of Monfort and Lyons.

"Colorado's system of higher education needs a coherent and comprehensive plan for the future, said CCHE Chairman James Polsfut. "This planning process will give us a chance to determine what the state wants out of its higher education system and how we can deliver it."

"A strong higher education system is invaluable to the business community," said Kelly Brough, CEO and president of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. "In order to continue to recruit new businesses and retain the companies we have, we must be able to say that we have a higher education system that can educate and prepare Coloradans for the jobs of today and the future."

"Dick Monfort and Jim Lyons are outstanding people who I have had the pleasure to work with for many years," said University of Colorado President Bruce D. Benson. "They have a deep commitment to higher education and our state and will do a great job leading the study. It's important that it take a thorough look at all our colleges and universities to ensure we can provide high-quality, accessible and affordable education for all Coloradans. To achieve that, we have to be realistic and deliberate in how we direct our current low funding levels. We also need to look for new revenue streams to sustain our colleges and universities."

"I am very enthused and grateful that Jim Lyons and Dick Monfort have stepped forward in this leadership capacity," said Joe Blake, chancellor of Colorado State University. "I look forward to working with them and being a part of this important process involving the future of public higher education."

"My hope is that this process will lead to some visionary ideas about how we can secure the future of higher education in Colorado," said Jay Helman, president of Western State College in Gunnison. "Colorado has an opportunity to take the lead in a re-visioning of higher education that could benefit the entire country. Nearly every state is faced with substantial funding challenges for higher education. If we can have open and bold discussions about our future, we have an opportunity to strengthen higher education in Colorado and to lead much-needed reform in other states."

"We're very pleased that this initiative is moving forward, and look forward to participating in a process that will benefit all Colorado," said Stephen Jordan, president of Metropolitan State College in Denver.

GOV. RITTER HONORS EFFORT TO PLACE RETURNING VETERANS IN CONSTRUCTION JOBS

2009-12-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

GOVERNOR RITTER HONORS PARTNERSHIP TO PLACE

RETURNING VETERANS IN QUALITY CONSTRUCTION JOBS

FORT CARSON — Gov. Bill Ritter today honored efforts to provide civilian careers for returning veterans with a proclamation recognizing the work of Helmets to Hardhats and the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council.

"We must ensure that veterans, who risk their lives for our freedom, can successfully transition back into the civilian workforce when they come home," Gov. Ritter said, issuing the proclamation during a visit to a Fort Carson construction site. "Helmets to Hardhats is there to point veterans in the right direction, and the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council is providing successful careers paths."

Helmets to Hardhats is a free, nonprofit program that connects retired and transitioning military members with construction business employers. Making a successful transition from the military into the civilian workforce can be difficult, so the program offers networking and helps military members translate the skills they learned in the military into a language that civilian employers can understand.

"Helmets to Hardhats is extremely delighted to be joined by Gov. Ritter and the State of Colorado in recognizing the critical importance of assisting our nation's military veterans, National Guard and Reserve in finding secure and stable careers and training in Construction," said Darrell L. Roberts, executive director of Helmets to Hardhats. "Through its formal support and acknowledgement of the Helmets to Hardhats program, Gov. Ritter and the State of Colorado have demonstrated a firm commitment to our veterans and service members that goes beyond just words."

The Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council is working with Helmets to Hardhats to help with job placement and networking. "Colorado is home for many transitioning military families," said Neil Hall, the Council's business manager. "We at the Colorado State Building and Construction Trades Council want our servicemen and women to know we're proud of them and that we're here for them."

Click here for more information on Helmets to Hardhats.

