GOV. RITTER TO UNVEIL 2009-10 BUDGET ON SUNDAY (NOV. 2, 2008)

 

GOV. RITTER TO UNVEIL 2009-10 BUDGET ON SUNDAY

 

11 a.m.            Gov. Ritter will hold a news conference to unveil his fiscal year 2009-10 budget proposal at 11 a.m. Sunday. Copies of the budget transmittal letter as well as other supporting documents will be available. Gov. Ritter will make remarks, and then Budget Director Todd Saliman will be available to provide additional detail and background information. Location: State Capitol, Governor's Office.     

                                                 

GOV. RITTER, LT. GOV. & FIRST LADY SCHEDULES FOR TODAY (TUESDAY, OCT. 28, 2008)

 

8:15 a.m.         Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien will deliver remarks and read a proclamation at the 2nd Annual Colorado Culture of Health Conference. Location: Colorado Convention Center, Four Seasons Ballroom, 700 14^th St., Denver.

 

Noon               Gov. Ritter will deliver opening remarks to kick off the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's 21^st annual Industry Growth Forum. About 500 participants are expected to attend the three-day forum, where 35 businesses – including nine fromColorado – will present their best clean-energy business cases as they seek financing to commercialize their technologies.Location: Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver.

 

12:30 p.m.      After the Governor's remarks, he will hold a photo-op and media availability with a natural-gas vehicle provided by Clean Energy. Gov. Ritter will discuss the importance of Colorado-produced natural gas as a clean and alternative bridge fuel for the future. Location: Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver.

 

12:30 p.m.      Lt. Gov. O'Brien will tape a special edition of KBDI's Aaron Harber Show titled "Women & the Presidency."  Location:2900 Welton St., Denver.

 

4:30 p.m.        Gov. Ritter will address college students at an Amendment 58 rally at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Location:Lory Student Center Plaza, CSU-Fort Collins.

 

4:30 p.m.        First Lady Jeannie Ritter will deliver remarks at an Obama Early Voting Rally in Colorado Springs with Michelle Obama.Location: Colorado Springs City Auditorium, 221 E Kiowa St.

                                                 

GOV. RITTER TO UTILIZE NATURAL GAS CAR TUESDAY & LEAD FT. COLLINS RALLY

Gov. Ritter on Tuesday will be utilizing a natural-gas vehicle throughout the day, promoting clean-burning, Colorado-grown natural gas as an important bridge fuel for the 21^st century. He will be holding a photo-op and media availability with the vehicle at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's 21^st annual Industry Growth Forum at 12:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec St. Denver.

 

Gov. Ritter also will be leading an Amendment 58 rally on Tuesday at Colorado State University-Fort Collins.

 

Details for Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, events:

 

Noon               Gov. Ritter will deliver opening remarks to kick off the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's 21^st annual Industry Growth Forum. About 500 participants are expected to attend the three-day forum, where 35 businesses – including nine fromColorado – will present their best clean-energy business cases as they seek financing to commercialize their technologies.

 

12:30 p.m.      After the Governor's remarks, he will hold a photo-op and media availability with a natural-gas vehicle provided by Clean Energy. Gov. Ritter will discuss the importance of Colorado-produced natural gas as a clean and alternative bridge fuel for the future. Location: Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver.

 

4:30 p.m.        Gov. Ritter will address college students at an Amendment 58 rally at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Location:Lory Student Center Plaza, CSU-Fort Collins.  

                                                 

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE FOR TODAY (MONDAY, OCT. 27, 2008)

 

10 a.m.            Gov. Ritter's Blue Ribbon Transportation Panel will meet. Note: Gov. Ritter will not be in attendance; this is just a reminder of the meeting. Location: Colorado Department of Transportation headquarters, 4201 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver.

 

12:30 p.m.      Lt. Gov. O'Brien will tour the exhibit, "The Hundred Languages of Children," with the mayor of the northern Italy city of Reggio Emilia and the president of Reggio Children, a public-private project that promotes early childhood education.Location: Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Ave.

 

7:30 p.m.        First Lady Jeannie Ritter and Colorado historian Tom Noel will share Halloween ghost stories and provide tours of the main floor of the Governor's Residence, which is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year. Location:  Governor's Residence,400 E. 8^th Ave., Denver.

                                                 

GOVERNOR'S TRANSPORTATION PANEL MEETS MONDAY

 

Gov. Bill Ritter's Blue Ribbon Transportation Panel will hold its next meeting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at the Colorado Department of Transportation headquarters, 4201 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver.

 

Members of the panel have been holding a series of 25 community outreach meetings across the state this fall as part of a public awareness campaign about Colorado's transportation funding crisis.

