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DENVER — Wealthy think tank founder Rutt Bridges declared his candidacy for Colorado governor Thursday, 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.
“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 because 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.
Bridges was the public face behind the effort to reform the state’s spending limits. He initially vowed to take the issue to last November’s ballot, then backed off. He also — along with three other Democratic millionaires — spent big money last year winning back the statehouse for his party for the first time in more than 40 years.
“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.
“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 because 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.
Bridges was the public face behind the effort to reform the state’s spending limits. He initially vowed to take the issue to last November’s ballot, then backed off. He also — along with three other Democratic millionaires — spent big money last year winning back the statehouse for his party for the first time in more than 40 years.
