Photo Gallery
Gov. Ritter joined members of the Colorado Jobs Cabinet and the business community on Aug. 24 to unveil a new report, "Economic Competitiveness through Collaboration, Talent Development and Innovation." The report recommends key strategies to help create a highly skilled and educated workforce to keep Colorado businesses even more competitive in the years ahead. [Press Release]
Gov. Ritter joined U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and a number of other leaders on Aug. 22 to break ground on a new standalone Veterans Hospital on the Fitzsimons medical campus. "Today we stand on hallowed ground thanks to the excellent care the men and women of Fitzsimons Hospital gave to the wounded soldiers treated there," Gov. Ritter said. "The new stand-alone hospital will honor that legacy." [Press Release ]
Gov. Ritter and U.S. Sen. Bennet toured Colorado State University's acclaimed Engines and Energy Conservation Lab in Fort Collins on Aug. 20. "This lab is making a meaningful difference around the world and is key part of Colorado's growing New Energy Economy," Gov. Ritter said.
Governor Ritter helped launch the Connected Care Telehealth Initiative on August 17 to advance healthcare accessibility for rural Colorado. With him are the architects of the new program - Beth Soberg of United Healthcare, Gary Campbell of Centura Health, and Lou Ann Wilroy of the Colorado Rural Health Center.
Gov. Bill Ritter toured software firm Intuit Inc.'s new small-business customer-service center in Englewood on August 11, which announced it will expand operations, adding 90 new jobs over the next few months.
Gov. Ritter toured the Confluence Energy plant in Kremmling on Aug. 7, learning how the facility is converting pine trees killed by the mountain beetle epidemic into wood pellets for home heating fuel. Gov. Ritter also operated a piece of heavy equipment, scooping logs and getting a first-hand feel for how things are done at Confluence Energy.
Joined by the Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action, Gov. Bill Ritter proclaimed August 5th as 'Genocide Awareness Day' during a news conference focused on the deteriorating situation in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Gov. Ritter and Lt. Governor O'Brien joined volunteers on Aug. 3 at the Food Bank of the Rockies to pack and haul boxes of emergency food. They encouraged Coloradans to volunteer at local food banks and to get involved in other United We Serve community service projects.
Gov. Ritter, along with Colorado Historical Society Director, Ed Nichols breaks ground at the site for the new Colorado History Museum on August 1. [Press Release ]
Gov. Bill Ritter today congratulated the astronauts and crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and employees from Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. for their recent mission to repair and extend the life of the Hubble telescope.
At right, Gov. Ritter and (L-R) Capt. Scott Altman (commander), Capt. Greg Johnson (pilot), Michael Good (mission specialist), Dr. John Grunsfeld (mission specialist) listen in as Webber Junior High School (Ft. Collins) students describe their recent mission over the summer during Webber Aerospace Ventures in Education's (WAVE) summer program where students learn to simulate a shuttle flight.
On July 24, Gov. Ritter attended the Annual Retreat for the Greater Denver Ministerial Alliance and shared the latest ARRA efforts and what they mean to education and employment in the African American Community.
Gov. Ritter assisted with the weatherization of the Fornier home in Colorado Springs during the first stop on a day-long Southern Colorado Outreach Tour. The project was made possible by Recovery Act dollars.
Gov. Ritter met with members of Action 22 during their annual State of the State Luncheon & Summit. The Governor talked about how he is leading Colorado forward by supplying leadership in economic develop efforts ARRA , and how Southern Colorado fits into his plan.
Gov. Ritter held a Town Hall Meeting with Canyon City residents and city leaders to discuss state employee furloughs and provide the latest progress around the Department of Corrections.
Gov. Ritter took part in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Pueblo's Urban Renewal Celebration and recognized the organization it for its economic development, tourism development, and job creation in Pueblo.
Gov. Bill Ritter announced July 23 he has appointed state Rep. Don Marostica, a respected member of the legislature's Joint Budget Committee and a Loveland business owner, as the new director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Gov. Bill Ritter issued an executive order July 14 establishing new state efforts to help job-seekers and small and minority-owned businesses benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He signed the order and announced the new plans during a 'Procurement Connections' business fair in Denver.
Gov. Ritter completed the grueling 120-mile Triple Bypass bicycle ride July 11. He rode with the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center's "Champions for Children Cycling Team." The ride goes from Evergreen to Avon over Squaw Pass (11,140 ft.), Loveland Pass (11,990 ft.), and Vail Pass (10,560 ft.), with over 10,000 ft. of elevation gain.
