Wake-Up Call: It's on to 2010

The Colorado Legislature just convened yesterday, with four months of hard work and tough budgeting choices ahead. So it's no surprise that in their off-hours, citizen lawmakers would rather ignore this new year altogether and go directly to 2010, which promises plenty of political surprises. Already, Troy Eid, outgoing U.S...

By Patricia Calhoun

January 8, 2009

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The Colorado Legislature just convened yesterday, with four months of hard work and tough budgeting choices ahead. So it's no surprise that in their off-hours, citizen lawmakers would rather ignore this new year altogether and go directly to 2010, which promises plenty of political surprises.

Already, Troy Eid, outgoing U.S. Attorney, is talking about running for Attorney General, since John Suthers is eying the governor's seat -- or maybe the Senate slot soon to be occupied by Michael Bennet. Governor Bill Ritter's surprise appointment of Bennet to replace Ken Salazar has given politicos plenty to yak about -- including not just how Bennet will fare in a race in 2010, but whether Ritter himself might be challenged within his own party.

Ritter will deliver his State of the State speech at the Capitol at 11 a.m. today. But it's no secret that right now, many ambitious pols are in a state of readiness. -- Patricia Calhoun

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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