# # #

HONORARY PROCLAMATION

HELMETS TO HARDHATS

December 16, 2009

WHEREAS, we who enjoy the blessings of freedom and the joys of liberty throughout the world owe a tremendous debt of gratitude and appreciation to those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; and

WHEREAS, in January 2003, the Helmets to Hardhats program was created as part of a federally funded program – a program enabling military veterans to cope with transition after their service by helping them put their military training to use in jobs in the building and construction trades; and

WHEREAS, there is a need within the construction industry for men and women with prior training who exhibit discipline, leadership, and the ability to work in a team environment; and

WHEREAS, efforts to assist the re-entry of returning servicemen and women into civilian construction employment will ensure that the State of Colorado has a highly skilled construction workforce and provide assistance to returning servicemen and women; and

WHEREAS, the partnership encourages construction workers to become active in the National Guard and Reserves; and

WHEREAS, Colorado workforce centers have been a partner in Helmets to Hardhats programs at Buckley Air National Guard, Colorado National Guard, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, US Air Force Academy and US Army Fort Carson Base;

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim December 16, 2009,

HELMETS TO HARDHATS

in the State of Colorado.

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this sixteenth day of December, 2009

Bill Ritter, Jr.

Governor

LATINO LEADERS ENDORSE GOVERNOR RITTER

2009-12-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

(Denver) Governor Bill Ritter's campaign received a major boost today as dozens of prominent Latino community leaders endorsed his re-election effort. "Bill Ritter is a principled leader and a man of conviction" said State Senator Abel Tapia from Pueblo, "He is the type of leader who does what he believes is the right thing to do – even if it isn't easy politically."

Nearly 50 prominent members of the Latino community took part in today's endorsement event, touting the Governor's leadership on education, health care and the economy. "This governor continues to lead Colorado forward even during the worst economic downturn in generations," said former state senator and small-business owner Paul Sandoval, "Our unemployment rate is well below the national average. We are ranked as one of the best states in the nation in which to do business, and most experts believe Colorado is poised to emerge from recession well ahead of the pack. That's leadership."

Joe Salazar, former chair of the Colorado Latino Forum, contrasted Ritter's leadership and track record against that of Congressman McInnis. "Bill Ritter is leading us forward – but Congressman McInnis wants to take us back to the old politics of George W. Bush and Tom Delay when lobbyists wrote the rules and government put special interests ahead of real people. Congressman McInnis represents the kind of politics that got us into this mess in the first place."

Others said they were worried about McInnis' debt to Tom Tancredo. "Congressman McInnis' close ties to Tom Tancredo and Republican big money spell danger for the Latino community. His willingness to cut deals for political profit behind closed doors will harm us all," said former State Senator Polly Baca.

The endorsement by so many prominent Latino community leaders this early in the campaign is significant. The Latino vote played a major role in recent statewide elections and is seen as a critical coalition for candidates.

GOV. RITTER WELCOMES SOLARCITY JOBS AND AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY TO COLORADO

2009-12-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

Gov. Bill Ritter and elected officials announced today that SolarCity has opened for business in Colorado. SolarCity, an innovative solar provider, will locate its Colorado office in Westminster with plans to expand operations in metro Denver area.

"I'm pleased to welcome SolarCity to Colorado's New Energy Economy," Gov. Ritter said. "Even in this tough economy, we're continuing to attract new companies and create new jobs while making clean energy more affordable for families and small businesses all across the state. Today's announcement is the direct result of forward-thinking legislation that has established Colorado as a national leader and positioned us for a quick and strong recovery."

In April 2009, Gov. Ritter signed the Renewable Energy Finance Act, Senate Bill 09-051, sponsored by Sen. Morgan Carroll and Rep. Claire Levy, to increase financial options for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Colorado. SolarCity is the second solar company to announce it will now work in Colorado because of this forward-thinking legislation, bringing dozens of jobs and clean power to Colorado.

"Because of the legislative changes we made last year, solar is now available in affordable monthly payments so that a typical Colorado family can now afford solar and save money on their utility bill. SolarCity's relocation to Colorado demonstrates the real value and economic benefits of green technology," Sen. Carroll said. "Not only are we committing ourselves to environmentally sound practices, we are creating good jobs in Colorado even in the midst of a recession."

"The New Energy Economy continues to be a shining light in Colorado, and I am so pleased that SolarCity has selected Colorado," Rep. Levy said. "Thanks to the Governor's support of legislation like SB 51, which helps homeowners finance renewable energy upgrades for their homes and businesses, more new energy firms are bound to continue coming to Colorado."