Gov. Ritter helped kick off the 2009 Denver Black Arts Festival in City Park on July 10th. The Governor sampled some of the cuisine and visited with festival participants, vendors, and organizers.
Governor Ritter announced on July 6 that Tri-State Generation and Transmission has teamed up with a subsidiary of Duke Energy to build the first-ever wind farm on Colorado's central-eastern plains. The "Kit Carson Windpower Project" is another step forward for Colorado's New Energy Economy.
Gov. Ritter served as guest conductor for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during a June 30 performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The world-famous choir performed "This Land is Your Land" under the direction of Gov. Ritter.
Gov. Ritter and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood broke ground on June 30 on a $32 million project to repair and repave portions of C-470 and a bike path that runs alongside the highway. This is one of the largest projects being funded by the Recovery Act in Colorado.
Gov. Ritter helped launch a new tourism website on June 26 in Buena Vista. The site, www.travelgreencolorado.com, promotes geotourism, ecotourism and other sustainable tourism opportunities around the state.
Gov. Ritter visited Salida and Gunnison on June 26. He talked with a group of teenage skateboarders outside the Steamplant in Salida, toured the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area outside near Gunnison and posed for pictures with kids at the Gunnison River Festival.
Gov. Ritter took part in the 2009 Colorado Fatherhood Rally on June 20 in City Park, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of Father's Day, and provided an opportunity to further raise awareness of the importance of paternal involvement.
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Gov. Bill Ritter addressed a gathering of almost 200 education, business, and policy leaders during a launch event of the Colorado STEM Program on June 12. Gov. Ritter was joined by STEM Network board members Gary Barbosa and Dr. Carole Basile, as well as Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, Commission of Education Dwight Jones, and CU Denver chancellor M. Roy Wilson.
Gov. Ritter took part in the annual Elephant Rock Bicycle Ride on June 7. After riding 62 miles, he talked to the crowd about the importance of bicycle safety and sharing the road with motorists.
Gov. Ritter joined hundreds of film industry enthusiasts on June 4 to sign House Bill 1010, which re-establishes a Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media within state government to help promote and rebuild the film industry in Colorado.
Gov. Ritter signed three New Energy Economy transportation bills into law on June 4 at the Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado Center in Lower Downtown. The legislation (House Bills 1298 and 1331 and Senate Bill 75) will help Coloradans reduce the amount of air pollution their cars release, increase fuel economy, minimize their carbon footprint and boost energy independence.
Gov. Ritter traveled to the A-Basin Ski Area in Summit County on June 3 to sign the omnibus "Healthy Forests/Vibrant Communities Act of 2009" into law. He also signed legislation that creates the state's first specialty license plate depicting a skier and snowboarder.
Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law House Bill 1317, sponsored by Reps. Sal Pace and Wes McKinley and Sen. Kester, which prohibits the State Land Board of Commissioners from selling or leasing any holdings to the U.S. government for expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.
Gov. Ritter on June 2 delivered the commencement address for the first graduating class of the new Veterans Green Jobs program. Fifteen military veterans completed an intensive training program and will now be placed into jobs within the New Energy Economy workforce.
Gov. Ritter joined Fort Collins lawmakers -- Reps. John Kefalas and Randy Fischer and Sen. Bob Bacon -- at a town hall meeting on June 1 to discuss Colorado's economy, take questions from residents and sign six bills into law.
Gov. Bill Ritter joined state Rep. Jim Riesberg in Greeley on June 1, signing into law four pieces of legislation and discussing Colorado's economy with area business, education and civic leaders at a Greeley Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Gov. Ritter visited Louisville Fire Station No. 2 on May 19 to sign new laws designed to save lives by improving emergency medical services and enhancing teen-driving safety.
Gov. Bill Ritter on May 21 signed a new DNA-collection bill into law, allowing police to take DNA samples from suspects arrested for rape, burglary and other felonies.
Gov. Bill Ritter on May 21 signed into law a comprehensive package of education-reform measures, including bills to help reduce the dropout rate, allow students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a college associate's degree, and give Colorado a better chance of landing federal "Race to the Top" funds.
Gov. Ritter at May 19 Groundbreaking Ceremony for the first transportation project in Colorado to be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Gov. Ritter delivers the 2009 commencement address on May 19 to Thornton High School seniors at CU's Coors Event Center in Boulder.
Gov. Bill Ritter today proclaimed May 2009 as "Nuggets May-nia Month" throughout Colorado as the Denver Nuggets take on the L.A. Lakers in the NBA's Western Conference Finals.
Gov. Ritter spent a full day in Pueblo on May 18, cutting the ribbon on a new forensic psychiatry unit at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital, breaking ground on a new long-term care facility, and joining the Pueblo Human Relations Commission in honoring state Sen. Abel Tapia.
