Colorado GOP donors fly below the radar with maze of 527 committees

In Colorado, organizing, infrastructure and fundraising within the Democratic Party and progressive organizations are the stuff of legend. The story of how liberal mega-millionaires and single-minded cooperation on the left turned this formerly solid red state to purple and blue have been told and retold for years. The story of coordination among conservatives groups, however, and the way millions of dollars each election cycle slosh to candidates and causes on the right has received relatively scant attention.

Ritter, Kennedy and surprise Republican activist applaud Groff nod

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Friday called the appointment of Senate President Peter Groff to a U.S. Department of Education post a “tremendous gain” for the federal government but a “big loss” for the state in a prepared statement.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Friday afternoon Groff was the Obama administration pick to head the department’s Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Center. Ritter and Groff are both Democrats.