Republican state Sen. Josh Penry is currently leading a Denver Business Journal web poll that asks readers to pick a favored candidate in next year's gubernatorial election. Penry tops incumbent Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter 42 percent to 15 percent as of Thursday afternoon in the site's weekly "Business Pulse" survey, an unscientific gauge of reader opinion.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: Josh Penry
Follow this topic by RSS11/23: The GOP's unified front
Will a unified platform benefit the GOP in 2010?
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A 'Contract for Colorado'?
This week's show begins with a look at the week in Colorado politics with an eye toward the likely endorsement of GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis by former rivals Josh Penry and Tom Tancredo. Republicans are rallying around a so-called "Contract for Colorado," a unified platform for the 2010 election cycle. Will this development help McInnis gain steam against incumbent Gov. Bill Ritter?
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11/17: Josh Penry is still in the money chase
Josh Penry may no longer be running for Governor, but he's far from done with next year's election.
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Josh Penry on exiting the 2010 governor's race
State Sen. Josh Penry on his decision to end his bid for Colorado governor in 2010.
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Gubernatorial candidate Josh Penry
An interview with state Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, who recently announced a campaign for the GOP nomination for governor in 2010.
Play audio - 9:47 minutes
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FTS on 600 KCOL: Health care madness; GOP guv contenders
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 600 KCOL morning team Keith & Gail. With Congress debating a massive overhaul of America's health care industry, what will be the practical implications? And how much does experience factor in to running for Colorado governor, in light of recent veteran candidates taking a drubbing at the polls?
Play audio - 11:06 minutes
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7/13: Penry will run for Governor
Josh Penry made it official Saturday: will run for Governor.
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'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 7/13/09 - Ritter's revenue estimates; GOP Guv race
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver. A recent Face The State analysis of state government budget projections shows the Ritter administration was slow to adjust its revenue estimates as the recession worsened. Also, the GOP field lining up to challenge the incumbent Governor grew to three with the weekend addition of state Sen. Josh Penry.
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FTS on 1100 KNZZ: Josh Penry announces for governor
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and 1100 KNZZ weekend host Rick Wagner interview state Sen. Josh Penry, who announced Saturday he will seek the GOP nomination for Governor in 2010.
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McInnis announces endorsements; Penry to enter guv race Saturday
July 9, 2009After a rocky start, former congressman-turned-gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis released a wave of endorsements yesterday including a number of familiar high-profile names in Colorado's Republican establishment.
McInnis files campaign committee, launches Web site
A Face the State Staff Report
July 2, 2009Former Congressman and 2010 GOP gubernatorial hopeful Scott McInnis filed paperwork Tuesday to form a campaign committee, clearing the way for him to raise and spend money in support of his candidacy.
Monday budget forecast could determine need for special session
A Face the State Staff Report
June 18, 2009
When lawmakers finished this year's legislative session May 6, discussions immediately began on whether the General Assembly would be called back into session to deal with worsening revenue, forcing deeper state budget cuts. Updated financial forecasts are due on Monday and lawmakers are expecting to hear shortly thereafter if they will called back to work this summer.
As he leaves for Washington, Groff's staff get a cushy farewell gift
June 16, 2009Monday, the AP reported that former Colorado state Senate President Peter Groff paid his staff $30,000 in bonuses before he left office, despite a statewide hiring freeze and a budget crisis that could mean furloughs for thousands of other workers.
At the end of the legislative session, Groff left the Colorado Senate for a position in the Obama administration as director of the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Center. He is an outspoken supporter of school choice, an opponent of the business personal property tax and a respected leader by Democrats and Republicans alike. It is hard to say anything bad about him.
But this time, Groff made a mistake.
McInnis ramps up, but can't raise or spend money without committee
June 10, 2009Last month, Former Congressman Scott McInnis quietly filed paperwork declaring himself a candidate for Colorado Governor in 2010. Despite filing, McInnis has not set up a campaign committee with state elections officials nor created a Web site, two tasks normally a priority for new candidates. Without a committee, McInnis is prohibited under state law from accepting contributions or spending money to promote his bid for office.
Segments 4 and 5 - SB 228 opens pandora's box for state budget
Staff writer Rachel Boxer helps analyze Senate Bill 228, signed into law this week, and its effect on the state budget. Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, says the law would mandate spending on transportation and capitol construction projects, but those requirements may never materialize if the economy continues to sour. Also, SB 228 may lay the groundwork for accelerated growth in the size of state government, and Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry isn't sparing with his criticism.
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McInnis shifts his tone
May 21, 2009Now that Scott McInnis has made his candidacy for governor official, is he learning to play nice?
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 5/19/09 - Is McInnis in or out? Plus, Libertarians elect new leadership
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver for a look at state politics. How vulnerable is Gov. Bill Ritter, especially given the less-than-warm reception he received there last weekend? Will former Congressman Scott McInnis be a formidable challenger? (That is, when he announces?)
Play audio - 19:07 minutes
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Not a good weekend for Ritter
May 18, 2009
Gov. Bill Ritter gave the keynote speech at Mesa State College's commencement ceremony Saturday. But as a local TV news station reported: “Not everyone in Grand Junction gave [him] a warm welcome.”
Segments 2 and 3 - The General Assembly's sprint to the finish line
FTS staff writer Rachel Boxer recaps the final weeks of the Colorado legislature's first regular session in 2009. Listen for audio from House Speaker Terrance Carroll, House majority leader Paul Weissmann, minority leader Rep. Mike May, Rep. Amy Stephens, Senate minority leader Josh Penry, and Sen. Al White.
Play audio - 13:56 minutes
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The Senator who saved the death penalty
FTS Opinion
May 8, 2009
Whoever thought Gov. Bill Ritter would have a reason to thank Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry?
During his time as Denver’s district attorney, Ritter unsuccessfully pursued the death penalty seven times. As debate in the legislature raged over House Bill 1274, a proposal that would have ended capitol punishment in Colorado, using the savings investigate cold cases, Ritter became increasingly quiet and neutral on the issue.
The business tax that just won't die
A Face the State Staff Report
May 6, 2009For decades, the business community has lobbied for the demise of the business personal property tax, only for every attempt come up short.
GOP leaders recap the session
A Face the State Staff Report
May 5, 2009With just one day remaining in the state legislative session, Republican leaders are calling the current session a "fiscal train wreck" and "extremely partisan."
Romer and Caldara sittin' in a tree...
May 2, 2009
Is state Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, trying to position himself as a moderate? Or maybe his infatuation with one of Colorado's most compassionate conservatives just got the better of him Thursday.
DNA collection bill divides Republicans
A Face the State Staff Report
April 28, 2009
A bill to collect DNA from individuals arrested for felonies has Republicans split over whether it reflects a commonsense approach to law enforcement or a dangerous expansion of government power.
Senate Bill 241, if passed, would enter the collected DNA samples into a state database maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
New independent poll claims Ritter vulnerable in 2010
A Face the State Staff Report
April 24, 2009Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, may have his work cut out with him if wants to convince voters to support his re-election bid in 2010. This is according to Public Policy Polling, a private polling firm that boasts on its Web site that it is "best known for putting out highly accurate polling on key political races across the country."
Dems shoot down 22 GOP spending amendments
A Face the State Staff Report
April 14, 2009Colorado's Democrat-led state Senate passed this year’s contentious $18.9 billion budget bill Monday afternoon, seizing $500 million from Pinnacol Assurance, the state’s largest provider of workers compensation insurance. While Democrats defended the move, saying it was necessary to fund higher education, they also declined to pass at least 22 alternative cuts introduced by Republicans.