"As a result of forward thinking on the part of Gov. Ritter, the Colorado legislature, Xcel Energy and the state's environmentally-minded citizens, Colorado has the potential to become a national leader in solar power adoption per capita," said Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity. "SolarCity is introducing an option that can allow Colorado homeowners to install solar with no upfront cost and begin saving money immediately. We believe SolarLease will ultimately allow thousands of Colorado homeowners to adopt clean power for less than they previously paid for electricity."

WEDNESDAY: GOV. RITTER TO VISIT FORT CARSON, PUEBLO

2009-12-15T05:24:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009

10 a.m. Gov. Ritter will sign a proclamation supporting the "Helmets to Hardhats" program, which helps members of the military successfully transition back into civilian life by connecting them to employment opportunities in the construction industry. Location: Soldier Family Assistance Center, 1481 Titus Blvd., Fort Carson.

Media: All media outlets planning on covering this event must contact the Fort Carson Public Affairs Office to RSVP at (719) 526-4143/7525 or (719) 524-2446 by 4 p.m. today (Tuesday, Dec. 15).

General Public: Please arrive by 9:30 a.m. at Gate 1 at the Fort Carson Base (Hwy 115 and O'Connell Blvd). Please have a valid driver's license and vehicle registration.

1:30 p.m. Gov. Ritter and CSU-Pueblo President Joe Garcia will host a roundtable discussion with business, education and civic leaders about economic-recovery strategies and how Gov. Ritter is strengthening partnerships with businesses and education. Location: CSU-Pueblo, Associated Student Government Chambers, Occhiato University Center, Room 201, 2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo.

3 p.m. Gov. Ritter will help carry and unload donated clothing for those in need. Location: Pueblo Cooperative Care Center, 325 W. 10^th St., Pueblo.

4:15 p.m. Gov. Ritter will issue an executive order encouraging state agencies to buy American-made products when using Recovery Act funds for construction projects. He will be joined by state Sen. Abel Tapia and Reps. Buffie McFadyen and Sal Pace. Location: United Steelworkers of America Local 2102, 1414 E. Evans Ave., Pueblo.

10:45 A.M. TODAY: GOV. RITTER TO WELCOME NEW SOLAR COMPANY

2009-12-15T05:22:00.000-08:00

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009

10:45 a.m. Gov. Ritter, state Sen. Morgan Carroll and Rep. Claire Levy will hold a news conference to announce the arrival of a new solar company and the creation of new jobs in Colorado. Location: West Foyer, State Capitol.

5 p.m. Gov. Ritter will mark this year's Hanukkah celebration during a community menorah lighting ceremony. Location: 300 S. Dahlia St., Denver (at Alameda Avenue).

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009

All Day Gov. Ritter will be attending several events on Fort Carson and in Pueblo. A detailed itinerary will be issued separately.

Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009

5 p.m. Gov. Ritter will deliver a keynote speech at a forest health symposium sponsored by For the Forest. Location: Hotel Jerome, Aspen.

GOV. RITTER'S SCHEDULE FOR TODAY & WEEK OF DEC. 14, 2009

2009-12-14T04:58:00.000-08:00

Monday, Dec. 14, 2009

Noon Gov. Ritter and legislative leaders will talk with reporters about their priorities for the upcoming 2010 legislative session during an annual gathering hosted by the Colorado Press Association. Location: Denver Press Club, 1330 Glenarm Place, Denver.

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009

5 p.m. Gov. Ritter will mark this year's Hanukkah celebration during a community menorah lighting ceremony. Location: 300 S. Dahlia St., Denver (at Alameda Avenue).

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009

All Day Gov. Ritter will be attending several events in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. A detailed itinerary will be issued Tuesday.

Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009

5 p.m. Gov. Ritter will deliver a keynote speech at a forest health symposium sponsored by For the Forest. Location: Hotel Jerome, Aspen.