Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Won’t Seek Second Term

Ritter told other Democrats the job was taking a toll on his family and he could not be successful as a father and husband while running for governor, according to those briefed on the calls. Ritter has one school-age child living with him and wife Jeannie in the Governor's Residence. Three others are grown or in college but still nearby.

Sources said Ritter's office contacted key legislators asking them to be available for a news conference today at which Ritter will make his announcement following a morning meeting with his Cabinet.

Ritter's decision, first reported by a blog affiliated with Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C., was confirmed by The Denver Post and others.

(...) U.S. Sen. Mark Udall and U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette announced they would call a meeting of Democrats in the state's congressional delegation, along with Colorado Democratic Party chair Pat Waak, for 1 p.m. today to "discuss how to go forward as a party."