Abortion provider rebukes Ritter

David Montero, Rocky Mountain News

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

A Boulder abortion provider urged Colorado Democrats to vote against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter because of his opposition to abortion.

Dr. Warren Hern delivered a lengthy statement on Ritter's candidacy in the Capitol Building on Monday, a day after the 33rd anniversary of the Roe. vs. Wade decision.

"Although I want to see a Democrat returned to the governor's office in Colorado, I will not accept this at the cost of the loss of freedom of access to safe abortion services for Colorado women," he said.

Hern said Ritter's views on the issue represent "a historic step backward" for the Democratic Party.

Ritter, the former Denver district attorney, said he would not comment.

A devout Catholic, Ritter is personally against abortion. But he has said that if elected governor, he would "oppose any effort that would seek to criminalize women or their doctors over this issue" and that he would "enforce existing laws, including Roe. vs. Wade."

This latest dust-up isn't new for Ritter, who has been traveling around the state to assuage the fears of some nervous, pro-choice Democrats.

Rick Brown, president of the Elbert County Democratic Party, said Ritter met with a group of Democrats on Jan. 7.

Brown said his concerns were laid to rest. "We are comfortable with his position," Brown said. "I don't think he's on a crusade to change current law."