August William Ritter, Jr.
41st Governor of Colorado
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 9, 2007
Lieutenant(s)	Barbara O’Brien
Preceded by	Bill Owens
Succeeded by	Incumbent
Born	September 6, 1956 Denver, Colorado
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jeannie Ritter
Profession	Law
Religion	Roman Catholic

August William Ritter, Jr. (born September 6, 1956) is an American Democratic politician from Colorado, the former District Attorney for Denver, Colorado, and the current Governor for the state of Colorado. He is the first native-born governor of the state in 35 years, as well as the being the first to serve with a Democratic majority in The General Assembly in 50 years. The Governor of Colorado is the chief executive of the U.S. state of Colorado. ... The incumbent, in politics, is the current holder of a political office. ... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... The lieutenant governor of Colorado is the second-highest-ranking member of the executive department of the Colorado state government, below only the Governor of Colorado. ... Barbara OBrien is the current Democrtaic candidate for Lt. ... This article is about the former Governor of Colorado. ... September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Colorado. ... : The Mile-High City United States Colorado Denver (coextensive) 154. ... This article does not adequately cite its references. ... Jeannie Ritter (born 1958, Denver, Colorado is the wife of Bill Ritter (born August William Ritter Jr. ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ... September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Democratic Party is one of the two major United States political parties. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... A district attorney is, in some U.S. jurisdictions, the title of the local public official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminals. ... : The Mile-High City United States Colorado Denver (coextensive) 154. ... For other uses, see Governor (disambiguation). ... The Colorado General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Colorado. ...

Early life and childhood

Ritter was born in Denver and raised on a farm in far eastern Aurora among his 11 brothers and sisters (he was born sixth). He went to Gateway High School while he lived in Aurora. His father, Bill, was a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry. His mother, Ethel, was a homemaker until the family began to struggle economically and she found work as a bookkeeper when Ritter was a young teenager. At 14 years old, he went to work full time in the construction industry, and joined a local labor union. He continued to work in the construction field, which ended up financing his college education (along with student loans). He enrolled in Colorado State University and completed a bachelors degree, and then pursued a degree at the University of Colorado School of Law in Boulder. By 1981, he had earned a law degree and was hired as a Deputy District Attorney for the City and County of Denver. Nickname: The Gateway to the Rockies Location of Aurora in Colorado County Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas  - Mayor Ed Tauer (R) Area    - City 369. ... // Introduction Gateway High School is located in Kissimmee, Florida. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Colorado State University is a public land grant institution of higher learning located in Fort Collins, Colorado in the United States. ... A bachelors degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course that generally lasts three or four years. ... The University of Colorado School of Law is one of the professional graduate schools within the University of Colorado System. ... The City of Boulder ( , Mountain Time Zone) is a home rule municipality located in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A Law degree is the degree conferred on someone who successfully completes studies in law. ... A district attorney is, in some U.S. jurisdictions, the title of the local public official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminals. ...

Career in law and jurisprudence

In 1990, Ritter took on a position in the US Attorney's office, and returned to the Deputy DA's office two years later. In 1993, Ritter was appointed as Denver's District Attorney. As DA, he created one of the nation's first drug courts, as well as taking on white collar crime in metropolitan Denver. He worked extensively on the prosecution of sexual abuse and domestic violence, as well as criminals offending senior citizens. MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ... United States Attorneys represent the U.S. federal government in United States district court. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... A district attorney is, in some U.S. jurisdictions, the title of the local public official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminals. ... The metropolitan area centered on the city of Denver, Colorado is known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Denver metropolitan area (population 2,179,240 in 2000). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Old age consists of ages nearing the average lifespan of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. ...

Ritter is responsible for creating the first Victims Services Network in the United States. He advised United States Attorney General John Ashcroft on affairs after September 11, 2001 and during his time as the Denver DA, he served as Vice President of the National Association of District Attorneys, Chairman of the American Prosecutors Research Institute, and a board member for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. Seal of the United States Department of Justice The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice (see 28 U.S.C. Â§ 503) concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. ... John David Ashcroft (born May 9, 1942) was the 79th Attorney General of the United States. ... The World Trade Center on fire The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A vice president is an officer in government or business who is next in rank below a president. ...

Charity and humanitarian work

Ritter served as Chairman of the Board of Promoting Anti-Violence through Education (PAVE), as well as on the Denver Foundation's Human Services Committee, the Mile High United Way Board, and the Denver Public Schools' Commission on Secondary School Reform. The Denver Foundation is a community humanitarian organization located in Denver, Colorado. ... The United Way of America is a coalition of charitable organizations in the United States that have traditionally pooled efforts in fundraising. ... Denver Public Schools in the public school system in Denver. ...