Gov. Ritter delivered the commencement address to the Mesa State College Class of 2009 on May 16, encouraging hundreds of graduates to be: open to different possibilities in life, passionate about what they do, of service to others, and courageous.
Gov. Ritter helped cut the ribbon on the newly opened High Plains Raceway in Deer Trail, CO on May 14th. The Governor was able to get behind the wheel and test the 2.25 mile course for himself.
Gov. Ritter was joined on May 14th by executives from Nesle/PURINA, REC Solar, and Xcel Energy for a dedication of PURINA's newly installed 100-kw solar array. The Governor received an assist with the untying of the ribbon from Nestle/PURINA's current mascot -- Dealer.
Gov. Bill Ritter today visited hundreds of students at Foothills Elementary School to sign into law three major New Energy Economy bills, including one that will help schools invest in solar panels, wind turbines and hybrid or electric buses.
Gov. Ritter signed Senate Bill 226 on May 14 with a little help from some young friends. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Paula Sandoval and Rep. Sara Gagliardi, requires the state to work with schools, teachers and parents to help prevent food allergy attacks and to respond quickly and safely should they occur.
Gov. Bill Ritter on May 11 signed into law seven bills during a town hall meeting with El Paso County state Reps. Dennis Apuan and Mike Merrifield and Sen. John Morse, including measures to improve bicycle safety and help National Guard citizen-soldiers afford college.
Gov. Ritter, and state, local and federal officials delivered their annual fire briefing to members of the media on May 8. The briefing provided a forecast for the upcoming wildland fire season and outlined planning, prevention and preparedness efforts that are underway.
Gov. Ritter signed two bills into law that will help create new jobs and beef up job training programs for emerging industries like the New Energy Economy at a ceremony on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver on May 4.
Colorado will now have a formal Teacher of the Year annual recognition program and Metropolitan State College of Denver can now offer master's degrees, thanks to two bills -- House Bills 1240 and 1295 -- Gov. Ritter signed into law on May 5. Joining the celebration were 2009 Teacher of the Year Susan Elliott of Highlands Ranch High School and Metro State's mascot, Rowdy the Roadrunner.
Gov. Ritter traveled around the metro area on May 2, signing several new bills into law, kicking off the annual MS Walk in Denver and visiting with constituents at town hall meetings in Broomfield and Arvada.
Gov. Bill Ritter attended a ceremony on May 1 at the State Patrol Academy at Camp George West in Golden to commemorate Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial Day.
Gov. Ritter joined U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on April 29 as Secretary Chu announced $110 million in Recovery Act funding for wind research and other projects at the Golden lab.
Gov. Bill Ritter, the Colorado Tourism Office and the entire tourism industry celebrated the beginning of the summer travel season at the Discover Colorado Rally on April 27 at the State Capitol. Gov. Ritter kicked off the rally by proclaiming May "Rediscover Colorado Month," and encouraged Coloradans to get out and explore their own backyards in May and throughout the entire summer season.
Gov. Ritter addressed hundreds of members of the Colorado Parent Teacher Association on April 25, reaffirming his commitment to cut Colorado's high school dropout rate in half over the next several years.
Gov. Bill Ritter on April 25 signed into law a measure that allows insurance companies to offer discounts and incentives to small business and their employees who participate in health and wellness programs. Insurers are currently prohibited from offering incentives even to small businesses that want access to health plans with financial and health rewards.
Gov. Ritter marked the 39th annual Earth Day on April 22 by signing the Renewable Energy Finance Act into law and presenting Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper with a Carbon Offset Certificate for helping to make last year's Democratic National Convention the greenest convention in history.
Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law the historic Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act on April 21, which will provide health coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured Coloradans and reduce uncompensated care and cost shifting.
Gov. Ritter visited Burlington on April 17, addressing Progressive 15 and exchanging high-fives with the Burlington Youth Council.
Gov. Ritter, a 1978 CSU graduate, visits with exhibitors from his alma mater on April 17 during CSU Day at the Capitol.
Gov. Ritter and First Lady Jeannie Ritter helped send off more than 500 Colorado National Guard troops on April 17 at the Pepsi Center, the largest deployment ceremony in decades. The citizen-soldiers are headed for Iraq.
Gov. Ritter visits with students from the Galileo Math & Science School before beginning a Town Hall meeting with community leaders.
Gov. Ritter shares information about the education components of the Recovery during a Town Hall meeting with members of School District 11 and members of the African American community.
