Supporters of Ritter campaign already hitting the air

DENVER - Gov. Bill Ritter (D-Colorado) is the beneficiary of a significant television advertising campaign being run roughly 13 months before he stands for re-election.

A 501(c)4 registered non-profit called Colorado's On the Move is spending $163,214 on Denver television stations, including $68,550 at the networks of 9NEWS.

The group is run by Mike Melanson, who ran the successful U.S. Senate campaign of Mark Udall (D-Colorado) in 2008 and the registered agent of the nonprofit is Denver resident Julie Wells whose name has been attached to numerous groups designed to promote progressive politics throughout Colorado.

The ad promotes Ritter's positions surrounding what he's called "The New Energy Economy" and highlights a recent rating of Colorado as the 4th best state in the country to do business by Forbes.com. Under the federal tax codes, 501(c)4 organizations are identified as "social welfare organizations." It also means their donors can remain private.

Also by law, the organization cannot communicate with any candidate's campaign directly.

Three Republicans are running in a primary to challenge Ritter in November 2010. Former Rep. Scott McInnis, State Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry and Evergreen businessman Dan Maes are the Republican candidates.

The ad is set to begin on 9NEWS today and will run through the first week of November 48 separate times.