 

The agenda for Monday's meeting of the full panel:

 

I.                   Welcome and Introductions – Transportation Co-Chairs Doug Aden, Cary Kennedy and Bob Tointon

 

II.                Opening Comments – Russ George, CDOT Executive Director

 

III.             Transit and Policy Options Working Group Update – Jennifer Finch

 

IV.             Overview of Panel Outreach Activities To-Date – Carla Perez and Peter Kenney

a.       Suggested messages, communication tools, options for consideration

b.      Spin off meetings generated

c.       Participants and Comments

 

V.                Working Lunch

 

VI.             Working toward Panel Recommendations

a.       Framework for options

                                                              i.      $1.5 billion investment recommendation

                                                            ii.      Federal, state, local, regional, P3 options

b.      Financial Outlook at State and Federal level – Cary Kennedy

 

VII.          How Can Panel  Help Advance the Discussion

a.       Set context for debate: Public doesn't believe we have a problem

b.      Present real facts: degree of problem, pictures, financial projections and specific implications

c.       Present real options: areas to focus and revenue options

d.      VMT Study Update

 

VIII.        Next Meeting – November 13, 2008

 

IX.             Close

GOV. RITTER & LT. GOV. O'BRIEN SCHEDULES FOR TODAY (FRIDAY, OCT. 24, 2008)

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008

 

Noon               Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks at the kickoff luncheon for STEMapalooza, an education expo to highlight the importance of the STEM education fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Location: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14^thStreet, Denver.

 

3 p.m.              Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks at a Summit on Senior Citizen Financial Exploitation organized by Attorney General John Suthers. Location: Denver Police Protective Association Event Center, 2105 Decatur St.

 

5 p.m.              Gov. Ritter will introduce U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at a Barack Obama rally. Location: General's Park, 1561 N. Quentin St., Aurora.

 

5:30 p.m.        Lt. Gov. O'Brien will address a United Nations tour group from the Nile River Initiative, which is touring the Colorado River system to view the effects of climate change and Colorado's collaborative efforts around water issues. Location: Avenue Grill Conference Room; 17th Avenue & Washington Street, Denver

 

7 p.m.              Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks at the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce's Annual Dinner and Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.  Location: Marriott City Center; 1701 California St., Denver.

 

TREASURER, GOVERNOR ANNOUNCE $230M FOR COLLEGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

 

Gov. Bill Ritter and State Treasurer Cary Kennedy today announced the successful sale of $231 million of Certificates of Participation to finance 12 construction projects at college campuses across the state.

 

"At a time of great national and international economic uncertainty and with the stock market still so unsettled, the successful sale of these C.O.P.'s demonstrates a tremendous amount of confidence in Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "These funds will stimulate our economy, create new jobs and allow us to invest in colleges and communities all across Colorado."

 

"We are extremely pleased with the success of the sale," Treasurer Kennedy said. "Colorado is leading the nation in the loosening up of the credit markets. This means we are going to be able to pump millions of dollars into Colorado's economy."

 

The C.O.P.'s were authorized by Senate Bills 08-218 and 233 and House Joint Resolution 08-1042. The C.O.P.'s leverage Federal Mineral Lease revenue, which are revenues paid by energy companies that drill and extract oil and gas on federal lands in Colorado. The 12 projects to be funded with the C.O.P.'s:

 

1. University of Northern Colorado: Butler-Hancock Renovation ($11.6 million)

2. Colorado Northwestern Comm. College: Academic Building, Craig Campus ($21.3 million)

3. Colorado State University at Pueblo: Academic Resources Center Remodel ($22 million)

4. Colorado School of Mines: Brown Hall Addition ($6.7 million)

5. CSU Fort Collins: Clark Building Revitalization ($2 million)

6. Auraria Higher Education Campus: Science Building ($63.6 million)

7. Western State College: Taylor Hall Renovation and Addition ($21.1 million)

8. Mesa State College: Wubben Hall Expansion and Renovation ($14.8 million)

9. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs: Renovation of Science Building ($17.1 million)

10. Morgan Community College: Nursing, Technology & Science Building ($4.7 million)  

11. Front Range Comm. College, Larimer Campus: Science Classroom Project ($14.2 million)

12. Fort Lewis College: Berndt Hall Reconstruction, Professional Services ($3.2 million)

 

"This is something that both parties can get behind because keeping the construction going on these projects saves us money and will keep people working in these communities," said state Rep. Don Marostica, who serves on the legislature's Capital Development Committee. "All the way around, it's a win."

 

The Certificates of Participation were sold over two days (Wednesday and today), at an interest rate of 5.39 percent, with annual payments for 20 years. A C.O.P. offering is similar to that of a bond, with the most significant difference being that repayment is dependent on an annual appropriation.