Missionary work

In 1987, Ritter and his wife Jeannie moved to Zambia as missionaries for the Catholic Church, where they would open a food distribution and education center. Upon their return to the Denver area in 1989, Governor Roy Romer appointed Ritter to the DA's office, citing his missionary work as an "important factor" in the decision. During the 2006 campaign, Ritter's work in Zambia was often emphasized by his campaign and the press [1]. 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. ... The name Catholic Church can mean a visible organization that refers to itself as Catholic, or the invisible Christian Church, viz. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Roy R. Romer (born October 31, 1928 in Garden City, Kansas, United States) was the 39th governor of Colorado and served as the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District from 2001 to 2006. ...

Controversies

Plea bargains

Controversy arose during the campaign over Ritter's use of plea bargains while in office. As DA, Ritter plea bargained 97% of cases which were brought to his office [2] (near the national average). However, controversy surfaced regarding plea bargains that prevented the deportation of both legal and illegal immigrants charged with drug, assault, and other crimes [3]. Both illegal immigration and drug use were hot topics in the race for governor, raising further controversy. Ritter has defended the plea bargains, stating that "Our priority was to try the most serious cases." [4]

Abortion position

During the 2006 campaign, Ritter had cited early on his stance as a "pro-life" politician.^{[citation needed]}

Family

Bill and Jeannie Ritter married in 1984. They have four children: August (20), Abe (18), Sam (16), and Tally (14). Jeannie is a substitute teacher in the Denver Public Schools District. The majority of Ritter's extended family lives in Colorado. His mother Ethel (b. 1925) is a resident of Strasburg, Colorado. 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Strasburg is a census-designated place located in Adams County, Colorado. ...

2006 gubernatorial campaign

Ritter addressing statesmen at the State of the State address in 2007.

Main article: Colorado gubernatorial election, 2006

Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2000x1334, 527 KB) Public Domain image courtesy Governors office of Colorado Governor Bill Ritter at 2007 State of the State. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2000x1334, 527 KB) Public Domain image courtesy Governors office of Colorado Governor Bill Ritter at 2007 State of the State. ... The Colorado gubernatorial election of 2006 will be held on November 7, 2006. ...

Political stances

As a Democrat, Ritter supports a semi-progressive agenda, emphasizing socialized medicine, environmental protection, housing subsidy and welfare increases and other stances aligned with the left wing of the Democratic Party. However, during the first campaign, more liberal state Democrats encouraged other candidates, such as Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, to pursue the office of Governor, due to concerns over Ritter's pro-life stance. Others argued that Ritter would win more votes in the "purple state" of Colorado, as opposed to Republican opponents. Hickenlooper did not pursue the office in 2006, and eventually supported Ritter. This article does not adequately cite its references. ... John Wright Hickenlooper (born February 7, 1952) is Mayor of the City and County of Denver, Colorado. ... The Republican Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States of America, along with the Democratic Party. ...

As governor, Ritter has pledged that overturning abortion laws would not be part of his agenda, and has stated that he would veto any bill prohibiting abortion that did not provide for an exception for rape, incest or fetal anomalies [5]. Ritter has further stated that he would restore state funding to Planned Parenthood for family planning, and would reverse the veto of a bill that would have allowed pharmacists to dispense the emergency contraception known as the morning-after pill.

