Denver – Wealthy think tank founder Rutt Bridges declared his candidacy for Colorado governor today, becoming the second Democrat officially seeking the job Republican Gov. Bill Owens must give up next year because of term limits.
“Most politicians form exploratory committees and waffle about their ‘final’ decision,” Bridges said in a news release. “Not me. I’m running for governor and I’m in for the long haul.”
Bridges, a 53-year-old political neophyte, made millions developing a software program that analyzes sound reflections from the earth to identify likely oil and gas deposits. He later founded Denver’s centrist Bighorn Center for Public Policy, which backed Colorado’s popular No-Call List prohibiting telemarketer phone calls to those signed up.
“I grew up poor and understand the value of hard work and integrity,” he said. “Job creation, affordable health care, a great environment, the best education for our kids — there is nothing we can’t achieve if we work together.”
Last year, Bridges briefly considered running for Senate but bowed out when the eventual winner, Ken Salazar, expressed interest. Salazar recently refused to rule out a run for governor next year when Owens must step down after two terms.
The only other Democrat officially in the race is former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, who has angered many in his own party by describing himself as a “pro-life Democrat.”
On the Republican side, Rep. Bob Beauprez said he wants to run for governor and others considering the race include former Rep. Scott McInnis and University of Denver president Marc Holtzman, who has never held office.
