Free Republic

State Sen. Josh Penry intends to drop out of the race for governor. Penry, 33, of Grand Junction, is facing former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis and Evergreen businessman Dan Maes for the Republican nomination. But Penry has been meeting with people today to let them know he would leave the race. One source said an announcement was imminent and that Penry met with McInnis Monday morning to inform him of the decision. Penry explained he was leaving the race for "personal reasons," the source said. Penry collected about $400,000 in his first quarter of fundraising, coming in second to McInnis'...

Democrat Bill Ritter rode an anti-Republican sentiment into the governor's office in 2006, but a new poll suggests he might have a much harder time in his re-election bid. In the survey of 1,050 likely Colorado voters, Ritter's disapproval ratings are higher than his approval ratings among all voters, including Hispanics and the most crucial bloc of all in Colorado politics: unaffiliated voters. Ritter ... most likely will face one of two Grand Junction Republicans next year: former Congressman Scott McInnis or Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry. The poll shows McInnis beating Ritter, 48-41, and Ritter barely edging Penry, 40-42....

Former Congressman Scott McInnis has been saying for weeks that it's too early to announce whether he's running for governor next year, but privately he's telling his friends: "I'm in." McInnis made that clear when he schmoozed with fellow Republicans at a state GOP dinner and committee meeting over the weekend, and in talks in recent weeks. "He told me he was in," said state Rep. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, after talking to McInnis on Friday night at the GOP dinner. "I said great. I've known Scott for years, and he certainly has a strong presence," Roberts said. State Rep. Scott...

Less than a year after state lawmakers requested a probe into skyrocketing early prison releases, the Colorado Department of Corrections has reported that discretionary prison releases shot up again by a double-digit percentage. During the 2007-08 fiscal year, which ended June 30, the parole board released 5,596 inmates compared to 5,069 the previous year, an increase of more than 10 percent... Last year’s parole releases are nearly double the 2,813 discretionary releases during the 2006-07 fiscal year, the final year the panel was entirely appointed by Republican Gov. Bill Owens. A prisoner’s release on parole is “discretionary” when it comes...

Senate Republicans will put an end to the “endless campaign” and work with Democrats, when necessary, to move Colorado forward, newly christened Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, pledged Thursday. Penry, whose colleagues elevated him to leadership by acclamation, said his caucus will continue to offer solutions to the state problems and build on the accomplishments of outgoing Senate Minority Leader Andrew McElhany, R-Colorado Springs. “Republicans have succeeded in shaping a number of the big policies, because we’ve been an idea machine,” Penry said. “We’re going to continue to stay on the offensive with ideas.” Senator-elect Al White, R-Hayden,...