Gov. Ritter addresses participants during a regional training conference for school administrators, staff, law enforcement, and other community stakeholders in school safety.
Gov. Ritter taking part in a meet & greet with the Colorado Parole Board and Dept. of Corrections employees.
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Gov. Ritter shows off his office to a large group of students visiting the Capitol from Longmont on April 16.
Gov. Ritter is joined by First Lady Jeannie Ritter, Sen. Moe Keller and Rep. Sue Schafer on April 16 to sign Senate Bill 30, which re-authorizes the Child Mental Health Treatment Act for another 10 years.
Gov. Bill Ritter congratulated three Colorado junior telemark skiers on their recent skiing accomplishments in a ceremony at the Capitol on April 16. Lorin Paley, 16, and Ben Paley, 18, of Steamboat Springs, and Drew Hauser, 19, of Silverthorne, were invited to meet with the Governor after their recent success at the Telemark Junior World Championships and the U.S. Telemark National Championships.
Gov. Ritter took part in the First Annual Capitol Challenge Shootout on April 11 at the Colorado Clays Shooting Range in Brighton.
Gov. Ritter helped cut the ribbon on two New Energy Economy businesses in Longmont today: Abound Solar's low-cost thin-film photovoltaic production plant and GE Energy Control Solutions facility. The businesses employ hundreds of Coloradans and are a key part of the state's New Energy Economy.
Gov. Bill Ritter today strengthened Colorado water laws today by signing Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Sen. Mary Hodge and Rep. Kevin Priola, which follows the recent signing of House Bill 1174 (Riesberg/Hodge).
Gov. Ritter accepts the EPA's ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in Washington, D.C., on March 31. The EPA honored the Governor's Energy Office for dramatically increasing the number of ENERGY STAR energy-efficient homes built in Colorado in 2008 over prior years.
Gov. Bill Ritter joined Vestas executives, the crown prince and princess of Denmark and local leaders at a groundbreaking ceremony for two Vestas manufacturing facilities in Brighton on March 25. The two facilities will create 1,350 new jobs and produce thousands of wind blades and nacelle assemblies when fully operational next year.
Gov. Ritter met with members of the Beijing delegation to the SportAccord 2009 conference in his office at the Capitol on March 25.
Surrounded by friends and relatives of recent victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, Gov. Bill Ritter signed the Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act into law at a Denver fire station on March 24. The act is named after Parker and Caroline Lofgren and their children Owen (10) and Sophie (8), all of whom died while vacationing in Aspen over Thanksgiving, and Lauren Johnson, a 23-year-old University of Denver graduate student who died in her apartment in January. The act, officially known as House Bill 1091, was sponsored by Reps. John Soper and Lois Court and Sen. Chris Romer. It requires that all new or sold residential properties have carbon monoxide alarms on each floor of the property. Rental properties will also be required to add carbon monoxide alarms when tenants change.
Gov. Bill Ritter and local officials celebrated the grand opening of Ascent Solar's new world headquarters and manufacturing facility in Thornton on March 24.
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Gov. Bill Ritter applauded on March 23 The Water Company's decision to expand and add more than 100 new jobs in Pueblo.
Gov. Ritter honored his mother, Ethel, on March 20 during the American Red Cross's annual Breakfast of Champions. The honor earned Ethel a spot on the front of a very special Wheaties box. Click here to listen to the Governor speak about his mother.
Gov. Ritter visited the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation outside of Cortez on March 17, visiting with Tribal Chairman Ernest House Sr. and the tribe's Farm and Ranch Enterprise.
Gov. Ritter and Economic Development Director Don Elliman toured StoneAge Tools in Durango on March 17.
Gov. Ritter, Lt. Gov. O'Brien and Treasurer Kennedy praise the Colorado Supreme Court's 6-1 decision on March 16 in the so-called "mill levy" case.
Gov. Ritter visited Westcliffe and Walsenburg on March 14, holding a town hall meeting in Westcliffe and visiting a still-under-construction trash transfer station in Walsenburg. A Walsenburg family came out so their kids could get their picture taken with the Governor.
Gov. Bill Ritter signed legislation on March 13 that will let qualifying nonprofits save up to 40 percent on purchases by utilizing the state's procurement system.
Gov. Ritter, state Sen. Suzanne Williams, Rep. Mike Merrifield and other lawmakers announce the introduction of Colorado ASCENT (Accelerating Students through Concurrent ENrollmenT) on March 13. The legislation will allow high school students statewide to simultaneously earn their diploma and a college associate's degree.
Gov. Ritter and state Sen. Gail Schwartz welcome Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a New Energy Expo at the State Capitol on March 12.
Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law the FASTER transportation bill on March 2, legislation that will save and create thousands of jobs, strengthen Colorado's economy and allow the state to repair unsafe bridges and roadways.
Gov. Ritter bids farewell to retiring State Patrol Chief Mark Trostel and presides over the swearing-in ceremony for new Chief James Wolfinbarger on Feb. 27.
Gov. Ritter and First Lady Jeannie Ritter gave elementary students at the Cole school in Denver a civics lesson during Teach for America Day on Feb. 27.
Gov. Bill Ritter announced on Feb. 26 new legislation that would provide health coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured Colorado citizens and families while also addressing cost-shifting that increases expenses on the insured and private businesses.
Gov. Bill Ritter helped celebrate the start of construction on Feb. 19 at a groundbreaking ceremony for Hexcel Corp. in Windsor, welcoming the Connecticut-based company to northern Colorado as the newest member of Colorado's New Energy Economy.
Gov. Ritter welcomed President Obama and Vice President Biden to Colorado on Feb. 17 for the signing of the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Act at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
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Gov. Bill Ritter and First Lady Jeannie Ritter marked National Salute to Veterans Week on Feb. 13 during a visit to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Denver.
Gov. Bill Ritter is joined by Attorney General John Suthers and other legislators during a press conference to announce a $6 million settlement with Countrywide Financial Corp. that will assist Coloradans facing foreclosure.
Gov. Ritter poses for an impromptu photo with Meeker High School students while they were visiting the Capitol taking a closer look at the legislative process.
Gov. Ritter greets and exchanges gifts with Miss Loveland Valentine, Victoria Fischer, on Feb. 9 during the traditional visit on the Monday before Valentine's Day. Ms. Fischer is a senior at Thompson Valley High School.
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Gov. Ritter -- joined by an Abraham Lincoln "re-enactor" -- announced on Feb. 2 a number of upcoming events that will be held around Colorado to celebrate the 200th birthday of the United States' 16th president.
Gov. Ritter delivered opening remarks at the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association's annual banquet on Jan. 31.
Gov. Ritter gets his blood pressure taken during the 9Health Fair Day at the Capitol Day on Jan. 29.
Gov. Ritter visited the Olathe Town Council and the Montrose-Delta Electric Association on Jan. 26 during a daylong swing through the Western Slope.
Gov. Ritter took part in a ribbon-cutting celebration on Jan. 26, celebrating the opening of Leitner-Poma's new 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Grand Junction.
Gov. Ritter announced the winners of the 2008 Governor's Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards during a news conference at the Capitol on Jan. 28. Click here for details.
The Anti-Defamation League honored Gov. Ritter on Jan. 27 with its annual Civil Rights Award, recognizing his contributions as Governor and as Denver's District Attorney from 1993 to 2005. Roz Duman, coordinator of the Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action, also received the Civil Rights Award.
Gov. Ritter and First Lady Jeannie Ritter visited with the Windsor High School Marching Band earlier today after the band finished rehearsing for tomorrow's Inaugural Parade. The Governor and First Lady met with band members at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Md.
During their visit, band members played the musical set they'll perform in tomorrow's parade. Gov. Ritter told band members that all of Colorado is proud of them. "You symbolize the spirit of Colorado," he said.
Gov. Ritter accepts a $34 million check from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Jan. 15 to help the state implement an anti-foreclosure Neighborhood Stablization Plan. The NSP is part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.
Gov. Ritter and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Mike May, announced on Jan. 15 that the Charles Schwab Co. is adding 500 new, high-paying jobs to its Colorado workforce.
Gov. Ritter, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce President Joe Blake and state Rep. Joe Rice joined a broad coalition of business, civic and elected leaders on Jan. 14 to announce the introduction of FASTER (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) transportation legislation. Rice and Sen. Dan Gibbs are co-sponsoring the bill, which will create thousands of new jobs and jump start safety and maintenance repairs on bridges and roads across the state.
Gov. Ritter celebrated the opening of a new solar system on January 13 at Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU). This system is one of the nation's largest at an educational institution. The project was a collaboration between CSU-Pueblo, BP Solar and Black Hills Energy and will provide more than 10 percent of CSU-Pueblo's future power needs, or roughly enough electricity to supply 225 homes.
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Gov. Ritter spoke at the Boots 'N Business luncheon on Jan. 9 to kick off the National Western Stock Show and to start the Governor's statewide State of the State tour.
On Jan. 8, Gov. Ritter gave his third State of the State address. He called an for unprecedented bipartisan focus on jobs and the economy to help Colorado weather the worldwide economic crisis.
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