Gov. Bill Ritter Backs Out Of Re-election Bid; Taxpayers Billed For Photos

Ritter Expected To Withdraw From Governor's Race



Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to announce Wednesday that he will withdraw from the race for governor, numerous sources close to Ritter confirmed Tuesday night.

Ritter began making calls to other prominent Colorado Democrats around 6 p.m. notifying them of his decision. Sources said his office contacted key legislators asking them to be available for an 11 a.m. press conference where Ritter will make his announcement.

Ritter's decision, which was first reported by a blog affiliated with Congressional Quarterly, was confirmed by The Denver Post and others.

Repeated calls for comment to Ritter's staff and communications director were not returned tonight. The governor was said to be making calls to other Democrats, informing them of the decision.

House Speaker Terrance Carroll however said he had not been contacted by the governor's office and had not been told of the governor's plan.

Polls have shown that Ritter is trailing Republican and former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis in the race. His departure would clear the way for popular Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter or others to enter the race for governor.





Colorado Taxpayers Billed For Photos, Videos Of Gov. Ritter


Gov. Bill Ritter does not have a staff photographerbut he has billed taxpayers more than $200,000 to hire outside contractors and pay for photographs, videos and TV ads promoting his accomplishments since June 2008, including videos of him receiving a "Father of the Year" award and naming Michael Bennet to the U.S. Senate.

According to receipts and contracts obtained by The Associated Press under the Colorado Open Records Act, taxpayers paid that amount for photos of the Democratic governor signing bills and attending a lavish production for the state film commission.

Photos of the "Father of the Year" award taken by Imagine That! Entertainment cost taxpayers $200. The event was promoted by The Bawmann Group, a private consulting firm that also got a state contract, funded by a federal grant, worth $669,000 to promote fatherhood last year.

The most costly item was $200,000 for a series of TV ads promoting consumer awareness and partnering with a TV station to answer consumer questions. The department said Ritter was chosen "to enhance the profile of these efforts to reach the widest possible audience."





Colorado Governor Ritter To Retire


Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) will not seek a second term this fall, according to Democratic sources briefed on his decision.

Ritter was elected in a landslide in 2006, and his state's capital, Denver, hosted the Democratic National Convention and the presidential nomination of Sen. Barack Obama in 2008.

But Ritter's political fate has dipped considerably in the intervening years, and he faced an extremely difficult re-election race against former Rep. Scott McInnis (R) in November.

The Denver Post reported that Ritter has scheduled an 11 a.m. press conference Wednesday. Numerous sources close to the governor told the Denver paper that he will announce his decision then.

Ritter's campaign manager did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

"Bill Ritter was literally the weakest incumbent in nearly 50 years and his own party was unenthusiastic at best for his reelection," said Colorado Republican party chairman Dick Wadhams. "Colorado has certainly changed from that heady day at Invesco Field."

Democrats are likely to turn to either former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff or Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to replace Ritter. Romanoff is currently challenging appointed Sen. Michael Bennet in a Democratic primary and if he could be convinced to switch races would solve two problems for the party. State Treasurer Cary Kennedy and Rep. Ed Perlmutter are also mentioned as potential Democratic candidates.

Colorado is now the eleventh open seat Democrats must defend this year although the other ten seats are being vacated as a result of term limits. Republicans also have eleven open seats of their own to defend. There are 37 governors races on the ballot this fall.



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Sources: Denver Post, Washington Post, Colorado Independent, Google Maps