 

Treasurer Kennedy said the state had worked to prepare the offering so it would be ready for when investor demand returned to a level that would support the deal. "We are getting the state one of the best rates for any comparable offering since the collapse of Lehman Brothers over a month ago," said Kennedy. "With this rate, we have saved the state more than $17 million. This is a testament to Colorado's strong financial position."

 

According to the Treasurer's Office, of the $231 million sale, there was demand for $143 million by retail investors, 80 percent of whom areColorado residents. Colorado residents get an exemption from state and federal taxes on the interest they receive when they purchaseColorado municipal offerings.

 

GOVERNOR & TREASURER TO ANNOUNCE $200 MILLION FOR HIGHER-ED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Gov. Bill Ritter and State Treasurer Cary Kennedy today will announce the successful sale of about $230 million of Certificates of Participation that will finance 12 construction projects on college campuses across Colorado.

 

WHO: Gov. Ritter, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, lawmakers and higher-ed officials

 

WHAT: News conference announcing successful sale of Certificates of Participation for 12 construction projects

 

WHEN: 3:30 p.m. today (Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008)

 

WHERE: West Foyer, State Capitol

 

The bond sale took place Wednesday and today. The construction projects, authorized by Senate Bills 08-218 and 233 and House Joint Resolution 08-1042, are:

 

1. University of Northern Colorado: Butler-Hancock Renovation

2. Colorado Northwestern Community College: Academic Building, Craig Campus

3. Colorado State University at Pueblo: Academic Resources Center Remodel

4. Colorado School of Mines: Brown Hall Addition

5. CSU Fort Collins: Clark Building Revitalization

6. Auraria Higher Education Campus: Science Building

7. Western State College: Taylor Hall Renovation and Addition

8. Mesa State College: Wubben Hall Expansion and Renovation

9. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs: Renovation of Science Building

10. Morgan Community College: Nursing, Technology & Science Building

11. Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus: Science Classroom Project

12. Fort Lewis College: Berndt Hall Reconstruction

 

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE FOR TODAY (THURSDAY, OCT. 23, 2008)

9 a.m.              Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks to the Governor's Child Welfare Action Committee. The group was created earlier this year to recommend changes to Colorado's child-protection system following multiple child deaths. Location: Doubletree Denver North Hotel, 8773 Yates Drive, Westminster.

 

11 a.m.            Gov. Ritter will join a number of elected officials at a news conference announcing their opposition to Amendments 47, 49 and 54 on the November ballot. Location: West Steps, State Capitol.

 

12:30 p.m.      Gov. Ritter will deliver a keynote luncheon speech to hundreds of Front Range Rotary Club members. The Governor's remarks will focus on the state of Colorado's economy. Location: Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave. Denver.

 

2 p.m.              Gov. Ritter will join Penny Pritzker to cut the ribbon on a new $150 million, 252-unit Classic Residence by Hyatt. Pritzker is the founder, chair and CEO of Hyatt's Classic Residence chain. Location: 2755 Classic Drive, Highlands Ranch.   

                                                 

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE FOR TODAY (WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22, 2008)

10 a.m.            Gov. Ritter will unveil a new solar array atop three parking garages at the Belmar mixed-use community in Lakewood. The 8,300-panel, 1.7-megawatt solar array will be one of the most powerful in Colorado, providing enough power to offset 5 percent of Belmar's electricity consumption. The Belmar district also features a small urban wind farm with 14 turbines that provide power to light up a parking lot. Location: Belmar, Vance Street parking garage, corner of West Alameda Avenue and South Vance Street, Lakewood.

 

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GOV. RITTER, FIRST LADY & LT. GOV. SCHEDULES FOR TUESDAY

8:30 a.m.         Gov. Ritter will join Sen. Barack Obama, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, as well as Google CEO Eric Schmidt and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, at a "Growing American Jobs Economic Summit." Location: Palm Beach Community College, Lake Worth Campus,Florida. The 8:30 a.m. start is Mountain time.

 

9:30 a.m.         Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien will deliver opening remarks at a health-care reform meeting as part of Gov. Ritter's statewide outreach sessions. Members of the administration are visiting communities across the state this fall discussing the future of health-care reform in Colorado. Location: Sunrise Monfort Family Clinic, 2930 11^th Ave., Evans.

 

11:30 a.m.       Lt. Gov. O'Brien will join Sen. Joe Biden at events at the University of Northern Colorado and in Commerce City. Location: UNC, Butler-Hancock Hall Gymnasium, 2100 17th Ave., Greeley.

 

1 p.m.              First Lady Jeannie Ritter will deliver remarks at Front Range Community College for a Disability Awareness Month event. The First Lady will take part in a presentation to students that focuses on removing the stigma associated with mental illness. Location: Front Range Community College, Westminster Campus, Rocky Mountain Room; 3645 W. 112th Ave.