Gov. Bill Ritter took the reins of state government today, thanking everyone before him, even the snow plow drivers of the past few weeks, promising to make Colorado a national leader for renewable energy, health insurance, education and good government.
Under bright blue skies, Ritter looked west to snow-covered Mt. Evans and told the crowd of several thousand on the west steps of the state Capitol building: “The mountains symbolize what Colorado is all about–hope and opportunity, taking risks and overcoming challenges. Colorado is about bold ideas and brave actions. We look up, not down. We look ahead, not back.”
Ritter quoted Robert F. Kennedy, who said, “The future is not a gift, it is an achievement.”
He quoted frequently from his campaign theme, which he dubbed “The Colorado Promise.”
“The Colorado Promise is simple: it’s about making a better future. A better future for our children and our grandchildren. Let’s start by being bolder than any other state when it comes to implementing renewable energy. Let’s fulfill the Colorado Promise together by giving our children opportunities and our employers the best educated workforce in the nation.
“Let’s fulfill the Colorado Promise by ending the crisis of the uninsured and enacting comprehensive health-care reform,” he said while being interrupted numerous times by loud applause.
Taking the oath of office before Ritter were new members of the state Board of Education, new members of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, Secretary of State Mike Coffman, Treasurer Cary Kennedy, Attorney General John Suthers and Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien. Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey administered the oaths.
Just before the oaths were given, members of a Ft. Carson Army artillery unit fired a 19-shot salute from a 105 mm cannon. The oaths were followed by a fly-over by fighter jets from the Colorado Air National Guard.
Outgoing Gov. Bill Owens gave a dignified goodbye after 24 years in elected state government positions, the last 8 as governor. Owens, once considered likely to enter national politics, has said he will enter private business in real estate development and investment banking.
“Years ago, I began to understand the power of representative government,” Owens said. “It derives its power from ‘consent of the governed’ as penned by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. Let’s always work together toward civil and productive debate and make it the hallmark of Colorado politics.”
Bouquets of red roses were then presented to Frances Owens and to outgoing Lt. Gov. Jane Norton.
Ritter began the day by attending Mass at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in downtown Denver, accompanied by roughly 250 family members, friends and supporters.
The Mass, conducted by longtime family friend Rev. Bill Morell of San Antonio, TX, was Ritter’s first public appearance on the day the former Denver prosecutor took the oath of the state’s highest office.
“I believe the call to every Christian…is to minding the gaps in life,” Fr. Morell said, referring to the differences between the rich and the poor, and between public policy and everyday practice.
“This Mass is a way of helping Bill, his family and all coming into public office to ask for strength,” said Morell, who counseled Ritter for two years in high school in San Antonio and who Ritter and his wife asked for help in arranging to do missionary work in Zambia years ago.
Morell lightened the mood of the service when he noted to the audience that no collection plate was being passed during the 90-minute service.
“I know those of you who have been around Bill the last couple of months find this unusual,” he said to laughter. “Don’t worry.”
Ritter’s daughter, Tally, 13, bravely stood before the congregation and spoke of her hope “for our dad and all public servants: May they be wise, humble and just.” Ritter’s three other children gave readings as well.
Ritter, his wife Jeannie, and the children then received Holy Communion.
Following Mass, Ritter’s extended family, which arrived in two chartered buses, ate breakfast in the church basement before moving on to the swearing-in ceremony at the statehouse a few blocks away.
One of Ritter’s first acts as Colorado’s 41st governor is expected to be issuance of an executive order to require Colorado to buy prescription drugs in bulk for Medicaid patients from a multistate drug- purchasing pool. The resultant volume discounts could save the state $10 million annually, supporters estimate.
To join the pool, the state must adopt a prescription-drug list that limits what drugs can be purchased. The pharmaceutical lobby has helped defeat similar proposals in each of the past three years, arguing that the preferred-drug roster hurts patients who depend on unlisted drugs. Owens cited that concern both times he vetoed past proposals.