Issues

In law, issue can mean several things: In wills and trusts, a persons issue are the group of people composed of his lineal descendants. ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... Robert L. Bob Beauprez (born September 22, 1948) is an American politician who has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 7th Congressional District of Colorado (map). ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... Holding Texas law making it a crime to assist a woman to get an abortion violated her due process rights. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... The NSA warrantless surveillance controversy concerns surveillance of United States persons incident to the collection of foreign intelligence by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) as part of the war on terror. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq has been a contentious issue within the United States since the beginning of the Iraq War. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... This politics-related article is a stub. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... A bill is a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not been ratified, adopted, or received assent. ... Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the execution of a convicted criminal by the state as punishment for crimes known as capital crimes or capital offences. ... For other uses, see Murder (disambiguation). ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... A mandatory sentence is a judicial decision setting the punishment to be inflicted on a person convicted of a crime where judicial discretion is limited by law. ... For other uses, see Murder (disambiguation). ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... The Guest worker program is a program that has been proposed many times in the past and now also by U.S. President George W. Bush as a way to permit U.S. employers to sponsor non-U.S. citizens as laborers for approximately three years, to be deported afterwards... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... A bill is a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not been ratified, adopted, or received assent. ... There have been a number of Immigration Acts in the United States. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... This politics-related article is a stub. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... A bill is a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not been ratified, adopted, or received assent. ... Human embryonic stem cell colony. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... A bill is a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not been ratified, adopted, or received assent. ... An education voucher, commonly called a school voucher, is a certificate by which parents are given the ability to pay for the education of their children at a school of their choice, rather than the public school to which they were assigned. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... A bill is a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not been ratified, adopted, or received assent. ... Affordable housing is a dwelling where the total housing costs are affordable to those living in that housing unit. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... A bill is a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not been ratified, adopted, or received assent. ... The following is a list of referenda and state constitutional amendments in Colorado sorted by election. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... Referendum E reduces property taxes for qualified disabled veterans by exempting a portion of the value of their home from property taxation. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... Referendum F changes the requirements for recalling elected officials, allowing the state legislature to relax deadlines for protesting recall petitions. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... Referendum G removes provisions, dates and references to obsolete laws from three sections of the state Constitution, and eliminates gender references in one section of the state constitution. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... Referendum H bars businesses from claiming a state income tax business deduction for wages paid to workers who were known at the time of hiring to be undocumented immigrants. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... Referendum I was a proposed law which would have established domestic partnerships in the U.S. state of Colorado. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... The following is a list of referenda and state constitutional amendments in Colorado sorted by election. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... Referendum K is a referendum on the 2006 Colorado ballot. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... Amendment 38 is a measure on the 2006 ballot in Colorado. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... The following is a list of referenda and state constitutional amendments in Colorado sorted by election. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... The following is a list of referenda and state constitutional amendments in Colorado sorted by election. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... The following is a list of referenda and state constitutional amendments in Colorado sorted by election. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... It has been suggested that Colorado Amendment 43 be merged into this article or section. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... Advocacy is an umbrella term for organized activism related to a particular set of issues. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ... Amendment 44 was a proposed amendment to the state statutes submitted for referendum in the 2006 general elections in the U.S. state of Colorado. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... This politics-related article is a stub. ... In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ...

Electoral History

The Colorado gubernatorial election of 2006 will be held on November 7, 2006. ... The Democratic Party is one of the two major United States political parties. ... This article is about the modern United States Republican Party. ... Robert L. Bob Beauprez (born September 22, 1948) is an American politician who has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 7th Congressional District of Colorado (map). ... The Libertarian Party is an American political party founded in 1971. ... Dawn Winkler is the co-founder and executive director of the non-profit group Health Advocacy in the Public Interest and the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Colorado in the 2006 statewide elections. ...

Popularity

Ritter is popular with rural Coloradans, who in the past have tended to vote for Republican candidates (particularly Front Range voters). This may stem from Ritter's perceived rural roots. His popularity also extends to the Democratic strongholds in Colorado; the continental divide ski resorts such as Aspen and Vail, as well as the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area. Ritter's chief rival for office, Bob Beauprez, shares a similar background, but may have suffered from the lack of a widely recognized in-state political history, having only chaired the state Republican Party, and having served most visibly in the U.S. Congress. Denver's bid for the 2008 Democratic National Convention may also have played a role in the election. The Colorado Front Range is a colloquial geographic term for the populated areas of the state of Colorado in the United States which are just east of the foothills of the Front Range, from which the region takes its name. ... A continental divide is a line of elevated terrain which forms a border between two watersheds such that water falling on one side of the line eventually travels to one ocean or body of water, and water on the other side travels to another, generally on the opposite side of... A ski area is a place where one goes to participate in the sports of skiing and snowboarding. ... View south along Galena Street in downtown Aspen. ... There are also Vail, Arizona and Vail, Iowa. ... The metropolitan area centered on the city of Denver, Colorado is known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Denver metropolitan area (population 2,179,240 in 2000). ... Robert L. Bob Beauprez (born September 22, 1948) is an American politician who has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 7th Congressional District of Colorado (map). ... The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States of America. ... The 2008 Democratic National Convention will be the 2008 United States presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party. ...

External links

• Colorado Governor Bill Ritter official state site
• National Governors Association - Colorado Governor Bill Ritter biography
• Follow the Money - Bill Ritter Jr & Barbara O'Brien 2006 campaign contributions
• On the Issues - Bill Ritter issue positions and quotes
• Project Vote Smart - Governor August William 'Bill' Ritter Jr. (CO) profile
• Bill Ritter for Governor official campaign site
• Profile: Bill Ritter The Denver Post, July 31, 2005
• Bill Ritter Cherry Creek News ongoing collection of news stories
• County map of 2006 Gubernatorial Election Results
• Democratic Party of Colorado
• The Democratic National Committee